Life in Ambridge
From the days of the Home Service
Life in Ambridge
Following todays news
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Life in Ambridge
Starter kit for Ed & Emma
Life in Ambridge
Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
MiriamFebruary 12, 2023 at 4:35 PM
ReplyDeleteTo me, the omnibus this morning showed the many characters in differing ways, far more so than I realised in the nightly episodes.
There was grief:- Kate going OTT/hyper as to her farming abilities, Adam finally realising his loss, Ruairi going from bad, to good, to ugly..
The lynch pin at the moment, seems to be Alice, but I doubt that she can continue in the same way for much longer...
But there were also some lovely moments, with Freddie wanting more at LL, Lizzie + David enjoying time together, Joy in the shop with Susan actually apologising...
It was very well balanced, along with good writing and some wonderful acting, from particularly Adam, Kate, Alice, Julieanne + Ruairi.
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ArcherphileFebruary 12, 2023 at 10:17 PM
I agrée Miriam, that the omnibus puts nightly episodes into a better context.
For about 55 years I never listened to nightly/lunchtime episode and only kept up with TA via the Omnibus every Sunday.
But since I’ve had a little iPod, I have been able to listen to the daily episode in be
bed, before going to sleep. I still find it surprising how much I miss, or mishear daily that becomes clear in the omnibus.
ReplyDeleteDELETE
Sarnia February 12, 2023 at 6:05 PM
Yes, Miriam, you often point out that individual episodes make more sense when heard in context with the others. I heard it this morning, but am usually at work, so rarely get the opportunity.
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maryellenFebruary 13, 2023 at 12:56 AM
What does it say about the scriptwriters if individual episodes don’t make sense at a single listening?
I’m wondering how Noli’s visit will go down at Lower Loxley. She didn’t include Freddie in the relatives she mentioned. As far as we know, Kate and Elizabeth haven’t spoken since the magic mushroom episode on her last visit.m
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Sarnia February 13, 2023 at 10:04 AM
Maryellen, I've been thinking about this, and I'm not sure that any one day in anyone's life is ever complete in itself. Surely there are always tasks unfinished and conversations that didn't take place because someone was out when you rang or hasn't replied to an email.
There's always going to be more tomorrow, isn't there?
BasiaFebruary 13, 2023 at 10:25 AM
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to the omnibus and from what I remember when I did is that they edit it to 75 mins or less, the 6 daily episodes total 78.
I'm not much interested in this prolonged grieving in many forms as it will not fade. I certainly won't listen to the funeral and afterwards. At Ruairi's age I lived alone with my younger sister. It didn't occur to me to exchange sexual favours for money, I had my student grant.
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JaniceFebruary 13, 2023 at 12:23 PM
I understood that the money was paid in return for Rhuari accompanying Julieanne to her business networking events, helping her socialise, make conversation with the partners of other business people, and to generally "read" the crowd to pave the way for her. If acting as a personal assistant then I think it was quite right for him to be paid. I wouldn't class that as prostitution. I remember Julieanne saying something to him along the lines that sex was separate from the deal and presumably that was something they both wanted to do, although she obviously didn't expect him to become emotionally attached to her. Hopefully she may have learnt something from this.
BasiaFebruary 13, 2023 at 1:55 PM
ReplyDeleteI call it sex work/prostitution like both the actors who spoke about it on radio 4, you may call it sex work said 'Ruairi', or prostitution said 'Julianne' and I had said before that this is what it is to me. Ben said the same. R's response was that he really liked her, because he spent time with her, the fine line had been crossed.
I am very uncomfortable with the R storyline and often stop listening, though I think he is accurate in saying that J accepted him because she had to, ie to keep her marriage.
To me this is absurd fiction.
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Sarnia February 13, 2023 at 10:44 AM
It does gradually fade, Basia, but only if you are able to face it and accept it, which is painful at the time and therefore not everyone's choice.
Ignoring or burying grief seems easier at the time but doesn't always work in the long term.
This observation is from professional as well as personal experience.
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ReplyDeleteAmbridgesMrsPFebruary 13, 2023 at 12:43 PM
I would say that the pain of loss does indeed fade and is helped to do so if there is closure.
All of the family were in close touch with Jennifer as they lived close by, with the exception of Ruari.
Ruari is suffering and will possibly continue to do so as he is acutely aware that he deliberately chose to stay away from home and to prioritise his time with Julianne instead.
I feel that his primary problem is his inability to process his guilt which he has verbalised but not yet internalised. Perhaps Ben or Alice will be able to help him in this.
Perhaps even Brian who seems to be very angry at the moment.
Brian did verbalise his guilt regarding his treatment of Jennifer throughout their marriage and I suspect is processing that guilt, hence the anger.
We will have to wait and see how the SWs will handle all of these emotions in each of the characters. At the moment they are doing very well in their explorations of a minefield within the Aldridge family in my opinion.
Goodness, that photo at the top of this new page is very familiar! I bet it has ‘Hilversum’ on the dial, ours did at home and I never found out where it was.
ReplyDeleteThe Netherlands, AP. Ours was an EKCO mains model, and I found out that if I turned the needle right to the end of the dial I could pick up messages from the emergency services. I had pages of notes re the activities of the Bembridge lifeboat, although in the 1950s I had no idea where Bembridge was.
ReplyDeleteBefore that we had a square blue wireless with yellow knobs and a thing called an accumulator, although nobody would explain what it accumulated.
To put an end to my previous comment about the omnibus - I am usually eating my meal or cooking whilst TA is on at 7.00pm. As such I can miss an odd sentence or action, here or there, which I pick up on, on a Sunday. Also something said or done, say on a Monday, can link to something on a Friday.
