Combridge, David

For all garden-loving people of Christchurch ...David Combridge

First published in New Zealand TV Weekly, July 11 1966.

Almost exactly four years ago CHTV3 introduced its gardening feature conducted by David Combridge who turned out to be a “natural” for TV. After 27 years in broadcasting he is now undoubtedly one of the New Zealand TV personalities.

Although the weekly programme has a relaxed, informal air about it, it is a most professional presentation and this is not surprising for David Combridge is, before all else, a professional.

Love of plants

I was born in England and spent my early life among trees and shrubs, he explained. Kew Gardens, Richmond Park and the surrounding semi-rural area instilled in me a love of plants.

He trained in horticulture in Sheen, Surrey, and during this period sat the Royal Horticultural Society’s examination and topped the first class of the year and also won the Banksiam Medal.

Came to NZ

When still a young man he decided to come to New Zealand and, as he puts it, soon found work among the garden-loving people of Christchurch.

In my own interests I obtained the Certificate of Competency to spray and prune an orchard, granted by the horticultural division of the Department of Agriculture and then, for many years wrote a gardening column for the Lyttelton Times and, subsequently, the Christchurch Star, he said.

Broadcast 1935

My chance in broadcasting came in 1935 when I-took up a series of talks on gardening at Station 3YA, he went on. However, when 3ZB went on the air I was in the announcing. team.

Even today David Combridge is still responsible for two sessions each week with the Christchurch commercial station.

With such a wealth of knowledge, as well as broadcasting experience behind him, it was, perhaps, only logical that he should be the man to run a TV gardening session.

Duck to water

Today he admits that TV was a challenge. However, he took to it like a duck to water and confesses that he enjoys every minute of it.

On the screen he gives the impression of a man who likes sharing his knowledge with all who are interested in learning but at the same time wants to be entertaining, and herein would appear to lie the secret of his success.

However, he does not spend all his time in gardening. His hobbies are just as exacting-photography and angling. He calls classical music his recreation.

OBITUARY Mr D. Combridge Was Expert On Gardening

Press, 5 May 1970

Mr David Combridge, known to gardeners throughout New Zealand through his radio and television gardening sessions and his articles in newspapers and magazines, died on Sunday after a brief illness. He was 75.

Born in Richmond, Surrey, not far from the famous Kew Gardens, Mr Combridge studied under the Royal Horticultural Society after leaving high school and won a silver medal for first place in an examination conducted by the society among 280 students throughout Britain.

He came to Christchurch in the early 1920's and opened a gardening shop in Colombo Street. At this time he began writing regular newspaper articles on gardening and he did not retire from the public eye until less than a year ago.

After the depression of the 1930s, Mr Combridge concentrated on broadcasting work and gave weekly gardening sessions on 3YA. When 3ZB was established in 1937, Mr Combridge became one of the first announcers for the new commercial station. To his radio programmes, he added a regular session on television when it was introduced in 1960.

Throughout his life, Mr Combridge was a regular contributor on gardening in many magazines, including the “Woman’s Weekly,” “Home Journal,” and “New Zealand Gardener.”

Mr Combridge, who had a large private garden at his home on Huntsbury Hill, was also a keen angler and photographer.