Rickvanman New Year Special: In Search of the Victorian Kitchen Garden

[@Steve-Owens]

Loved this Video Rick, makes me miss the Green and Pleasant Land. Great to Sean and yourself out and about. I hope Sean gets involved in a project like that and wouldn't it be great if you could get involved. Some project! but we need goals in life :o) Thanks for the video. Sean and you work well together. Best get over and see what he filmed.. Happy new Year.. Steve

[@Steve-Owens]

Wow.. Nine years ago Rick.. How time is flying

[@gideon7331]

The production value of this looked straight out the BBC. Great work!

[@grumpy_poo]

Sometime the stored memory through rose tinted glasses is the one to keep... I feel so sad that it was let go like this.... I loved that series and 'wartime garden' it really captured the feelings of slower times..... and doing the job 'properley'... Nowadays quality is over ridden by 'targets' and 'performance' and built in obsolescence .... longevity and value is transient.... Thankyou both for the walk (literally) down memory lane

[@helenprocessofgrowing8007]

A joy to watch this , I could feel Seans melancholy .It is always a bit sad when revisiting well loved places from the past and seeing them changed. But I love the Idea of a Group of people getting together and restoring the garden to its former glory , the stuff of dreams.

[@carolynchristy]

KZbin recommended yet again another vintage Rick and I have been enjoying these friendly little adventures very much. As an added treat YT scattered the original Victorian Kitchen Gardens series into my feed after I watched this video. I love serendipity...

[@grumpy_poo]

The skills of the likes of Ruth Mott and Harry Dodson are amazing... It's so sad that they are slowly being lost... My uncle Walter was an amazing gardener, he came from a small terraced house with a yard but he had an allotment and used to come to ours on a Friday with fruit and veg... Whenever we went to his he was cooking stuff on an old coal fired range . I wish I had taken the time to learn from him when he was around. My father in law also used to garden in a shirt, tie and pullover like Percy Thrower and Harry Dodson... he looked so smart, but you knew he had his 'work clothes ' on because he only worked in short sleeves..... What an amazing generation.

[@richardgriffin7094]

great video, been wondering for years what it looks like now, hope you have treated yourself to a victorian garden series dvd.

[@carlg9665]

A wonderful day out. Thank you Rick & Sean for taking us on your journey. Having watched the TV garden series I have always wanted to see what became of Harry Dodsons garden. Thank you both for bringing back fond memories. Real video treat for the start of the new year.

[@flatbrokefrank6482]

I watched the Victorian Kitchen Garden avidly - do any of the episodes remain, video or on disc there arn't many on Y tube. Harrys gentle manner what a star, it would be good to see a few again. Do you remember Geoff's twenty pence cloches. just found it on Amazon and bought one cant wait - lol

[@TheRniehaus]

Oh Rick thank you! Another awesome view of your beautiful country! So nice that Sean joined you...two of my favorite people in one video, the only the person missing was Rusty!

[@simbo57]

I have watched the Victorian Kitchen Garden several times, it is like being in heaven! Don't forget Peter Thoday he was good as well, I think he is still alive.

[@deviousdai1951]

John Simpson Quite right, he's a trustee of the Eden Project, and Heligan Gardens

[@susanpicachu4789]

I have to say that I liked driving in the van with the two of you. And what a wonderful ending, a potential new project! this is wonderful. Thank you both.

[@Silvermoonhomestead]

See, you don't need to move to Wales with such beautiful area not far from you. Absolutely stunning.

[@Fitzy222]

Thank you Rick for driving Sean here! Like Sean, I'm a Victorian Kitchen Garden geek! What a treat to see it all again.

[@jimnorlem6802]

Great video Rick and it was good to see Sean along. I remember seeing both of the programs you were talking about. I remember how interesting it was to see an apple tree up next to the wall with the limbs stretched out in rows. Yes it would be good to see it back in its glory days. Thanks ever so much for the ride and the fantastic drone shot... have a great 2015

[@teresah7886]

I still watch bits and pieces of the series you're talking about. This was a great adventure, although sad. I think it importantant to keep our heritage alive, and only hope that we raise new gardeners that are excited about gardening. Here in the US, the roads are wider, and when ever Rick takes us for a ride in his van, I tend to hold my breath a bit. I think I would pass out trying to drive on those narrow roads. LOL. My obit would read, "Old woman dies from affexiation while driving down lovely country road." Sorry about my spelling ability.

