Life in Ambridge
Jazzer & Tracey’s wedding may be slightly different!
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
Lady RJanuary 9, 2023 at 12:52 AM
ReplyDeleteSo another new member of Ambridge is about to be foisted upon us. I guess this means Kate is about to be blown away by Jakobs (spelling) brother 🙄
The rush is certainly on to replace the older members of the cast it’s as though such a thing happening has only just occurred to the production team, unless Jenny was to have a major storyline and rewrites are required. Usually we just past from one generation to the next as the main stay of TA but now it appears to be coming a village of transient nobodies. Such a shame because so many genuine Ambridgers have been dropped Kathy’s son for one - name? Mike, Vicky & their lovely little Downs Syndrome daughter and other younger characters. I doubt any actors will be in it for the long haul now after the next older layer retire from the programme IE Tony, Pat, Ruth, David, Brian etc etc. up to now I have never been able to envisage TA being “dumped” but now I wonder if it will survive to its 75th anniversary, another 3yrs!
REPLYDELETE
ArcherphileJanuary 9, 2023 at 9:21 AM
Yes, we have just had Lottie (of whom I had never heard before; like Miriam I thought Pips great school friend was Izzy) and now Erik. We haven’t heard much from other newcomers like Adil who were introduced some time ago and Vince’s daughters have become silent.
Is this the new policy? Bring in a new character for a few months then drop them?
Perhaps actors do no
Nice photo, KP - I imagine J & T's wedding will be registry office as neither have shown signs of being churchgoers.
ReplyDeleteOr, with the new rules about where weddings can be held, perhaps the garden at The Bull?
DeleteWhat a lovely idea. Both Tracey + Jazzer have such close connections to The Bull that it seems ideal for them both, with Jolene, Wayne + Fallon, putting on the buffet. It would just the type of wedding that would suit them.
DeleteAll I want from this wedding is that:-
DeleteIt happens without any hiccups.
Jazzer wears his kilt.....and also,
Jazzer plays the bagpipes at some stage.
…..and that it is allowed to last 🙏🏼 🎊 💕
DeleteThat gives you 6 months to choose your new hat, Archerphile!
DeleteMight decide to just dye my hair an outrageous colour, pink with purple ends perhaps?
DeleteBetter find out what outrageous colour Chelsea has in mind for her mother, to avoid choosing the same one - and whether the wedding will be colour-themed so you can dye to match......!
DeleteI will match Chelsea, and buy a ginger hair dye for the wedding. For some reason I imagine her with a ginger hue, but not vibrant.
DeleteArcherfile, a fascinator, maybe orange or bright greenwould finish your hairdo off nicely!
DeleteFrom the organist's bench I enjoy watching pews of women in fascinators chatting before a wedding. It looks as if clouds of bluebottles are swarming above their heads.
DeleteI imagine the cheapest option is registry office which should be the major consideration for Tracey & Jazzer, Jim, Susan, Brad & Chelsea present.Then afterwards at the Bull, room courtesy of Jolene & Kenton, guests bringing food in lieu of presents & a pay bar. Cost kept down, no noses put out of joint.
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me KP.
DeleteThat could be a very special and meaningful day - the actual Service just very close family then family and friends afterwards being the real focus of their marriage 💕
DeleteTwo friends of ours are going to Gretna Green to get married, just the two of them. They are a bit younger than us, both been married before and don't want a fuss. We're hoping they'll agre to us taking them out for a meal when they get back.
DeleteChurch weddings needn't be expensive.
DeleteOMiaS did a wedding for a Nigerian couple. Very small, just a few guests. I think they had our organist. And they had flowers because OMiaS mentionned them at the Banns meeting, 'Oh yes,' she said, 'That would be nice'. Our church warden organised them.
Then after the service the happy couple and their handful of guests gathered at the back of the church to share some celebratory sandwiches.
The only hiccup was that the bride was *very* late. Someone was sent outside to investigate. Turns out she'd been sitting patiently in the car wondering when someone was going to come out and say they were ready for her!
All the bells and whistles are nice if you want them and can afford them, but they're really not worth going into debt for.
With her experience of retail, friendly nature and general competence, Joy is the ideal candidate for shop assistant. No doubt she’ll replace Jim who must be of age to think about retiring. (I think his finest moment was when he barked “Mask!’ at Brian Aldridge during lockdown.)
ReplyDeleteI am thinking exactly that about Jim! Ok being in one’s 80’s these days is not old but the body sometimes overrules the still young thinking mind. However no one in Ambridge even over 90yrs seems to suffer physically in anyway it seems to me not even a lack of energy 😡
DeleteThanks for that observation Lady R. That's it, I'm moving to Ambridge!
Delete(And perhaps GG should re-open as a spa, touting the magical healing and anti-ageing properties of Am water.)
What I would love to hear, which I know I have said many times, is an Ambridge resident with a disability. This could be wheelchair dependant, deaf, blind or even having "dwarfism" with how they are accepted as a true village person.
DeleteI've always felt TA missed an opportunity with Nigel, who could have survived his roof top fall with life-changing injuries, possibly confining him to a wheelchair for the rest of his days (but preferably still able to speak).
DeleteIt would have saved Elizabeth from Vince's clutches.
DeleteI strongly agree with the missed opportunity regards Nigel, and Mike & Vicki leaving with Bethany
DeleteI've got bad vibes re Erik. I didn't like the way he was using Jakob to amuse Kate and Alastair, and emphasise the difference between his dull brother and his vibrant and interesting self. Jakob is one of the shrinking number of characters I like. He is straighforward, fair and decent. I suspect Erik is not, and that's the real difference between the two. So it's good brother v. bad brother - watch out, Kate!
