I was deeply saddened to hear news that the gardening legend Geoffrey Smith died on Friday.
I was deeply saddened to hear news that the gardening legend Geoffrey Smith died on Friday, aged 80. Geoffrey suffered a stroke last year, and after being in hospital for several months his family was hoping to care for him at home.
Geoffrey was my gardening inspiration. As a youngster, simply watching and listening to him speak opened my eyes to the wonder of gardening, filling me with energy to get out and get stuck in.
His enthusiasm was infectious. His smile and voice captivating. I could hardly restrain myself long enough to watch until the end of a programme before rushing out into my own garden. What a wonderful gift that man had, a born communicator who loved sharing his passion with others.
When I was studying for my degree in horticulture, I remember sitting with a group of friends in a student bedroom watching Geoffrey on television. So, 'growing your own' is the latest gardening trend, is it? Well Geoffrey was certainly inspiring the nation with Mr Smith's Vegetable Plot in the 1970's, providing the foundation for today's trend perhaps. What an education he provided for me and millions of others.
Little did I ever think that one day I'd actually meet this god of gardening, but I've worked with him many times over the years. Geoffrey featured on the front cover of the very first issue of Gardeners' World Magazine back in March 1991 and wrote a wildlife gardening column for us for many years.
I've fond memories of visiting his garden near Harrogate to take pictures for the magazine, and of taking a brisk walk through the Yorkshire countryside, a part of the world he loved.
Viewers will recall the many years Geoffrey was a presenter on Gardeners' World, as well as his unique TV series Mr Smith's World of Flowers. Despite hating staying away from home in hotel rooms he joined us at the NEC for Gardeners' World Live, charming the socks off packed audiences.
As a regular contributer to Gardeners' Question Time, Geoffrey offered down-to-earth, practical and trustworthy advice to the audience. He joined the GQT team in 1983 and remained a valuable panellist for some 15 years. His producer Trevor Taylor says: "he was a giant of horticultural broadcasting. He was an absolute mine of information, had a great wit, and his poetic turn of phrase made him one of gardening's great broadcasters." Oh how true.
I can still hear his voice offering words of wisdom to me when I'm pottering about in my own garden. I wouldn't be speaking of out of turn when I say that very few gardening experts and television presenters today have reached his level of expertise. Geoffrey was greatly admired and respected, much loved, and will be very sadly missed.
See more comments...
