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Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
EvAugust 1, 2022 at 7:28 AM
ReplyDeleteI don’t know about you but I am a bit tired of all this cooing over the twins! I’m not keen on the names especially Nova which sounds like the brand of a new kettle or toaster! I think the other one is Serin which is better! I agree that Peggy is over the top wanting a stained glass window for them and it will cause resentment with the other branch of the family.
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OldWomanInAShoeAugust 1, 2022 at 7:34 AM
I keep thinking of the Vauxhall Nova, which apparently didn't sell well in countries where 'No va' means 'won't go'!
As for the baby, I'm sure she's super : )
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AmbridgesMrsPAugust 1, 2022 at 8:23 AM
ReplyDeleteIt has surprised me that these names appeared out of nowhere.
I would have expected some reaction from the Ambridge community to these ‘strange modern names ‘ since the last baby names ( Helen’s boys) were very traditional, and then Wren and Zandor were at least pronounceable.
Since Natasha is most eloquent at putting her point across I would have expected at the very least a discussion between her and Tom.
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SarniaAugust 1, 2022 at 10:33 AM
OWiaS - HoHo!
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SarniaAugust 1, 2022 at 8:46 AM
If you spell it like that Ev, people not conversant with heavenly details might assume that the child is named after a nerve gas! :)
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EvAugust 1, 2022 at 9:47 AM
I knew I’d heard it somewhere!!
maryellenAugust 1, 2022 at 8:56 AM
ReplyDeleteInterestingly (or not), Nova and Seren are both unisex names, though more commonly used for girls. Maybe the twins’ middle names will be more conventional and can be swapped to if desired - or they might acquire nicknames which supplant their given ones.
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ArcherphileAugust 1, 2022 at 3:48 PM
I think there are different spellings in Welsh for Seren whether for a boy or girl.
And I imagine that Tom & Natasha had long conversations about names , we just didn’t get to hear them. Too busy eavesdropping on Chelsea and Brad!
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Stasia August 1, 2022 at 12:27 PM
Twinkle, twinkle little stars!,
What tiny little sparks you are,
You cannot yet see the way ahead,
And when you do,
Gt G Ma Peggy should be dead.
Twinkle, twinkle little stars,
Fluffy little bundles that you are
Will you wonder in years to come
What you had done wrong
To be immortalised in glass
As on your way to school you do pass.
Twinkle twinkle ……..
There will be trouble ahead,
Other Great Grand children, will be asking where is my stained glass?
It’s a bonkers idea.
carolynAugust 1, 2022 at 3:21 PM
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Stasia, very witty & true !
I do wonder if the family should have Peggy 'certifed' in one way or another ( gently, not so she'd notice, tell her it's a routine check up)
It's unbelievable that any of the family take these delusions of enduring fame seriously.
Suppose those twins turn out to be serial murderers or something - what would the poor vicar do about the window then ? 😳
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maryellenAugust 1, 2022 at 2:16 PM
If TA has planned a topical insert for the Lionesses' Wembley victory, my hunch is that it will happen tonight when the character most likely to refer to it is scheduled to appear!
No mention from Roy or anyone else.
DeleteHuh! ☹️
DeleteYou suggested Maryellen that there might be a topical insert of the Wembley victory tonight.
DeleteI guessed that you supposed Roy might mention it.
Hence my response.
Yes, indeed, Mrs P - I understood your response and my 'Huh! plus cross face' was meant for the production team for not adding a touch of normality to the narrative. I stead we got the highly improbable and not very funny Scottish dancing scenario. Anyway, it's a lesson to me to make my posts clearer!
DeleteLove the origami star KP - did you make it yourself? Very appropriate for the new twins ( or should there have been two? 😂
ReplyDeleteWell now we know the plans for the refurbishment of GG. After all the blather and posturing of people fearing the worst it is completely unsurprising that the company which has invested so much would come up with a sensible business plan. What had Shula being worried about long dead Caroline got to do with the price of fish etc. for an example?
ReplyDeleteNot surprising was that Lynda, who once she had seen the sense and popularity of the proposal, immediately pointed out that she had provided so much local knowledge to Adil. Perhaps now she might offer to him (some hopes!) an apology for her churlish bad manners
It seems I have not missed a great deal of interesting listening but Idid happen to hear the programme last night and wondered what it was Peggy had bought for the twins.
ReplyDeleteA stained glass window?
Where ?
As for the names-ridiculous.
Why?
Surely there are plenty of names to choose from without making up more.
People won't know how to spell the boy's name
The poor child will be fed up telling folk that it doesn't have two Rs and it is I not e .
Perhaps his middle name is John and he will be able to use that instead.
What ARE the plans for GG please?
Who cares Lanjan. High end hotel with vegetables and Michelin str chef. No receptionist.
DeleteHello, LanJan - here are a few answers! Peggy wants to instal a stained glass window in St Stephen’s to celebrate the birth of Tom’s twins {who are both girls, not a girl and a boy as predicted). That’s assuming the Church agrees. This has miffed Helen because it makes the twins look more important than her boys who don’t get a similar offer. It’s a typical Archer storm in a teacup - if it goes through, all Peggy has to do is add all her other great grandchildren to the commemorative plaque. Personally I think there are more worthy causes to spend her money on!
DeleteSeren is Welsh for star and an increasingly popular name in Wales (I gather).. I think it’s a nice nod to the baby’s Welsh heritage. I’m not so sure about Natasha and Tom’s choice cf Nova; although it is also an established forename, used for both sexes but mostly for girls, it doesn’t sound so well in combination with Archer. I’d have liked to carry on the star theme with Stella instead of Nova (both Latin) but it’s already been allocated to another new character.
And Nova was a nod to Colin Skipp, the original Tony Archer, who had a daughter named Nova.
DeleteWhen she grows old enough to be given a voice, I wonder if she will be played by a member of the Troughton family? 🤔
“There’s method in her madness” says Tony.
ReplyDeleteWrong, wrong, Tony.
There’s madness in her method.
Conniving old biddy.
Divide and conquer has been her method.
Surely,it’s a bit of a slap in the face for Alice too.
ReplyDeleteI’m not surprised Helen was upset and it was entirely predictable. Tom, as usual handled his talk with her very badly making matters even worse I thought.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with Maryellen, the money to be spent on that window could have done so much more good in the village or beyond. How about a ‘topical insert’ of Peggy contributing to the Ukrainian refugee fund, providing resources in a Borchester school for the refugee children?
I don’t know if anyone here regularly reads The Guardian’s occasional article on The Archers, once very amusing but now ruined (in my opinion) by the new writer. My son sometimes sends it to me as I don’t read that paper.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have just had an almighty row with the admin team of a FB Archers page I contribute to because they reproduced the latest article on the page. The page has strict rules about not discussing Brexit, Foxhunting or Politics as these subjects are thought to foster argument, and this latest article is appalling . It shows a photo of Rishi Sunak, calls him three horrible, very prejudiced names and says George Grundy is becoming just like Mr Sunak! There follows more comment using bad language about the programme. I think it is supposed to be amusing but I didn’t find it so.
Anyway, much comment ensued, half saying (like me) take this article down, it’s political and nasty and the rest saying ‘get a life, it’s funny’
Just wondering if anyone else has read it and what they think of it.
Bring back the good old Ambridge Observer, I say,
I'm a Guardian reader and regularly read A Month in Ambridge on the last Saturday of each month, although I find it mostly unenlightening and not especially amusing. Cambrige-educated Charlotte Higgins is the Guardian's chief culture writer and a respected academic writer, but no humourist and not very original in her assessment of TA. Her predecessor, Nancy Banks-Smith was much wittier and sharper, and as Archerphile says, the column has deteriorated since. (Thought I did think Saturday's description of George Grundy as a "malevolent little shit" was a pretty accurate assessment!)
