Life in Ambridge
Ambridge Statistics, not in order, Sorry!
Life in Ambridge
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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
MiriamJanuary 2, 2024 at 4:00 PM
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping for a Good Year in 2024, well to begin with. My wishes are sumple:-
GG opens and is a great success
The land at Grange Farm does Not become another site like the EV charging station.
Alice + Harry have good times together, until she realises her true love is still Chris, so they reunite.
Ed + Emma have some luck at last, but not as tree surgeons together,Ed maybe but not Emma.
Brian + Katy hit it off in Blossom Hill Cottage.
Fallon has sole control of the cafe again perhaps even as a partner.
As for Tom + Natasha, they stop interfering.
Joy tells more about her past.
Just a few thoughts in an ideal Ambridge
REPLYDELETE
AmbridgesMrsPJanuary 2, 2024 at 7:23 PM
Good choices Miriam - love your speculations and possibilities
Well done Tony, Henry & yes you too Helen relaxed enough now to be able to help Henry begin to enjoy some proper freedom but with him knowing “back up” is there if / when he should need it
ReplyDeleteCan hardly believe he is 13! All this and Kate for once appreciating the love and effort shown by Jakob and Lilian in trying to find her special wristband and Brian’s apology too. All in all quite an uplifting episode 😊
KP, many thanks for sorting out my attempt to copy those statistics about TA…I couldn’t think how to do it as we can’t publish photos here. So I thought using them as my profile picture would help!
ReplyDeleteNow I can go back to using my usual support for Ukraine one, though it doesn’t seem to be actually be helping very much!
I so loved a comment made in last night's TA by Lillian (?).
ReplyDeleteIt's Dismal January - very true to me.
How come a three-year old already has proper riding kit to be taken to The Stables ready for her first go on Champion?
ReplyDeleteDid Daddy’s Christmas present include a proper hard hat, boots and gloves? Are they even made in 3 year old size?
I’m sure we have all had similar thoughts AP, however regardless of some of the silliness of this SL, I do think I heard a slight jealousy in Chris’s voice when Alice was talking about having dinner with her new beau.
DeleteIt could also of course been cynicism that I heard since unknown- it would seem- to Alice, Chris has met the man in question.
I expect The Stables will buy Champion from Chris. Horses don’t appeal to me in the least and scarcely featured in my country upbringing, so the sooner this storyline is dispatched, the better! Why does no one I give Martha a book or read to her?
ReplyDeleteSorry about the rogue ‘I’ in the last sentence!
DeleteI’m with you Maryellen - I never had any interest in horses either, though most of the girls at my school were besotted. My friend Meriel let me have a ride on her grey, given as a 12th birthday present - I was terrified, fet very unsafe and couldn’t get off quick enough.
DeleteI was (rather cruelly) delighted to hear that Martha wanted ‘no horsey’ and hopefully she will be interested in something else.
I think my five year old had five horses.
DeleteThey all had names and lived outside the church.
I think there were several other animals too.
Fortunately they were cheaper to look after than Champion.
With such a busy life going on inside their head, it's not surprising this particular Small Person in a Shoe always seemed away with the fairies.
Mr CC and I used to ride horses in our 20s and had many happy hours doing so. All that ended when we discovered that our first born is extremely allergic to horses.
DeleteThe obvious thing for Chris to have done was to discuss getting a horse for Martha with Alice but that would have been too uncontroversial for TA.
I wonder if Chris rushed into buying the pony for Martha, to get one over on Harry, not Alice.
DeleteThat is my thought, as I still think he has feelings for Alice..
✔️✔️
DeleteIs the 10 acres of Grange Farm land purchased by the Titchener family in obedience to Rob's dying wishes is intended to be Jack's eventual inheritance?
ReplyDeletePS. Not necessarily as an outright inheritance, but representing an inherited share in the family business, thereby claiming him as a Titchener with all that implies...... Nice one, scriptwriters!!
DeleteOh No! I thought we had heard the last of the Titcheners. I really feel the editor is keeping this story going on for far too long. Is it because he can’t think of anything else to grip an audience so just keeps falling back on such a controversial family?
ReplyDeleteSeems very lazy to me. Surely the team could create a new character/family/controversy to entertain us, not keep digging up the Titcheners? (Pun very much intended!)
Felt much the same as you AP, and also wondered as ME did about the inheritance aspect.
DeleteBut felt pleased that Oliver went immediately to inform Helen.
