I did wonder who would be the first to offer-up some Capability Brown-themed television, given the tercentenary in 2016. Well, the first shots have been fired (or soon will be).
Starting on Thursday 17th September 2015, at 9pm, Channel 4 (or specifically, More 4) is broadcasting a 3-part series. It’s called, unsurprisingly, “Titchmarsh on Capability Brown”, as it is hosted by gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh.
The intention of the series seems to be to tell the story of Brown’s life, whilst attempting to somehow realise the plans Brown drew up for Belvoir Castle. Plans, due to Brown’s death shortly afterwards, that were never implemented. Given what Brown usually had in mind for an estate of that size, good luck to them, as they are probably going to need it.
Inevitably, looking at Brown’s work elsewhere is on the itinerary: Stowe, Longleat and Wotton are mentioned, as is Kirkharle (Brown’s birthplace and first gardening job), and Fenstanton where he was Lord of the Manor and was later buried.
The third programme in the series doesn’t, as I type this, have any locations listed. Other Brown locations, though, include Croome Court in Worcestershire, and Ashburnham Place in East Sussex. Ashburnham, of course, is one of the gardens where Harry Dodson of Victorian Kitchen Garden fame honed his skills.
More information at:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/titchmarsh-on-capability-brown/episode-guide
and at :
http://www.capabilitybrown.org/
where you can also find details of the book, due out soon, on the Brown/Belvoir story.