Life in Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
Following todays news
Life in Ambridge
Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
KPnutsSeptember 9, 2022 at 6:53 PM
ReplyDeleteI am not impressed by the lack of reference to the Queen’s death in tonight’s episode. Poor show
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maryellenSeptember 9, 2022 at 6:57 PM
Yes, the "this show was recorded before...'" excuse sounded very lame. A case of not pulling the finger out, I reckon.
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OldWomanInAShoeSeptember 9, 2022 at 8:16 PM
I'm not usually that bothered about inserts, but I was expecting one tonight. I even relistened to yesterday's episode in case they'd added one before the lunchtime broadcast.
Lady RSeptember 10, 2022 at 12:15 AM
ReplyDeleteI am angry and disgusted with the BBC what is the matter with them in latter years they appear to have lost all sense of decency and respect! A fictional drama it maybe but the death of our reigning Monarch of 70yrs surely deserved a slot in comment, such an insult worse even than the denial of Covid.
😡😡😡 Grrrr
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EvSeptember 10, 2022 at 6:47 AM
I don’t think a slot in comment would have been enough. The death of our dear Queen has occupied our thoughts full time and maybe it was best just to carry on with the story. No doubt there will be ample coverage of this great shift in the weeks to come in the program.
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Stasia September 10, 2022 at 8:06 AM
Lady R. I think the BBC have made a good choice not to insert a comment re the Queen’s death. The S/L as it stands wouldn’t accommodate such a memorable message.
I suspect Chels will return next week so ample time to let Ambridge know.
I think anyone of her advanced age would go “whoosh” if they had to endure the presence of BJ and LT.
Ambridge has ample time to mourn and celebrate.
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MiriamSeptember 10, 2022 at 10:53 AM
I believe (but really not sure), that the cast are in the studio recording The Archers next week. This would be the best time to change scripts and so record a suitable abd meaningful episode/insert.
One can but hope.
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PortiaSeptember 10, 2022 at 11:19 AM
I think that overall the BBC has shown great respect relating to Queen Elizabeth’s passing,in the real world,and expect that there will be coverage slotted into .the fictional village’s Life n the coming days.With the short time allocated to each episode,it must be difficult for the scriptwriters to insert a piece of news of that magnitude , at short notice and should be given some leeway.
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Well, they’ve cancelled the Last Night of the Proms to show respect so they could cancel TA between now and the funeral ditto. That wouldn’t involve any disturbance to the programme, and the event itself can be referred to later, as Miriam suggests.
DeleteChanging the subject, I like your new photo very much, KPNuts.The librarian in me wants to straighten them up, but the reader in me likes them just as they are. My 1986 book is missing!
Maryellen, this isn’t all my books, what is the title you’re referring to? I have a ridiculous number of books, so I may well have it.
DeleteIt's The Archers: the official companion, by William Smethurst, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 1985 apparently, not 1986 like I said. There is a framed photo of Shula and Mark on their wedding day on the front cover.
DeleteYep! Got that, it’s about 1/2 inch too tall for that shelf so it’s in a different bookcase. I have 29 Archers related titles in total, along with a collection of “Borcertshire Echos” & “Ambridge Village Voice “ newspapers from my membership days of Archers Addicts.
DeletePossibly slightly OTT
Gosh! I’m gob-smacked!
DeleteYour book shelf looks remarkably like mine KP. - apart from the book on Homeopathy!
DeleteAt least we know that Chelsea is safe, the big question is where? I’ve seen suggestions that she’s with Blake but there isn’t any major consensus. As to the paternity of the baby , even more speculation…..
ReplyDeleteI think the Blake idea is daft. How about she’s hiding out in the Brookfield barn, possibly with Josh’s connivance?
DeleteI think she’s in the cricket club house being held hostage by George and rapidly developing Stockholm Syndrome.
DeleteGeorge did ask Brad to nick Tracys Key.
Every male within a 10 mile radius of Ambridge seems to be under suspicion by someone or other.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit worried on Friday that Chelsea seemed almost frightened to say where she was, so I hope she is not being held under duress. Also fervently hope she has been able to seek medical advice.
KPnuts. What interesting reading on the bookshelf. I assume these are all your Archers books, which must be interesting.
ReplyDeletePS Spotted the homeopathy one, something I cannot fathom out.
I mean the concept, not that it is there....😆
DeleteWherever she is, it was kind, thoughtful and clever Jim who got her to make contact.
ReplyDeleteWell done Jim !
Looking like tonight’s episode may be the one to acknowledge The Queens passing - we shall soon hear….
ReplyDeleteA nice & appropriate insert.
ReplyDeleteSo Blake was Chelsea’s shelter but still no clue as to the daddy. I really hope Chelsea doesn’t have the baby, she really isn’t in a position to cope & nor is Tracey.
A very satisfying episode. No clue from the RT cast list I notice
ReplyDeleteYes! and nicely done for a slot in.
ReplyDeleteAs Lilian now has all new flash appliances would she not need to read up about them before rushing to cook a meal, especially as she like me 🤣👏🏻✔️ is “no Jennifer” in the culinary dept? That may well be the SL of course ie the meal will be a disaster and all in front of Linda & Robert.
