Green light given for Radio 4 show
BBC Radio 4's Gardeners Question Time visiting the Society for the Blind in Batley panelists L-R Chris Beardshaw,Peter Gibbs,Matt Biggs and Anne Swithenbank with Steven Downes (centre)
Members of the Society for the Blind of Dewsbury, Batley and District got green-fingered this week as they hosted a recording of BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time.
The popular programme, with panellists Chris Beardshaw, Peter Gibbs, Matt Biggs and Anne Swithenbank, visited the Society’s Whitfield Centre on Soothill Lane on Monday and were treated to a tour before the recording began.
More than 100 people from as far afield as York turned up to quiz the panellists on all things horticultural, .
Kate Holdsworth, activities manager at the centre, said: “It went brilliantly, we had about 115 people here.
“The recording took about an hour and a half and was really positive and fun.
“Most people submitted a question to the panel and 12 people were chosen to come to the front and the panellists gave lots of helpful advice.”
The show, which began life as “How Does Your Garden Grow?” has been running for more than 65 years and programmes are recorded at different locations across the country.
The panel is made up of gardening experts, broadcasters and even weatherman Gibbs, who offer their solutions to the audience’s gardening queries.
Kate said: “It was amazing to hear them rattle off complex Latin names of plants and to remember all of the different varieties and types and colours.
“Everyone was really impressed the production of the show and how warm, friendly and helpful the panellists were when answering the questions.
“Everyone who took part is really buzzing – and wanting to get out into their gardens to start putting all the useful tips they heard into action!”
There was also a special treat for the Society’s Steven Downes.
Steven, 16, is currently studying media and was allowed behind the scenes to experience how a recording works.
Kate said: “The BBC let Steve come along and shadow the sound engineers, who were brilliant with him.
“He actually shadowed these two guys who had put down massive cables everywhere. It’s been absolutely brilliant.”
The show will be broadcast on Radio 4 on Friday, March 8 at 3pm, with a repeat on Sunday, March 10 at 2pm.
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Weather for Batley
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
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Temperature: 4 C to 15 C
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