DeleteSo my criticism of last Saturday's piece is that it was neither as informative or entertaining as it was meant to be, but as for the FB concern about politicisation, what's the problem? The BBC is obliged to maintain a non-political approach in its broadcasts but rwpoeting what the papers say about
(cont.). but reporting what the papers say is well within their remit. In this case the political references were not the type of comments by bloggers that causes acrimony and offence on the blog, but a light-hearted review in a reputable newspaper of a radio soap., which was relating events in Ambridge to the newspaper reader's larger frame of reference. It's not a question of whether FB should have relayed that Archers-related political reference in the context in which it appeared - more a question of whether it was apt or not. (You decide! )
DeleteSorry, Archerphile, but I belong to the 'lighten up'' group!
Perhaps, as with so many other issues, it's a generational thing.
ReplyDeleteI have read that article. I didn't find it offensive as such, as I read it as "tongue in cheek" comments.
ReplyDeleteHowever I certainly agree with your point, in that politics should not be included in such an article.
Ambridge is a politics free zone and so it should be, so these should not be included in an Archers related article.
That's my view, rightly or wrongly.
Not possible in a country like the UK which prides itself on its freedom of speech and a free press. Real life should inspire what happens in Ambridge - not Ambridge inspire what happens in real life. (That’s my view, right or wrong!) 🙂
DeleteI read the Guardian article online.
DeleteAgree with Maryellen and others that it was not enlightening in any way.
I disliked the personal reference to the politician, but would not find it offensive if I was a regular reader of that paper, however since it did bring a political flavour to the article then perhaps it was breaking the rule of the FB blog that AP refers to, by re publishing it on that blog.
Hardly something to start an acrimonious discussion on though IMO.
Just to be clear, it is not FB that objects to political reference but the particular Archers Page that I subscribe to. It has a set of rules about what we are allowed to post including, no political references, no mention of Brexit or of Foxhunting which have started very acrimonious arguments in the past - also rules about bad language, swearing, being offensive to other members of the group, Archers actors and live people. Anyone flouting these rules has their post removed quick smart.
ReplyDeleteMy objection was 1) to allow politics, by reason of publishing a photo of Mr Sunak whom everyone knows is standing for Leadership of the Conservative Party and thence Prime Minister: 2) using offensive words to describe a real life person and 3) use of further bad language which wouldn’t be tolerated by the group if used by a member in a post.
I felt I had a right, as a long standing member of the group to raise these concerns.
Also I did not find the article in the slighted bit amusing, just nasty.
I fought to defend The Archers, which though I may criticise the programme myself, from time to time still hold as an important part of my daily life.
End of explanation/rant.
That's interesting, Archerphile - there was no photo of RS in my print edition,. The extent of the politicisation was just half a sentence containing three unflattering (but not offensive) adjectives applied to George Grundy, "the Rishi Sunak of Ambridge". They were hectoring, petulant and charmless - quite mild by party political slanging standards., and only applied to RS at second-hand, so to speak. Admittedly, the sub-editor had chosen them to highlight. And the paper did print s**t without its demure asterisks. Other than that, there was nothing to fault apart from the journalistic weaknesses mentioned previously.
DeleteBut I don't think any of this reflects on the programme itself. Creaking old warhorse it may be, but not yet an endangered species!
Message to KPnuts - I'll shut up about this now, but if you think I've broken this blog's rules by carrying on a discussion involving politics and TA, please use your super power and delete! [smiley face]
As Maryellen suggests, if Peggy persists with what I think is a vanity project, the design should be a constellation containing as many stars as she has great-grandchildren, possibly including Wren, I don’t think there will be anymore after the twins. That way only the rest of the village is unimpressed, I really think it is the silliest idea I have heard for a long time & I hope the church refuses point blank.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear Caitlin causing a measure of havoc at Bridge Farm, how long will they be tormented.
I agree with Tony as far as Peggy is concerned, in that there is method in her madness. What that might be, only she knows and why.
ReplyDeleteI do have an inkling of an idea, but I'm keeping that to myself at the moment, in case of ridicule or rebuke.
Besides no speculation is allowed!
Speculation is not only allowed but welcome, Miriam! Please feel free....
DeleteMiriam when you make remarks as you’ve just done in your last sentence, you must be aware that you’re inviting a response. Which of course is what I’m doing to point out the following. The purpose of commenting on a blog about a fictional programme is that we are expressing our interpretation of the content, which may or may not concur with the views of others. By commenting we invite others to offer their views to the discussion.
DeleteIt is IMO asinine to inform us that you have ideas but are withholding them. You don’t need to tell us if you don’t want to, but providing us with a titbit that then questions our sensibilities is absurd.
I might/ or not agree but a response is simply that and not a rebuke.
For example, I read the Guardian article referred to earlier and could easily make a response to AP and ME, but disagreeing is not a rebuke.
Has Peggy forgotten how many GGchildren she is related to?
ReplyDeleteI’ve calculated about nine, others might be resident in the woodwork. Adam might not care but Jenny certainly will, (5) Lilian will question the absence of Mungo, John is dead so Jonny doesn’t exist. Helen has already expressed her unease for her two.
Someone should point out to Peggydragon that by the time everybody ( including the church authorities) expresses their antagonisms regarding the project she’ll be dead. Perhaps the church will be converted into a planetarium, so in one fell swoop all can have a star ⭐️.
All will have won and all will have a star.
Perhaps she’ll pop her clogs before it becomes anything other than a batty idea from a batty old biddy.
See my comment a couple of days since…… hoping this might be ‘her’ swan song.
DeleteI have no compunction in wishing Peggy Archer / Woolly a dignified end.
And soon please.
I shan’t mind the fuss that it will cause, ( possibly nationwide ! ) although she is unlikely to be having a lying in state as a similar aged member of the Royal Family had.
I've been having a little chuckle about the parish church becoming a planetarium: I would love to be a fly on the wall on the day the archdeacon receives a request for a faculty to install a telescope in the church roof.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Peggy sees the Archer clan as lords of the manor! I doubt whether the church would share this view and her application to have a window dedicated to the twins would surely fail as it could set a precedent with every proud grandparent wanting a window for their offspring! I don’t blame Helen for being miffed and when the news spreads more of her generation will share her feelings. I know Peggy is well off but surely her pot of money is dwindling with all her grandiose ideas in recent years.
ReplyDeleteI must be the only one here who thinks the stained glass window is a wonderful and generous idea. Yes perhaps there could be a number of stars to represent all the great grandchildren and with a wren maybe on a branch near the bottom of the window, and that would be appropriate because wrens sing at night, from dusk to dawn. I am sure Alan will make appropriate suggestions.
ReplyDeleteMost stained glass windows in churches were funded by wealthy patrons in memory of someone dear to them, and churches are far less beautiful without stained glass. Many churches still have windows with plain glass and would be over the moon if someone offered to pay the extremely high price for the skilled workmanship that goes into them. It took about 20 years before our little village church had enough money to pay for one in memory of a previous much loved vicar.
And if Tom is Peggy's favourite grandchild why shouldn't she want to do something for his children. Perhaps in his own way he has given more to Peggy than her other grandchildren.
You can probably tell I love stained glass, and in fact have been surrounded by it today helping both with baking and helping with the refreshments at our local church flower festival. Don't listen to them Peggy, you do it!
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteJanice, I too love stained glass, not in a religious setting, but in other buildings and domestically too. I once went on a short course to learn how to make a small stained glass hanging and thoroughly enjoyed it.