I’ll have to upgrade my crystal ball - couldn’t have been wronger about Blake as Tracy’s port in a storm! So Tracy is a happy bunny, totally oblivious to the unhappiness she’s caused others.....
ReplyDeleteDelighted to hear Blake again. Many listeners (here and on FB) hoped he would return at some stage. I wonder if this will be a short visit or if he might be given a larger role.
ReplyDeleteBut we still don’t know who the father is and my money is now on Josh
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DeleteI’m more interested in who he isn’t than who he is, which is something we may never know because Chelsea herself doesn’t know if, as seems possible, there is more than one contender. She flared up when Tracy asked her directly if she knew who the father was, saying it implied she was the type to have sex with a random stranger - which evaded the question.
DeleteAt least we know it’s not Blake or Russ, and in the interests of wrapping this storyline up asap, I’d be happy to leave it at that.
I hope it isn't the awful George. I have a vague memory of him suggesting to Chelsea something about an arrangement that might suit them both.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was a money-making exercise in which Chelsea would include pets in her hairdressing business!
DeleteThat's a relief then. 😂
DeleteIf I remember correctly,Chelsea loathes George and warned him off trying to involve Brad inhis dodgy schemes..
ReplyDeleteWell Done to Lynda and Lilian,
ReplyDeletefor reducing me to tears in The Archers, last night.
There own personal emotions came through so strongly, with true feeling.
I am surprised there are relatively few comments on this blog, especially after the episodes of the past few days.
ReplyDeleteAre my fellow bloggers too distressed by the Royal news to listen to The Archers, or to express opinions here?
I have been very happy to hear Blake again and the progress he has made since we last heard him. His life seems to have been turned around with the help of the people he is staying with. Is there a possibility that he could come back to live and/or work in the village?
The other aspect I have enjoyed is the rapprochement between Tracy and Chelsea. I found Tracy’s conversation with daughter last night very well acted and shows her real understanding of the situation Chelsea is in. Whatever the girl’s decision it is good to know that her family will be there for her.
I don’t know whether the actor who plays Blake is special in some way but he has it just right with his measured speech. In spite of the character’s problems he showed a great deal of wisdom in getting Chelsea back to her family. When she said she wasn’t ready he drew on his own experience of not being ready but going for it and he also said another few days would not make that much difference. I hope he does come back into the program on a more permanent basis.
ReplyDeleteI was pleased that Blake was still concerned for Kenzie (he didn't mention Jordan?)., although powerless to find and help his friend. Kirsty seems to have lost interest in their fate, since the police warned her not to pursue her hair-brained attempts to find them because she was hampering official enquiries.
ReplyDeleteAs for Tracy - what a wrecker! Wrecked relationships as Lower Loxley by making false assumptions (no, Tracy, Brad did not say Russ was the father of Chelsea's baby, or at least not in our hearing - that was entirely down to you). Potentially wrecked Chelsea's entirely innocuous and very positive relationship with Russ. Potentially soured Chelsea's long-term relationship with her brother. Hasn't done anything, or apparently even thought about getting Chelsea to a doctor to confirm the pregnancy etc - PDQ , as Pierre put it. Hasn't apparently done anything about informing the community so volunteers can be stood down and posters removed (though maybe Brad has done that via social media). As I've said before, she is essentially self-centred, with her children as extensions of her.
Or hare-brained even!
DeleteLynda and Justin have already been talking about a campaign, to raise monies for a dog shelter, so now enter Blake and the animal sanctuary. This is showing another topical victim of rising costs, animal welfare.
ReplyDeleteI too, would like to hear more from Blake, and his friendship for Chelsea espacially if she continues with the pregnancy, which I think she will.
A little spoiler (?) for anyone who wants to see Josh Archer in the flesh
ReplyDeleteHis actor, Angus Imrie, is to take the part of Doc Martin’s new receptionist in Doc Martin on Wednesday evening, ITV, 9pm.
I shall be interested to see, or rather hear, if he has the same irritating voice on TV as on Radio.
When listening last night I thought Blake was a shoe in to live with Jim and Alistair in place of Jazzer. They would be caring of him, and he would benefit from Jim’s senior attitudes to life in general.
ReplyDeleteThank you ARCHERPHILE for the news of the return of Doc Martin.
Blake spouting Cicero?!?!
DeleteHaving done a fair bit of unplanned pregnancy counselling during the course of my career I thought that Tracy's approach to Chelsea was spot on. Gently tryng to persuade her to get professional help was the right thing to do, she can't be forced into it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I liked was, how Tracy showed that she will be supportive to Chelsea, with whatever she decided to do.
DeleteI must have missed the bit when Tracy was gently persuading Chelsea to get professional help, even if only to confirm the pregnancy and find out what she's entitled to. I definitely missed the bit when Tracy said I'll go to Lower Loxley straightaway and do a massive apology, and Chelsea said no, no Mum, it'll be easier if I go. Maybe Tracy will do her own apology to Russ when he resurfaces, she certainly owes him a massive one. (So do a good many listeners!)
DeleteBrookfield Farm B+B, I wonder who'll do the cooking, cleaning, laundry etc -certainly not Jill.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Pip and Rosie could move back into the farmhouse and so Rickyard Cottage becomes an Airbnb - after all it was a holiday rental, at one time.
