Barnsdale Gardens owner pens book about father Geoff Hamilton, presenter of BBC Gardeners' World
Many people still recall Geoff Hamilton as a television legend from his days presenting BBC’s Gardeners’ World.
But while he might have been something of a celebrity locally, to his son Nick, he was just a “bonkers dad”.
And it’s this man Nick hopes to reveal in his new book ‘The Right Genes’.
His first step into writing about a subject other than gardening and horticulture, Nick hopes local people will pick up a copy and learn his beloved dad’s real story.
“I always felt that people got to know my dad as a television presenter but they never really knew the real Geoff Hamilton and it was important for me just to make people aware of who he really was.
“After he died a lot of people felt like they had lost a member of their family, and this is their chance to get to know him more.”
Well-known as the presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World during the 1980s and 90s, Geoff Hamilton died in 1996 following a heart attack. Many grieved his death but Nick says his dad wasn’t comfortable with being the “celebrity” that he found himself becoming.
Born during “grim times” in the East End of London just before the outbreak of the Second World War, Geoff lived with his parents, grandparents and two brothers. His sense of humour came from that tough upbringing.
“He always used humour to counter the bad things that were happening in life,” Nick recalls of his dad. “I think he learned that from a young age.
“I often find myself having to apologise to people for doing the same. I think it’s a genetic thing. We have the same sense of humour - I mercilessly rib everyone.”
It was only when the family moved to greener Hertfordshire that Geoff discovered his love for horticulture.
It was something that he passed on to Nick, who took over Barnsdale Gardens and opened it to the public in 1997. It is open all year round.
“You need to love it 500 per cent of the time because there are some long and cold hours. Even in a home garden, you’re out there in every kind of weather. There is always something to do.
“Gardening is a life choice and my dad knew that too. You can’t do it if you don’t enjoy it but you don’t need to understand as much as you might think to get involved.”
Nick has pondered penning his dad’s story for many years but it was his wife, Helen, who encouraged him to finally start the book about four years ago.
Writing became a cathartic exercise after Helen was diagnosed with cancer and Nick fondly recalls reading sections of it to her in hospital as she underwent treatment.
“It’s a bonkers book because my dad was absolutely bonkers.
“But it was also written during a bonkers time - Helen was a captive audience in hospital and she loved hearing all the funny stories.”
To reflect his dad’s sense of humour, Nick chose a “silly” photo of his dad for the cover of ‘The Right Genes’.
Taken in preparation for a summer magazine article, the photo shoot actually took place in February and snowdrops can be seen in the background.
“They wanted a summery feeling but he was actually freezing to death,” Nick laughs, looking at the image of his dad pulling silly faces. “It shows how silly he was.
“His favourite thing was just talking to people though.”
Sadly Helen died just over three years ago, so didn’t get to see the finished book.
“She heard all the stories and I know she would be very proud, and dad would be too. He was always very proud,” Nick said.
As well as Helen’s hospital appointments, writing needed to fit in with other things - Nick is at Barnsdale 24/7 and even during lockdown when the attraction was forced to close to members of the public, the team of gardeners were on site “looking after living things”.
Nowadays, Nick finds himself in the office a lot dealing with admin and mail orders but still enjoys propagation.
He is also hoping to find time to write a sequel.
‘The Right Genes’ takes the reader on Nick’s early life story up to joining the Gardeners’ World team. The sequel, which will be called ‘The Right Jeans’ will follow - named after the denim Geoff was known for wearing on television.
Filled with plants, those jeans now welcome visitors to Barnsdale Gardens as a reminder of the man behind the venue.
‘The Right Genes’ is available to buy at Walkers bookshops in Stamford and Oakham, and of course, at Barnsdale Gardens - RRP £14.99.