ReplyDeleteI will never mention the omnibus nor my thoughts about the week in Ambridge again, as it seems it is very repetative, not needed and it irritates others.
Comments promote discussion Miriam, perfectly healthy and normal 🤗
DeleteI will post on the other page though 😀
DeleteMiriam, your comments about the omnibus are often very illuminating, picking up points which the rest of us have missed.
DeleteFurthermore, the only way to avoid irritating anyone is to say nothing about anything to anyone. Ever!
Please don’t take it to heart, Miriam - your posts on Facebook get a lot of likes, and I’m sure it would be same here if Blogger provided the facility. Apart from using Omnibus to pick up on details missed when listening while multitasking, I
DeleteI take your point (rather belatedly) about storyline continuity. If an instalment of a storyline is broadcast on Monday, say, and the next instalment on Friday, it’s easier for a listener to carry it for an hour in between than for several days.
Perhaps I should apologise to the scriptwriters for indirectly casting aspersions on their episode construction skills. 🙂
I would miss your Sunday contribution Miriam if you were to stop.
DeleteI have always agreed with your insistence that you pick up more by listening to the omnibus and agree with what Maryellen says too, that it is more conducive towards carrying a storyline in one sitting rather than, as she says. From Monday to then pick up again on Friday.
I agreed with you about this because I used to listen to the Sunday Omnibus and drew the same conclusion as you, but cannot any longer listen due to my wayward sleeping patterns.
( although thinking about that now, I suppose I could always listen to it later in the day )
So MIRIAM please don’t give up.
Certainly didn’t irritate me Miriam, in fact I answered your post by agreeing with you and adding my own experience of listening to the Omnibus.
DeleteSo if you have irritated people (which I dispute), then so have I ! 😉
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteT❤️O❤️B❤️Y, T❤️O❤️B❤️Y, please be mine,
ReplyDeleteSay you’ll be my Valentine!
Of Ambridge men you’re far the best.
Other folk can have the rest,
Some are lovely, some are not,
Some are siimply best forgot,
But you’re a bright and shining star,
Now sadly twinkling from afar,
👏👏👏
ReplyDelete❤️👏❤️👏❤️👏. 😍
ReplyDeleteThree posts removed for mentioning the exchange between Justin and Julianne...
ReplyDeleteThat's very odd. Now it seems to be four.
DeletePerhaps KPnuts can rescue them for.you?
DeleteBasia commented on "Life in Ambridge"
Delete2 days ago
Escort, prostitution, Justin nearly said it.
maryellen commented on "Life in Ambridge"
Delete2 days ago
I agree with Janice’s analysts, and that Ruairi’ s job as an aide de camp to Julianne was in no way prostitution (it’s a shame the words escort and agency now have a perjorative meaning).
From Ruairi’s conversation with Alice before he went to Juliann, I half-got the impression that it was the material benefits of his subsequent sexual relationship with her that he was increasingly attached to, not Julianne herself. He seemed to be boasting that he was stringing Julianne along, by simulating an emotional attachment to her in order to keep her interest.
If so, he got it badly wrong ( or I have! ) Incidentally, I was always surprised that Ruairi fitted the job specification, personable, witty, charming, knowledgeable etc. Good-looking undoubtedly, but no signs of a great conversationalist or wit in the exchanges I’ve heard.
In Response to a comment by Basia
Archerphile commented on "Life in Ambridge"
DeleteYesterday
So Justin has found out about Ruairi’s job as a paid escort.
.I wonder what he is going to do with that bit of information?
Janice commented on "Life in Ambridge"
Delete15 hours ago
I was puzzled that Justin seemed shocked when Julianne said that Rhuari was an escort because when previously he met them at a business event he said to Rhuari that he had done exactly the same when he was young. I am wondering if Justin regarded deliberately targeting older established women who could help with forwarding his career as somehow morally better than Rhuari who was being paid cash.
Thanks, KP! (I read that FB recently took down a TA-related account because of threats of violence - burning at the stake on the village green was mentioned - and FB can’t distinguish between real and fictional characters! Or a joke from a non- joke - which can be difficult at the best of times!)
DeleteThanks KP.
DeleteI stand by what I said and call it by its name. Ben said it too, repeated by Ruairi in conversation with Alice.
As for what Janice says, yes, it seems that Justin thought exchange of favours in order to get on in the world was OK but not a cash transaction.
There may be a fine line but to me it's blurred...
To add, if any of the young men in my family were involved in such a set up as between Ruairi or Julianne (who in real life called it s/w and p) even without the cash I would strongly disapprove.
DeleteI thought Vince, in order to placate Elizabeth, had apologised to Brookfield and withdrawn his demand for immediate repayment of the loan. If that's the case, why do they still need to sell their precious land? The deal hasn't been finalised yet, and I assumed they'd called it off.
ReplyDeleteI only heard Vince “apologise” for upsetting Ben, & he laid on that he was upset on Beth’s behalf. I don’t recall any mention of the loan by Vince, but Kenton mentioned it briefly to Elizabeth so she was aware of this.
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DeleteSounds as if I over-interpreted Vince’s ‘apology! But, considering their angst over selling the land to raise funds for immediate repayment, plus Jill flouncing off to The Bull, Ruth and David do seem very relaxed about it now, and Vince doesn’t seem to be pressing.
DeleteThe cat will be out of the bag once Justin tells all he has discovered about Ruari and Julieanne to Lilian.
ReplyDeletebut IF any gossip starts spreading, will Ruairi then blame Alice, who vowed never to say anything and will keep her promise..🙀
DeleteCan't say I ever thought of Ruari as promising gigolo material - sounds too adolescent and naive.