That sounds a much better idea!
DeleteI too hope that there will be an opportunity for Blake to find a more permanent spot InIThArchers cast.Jazzer and Chelsea were impressed with the repair jobs he carried out at their place..so. when Grey Gables reopens and advertises for maintenance staff,there might be a chance for him.especially if Oliver is prepared to back him.
ReplyDeleteNo, maryellen, the listeners do not owe Russ an apology. I would totally agree with you that Tracy should not have confronted him like that in any way shape or form and there is probably nothing she can do to repair the damage. But let's face it, we are probably all running through a list of possibles and it is fair game to consider everybody with opportunity regardless of age (within reason) or status. Many people in the past have been deceived by good looks and a smooth voice, and got away with appalling behaviour. You can't automatically blame the Horrobins and Grundys . As Chelsea herself said, she had a massive crush on him, which others noticed & past events surrounding his resignation would be sufficient to give rise to some speculation, not without some justification! So as impartial onlookers we are allowed to consider all possible options without fear or favour!
ReplyDeletebufo9bufo - ✔️✔️✔️
DeleteWell said.
DeleteI also do not like that, although the Grundy's and Horrobins, do not have the same type of lives as others in Ambridge, they are classed as "2nd Class" citizens. They are just as hard working as other families, try to pay their own way, and do not live of the state!
I am glad to have finally said this.
Rant over.
bufo9bufo - let me say at once that I was not thinking of this blog.when I commented that listeners owed Russ an apology (for misjudging him). I feel
Deletethis blog has been fairly impartial. I was thinking of the far from impartial reaction expressed elsewhere, where listeners have so wanted it to be Russ at fault that they have overlooked lack of immediate evidence and condemned him in advance.
I’m not sure what I’ve said to make it look as if I “automatically blame the Grundys and Horobins” because they are working-class. I’ve criticised Tracy because she’s Tracy not because of her working-class background, and I’ve frequently praised her sister Susan. I certainly didn’t regard them as second class citizens and I don’t personally know anyone who would. But neither do I have a rose-tinted view of the working classes -- in my experience (and in Soapland too) they are ‘some and some’, like every other social class.
Does that make things clearer, or are we perhaps missing each other’s point?
Maryellen. It is always difficult expressing one's point of view on a blog, as this can lead to misinterpration, as I know only too well!
DeleteIt is far easier "chatting" face to face, when facial expressions can be seen so getting the true interpretation, so it is not surprising that things can be read in an unintentional way.
First of all I'm sorry, maryellen ! Miriam is absolutely right about the difficulties of blogging and misinterpretation. You haven't said anything about Tracy and her background - when I said "you" can't automatically blame, I wasn't referring to you personally and should have made that clear! I'm afraid I got it mixed up with some conversations I've had recently about Grundys and Horrobins and the thread of thought just carried on from there. Thank you for making things clearer about the listeners. I do hope the father will turn out to be nobody we know ...... the thought of George as a possibility is not good considering the way he is being portrayed at the moment.
DeleteI’ve often thought the English language, rich as it is, falls down when it comes to ‘you’. No distinction between the personal and impersonal, and using ‘one’ instead can sound so stuffy. Bring back ‘ye’ and ‘thee’!
DeleteSorry, I can't do ticks, but I agree with you, Miriam and thank you, MrsP
ReplyDeleteYour welcome.
DeleteI could have banged those two heads together last night!
ReplyDeleteLily sounded like a naughty schoolgirl pleading with her Mum not to be punished after a misdeed.
Whining and juvenile
Russ sounded like a pompous, self-important bore who had been de-frauded in some business deal. Alternatively, like a headmaster berating a school kid who had ‘let down yourself, let down me’, let down the school’ etc etc.
Can’t be bothered with either of them any longer.
Totally agree, Archerphile! But he didn't half come over as a whingeing, self-pitying, ungrateful wimp, full of his own self-importance and giving no recognition of what Lily has given up / lost! And she needs to grow up ...fast !
DeleteArcherphile, this wouldn't be the inflatable head of the inflatable school speaking to the boy who brought in a pin, would it?
DeleteGood analogy OWIAS! I don’t think I can bear to listen to him any longer.
DeleteGood acting I suppose because he absolutely infuriates me and that is what a good actor is supposed to do sometimes.
I do not like Russ for most of the reasons given in posts from others, but agree with ARCHERPHILE that the actor is very good and certainly hits the spot with his ability to characterise that particular person with his voice and diction alone. And it does seem that he has achieved that for most listeners and has become a universal character to dislike.
DeleteI was shouting at Lily while listening trying to remind her that when she had her one off encounter with her workmate she was feeling very uncertain and insecure about her relationship with Russ.
But of course we cannot predict or influence the eventual outcome, that is in the hands of the script writers.
Sorry, Mrs P, but your description of Russ as a character universally disliked is manifestly untrue, either in Ambridge (my authority here, apart from my own observation, is his character description on the TA website) or in real life, where my authority is me. I don't dislike Russ, for me his good points far outweigh the single ethical slip and the pomposity to which other listeners constantly refer (though pomposity seems to be okay if it's Jim).