This smells of a SL that has been planned to come to fruition when Jack is older in much the same way Ruairi’s 18th SL when the recording was given to him from his mum (this had been planned from the moment she died) Not that they could be certain the programme would still be on the air in 18yrs time and even less so now I should imagine but the big SL are always planned to run for years even if the plot itself appears to go cold for a while.
DeleteNot sure what part Henry will play in all this though 🤔
Mmmm ….. food for thought LadyR
DeleteI also think that this is something to do with Jack. As I have said elsewhere, perhaps the land will be registered to Jack, for Helen to control as a trustee.
DeleteThis though doesn't make any real sense as to The Barn, which has planning permission in place for a new home which would need to acted on soon, before this expires.
I just hope that it has a good outcome and Ed can still graze his sheep on the land.
Hopefully it is a good gesture by The Titechenors, and has a happy outcome, for a change
To add - I think Ursula had inherited family wealth, which on her death immediately reverted to Miles + Rob, and on Robs death...🤷♀️
DeleteI am still hopeful for Chris + Alice reuniting and in the best way possible. Plus Helen/Henry/Jack will live their lives in Ambridge in their normal way, regardless of the buyers of The Grange Farm site, which will be to their advantage and not detrimental in any way.
ReplyDeleteI do have my "Rose Tinted Glasses" on ..why not.
Well Miriam, yet again one of your predictions has been right again.
ReplyDeleteWell done !
I shall ask again……. Are you sure your not on the TA production team ?
No I promise you I'm not.. I just think outside the box with my wierd imagination + ideas..
DeleteAs for my dreams...🤣 now these are "interesting"!
My next thought is that some of the revamped clothes at the fashion event, are Kates which came from the clothes recycle bin at the tip!
DeleteI have just posted this thought elsewhere as well.
Probably we'll wrong this time.
I wouldn’t be surprised Miriam if your inkling about the origin of the recycled clothes comes true.If so Kate will no doubt have mixed feelings about the fate of her goods, but it might be a chance for her to find her beloved wrist band.
ReplyDeleteAhaa as I predicted! 13 yrs for this SL to come to fruition as Jack will be 8yrs in May…
ReplyDeleteI don’t think Henry will be phased as he knew the true Rob by the end and he seems very mature for his age. However if he tries explaining to Jack at some point why he is not bothered then of course a Will’s & Harry situation could evolve as Jack could just say you are lying because you are jealous and a split could come about! Right now as W & H before them -they get on very well!
A dear friend of mine was (a very spirited) 88 yesterday - in 2035 should it be my turn I will then learn what transpires 🤣😂🤣
I can’t understand why Helen should be so offended by Rob’s bequest being only in favour of his own son Jack with apparently nothing for step son Henry.I was no fan of Rob’s,but considering he and Helen had been divorced for seven(?) Or so years and Henry had recently shown his dislike of him,I think it was a reasonable decision for the dying man to make.Also, As already said by others,level headed Henry will no doubt take it all in his stride.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Portia. In my book, Helen has shown herself up quite badly. Strenuously denying Jack his Titchener family name and all forms of contact between father and son until Rob was near death, but perfectly happy to accept Titchener money in the form of the bequest. And then to have the gall to expect similar treatment for Henry and imputing motives of spite to Rob for which she has no proof. Presumably he left the lot to Jack.. Would she have preferred him to split Jack’s inheritance so Henry got something too, even though that might have meant a shortfall on the land purchase?
DeleteHelen to me is still a wonderful mother to both her sons. They were conceived in 2 very different ways, as one was by artificial means, the other by rape (as led to believe it was) but she is still responsible for them with their lives + welfare, so will do the best for them as to now and in years to come, which she is already doing.
DeleteI bet Tom, but particularly Natasha will have some interesting thoughts though, as this is what Natasha's dream is!
So what is going to happen to that bit of land, who is going to look after it, decide exactly what is done with it? Is Miles going to turn up regularly to tend it? Will he go ahead with the planning permission to build; decide if it can still be used by Ed for his Texels; turned I to a holiday caravan site or what? And does young Jack get to make any decisions about its future!
ReplyDeleteI don’t think Jack gets any say.
ReplyDeleteAssuming planning permission for housing, on the barn footprint at least, 2or 3 small houses with small gardens to rent out & then renting the remaining land for agricultural purposes at market rents would seem a logical way forward.
I read that Miles is the trustee of the land, so I assume he can do whatever he thinks best with it. But will he consult, or try to consult, the Bridge Farm family or Oliver about his plans?
