A GROUP of keen gardeners began their big birthday celebrations by hosting a BBC radio show this week.
Wokingham Horticultural Association invited the BBC’s GQT team to record the programme in front of a local audience.
Two episodes of Gardeners Question Time, popular with growers in the UK and beyond, were made in Wokingham Town Hall on Tuesday night.
The event kicked off WHA’s 70th birthday celebrations, and was attended by Wokingham town mayor, councillor Sally Gurney and her consort Chris Cooke.
Janet Gordon, WHA membership secretary, and the event co-ordinator, said: “It seemed the perfect way to celebrate being 70 years old.
“The idea came up, and we approached the BBC.
“We have a fantastic team, and everyone has pulled together to do the catering, and to make this event a success.”
Gardeners Question Time is the world’s longest running radio show, enjoyed by two million listeners each week.
Started in 1947, it was part of the nation’s Dig For Victory campaign.
BBC presenter Peter Gibbs chaired the show, accompanied by GQT panel: garden designer and broadcaster Matthew Wilson, presenter and gardener Christine Walkden, and radio personality and gardening expert Matt Biggs.
Described by Mr Gibbs as a ‘warm blanket for gardeners’, the show shares expert gardening hints and tips, delivered with a gentle earthy humour.
After a warm welcome from an enthusiastic Wokingham audience, the panel, without prior knowledge, took questions from the audience on a range of subjects.
Listeners to the two shows, which will both be broadcast within the next two months, will be able to learn how to improve local soil, and manage compost.
They may also hear about the habits of sexually active trees, vegetables with bulbous bottoms, and why dahlias don’t like swimming.
Also discussed were the panel’s favourite ‘whiffs’, and a plant to avoid, that smells like vomit.
The producer chose 10 questions for each episode of the programme, including queries from WHA’s Pauline MacBrayne, Jenny Gilbert, and Janet Gordon.
Pauline MacBrayne’s question led to a discussion on the pros and cons of scattering seeds, while Jenny Gilbert’s prompted a debate about the benefits of embracing weeds, and Janet Gordon’s query had the team scratching their heads about miniature lilacs.
The audience of 120 people engaged warmly with the show, needing no prompt from the producer to clap, or to laugh at the panel’s jokes and quips.
And they seemed eager to capture every gardening hint and tip.
A more serious side to the discussion was a reminder that Wokingham’s climate is changing, and that gardeners everywhere can play an important role in helping to support the local environment.
After the show, Janet Gordon said: “I think we all enjoyed it immensely,
“What a brilliant way to start our 71st year.
“It has been very interesting taking part in the programme.
“We’ve all learnt a lot and had a great evening.
“And the town mayor came along to join us, which was wonderful.”
WHA life president and group member for over 50 years Jenny Gilbert, said: “Tonight was lovely.
“We always enjoys this kind of occasion.
“The group is such an appreciative audience, and I think everybody loved it.
“The tickets went like hot cakes when they were first advertised.
“Did I learn anything new tonight? We’re always learning, aren’t we?”
At the end of the evening, after one or two retakes to remove the sound of an earlier siren or two, Peter Gibbs wrapped up the recording with his usual optimistic signature phrase: ‘Good gardening, and may the weather be with you’.
He then stayed on to meet the WHA group, with the GQT team cutting a gardening-themed cake made by Maureen Spence.
Established in 1953, the Wokingham group has around 350 members, but is keen for more people to join them.
“It isn’t only for people with allotments, it’s for experienced gardeners, as well as those with no garden who want to learn,” said Ms Gordon.
“We have a craft group, we have outings and we look after a full range of people who all enjoy gardening, whether they’re frustrated gardeners, or successful ones.
“We all love to learn and share.”
The GQT Wokingham shows will be broadcast on BBC Radio4, and will also be available on BBC Sounds.
The first can be heard on Friday, November 17, at 3pm, and again on Sunday, November 19, at 2pm.
The second is planned for broadcast on Friday, December 15, at 3pm, with a repeat on Sunday, December 17, at 2pm.
For information about the programme schedule, log onto: www.bbc.co.uk
To join WHA and for more information, visit: www.w-h-a.org.uk