DeleteI''m not alone, I've seen a few posts supportive of Russ. What strikes me about the anti-Russ brigade is the feeling that their posts, especially the rather coarse ones, tell the reader more about the writer than about Russ. The other thing that strikes me is that Lily and Russ's so-called "unforgiveable" slip - a permanent elephant in Russ's room, said one blogger - is so often cited by listeners, while the permanent elephant in Freddie's room, his jail sentence for the considerably more serious offence of drug dealing, is never mentioned and apparently expunged from history.
According to one blogger, my hope that Russ returns to a happy future with Lily, puts me and others who share that hope, on a par with people who would be happy to see Prince Andrew return to public life. I'm still trying to work out the connection!.
I think I'll stop discussing this and also give up reading FB! (Smiley face.)
Maryellen, I saw that comment about Prince Andrew on the Archers FB page and thought it ridiculous and in very poor taste. There are some very black and white posters on that site I am afraid.
DeleteYou and I will never agree about Russ but as said before we all have our own interpretations of stories and characters which is good, because there would otherwise be nothing to discuss! 😃
Apologies Maryellen if my use of ‘ universal ‘ was too much of a generalisation.
DeleteI don’t have FB and my only contact now with other fans of the Archers is through this forum.
My understanding of Ambridge characters is from reading other posts on here, and I’ve gained that impression of Russ from what others have said.
Archerphile - I think that post is meant to be a clever-clever way of saying I’m a paedophile supporter. Like I said, it tells you more about the writer than about Russ (or me!).
DeleteI must be a bit thick because that possibility never occurred to me!
DeleteI just thought the poster was trying to be ‘clever’ and provoke a reaction at a time when there is sympathy for the Royal family.
It is a truth universally acknowledged ... 😉
DeleteI hope that some of the above has a little to do with TA as i have known it. Or have the SWs all gone on holiday and been substituted by junior school childfen. Any othe explaination of the excessive padding of each episode with infantile rubbish?
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Pierre. Last night’s episode consisted entirely of ‘infillers’ - but what’s the serious and engaging storyline that they are infilling for?
DeleteMaryellen,
DeleteThat is precisely what finally prompted me to post . The run up for some time has been the dragging out of subjects,e.g Chelsea and Lilly apologising, ad nausiam. Are there no reasonable stories or are the SWs just overpaid and lazy?
Has this only been happening since we returned to 6 episodes a week?
DeleteMany of us used to enjoy the little interludes of pub or shop gossip between the ‘big’ stories. The little items of village life which these days are often derided as ‘boring’.
Perhaps current SWs are not up to making normal, everyday interaction between characters enjoyable? Or able to come up with 6 good scripts a week?
I don’t know, but last nights goings on between Justin/Lynda and later, Kenton/ David were simply boring and eminently forgettable.
I agree with all of the above sentiments.
DeleteI enjoyed the friendly, brotherly, banter between David and Kenton, along with the teasing of the diary.
ReplyDeleteI still maintain my thoughts that, it is the background which is making a difference to these quieter chats. At one time the listener would know that it was in The Bull before any conversation was even heard, by the clinking of glasses, the sound of chatter plus the occasional squawk of a peacock in the background. it was only known where they were, when Kenton asked David what he was drinking, otherwise they might have been anywhere.
Their conversation was also interesting on a different level, as it was showing the passage of time, what with the contents and aspirations of Kenton's 1974 diary and that Josh and Ben are now moving out.
One other thing I noticed, which is probably totally irrelevant, was that Kenton mentioned that Ben and Beth had each other and would be perfectly OK together (or similar). Is this something which could relate to Chelsea at some time, whether now or in the future, in the "Who's The Daddy" guessing?
Further to my last comment I don't think this is the case at all.
DeleteI would like, as I think Jill would, that Ben and Beth will eventually make Brookfiekd their home, along with their children..
Saturday Quiz
ReplyDeleteWhat would you most like to know?
a). Who is the new owner of Grey Gables?
b) Who is the father of Chelsea’s baby?
c). Neither of these?
d) Anything else?
a) not at all interested
Deleteb) slightly interested
d) is Shula leaving for good, (assuming she does go off on her do-gooding assignment)
a) This intrigues me, as to if all that has been promised by Adil, actually happens.
Deleteb) Not that bothered, at the moment.
c) + d) Have just answered.
The scriptwriters were playing to the gallery last night. Friday evening of course, but I don’t think either of those mother/daughter scenes reached a final position.
ReplyDeleteThe double to and fro/, shall I /shalln't I was ideed inconclusive and a fine example of the padding i have mentioned. Do they write a speech then just copy and paste?
DeleteHowever, both scenarios were very well acted despite the perciflage!
Archerfile September 13th, I thought Josh /Angus Imrie did soften his voice in an attempt to approximate a Cornish accent in Doc Martin (very few actors actually succeed 😣). I like watching the programme because we were extras in it during the earlier years and because we recognise the places filmed. The "Westcliff" house is really called Medla, a beautiful place of unusual 1906 architecture at Pentireglaze, now rented out to holidaymakers during the summer. It looks like Josh's funny but disastrous time as receptionist won't last more than the one guest episode!
