It’s been 20-years since Ground Force first appeared on our screens but it may not be the last says ex-host Charlie Dimmock.
She confirmed today that she still regularly meets with her ex-co presenters and that she would, “Never say never,” to a reunion.
The gardening guru was appearing today at a pop up Urban Herb Garden hosted by Ricola, designed to get city gardeners green fingered ahead of International Herb Day on May 6th.
The 50-year old was part of the 90s DIY makeover revolution with the show Ground Force, a popular series for the BBC between 1997-2005 and co-hosted by Tommy Walsh and Alan Titchmarsh. Charlie confirms that the trio still meet up regularly.
She said, “We still see each other all the time. But I can’t believe Ground Force is 20-years old this year!”
“The boys on Garden Rescue tease me”, (garden designers the Rich brothers). “They tell me they used to be allowed to stay up late and watch Garden Force as a weekly treat but it just makes me feel old! “
Today’s project is a change to the back breaking work involved in her latest show, Garden Rescue.
Charlie is half way through the new series which includes overhauling 2 gardens a week, “It’s killing me!”, she laughs.
“And that’s the great thing about coming here today is that herbs are so instant to enjoy. These days, everyone is into their cooking and there’s nothing better than fresh herbs to add to a dish. Whether you’ve got a small garden or a balcony there are lots of herbs that are guaranteed to grow, especially in cities.”
Charlie is a big advocate of natural spaces and wildlife, famed on Ground Force for her wildlife gardens as much as her tumbling locks, she believes small gardens are corridors for insects such as bees and butterflies to rest while moving through the city.
Today Charlie has been planting with local children, inspiring their interest in gardening. “I love working with them”, she says. “They’re so helpful! Not like who I’m used to working with on TV. I did a project with Tommy last autumn and he said he’d forgotten how much of a nag I used to be. I think I just get things done!”
And that’s certainly what happened today. Charlie had partnered with Ricola and Team London Bridge to create a herb garden which will be donated to Snowsfields Primary School as part of their allotment project.
Eager to develop their own outdoor space and introduce an after school gardening club, the school will use the Ricola garden to educate pupils on the benefits of being more green-fingered and growing their own produce.
“It’s a great skill to learn from a young age,” said Charlie, “And I’m delighted to show them how easy it is to create.”
Daily Express :: Life and Style Feed