[@Sheila6325]

I was going to say the same, I love to ride around with Rick, but the narrow streets give me the "willies" even our narrow side streets are wider then theirs. Nice to know I'm not the only one holding my breathe. LOL

[@eaglevp]

Thanks Rick and Sean for a wonderful day out with the two of you a very interesting and well produced video all the best for 2015.

[@timsinstaworld]

Enjoyed the video RIck very entertaining with some lovely scenery, great seeing you and Sean together. I watch all the videos from you both.

[@bymyhandsworked]

Lovely video--nice drone shots over the canal! You both did a lovely job of capturing the perfect version of the English countryside at Christmas. Thanks for taking us along on the road trip.

[@bymyhandsworked]

***** Either this or he's invested in a helicopter to get those awesome canal vids!

[@TemporalCoder]

Same Question, Rick have you got a drone/quad copter? If so, you could have flown over the walled gardens :)

[@gardeninginnorway478]

A wonderful production! You two work well together. The conversation and smalltalks you two had, lifted this vid up to a splendid and enjoyable experience. :) I couldn`t miss those historical artefacts at the end of the vid. Would like to see this area with my own eyes. I have a whole bunch of relatives living around in UK, so it`s not impossible that I might take a trip over the pond some time. Happy new Year! All the best, Halvor.

[@dannyscoot73]

Nice and interesting day out thanks for taking me along.

[@karlatiller-barclay1965]

The water there is as clear as where i live the water is always clear except in the winter or spring when we have torrential rain and it washes the dirt from the hundreds of streams we have. That is why i love where i live so much. I am a scorpion, which love water.What a wonderful tour. Thank you so very much Rick. See ya on the next viseo. Have a wonderful 2015. Karla

[@RichardB1983]

A good day out, even if you didn't get access to the gardens! Loved the drone shots over the canal, very serene. That road through Avebury has probably been there for centuries in some form - but was probably first formalised as a main road as a turnpike road in the late 18th/early 19th century.

[@bobshunt9]

Well, What a lovely video, All the stress drained away watching this, so much so that when the video ended I stayed looking at the screen, enjoying the moment,, Top man,,

[@WaterGirl49]

What fun!!!! It is so good to see you two on an adventure.. love your music and your entro ..

[@mikecat23]

Rick there is an old Roman road near where you were. It runs along the brow of the hill and runs for miles. you can drive on it. Richard Hannon is a horse trainer in the area and he could show you it. I used it to get to and from a pub in the past lol

[@maisiecheartscontent6533]

Thanks for posting this lovely video. The scenery was amazing and now I am going to re watch the Victorian garden series. I love it.

[@WaterGirl49]

@ Maisie C .. If you know can you let me know where I can watch the whole series? I have only seen a bit of it and the war time garden..Thank you ...

[@maisiecheartscontent6533]

As far as I know you have to have the dvd's from Acorn Media. Only the wartime series is available on youtube.

[@WaterGirl49]

Thank you .. Much appreciated : )

[@WaterGirl49]

: ) ty

[@tvtoms]

I've watched that series at least a few times in the past 5 years or so (whenever I happen to find it online). It's really nice to watch if you ever get a chance. Great timeless tips and very interesting information about walled gardens and soil amendments too.

[@chowceo]

Your back on track in the new year with an awesome video.

[@saucy3101]

Hello Rick, I can remember watching both programs and the old gentleman said that they took loads of the flowers that they were supposed to burn and during the night went and planted them in some woods nearby so that every year in the wood there would be a glorious display of their flowers. They didn't have the heart to burn them.I have a terrible memory but I presume it would have been the Wartime Kitchen Garden. Perhaps one summer you may fancy another trip out? Smiles. Sue. x

[@eyesbettedavis]

Love this one because of the views of the countryside. Would love it if you did a bit more of that sometime.