ReplyDeleteGlad you saw it too Janice. I found ‘Josh’ still had an annoyingly high voice, though as you say, he had softened the accent a bit. He was far more gangly and thin than I had imagined a farm boy to be and was playing an equally annoying character.
DeleteNow Morwenna is back as receptionist that’s probably the last we’ll see of him.
I too recognise many of the locations and I hear the Local residents are very thankful this is to be the last series! The ‘Surgery’ is up for sale at over £1,000,000!
I thought last nights Archers episode was a clever juxtaposition of two mother-daughter conversations, in two very different circumstances.
ReplyDeleteKatie Hims did an excellent job of the scriptwriting, as she always does.
I agree with ARCHERPHILE regarding last nights episode.
DeleteI did not hear it as ‘ padding’ at all.
I
ReplyDeleteLast night,I thought that there was some padding in the script as the Chelsea/Tracy emotional sequence went on too long.I hope though that Elizabeth’s suggestion about paying off Russ comes to fruition ,without costing her too much,of course.As she said ,he had finally shown his true (selfish) colours.Lily should now move on and immerse herself in her university course.
I don't think that there was any "padding" last night. It was just two mothers talking to their daughters, who are both at a crossroads in their lives.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to hear full coversations and thoughts,rather than just snippets.
The scenes were ok in themselves but everypoint was reitterated ad nauseam. The content could have been shown in half the time.
ReplyDeleteI’m inclined to agree with you, Pierre. We’ve heard a fair amount of Lily stressing and Tracy reassuring in the past few days, and while that’s true of real life, it’s not so appropriate to a soap opera where listening time is limited. (Whenever I hear Tracy’s ‘it’ll all be all right’ voice, I’m reminded of the time she told Oliver that she and he together would restore Grey Gables’ to its former glory! )
DeleteIt is so very interesting to read, how each on this forum, listen, digest, cognitate and form individual opinions as to, the daily dose of The Archers.
ReplyDeleteThere are always so many different comments.
Do I agree with some, all or none? - obviously not.
It is just intriguing to learn others thoughts, and there is nothing wrong with that, as it often makes me re-think mine, not that I ever change my mind 🤣
As a certain person said - "This Lady is not for turning" and that's my own Archers thoughts and personsal ideas...
I apologise if this offends anyone in whatever way.
No Miriam, it certainly does not offend me.
DeleteThis discussion about the Friday night episode is interesting.
Some of us thought it was well constructed, written and acted.
Others thought it contained too much padding.
Personally, being a very long term listener, it reminded me of earlier times in TA’s history when stories were explored in full, conversations were plentiful and not rushed through to get on to the next scene.
We learned a lot about individual characters from these conversations and gossip. Phrases, thoughts, opinions were repeated and passed from one character to another, just as in real life.
I do not think of that as ‘padding’ but as setting a scene, establishing facts, explaining characters’ deeds and thoughts.
ARCHERPHILE - I wrote a post last night in response to yours above. It seems mine did not publish.
DeleteI simply said that I endorsed yours above in every word.
Thank you for voicing my opinion along with yours.
Not padding, real life !
Bye for now....as I think a short break might be a wise choice.
ReplyDeleteSeemingly no one in Ambridge has plans to watch The State Funeral tomorrow- not even Jill, Peggy etc..
ReplyDeleteWhat is going to befall Shula before the end of her year, a fatal stabbing maybe in her new environment or she gets another even better post and therefore will not be heard in Ambridge again, unless she wants a long break away to celebrate her 80th due during this time, although she certainly doesn’t sound it though! Perhaps Brian will rejoin Jenny in Hungary for a retirement near to Debbie. It doesn’t look as though many of the present older cast members are going to equal June Spencer’s record!
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DeleteI think Jennifer is supposed to be back in Ambridge. A few weeks ago, someone (I forget who, but not one of her immediate family, I think) made a one sentence comment to that effect. Brian has also gone silent. Maybe the actor was bluffing when he said he just wanted to go on watching cricket and playing Brian Aldridge.
Delete🤔
DeleteJudy of course to be 80 not Shula 🤣 (Charles Collingwood will also turn. 80 next Spring)
ReplyDeletePerhaps,Brian and /or Jenny will be heard at Martha’s naming ceremony.
ReplyDeleteWill be rather strange if they aren’t. I’m sure Susan will be, and hopefully Neil too.
DeleteDoes the scene with Jim, Dan & Chelsea indicate the planting of a seed re Chelsea giving the baby up for adoption I wonder. There is always demand for young babies, I remember the great joy of a couple I worked with when they finally adopted their son after a couple of IVF attempts & a foray to Romania. Interestingly the the babe in question is now an army officer.
ReplyDeleteKPNuts - Were you thinking of Dan and his wife as possible adoptive parents?
DeleteI hadn’t thought that far ahead, but I don’t think Dan & ?Dorothy are married or looking to start a family. It would be someone outside the enclave
DeleteI thought that Dan and Dorothy had split up.
DeletePity! I was imagining Jim as an adoptive great grandfather for Chelsea’s baby. I suppose that was rather sentimental. Adoption outside the enclave would be second best to a false positive for the pregnancy test, as a plot outcome (imo).