DeleteThat sounded like quite a civilised party, have fun and get out before you get bored, exactly what I'd have done.
ReplyDeleteBlackmailing Justin.
ReplyDeleteNot quite sure what Will does nowadays on his rounds.
How perceptive of Will to realise that Brian needed something to do and someone outside the family to talk to. I think Will’s advice must have been very helpful to Brian ans showed Will’s understanding of the situation.
ReplyDeleteI'm appreciating the break from the Horrobins but beginning to worry about Clarrie's long silence.
ReplyDeleteThought Will was lovely with Brian last night. Told it how it is with no sugar coating.
ReplyDeleteI was pondering on the change in Will, from nasty angry Will to the gentle person he seems to be now.
ReplyDeleteNot a change in a character but a development of a character.
Well done to the TA team in this instance.
I read in the synopsis that Will was delivering veg boxes, for whom?
ReplyDeleteBridge Farm? Is the whole (nearly) of Ambridge working there now?
It looks like they took a handful of characters and put them in different places on the map.
I still don't understand Brian's connection with Brookfield as Stella who works for Home Farm often discusses matters with them and happens to live on their estate.
Talking of which, Jakob lives in Kate's cottage? so why was Chris letting it to him?
Oh well, I may find out or not...
It was Kate's cottage but she relinquished it at some stage, perhaps in exchange for land for Spiritual Home. It was recently given to Chris as part of the divorce settlement (I believe Brian originally suggested it as a sweetener when things were getting acrimonious). As it's right next door to the nest, it would have been easy for sharing care of Martha (but probably quite awkward living next door to your ex). Chris, however, preferred to stay above the village shop and rent out the cottage. Jakob came in as tenant, Kate came in to boss him around and arrange the cottage as she felt it ought to be ...
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ReplyDeleteWell done Will constructive but very kind advice and supportive attitude for Brian. I thought the episode earned both the SW and actors a ⭐️
ReplyDeleteThis is not an original comment, but relates to an idea that I have read elsewhere, relating to the Will + Brian chat, as to why and reading an explanation, which I had forgotten.
ReplyDeleteThis is that when Nic. died, as equally suddenly and tragically, what 5 years (?) ago, Will was the game-keeper at Home Farm. He had a close working relationship with both Brian + Jennifer with The Shoots.
Brian was very supportive of Will, and gave him a lot of support and help. Will, last night was just doing similar, based on his own experience and recipricatong the support he had.
Stupid Ruairi, but I never had time for him.
ReplyDeleteAlice will manage it I think.
Will is delivering for Bridge Farm, but that was an easy conclusion.
I once watched a series of a life on a country estate where the lady of the house had a coffin made which she placed at the foot of the marital bed, saying that it'd give her family time to get used to the idea of her resting in it later. Her husband looked on bemused. Not a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteJohn Donne, the 17th century poet and cleric (“No man is an island...”) famously slept in a coffin each night, wrapped in a shroud, to remind himself of his mortality.
DeleteMartha was very quiet tonight. Presumably she spends the day with Susan now Chris and Alice area both working.
I believe sailors used to be wrapped up in their hammocks if buried at sea. Higher ranking officers slept in suspended wooden cots which could double as their coffin. (Although, of course, Nelson preferred to get pickled.)
DeleteHate the use of the American “Casket”.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s wrong with a good old British “Coffin”?
There is a technical difference. They are different shapes. A coffin is tapered towards the feet, a casket is rectangular (and generally better quality).
DeleteI didn’t realise there was a technical difference, thanks for the info Maryellen. We chose a wicker coffin for my Mum, eco friendly & really pretty in conjunction with the family’s flowers. My funeral arrangements are along the lines of “ whatever makes the family feel better” they can put me in the compost as far as I’m concerned. I imagine Peggy and Kate would have conflicting views so Brian might have to make decisions to prevent conflict.
DeleteI really hope Alice doesn’t lose control, she has been so strong & compassionate recently.
I wonder if Alice or Brian know about the difference in shape. It’s just the word I object to not the dimensions!
DeleteThe funeral director's brochure should make it clear. I can see why Alice thought Brian would go for a casket. Obviously the difference is only important when you are choosing, which you buy, after that you can call it what you like. I like casket because it suggests something precious, and is an accurate description of its appearance, and coffin because it's traditional.
DeleteOwias, thank you for explaining the living arrangements of Chris and Alice.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, good for Martha but awkward living next door to each other.
Kate is therefore back in her own home, always seems to land on her feet...
Kate isn't actually living there, I believe she is still with Peggy at the Lodge. (Although Peggy must be due to decamp to The Laurels in the near future.) How often she stays over in the cottage (that is no longer hers but is rented by her boyfriend) has not been revealled.
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DeleteMaryellen, I’m interested to know what The Ambridge Reporter is and where to find it. It sounds very useful and interesting. Can you point me in the right direction please? 😀
DeleteSorry about the deletions. This is what I meant to say: The Ambridge Reporter has a list of Ambridge residential properties with their owners and who lives in them now. Home Farm Partnership owns two (?) cottages called The Rookeries: one of them is The Nest, lived in rent free by Alice, another is The Hobbit, lived in rent free by Kate, who let it out when she needed the income. The Hobbit is now owned by Chris who got it from the Partnership as part of Alice’s divorce settlement, and is renting it out to Jakob who happens to be Kate’s partner, because it suits him to stay over the shop.
DeleteI’lll post The Ambridge Reporter’s URL or you could google it.
https://ambridgereporter..org.uk
DeleteNeedless to say, it’s only as good as its contributors!
The way I remember it is that Brian gave/allocated the two holiday cottages to Kate and Alice - she said dad I accept, because he wasn't sure she would after his affair with Siobhan came to light.
