HDRA (Garden Organic) dumbing down a step too far?

[alan refail]

Is it just an April Fool (note the date on the article) or are attempts to guide people into organic growing just getting beyond a (dumb) joke?

http://www.sowingnewseeds.org.uk/news3.html

[Nature's Babe]

Oh come on Alan, don't be so serious, what are you trying to say? Where is your sense of fun and adventure ! It's just a bit of harmless fun, maybe someone there is a fan!

[Johnboy]

Hi Alan,
Even noting the date I think that it is very sad to see.
What a load of plonkers they have turned into!
I will have to live on my memories of the supreme years past.
JB.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I didn't spot any superhero types on my recent visit to Ryton Gardens, but was very impressed with how the gardens have developed since I last visited, and thinking back to how they were on my first visit many years ago. They are making changes and improvements all the time and I'm certainly going to try and visit another couple of times this year to see them at different seasons if I can.

I can't say I'm impressed with Batman sowing seeds, but I suppose it would appeal to a six year old?

[alan refail]

Hi Alan,
Even noting the date I think that it is very sad to see.
What a load of plonkers they have turned into!
I will have to live on my memories of the supreme years past.
JB.

Hi Johnboy

My feeling exactly, but you put it so much more succinctly

Oh come on Alan, don't be so serious, what are you trying to say? Where is your sense of fun and adventure ! It's just a bit of harmless fun, maybe someone there is a fan!

Sorry if I sounded too "serious" - it's one of my faults. However, I really do believe that "fun" ways of introducing people to any activity, be it growing food or religion mostly lead to an easily abandoned enthusiasm and disappointment.

I felt the same way last year about the expensive and much trumpeted One Pot Pledge, which we discussed here viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8217.

[John Walker]

I'm sure Garden Organic would welcome input from anyone who thinks they might be 'dumbing down' at their AGM/Conference on May 14th:

A growing appetite for green gardening presents opportunities for building a nation of sustainable gardeners. Join Garden Organic as it debates how to best turn the UK’s gardeners organic with lively discussion sessions, engaging debates and your chance to question the experts.

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/about_u ... rence2.php