DeleteI was surprised Fallon's tea shop was open today, but I guess it would have been difficult to alter the script too much, so there was just a mention of Jim going home to watch the television after his morning cup of tea with Dan.
ReplyDeleteDitto especially as the Funeral started so early in the morning one can hardly envisage Jim going to the tearoom! 10 days in which to record a new episode devoted to such a momentous GB and world event and a BBC station as well!
DeleteWell done once again to ITV and their coverage leaving spaces for us all us to just absorb the occasion. I e.mailed them only recently to tell them so!
Usually TA is very good at signposting to real support /advice services somewhere in the storyline. I hope Chelsea does get professional advice soon.
ReplyDeleteSomeone in Ambridge who is a "waste of space". I can only think of George.
ReplyDeleteI think Rhuari is a possible for the dad. I seem to remember he coached Chelsea in maths and she had a thing for him. Maybe he had a few drinks and found her an easy conquest! I think he came out as bisexual a while ago so it is possible. Well, we shall see!
ReplyDeleteI think it was Poppy that Ruairi was coaching and who had a crush on him
DeleteIt was Mia who had a crush on Ruairi after he’d kindly taken an interest in her school project.
Delete.
Sorry about my faulty memory, now a great hole in my theory!
DeleteEv - as a friend of mine once said: Why do you have to go and ruin a good argument with facts!!
DeleteWrote this on the other blog by mistake:
ReplyDeleteThere are people out there who could give Chelsea all the correct answers and impartial counselling. Why have they decided to send her to the local vet?! Aaargh!
I'm going to have to stop listening until this is resolved.
Since when did Shula have a Yiddish word in her vocabulary? Hearing her use of ‘schelp’ the other night was astonishing. I was used to hearing it and many other Yiddish words frequently at home but this just didn’t sound like a Shula-ism to me.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely getting a farewell vibe from Shula, I believe that there have been rumours that the 80 year old Judy wanted to retire but what about Brian played by real life husband saying he wants to carry on? nothing to stop him I suppose.
ReplyDeleteAgree with CC about Chelsea speaking to a professional who can go through all the options with her in a nonjudgmental manner. But Tracey is right in saying that she needs to make a decision sooner rather than later as certain options are time limited.
I’m concerned about Shula’s attitude to going ‘oop north’ to help those less fortunate than herself. All the little phrases about getting onto ‘ their’ level’, and ‘their’ mindset .
ReplyDeleteShe makes herself sound like an old fashioned missionary going to convert the natives. Maybe it’s just me, but she did sound very patronising last night and I think Dan was trying to help her avoid pitfalls and rejection by those she is seeking to help
Definitely with you there AP. I think if Shula speaks like that she’ll end up upsetting the locals. Maybe one of her future flock being. Driven to violence by her condescension is where the story line is heading!
DeleteIn a post that did not print my feeling similar to yours KP, possible fatal stabbing or shooting.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThere is a perceptive comment on FB from a contributor to this blog about last night's episode featuring two different father/son scenarios.. That didn't occur to me at the time, but now I realise the similarity to last week's episode featuring two different mother/daughter scenarios. A double parallel from the scriptwriters!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteDidn't Dan have a girlfriend called Dorothy?
Whatever happened to her?
He did, but as CC mentioned above we think they split up a while ago.
DeleteSecond question....
ReplyDeleteIs Blake the father of Chelsea's unborn baby?
I doubt it. We didn’t have any indication she was seeing Blake before asking him for help when she ran away.
DeleteMy feeling is that it was someone at the rave and Josh disappeared for a while during the evening!
Blake and Chelsea specifically said he was not the father.
DeleteBy my reckoning, that leaves about 90 other possibles!
DeleteMight be Toby❤️💕, Maryellen. He does like spreading the love!! I still think it could be Rhuari though!! Agree it was perpetrated at the Rave! Whatever, I reckon an Ambridge family will be thrown into turmoil by the revelation! 😊
DeleteYou wouldn’t be winding me up, would you, Ev? 🙂
DeleteWho me? Never!😉
DeleteI don't think Chelsea would have called either Toby or Josh a waste of space, they are both hard working young men.
DeleteAlso the Rave was quite some time ago, and it seems only recently that she has started early morning sickness.
DeleteI think the only one who could count as a waste of space, as he is at present, is George, and that would set up some drama with Brad being protective of his sister and having a big falling out with him.
DeleteSo, no appearance of either Jennifer or Susan at the naming ceremony?
ReplyDeleteHas Angela Piper left the cast for good? It’s months since we heard from her and last nights episode was rather important for a grandmother to put in an appearance.
Wonder if Susan didn’t appear so it made Jennifer’s absence seem more plausible ..…they were busy dispensing cake or chatting in a corner?
At least there were two grandads, a mother and father, plus an aunty and a great aunty. So not too bad really, but the grandmothers would have made it complete.
DeletePerhaps a bigger house with a much nicer kitchen might tempt Jenny back! I am still hoping there will be a storyline with that happening. She didn't just lose her kitchen it also meant she lost her role as hostess and cook for the shoots. Sad for someone who loved cooking.
ReplyDeleteMy views as to Chelsea as it stands now:-
ReplyDeleteShe is 18yrs.
