Serge Hill Project
Gardeners' Question Time
BBC
4.5 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 15 May 2026
⏱️ 43 minutes
🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In a special Gardeners’ Question Time episode to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, the programme is at the Serge Hill Project, an inspirational garden that promotes working with nature to radically transform people's health and well-being. Renowned landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, and Tom’s partner, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist Sue Stuart-Smith, join regular panellists Pippa Greenwood, Christine Walkden, and Anne Swithinbank to answer listener questions.
The programme also features a generous and brave final appearance from GQT panellist Matt Biggs. Matt has been a GQT panellist since 1994, and has been battling cancer for six years. Tragically, Matt’s cancer has now entered its end-stage. Matt wanted to record this programme, knowing it would be his last appearance on Gardeners’ Question Time, surrounded by his longtime friends and GQT colleagues. Listeners will hear questions answered by the GQT panel of gardening experts, but they will also hear about Matt’s journey from initial diagnosis to his current mental and physical condition. At times Matt’s words are upsetting, raw, and honest, however it is Matt’s wish that his story is told partly as advice for other sufferers and also to serve as inspiration to all listeners. Producers: Dan Cocker, Matt Smith and Rahnee Prescod Assistant Producer: William Norton A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4 * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:07.3 | On BBC Sounds, there are podcasts to help you look after your body and your mind. |
| 0:12.7 | From increasing your immunity to feeling more confident. |
| 0:16.6 | Or tips on how to focus. |
| 0:18.5 | Sorry, what will you say? |
| 0:19.7 | If it matters to you, it matters to us. |
| 0:22.6 | Feel good inside of them. |
| 0:24.6 | With what's up docs. |
| 0:25.6 | And complex with Kimberly Wilson. |
| 0:27.6 | Listen on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:31.6 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:36.6 | Hello and welcome to Gardner's Question Time. |
| 0:39.8 | I'm Cathy Clugston and today we're at the Surge Hill Project in Hertfordshire. |
| 0:44.5 | And as its Mental Health Awareness Week, it's a very fitting place to be. |
| 0:49.3 | It was set up in 2023 by Tom and Sue Stewart Smith. |
| 0:53.5 | The project draws on Sue's work as a psychiatrist, |
| 0:56.3 | psychotherapist and author of the book The Well-Gardened Mind, which investigates the power |
| 1:01.4 | of gardening to transform lives. Combined with Tom's horticultural expertise, |
| 1:06.6 | Serge Hill delivers the perfect credentials for a very popular topic and one that many GQT listeners can relate to. |
| 1:13.4 | When it comes to peace of mind, green is the colour and many organisations, including the NHS, acknowledge that gardening is officially good for you. |
| 1:23.2 | Today's programme is also special for another reason because as a rare treat, I'm joined by fellow GQT chair, Peter Gibbs. Hello. Hello, Cathy. Two chairs for a very good cause, I would suggest. And it's not just me. Tom and Sue Stuart Smith are here too. Sue, tell us a little bit about the thinking behind the project here and why gardening can be so important for our mental health. |
| 1:47.0 | The Surge Hill project was set up by Tom and me in 2023. |
... |
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