TV redeems itself? 'Sissinghurst' on BBC 4

There's recently been a forum discussion about gardening on television - we're all a bit depressed by the dumbing down.... in my last blog post, I attempted to hearten the LJN masses by inviting one and all to indulge in some fantasy casting director fun for a biopic of Alan Titchmarsh (this clearly got Fereday and Kerrie going)... Anyway, tonight we watched the BBC 4 programme 'Sissinghurst', basically Vita Sackville-West's grandson and Sarah Raven battle the National Trust (in a very polite and pleasant way - this is England, after all, so don't expect to see Raven threatening the premises manager with a Magnum because the floor in the cafe is too yellow - no matter how much she might like to). I had high hopes for this one, but feel a bit non-plussed after watching the first episode - the National Trust hasn't come out as the big baddie, but then again, they'd hardly want to come across badly.... Maybe this is down to the editing, but Raven and husband don't feel like a couple you could get behind. So far, the best character seems to be the head gardener, who was in trouble with Raven in the first episode for keeping the garden 'too perfect'...(personally, that sounds like bliss - if Sarah wants genuine imperfect, I'm more than happy to swap living quarters with her). Still, early days yet.... wonder what everyone else thinks?

It was the usual tv that we have come to expect.It was funny seeing Sarah Raven wanting tablecloths and flowers on the tables as if the staff who have hundreds if not thousands of people a day to deal with ,will change tablecloths after every sitting.I agree flowers would be nice but running a large business on that scale is not the same as a quaint cafe.
There is no question that good healthy food is wonderful especially if it's home grown and getting everyone to accept that is hard.
TV chefs are trying to educate the popullation as are some TV gardeners but I am not sure it is spreading as they hoped.
Gardening on TV has changed so much.Coverage of shows are more about personalities than actual gardens. In fact all TV now is about the person and not about anything else.

"Others have ID ed it.
I chop them off at ground level with secutears then spray a drop or two of Praxys on the wound... if it doesnt killt he first time, it will the 2nd or 3rd"

At the Portugal Invitational, Kress showed turf professionals that unmanned mowing has moved from emerging concept to practical course-management solutionChampionship golf leaves no room for compromise. That's precisely why Kress chose the inaugural…

"If it has thorns it is likely to be a Robinia. I have a client who has a couple of trees 10 or so Metres away & this year they have been popping up all over the lawn. A nightmare tree for anybody who climbs!!!
I have a Gleditsia myself, (my…"

Comments

James February 23, 2009 at 1:45pm

It was watchable but there wasn't much on the actual garden. Sarah and the head gardener get on like a house on fire ! lol What happened to her 'cutting' garden project?

I think they got their way, from what I read some where the veggie garden has just opened
claudia de yong February 24, 2009 at 7:43pm

It was the usual tv that we have come to expect.It was funny seeing Sarah Raven wanting tablecloths and flowers on the tables as if the staff who have hundreds if not thousands of people a day to deal with ,will change tablecloths after every sitting.I agree flowers would be nice but running a large business on that scale is not the same as a quaint cafe.
There is no question that good healthy food is wonderful especially if it's home grown and getting everyone to accept that is hard.
TV chefs are trying to educate the popullation as are some TV gardeners but I am not sure it is spreading as they hoped.
Gardening on TV has changed so much.Coverage of shows are more about personalities than actual gardens. In fact all TV now is about the person and not about anything else.