ReplyDeleteIt seemed to me that he was a ‘ plant’ a character introduced to make mischief.
DeleteAlso briefly felt perhaps to entrance Kate into falling for him so to create yet again another case of intrigue.
I was surprised that two brothers should sound so totally different. They have obviously been given different characters, but voices and accents too?
ReplyDeleteBloggers often say they can’t distinguish voices so maybe the TA team are making it easier for them?
DeleteYes, I suppose that would help distinguish them. I read on FB that the actor is well known from being in The Bill but I never watched that programme.
DeleteOh, Steven Hartley. He played a slimy and unscrupulous senior officer in charge of Sun Hill. Not that he's got himself type-cast or anything. He is (or was) unfortunate enough to be slimily good-looking, if you like that sort of thing!
DeleteI didn't like Erik, heart and soul etc and both Kate and Alistair enthusing after having just met him.
ReplyDeleteThere's Lottie and there's also Paul somewhere, or was he only to provide interest for Ruairi who wasn't.
I think Joy would be great in the village shop, much as I don't like her, but it would be fun to hear her together with Susan, who's afraid of the competition.
I have been missing Paul too. He seemed a really interesting new character with lots of potential. Perhaps he will only appear when Ruairi pays one of his infrequent visits to Ambridge.
DeleteSteven Hartley definitely got the part of Erik for the timbre of his voice. Trouble is, I see him in his superintendent's uniform!
ReplyDeleteOoh Sarnia man in uniform 🫢
DeleteI agree about the voice though and am not surprised to read that he does a lot of voice over work. At times I heard shades of Charles Collingwood (Brian) but maybe just me!
No ! Your not alone Lady R - I too thought that it was Brian speaking at one point, which created slight confusion for a moment.
DeleteDeeper and more - come hither - than Brian, which is often SH's trademark!
DeleteI like Adam’s idea of an edible garden as a visitor attraction at Bridge Farm very much and am glad Tom sees its potential too. That’s my idea of a good storyline: activity- led rather than relationship driven or issue-led, not that I object to the latter when well-handled as with the Rob and Helen story.
ReplyDeleteAnd possibly, Ian (is there still an Ian?) could use some of the produce for his pizza business.
DeleteIt's all definitely becoming a bit more rural again, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWent to a pub lunch with TG ladies today. One of them is a farmer and I asked her whether she listens to TA. She said she used to but no longer as there is so little agricultural input but it’s all about the vagaries of the younger element, abortion, angst etc. She said with the older ones fading out it was not the same. We on the blog have been saying similar things and I find I can take or leave it nowadays where it used to be a sacrosanct 13 minutes which no one should interrupt! Such a pity!😒
ReplyDeleteThe odd thing is Ev many of us have been listening to TA for 5 decades so have moved through a fair number of generations but in the past they have gelled more easily and my feeling is listeners did not drop out so readily 🤔
DeleteI take it, then, that in the past there were no tragic deaths, no illicit affairs, illegitimate births, abortions, or other general angst?
ReplyDeleteAm I right in thinking that until fairly recently there were no means of listeners communicating their discontent with the programme content or direction, and therefore little indication as to how many were sufficiently discontented to give it up?
Of course there were, starting with the tragic death of Grace Archer in the stable fire. That was a real shocker and caused outrage amongst listeners. I remember my Mum crying at the end of the episode. Then there was Jennifer’s illegitimate baby, Elizabeth’s abortion, Mark’s early death in a car accident etc etc - all of which provoked huge listener reaction. To say nothing of the gamekeepers suicide, armed raid on the Post Office.
ReplyDeleteThere may have been no blogs or FB for audiences to post their comments but there was plenty of reaction in the press and elsewhere.
Thank you, AP. I just find it difficult to understand why so many people seem to feel that everything was so much better in the past.
ReplyDeleteFor me it was because there was more continuity between families, more chat at the breakfast table or in the pub where you caught up on what was going on; more coverage of typical village events like a fête or the WI; fewer incomers who only stayed a week or two; stories worked out more quickly and didn’t hang on for week after week, which was probably unrealistic but stopped you getting bored ; the feeling of listening in to a real rural village (as they used to be) like the one I lived in ; and of course, more agricultural input which was of genuine interest to me.
DeleteHowever, time passes and life is not exactly like it used to be. When you have been devoted to something for 60 years it is difficult to accept changes and move with the times. I know I am guilty of that but whatever happens I shall not stop listening, just try to learn to adapt!
Times do change and I'm prepared to move with them. For me TA used to be a big interwoven tapestry with a big picture. Now it feels more like a collage of separate unconnected pictures which I find less enjoyable.
DeleteYes CC, that’s what I meant about continuity.
DeleteI’ve sometimes wondered if, when listeners talk about “the golden age” of TA, they are thinking of the period that coincided with their own golden age. According to my Archers book (1985), “fifteen years ago the writing was more on the wall than in the script. It seemed as if this particular soap opera was all.washed up. After 20 years it was, not unnaturally, tired and weary. The writers had exploited almost every conceivable storyline and the plot was stretched thin, The actors were fighting a losing battle against an indifferent script.”
DeleteWhat saved the programme from the axe then was a new editor (poached from Coronation Street) and new writers. In my view, that’s what is needed now to save TA from becoming a tired and incoherent mess again.
Archerphile onwards much better explanations 👏🏻 than I was able to portray in my post.
DeleteI found yesterday's episode boring. The charade in the shop which involved four characters.