[@Foxhillfarms]

When i worked on the arable side of Chilton i was told buy a old woodsman on the estate that Harry Dodson tried to save the garden by running a market garden there, high rents and high turnover costs meant that this attempt to save the walled garden as a working garden failed. Shame, very happy memory's of that estate

[@daveaplin7644]

I was the Assistant in the Victorian Flower garden series ;-)

[@daveaplin7644]

Sure, no problems. I kept a diary with pictures almost every day I worked.

[@graemelycett8373]

Hi Sean, Are you still planning on doing this? Am a cameraman and would be up for shooting some if you're interested.

[@graemelycett8373]

Hi Sean, no probs. Wouldn't be asking for payment, but love the series like yourself so would be great to be involved. Give us a shout if can be of any help

[@elliottvaughan5961]

You two are brilliant together, peace

[@leebrearley4397]

Must say as a joint video that was excellent, would love to see more from you both and length of video too, it was interesting, informative and fun, thank you gents and a happy new year to you both

[@damo1342]

Really enjoyed that, a friend of mine lives in Aldbourne, so will link the video to him. If you ever see a blue Scimitar when you go through Rick, its name is Clara and Stephen should be driving her ! Don't know if you have noticed a furniture makers going through, Sowerby & Son, thats him, hes the Son ;). Liked the quad footage too :).

[@questioneverythin101]

2 of my fav youtubers!! Great video guys...Happy new Year~

[@MarvinEdmiston]

Awesome video tour. Happy New Year to you, Rick. :)

[@detactical8698]

Stayed at the Castle and Ball hotel a few times in Marlborough. Lovely part of the world.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Rick, I can remember watching both programmes, "The Victorian kitchen garden and the war time garden when they were first aired. I have also seen some of the repeats and whats more I even know who Geoff Hamilton was. He sadly died a few years ago from a heart attack whilst running is a charity event I think. Good copter shots too, I will have to go over there and get some footage. I was hoping you would fly your copter under that bridge! The risky shots make for the most interesting . All the best Sandy

[@BadgerBotherer1]

Geoff Hamilton died whilst doing a charity bike ride from Brecon to Merthyr Tydfil (where I was living at the time), having a heart attack just as he arrived at Merthyr. If you've seen Merthyr, it's easy to see why seeing it for the first time could lead a man to keeling over.

[@WiltshireMan]

BadgerBotherer1 Thanks. Poor chap. Yes the hills there are steep. All the best Sandy

[@BadgerBotherer1]

Yes, I was a fan of Geoff, and was very sorry to hear of his passing. (By the way, when I said, "If you've seen Merthyr, it's easy to see why seeing it for the first time could lead a man to keeling over.", I was not referring to the hills, but to the shocking sight of the inhabitants of that town!)

[@BadgerBotherer1]

Really interesting video - a Welshman and an Englishman in perfect harmony! And nice to see Marlborough, which is where my friend's nephew is at school. Don't suppose you know Urchfont, which is a small village near there where he lives?

[@RobCharles1981]

Very Enjoyable Rick looks a cracking area to visit as well! :)

[@malcolmcarruthers432]

Nice to see you back again Rick, and a happy new year to you too. I like so many others remember the Victorian Kitchen Garden series, they are repeated on Sky occasionally so keep an eye out for future repeats, it's well worth a watch. The footage from the eye in the sky was excellent but if you had it with you why didn't you use it over the kitchen garden? I'll no doubt see Sean's footage shortly as I have subscribed to his Horticultural Channel (thehortchannel.com) It's taken over a week to go through all the posts from beginning to last post, so I'm up to date with you both. Keep them coming, can't get enough, it's better than watching TV. Mal.

[@Allottedaaron]

Another great collaboration guys. Fantastic video, really enjoyed it. Glad you are having such fun. Happy New Year.

[@marisahutchison8515]

Thanks Rick and Sean for the videos of the Victorian Kitchen Gardens. It was lovely seeing the area. At the same time, sad that it has changed so much. I loved the Victorian series. Thanks again. Your California friend, Marisa

[@alanroberts4060]

That was fascinating , the Victorian-kitchen garden was a little gem of series, I really miss characters like Harry Dodson and Peter Thoday,,, Thanks for that amazing little insight.,,,,, and yes it would of made a great visitors centre due to the programme and the guys and girls involved, You might remember Gardeners World when Percy Thrower Han it, it's was a huge attraction. TFS.

