Gardeners' Question Time

"Gardeners' Question Time" is a long-running BBC Radio 4 programme in which amateur gardeners can put questions to a panel of experts.

History

The first programme was broadcast from the 'Singing Room' at the Broadoak Hotel, Ashton-Under-Lyne on 9 April 1947. Originally named 'How Does Your Garden Grow?' it was inspired by the wartime Dig For Victory campaign. On the first panel were Bill Sowerbutts [http://www.tameside.gov.uk/corpgen2/billsower.htm] , Fred Loads, Tom Clark and Dr E.W.Sansome.

Professor Alan Gemmell joined Loads and Sowerbutts in 1950 when their contrasting styles (Professor, Traditional Head gardener and Commercial Grower) added an entertainment element. The successful format allowed it to broadcast nationally from 1957 in the light entertainment slot on Sunday afternoons. The programme marked its 1000th edition in 1972, though the occasion was overshadowed by the death of long-serving chairman Franklin Engelmann just days earlier. A traumatic change occurred in 1994 when the complete panel left the BBC following the clumsy handling of their contracts by the incoming independent production company and they moved to the new Classic FM station on a short-term contract as 'Classic Gardening Forum' with sponsorship by Cheltenham and Gloucester. A new team, style changes, a more flippant approach and format developments since 1994 have seen GQT lose some of its traditional audience who miss the informed banter between knowledgeable horticulturists with distinctive voices.

Format

The programme typically comes from a village hall or other public venue somewhere in Britain, or occasionally further afield, such as in the Republic of Ireland or northern France. There are also regular editions in which the panel answer questions sent in by post or email. These editions are recorded in a specially adapted potting shed at Sparsholt College near Winchester, where the regular panel members also maintain a small demonstration garden, curated by Rosie Yeomans.

Since 2001, GQT factsheets have been made available after each episode covering all questions and their answers given.

Panelists

The current chairman is Eric Robson with regular deputisations from Gill Pyrah and Peter Gibbs. Current panelists include: Carole Baxter, Chris Beardshaw, Matthew Biggs, John Cushnie, Bob Flowerdew, Pippa Greenwood, Bunny Guinness, Carol Klein, Roy Lancaster, Tony Russell, Anne Swithinbank, Rosie Yeomans.

Past participants have included Dr Stefan Buczacki, David Burges, Fred Downham, Professor Alan Gemmell, Walter Gilmore, Jill Hicking, Clay Jones, Nigel Colborn, Daphne Ledward, Fred Loads, Bridget Moody, Martin Fish, David Jones, Sue Phillipps, Geoffrey Smith, Sid Robertson, Bill Sowerbutts

Past Chairmen were Bob Stead, Franklin Engelmann, Michael Barrett, Steve Race, Ken Ford, Les Cottingham, Clay Jones, Stefan Buczacki