Delete….. and will he be attracted to Helen 😱
DeleteNow onwards - what is happening to the EV station as compared to the Grange Farm land acquisition?
ReplyDeleteBoth are projects to go forwards on recently sold Farm sales, as to monies needed.
I can see Henry is displaying signs of interest in his paternal origins......who knew! I hope Helen is up to the task, hopefully with some help from her counsellor. Did she never think that this might be a possibility after the euphoria of conception or did I miss this conversation she had with Henry. If so I stand corrected!
ReplyDeleteA minefield ahead BB IMO
DeleteI understand the clinics involved provide guidance on how to tell children conceived in this way about their origins, so presumably Helen had that advice and surely must have acted on it by now. When Henry says he hasn’t got dad, I assume he just means he hasn’t got a ‘real’ one with some sort of presence in his life.
DeleteI thought one of the script editors/writers said 'if it wasn't heard/said in the Achers it hadn't happened'! Or words to that effect. Important enough for almost a whole episode I would have imagined! Still who knows.
DeleteYes, poor things. They have no postal service and their bins are never emptied.
DeleteFrom the little we’ve heard about Jack, I don’t think he sounds particularly endearing, whereas Henry is a very likeable young man. I’m fantasising that when Henry reaches 18 and is entitled to find out who his father is/was, he will discover he is the biological heir to the Netherbourne title and estate, which.must be considerably larger than Jack’s 10 acres!
ReplyDeleteLike Burnham Beeches I understand that if it’s not heard or spoken of, then it hasn’t happened.
DeleteI imagine that if Helen did get the advice she has conveniently pushed it to the back of her mind and into the column marked ‘ sometime in the future ‘
I too took Henry’s remark to mean that he hasn’t got a real person in his life that he can identify as ‘ dad’. But then too his remark if interpreted as such does suggest that he is aware of his unusual conception, if not in possession of all the facts regarding that conception.
Natasha well to me, is just as irritating now as she was originally.
ReplyDeleteAt one time I thought she had changed her ways, but recently she still seems to have her own agenda again. This is to do with the Tea Room take-over, her sudden friendship with Helen and her sudden expertise on counselling...
I again don't trust her motives and what she hopes to gain.
To add - her own Fruit Juice business at both Sawyers Farm and her rented orchard, are never mentioned...Mmm
I don’t have a problem with Natasha. She has grown on me a lot, starting with when she took part in fundraising for St Stephen’s by giving facials. Okay, so she sometimes gets it wrong (who doesn’t?), but she more often gets it right, both on the personal and business front. She has been very supportive to Kirsty and Helen, and Bridge Farm has benefitted from her brains and initiative. It makes her an interesting character, which is my main criterion as a listener. Long live Natasha!
DeletePS. Taking back full control of the tea room, and putting in a manager, same as the Farm Shop, was a perfectly valid business decision as agreed by all the directors. It sounded as if the tea room desperately needed an uplift and the end of the lease brought a timely opportunity. Keeping the existing staff was not only considerate but retained the quality of goods and service. No complaints from the customers about the new decor and even Eddie is patronising it. No further suggestions as to the menu, no further moans from Fallon. End of storyline.
DeleteThat's me told!!
DeleteMy TA thoughts are obviously very different and I do accept yours, even if finishing with the line "End of storyline" - but is it?
Time will tell.
Remember, has the sale of the Grange Farm Land been finalised, the auction lot been registered in Jack's name, plus the Trust set up with Miles as Trustee?
It is all far too soon for the new bird variant, "The Natasha Vulture" to be swooping in to grab the spoils!
That's me signing "End of" for now.
DeleteSPOILER ALERT
DeleteI could be wrong about the end of that tearoom storyline - the header for tomorrow is ‘there’s tension at the tearoom’! But as it’s a convenient place, like the shop, for people to bump into each other, who knows who‘ll. be involved?
Yikes I have just had a thought, what if when Henry is old enough to investigate who his donor father was/is he turns out to be either Miles or Rob now that would make for an explosive SL.
ReplyDeleteEven Helen did not know who her donor was - did she?
No it's all anonymous and this S/L is to go on for years.
DeleteAt least Henry will, when he is 18yrs, be able to find out more.
I do wonder though if the sperm donors at these clinics, had the right to sign something that their identity would never be revealed?