ReplyDeleteKate let hers out to finance the spiritual home, tried to camp out at Adam's office and then went to live at the Lodge. How her cottage was given to Chris I don't know.
In case anyone is interested the Academic Archers conference in combo with Dumteedum has been confirmed for April 21st-23rd I went to Reading back in 2020 & it was fun, I’ve already booked for this year. Links can be found on the two group’s Facebook pages or google Academic Archers.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really do wonder if long lost Gary will be there?
DeleteI remember he gave a paper at the last one and we could watch online.
Is this the first one since the pandemic started?
DeleteIf so, then it is lovely to learn that this event is happening again.
What is Dumteedum - apart from the Archers tune?
Thank you MIRIAM for your reminder about Brian and Will and their mutual support when both became widowers.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten so your reminder was very helpful.
The sad thing to me, is that Will was so young and was just starting his forever life with Nic and Poppy, with his two step-kids and also with George
DeleteBrian has lost his true love, but age makes no difference to the feelings as to their loss.
I am very 🫰🫰for Alice, who I personally like and admire.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I have told my sister, no formal ceremony. A burial of some kind. I've left a playlist for a family gathering and they should say bad or not so bad things I hope, about me.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised Kate hasn't come up with more unconventional ideas, remembering Phoebe's christening ceremony on Lakey Hill.
ReplyDeleteI wasn’t expecting that from Brian.
ReplyDeleteI have experience of this.
My mother in law was living with her daughter SinL and granddaughter in Spain when she died. Her son was by that time living in Australia.
She had always hated funerals and requested no funeral for herself.
I do not know how her mortal body was disposed of.
I do know how my daughters, her granddaughters, felt about the lack of any ceremony to mark her death.
Their father, my ex husband died last year soon after his eightieth birthday which they were able to share with him ( albeit sitting around a park bench in Melbourne due to his wife’s over protectiveness and need to be in control) and they did know that their father was getting close to his end.
They did not know until after his death that there were no plans for a funeral and, like his mother he too was disposed of.
His wife and their son came to the UK some months later and there was a get together for friends and family.
My youngest daughter will not discuss any of this, my eldest says she felt utterly disconnected and ‘ very weird ‘.
I am seething deep inside for my daughters and for myself.
For myself I must keep my feelings inside, but am finding it very difficult to forgive his wife for denying his daughters any input regarding their fathers end, not even a conversation, they were told after the event ( or rather the non event ).
I feel sure the SW team have conceived this SL to create further drama into the Aldridge family and Ambridge, but I do wonder if this ‘ disposal ‘ rather than a funeral is becoming a common practice and TA is highlighting it to bring it to the attention of a wider audience by making a social comment.
Yes it is, Mrs P and I have received unsolicited literature from companies which encourage it. The service on offer is to 'tidy up' the aftermath of death to spare the family any distress, so they can just go away and have a lovely party and forget that anything upsetting has occurred.
ReplyDeleteI threw the first two away, but when the third mailshot arrived addressed to Mr S I rang up and read them the riot act.
In my view they are interfering with the natural process of grieving and by encouraging the bereaved to adopt an attitude of denial are storing up long-term grieving issues for the future.
My parting shot was that as my husband was already dead their literature was of no use to him.
I heard of one such occasion last year, my great nephews wife’s father was terminally which is why the wedding was brought forward and he made the journey from Wales with a carer and had a wonderful day. He died soon after and did not want anyone at the Cremation but there was a church service and this I have heard of before. Brian of course is in denial the situation not helped by the guilt of his affairs especially the one that produced Rurairi .
ReplyDeleteCertainly a completely non funeral is likely (as proven here) to lead to future problems for some family and close friends because of non closure. Another option is the funeral takes place but without Brian 🤔
William wanted to stay at home with Poppy but was persuaded to go to Nic's funeral because he might regret it (if that's correct). Let's see if it will be him who persuades Brian.
ReplyDeletePeople should be able to decide for themselves in such personal matters.
I don't know what closure means, when I die, perhaps, but even this is uncertain.
I don't think that there is ever true closure - it is just acceptance and then adaptation.
DeleteI entirely agree Miriam and for me personally a funeral does not help to accept and adapt.
DeleteWhat surprises me is that Alan has not been mentioned recently. He was though originally, by I think Adam, but perhaps this has now all changed.
ReplyDeleteBrian could do a funeral like the last one I attended. There was a short visit to the crem. for a quick farewell, attended only by those family members who wished to attend. Four hours later, there was a wonderful church memorial service, far from religious as such, but a great and uplifting, happy, celebration, of the deceased.
Dare I say it was fun, but at the same time, a true "Good-bye" happened..
I’ve been thinking the same regarding Alan!
DeleteThe funeral you attended sounds interesting Miriam the main thing is the next of kin does not feel pressurised by anyone else especially if specific instructions have not been left or discussed.
Also a funeral is not just for the family, but for also close friends
DeletePosted too soon...
Delete...but friends, be they close or mere aquaitances, neighbours etc.. All want and deserve be able to give that final farewell. A death affects so many more than just the immediate family.
In the case for Jennifer, I would think or should that be hope, that the majority of Ambridge residents would want a chance to do that.
Not relevant to discussion but can't resist adding it. My son who works online has just introduced me to an AI programme called Chat BGT. You can ask it questions and because it has access to all internet knowledge it comes up with surprisingly accurate answers. I asked it for a poem about the Archers and it came up with several verses ( not necessarily as good as Maryellen's but better than I could do! ) :
ReplyDeleteOut on the fields where the crops do grow, the sun is shining and the wind doth blow,
And on the airwaves, through the static and hum,
Comes the sound of the Archers, a farming radio programme.