DeleteBut I think this story has been introduced to show Peggy’s tendency to make big gestures without first thinking through the effect it could have on other members of her large family.
I think it’s not so much the stained glass window per se, but the favouritism she is showing that grates.
I agree with Janice regarding the beneficence aspect of Peggy Woolly and her standing within the Ambridge community.
ReplyDeleteHowever it has come to my mind several times over the last day or so that it was she who refused to attend St Stephens when the female vicar was appointed, and my thoughts then moved on to the number of occasions when I seem to remember her stubborn attitudes have caused ructions within the family.
I too love stained glass in Churches and elsewhere.
If the window incorporated all the great grandchildren as you suggest, Janice, that would satisfy everyone and would be a good outcome. However, she has decided to do this as a celebration of the twins rather than all their generation together. After last night’s episode, the announcer indicated that Tom would have a change of heart and I hope he says thank you but no thank you to Peggy as it is unfair. Stained glass can be very lovely I agree. When we attended a synagogue with our late friends in New Orleans I was surprised to see stained glass. There were no Christian themes of course but it helped so much in the atmosphere of the place which held the peace we often have in churches and cathedrals. It will be interesting to see how this Peggy story develops!
ReplyDeleteEv, stained glass is very often found in synagogues and can be very beautiful. The best I have ever seen is in Budapest which has a magnificent , very old and very beautiful synagogue. I urge anyone on holiday in the city to include a visit.
DeleteI'm worried about Stasia's suggestion that Peggy might have great grandchildren in the woodwork. I know George is turning into a louse, but he's no relation. As far as I'm aware, none of the Archer or Aldridge offspring have shown a tendency to munch the furniture.
ReplyDeleteOr do you think Peggy has got some of them shut up in the wardrobe? Perhaps she has discovered a new route into Narnia.
Sorry, silly suggestions, written at silly o'clock : )
I'm glad that Glassgate appears to be resolving amically. But it I agree it would be nice to find some way to incorporate all the great grandchildren. Wren, obviously, could have a wren. Pehaps the others could pick their favourite small wild animal.
Now, will Peggy go for something traditional, or a more modern abstract design? It would need to complement the existing windows. Is there a guidebook illustrating these? If not, perhaps Jenny darling could create one, or at least put a page on the Ambridge website (assuming it still exists, we haven't heard much about it recently).
I'd not read A Month in Ambridge recently, so I've just looked it up online. Yes, I'm sure it used to be much more amusing. However, I did like 'the authentically awful George Grundy' - the description, I hasten to add, not the lad, who is indeed awful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, OWiaS, for yet another contribution in your own unique style.
ReplyDeleteOldWoman, re others in the woodwork. Jonny came out of the woodwork so maybe John had other Jonnys?
ReplyDelete“Munch the furniture” is that a euphemism for not carrying his Jonny?
😂🤣And here was me innocently thinking of woodworm!
DeleteDon't worry OW, I thought it was funny.
ReplyDeleteI just love Adil - probably because the SWs want me to. It's just so uplifting at the moment to have cheery stories. I'm generally quite a conspiracy theory sort of person but I want the Archers to bring on happiness. I'm not a Tory BUT I think Adil sounds just like Rischi Sunak on a good day. 🥳 xx
ReplyDeleteAdvil is the new saviour of Ambridge.
DeleteI don’t understand how the Cof E works but would they really agree to Shula heading oop north to administer her religious faith to the needy. Is this a form of religious levelling up?
ReplyDeleteDoes she have the emotional intelligence to fully empathise with those in need? I’ve only ever heard her whinging about herself in the guise of seeking gwad. Sounds like she’s been doing so for years.
We know Borchester has homelessness, slavery alcoholic down and outs, drug users, food banks so why go north?
What will her pioneering solution be in the light of inflation sending people further into poverty, prayer and blessings won’t help!
Perhaps a spot on a corner street in Flepersham with a placard with the words
I’m here to help, tell me what you need,
I’ll help you find ……..
The SW appear to have their hands full right now finding ways to par down the appearance’s of the older generation actors. June Spencer being 103, Patricia Green 91yrs
DeleteAngela Piper 82yrs Charles Collingwood and Judy Bennett late 70’s etc etc, most have long distances to the studios for recording so guess the very youngest generation are becoming the main focus more and more 🫣
I imagine you're right, Lady R, the SWs having to juggle around with the scripts & near future of the programme, somehow without 'killing off' all the 70+ yr. old actors!
DeleteThe CofE works in mysterious ways : )
DeleteI'm not sure if Shula has decided to do this instead of ordination or just as a pause in her journey. Either way, she'll need to speak to the Diocesan Director of Ordinands about her change of plan. Especially since the Diocese will have funded her training.
The usual route if for the ordinand to be ordained deacon and serve as a curate for 3 or 4 years (having been ordained priest at the end of the first year). This is still part of the training process and they will be working with a vicar or rector as their Training Incubent.
After the curacy, priests can move on to be in charge of their own church, serve a second curacy, join a team ministry, become a chaplain, or probably various other options.
As you say, Stasia, there are plenty of people in Borchester facing all sorts of challenges, as there are up and down the country. Shula should not be so quick to dismiss bread and butter parish ministry. But then she does seem to be something of a butterfly, never quite sure what she wants.
Actually, prayer does help : ) But it works hand in hand with practical help. Christians Against Poverty are an example of a group offering both and doing brilliant work - although, sadly, their waiting list is growing as more and more folk need their support.
Thank you OW sounds like a very lengthy process.
DeleteIf she goes all the way she’ll be as sold as Peggy, if not older?
Is calling Natasha ‘Gnasher’ funny? The blogger who did this on FaceBook recently must have thought it was witty, but if it is, my sense oh humour is on the blink because I can’t see why it is either apt or amusing. I once came across a list of TA nicknames on the internet and couldn’t relate most of them to the characters they had supposedly been given to.
ReplyDeleteI think Tomtit is appropriate for her other half.😘
DeleteOn other FB sites she is referred to as ‘Nocasher’, a reference to her reliance on credit cards when she first arrived.
DeleteI very much dislike some of the nicknames given to characters on other sites, especially The Dopeys which refers to the inhabitants of Brookfield Farm.
Why do people do this? Is it to make themselves seem amusing ? Just seems childish to me.
Some of these names are merely descriptive of the characters personality. For example, Stephanie could be described as very unpleasant and nasty. Conferring on her the name Strephoccus is informative of how revolting and disagreeable she is.
DeleteBREAKING NEWS!! How right Mrs P was earlier about Peggy’s swan song! Front page photo in the Telegraph this morning announcing June Spencer’s retirement from TA. Does this mean Peggy is joining Christine in communal silence at The Laurels or ...?
ReplyDeleteWill Jill follow?
DeleteYes I heard about it on Radio 4’s today programme which included a short interview with June Spencer.
DeleteNot that I wish June ill, but I am heartily glad to be getting rid of Peggy in the Archers story. She definitely exceeded her sell-by date as regards story lines, especially this last one about the stained glass window.
As Maryellen says will she be ‘killed off’, perhaps found ‘asleep’ in her armchair like Phil, or simply not heard from any longer? We shall see (or rather, hear)
I am not sure whether her little speech about twins was her last or whether several scenes were recorded & will be played out over the next few weeks. The question remains as to how her character will be faded out.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the BBC, that was her last scene. I am sure Peggy will be mentioned in conversations for many a while yet.
DeleteThis is technically a spoiler but in this context I think I can stay that the header for tonight’s episode includes Peggy. Which makes me think tonight could be her last scene. Which lucky resident wil inherit Hilda?