I read something about a sperm donor, who some-how found out that he had "fathered" something like 500 children! This person was a student and did this purely for financial gains..🤷♀️🤷♀️🫨
...so now in that area no one knows who is related to whom! One man in Holland had fathered 500 children and was banned from donating.
DeleteI suppose it’s a possibility LadyR, but surely once Rob had learned from Helen that she had a conception by donor, and he was a donor himself, he would have investigated to find if he had been the donor.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been very neat, but …. ? ? ?
Thank goodness for that Mrs P it truly would be a SL too far for either of them to be Henry’s father. Lee would be ok though 🙃
DeleteWith people sending their DNA for testing people are finding all sorts of things about their ancestry, not all of it good. This will no doubt be a story line for Henry in future.
ReplyDelete...which the podcast I listened to, called The Gift which has many episodes, focuses on this and with surprising stories.
DeleteOh well done, Natasha! Honestly, has she no idea of the right time and place to disclose her plans, plans that not even Tom is certain about.
ReplyDeletePoor Pat, her birthday becoming the occasion for more family upset, argument and bitterness.
Natasha really ought to think things through thoroughly before insisting in taking centre stage.
And to not even consult Helen first before making such a big announcement - she seems to have no empathy with anyone.
As I have been reminded about on another TA site, Natasha's father has bi-polar, so could she be starting to show similar?
DeleteI just wish Tom would get a back-bone for a change, and will disagree with Natasha. He is like a puppy following it's owner, constantly wagging its tail, to be accepted as a loving companion to be fed, watered and just gets attention when it suits!!
Harsh I know, but no idea how else to describe my feelings
The only character I heard "insisting on taking centre stage" was Pat - and as it was her birthday, I guess she was entitled! Helen too at the end, of course.
DeleteNatasha took a step back but rushed forward to rescue Tom from Tony's accusations by admitting the idea was hers and apologising for the upset it had caused. I applauded her for that.
I know speculation is so frowned upon on this page, but I have to give my thoughts about Lily, before I disappear.
ReplyDeleteShe will become a major person in GG in the near future, and will be in direct opposition with her Brother + Mum at LL...
Think Weddings, Conferences, Dance Ball's all with luxury accommodation and dining/drinks/cocktails.
That's me gone and End Of - this page only.
Why do you hesitate to speculate Miriam as has been said many times before your thoughts are as valid as anyone else’s and I agree with them! As Freddie is to inherit LL his twin is looking to her own future and if Freddie declines his dues then Lily will have much info under her belt from her LL role and be well prepared to take on LL if required and make a hugh success of it.
DeleteGo ahead and speculate all you like Miriam.
DeleteYour speculations sometimes lighten the blog when some others of us (me included) get rather heavy in our analysis of Ambridge goings on.
And sometimes speculations become realities.
Miriam, your speculations often turn out to be very prescient, so you're actually rather good at it
ReplyDeleteI think I may be the cause of Miriam’s worry about speculating.
ReplyDeleteI remember a time, possibly a year or two ago, when there was an absolute plethora of speculating, from everyone, about something big that was going in at the time. It might have been about Kirsty & the Welsh bloke, his son and the slave story. I found it a bit tiresome and just wanted comments on what was happening at the time, and am afraid I said so!
But that was not intended to be forever, so speculate away Miriam and everyone. 😉
I am far more worried about spoilers than speculations!
I suspect Lily may have been counting on her work experience at GG with Adil as a gateway into the profession. Through him she could make the contacts (eg. GG’s mysterious co-owners) which would take her into a wider world of work than Ambridge’s neck of the woods can offer her at present. I think London will beckon or maybe abroad (like Brenda Tucker ). Wherever she goes, Miriam and Lady R are right, it will be classy and she will make a success of it Remember this is the woman who organised the only teen party in the history of soap which didn’t end in blood, sweat and tears!
ReplyDeleteLily would also be able to keep her eye on what they're up to at Grey Gables.
ReplyDeleteI thought perhaps she had her eye on Adil 💕
DeleteFind it hard to believe they are getting rid of Adil so soon. There was this big buildup to him managing GG, the introduction of his sister who could be a useful character, then his strange disappearance, return, assuring Oliver he will make GG great again….now he’s suddenly leaving?
ReplyDeleteMaybe the actor has had a better offer? I shall miss him.
I think his job was only to manage the great make-over, not to be involved long-term. He mentioned he has overseen other similar jobs. So it is not surprising he is due to leave now.