ReplyDeleteThen Kirsty making her move, like in life, though. It was like Hannah and Tom, again, life.
AP, I will continue on the other thread for fear of leading the conversation off topic.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of “Spitballing” comes to mind as a worthy topic.
ReplyDelete🙀
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat is that?
ReplyDeleteI am so surprised, that there are no comments relating to Kirsty, from last night.
ReplyDeleteAll I will say is, that she took full advantage of the situation 😊
I half-thought Erik was taking pity on Kirsty because she seemed so desperate but I wasn't really interested enough to think it through!
DeleteI also thought Kirsty sounded a bit desperate and quite un-Kirsty like last night.
DeleteI don’t like the sound of Erik at all, he sounds very smarmy to me. Perhaps she has nbeen turned on by hearing about what Ed and Emma got up to by her wood pile! 😉
And what happened to Adil? I thought he and Kirsty were getting friendly but perhaps he is more interested in Lily now, if anyone.
Throwing herself at men is what Kirsty does and it usually ends in tears so I expect it-will this time.
DeleteWhen she asked him to go swimming, to me that was a preliminary and I needed no more information and elaborate explanations. Erik says he's no good at keeping relationships last, so expect a miracle this time.
DeleteThe shop scene exceeded ridiculous in all respects! Wrong setting should have been in the reception clas at the infants' school
DeletePerhaps now that TA has brought the Python writers out of retirement they are hoping for some script improvement. Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more! Know what i mean?
Does anyone know when TA is scheduled for return?
Spitballing was a term used by Justin during his induction with Susan.
ReplyDeleteWhat does it mean?
DeleteCan mean suggesting ideas, apparently, but seems to have quite a history of meanings. I hadn't heard of it before.
DeleteAnother meaning is contrive. Seems to be related to business speak, he/she whose spit sticks gains access to the Cash Cow.
ReplyDeleteSound like old Chinese proverb!
DeleteI'm wondering if, for all his good looks, Erik isn't just as hapless with relationships as Kirsty, and they are simply seeking comfort in each other.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a temporary fix to me. Kirsty needs a fling albeit with a rather slovenly individual to restore her sense of o.k.ness before maybe finding 'the one'. With her history, what are the chances! Of course she could be Erik's salvation 'yeah right'! 🙄
ReplyDeleteHello there. Long time no hear!
ReplyDeleteBB what a lovely surprise 🫢
Delete😊
DeleteAlways looking and listening! Just not contributing so much. 😊
ReplyDeleteBrad, don't listen to Chelsea, what does she know about relationships?
ReplyDeleteIt will be all right as long as you and Page are on the same one!
Nice one Basia! 🙂
DeleteIt looks like they are and even Chelsea was not too bad in the end.
DeleteAh! Lovely épisode, Brad is such a lovely young man and I hope this first relationship goes well for him.
ReplyDeleteYet another string to Leonard’s bow, watch repaires no less! Is there nothing he can’t do?
I reckon the Repair Shop should snap him up quickly, he’d be a real asset.
🤣😂🤣 my thought too AP! (very pleased for Brad though and Chelsea was kind to him as well….
DeletePlease SW let this SL go well - well a girl (who am I kidding) can dream!
Being The Archers I daren't hope that it will go well for Brad and Paige.
DeleteHa, you were both right unfortunately, perhaps they can't afford any more newcomers.
DeleteI felt really cross with Chelsea the other night when she was tormenting Brad about Paige,but last night ,I couldn’t fault her as she was so encouraging in her pre date pep talk to Brad,then delighted for him when he reported back on the success of the date..
ReplyDeleteFeeling really sorry for Brad, teenage relationships are so painful.
ReplyDeleteOh Brad, please don't cry, she doesn't know what you're worth and Chelsea was lovely.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't say the same about Justin, why pick on Rex, try your skills on someone with more money and less likeable.
Rex is being made to look increasingly inept: failure to make the correct deduction in the log pile incident; failure in the houseboat maintenance department; failure to prevent Erik making a mess of The Rookery; and failure to resist Justin's salesmanship. I fear for his pigs (remembering the fate of his goose business!)
ReplyDeleteI'm inclined to agree with Paige about Brad. A sweet lad, but.....
I reckon Justin is only volunteering in the shop to gauge its potential as another property for his portfolio. Or he could be aiming to boost its sales so much that he can buy it, then offload it to Lidl or Aldi and pocket the profit.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t trust him for one second, I simply don’t believe that he genuinely wants to volunteer for the good of the village.
That’s the prevailing view on Facebook, accompanied by the usual anti-Justin stuff. The illustration of the village shop shows a small double-fronted house. With the ground floor serving as a shop and living quarters on the first floor - hardly the sort of property to interest the likes of Demara.
DeleteI think this is another of the TA team’s nonsensical storylines, not because I doubt Justin’s professed motives but because I don’t see how he has the time, unless he has decided to retire without telling us. Anyway,, he’s someone Jim can’t patronise which makes a refreshing change!
Well. That my idea shot down in flames then!
DeleteMust be reading too much Facebook and having my ideas influenced.
But, seriously, surely nobody can believe Justin is acting purely out of charitable motives, not with his background. Justin doesn’t do anything without a motive, usually a financial one, and I don’t think this sudden desire to help in the shop is any different.
Neither does anybody else, including Lilian!
ReplyDeleteWell even by SW standards to date poor Brad has been dealt a raw deal almost within a day. I take it the young lady concerned sent the message to him intentionally rather than having to come clean directly……
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Brad will be paired off with Mia in the end, she's the one with drive and initiative and he's thorough, we've already seen them both in action and with George as well.