DeleteOn reflection, I think the BBB’s reference to Paggy’s last appearance meant last as in most recent, not last as in final. So she could have a few more scenes up her sleeve, most likely to to The Laurels . I somehow feel she won’t have a funeral within us being there.
DeleteThe Guardian uses ‘final’ for Peggy’s performance on 31 January and says tonight will be Pat & Co chatting ABOUT Peggy. The BBC’s header for tonight says Pat chats WITH Peggy.. Hmm!
DeletePat could well chat with Peggy, but the conversation just won't be heard by us listeners.
DeleteAll will become clear at 7.00pm.
Indeed it did! Sorry everyone for going on about this unnecessarily It’s not that I don’t have a life, just that I was trying to distract my self from it! Shows how mischievously misleading those BBC headers are.
DeleteI think that they could have come up with a better story line for her Peggy's swan song.
ReplyDeleteMe too CC. It’s a shame that it was about something that caused friction in family, although true to Peggy, in that it’s something she has often done.
DeleteBut how much more comfortable if her last speech had been about doing something for all her grand/great grandchildren or something to benefit the community as a whole.
There's a big feature on the home page.
ReplyDeleteSlightly!off topic ....Thank you Maryellen for filling me in about Peggy's gift.
ReplyDeleteIs June Spencer a Dame?
They seem to hand out gongs to actors who are so frightened in taking the plunge that the6 stay in the same Soap Opera all their acting lives.
I am thinking particularly of the chap who plays Ken Barlow
I only watched CSt at the very beginning when Anne Reid played KB's wife but died when she was electrocuted ( connection with The Archers as I think they had twins sensibly called Susan and Peter I think)
Had Anne Reid stayed with that programme we would have missed all the excellent roles she has since played
I will miss Peggy, as she reminded me of my late mother.
ReplyDeleteLike Peggy, she was the true Matriach of the family, often interfering thinking that she was helping, but kind, loving all family members who she treated the same, in her own way.
She always gave me a very generous cheque for my birthday.
This was to make up for what she spent on the grandkids, which of course I never produced.
I expect there will be other changes in Ambridge in the next 6 months. This is my feeling.
This is probably on the wrong page, as I diversified from my draft post. Sorry.
DeleteJune Spencer has an OBE and MBE but not a damehood I believe. Yes indeed, Anne Reid is a great favourite. I think she was electrocuted by a faulty iron. Loved her in Dinnerladies and Last Tango in Halifax with the wonderful Derek Jacobi. June had a break from TA as you probably know in the 50’s then came back when her family were older. The same has happened with Clarrie with different actors playing her and of course with Tony and Tom. Maybe we will get the old Tom back one day! You do wonder about actors staying with the same soap for decades and whether they get bored with same old, same old. At least in TA there are many threads and they do get a break when their story isn’t at the forefront!
ReplyDeleteThat is so true as to long standing characters in continuing dramas. I feel these characters get stale (perhaps not the best word) over time and it gets more difficult to then write interesting and engaging SL's for them. Due to the nature of The Archers this is not always the case.
Delete6 o’clock BBC news June Spencer retiring from The Archers at 103yrs ⭐️ Well done June and thank you for your years of Peggy - love or hate the character!
ReplyDeleteI looked in early afternoon having heard the news on the world at one, only to find that the first comment to announce the news from Maryellen was very early today, followed by many others throughout the morning.
ReplyDeleteSo the others were well ahead of you and me Lady R.
Ah reason being Mr R and I actually had a longer than normal ride out yesterday and there have not even been many shorter ones of late due to a health issue for him. To be honest it felt unreal like a day touched by fairy dust 🧚 A special place for us is Pagham in Sussex, the ride is very scenic and we had a meal in one of their many lovely eateries “ The Walnut Tree” at Runcton. Not the cheapest but a quality meal in a characterful building. Then on to Pagham itself, I saw the sea but not accessible for Mr R at that point. We then returned to Lagness and a superb Garden Centre for a cuppa (real tea with a strainer no less) and one of their always superb scones.
DeleteI do not buy lottery tickets these days but if I did I would say our day was better than a win, very special and the sunny weather being coastal with a breeze was (even for me) enjoyable.
Lovely for you both to be able to have such a good day out.
DeleteWhat a lovely day out for you both Lady R, and so pleased to share your enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to June, good riddance to Peggy.
ReplyDeleteHow have most of the last few posts arrived here rather than the other page?
Human frailty Pierre! One post leading on to another, forgetting this I’d the Ambridge page.
DeleteLady R's explanation as to why she came late to the news of June Spencer's departure from TA, plus accompanying felicitations.
ReplyDeleteApologies to Maryellen Due ?
ReplyDeleteSorry, pardon! Just a Grumpy old Man thing i'm afraid.
DeleteNote to self: "Make sure brain is engaged before putting finger to keyboard."
Don’t worry about it Pierre - we are all human and I doubt you’ve hurt anyones feelings.
DeleteHang on! Pierre doesn’t owe anyone an apology - he was gently reminding people that this is the blog for talking about TA and the autobiographical talk goes on the other blog. He was doing what I sometimes do (thanks, Pierre) when people stray into this blog with purely personal reminiscences and other bloggers prolong the thread. It’s not a rebuke, just a hint!
DeleteMy comment was an explanation, Pierre, it was not meant as a rebuke.
DeleteMaryellen - my short comment was meant to be an admission of guilt, implying that we- collectively- needed to apologise to you.
DeleteTongue in cheek, of course !
It wasn’t aimed at Pierre, but at the posters ( including me) he, Pierre was referring to.
Not a very edifying glimpse.of Ambridge last night: lies and coercion (meant to be funny), vandalism and more lies (this time serious). I suppose the upshot is Tracy loses her job at the chicken factory but gains a job with Natasha......
ReplyDeleteAnd yet more stereotyping of The Horrowbin family !
DeleteOr is this an exercise in showing the parental skills of Tracey, good and bad.
Or perhaps even more so, the difficulties of navigating the problems of steering the brood by a single parent.
Joy to be the ‘Fortune Teller’ at the fete? Arbil got nothing from her but she was able to extract much info from him 🙃
ReplyDeleteIt was me that caused the hoo ha earlier (but Sarnia correctly pointed out why!) As soon as posted realised my comment should have been on other blog 🫣 oops!
Not to worry Lady R. It’s probably down to the heat. (I’m blaming everything on the heat!)
DeleteSome bloggers here used to predict that Natasha would try to take over Bridge Farm. That’s never happened - but what about Joy? Is she muscling in or just the production team maling the most of her week in the recording studio with multiple little storylines after her long absence from our readies? Qr is Joy simply a good-hearted, capableand gregarious woman with too much time on her hands?
ReplyDeleteI think that Joy is just a lonely person, who wants to feel involved with others. Joy and Pat know each other quite well, remember that Christmas!
DeleteJoy saw an opportunity for a free day out, somewhere that she wants to go.
I think she is incapable of scheming in any way.
I agree with you, Miriam, and I’m glad Pat is firming up her friendship with Joy after her slight suspicions about Joy’s intentions that Christmas! Working together at the food festival could prove to be a new and rewarding opportunity for both of them.
DeleteI don’t think Joy is trying to muscle in on Bridge Farm, but agree with Maryellen’s second idea that the SWs tried to concoct several little stories to make it worth her coming into the studio. I don’t think any of them will come to anything much.
DeleteAnd I know this won’t be popular with some, but I still find her a very irritating character and don’t belive for one minute all her stories about the sainted Rochelle.
