Alan Titchmarsh and his dream team swooped in to help yet another family with a tired-looking outdoor space during Tuesday night's episode of Love Your Garden (July 4). But not everyone was impressed with the fruits of their hard work and incredible skills.
Elderly couple Rob and Margaret Isdale were the lucky recipients of a complete garden transformation at the skilful hands of Alan and friends. The amazing Grantham couple have fostered more than 150 children over the last 45 years, YorkshireLive reports.
To thank heroes Rob and Margaret for helping generations of children find a home over the decades, Alan and his team - Katie Rushworth, David Domoney and Frances Tophill - were desperate to turn the couple's boring garden into a magical haven. The team drew inspiration from The Secret Garden to help give something back to a pair who have given so much love and joy.
Read more: ITV1's Love Your Garden sees Alan Titchmarsh reduced to tears over dad's diagnosis
Alan had the idea of giving Rob and Margaret's shed Tudor-inspired flair, while adding several crumbling "columns" of brick, or as Alan put it, "ancient looking follies", that would effectively add lots of faux ruins to the space. "I want this new garden to make them feel as cared for as the children who come to their home," Alan told viewers.
Whilst the finished project certainly had a more elaborate design that their original outdoor space, not everyone was impressed by the Love Your Garden team's handiwork. The pretend ruins, crafted from brick, and the shed's revamp went down like a lead balloon with some viewers.
"Omg! The 'Love your garden' people ruining that lovely garden... with bricks and concrete!" wrote @besidetheriver on Twitter. "#loveyourgarden No thank you!"
@lally55p said: "It’s too crowded and busy for me but as long as they like it… #LoveYourGarden"
At the end of the episode, Alan showed the revamped garden to Rob and Margaret. The couple, on seeing the garden, immediately became tearful as they told Alan: "Goodness me! It's the best I've seen it looking. Woah.
"Thank you so much. I can't believe it - it's just...." Alan then told them "and we found the ruins of an old abbey in your garden." "Brilliant!" Margaret laughed.
Rob added: "I knew it would be special but that's extra special. Thank you so much."
Alan and his team then invited scores of the 150 foster kids that the couple have looked after to see the garden for a wholesome and very large family reunion.
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