How we managed without Alan Titchmarsh and the ‘Ground Force’ Team

Back in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, British TV had a bit of a love affair with makeover programmes ( ‘makeover’, in French, is ‘relooker’).  ‘Changing rooms’ made stars of Laurence Llewellyn Bowen and Linda Barker and the MDF industry. A little later gardens all over the UK started sprouting decking after their owners had watched a series or two of ‘Ground Force’, with Alan Titchmarsh and Tommy Walsh for the women, and the famously bra-less Charlie Dimmock attracting male viewers.

Since we bought this house, we’ve been busy ‘Changing Rooms’ too, but only more recently turned our attention to the back yard. And now that too has its own bit of decking, thanks to our ‘Ground Force’ of two + the demolition team back in April. It’s still a work in progress.  The awful oil tank has been ripped out (it’s found a new home in Belesta) and been replaced by a young olive tree.  We have to source garden soil for the raised bed that we’ll use for herbs and good timber to finish the top off as an impromptu seat.  There’s a pergola to build, for shade, and the knotty question of covering the concrete still remains.  It’s too deep to dig up, several builders assure us.

But we’re proud of our progress so far.  Watch the slide show and see what you think.

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

6 thoughts on “How we managed without Alan Titchmarsh and the ‘Ground Force’ Team”

  1. Hi Mal,Margaret, Mal we hope you are feeling better now.
    How much hard work was that! I can just imagine,who was the architect,and how well its been planned,it really is a credit to you both. Hopefully, no more knocking out, knocking down, pulling down, putting up etc etc time to put your feet up and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!. All our love Tom and Fenella xx

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    1. Put feet up? What’s that? No, there’s a pergola, a herb bed, a nasty surface to resurface….and that’s just on the outside. xxxx

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  2. Wow, wow, WOW!!!

    Stupid question of logic though: how on earth did you take the pic from the atelier when you’ve knocked the stairs out?

    So when are we going to see this on TV? Congratulations, you really are an inspiration! K x

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    1. Not stupid at all! A year or two back, Mal and a friend installed INSIDE the atelier, a staircase we which we brought all the way from Harrogate, having recycled it from a printing firm which no longer needed it. Now that was fun….

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  4. Pingback: Back yard makeover: part 2 « Life in Laroque

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