Through the seasons, they bring us tales,
Of life on the land and its many travails,
From sowing and reaping to raising the stock,
They share their experiences with a voice that won't stop.
Plus 3 other verses, and produced in just a few seconds. Quite frightening really. Will humans become redundant eventually I wonder? 😣
I also asked if there would be a funeral for Jennifer and it told me that it doesn't have access to future events, but suggested that I listen to future episodes.
DeleteWhen asked who it thought was the nicest Archers character it said that as an AI language model it did not have personal opinions or emotions, but that some characters are generally perceived as being kind and friendly and suggested as examples Jennifer, Peggy, Tom and Jolene. It added though that the Archers characters are complex and multidimensional, and their behaviour can change depending on the circumstances.
Hmmm time for bed methinks before I fall down the rabbit hole. Nice to know though that even AI programmes are aware of the Archers.
Janice, please could you ask what it’s got in common with Shakespeare, Bert Fry and me? (Answer: we all like rhyming couplets. Though you wouldn’t find we.three mere humans rhyming hum with programme!)
DeleteJanice, I know of chat BGT from my sister and we both find it unnerving, I don't intend to try.
DeleteYes, well:
ReplyDeleteThere was an old man of Japan
Whose poetry just wouldn't scan;
When they said, 'Don't you see
It should go one, two three'
He said, 'Yes I know, but I always like to get as many words into the last line
As I possibly can'.
Nice one, Sarnia!
DeleteMethinks VerseBot needs a better role model!
DeleteThe nation cheers! Well done, Susan!
ReplyDeleteYes - Susan at her best !
DeleteWell done that woman.
Susan in her best mode tonight ⭐️ supporting Alice and giving Brian a solid reason for facing his worse nightmare which he now admits he needs to do as devastating and painful as it is going to be. Helen / Lee and the girls? I’ve no idea where this SL is going. Anyone? I have not read any previous comments yet as wanted to make my own first.
ReplyDeleteVery strange tonight. The BBC appear to have closed down their official Archers Facebook page saying they will no longer accept posts. We shall still be able listen to the Archers on Sounds
ReplyDelete(Getting thoroughly fed up with thier constant promotion of Sounds at every opportunity)
This news has amazed, greatly disappointed and annoyed the dozens of listeners who regularly post to the FB page. There are other pages dedicated to TA but this was the official BBC one. It’s just like the blogs closing all over again.
Didn't somebody on here say that there had been a number of unpleasant comments on Facebook? Perhaps the Nicola Bulley business is giving 'them upstairs' cold feet about encouraging it.
ReplyDeleteI heartily agree that Susan was a star last nighh to both Alice and Brian.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lookalike site called The Archers - Unofficial.
ReplyDeleteSusan cetainlly did a woderfulj job om brian! Great result!
ReplyDeleteOWIAS 17 Feb coments on burial at sea.
ReplyDeleteThat was certainy the method when i was in thr Andrew. A fresh suppiy of hammoks is kept (hammocks no longer usd as Saiord use bunks nowadays..tremais are sown int te hammock by the senior sail maker weighted ar rte feet a d with a stitch through the septum. His fee for this was a shilling in my time.
Solelm sevice full of respect andfinalised quickly to restre rotine.i hve not heard that it has been changed.
Hi Pierre, good to hear from you. Was the stitch through the septum used as a way of confirming death that has persisted as tradition do you think?
ReplyDeleteThe tradition may well have persisted - you know the Navy but i don't think it was initially to cofirm death of men fighting with cutlasses.
DeleteLast night's episode left us with a double cliff hanger - will (a) Lee go to San Francisco (I hope so), and (b) will Helen and her boys go with him (I doubt it). If he goes and and she doesn't, who will fill the gap in her life? The only unattached Ambridge male in her age bracket seems to by Adil (they started to bond over the proposed buffalo mozzarella project ) or possibly a resurrected Dr Locke.
ReplyDeleteInteresting possibilities.
DeletePersonally I hope Lee and his girls go to the States and Helen, Henwy and Jack go with them. I can’t be bothered waiting for those two to grow old enough to be given voices, like Ben did.
Lee has served his purpose, to show that Helen could have a relationship after Rob.
DeleteHelen, might be realising realise that she prefers to live her own with just the boys.
Kirsty is being similar at the moment, after Wren and Philip, but I would love to hear Kirsty find a life-long partner.
As much as I was hooked on the Rob/Helen story and all that it involved, I now find her a rather boring/beige character. She hasn't really to taken to Joy as a neighbour wasn't keen on the hot tub (though did enjoy it), and now that Lee is focusing on his daughters rather than her, Henry + Jack, she is being a bit pandantic in her own way.
DeleteThat's two of us disappointed, Archerphile. Bother Tony and his words of wisdom!
DeleteI'm another one disappointed! I saw two possibilites.
ReplyDelete1. Lee goes, Helen does her angst thing forever.
2.Lee stays Helen can continue to be boring.
Drat Tony!!!
I was hoping they would all go to America and we’d get rid of weedy Helen and whining Henry.
ReplyDeleteSo that’s that SL wrapped up - Lee is staying!! I think Kirsty and Roy’s dilemma may take a little longer. Easy to see both sides of it though…
ReplyDeleteI think last night’s two-scenario episode was one of those ‘compare and contrast’ episodes that the scriptwriters are so.fond of. In this case, it was unselfish Helen contrasted with selfish Kirsty, I liked Brian’s reference to the generous portions in Joy’s food parcels (apropos of the shepherd’s pie which had evidently come from her). It was typical of her practical kindness, I felt.
ReplyDeleteLittle comment on TA these days! Are we all fed up with it or is there just nothing interesting to discuss?
