Tag: Roger Casstles

Gardener of the Year Final 1999

Photos probably taken by Mark Kershaw, no reproduction without permission.

The photos are from the first ‘Gardener of the Year’ final in 1999.  We recorded the show at the Earth Centre in Doncaster in early September 1999, with the programme being transmitted just before Christmas on 21 Dec, and achieving some very good audience figures.  The show ran for around 10 years.

For the final the contestants had to design and build a show garden which was about 5m square.  They had a budget which they had to stick to rigorously, and they were allowed one helper each.  Each regional winner from the heats had 5 days to build their garden.  I remember a fair amount of tears and tantrums. The finale was an OB in a fantastic marquee presented by Alan Titchmarsh.  Charlie Dimmock reported on how the contestants had got on during the build.  The format worked really well, and was finessed over the subsequent years, although the preliminary heats were dropped.

The series was produced by me (Vanessa Jackson), executive produced by Roger Casstles, directed by Mark Scott, with assistant producers Kate Hillman and Beverleigh Wildman (now Thompson).  The judges were garden designer Ali Ward, Gardeners’ World Magazine editor Adam Pascoe, and presenter and gardening expert Nigel Colborn.  Alan Titchmarsh was the presenter, with Charlie Dimmock reporting.

The photos include:  Charlie Dimmock (jeans), Roger Casstles (navy jacket), me (Vanessa Jackson, centre, blue floral dress – and 6 months pregnant), John Moorcroft (camera, yellow T-shirt, shorts). Ali Ward and Adam Pascoe (judges) in the penultimate photo, and Dave Brazier (floor manager) and me in the last photo.

Gardener of the Year 1999 – Vanessa Jackson

Photos by Vanessa Jackson, no reproduction without permission.

These photos were taken on location shoots for the heats of the ‘Gardener of the Year’ competition in late spring 1999.  They show gardening expert Nigel Colborn interviewing contributors, and visiting their gardens.

The ‘Gardener of the Year’ competition began in 1999.  It comprised of regional heats, which were held at the Botanical Gardens of Wales, and then a Final which was held at the Earth Centre in Doncaster.  The regional heats included question rounds on a specialist subject, a general knowledge gardening round, as well as skills tests, and a visit to the shortlisted candidates’ gardens. The judges included Nigel Colborn, Adam Pasco and Ali Ward.  The series was presented by Alan Titchmarsh.

I was the series producer of the competition in its first year. Subsequently the regional heats were dropped, but the Final, which included designing and building a show garden remained for the next ten years.Roger Casstles was the executive producer.

The competition was transmitted on BBC 2 in the Gardeners’ World Friday night slot in the run up to Christmas.

Vanessa Jackson

 

 

 

The Clothes Show – Latvia – Photo from Andy Frizzell

Photo from Andy Frizzell, no reproduction without permission.

The photo is of a ‘Clothes Show’ special recorded on location in Latvia, at some point between 1988-92.

Jeff Banks (in the pinky shirt on the left) was the presenter, Roger Casstles the director (crouching by the camera monitor), John Kenway the cameraman, Tony Wass – sound (not shown – probably taking the photo), Andy Frizzell – lighting (holding the reflector by the tree).

Pebble Mill at One running order – Kevin Lakin

Thanks to Kevin Lakin for keeping this marked up running order of  a 1984 edition of ‘Pebble Mill at One’ safe in his attic for the last 27 years!

Kevin was the floor assistant at that time, and his main job was getting presenters and guests from make-up, wardrobe, canteen, bar, green room and on to the studio floor at the right time. Item no 2 and 7a are crossed out because they were pre-recorded in the morning, that’s why there’s a VT in the box.

Roger Casstles was the producer of the show, and the presenters Paul Coia, Marian Foster and Jeff Banks.   The show featured Princess Anne, Earl Okin, John Curry as well as Peter Seabrook planting lettuce!  Sounds like a packed show!


The Clothes Show – photos from Clive Wagner

Clothes Show Live

Photos from director Clive Wager (shown here in the lower picture), no reproduction without permission,

‘The Clothes Show’ was produced at Pebble Mill from 1986-2000, it was originally a spin off of fashion items from ‘Pebble Mill at One’.  The executive producer was Roger Casstles.  The fashion magazine show had very high production values, and became well known for its use of new video editing effects.  Eventually the post production team were awarded a BAFTA for their work.

The first photo shows the production office at ‘Clothes Show Live’, the annual exhibition at the NEC which is still running.  Shown in the photo are Nicky Barfoot in the stripy top, Caroline Hawkins, Tim Langford, and presenter Caryn Franklin seated.

The lower photo is of a location shoot at the Imperial War Museum, and shows director Clive Wagner.