She will decide what she wants to do re the pregnancy.
She will decide if she tells the father or keeps it a secret.
It is her choice.
There is another consideration in my opininion and that is, if she keeps the baby (my guess) and so becomes very obviously pregnant, then the father will confront her, wanting to know .
Is this a speculation or just an idea? Not sure....🙅♀️
Hello Miriam, i am sure that your speculation as to how the father might find oit about the pregnancy is a good accurate one.
DeleteBut do we have to get a double helping almost every episode of people losing their reason and interrupting any meaningful speech before the point can be made,? Wrong form of "interruptus" unfortunately. 🤯
OOh i'll put my money on Ruori
ReplyDeleteThere was a mention of Jake...
DeleteJust for the hell of it, I’m opting for Trent.
DeleteTrent - yes!
DeleteHow old is the Button boy?
DeleteThe father - tomorrow’s reveal or end of week cliffhanger? So far it is not Russ or Blake!
ReplyDeleteGeorge maybe? Half Grundy half Horrobin 😱
So many different opinions, perhaps we should run a sweepstake on who’s the father!
ReplyDeleteOkay , so my virtual money is on (1) Anon, and (2) Trent.
DeleteI will put mine on George, although if she did she must have been drunk at the time.
DeleteI’m placing a bag of frozen raspberries and half a dozen home-laid eggs on Josh. 😉
DeleteYum yum!
DeleteI put a jar of home-made marmalade on:-
Delete1) Anon.
2) As yet an unknown/silent person, such as tbe son of The Holts (?) the residents of Home Farm.
I reckon my marmalade is safe!
What is the relationship between Chelsea and George? Emma and Chelsea are cousins, so is he Chelsea's half cousin, second cousin, or cousin once removed? Is it o.k. for offspring, or too biologically close?
ReplyDeleteI think George and Chelsea are first cousins once removed (the 'removed' being the generational difference.
ReplyDeleteFirst cousins can legally marry (or they could when my parents married!). I think there can be consequences for offspring when cousin marriage happens repeatedly down the generations, or if there is a family history of health conditions.
Thanks Zoetrope. Glad I was wrong though. I expect Ben and Beth will have yet another wobble now.
DeleteWell I know I don't listen much now but I wasn't expecting to hear that!
ReplyDeleteNever liked him .
Do you know, I’ve been thinking on and off throughout the week… It’s Ben !
ReplyDeleteThen of course dismissing the thought as ridiculous, thinking why Ben, I can’t even think of him and Chelsea even having so much as a conversation.
For obvious reasons I did not post my thoughts.
I’m not pleased that my random thoughts were correct.
Could be more than one Ben in Ambridge.....?
ReplyDeleteWell, that’s put the cat among the pigeons! No future with Beth then!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOh my goodness!!! It must have been at the rave then when Ben got paralytic because of the upset with Beth. I got it well and truly wrong.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet when Chelsea was telling Ben she said "about what happened the other night" as if it happened recently. Poor Beth.
DeleteIf Chelsea & Ben both agree that an abortion is the best option will he give her the emotional support she needs & thus upset Beth, or will he confesss to Beth & get dumped again. I presume they did the deed at the rave, but I can’t understand how Ben, who’s a student nurse (albeit wasted that night) & Chelsea, who is generally fairly level headed, had her bag with a spare dress in so I asssume also condoms and was stone cold sober apparently didn’t use a condom especially if she isn’t on some form of hormonal birth control.
ReplyDeleteI still think she might consider having the child adopted which although difficult would mean the child was brought up by people that sincerely wanted a child & were in a position to provide for them. It also means there’s a ready made plot line for 18 years time when the child seeks it’s birth mother.
I think adoption is a highly probable option. The hint was there when Jim talked about this, in relation to Alistair and Dan.
DeleteI am waiting for when Henry starts questioning about his father.
Ooh err!
ReplyDeleteI’ve lost my eggs and raspberries!
Clever script
Will say no more until everyone has heard tonight’s episode.
Oh damn! The above posts didn’t show when I was being so careful not to give the game away….but you all knew already! 🤪
DeleteThat’s right SW tear apart our only hope of a decent couple! No hope for Ben this time innocent as he was when accused of having a session with Beth’s Sister a baby with a Horrobin another kettle of fish all together……. (Wasn’t Pip’s baby debacle enough for Brookfield?)
ReplyDeleteI have just read a long article on The Archers webpage about Judy Bennet. She is definitely leaving the programme for good and her last appearance was tonight.
ReplyDeleteThere is a long biography and even a quiz on how much you know about Shula. I only got about half correct!
For me, the best comment in last night’s rather messy episode was the reference to T❤️O❤️B❤️Y being at the pub (with Rex who hasn’t fallen overboard as his long silence suggested). Hopefully Pip and Toby’s “working it out” means Toby gets to spend weekends at least in Ambridge and we get to hear him.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a pity Shula’s leaving do had to be shared with the Horrobin story. The sooner that one’s wrapped up>the better, IMO. Chelsea is even more indecisive than Hamlet!