DeleteHowever, his sister is now here (bearing in mind her general bossiness, that might not be an incentive to stay). And he has invested a lot emotionally into GG and perhaps into the village - more so than on other jobs? He gets on well with Oliver (apart from costing him half a million) and, if I'm remembering the episodes correctly, there could be a spark between him and Lily. Perhaps he will realise he can't bear to leave the place and make a career change to be full-time manager of GG.
Incidentally, as far as I recall, no-one has been appointed to that role yet. Wasn't it Kathy's job beforehand?
Goodness, yes! Whatever happened to Kathy, I can’t remember! But she was past retirement age anyway so I presume she is now enjoying a life in the country looking after Jamie.
DeleteI have noticed Roy has had one or two mentions recently, so I assume he may become GeneralManager, in which case they will have to recast the role. How sad that Ian Pepperell will not be there to continue his role in an enhanced position.
I imagine that the TA team are giving a long enough time for us to forget Ian Pepperells voice to enable us to accept a new voice.
DeleteI for one will not forget. I have a strong voice recognition ear.
Didn’t Kathy choose to go off travelling ?
At least we don’t have Pat any longer having long chats with Kathy - which we never actually heard !
Ian’s voice Mrs P! oh yes very distinctive and I always knew his character without him needing to be addressed by name and that is a rarity these days!
DeleteWell if Adil is keeping his allotment on doesn't that mean he will be coming back to Ambridge?
ReplyDeleteYes Janice, very odd…..I’m leaving, but will you look after my allotment for me please.
DeleteShe is a GP - what time will she have to tend an allotment ?
I rather enjoyed Brian chatting to Hilda, comforting himself as well as her.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteBrian and Hilda the ‘Odd Couple’.I think they will eventually rub along amicably together
ReplyDelete✔️
DeleteToday's Guardian Weekend supplement has a feature on actor and playwright Katie Redmond who "had to 'posh it up' for the role of Lily Pargetter in The Archers". She was a midwife on the show before landing the role. "There is no ego in radio, Redford says. I always feel at home in it.
ReplyDeleteThe article is mostly about her playwriting, and doesn't tell us any more than who Lily is, but it may be of general interest to know what 'characters' get up to outside TA.
Well I did not know any of this maryellen and yes very interesting 🙂
DeleteI think I might have seen her in a fleeting glimpse of Heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteI've now found the obituary for In Pepperell in the main section of today's Guardian which is very much Archers-themed. After drama school most if his early acting career was on stage and he had good reviews for his two Shakespearian roles ( I audio described him as Hamlet). He joined TA after starting a long-running association with Birmingham's rep company. Later, says the obituary, his acting career foundered, whereas the Archers recording schedule fitted conveniently around his job as a publican.. He ran a pub in Ringwood, Hants for20 years.
ReplyDeleteAgain most interesting!
DeleteRe Katie Redmond, I have heard both her radio plays, Yellow Lips and Christmas Wings, and enjoyed both very much. I was surprised that she is 34, sounds much younger. I think she is good as Lily.
ReplyDeleteWow yes definitely sounds younger than her age, as did Judy Bennet (Shula) played children into her adult years I believe.
DeleteI believe Johnny and his actor have the same age gap, Neil Carter and his actor too, of course. One of the advantages of radio!
DeleteYet again- we have not heard from Neil Carter for a long time.
DeleteIs this actor also having health problems or concerns I wonder.
Neil is my favourite character and I’m missing him.
Monday 22/1 on ITV at 9pm a documentary called “ Born from the same stranger”
ReplyDeletePeople born (like Henry) from anonymous donors search for blood relations 4 episodes in total containing some emotional stories. Think how many potential siblings you could have! Possible I guess even to have married one of them 🤔
Maybe KP you could post this on over pour chat blog too, just in case not spotted on here in time. Leave you to consider if appropriate.
The SW now have 3 characters to sort out due to the 3 actors playing those parts now RIP.🕯️ Robert, Roy and Bert. Bert will be the first they will lose soon as his age was mentioned tonight so that’s the fist clue. Robert and Roy may be recast in time
ReplyDeleteIs Brian faking an allergy to cat fur???
ReplyDeleteHaving someone in the family violently allergic to cat fur, I don’t think it would take several days to cause problems. The allergy is usually caused by the ‘dander’ from the cat, the little specs of skin that shed in its bedding or around the house.. If Brian is allergic surely he would have found out before now - there must have been plenty of feral cats around farms he has worked on and he has been in contact with Hilda before at Peggy’s House. So I doubt he would get away with faking an allergy.