[@WarmasAsunnedcat]

good old Harry Dodson a member of a great and proud generation....what would they think of the state of this country now. They wouldn't want to come back.

[@sumeyahsallam3919]

Nice trip. Happy New Year. (Not on my allotment as it has been raining through the night....will do a rain check tomorrow as forcast has sun peaking through clouds and no precipitation) Fingers crossed.

[@1westmidland]

Breath taking work mate great to see you still have the skills ? take it you may have a drone fly by shot at Locks Great work Rick all the Best for New Year Bri .

[@groovesme]

Looks like you guys had a great day.

[@woodturningjohn]

I remember watching that series, and I really like google earth street views. It is alway sad to see something that was so nice to be let go bad, so many things could be done with that space. Very nice video and trip.

[@meehan302]

You couldn't find two finer men .hahaha Brings back memories guys. But only one of you has subscribed Best wishes for 2015

[@michaelhaggar8287]

Im going to visit the area tomorrow

[@EggnogonthebogProductions]

That looked a fun day out...

[@anncollins1216]

well, i was a fan of harry; what an amazing man; it is so depressing that his life's work is just gone, and i think his house is gone, too. i followed this video and google earth at the same time, and the only house that is near the garden is new and to large and posh for harry to have lived in. what a shame. watching that series was like getting a PhD in gardening. i have watched it over and over and have learned a lot.

[@verbenaandlavender5929]

Hi rick Fantastic video, really enjoyed it.

[@shawnmcpeak6184]

Rick, I'm in the USA and have seen the War time Garden it's on KZbin. It's fascinating .You really need to watch it. I Love your, and Sean's Video's

[@ahv3797]

Hi Rick - A very nice pilgrimage. Thank you for letting us in on what must have been an emotional trip Sean. So do you guys know Alan Titchmarsh (I am in the states ~ forgive me ~)? Could you get him interested in the Victorian Kitchen Garden Restoration? Or Prince Charles ? ( seriously ~ with a wink) They do seem to get stuff going. Lovely to see you both. I rode my exercise bike for the whole video - perfection!

[@deviousdai1951]

I seem to remember there was a 2nd walled garden adjacent to the main garden, which was used to film some of the Flower Garden series, (although the glass houses were the same ones used in Kitchen Garden). It appeared to have two gravel paths dividing it into quarters, with a stone Cherub statue at the meeting point. Anyway it's a shame, I'm sure it could be resurrected given the resurgence in nostalgia. Nice video anyway. I assume you have all 4 series?

[@amyh1011]

Thank you for a lovely video with beautiful views. Would love to see them in person, but will visit vicariously through your posts instead.

[@kellysheridan4064]

What a nice trip ! Looking forward to your next one .

[@Sheila6325]

Rick, you have GOT to see the Victorian Kitchen Garden programs, Like nothing else you have seen, and then you will understand Sean's being "hook" on it. It's fascinating and gets you caught up in it and does not let go. It stays with you for good. Honest! Wonderful video, I really enjoyed it very much. Perfect start to a new year!

[@peterroper6224]

Hello Rick, happy New Year. I have been catching up with your allotment videos and am particularly interested in your green house construction. I intend some building work myself and I wondered if you could tell me your source for the pre cut window plastic. Thanks for all your efforts in making these videos and best wishes for the coming season.

[@Mackemlad]

really enjoyable video i loved the kitchen garden youtube had it on but has been removed for some reason

[@69Phuket]

I remember that series, it was very relaxing to watch. A bit like Jack Hargreaves 'Old Country'. (there's some on KZbin) Great vid fellas'! All the best for 2015.

[@sparkyprojects]

I watched that series all those years ago, shame it seems to have gone into disrepair Maybe there's a way to restore it, but run it like a community garden allotment while keeping the layout

[@jesusfdez4892]

Does someone know where I can find the song played in 28:05? It's lovely.

[@amarillagriffin7427]

I watched all the episodes of TVKG I was an avid viewer of gardening programme's on TV do you remember Geoffrey Smith's gardening programme.

[@chach2611]

Awesome! I felt as if I were walking with you. I'm a visual thinker. I love maps. What town/city do you set out from and live in?