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that struck me last night was the fact that Lilian is still very bitter about Tony’s not telling her about Jennifer’s health. How long is she going to keep up the acrimony? It is very unattractive to hear.
To me it is where TA is up to in the current S/L's. The Aldridge saga is now in limbo waiting for Jenny's funeral, Lee's girls living in San Francisco is now concluded, so there doesn't seem much very interesting to focus on.
DeleteWe will have Lynda as the B+B guest, which should provide a light-hearted intetlude.
I am now waiting for the GG revamp to become prominent again and the child modelling idea to take off.
No, AP, I'm not fed up with it at all, in fact now the daily episode had worked its way back into my daily life via my phone it's something I quite look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI must confess that I don't really understand the general dissatisfaction: what is it that you all want and expect but do not find?
👍👍 Sarnia
DeleteI am enjoying it as much as always and loved hearing Adil again. He is a gentle-man of many depths, many still not surfaced.
DeleteCome to think of it, there have been no posts on the other either blog either. Could it be that our own 'continuing dramas' are equally unsatisfactory?
ReplyDeleteQuite probably Sarnia! It’s rather a nothing time of year for me, waiting for Spring to really spring properly.
DeleteBut I am happy with TA (apart from Lilian). I was just a bit surprised there have been so few posts.
Don't let her get to you, AP, everyone's demons are different.
ReplyDeleteSince coming back to the archers after Jenny’s death I am enjoying it again.
ReplyDeleteI feel for Brian. He’s a lost soul now his Jenny’s gone. It’s unfortunate that I now have a picture of David in my head of him in his long johns getting washed but that did provide an amusing interlude with Linda.
Aphantasia has its advantages : )
DeleteWill Lynda's damning report put them off the whole enterprise? I suspect they're looking at a different clientele than those who choose the ambiance of Ambridge Hall. Do people really complain about scented soap? I would have thought it would be a nice change from the anodyne little white slabs you normally yet. And if you have genuine problems with scent, wouldn't you tend to bring your own allergen-free stuff?
Methinks David and Ruth need to seek out another working farm with an attached B&B and see how they manage the practicalities.
They also need to contact the Ambridge Fairy about building an extra bathroom so David can spare the guests his long johns in the kitchen! Failing that, a lot of places seem to be using the pre-fab bathroom pods that can be retro-fitted into a small section of the existing room. Again, not as luxurous as Ambridge Hall (which probably has space for heaps of artfully feng suied Egyptian cotton towels in all its en suite bathrooms) but it would do the job. How big are the rooms at Brookfield?
How much dafter can Lynde get???
DeletePerhaps it would be a good idea for Brookfield BnB to apply to go on the Channel 4 show “Four in a Bed”. They would soon find out what is and is not acceptable, shared bathrooms are an absolute no-no these days. And Ben will have to check there are no hairs in the bed!
DeleteThey will have to get the pricing right according to the lack of facilities at Brookfield. Will it be worth their while?
DeleteHikers with dogs and muddy boots would probably feel completely at home. Not everyone is looking for the optimal experience.
ReplyDeleteThat's a point, in that guests dogs being welcome as well.
DeleteHave they actually researched their market? I don’t think Lynda is going to be their usual type of customer, but even so, private en-suite facilities are a must.
DeleteWe stayed in a farmhouse BnB in Deepest, Darkest Wales a few years ago where the wife only spoke Welsh and never served coffee, only tea. We had to buy a jar to give her so we could have it for breakfast. Even there (and it was pretty primitive) we had our own loo and washbasin.
How many 90+ year olds are baking sourdough for breakfast? Jill Archer, you're amazing! All the same, I think it's time you retired one of The Laurels ' apartments like Christine where you will get regular visits from Ben, your favourite relative who is working shifts there, and of course from the ever-attentive Leonard. Alternatively, or as well, Ben could go back to The Stables with Josh as originally planned. Either way, it would free up 2-3 rooms at Brookfield for Pip and Rosie, leaving Rickyard Cottage to become a self-catering holiday let. All problems, actual and potential, now solved.
DeleteI'll send R & D the invoice for my consultancy fee.
Perfect solution.
DeleteThey need you on the scriptwriting team ME! A much more sensible idea that the one they are playing out.
DeleteTotaiiy agree with AP!
DeleteI also thought about Jill making the bread at her age, 93yrs.
DeleteI loved Innis/Lynda doing her test stay and the humour it provided, well for some listeners, like me.
ReplyDeleteMost surprisingly, was that Ben et al. passed her test, and should do well. Ben now has something to really focus on, giving him a true sense of belonging at Brookfield and progressing.
I felt it was a welcome interlude and made me smile rather than weep...
The Stables being mentioned by maryellen got me wondering how Tom is managing to pay the rent now he hasn't got Ben and Beth's contribution. I also agree with her that it would make far more sense to rent out Rickyard.
ReplyDeleteJosh is now there on his own and solely responsible for the rent from the income from his egg empire, despite Avian 'flu and its many restrictions.
DeleteI made a similar comment on another Archers site I belong to and was reminded that Shula is only charging him a low rent, as she just wanted someone she knew and trusted, to live there and look after the property.
Me, I have no idea how Josh is now paying the rent as it sounds too good to be true.
Story on the mail online about bbc stopping archers fans commenting on Facebook page because people have been complaining about it being woke!!
ReplyDeleteGoing back to read the whole article now.
Such a silly expression. It seems to mean whatever people want it to mean.
ReplyDeleteI have to challenge you Sarnia on your ‘silly expression ‘.
DeleteThis week there was a programme describing the origins and history of Woke which apparently goes back to the 1930s. I did not listen to all of this programme but learned a great deal from what I heard.