ReplyDeleteI can't understand why everyone has to be paired off. Brad's clever, he should have the opportunity to develop his talents and broaden his horizons.
ReplyDeleteI agree with CC 100% - leave Brad to develop his own future without emotional incumbents. Coming from his background he has a lot to learn about the opportunities that might be open to him. Oliver could steer him towards an academic career and open up the horizon for him.
DeleteI absolutely agree with you, CC, both about the pairing off and about the need for Mia and Brad each to discover there’s a world (and potential mates) elsewhere. The sooner they leave Ambridge to do that, the better.
DeleteYes, I also agree, but he's looking for someone, like most/all young people on social media and this is what they do in the Archers, there's Erik all of a sudden and straight into bed with Kirsty.
DeleteI much prefer the mundane, like Rex cleaning the grouting, I'd advise him to use bicarbonate plus vinegar = fizz and if it works, return the commercial product to the shop and ask for a refund.
I wouldn’t be happy about Brad being paired off with Mia. Sorry, but I don’t actually like her very much. She can be devious and use people to get her own ends.
DeleteBrad, hopefully will get excellent A level results and, possibly with Oliver’s help, go off to University.
However, I hope he doesn’t come home like Phoebe, without a clue what he wants to do and waste his great potential.
A god maths degree would open up a lot of opportunities for Brad.
DeleteBrian's buying Brookfield land on Stella's advice.
ReplyDeleteLee doesn't know his parental rights, why don't his daughters come to live with him and Helen, but their mother wants them in California.
Those two old men behind the counter have surpassed themselves, at least this time they had a customer with plenty of cash it seems.
Does anyone else get the feeling that we shall soon hear of Jennifer’s demise?
ReplyDeleteSeveral recent comments from Lilian (‘Jenny and I really should spend more time together’) and Brian checking that she had arrived at the hotel safely, have sounded like the death knell to me. That really will set the at amongst the pigeons!
As I have previously posted AP I have great concerns re the actress concerned. If she was thinking of retiring then just say so or is she very I’ll and does not wish it to be known,
DeleteAnother option is the actress now in her 80th year at least may be going to be replaced and so a period of not hearing her is to prepare us but with such a distinctive voice that’s been heard for 60 yrs plus a difficult ask….
(There is nothing to be found online only old info)
Yes, quite Lady R. I just thought that last night’s script sounded more indicative than of late.
DeleteI agree!
DeleteAre the males of Ambridge lovelier than the females? Recently I’ve seen references to lovely Jim, lovely Rex, and lovely Brad, plus previous references to lovely Neil, lovely Oliver and of course Nigel, loveliest of all. The only woman I can recall being described as lovely is Kirsty, not even Tracy, the listeners’ favourite has been called lovely if I’ve remembered rightly. Maybe it reflects the gender of most of the bloggers?
ReplyDeletePersonally I wouldn’t call any of them lovely!
On second thoughts, I might call Oliver lovely - in a quaint kind of way.
DeleteIn the main would it be the voice (not that Rex comes into this category for me anyway)
Deletebut many are very very distinctive and do not need to be called by their name to identify them. Eddie, Brian, Oliver, David, Justin, Tony and more.
Ladies - well our Lil of course 🤣 and sis Jenny, Pat main ones of the top of my head.
Anyone??
Natasha perhaps with her slight Welsh lilt.
DeleteOh and Helen and Joy who has a NE accent.
Kirsty is very recognisable too.
Thinking about Justin working in the shop, I have read elsewhere an idea which makes sense, well to me.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be lovely chats + banter between Robert + Jim, so is this an alternative.
Robert is still theoretically in The Archers, but the meet-ups, the bird sightngs etc. sadly cannot now be recorded.
I wonder if this Jim/Justin mutual appreciation has been done to fill this gap.
Good thinking, Miriam! Also, Jim no longer has Jazzer as a regular conversational partner so needs a replacement if he is not to be limited to Alastair. I suspect they will recast Robert like they recast Tony.
DeleteCome to that, we have not heard from Lynda for a long time either.
DeleteMaybe L & R had a SL in the pipeline and the actors sad passing required covering hence red wine on the carpet episode following Erik’s odd intro……
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJennifer is certainly keeping in touch! I used to think it would be Brian who would have a heart attack and leave us but it seems we are being primed forJenny, at least Lilian will be with her.
ReplyDeleteKirsty Urrrh, I’m no prude but casual sex would be a no no for me but then it is a way of life for many now it seems.
Yes Helen you’re right Lee has been good to you but now he might want something similar from you it’s back off time. Aounds like Nollytando (?) is about to descend on Ambridge to bulk out the future generations.
I agree Lady R, Helen says Lee is so good with the boys, who have no fathers, that's how she arranged it, so why can't she take on his daughters?
DeleteAlso, I didn't think that Noluthando might come back, but it's possible. Last time she introduced Freddie to magic mushrooms, ended up in A & E and it mushroomed on from there...
That’s the nearest thing to criticism of Kirsty’s behaviour that I’ve come across, Lady R. I was surprised there wasn’t more, given the slating Hannah got from bloggers when she behaved in the same way. But for Kirsty to fall for a 62 year old playboy simply because he’s good looking doesn’t say much for Ambridge’s available males (eg. Rex and Roy.). Danger of repercussions, no doubt. Fingers crossed there!
DeleteOh goodness, hope you are not predicting another pregnancy for Kirsty!!
DeleteI think she was just in need of a bit of physical comfort and saw Erik as a non-serious, no strings attached partner for a night or two. No harm in that I suppose.
