‘To wake up with a sense of purpose is the greatest gift of all’
Between gardening and broadcasting, perennial TV favourite Alan Titchmarsh also has dozens of books to his name. JEFFREY DAVIES chats to him as he heads to Bath to talk to a Theatre Royal audience about his new novel, The Gift
POPULAR television gardener, presenter, broadcaster, chat show host and author Alan Titchmarsh comes to the West Country next week to talk about his latest novel, The Gift.
Described as “a powerfully life-affirming story of the wonder of nature, the ties of family and the healing power of love”, the heart-warming, gentle and uplifting story – to be published on March 3 – sees Alan return to his beloved native Yorkshire for the setting of this new novel, bringing it to life with his personal memories.
Known to millions as a radio and television presenter of shows including Love Your Garden, The Chelsea Flower Show, Britain’s Best Gardens, Ground Force, Gardeners’ World, Pebble Mill at One and Nationwide, Ilkley-born Alan, 72, is also the best-selling author of 12 novels, three volumes of memoirs and 40 books about gardening. He also writes columns and features for a number of newspapers and magazines.
Alan’s new book tells the story of Adam Gabriel, a child of nature. Raised on his parents’ remote Yorkshire farm, where life is measured by the rhythms of the flock, the turn of the seasons, and the yearly arrival of an itinerant local monk, he seems destined for a quietly contented life. As he grows up, his parents Luke and Bethany see flickers of something extraordinary in their son, a healing touch that goes beyond his love for the land. But Adam’s gentleness has always made him an outsider, and a powerful gift can also be a heavy burden. When tragedy turns his life upside down, Adam faces a stark choice. Can he keep faith in his talents, even if it means risking the suspicion of others? Should he listen to the lure of new horizons, or does happiness lie closer to home? And when he needs it most, can he find the strength to save the people he loves?
It sounds like a good read, I remarked to the best-selling author.
“I hope so. It’s about a Yorkshire shepherd boy and his gift for healing. It explores people’s reaction to someone who has something that is difficult to understand. It is set very much in the Yorkshire Dales so the sense of place is quite strong. Really it’s about the boy growing up there and the things that have happened to him; triumph, tragedy and falling in love. And the fact that when you’re left with a gift it can sometimes be a curse as much as a blessing,” a most friendly Alan Titchmarsh told me enthusiastically.
It’s an uplifting story, too. “I hope it is. I tend to specialise in them. I don’t like angstridden, troubled novels. But at the same time I hope they’ve got a bit of bite to them and that they might be thought-provoking. The main thing is I want to engage my readers with a story that they’re drawn into, which all my novels have.”
Set in Alan’s beloved Yorkshire, The Gift highlights his passion for the county, its countryside and nature, I remark.
“Yes, very much. That comes over I hope. I write about things I love and know. The countryside and nature is obviously my field. It’s very much of the place and what comes out of it is my love for the Yorkshire Dales. It’s also about young Adam Gabriel, who the story is about, and his own love for it too. Adam’s attitude and love of the Yorkshire Dales is very much mine. I share that with my hero, if you like,” he said.
Something of a personal memoir then?
“No. Not at all. I think whenever one writes a novel there’s a degree of oneself in it. As I’m writing about someone who grew up in the Yorkshire Dales as I did, there will be echoes of me. But it’s not about me. I’ve already written three volumes of autobiography so that bit is done,” Alan replied.
So what prompted Alan to write The Gift?
“Oh, who knows. It’s like where do you get your ideas from? How on earth do I know! They pop into your head; lord knows where they started life!” he laughed.
Does Alan find the process of writing comes easily?
“I’ve written for a living since 1974. It’s what I do. Novels are slightly different in that they have to gestate for a bit. I’m not a great plotter. I get my characters and my scenario; the characters tend to drive the plot if I’m lucky. There are days when it’s slow and days when it’s flowing. When I can see that it’s going to come to halt in a little while, I stop before I get stopped and I go and do some gardening instead. The following day I’ll pick up and have an idea somewhere subconsciously where I’m going. I think the secret for me is to leave a little bit for tomorrow.”
Writing is a somewhat lonely endeavour, I remarked. Distractions come easily. Is Alan naturally self-disciplined in keeping himself on course?
“Yes, absolutely. It’s what I do for a living apart from gardening and broadcasting. But I wouldn’t
When you plant a tree and a robin comes and lands on a branch, for me it’s a very simple thing, but it’s also a very profound way of making a difference
Alan Titchmarsh
say lonely; I’d say solitary. And there is a difference,” he said.