I would add to Maryellen's last in over loquacious. Her black dog is always bigger and blacker than the one owned by the person she is speaking to (boring?)
DeleteWhen Ardil mentioned a family rift that occurred in the past, when he followed a career path different from the one his parents wanted, I think Joy said something along the lines of having experienced a rift in her family. So maybe the rift is between her and Rochelle, one she probably regrets as they don't seem to visit.
ReplyDeleteJanice - I picked up on that tiny point too.
DeleteAnd….. I’ve always felt that the reason Joy talked about ‘ her Rochelle’ so much when she arrived in Ambridge was because she was suffering a great deal of hurt regarding herself and her daughter.
I agree with what Miriam has always said, Joy is a very lonely woman and I think she masks it with her gregarious personality.
I don’t think any of us doubts that Joy has an interesting back story and I suppose it’s likely that whatever that back story is - and it might yet be a case of it having not been written so far, just an ‘ idea’ to be realised - it remains in the back pocket so far.
And…. To return to the point Janice has made, Joy does not mention Rochelle at all now, which leads me to believe that the rift was very raw when Joy first arrived in A, but is less so now.
Perhaps as suggested by ME a working friendship with Pat might become an opportunity for them both and perhaps that opportunity will bring forth some more information about Joy’s previous life.
But she was telling Ardil ( think it was) all about her Rochelle the other night, how she was a brilliant dancer and appeared in shows. Or did I just dream that.? It’s what made me comment about not believing her stories.
DeleteSee my comment further down - it wasn't a dream, unless I had the same one.
DeleteSo she did !
DeleteMy mistake.
Now reminded, i remember, but at the time it went straight over my head.
“I don’t think any of us doubts that Joy has an interesting back story “
ReplyDeleteSorry Pierre to have made an inclusive suggestion about a character you feel might be ‘boring’.
I agree that her apparent need to trump any point made by another in her conversation may be irritating but if I were in conversation with her I like to think I would recognise her neediness and allow for that.
I would suggest that Pat would recognise this too and perhaps will draw out of Joy the reasons behind that behaviour.
Joys behaviour may be boring, I personally doubt that she is a boring person once known.
But that may be in the future…… or not.
Joy reminds me of the Beatles Eleanor Rigby song, particularly the line::-
Delete"wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door".
Hello Mrs P, i do not consider her boring just too long winded. Apart from that she's ok.
DeleteJoy is elaborating/exagerating Rochelle and what she has done.
ReplyDeleteShe told Adil the other night, that Rochelle had worked in design for films and TV and how proud she (Joy) was on seeing Rochelle's name in the credits.
This sounds like pure fantasy to me.
This was also with her prowess as a dancer and was always top of the class in whatever she did.
DeleteWasn't she supposedly a majorette at one time?
I noticed that Joy did not at any one time, answer any question Adil asked but reverted back to Rochelle and her brilliance, very quickly.
I wonder if this is significant or a red herring.
What Joy says about Rochelle (did Pat say Michelle or did I misheard?) sounds perfectly feasible to me, maybe slightly exaggerated with regard to Rochelle’s childhood successes, but only to be expected from a proud mum. I get the impression that Joy was over-ambitious for her young daughter, maybe compensating for underachieving her own potential. Whether that contributed to this later rift between them I don’t know, but am happy to wait to be told. I expect the actual cause of the rift will be quite ordinary.
DeleteHmm, not sure that it's going to end well for Chelsea.
ReplyDeletePoor Russ! I can see he’s going to get landed with the role of goalie at the village fete - just like he got landed with the even more unpopular role of Easter Bunny at Locksley’s fun event. He made a success of that, and the chances are he’d be good at goalie too. At least he wouldn’t have to wear the bunny costume. Harrison is sounding very dour these days.....
ReplyDeleteSorry about typos - should be mishear and Lower Loxley, as you probably guessed!
DeleteIs Russ being slightly restructured as a good egg? A man who really does care for young people, has their best interests at heart and wants to help them……rather than the character that we were first introduced to back in the day when he was the art teacher at Borchester College. I shan’t go into all the things he did then but we all know how he came over in those days.
ReplyDeleteThere has been quite a long gap since we regularly heard from, or about, him but he seems to have come back as a changed character.
Or am I being fooled?
My thoughts too AP.
DeleteMine too, it doesn't add up.
DeleteNot only his questionable morals (the blackmailing of Freddie particularly stands out for me !) but also the pretentiousness about his own art, similar to Lynda when she talks about literature. They .both adopt this precious tone of voice, that genuine artists, writers, & serious readers don't.
I always thought the SWs were sending them up !
And I’m another who has been struck by the new version of Russ, the good guy !
DeleteOthers have illustrated the why’s and wherefore’s
I’ve been highlighting, Russ’s good qualities for years! Unappreciated, by bloggers who latched on to his early misdemeanour with Lily, and in some cases exaggerated and distorted . He got called a serial seducer of teenage girls, a paedophile even; and also a fortune hunter. The facts are that he was a caring teacher with an unblemished reputation until Lily came knocking on his office door. It coincided with the demise of his marriage to a woman who happened to be noticeably younger than him, and the two were drifting towards divorce..
DeleteSo yes, he and Lily should have waited the few months until she was technically an adult woman, and (to be squeaky clean) his divorce was finalised : and no, he shouldn’t have tried to buy Freddie's silence, but that’s the extent of his past ‘crimes’. The fortune hunting (whether Lily or Elizabeth) is a listener myth. As for his pretentiousness where art is concerned, I wouldn’t presume to judge - but knowing he is capable of creating that breathtaking portrait of Lily was a clincher for me, and I suspect for her too! She’ll be okay with him.
I’m afraid I’ve no answer for the bloggers who add not liking. His voice to their dislike of his character. The only TA voice I positively dislike is Freddie’s. In some cases, it’s the accent rather than the voice that I find off-putting. I like Russ’s tenor.
Interesting Maryellen, seducing Lily who was a student just completing A levels is more than a misdemeanour. He was being investigated by an ethics committee for inappropriate behaviour with a college student. He was also married to a woman not much older than Lily who had also been his student. How do you know he has an unblemished reputation, both Freddie and Josh made frequent comments about his “reputation”?. If he was or about to have sex with an under age adult then Ipso facto he would have been done for underage predatory behaviour. He just escaped.
DeleteHe is Pretentious, I recall his accompanying Elizabeth and Lily to Underhills and demanding various upmarket kitchen gadgets and then a very expensive flat.
Now he claims to be an appropriate adult, I don’t think he can legally fulfil that role for Yes but No Chelsea.
I know from my own professional background that an AA does act as an advocate they do have to be vetted.
No (further) comment.
It may well point to designs on Chelsea. I don't know about he should have been vetted but if Chelsea in his sights he certainly should have been "doctored"
DeleteSorry, maryellen! I don't often comment but I feel quite strongly that Russ is a smooth predator! He has lived a very comfortable life at Lower Loxley for the past few years without any real responsibility and from recent scenes any real closeness with Lily, as shown in her complaint that they always do the things in which he is interested. Lily is now in her early 20s, no longer a malleable young thing with the attractions that youth brings. I found the scene at the disco a few weeks ago uncomfortable as he seems to have spent a large amount of the time with Chelsea (and perhaps other young girls). I think (and again I may have misunderstood)that his readiness to have a flat and move out of LL signals a change in his attitude and perhaps his intention to move on to pastures new and a younger challenge. Lily is growing up and perhaps not so inclined to his every wish and I think he is someone who needs unquestioning devotion. it is only repeating the pattern with Lily! Also he was a teacher, in a position of trust , and he broke one of the cardinal rules... All things considered he got off very lightly. He might not fare so well if Tracy thinks he's messing with her daughter!!!