Think it was Mathew Sayed on his programme - Sideways ?
Yes Mathew Sayed R4 The journey of a Word
DeleteDoes anybody know where exactly The Laurels is? It isn’t on the maps I found online. I’ve always thought of it vaguely as being ‘out of Ambridge’ but could well be wrong. (This.arose because I was idly thinking that if Jill went there, it wouldn’t mean goodbye to Brookfield. Leonard can run her back to the farm as often as she wants for a baking session, talking to her bees, or watching tv with Rosie, much like now. The main difference would be that she didn’t actually sleep at the farm. And of course, personal help is,on tap at the.Home as and when she needs it.)
ReplyDeleteMaryellen- I have looked on my 1986 published map ( David and Charles ) of Ambridge.
DeleteI’m afraid it does not show The Laurels, so I can confirm it is not on the outskirts of Ambridge.
Let’s hope someone knows more.
I always assumed it was on the outskirts of Borchester - the Ambridge side.
DeleteI’m not sure if it had been built in time for the 1986 map.
Thanks, both! I think it first swam into my consciousness when Marjorie Antrobus moved there in 2004 (-ish) and I don't think I've ever known when it began, if it was a private property before it became a care home, and who ran it then or runs it now, and what its official rating is. Maybe a storyline there at some point!
DeleteIt must be nearby, as Peggy visited Jack there very often, driven by Pat, Tony, Jenny and other family members. I would think it is just a short drive away.
DeleteI’ve been thinking about how long we have known of The Laurels.
DeleteYes, Marjorie Antrobus went there but I ‘think’ Aunt Laura - the NZ or Australian aunt also went to the Laurels. If so that predates M Antrobus.
My book says Laura was looked after in her final weeks by Colonel Freddie Danby who had been her paying guest at Ambridge Hall for many years. That was in 1985.
DeleteI wonder why so many people fall off ladders in Ambridge?
ReplyDeleteAbout Time thé SWs came up with a different idea for a minor accident.
That sounds a likely topic for a paper at the upcoming Academic Archers Conference! You could compare national v.local/rural v. urban/male v. female/short v. tall/young v. old, annual statistics for accidents involving ladders. How about it, AP?😀
DeleteGoodness, it hadn’t occurred to me that there could be so much to analyse in ladder falls!
DeleteAnd I could include a discussion on other forms of minor accident that could befall a farming community - like when Mr A lost the tip of his index finger in a grain auger!
A bit more realism in TA! 😄
OUCH!!!
DeleteI've still got my list of fatal accidents in TA - I'm thinking of offering it to The Ambridge Reporter. It's got a subsection on miraculous recoveries.
A minor and passing incident could go further. Think of Nic. and the photo frame of Joe's and how that ended. 😪
DeleteWhat happened to Nightingale Farm and who owns it now?
ReplyDeleteJust curiosity.
Something in the back of my mind thinks it was converted into flats - but that might be my "active" imagination playing tricks.
DeleteNot converted into flats like Holowtree was, but it did have an upstairs flat which Neil and Susan lived in after they married. When they moved out, the property was sold to Marjorie who rented the flat to Nigel.
DeleteThe BBC’s TA website says Matt Crawford lost Nightingale Farm when he was convicted of fraud, and the Ambridge Reporter says the current owner and occupier are unknown.
Maryellen that was all I could find also. I was just wondering if any-one knew anything else, which I hadn't found.
DeleteThe reason for asking is that it is on the outskirts of Ambridge, yet it is never kentioned.
There was some superb women performances last week:-
ReplyDeleteAlice - talking about her alcohol problem.
Susan - for understanding, comforting her, "as still family" and then telling all to Brian.
Lilian - when she finally broke down with Tony.
and by no means last,
Lynda/Innis - one word, Brilliant.
Correction. There were...
DeleteJasper Carrot is in the cast list for this week! His daughter of course played Hayley for 10yrs mid 90’s to mid 2000’s
ReplyDeleteWonder what sort of character he is going to play?
DeleteOoh ! So are we to get a new character or will he be just passing through.
DeleteWhich reminds me that we thought Lee might be a passing phase but he seems pretty embedded now, especially since Helen offered him his get out of jail card.
We havnt heard from Eddy Grundy for a while. Where has he gone to I wonder.
I think he is just passing through. Perhaps he is appearing this week, like "Innis" did last week, to bring a light-hearted interlude, before the funeral and to test an Archer!
DeleteMaryellen
ReplyDeleteThank you for your answer to my Aunt Laura point.
Now that you’ve given it….. yes I remember.
Maryellen
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know I have looked up the Ambridge Reporter and found lots of interesting topics.
Like a list of all the winners of the single Wicket Competition, which, sadly, hasn’t been held since 2019. Perhaps this year?
I haven’t actually signed in yet, but might as it looks like a jolly useful and interesting site and seems to avoid some of the pitfalls of Facebook. So thank you for the link.
It is a public site, so as such it can be read without signing in, which is only needed to post a comment.
DeleteThere are lots of interesting facts to be read, which I often do.
Sykesy is Jasper’s character- doesn’t help much not so far anyway 🙃
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting as to how and what his character will be portrayed. It is certainly getting us intrigued alteady.
DeleteKeri Davis us this weeks writer, so I expect great things 🤞🤞
Apologies for the mis-typing. I didn't check it before posting 😵
DeleteWell the new character seems to be a miserable old git so far.
DeleteMiriam, your hands have escaped!
ReplyDelete(I AM TEASING YOU)
I thought Sykesy was Vince at first and wondered how quickly he'd aged and become an inpatient at The Laurels! To my ears they really do sound very alike. 😳
ReplyDeleteI agree! I thought it was Vince too. What an unpleasant old man, it must be difficult to care for such a character in a care home. I thought Ben did remarkably well.
