They’re gonna put me in the movies
They’re gonna make a big star out of me
We’ll make a film about a man that’s sad and lonely
And all I gotta do is act naturally
Back in mid July I received an email from someone called Joe Driver, from Cornwall Stress Free Television. They explained that they were running a small and totally non-profit making on-line television channel and were interested in making some programs about gardening. Having found our details in the National Garden Scheme website they approached us as potentially a) having a garden they could film in and b) being persons who know a lot about gardens and gardening and who had been professionally involved for some years. Might we be interested in making a monthly, ten to twenty minute duration item, to go on their platform.
They proposed that “We’d initially make a “pilot” which would quickly reveal whether we enjoyed the process and whether we liked each other!
It’s got to be fun and we have all got to enjoy doing it. If either or both of you would like to try your hand at presenting that would be fantastic. It’s all pre-recorded and edited so there really is no pressure.”
I was intrigued, I was flattered, I said yes to doing the pilot. I rang them up, discovered that Joe was a man, which to that point I hadn’t known. I had concerns about what I was getting myself into but figured I wasn’t committing myself to anything and that it would be interesting and educational even if nothing came of it.
Joe and Carole came on 27th July to film the pilot. It went OK, I did try my hand at presenting and that went OK-ish. It was all off the cuff material, whatever came into my head. I’d not prepared or researched anything as I didn’t know what they wanted. I thought I was pretty bad, they said I was a natural. I’m of an age where I’m comparing myself with Percy and Geoff, these days everyone’s an online presenter; I’m worrying too much.
You know where this is going. They came and filmed an August program on 17th August, hard on the heels of the 30° and more of 11th-14th August. We’d been open the 12th and 13th. If I’m honest, my heart wasn’t really in it but it was done and dusted and put up on Vimeo. I didn’t feel ready to trumpet it from the rooftops. The poor old garden had looked tired and battered.
September 7th saw them back again, early in the month because of other commitments later on. I talked and waved my arms about while Joe filmed and Nikki took notes. They took it away and edited it. It’s a lot better than the first one and hopefully I’m still learning. Here it is, see what you think.
Click here for the September programme.
And here for the August programme.
garden ruminations 
I thoroughly enjoyed watching the episode, and will take a look at the August episode too. I certainly learned a lot, from the pots of Alstroemeria, to the propagation and placing of Cyclamen in the garden. The fuchsias are lovely, as are the Impatiens. You have an amazing variety of plants.
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Glad you enjoyed it. I’ve put links direct to both programmes into the blog now, and dates for filming October are being considered.
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Well, can I have your autograph now you are a big star? I was complaining to Bill that there’s nothing on television these days…….now there is at least 20 minutes a month worth watching. Very easy Stress Free viewing, well done, Jim.
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Thank you. We need to get the links sorted out so it’s easier to access. I have no idea how many people have now seen it, hopefully Joe will be able to tell me. Such feedback as I’ve had has been positive, which is encouraging, but it’s all come from people I “know” through the blog; the idea of getting an audience of complete strangers who start to have expectations of something entertaining each month is interesting and a little daunting. Then again, there are millions of YouTubers and Vloggers or whatever they call themselves, doing it all the time. Almost all of them a third my age or less.
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Best wishes with it.
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Thank you Paddy.
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Well I loved your broadcast! Your garden is really impressive, and I found myself taking notes…Looking forward to the next one.
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Thank you. It’s going to get harder as we go into winter but hopefully we can raise our game a little with each episode.
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It all looks so differently in video rather than in pictures; and you talk like Bond . . . James Bond. There does not seem to be much space left for anything new in that garden.
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Now I KNOW I’ve revealed too much!
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You do have a lovely voice.
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I need to comment from my iPad, with a blushing emoji. Are they even possible on a PC, most things are if you know how.
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Really? I must have missed that part.
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Very interesting. Did you only make the September one then? I can’t find anything for August.
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Here is the link to the August one. https://vimeo.com/741941327/6c745b5433 I don’t get the hosting arrangements that are in place and Joe is away so I can’t ask him.
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