I am disappointed in the editor for constructing this story (can’t blame the scriptwriters, they are told what to do)
ReplyDeleteThis is just another version of so many other baby stories in TA over the years. Accidental pregnancy; will she/won’t she keep it; two families in the village probably at war with each other; happy relationship broken up, etc etc.
It would have been so much easier had the father been unknown to us, from outside the village but presumably not dramatic enough for a soap opera.
And I agree with Maryellen that it was a great shame Judy Bennet’s last appearance had to share the stage with the baby revelation. She deserved better than that after all her years service to the programme.
Don't we all deserve better than this?
DeleteI agree about the baby story Archerfile. Another one night stand leading to upset and misery so soon after the Lily/Russ one.
DeleteThe article about Shula on the TA website says that her last appearance will be Friday the 30th September. Was this a mistake if this last appearance was last night, or will it be next Friday ?
ReplyDeleteGood point Mrs P……..and just checked to see that she IS in next weeks cast list. So my supposition that it was her last appearance last night was wrong.
DeleteSorry everyone. 😥
Note to self : don’t jump to conclusions!
Perhaps it will be just a 'phone call, face-time or some other technical get together.
DeleteI felt for Jill last night, but then I hadn't realised that Shula is leaving for good.
AP I only got 4/10 in the Shula Quiz it was assumed I must be a younger listener 🤣
ReplyDeleteInteresting article though thanks for the heads up!
I managed 6/10,
ReplyDeleteI did 5/10 and most of that was guesswork..
ReplyDeleteI learnt a lot through my wrong answers though.
Ditto, Miriam!
ReplyDeleteJust a couple of things I picked up in the Omnibus that I hadn’t noticed at Martha’s naming ceremony:
ReplyDelete1) Martha’s ‘Guides’ (through life, supposedly) are to be George, Keira and Xander.
One hopes that George will grow up to loose his dodgy teenage personna as successfully as his step-Dad, Ed, has!
2). The irony of Brian wishing Shula well in her new life and says he hopes she’ll ‘keep in touch’
Are Brian and Shula ex-lovers? I know he and Caroline were.
DeleteNo, certainly not. It just seemed ironic as the two actors are actually married in real life.
DeleteI enjoyed the omnibus this morning. I felt Patricia Greene getting so emotional with Judy Bennet in the Bull, was so very real and genuine. They have, after all, played mother and daughter for decades.
ReplyDeleteIt was also well done by the script writers, to have Charles and Judy sharing a scene, along with the line "I hope you keep in touch". It was pure genius.
I hope that there are no more retirements, for a while.
DeleteI think it’s high time ‘Jill’ retired. She’s got her 92nd birthday coming up so that would be a good opportunity to quit on a high.
DeleteI still don’t understand why people think Brian was being ironical when he told Shula to keep in touch. He sounded sincere to me. It was an obvious thing for someone to have said and it got allocated to him is how I saw it. It’s what Jennifer would have said if she hadn’t been out of earshot!
My take on the 'irony' was that the Beeb was trying to be humorous and casting a knowing wink at the fact that Shula and Brian are married to each other in real life as Judy and Charles. I could be wrong though. Does the BBC have a sense of humour! 🤔
DeleteI rather read the ‘irony’ remark as being the fact that the two actors are married to each other.
DeleteI would have called it ‘ an in joke ‘ !
Hmm! I think the irony is in the ear of the listener then. Fair enough!
DeleteIn Judy’s interview on TA website she said it was very rare that she and Charles were in the recording studio together and that often as she was at the station to start her journey back to Hampshire Charles’ would be arriving to record his sessions. So it was planned that to mark her leaving get together in The Bull they would be (albeit briefly) in a scene together.
DeletePatricia Greene and Judy speak regularly on the phone as friends and always will Judy said 🤗
It sounds to me as if the BBC was being sentimental rather than ironic, and the characters were just being themselves. But as we often say, every listener interprets TA in their own way.....
DeleteAlas, my forlorn hope that it was another Ambridge Ben we heard has foundered,
ReplyDeleteand we’re not going to be spared all the ensuing angst. But why did Chelsea tell her mother she didn’t even like the baby’s father? Ben is a bit of a drip but not that objectionable, surely!
There must be something in the water in Ambridge as so many of these one off liaisons result in a baby! I’m thinking too of Kirsty and Tom and the famous rape of Helen which resulted in Jack. Poor old Ben and Chelsea. He can hardly marry her or partner heras there is no love lost either way but if she keeps the baby presumably he will have a few years of child support. What a mess! I hope Josh at least manages to have children in a loving and lasting relationship!
ReplyDeleteI’m still clinging to Forlorn Hope No.1, that she isn’t actually pregnant......
DeleteI've written two posts in the last two days. They've both posted OK and then disappeared : (
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Beth will turn to Josh for a shoulder to cry on which will create even more of a tangle.
ReplyDeleteThen the Grundy brother scenario all over again but hopefully Beth won’t get pregnant….
DeleteI wondered if part of the reason that Josh was so dead against Beth moving in with him and Ben initially was that he fancied her himself,or is that a complication too many.?
ReplyDeleteI thought the same Portia. Which could make the current situation even more complicated.
DeleteI don’t fancy Ben’s chances if/when Vince finds out!
New thread opened
ReplyDelete