JOHN HANNAM
Back in the 80s Alan regularly came to
help raise funds and the profile of the
Haylands Farm project, at the invitation
of the late actor Reginald Marsh. He
enjoyed these visits and the students loved
his participation.
Nine years ago he bought a flat in Cowes
and many of his novels have been written
overlooking the Solent.
“Over the years I have got so much out
of the Island and my current office is a
good way of putting something back. In
a way, I’ve stood up to be counted,” said
Alan.
During his very successful life Alan
Titchmarsh, who admits never to have
www.wightfrog.com/islandlife
been a particularly self confident
person, has been prepared to
take risks and enter side doors.
Despite leaving school with
just a single 0 level in art. For
many years he had dreamed of
becoming a gardener and grabbed
the opportunity to become an
apprentice with Ilkley Council.
Hence the ladder and the hanging
baskets.
On numerous occasions Alan
told his close friends he wanted to
be the next Percy Thrower. They
laughed and explained there were
50 million people in Britain and
only one Percy Thrower.
“Sometimes you just have to be
careful what you actually wish
for,” suggested the man who,
eventually, went on to present
Gardener’s World.
After a spell at college Alan
Titchmarsh took a job at Kew
Gardens and his career looked
to have peaked at such an early
age. Then he surprised a few
by leaving to join the Hamlyn
Publishing Group and within a
short time was writing gardening
books. His knowledge and flair
for his subject came to the
attention of radio and television
producers and his media career
suddenly evolved.
Alan’s love for amateur
dramatics had led him to the
Barnes and Richmond society and
he found not only a part in Half
a Sixpence but also a future wife,
Alison.
His love for the amateur stage
has remained with him and for
several years he has been the patron of the
Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic
Society.
“I’ve had a few offers to appear in
professional productions of Gilbert and
Sullivan. It would be an ambition fulfilled
and could happen one day.”
Alan’s life has been full of surprises and
none more than the success of Ground
Force. His first surprise was being told
that a builder from Hackney and a girl
from a Hampshire garden centre were to
be his assistants. Neither had television
experience but Alan was repeatedly told
the young lady had other assets that might
just catch on. Hence the hit trio of Alan
life
Titchmarsh, Tommy Walsh and Charlie
Dimmick was unearthed.
“We had such fun on that show and
nothing was hidden from viewers. We did
it in two days and it was hard wo &