DeleteI would agree with all you say, bufobufo, if I had the evidence to prove it all but I don’t. I think too many assumptions about events and motives are being made. Lily certainly initiated the relationship with Russ, but we simply don’t know who seduced who after that. I also think the prospect of Russ trying it on with Chelsea is a figment of listeners’ lurid imaginations (yet another example of listeners out-soaping the soaps!)
DeleteIn any case, none of this invalidates the positive contribution Russ has made to the Lower Loxley. household and business, and the good qualities he has shown. For these, I do have evidence. I find him an interesting character with some depth, which is why I am glad he won’t disappear entirely to Felpersham but still be part of Lower Loxley in his job at the art gallery.
Sorry Maryellen but starting with Archerpile's wondering if the writers were steering things that way I cannot agree that anyone's "lurid imagination" has been aired.
DeleteCorrection. I should have said that an AA is not an advocate. Acting as an advocate is a different role. In psychiatry an advocate is vetted and can support in exploring options and accompany the person to meetings.
ReplyDeleteThe role of Appropriate Adult is about safeguarding the interests of Children. That person should, in the first instance be a parent, guardian or social worker. Those options should have been explored first before he stepped in and took it upon himself to be Chelsea’s knight in dull armour.
Russ is none of those and should have known that given his previous job when he was in charge of pastoral care. He is not in loco parentis.
Russ jumpted ship when he was due to go before a college ethics committee, that in my book is guilty by default.
Saying that Lily initiated the relationship is the sort of rationale used by sexual predators to excuse their behaviour.
“ I love young people” shouts Russ at the rave, most of which time he spent with Chelsea.
I rest my case m’Lord.
I wonder what evidence there is that Russ is of good character? It is certainly outweighed by his proven behaviour towards Lily. Even if she initiated the relationship in his position of trust he should not have encouraged it and should have turned away from it. Teachers do not get that close to students as it is a breach of their ethics and at the best uncomfortable for those around them. I find him creepy and sly!.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry, Ev, but it’s too hot and to be honest, I’m feeling too lazy to catalogue all Russ’s good points again. My evidence is that I’ve actually heard him at his best (whereas I haven’t heard him being “a smooth predator”). I think all listeners agree he was at fault in not saying no to a sexual relationship with a young woman who was a student at the college where he worked, though not his pupil. (I gather that if they had been at different colleges, no technical offence would have been committed.
DeleteAmbridge has moved on from this dodgy start and accepted Russ into the community I don’t understand why some listeners are so reluctant to move on too. You yourself said everyone has a good and a bad side (I’d add ‘except Matt Crawford’! and - going back to Archerphile’s original post - the TA team seem to be dwelling on Russ’s good side more noticeably than before.
I’m shutting up on this topic now!🙂
.
For someone in the position that Russ was in his previous job I think that he behaved inappropriately with both Lily and Freddy. Time will tell where the SWs are going with this.
ReplyDeleteChange of topic for a minute:
ReplyDeleteNatasha - I find it difficult to believe that some one so organised and capable (and henceforth unflappable) should get into such a state about caring for twins. She has had to have constant support from Tom, her Mam, her mother in law and anyone else around.
OK, I know it is a full time job in the first weeks and you need to get into a routine but Natasha just panics and shrieks when things get tricky and was straight on the phone to Pat for help when her mother had to go home.
Meanwhile, Tom is unable to manage all his usual work on the farm so that 70+ years old Tony has to take up the slack, servicing a tractor as well as looking after sickly cows, milking, organising harvesting and everything else into the bargain when Jonny is on holiday.
Women have been giving birth to twins for years, husbands have usually had to go back to work full time within a very few weeks and family help has not always been available.
Natasha has disappointed me. i thought she was made of stronger stuff!
On listening to the omnibus, Harrison said to Russ, while talking about the fete football event, that "girls have good skills, as well".
ReplyDeleteI wondered if this was a belated nod to The Lionesses?
As for Russ, all I'm prepared to say at this moment is that, Chelsea will be greatful and feel in his debt, as to his interventions with both Freddy and The Police.
Whether this is the intention by Russ - who knows.
Second change of subject:
ReplyDeleteJoy and CotStravaGanza - is it really sensible for Pat to be handing out leaflets and cheese samples whilst Joy is left coping with the juice sales?
Her practicing with the card machine had me worried. “I see, put in 6, dot, 00” for a sale of £6.
Will she put the dot in the wrong place and clock up £60 or even £600 by mistake? I think this help she is kindly giving Pat could turn out to be disastrous !
😳
Good idea about the decimal point. Little Sis did just that when volunteering at a RSPB shop, inputting £20.00 instead of £200.00 for a pair of binoculars.
DeleteRe Natasha, alas, a lot of business skills, however well-honed, are not necessarily instantly transferable to the tending of newborn infants, especially two at once.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with ARCHERPHILE in her first sentence re Natasha.
ReplyDeleteSkills - business or domestic or indeed in any other sphere are often transferable, but not always.
I have good organisational skills in certain areas of life and have proved them over and over again on many occasions, but I still struggle in organising my home even now after many failures.
I find Natasha in her panic over coping with her babies most realistic.
She is overwhelmed by her situation regardless of how much help she is getting.
Natasha definitely seems well out of her comfort zone.
DeleteNatasha is a new mum recovering from a Caesarian, is breastfeeding 2 babies, not getting much sleep and her hormones will be all over the place. I'm prepared to cut her some slack.
ReplyDelete✔️✔️✔️
DeletePotential crises flagged up by Archerphile and others:
ReplyDelete1. Pat and Caitlin would fall out
Outcome : Didn’t happen - they got on like a house on fire
2. Joy would mess up on the Summer Orchard stall
Outcome: Didn’t happen - she wasn’t fazed by the decimal point and the event was a
success in more ways.than one!
3. Successful entrepreneur Natasha is hopeless with twin babies
Predicted outcome: All will miraculously improve once the situation is no longer
needed to generate a storyline .
4. Russ will attempt to seduce Chelsea
Predicted outcome: It won’t happen - a view shared by me and a surprising number
of FaceBook contributors including some who don’t like the guy.
Well thank you for pointing out how useless I am at predicting storylines Maryellen.
DeleteI shall stop immediately, especially as I’m not keen on endless speculation anyway!
However, I am still not sure about your long held rosy picture of Russ and shall await future outcomes with interest.
Being one of "the others" mentioned, I too will only post in a restropective way.
DeleteAP and Mirriam. Belay the last pipe! Do not cease to predict/guess what the SWs are leading too. Doesn't matter if your submissions are incorrect they are quite fun anyway.
DeleteNone of the above 4 possibilities are yet fully explored yet.
Yes, they are fun and not intended to prove to be true. Who knows whether Maryellen will be right or wrong about Russ? We will see and the future storylines are the reason we continue to listen! Vaguely heard the Toyah input. Was that really her?
DeleteOh, the perils of blogging! How easy it is to be taken the wrong way, and a lighthearted, generalised look at predictions versus outcomes, in keeping with the traditional silly season, is interpreted as a personal criticism. I think my fault is to underestimate how seriously other bloggers take TA and everything to do with it, whereas to me it is partly a game. I apologise for that.[
Deletepenitent face].
Of course, I (and others) may be entirely wrong in predicting that Russ will not try to seduce Chelsea. The scriptwriters may overturn my factually-based (not rosy!) view of his motives. That’s their privilege. It’s win some, lose some where TA predictions are concerned. Like every other listener I’m waiting to hear the outcome. Meanwhile, I’m imagining the Lily/Russ menage in 20 years time,
....when the age difference no longer excites comment, Russ is a successful portrait painter while running a charity promoting art as a rehabilitative approach, and Lily successfully juggling a consultancy in estate management and their young family. We have evidence that they are good for each other.