DeleteSame here. Because I’ve just come back after a break from the archers I assumed it was Vince. He seems to have disappeared. Thought Ben handled the situation admirably.
DeleteAP. I agree 100% as to Ben.
DeleteKnowing the actor about to be playing the new character was Jasper I recognised him immediately but since the remarks have come in pointing out a strong resemblance to Vince I have to agree!
DeleteI’m rarely moved emotionally by TA, probably because I’m too busy analysing what’s going on, but Kate’s grief last night almost had me choking up too. The care Home scenes seemed quite intrusive. Vince never crossed my mind. Maybe the comedian playing the obnoxious resident was deliberately imitating him?
ReplyDelete.
He sounded just like Jasper Carrot to me - his voice conjured up his face - but I must confess that I've never found him very funny and wouldn't go out of my way to encourage him.
ReplyDeleteBTW, while searching for something else I accidentally happened upon comments about the most recent series of Father Brown and the reactions could have been interchangeable with some of the ones I read on here:
I'm not going to watch any .
more now they've got rid of.......
They wouldn't have said/ done that in the 1950s, these young SWs are rubbish. Etc etc.
I
I wouldn't go out of my way to encounter him.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Ben working at The Laurels is being included for a reason.
ReplyDeleteIt might be a test for Ben to see if he still has the nursing vibe, or then not, with regard to his returning to his nursing career in September, hence the cantankerous character of William...or whatever his name was.
I predict Ben will have Sykes eating out of his hand before the month’s out. They’ll turn out to have sheep dogs in common.
DeleteI imagined Jasper Carrott thoroughly enjoying himself playing the cantankerous resident. Rather like going slightly OTT when doing role play on training days ( I am SO glad those are behind me)
ReplyDeleteMe too - but fun though!!!
DeleteI picked up on TA setting forth on another social issue, that of the care system and it’s inadequacies and in particular staff shortages.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree that this is also likely to be a test for Ben regarding his future as a nurse.
Jasper Carrott did not remind me of Vince or indeed of any other Ambridge resident past or present who might have hailed from the Black Country.
And Maryellen is probably spot on in her prediction.
I remember my daughter coming home from work and railing against a new member of staff, another young girl of around the same age as her.
I smiled to myself predicting silently that within a few months they would be the best of friends, and so it became.
Is it significant that William Sykes, the grumpy resident’s name, is remarkably. similar to Bill Sikes, the name of the psychopathic burglar in Oliver. Twist, who strangled himself with the rope securing him when he fell off a roof?? If.it emerges that Sykesy had a terrier called Bulls-Eye, we will be on to the scriptwriter’s little joke. (Yes, I know, I really should get out more! 🙂)
ReplyDeleteI could hear Jasper Carrot’s voice much more clearly last night during his chat with Ben. At first he had sounded like Vince to me.
ReplyDeleteFollowing on Maryellen’s theme, I wonder if he has a wife or lady friend called Nancy?
Probably his dog or cat 🤣
DeleteThis electric car charging point seems a bit strange to me. That might just be my thought only.
ReplyDeleteWhy is that, Miriam?
ReplyDeleteNeil said there were going to be dozens of charging points, a whole station of them, and I find this puzzling because I wouldn't have thought a rural area would have needed so many.
ReplyDeleteI hope Susan gets congratulated on her avocado dip at the funeral tea,. She deserves it.
ReplyDeleteFreddie is becoming creepily unreal!
I don’t understand why Nolly is sitting on Freddie’s Interview Panel for volunteer guides at LL
ReplyDeleteWhat does she know about the place, or the type of staff that would be appropriate.
And why should Neil feel he has to ask her permission to accompany Chelsea?
If Freddie needs help I should have thought Lizzie would have been more appropriate or one of the senior staff at LL.
Absolutely AP - ridiculous and Freddie’s baby ish whiny voice is annoying me does not sound like a future LL owner right now!
DeleteFreddieemptyhead and Nollynonothing are simply a pair of pollocks.
DeleteThey’re volunteering, well done Chelsea.
AP Wasn't that the point, in that Lizzie gave him a challenge to show he could sort out a problem, the guides, on his own.
DeleteI thought it was a sort of training project for him, rather than working in the gift shop.
Sorry Miriam, I meant a Lily should have been in helping in the interviews, not Lizzie.
DeleteI think she was initially but then she and Freddie had a disagreement about the type of volunteer needed and she opted out.
DeleteI was looking forward to hearing Jerusalem sung and all we got were the opening chords!
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit of an acquired taste, Maryellen.
ReplyDeleteI acquired it as a youngster going to WI meetings with my mum. I didn’t know Jennifer was a keen member. Perhaps the words aren’t woke enough for today’s BBC !
DeleteTo me, the words are simply a reflection of Edwardian attitudes, and it's a **** to play. I suppose that must count as woke.
ReplyDeleteW Blake was a radical and revolutionary in politics and religion. I suppose he was “woke” for his time as the poem evokes an Idealised England. As an individual his radical views condemned the institutions of church, government and state. He was a critic of the industrial situations most workers were experiencing and against wars.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is initially of an idealised land to portray a land of dark satanic mills and the need to fight for change.
Now most people view this hymn/poem as a sort of longing for the past of a green and fertile land but any historian will tell you that such a thing never existed.
All have appropriated it for their own pursuits, Women’s institute, various political parties and of course religious organisations.
Blake would be turning in his grave, if he “woke” up.
It moves from an idealised view to a dark dark satanic reality.
ReplyDeleteIt's still a **** to play.
ReplyDelete