Lectures and Garden Opening.
Marylyn Mason formerly Marylyn Webb
For nearly twenty years Marylyn Webb was one of the most popular presenters on Yorkshire Television. As a reporter she covered some of the biggest national stories of the mid 20th century including the five year 'Yorkshire Ripper' investigation. As a presenter she tackled everything from crime and politics to the countryside and environment.
She began her journalistic career on the Lancashire Evening Post in Preston as a reporter and then feature writer. She joined Yorkshire Television in 1972 - preferring to stay in the provinces rather than moving to London with John Birt's new 'Weekend World' programme!
As a reporter and presenter, alongside colleagues Richard Whiteley and Austin Mitchell, she presented the nightly news programme 'Calendar,' as well as dozens of regional series and outside broadcasts, including a documentary about the Queen and her champion gundogs. Her career was once described as a 'social history of the mid 20th century.'
In 1984 she was voted the first winner of the TV & Radio Industries Club Broadcasting Personality of the Year by viewers in the North East region (from the Borders to the Wash).
In 1989 she left Yorkshire TV to set up 'Grassroots Productions' with her now husband, garden designer Alan Mason. Together they spent 10 years making gardening programmes for YTV/Tyne Tees, Anglia, Central TV and Channel 4. Their long running series 'Gardens without Borders' for C4 took them around Europe looking at how the gardens of the new European Union compared with our own. She also set up her own independent company, 'Freeair' to make environmental programmes (before it became fashionable).
Marylyn Mason Talks
1
'Behind the Headlines'. An informal conversation about the ups, downs and personalities behind the camera lens. Anecdotes that never hit the screen.
'Behind the Headlines'. An informal conversation about the ups, downs and personalities behind the camera lens. Anecdotes that never hit the screen.2.'Extraordinary Gardeners.' Some of the wonderful characters featured in Alan & Marylyn's gardening programmes from Britain and Europe (illustrated with slides).
'Extraordinary Gardeners.' Some of the wonderful characters featured in Alan & Marylyn's gardening programmes from Britain and Europe (illustrated with slides).3.'The Englishwoman's Garden'. A look at some of the famous and unsung heroines of gardening who have created or influenced the great gardens of the world or their own domestic paradise (illustrated).
'The Englishwoman's Garden'. A look at some of the famous and unsung heroines of gardening who have created or influenced the great gardens of the world or their own domestic paradise (illustrated). Alan Mason
Garden improver.
Garden Designer.
Speaker.
Alan Mason is one of Europe's top designers and improvers. A founder member of the Professional Gardeners' Guild, he became Britain's youngest head gardener when he took charge of the French style gardens at Bramham Park in Yorkshire. He then took nearby Harewood House into the top 10 most visited gardens in the country.
He presented Yorkshire TV's gardening programmes for 15 years as well as series on Central and Anglai TV. He presented on BBC 'Gardeners' World' and a long running series on C4, 'Gardens without Borders' comparing the gardens of our European neighbours in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Holland.
He has created and restored many gardens throughout Europe including Manoir du Hilguy, near Quimper, for Holiday Property Bond and Harlaxton Manor in Lincolnshire. The garden that Alan & Marylyn made in France at Manoir, Port de Roche was generally considered to be amongst the top private gardens in France. The Channel 4 series ' Le Manoir' on the making of this garden was a Top10 rated programme.
With this unique background of qualifications and experience, Alan has turned much of his attentiong to providing expert knowledge and help as a garden designer/improver. He offers this service for gardens of any size where property owners are eager to add value to their properties and their lives. Alan and Marylyn's own garden in Lincolnshire is used to show clients what can be achieved and is frequently visited by groups and societies.
Alan Mason Talks
1.'Creating a Garden for You'. How to create a garden to suite your location, lifestyle and budget. Every garden is different depending on the requirements of the individual or family for whom it is being designed, the property and the location. (Illustrated with slides)
'Creating a Garden for You'. How to create a garden to suite your location, lifestyle and budget. Every garden is different depending on the requirements of the individual or family for whom it is being designed, the property and the location. (Illustrated with slides)2.'It's a Gardener's Life!' A humorous glimpse into Alan's 30 year life in gardening, from student to tV presenter and garden designer (Illustrated with slides).
'It's a Gardener's Life!' A humorous glimpse into Alan's 30 year life in gardening, from student to tV presenter and garden designer (Illustrated with slides).3.'A Gardener's Travels', Follows Alan's Channel 4 series 'Le Manoir' and 'Gardens without Borders' showing gardens in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Holland. (Illustrated with slides).
'A Gardener's Travels', Follows Alan's Channel 4 series 'Le Manoir' and 'Gardens without Borders' showing gardens in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Holland. (Illustrated with slides).Alan and Marylyn Mason
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Journalist
Broadcaster
Speaker
Garden Opening and workshops.
Alan and Marylyn are happy to open their garden for group visits and talks. Because we are the in-house garden designers for Downtown, groups are invited to check our availability when combining a visit to the Downtown Garden Centre, Boundary Mill and our own Show Garden which is only a few minutes drive away..
As you will have seen elsewhere on this site, we also teach garden design in Portugal at the Hotel Garbe during the English winter. We also use our own Lincolnshire garden as a showpiece and for teaching purposes.
To any individuals or group secretaries who would like a short gardening / design course tailoring to their needs at home or abroad, please feel welcome to contact us to discuss your requirements.