I was thinking more of emotional/social complications, isn’t Kirsty unable to have children now? I don’t want to lose Kate to South Africa again as she is one of my favourite characters, besides she needs to be around should anything disturbing happen in the Aldridge family...... I’ve always understood she is in regular contact with her two children there and the fact Noli is confiding in her bears that out.
DeletePersonally I am hoping Kate goes down to South Africa to confort Nolitando (sp?) rather than her come to Ambridge. And while she is there she could try giving her other child/children a wave.
ReplyDeleteLast night I managed to catch up on a week's worth of listening!
ReplyDeleteIt strikes me Brian is being extra careful about money, hence his determination to rein in Stella. Is it 'just' the general cost of living increase we're all facing, or is there an additional squeeze on his cash he's keeping quiet about? (Jenny's upcoming move to an expensive nursing home, perhaps? Or a hitherto unmentionned extra lovechild?)
I do hope that Lee calms down soon and manages to have a proper discussion with his ex about how shared access to their two girls might be amicably arranged if the move to California does happen.I agree that Helen should be prepared to back Lee’s claims,but she has just had the news sprung on her.In spite of all Tony’s attempts to reassure Lee in his proposed fight for custody,I think there will be a legal tussle ahead.
ReplyDeleteI am very disappointed in Helen’s attitude to Lee and his wanting his daughters to stay in this country and possibly live with them.
ReplyDeleteHas she forgotten how she felt when Rob was trying to get custody of her boys, even to the extent of trying to kidnap them?l
I am afraid that as usual with Helen, it’s a case of Me, Me, Me. How arrangement will affect her and her peace of mind.
I am thinking along the same lines, in that Helen doesn't like, or want to compromise, if it doesn't suit her.
DeleteLee was lucky to get Helen’s offer of a home when he was at a loose end after. his marriage breakup, and one which, as she said at the time, had enough bedrooms for his daughters to come for holidays. I thoroughly sympathise with Helen over her fear about herself failing to cope with 4 children and full time job (plus a partner who’s not much better than a boy himself at times, though I doubt she would acknowledge this). She knows she has had stress-related episodes in the past and understandably doesn’t want to inflict a recurrence on her family.
ReplyDeleteChanging subject, it’s the absolutely brilliant Happy Valley tonight - I don’t watch very much tv, and especially not police procedural, but this is so good. If only Sally Wainwright still wrote for TA!
I am getting used to you always disagreeing with my posts and putting a different view.
DeleteBut I suppose that’s what forums are for, differing opinions.
Would be nice if, just once, you might agree with me though! 😉
I thought that Lee moved in with Helen, as the next progression in their then blossoming relationship, not as a "needs must" scenario. I thought that Lee had his own flat at the time, where Helen often stayed over.
DeleteI too thought as Miriam has described.
DeleteI understood that Helen and Lee had made a joint decision to move in together, and I don’t remember any practical reasons contributing to that decision.
Lee fell on his feet when Helen invited him to move in with her and the boys, and he could move out of his poky and unprepossessing little flat into the roomy house on the upmarket Beechwood estate that Helen is renting from Kirsty. His financial contribution (if any) has never been mentioned.
DeleteI am in the thought process, like some others but not all, that Helen is being self centred as to Lee's daughters living with them. Granted she had problems with Annette, on which she is basing her problens in regard to teenage daughters.
ReplyDeleteIf Lee is her true soul mate, then she would be more understanding and look at ways of sorting things, to suit all IF things change.
At the moment though, nothing has been determined as to where the daughters will live, nor likely to be for quite a while, yet Helen is already determined that it is her way or nothing...
Exit Lee - is how I view this.
PS Doesn't the house have 4 bedrooms?
Being a step parent is very difficult and still nowadays the female in a partnership is expected to play the biggest part. There is a big difference in having the girls for weekends and holidays etc and having them full time. Helen has her hands full as it is and for once I am on her side!
ReplyDeleteI can see both sides of this equation.
DeleteI have never been in the position that Helen seems to be in at the moment, but I can imagine how daunting the prospect might be, and can sympathise with her.
I can also understand how Lee must be feeling at the prospect of his daughters living on the other side of the world.
I have had to watch my two daughters since when in their early teenage years they had to say goodbye to their father who chose to go to live with his wife in Australia. Their reality has been seeing their father once every few years for a few weeks and rarely being able to have quality one to one time with him.
They were last year able to spend his eightieth birthday with him just a few weeks before he died.
I am very aware of how much anger and disappointment they feel at not having had the frequency of close contact most have within the family circle, and that they work very hard to keep from me.
I doubt that Lee has grappled with any of these feelings yet, but his instincts must be fear of the disruption to him and his daughters should they go to live in America with their mother.
I know speculation is very frowned upon and not welcome, well apart from Jenny's demise that is, which I won't believe until I hear it.
ReplyDeleteI think Stella will resign and walk out...just an idea of mine.
I believe it now 😪
DeleteOh well, it's done. How did you know? I didn't until a big reveal before the broadcast.
ReplyDeleteAnd what annoyed me, was letting Kate go on about her surprise trip which will now not take place.
And as usual in the Archers at meal time.
In the tag line, also repeated by the continuity announcer, Adam in the kitchen before some shocking news, what else? At least Brian had something to eat and who's looking after Martha and Xander? Perhaps Ian got back from the match in time.
DeleteKnowing it was on the cards, I listened, unusually, on a Sunday.
The one thing that saddens me is that Angela Piper is no longer able to carry on and possibly not well.