“What I like is the contrast between the sociability of all the other work I do – the radio and television – and the solitude of writing. Yes, I’m on my own when I write, which I do in silence. I don’t have music playing or anything like that. But I do have the company of all these characters in my novel. So it’s by no means lonely.”
Alan’s desk overlooks a large wildlife pond, which he built at his home in Hampshire.
“I try not to look at the pond too much when I’m working though,” he laughed, giving me the distinct impression that not doing so was difficult to achieve sometimes.
“I write in the morning. I like to be at my desk by 8.30 and I work through until one o’clock. Depending on how it is going, I can generally do between 2,000 and 4,000 words a day. But I write columns as well. I do like writing; it’s something special. As long as you know where you’re going, it’s a pleasure.”
Alan admitted that he still gets excited on the eve of the publication of a new book.
“I do every time, Jeffrey. Every book is fresh. I’m waiting for the post as we speak for a copy of The Gift to arrive. Something came wrapped in cardboard this morning and I tore it open thinking, ‘This is it, my book’, but it wasn’t!” he told me disappointedly, adding modestly that you’re only as good as your next book and that there is really no place for complacency in what he writes.
Alan is this country’s bestknown and best-loved gardener, I suggested.
“You could say that but I couldn’t possibly comment!’ he responded with a laugh.
So when did Alan’s interest in gardening first reveal itself?
“Oh I was about eight and I built a greenhouse in our back garden. So I’ve always done it. I left school at 15 with one O level in art and went to become an apprentice in the local parks department nursery and absolutely loved it. I’ve always loved being outside and being with nature,” he said.
A life-long love of gardening. What is its appeal for Alan?
“Working with nature, but hoping to beautify it really. Creating a place that is beautiful to be in and an environment in which nature can thrive. And also doing your bit for the planet. Yes, you’re controlling it a bit, but it’s working hand-inhand with nature, which is the greatest delight.
“Where the wildlife pond I mentioned is, there used to be an enormous patch of overgrown brambles and nettles. Now I’m looking at this pond and there are two mallard ducks sitting there. That duck and drake wouldn’t have been there if I hadn’t helped clear the area and made a pond,” Alan said with understandable pride.
He continued: “When you plant a tree and a robin comes and lands on a branch, for me it’s a very simple thing, but it’s also a very profound way of making a difference. All the words and all the hot air doesn’t actually make a difference. But if you actually get out there with your spade and plant or create something, you are making a difference. And it’s an enormous joy.”
And a great form of exercise too, I remarked.
“It is. And it’s great for mental health. We’ve all struggled over the past couple of years and gardens have been many people’s salvation.”
Could the easy-to-like Alan imagine his life without gardening?
“No, not at all. I can’t. I garden and I’m of the garden. I can’t imagine being without it. It would be a much poorer life,” he stressed.
Alan has grown just about every plant possible. Does he have a favourite?
“It depends on the time of year. At the moment it’s snowdrops. Very quickly they’ll be replaced in my affections by daffodils and narcissi. Then the tulips will come. The great thing about gardening in a cool, temperate climate is seasonality; something different coming up all the time. I love the change we get here, from those early spring flowers right through to high summer and sweet peas and roses. Then we come into autumn colours and berries. The variety. That’s the pleasure for me.”
Alan was made MBE in the Millennium New Year’s Honours list and holds the Victoria Medal of Honour, the Royal Horticultural Society’s highest award. An all-rounder – gardener, author, broadcaster. Does Alan feel blessed?
“Yes to all the above really. I feel incredibly blessed to have been allowed to do what I love. To have found what I love doing and to be given opportunities. Enormously lucky. I don’t work, I just do things that I love doing and manage to make a living from it. I am aware of my good fortune in that respect and in having a supportive family and good friends. To wake up with a sense of purpose is the greatest gift of all.”
If Alan could only do one of his jobs now which would he choose?
“It’s like choosing a favourite child, isn’t it? You wouldn’t. You love them all. But workwise I would choose gardening and writing. The television will drift away when I get too old to be looked at!” he laughed.
Alan Titchmarsh is giving his talk at the Theatre Royal Bath on Friday, March 4, at noon. Tickets for this special event can be booked on 01225 448844 and online at www. theatreroyal.org.uk