The Garden Media Guild TV & Radio Broadcast Awards 2011

The Garden Media Guild Awards celebrate the best in garden writing - including books, newspapers and magazines - photography, broadcasting - TV and radio - and new media - including gardening websites and gardening blogs. They are the garden media 'Oscars'.

 

Broadcast Awards

 

TV Broadcast Awards

 

Garden Programme TV Broadcast of the Year

Winner Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein: High Summer, produced by Sarah Moors and Mark Scott for BBC2.

Judges’ comments Blending a combination of superb horticultural knowledge with great televisual quality, this programme was a joy to watch and learn from. And it is this combination of both fact and inspiration that makes it such an enjoyable programme. The many elements that contribute to its success include: the use of appropriate music; the presenter who uses language so enthusiastically and sincerely; the time shifting shots that show how gardens change and evolve over seasons; the balance between wide, expansive views and close-up details; and the bounty of useful tips and advice being imparted. In this case, it was truly greater than the sum of the parts, and all those involved in its production must be congratulated. This honest and inspiring reflection of the gardening year demonstrates how well this topic can work when coupled with great television work.

Finalists

Apples: British to the core by Chris Beardshaw for BBC4.

Alan’s Garden Secrets – 20th Century by Alan Titchmarsh, Nicky Taylor & Matt Young, Spun Gold TV for BBC2.

The Beechgrove Garden – 2011 Community Garden Special, by Emma Fentiman, Tern TV for BBC Scotland.

BBC Gardeners’ World, by Gill Tierney & Jason Holmes for BBC2.

 

Garden Feature TV Broadcast of the Year

Winner Countryfile: Daffodils by James Wong, Andrea Buffery & the team for BBC1.

Judges’ comments The winner was an unanimous decision by the judges. Not only was the piece entertaining, particularly the humorous introduction, it was extremely informative and a whole new take on the spring bulb.

Beautifully shot and with an interesting and approachable choice of music, we felt James Wong expertly presented a subject that was both sensitive and scientific, making it accessible and perfectly targeted for the Countryfile audience.

As well as teaching us something new about the daffodil, he delivered a strong and valuable public health message, increasing awareness of the debilitating disease that is Alzheimers.

Finalists

Countrywise: Great Dixter, presented by Rachel de Thame for ITV1.

Coast: Tulip Mania by Tessa Dunlop for BBC2.

The One Show: The Alleyway Garden by Joe Crowley for BBC1.

BBC Gardeners’ World: Gibberd Garden by Gill Tierney & Andy Francis for BBC2.

 

Radio Broadcast Awards

 

National Radio Broadcast of the Year

Winner Gardeners’ Question Time: Suffolk, by Lucy Dichmont (producer).

Judges’ comments The Suffolk episode was classic Gardeners’ Question Time – just as appealing to the green-fingered novice as the seasoned gardening expert and delivered with lashings of easy-to-understand expert advice. Well-paced and edited to the highest standard, issues ranged from plants for problem places to gardening for wildlife, peat-reduction, rose care and keeping hens – ensuring the broadcast appealed to the widest possible audience.

The judges particularly noted Dawn Isaac’s special feature on the RSPB Flatford Garden. Her clear, confident presentation demonstrated genuine concern for wildlife issues and proved that gardeners who emerged into the media from the garden design and blogging worlds have what it takes to make it on national radio.

While the standard of all entries was exceptionally high, the judges singled out for praise a broadcast called Green Ears, produced by the BBC Radio Science Unit. This quirky programme made excellent use of sounds in the garden, so listeners almost imagined they were in the great outdoors. A novel approach to a subject rarely covered in the gardening world – and one that’s especially difficult to do on the radio.

Finalists

Green Ears: Acoustic Gardening by Fiona Roberts (producer), Radio Science Unit for BBC Radio 4.

Mabey in the Wild: Snakeshead Fritillary by Susan Marling, Just Radio for BBC Radio 4.

Gardeners’ Question Time: The Archers Special by Howard Shannon & Lucy Dichmont for BBC Radio 4.

Mabey in the Wild: Wild Roses by Susan Marling, Just Radio for BBC Radio 4.

 

Local Radio Broadcast of the Year

Winner The Saturday Show, Laura Rawlings for BBC Radio Wiltshire.

Judges’ comments The Saturday Show, produced and presented by Laura Rawlings, clearly demonstrated its ability to capture the interest of listeners. The editorial content is just right – inviting and entertaining – but underpinned by a sound gardening offering. Judges praised the broadcast for its depth of topics: from ant control to making comfrey fertiliser, grow your own, apple tree care and pond tips to name a few. Visiting listeners’ gardens gave the programme a real sense of ‘locality’ and ensured gardening issues discussed were timely, topical and relevant to the region.

The standard of entries this year demonstrated the commitment of regional broadcasters to gardening. Gone are the days when local radio gardening consisted purely of a question and answer session interspersed with a few soundtracks. Judges particularly praised What’s Growing On (BBC Somerset), which combined the format of an entertaining, lively chat show with expert gardening content. Also noted was Gardeners’ Corner with Cherrie McIllwaine, which offered listeners a real sense of the seasons combined with timely gardening tips, delivered in an easy-to-follow style.

Finalists

The Sunday Gardening Show, Mike George & Reg Moule for BBC Hereford & Worcester.

What’s Growing On, Rebecca Pow & Emma Britton for BBC Radio Somerset.

Gardeners’ Corner, Cherrie McIlwaine for BBC Radio Ulster.

The Good Life, Georgina Windsor & Rebecca Parker for BBC Radio Solent.