Not a total surprise to me in view of the speculation I have read in various forums, but still shocking in the abruptness. Can’t help feeling that the ambulance was very quick…..
ReplyDeleteIt does open up some interesting dramatic scenarios, maybe they will have Lynda newly widowed and looking for comfort…. Actually I think Robert will be recast
I'm very relieved that the TA team got it over quickly and didn't attempt a cliffhanger - which wouldn't have worked, given so many listeners were already anticipating the outcome. . The coming week will probably be largely taken up with the ramifications.....
ReplyDeleteI have less than 15 minutes before "Happy Valley"
ReplyDeleteAfter not listening to "The Archers " for so long I was surprised to get a phone call from a friend telling me there had been a death.
I did listen on BBC Sounds and heard what had happened.
Archerphile, why did you see that coming
I found the rest of the episode very boring.I phoned my sister who is cross with me and said that we can't have a death in the programme every episode just to make it more interesting!)
LanJan, I imagine the 'boring bit' would have been the serious discussion between Justin and Brian about the future of farming that so many have clamoured for for so long.
DeleteSpicycushion,I think I should have written "fewer than 15minutes."
ReplyDeleteNow for "Happy Valley".
Interesting one Lanjan, I would like to know the answer. Apparently if something is countable it should be "fewer than" but if it refers to an amount it can be "less than", and the 15 minutes could be either, so a bit puzzling.
DeleteNot a surprise to me at all. This event has been very well flagged up over the past week or two, as well as knowing of the actress’s absence over the past few months. All the comments from Lilian about how she should spend more time with her sister, and various comments from Brian.
ReplyDeleteAnd I too, am glad the event was not dragged out for weeks or months. Other events concerning Brian, Stella, Home Farm etc can now be resolved more quickly than had Jenny been hospitalised for a long time, or needing expensive care.
Weil it was as though I had written tonight’s script. We knew it was coming and tonight’s tagline confirmed it for me. So Kate will not be going to SA but Nelly will be coming here as I originally thought.
ReplyDeleteNow need to know of Angela Pipers official retirement as she was the second longest serving after June Spencer so now it is Paddy Greene. Someone called Angela Piper died last Summer but the message she left and asked her husband to post after her passing did not point to our Angela nor the picture and I’m sure TA would have made an announcement had that been the case. I just hope Angela is well and enjoying a well earned retirement in her 80’s. I don’t think we will see the likes of June Spencer again still in a role at 102/3?
Will we hear Peggy speak at her daughter’s funeral?
ReplyDeleteHow will poor Ruairi feel, having lost a second mother?
Will Brian crumble and retire completely, leaving Stella in sole charge?
Will there be a re-vamped stained glass window?
Will Phoebe come home from Scotland?
So many questions after such a momentous event in Ambridge
Also will we hear Debbie? I do hope so.
DeleteI was wondering what will happen regarding the window
The other possible source of conflict is whether Brian will try to redistribute the estate now Jenny isn’t there to fight her children’s corner?
I read on the net late late evening that it is believed that Angela Piper has had a stroke but unless she is happy to confirm this we will not know for sure. If so I hope she is recovering and can understand why she was unable to continue with her role or even make a final appearance.
ReplyDeleteCharles has now lost his radio wife and his real wife from TA, but of course still has Judy B at home 🤗 will Brian now disappear into the ether……
The Archers FB page I read asked people not to speculate on Angela Pipers condition because nothing official has been announced. But I also saw someone saying she had had a stroke. How she knew this I don’t know..
DeleteQuite 🤞🏼the news is good.
DeleteI think that a lot of Chinese Whispers are going on about Angela Piper. What started out as a rumour now has dramatically snowballed, so seems real...but is it.
DeleteI am not yet convinced, until I read something from a reliable source.
The American actress also called Angela Piper died of cancer last year. Her husband is called Neale.
ReplyDeleteThat’s what I saw Sarnia gave me a jolt at first though just seeing the name!
DeleteReally stupid to have Stella go on about the drill.
ReplyDeleteA couple of times it was announced on radio 4 about the sad events in Ambridge, as if we were supposed to be in mourning, they don't do that when one of the cast dies, it's in the news bulletin of course.
I'm sad Jenny has gone. I liked her and her kitchen and her cooking, and felt sad when she lost that wonderful kitchen. I hope Angela Piper recovers enough to enjoy life again. I saw her and Brian in a very amusing skit in the radio tent at the Royal Cornwall Show years ago, and was impressed by their acting ability and the way they played off each other.
ReplyDeleteMy comment on Monday’s episode is I’m afraid on the other blog 🫢👻
ReplyDeleteI hope you don’t mind LadyR I’ve copied your post here as it is very pertinent, it is still on the other thread as well
ReplyDeleteLady RJanuary 24, 2023 at 12:45 AM
Why oh why won’t many people give a bereaved person time to themselves if that’s want they want or need to take in their loss in their own way, because of course they feel they can’t cope without us when mostly it’s the other way around. Be there when the need comes from that person be it day or night and maybe more so after the funeral and real life has to slowly be resumed. Many of you (unfortunately) more qualified than me to comment but also something many - as with Brian will have to face, depending of course as age doesn’t always dictate how such things actually pan out. Also this applies to all close and special relationships.
I thought last night’s episode was well written and acted. to me it captured the shock and awkwardness that people feel after a death. I was dabbing my eyes & blowing my nose throughout.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite remarkable to think that almost an entire life span has been recorded within the show.
I too was impressed by the very natural awkwardness evident across last nights episode and the interactions of support and care towards Ruari in his absence by his siblings.