DeleteJoy, 'Hello random stranger,' please look after my stall while I go and find some cleaning cloths.'
ReplyDeleteFortunately, all that ensued was a missed chance to meet Toyah Wilcox and a phone number.
She could have come back to find half the stock gone. (I was about to add 'or all the takings' when I remembered the festival's cashless.)
I wonder if she told Pat about this part of the episode?
I am enjoying how well Joy and Pat are getting on together. Each in their own way, need a "friend". Pat must be missing Kathy and Joy, just needs some one to talk to, so it seems a mutual situation.
ReplyDeleteNo personal criticism taken Maryellen! Just an admission that I’m not very good at the guesswork game and perhaps take the hints scattered around in episodes too literally!
ReplyDeleteAnd I certainly had no clue that Toyah Wilcox would make an appearance. I suppose she is the famous celebrity (?) to be featured at the fete this year. 😂. Not quite up to Princess Margaret or Terry Wogan though!
She’s a surgical wonder!!
DeletePlease accept my apologies for returning to the Russ question . I wanted to answer yesterday but had family commitments and no spare time! But I feel strongly enough to still want to reply to m e. Yes, soap opera is not real life, but it is the medium through which social problems may be highlighted and the Archers does have a track record in this respect. To keep our interest themes may be hinted at but not developed and favouring one possible outcome over another does not mean that any one interpretation is any more lurid than another. The problem of child exploitation by people who are supposed to looking after them is a very real one and we see examples of it virtually every day in the press and more than enough to make one very wary with regard to his relationships with young people . This deals with one aspect of that interpretation, which is no less valid than any other, lurid or not. If we are talking about evidence, his behaviour towards Lily and Freddie is totally inexcusable and more than enough to to make one very wary with regard to his relationships with young people, especially girls. He took advantage of her (and F) at a time when they were especially vulnerable. He was their tutor, responsible for their wellbeing in college and the very least he should have done was to discourage her , if only to protect himself. The fact he resigned before being sacked , says it all, and is evidence enough of his role in the affair. He then proceeded to whinge his way through their early days together and to complain about everything - his loneliness, his lack of inspiration and the lack of the more expensive things in life, and then having run out of money, went to LL to live a very pleasant existence, probably at Elizabeth's expense. As to his role at LL, it is pretty vague, although absolutely in line with his pretensions. A good artist? - well, who knows! art is a very personal thing and his value is difficult to judge from the evidence available!
DeleteAnyway I've had my say and am just very sad that someone would take some very real concerns as being trivial and lurid, As an ex-teacher, mother and grandmother I would be incredibly unhappy to have anyone like Russ in a responsible position anywhere near them!
bufobufo - I’m sorry I saddened you by appearing to trivialise. child exploitation and abuse of trust, and I withdraw the word ‘lurid’ to refer to listeners’ imaginations if it gives offence. In fact it is difficult for me to think of Russ and Lily as a genuine case of a teacher exploiting a child, knowing that Lily was 18 at the time (not 17, as I previously suggested) so legally an adult responsible for her own actions) and sufficiently intelligent and worldlywise to know what she was doing. Added to that, she was not Russ’s pupil, If TA had seriously wanted to highlight child exploitation, the producers should in my view) have chosen a better example.
DeleteYou mention Lily’s vulnerability following her father’s death; it’s arguable that Russ himself rendered vulnerable by the slow demise of his marriage. (I’m speaking from personal observation here, having witnessed a similar situation from the teacher’s point of view - I was a family friend.) As I said earlier, had they been at separate colleges, it would not have been a dismissal offence ( or so I’m told), but In this case Russ preempted the inevitable verdict of guilty by resigning.
So I want to assure you that I do take child exploitation seriously but that I don’t believe this fictional example is a true reflection of what child exploitation means in real life. I don’t think his premature relationship with Lily negates his demonstrable concern for young people and wise and sensitive approach to their problems. Can I say again that I’m very sorry I grieved you but stand by what I’ve said here.
I, for one, bufo9bufo, find your clearly made, & strongly felt, points inarguable.
DeleteTo add one further matter : the way he took advantage of Elizabeth, always led by her emotions anyway, &, at that time, struggling with a mental breakdown, was despicable.
He had a senior post at the college & there's no reason to think he wasn't an able art teacher & a competent artist himself. However, his avant garde fantasies were ridiculous, it taking more than skill to be truly innovative in any of the arts & it was pretty clear the SWs were mocking his pretentiousness.
I'm not saying the above to take away from your far more serious points at all.
In short, this character is a weak man & a cringe making creep !
Having read the BBC Facebook comments, I wonder if as some have suggested the solicitor’s email to Chelsea/Tracey is a hoax. I can’t see that there is much to be gained if culpability has been admitted & an offer to pay for the damage has been made. The judge may consider that Gemma is being unreasonable, & not award further damages beyond Chelsea’s original offer & insist that Gemma pay her own costs, which would be far greater than the repair cost for the car, I would imagine. But this is the Archers so who knows?
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is a hoax. However the indication to Tracy that a private prosecution in pending, did come through very quickly and we know Gemma's partner has a well paid job, so perhaps this has something to do with it.
DeleteI am finding the constant flood of misfortunes being thrown at Tracy and Chelsea almost unbearable. How many more things are going to happen to them before they can come up, smiling again. I sincerely hope the solicitors letter was nothing more than a cruel hoax because they deserve a break from the machinations of the dastardly script writers.
DeleteIf it is a hoax, it is still causing Tracy a lot of distress and upset, which is not necessary.
DeleteYet another really depressing storyline, might have to take another break if it carries on like this.
DeleteDid the FB.comments also suggest who might have perpetrated the hoax? Gemma twisting the knife, perhaps? I can’t think who else the hypothetical hoaxer could be!
DeleteNo solicitor would send an official letter by email. Taking out a private prosecution is expensive one letter even if sent by email would cost at least £250.00. Chelsea has agreed to pay the costs. The solicitors wouldn’t have Tracy’s email unless Gemma passed it on.
DeleteThe question is can a private prosecution be taken out against an (still) under age adult and can that parent be sued for their child’s behaviour?
Ap. Is right this a case of the S/Ws piling the misery on those they have deemed to be unable to climb out of their role of designated rural Lumpenproletariat.
It’s a bullock of a S/L.
Archerphile @8.55
DeleteIt seems the Horrobins are the new Grundies, at least as far as frequent disasters befalling them.
There again, as I type this, I am reminded of a family we know, struggling on an inadequate (to non-existent) income. (Don't get me started on how long it takes to resolve an issue with Child Benefit or Child Tax Credit, let alone the inability of the CSA to get absent fathers to cough up a penny.) They seem to have a near constant run of disasters. For most of us, these would be annoying and inconvenient. When every incident takes you further into the red, they are indeed disasters : (
How ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteGemma must have been super-quick to find and consult a solicitor, who had so little work to do that he could instantly sent a text(!!) to Chelsea’s mothers phone!
Stretching belief beyond bounds I think.
Hm, it hadn't occured to me to before, but I wouldn't put it past Gemma to send the message herself. I'm sure on the internet you can find some pretty convincing specimens to copy. If so, Tracey will eventually find out, but perhaps Gemma is hoping to blackmail her first, 'OK Sweetie, you do X, Y, and Z and perhaps I can call off the solicitors'....
