TV: Monty Don's Real Craft

I bet all the crooks are waiting for licksmiths then.. grin. Brian

So in an hour, Monty Don (the man who thinks gardening is about pot plants from B&Q) is going to explain every aspect of a craft that takes a lifetime to learn and needs thousands of pounds for equipment? Bollix.

He is going to host the program. I doubt he writes the scripts.

As regards woodworking, you don't need thousands of quids worth of equipment. It may make things easier in this day and age - but people were working wood to a high standard long before power tools.

I'll watch it - but expect it will be dumbed down to appeal to those who just like watching moving wallpaper. Like most of these progs.

AIUI he is going to follow a handful of amateurs hoping to turn professional.

As for Blacksmithing needing thousands of pounds worth of equipment, you can buy a second hand anvil with stand for around £100 and a new bosh and tue iron for about £350. A chrome leather apron will cost about £10. A quick trip down to the second hand tool shop will yield a hammer and a few tongs for under £20. Everything else, you can make yourself and you can learn the basics in a few weeks.

Colin Bignell

No he isn't, wanker.

Can people stop quoting this arse? It doesn't do my blood pressure any good.

licksmithing sounds like a completely different type of activity.

Owain

The Roman woodworking tools on show at Vindolanda are striking similar to the hand tools in use today.

Bill

Maybe a rehash of this six part series on the BBC from 2010?

"Similar programmes by genre - Arts Culture and The Media"

Do the BBC think blacksmithery is an art, a culture, or a media (sic)?

Owain

Rumour has it that the cleaners in the BBC have a better idea than our culture secretary...

Once a tool is perfected, why change it? You would be hard pressed to distinguish from a Roman trowel, and one made today.