DeleteNevertheless aware that a surprise visit from Alice and Chris is likely to bring into place, Ambridge, Ruari’s chosen life style.
I agree too with Lady R’s plea to understanding those who need to process their grief and shock in their own time without imput of sympathy from others.
I feel the loss of Jennifer on a personal level. We are the same age and sort of grew up together via the radio. I didn’t share her teenage problems but empathised with her when thé village gossip started as she became an ‘unmarried mother’, as they they we’re called in those days. Shock horror! I knew exactly how my parents would have reacted, so Jennifer’s plight was an exemplary warning.
ReplyDeleteWe have very similar accents and of course, both love cooking and both went on to marry farmers, though my farmer is nowhere near as well off as Brian!!
So her sudden death has hit me hard, made me think about putting affairs in order and appreciate the life I have.
But your farmer Archerphile was much better looking than Brian, in their younger days.
DeleteI do not feel emotionally involved with any of it as real life is overwhelming.
I wonder what Chris and Alice are going to discover in London, otherwise, why would the scriptwriters send them there in the age of digital communications.
It could well be my imagination but it seemed to me there was something more than simple reassurance in Stella’s voice when she said, more to herself than Brian, to herself, “I’ll take care of the farm”. I wonder if she and Debbie will see eye to eye, it’s unlikely Debbie would come over and not talk to Stella at some point during her visit.
ReplyDeleteThat’s an interesting point. I wonder if Debbie’s alter ego will be able to put in a few performances, a funeral would seem unrealistic without her.
DeleteAnd yes, I though Stella sounded in a contemplative mood when speaking to Brian.
She probably feels justified now in going ahead with ordering the new equipment and can get on managing the farm without Brian’s interference. Debbie might be a different matter though.
I would so love the brilliant Tamsin Greg, to reprise her role of Debbie again, be it for a short term.
DeleteI have always loved her dulcit voice.
I think Alice + Chris going to find Riuairi, who will then have to break the very sad news, face-to-face, is a good SL. with whatever happens.
ReplyDeleteKate sounded quite nice tonight, not her usual snooty self. Also, she did have this conversation with Jennifer who told her she admired her for taking a stance, hence the photograph. She told Kate she'd had plans but life got in the way... Also, that people would be saying here goes Kate Aldridge, just like her mother and that she didn't want to feel like an old gran.
ReplyDeleteParanoid Ruairi more concerned about his reputation than his family, swear on your life, idiot and telling Chris he was longer a part of the family as Martha's father, a very unpleasant person.
Stella didn't sound contemplative but determined, she can't spend the farm's money without authorisation, another unpleasant person.
I have felt over the last few weeks that Kate has matured a bit, I suspect that she actually wants a comfortable settled life with Jakob, I still find her irritating & self centred but she does seem to growing up at last
ReplyDeleteDebbie was actively involved in Stella’s appointment & I hope they would get on. now there’s a possible plot line, Debbie & Stell get married 7 manage the farm together, but I think Tamsin Greig is too busy unfortunately.
Ruairi was particularly unpleasant this evening although I will cut him some slack as he is in shock, JulieAnn seemed very cold
Sorry about Ned and Ness cheekily invading my post, they should of course be need and clear headedness!
ReplyDeleteWhich post was that, Maryellen?
ReplyDeleteIt’s mysteriously disappeared - again! Perhaps I’lltry sending from my laptop instead of aging iPad.
DeleteMy post published then disappeared again. No rude words and nothing inflammatory, just a couple of comments on Rory's retaliation with the hurtful words Alice used to him (You're not part of this family) and on Juliann'e's unsentimental common sense - so no great loss either!
ReplyDeleteIt would make more sense if my follow up comments soon afterwards didn't publish normally......
DeleteThat happened to me too, a while back. Thought I must have used a Google-forbidden word but even when I rephrased the comment it wouldn’t stay published.
DeleteWonder how long it will be before Julianne is on the phone ordering Ruairi back to his duties in London?
ReplyDeleteWhen Brian was in hospital, once it was established he was not in danger Julianne insisted Ruairi came back and he did. Yesterday he was hesitant about leaving his "job" to someone else but she was practical, pack your bag and go, I'll find a replacement easily. All this has nothing to do with her.
ReplyDeleteChris "no longer a family member" is not bound by secrecy and he didn't "swear on his life".
Ah good point Basia. Are we to assume that chips down Ruairi is ashamed of how he is funding his flash lifestyle or maybe terrified of losing it if exposed to family and dropped by Julianne 🤔
DeleteWeirder and weirder! I've just tried to post again about Julianne and it's been published then disappeared!
ReplyDeleteSo that post was allowed - maybe it's the ones saying I can.t help admiring her that Blogger doesn't like....
DeleteI have found this ‘not published’ problem, then discovered that if I refreshed the page that my post was there, published after all.
DeleteMaryellen, for some reason I can see your posts on my Blogger acccount page so I havw taken the liberty of bringing them back below
ReplyDeleteA deft touch by the scriptwriters - Rory threw back the hurtful words Alice had thrown at him (You’re not part of this family) when her tongue was loosened by drink and his by shock. And by making Chris the outsider he reasserted his own place in the family. As for Julianne’s pragmatic approach, that woman is the embodiment of unsentimental common sense. Common sense that Rory should be with his family and common sense that she should hire another escort, one who is up to the job, isn’t going to go to pieces and won’t need consoling.