DeleteYes, I suggested bullying Gemma as the sender of the (most likely) spoof email, twisting the knife in unsophisticated Tracy and her naive daughter. This theory fits with the points raised by other bloggers here. I found a FB suggestion that the sender was Brad because he was previously involved in sending a scam letter from this firm of solicitors, but even in SoapWorld I think this is extremely unlikely.
DeleteIf, as Susan mentioned, her daughter Emma was good friends with Gemma she would be the obvious choice to approach the Gemma and find out why she is being so nasty to Tracey. Perhaps because Tracey tried to make the best of things Susan doesn't realise how she has been suffering.
ReplyDeleteI can’t help wondering if Tracey was lying to Chelsea & Jazzer at the end of the programme. I hope we just didn’t hear the conversation with Ray & Gemma but that some compromise has been reached but it didn’t ring true me ☹️
ReplyDeleteNo it didn’t ring true to me either KP.
ReplyDeleteToo quick, too easy and it certainly didn’t sound as though The Manager was on Tracy’s side after the lies told by Gemma.
I do hope she hasn’t actually been sacked and is now keeping up a pretence that everything is all right.
But, on the other hand, a lovely conversation between Toby and Pip. A really grown-up attitude from Toby and so lovely to hear of his devotion to Rosie. I hope he can work things out regarding the new job (which sounds just up his street) and keeping close to his beloved little daughter.
Oh dear Maryellen looks like Toby is for the chop. I wonder if it is the actors choice this time as I would have thought the younger cast members vital for TA continuing to another generation.
ReplyDeleteOne has to wonder that as TA is a bbc broadcast wether the end will come one day. The broadcaster is so unpredictable now. One things for sure with us pensioners back putting money in their pot they have had more than enough to support sport on tv and radio this 2022….
That the Tracey storyline tied up then - to what end Tracey becoming supervisor on her shift 🤔
All I can say is, the chicken enterprise has a terrible HR dept if Ray is anything to go by.
ReplyDeleteHe played about with Tracy’s emotions and her understanding of why she was being interviewed.
He should have formally written to her and informed her that she be accompanied by a rep or friend to support. As she was being accused of bullying she should have been given a copy of the relevant policy. Any competent HR would have had another member of the dept to oversee the procedure. He would not have divulged the name of the complainant unless some sort of mediation was being suggested.
Sounded to me like Tracy was being bullied and harassed by the HR manager.
Perhaps he’s Gemma’s bit on the side. He certainly didn’t provide any examples and appeared to be conflating the personal from the particular. Impartiality was definitely not on his agenda.
As for Tobee, get thee to Stratford immediately.
I listened again to Tuesday night’s episode and agree that Tracy’s interview with Ray didn’t follow correct procedure as Stasia says.Tracy was accused of being a bully,but no specific details were given of what was said to Gemma that upset her and when.It would have been good to have been able to be flies on the wall during her chat with Ray.i also had the feeling that Tracy was holding something back when reporting back to Jazzer and Chelsea,and hope she wasn’t sacked.I just hope that Brad is not going to get embroiled in George Grundy’s illegal vaping schemes egged on by Eddie and add to Tracy’s problems.
ReplyDeleteOh Eddie come on!
ReplyDeleteWhat about the massive issues happening in farming right now, where are the rewrites for topical issues affecting many in a big way 🤔
Indeed LR have just heard on the news that farmers are trying to persuade Supermarkets to push wonky veg over this autumn and winter. Dry weather conditions have had an impact on quantity and shape. Taste still the same.
DeleteLast nights episode was a case of,
Dum de Dum de
DIM WITS!
✔️ Stasia - wonky fruit and veg all the more interesting 😉
DeleteWell done Eddie. Grandad of the Year Award for undermining a Father’s aurthority! 🏅
ReplyDeleteStrictly speaking Will is George's father. It's about time Will and Ed got together to sort George and Eddie out!
DeleteOf course you are right CC, perhaps should have said ‘Uncle’
DeleteSome years ago when Will was the Estate gamekeeper,George let slip that Eddie was showing him how to go about poaching.Needless to say Will was livid with hisdad,putting a stop to it and not letting George spend time with him for a while.Hopefully,Ed and Will will find out about the latest Grundy stunt,and sort their dad out before the police get involved.
ReplyDeleteDidn’t Eddie tell George on their poaching expedition that they were exercising an ancient common law right which the powers that be had tried to suppress by calling it poaching and making it a punishable offence? You have to credit the Grundy line with fertile imaginations!
Delete1i have not been listening to all the episodes and have missed some of the action lik E
ReplyDeleteIf Gemma received a text from a Solicitor it will probably cost her £21 +VAT .
2) Who was Pip talking to tonight.
Some young nameless woman?
3) I actually thought Russ was being decent in helping Chelsea .
I do not think he is trying to have his evil way with her.
4) Are we going to be introduced to another northerner?
I thought at first Joy's new friend was Leonard.
5) Where is Toby ?
6) Where is Rex ?
Not missing them.
With Hayley would return though.
ReplyDeleteSome answers LanJan
1) it was Gemma who apparently sent a solicitors text to Tracy
2) Pip was talking to Stella at a surprisingly quiet swimming pool - trying to help her overcome a fear of water so Stella can stand in for Alan in the ‘Dunk the Vicar event at the fete
3) I sang comment on that one, there has been much discussion about it.
4)Joys new friend was met at the festival where Joy was helping Pat on the fruit juice stall
5)Toby still lives at Rickyard with Pip but has been offered a job in the wine importing trade by his Dad. It will mean him moving to Stratford but he is worried about loosing contact with Rosie
6) presumably Rex is still living on his narrow boat but we haven’t heard from, or about him recently.
As for Joy meeting up with said new friend “you can’t get a word in edgeways with him”
ReplyDeletePot, kettle, black, Joy.
They are welcome to each other as far as I am concerned
What a Joyless and cringe worthy evening.
ReplyDeletePat acting as chaperone for a grown up woman,
Mick thinking he was at the Edinburg fringe instead of TB,
Pip and Stella co counselling in an empty swimming poo, and only needing one session?
A complete waste of time.
Is Pat supposed to be an adult?
ReplyDeleteAllegedly
DeleteLegally (70 last January!)
Delete😂😂😂
DeleteMust be the SL who is still under teenage then!
DeleteMy list of fatal accidents in Ambridge has a subsection listing miraculous recoveries (eg.Tony’s complete recovery after being badly gored by a bull). Which list will George end up on?
ReplyDeleteLet’s hope it’s not ‘death by nicotine poisoning’.
ReplyDeleteNot that I would miss George but it would mean Brad being involved and I reckon he is basically a good character with potential for a bright future.
(Written somewhat tongue in cheek, before anyone thinks I am being cruel to George!)
I think the scriptwriters have made the contrast between George and Brad too stark - although I can see why black and white characterisation may appeal more than various shades of grey!
DeleteMaryellen! How many shades were you thinking of?🤮
DeleteGood question, Pierre! More in real life than in fiction, I suspect!
DeleteLovely reply Maryellen.🤣 You have made a happy man very old!👍
DeleteLost the plot a bit in the conversation between Brad and George.
ReplyDeleteNot sure who was who .
Brad was the one talking sense, George didn't...😀
DeleteYou are right Miriam,Brad is the more sensible of the two but it was sometimes hard to differentiate their voices.George hadn’t the first idea about health and safety,refusing to invest in protective gloves. Typical Grundy only thinking about his ‘empire’.Hopefully that will now have been knocked n the head by Will and Ed and that Grandpa Eddie gets his knuckles well and truly rapped for his collusion and letting them use the shed.I’m sure Clarke will have something to say too!
ReplyDelete