Chris Baines - Blue Tits and Bumblebees :The Making of a Wildlife Garden - part one (of two).

1984 documentary "Blue Tits and Bumblebees " about Chris Baines transforming an existing garden to benefit wildlife.

[@elainesommers9109]

Thank you so much for posting this. I was 17 when it came out. I didn't know gardening for wildlife was a thing until then. I ordered and bought the book. And I was hooked 😊 I dug my own pond based on Chris's model. And planted my parents' garden in a very natural wildlife friendly way. I have been doing the same wherever I lived ever since, all thanks to this one programe and book 😊

[@jeffdavis2096]

You're welcome. I met Chris at an event in May and told him I had a copy on DVD and that I would get it posted up once I'd learnt how to do it ! He gave me his email address and had a reply back recently saying he'd forgotten how young he was when he made it. An anecdote from a talk that he gave, was that this was intended to be series but the production company wouldn't back the plan and funded just this one-off film. Like you I've had a life of wildlife gardening thanks to him.

[@elainesommers9109]

He is quite an unsung hero in my eyes. I wish there were more like him. They should do a feature on this film and his books on Springwatch.

[@JamesRattray]

I am so impressed, I am just starting our wilding my garden. It is about 3 tennis courts. I make videos and have started posting my first video talking about the process I am going through with map of my garden. I can't wait to watch this video with my wife. I will put links under my videos to it. What is the book you are talking about? I will have to listen to find out. I will. Can't wait. Thank you for posting this video, so inspirational. Yes, miles ahead of his time. I will also share it with friends and family. Brilliant. 1988 I was 37, too busy mixed up in the world to be thinking of this

[@jonhodder363]

Nice comment, and although I never saw the program originally, I have had the book almost since then, and done the same thing with each garden I've owned.

[@hectorbrown656]

This was very interesting , this gardener was definitely ahead of his time .

[@juandcosta9344]

I would love to see the garden now in 2020

[@uggali]

I love how much intention and thoughtfulness goes into making a wildlife garden and maintaining it too. That to me really feels like the right way because nature responds to that nurturing and graces you with blessings that are priceless

[@crochetingaroundnewzealand]

Wonderful video thanks

[@sukey31]

Yes it is magical

[@kelvinskeates6389]

Love to see your garden now 40 years on

[@CR-di1lg]

He is so ahead of his time. What amazing work, knowledge and he is a great presenter too.

[@prisonmike1798]

Pond goals. When I get my own home I’ll be turning the garden into a wildlife haven with a big pond in the centre

[@pertelote4526]

While visiting the UK 25 years ago I bought this gentleman's book, I still have it on my shelf; it has influenced the way I have been gardening to a considerable extent. Thank you, Sir!

[@gillianrobson2859]

I have tried to find this programme on DVD many times, I bought the book when the programme was on television and have followed many of his hints and tips. It was a gem of a programme, the BBC should think of releasing it on DVD or showing it again.

[@NickSBailey]

100% agree there's a whole new generation who would appreciate this sort of content in addition to those who watched it in the 80s. It's more thorough and detailed than recent attempts to make this sort of programme.

[@sukey31]

Thank you for such an inspiring film

[@anthonyflynn3135]

I loved this programme. Videoed it an watched it over again. What an inspiration.

[@andrewmoreton7851]

This changed everything for me all those years ago, still have the photocopied booklet you could send for somewhere.

[@BadgerBotherer1]

I sent off for that as well. May still be around somewhere!

[@NickSBailey]

Great programme, missed it at the time but I can see how it was a big inspiration to a lot of people. Just the sort of gardening I like best.

[@capicuaaa]

Fabulous. Everyone should be doing this!!

[@BadgerBotherer1]

Thanks for posting this! I watched this when I was at school in 1984, and it had a big influence on me. Never thought I'd see it again, until this popped up in my recommendations! Around 2000, he did another series on wildlife gardening for the BBC - Charlie's Wildlife Gardens - with Charlie Dimmock (who went to my school!).

[@jeffdavis2096]

Yes, I saw the programme he made with Charlie Dimmock as well. I exchanged a couple of emails with Chris having met him a few years back. He also hadn't seen the film since its original airings (this version was the update shown a bit later) and said he didn't remember having so much hair !

[@adamyoung3286]

Thank you so much for posting this! I've been looking for this since buying the book. I was worried that this was going to be outdated, but as soon as I saw it was Chris Baines, I knew that in fact he is ahead of many a people even today!

[@Frostie3672]

I'm going all out on creating a wildlife friendly garden, having one neighbour with a concrete slab garden with not a plant in site to the other with fake grass it just drives me to do all I can in my own garden for our precious wildlife.

[@Koenmekers]

Great, thanks! been making my garden wilder by bits and pieces. Nice to discover this man.

[@smashcarriage]

This is great

[@NM-gy6tx]

What an amazing video for it's time. A little bit of aerial footage in there too (how did he do that?!) I made my first pond when I was 5 in 1983 (no one showed me) out of a Snowhite washing up set for children and have been fascinated with ponds, gardening and birds all these years later. This was such a great video 😌

[@abcixnay]

Does anyone know where the music comes from? It's beautiful.

[@jeffdavis2096]

I used to know ! Think it's in the credits but they are truncated on part two - and don't know whether that was the original VHS recording I had or by the person who copied it to DVD for me.

[@harveytweats2119]

It's called darude sandstorm

[@abisu5273]

Chris used to work with the Albion Band.. I suspect them.

[@XxXsomeonelovesyouXx]

Anyone know where ths bloke is from? His accent sounds very close to home for me.

[@jeffdavis2096]

Surrey/SW London !

[@jeffdavis2096]

Wrong video - Wolverhampton

[@abisu5273]

Sheffield originally

[@XxXsomeonelovesyouXx]

@@abisu5273 Thanks, I thought it sounded south Yorkshire/Lincolnshire midlands-ish

[@canadiangemstones7636]

@Sally - I think he’s British.

[@briandonovan6546]

As an american im pretty bummed out that wildlife ponds arent popular over here. Everyone wants a chemically treated crystal clear pond with no life. Yet another thing Americans lack in.