I can't help admiring Julianne for her clear headedness, decisiveness and unsentimental common sense. It was common sense for Rory to be with his family and for Alice and Chris to drive him there, and common sense for her to hire a replacement escort (and one who wouldn't need his tears dried). She is always straightfoward, including the terms of the hire arrangement - as she has made clear to Rory, either of them can cancel if they decide not to pursue it. The sex is outside the arrangement, so not a monetary transaction, and it seems to me she is doing exactly the same as Kirsty and Hannah - taking her pleasure where she finds it, with no strings attached. Having said all that, I wouldn't find her a congenial companion. Our lifestyle s are too different!
Thanks very much, KP! As you saw I had several tries and hope they weren't clogging up your administrator's page. If it happens again, I'll just leave it - or appeal to you - and maybe other posters who have the same problem with a post they've spent time on, could appeal to you too??
DeleteYes, Julianne is a clear-headed, superlative business woman. Super organised and efficient.
ReplyDeleteBut does she have any heart?
Good point, Archerphile! Maybe she has a tragic back story which explains her detached approach.
DeleteWhen Natasha entered Tom's life Hannah did admit that perhaps she had some feelings for him and was not unaffected. It was Natasha who in a business like manner said that if it was finished between them than she didn't mind.
ReplyDeleteSince they started having sex Julianne gave Ruairi a bonus and offered a trip to Portugal.
As I said before, I call it prostitution and do not admire her for enticing young men into sex work.
Ruairi clearly feels very uncomfortable about his set up.
Phew! That was a hard hitting episode. Some brilliant acting, a good script and several revelations.
ReplyDeleteFamilies eh!
Enter Debbie, stage left, bearing non-toxic olive oil to pour on troubled waters ...
ReplyDeleteThe Good Fairy enters stage right. Stage left is reserved for the Demon KIng (or Herod in the mystery plays from which the tradition is thought to derive).
DeleteAh, sorry Debbie, no aspersions intended!
DeleteI can understand Jennifer's reluctance for open heart surgery, a neighbour of the same age didn't survive. I can understand why she kept it from her children.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the condescending Ruairi got back "home", he came with Alice and Chris, so was Julianne waiting outside?
As far as I understood it, Ruairi came home in Chris & Alices’ car and Julianne stayed behind in London because she had an event to go to, which Ruairi was supposed to accompany her to. She said she was going to get a replacement for him. She didn’t want Ruairi mucking things up by crying or something!! Lovely woman.
DeleteMy views on the last few episodes is summed up in one word - Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThese must have taken a lot of planning, not only as to the S/L as to how to write Jenny out along with the now known "secret" as to her health, but to get all the Aldridges together, along with Tony, Pat and Lillian.
Just a shame there wasn't a cameo appeaarance by Debbie.
I so appreciated this.
To continue:-
DeleteWhatever the reaction to the actual S/L, what was realistic to me, was the family together with their Dad asking questions, as to why and what if, to try and process and understand Jenny's sad loss.
I would like to thank everyone for your good wishes for my operation. All went well with the surgery, now for the recovery process 😒
ReplyDeleteYou will smash it, as you know what and how to do it. Take Care.
DeleteAm with you in spirit CC and encouraging you all the way back to total mobility.
DeleteKeep up the exercises!
Well done CC for letting us know.
DeleteWill be thinking of you in the coming hours and days.
Cheshire Cheese - put the best foot forward and a Cheshire cat smile.
DeleteGlad everything went well! 💐
DeleteI felt very connected to last nights episode.
ReplyDeleteI am determined to take the same line as Jennifer should I have a similar diagnosis.
I would not accept any form of treatment but would ask for palliative care.
I would hope to be given a time line and I would keep that to myself until the final few weeks. Although of course in the case of heart failure that may not be possible.
The sudden bickering that came about was unpleasant to hear, but although the participants became nasty I am inclined to think that was as a result of the shock of losing their mother in such a dramatic manner.
Brian has been carrying a huge burden in keeping Jennifer’s wishes to himself alone and I for one am prepared to give him some slack.
But like others I heard the opportunity to have some power in Stella’s voice when reassuring Brian that she would look after the farm.
...and I now understand Brian's reaction, as to investing in expensive farm equipment. It now makes sense.
DeleteStella has been given a carte blanche by Adam to buy her expensive new drill, Brian will hardly care.
ReplyDeleteI find Ruairi nauseating, at least now there'll be no cosy chats with Jennifer which I found outrageous.
He chose Julianne over all of them, Christmas, when Brian was taken ill, go, go, I won't miss you.
Interesting to hear that we ( we who did the following) were perhaps unfair in thinking that Stella would be relishing the power of managing the farm without interference from Brian. Visiting Ruth to bolster her confidence was surely the opposite of what some of us expected.
ReplyDeleteHowever I felt that Adam was too hasty in pressuring her to go ahead without allowing Stella to fully explain Brian’s caution.
Is this the S/W ploy to finish off Home Farm by going completely broke with Brian unable to put any hope or energy into the future ?
Oh dear, 'Horse' and 'Stable Door', Brian.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI hate it when TA gets shouty and I’m afraid there will be more to come when the contents of the will are known. I can well understand why Ruairi wants to get away from them all and return to his more rewarding life with mother-substitute Julianne.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t listened to the archers since last summer. Didn’t miss it. After Lanjan told me on Monday about Jennifer I’m back in the fold. I’m sorry about Jennifer, always liked her.
ReplyDeleteThought the way Brian opened up to David was really good.
I shall be back to reading this blog everyday and hope to catch up with everything asap.
It will be lovely to have your comments PtbY. I’m sure they will be interesting and perhaps give a different take on events.
Delete