[@WestcountryYokelOnYoutube]

Great vid Rick. 👍😊 did you and sean have separate audio, bet that was fun sinking all that. 😊

[@stevenwatson3963]

"Not a chemtrail to be seen" Good lad ,Sean.

[@4468]

Great video Rick & Sean but you can't give us a beautiful flying shot at 28:10 with no explanation, who's drone is it and who's flying? Lovely footage!

[@tomservo75]

I remember a show many years ago that used to air on Public Broadcasting here in the U.S. called "Victory Garden." Is that the same show?

[@rdtradecraft]

Ok, Rick, I give up. How did you get those arial shots of the locks?

[@Rambleswithmycameraonyoutube]

Really enjoyable Rick and Sean :-) I am lovin the aerial drone I wonder would you have tempted flying over the gardens or would it have been risky in case it dropped behind the wall? New Year Blessings guys for 2015

[@Snoopsuk]

Just a correction Rick, Stockton-on-Tees is actually the widest high street in the UK. Marlbrough is the SECOND widest high street in the UK. Great video, though.

[@lifesbetterinwellies6342]

Sad it's gone down the pan like that, shame you never had a pole you could of put the camera on to view over the wall though. Always wondered if it was ever kept up or left to go.

[@anncollins1216]

i wonder if the little cottage on the SE side of the garden was harry''s.

[@kalvaxus]

Nice vid!

[@TheAstronomer]

Rick, those steep mounds are typical Scythian(Saka) burial mounds which are quite widespread in Eurasian steppes and the Middle East. They call it Kurgan. Saka's are the anscetsors of Saxons one theory says. I am surprised about the heap of nonesense around the origin of these mounds, mostly I think for attracting tourists. The fact that these burial sites are attributed to mysterious sources of energy and noen existance astronomical orientations just shows we was a cultural hiatus between those who built the mounds and those who later made those popular theories about them as some sources of "cosmic energy"! Stonehendge is just another Kurgan where the mound is stripped off leaving the inner burial chamber exposed. You can read about Kurgans in these wiki article about Scythians: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythians en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythians

[@artanddesignstudios]

Very interesting! Bing has a pretty good bird's eye view where you can see both gardens fairly well and there are still a few structures in the original/main garden: www.bing.com/maps/#Y3A9MzYuMjM2MDk5fi04My4zMzE3MDMmbHZsPTQmc3R5PXImcT1MZXZlcnRvbiUyMExhbmUlMkMlMjBIdW5nZXJmb3JkJTJDJTIwVW5pdGVkJTIwS2luZ2RvbQ== I also found some great info/history here: www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol16/pp88-109 Definitely needs to be brought back to life! Happy New Year to you both!

[@mrsmithsgardenseries6242]

Such a shame it's gone :o(

[@fade7887]

English country roads look so narrow compared to country roads here in the U.S. I live in Maine and most of my state is considered to be the middle of nowhere and even our dirt roads seem wider than the English roads I see in various videos. Maybe its just because its video.

[@englishsupport]

Here's the KZbin link for the series. Enjoy and a very happy new year to you both! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmiqc5yYf5h8odU

[@bowler8]

New Mexico has snow...would you believe it

[@TheAstronomer]

Happy New Year Rick! Why you do not try to have a few chickens at home? It keeps you busy and provides you with eggs throughout the year if you choose the right breed! I have right now made a book review about chickens which may be of some intetest. Did you know Richard Dawkins got his PhD from Oxford by studying domestic chicken in his mums backyard! Chicky mum's boy!

[@brianfindsall]

I would have thouht by now rick, That a man of your utube experience would have had some sort of droid to film ariel shots. It would have been a great asset to have had here today........tut tut.....

[@TheRichardgomm]

Jolly boys outing lol

[@AllotmentDiggers]

You can watch the full series on you tube, I myself must of watched it 20 times before I bough the series on DVD.....Just click on that link or paste it into you browser below kzbin.info?search_query=victorian+kitchen+garden+episode+1

[@moosewhittler]

very good film, too bad they want to use it for a housing project with all the other land available, seems to be a crime more than an effort. Watched both yours and Sean's it's a toss up which was more interesting. Bill Arnold

[@bowler8]

Oh Rick...how much do you not know about gardening and gardeners...Geoff Hamilton... a wrestler...lol