DeleteI just hope it is not something worse and the Aldridge offspring are about to become orphans!
I was idly trying for something less obvious!! How strange that Kate wasn't at the tea party, especially as she lives with Brian now. Maybe something was said and I missed it.
DeleteSo Brian has a cough, yet it is assumed that he will be following Jennifer soon, and on the 1st Anniversary.
DeleteWhy can't he have just have a seasonal bug as after all it is that season.
The SW's do love to tease us and surely would never give something like this away in such an obvious manner.
I do think it might be something completely different, such as a problem with Blossom Hill Cottage.
I am thinking about the latest Call The Midwife and the mould problem, not this would be the cause. Perhaps it might be a similar and yet unknown problem, caused by lack of open doors + windows so air circulating.
Just an alternative idea.
I am thinking thatched roof problems, chimney from fire as examples.
There’s also still a fair bit of covid around, which has missed Ambridge to date
DeleteAnd now to add to the possible tease as Miriam suggests, we have Alice and Harry getting on famously only to be ‘ teased ‘ again, by Harry being confronted, however reluctantly, by questionable blood results.
DeleteCan’t we have something simple …..please. Without the drama.
I still think wistfully of the summery episode with Toby helping Ruth to collect the.honey from the Brookfield hives she has taken over. She was showing him how to do it which was informative along with general conversation which was interesting and enjoyable to listen to. My perfect TA scene!
DeleteAn allergy to Hilda 🐈⬛ I’ll be bound, hence the throat problem and the tightening of Brian’s chest! An Ambridge resident listening to and commenting on the tv news - well blow me down! I had to agree with Kates comments on it though I have to say.
DeleteI too was surprised but pleased when Alice commented on the current situation regarding wars and what’s going on in the world. Very pertinent, I thought, and an opportunity to bring a little realism to The Archers. They managed to avoid Covid and often seem to inhabit a different reality from the rest of us so last nights comments were very timely and grounding.
ReplyDeleteSorry, that should have been Kate’s comments.
DeleteIt was indeed Allice discussing the news with Brian according to the daily synopsis. I think Kate must have finished her scheduled recording stint for the time being and it's Alice's turn. I was surprised too at the unusual reference to world events as I was under the impression the editor (still Jeremy Howe, as credited by the continuity announcer recently though not in the TA website cast list) was fostering our desire to escape from real life!
DeleteI wondered - due to the comments between Alice and Brian - whether there was a new policy in the TA team to introduce the dreaded ‘ real world ‘ into our beloved fantasy village.
DeleteYes, maybe the editorial team have realised that the programme is losing its conviction. Personally I think the way to cure that would be to prune all the unconvincing scenarios like last night’s, abandon the mini-cliffhangers which aren’t, and limit the ‘personal relationship stuff’ in favour of the social and economic issues and events, big and small, that concern us all.
DeleteThat doesn’t mean goodbye to humour, although I’d prefer more of it in the dialogue instead of the situation.
You may be surprised to hear that I am in total agreement with you ME! If the programme is to be believable it needs to include comment on current events and reflect changes in life generally and in agriculture particularly.
DeleteI have found some of the recent scenes unnecessary, and occasionally downright silly; just constructed to enable a couple of characters to interact but not in a believable way.
And yes, humour is vital and should be written into the script.
Personally I don’t want Ambridge to be a fantasy village, but somewhere I can continue to believe in that echos my own village life…..and we are not all country bumpkins who don’t know what’s going on in the world! 😏
I have to agree to disagree yet again, sadly 😵😮💨
DeleteThis is simply that TA and life in Ambridge is for me, a form of pure escapism. I much prefer the lack of News, current issues, sporting events etc being mentioned. Granted when a major event happens, then a slot-in will appear to acknowledge this, such as Lilian + Lynda after the passing of the late Queen. I personally prefer a lack of ongoing and worldly happenings in TA.
This news can be found elsewhere so easily.
This is yet again, just a differing opinion only.
At the moment Ambridge does neither for me. It doesn't reflect real life in a village very well and is a pretty miserable place that I wouldn't wish to escape to. I think it has lost it's way and is struggling with where to go to make it relevant to new audiences.
DeleteToo true,, Cheshire Cheese! And looked at as drama, it’s poor. So often the programme seems to have been scrambled together, with no clear sense of direction.
DeleteWell, I’m sorry, but last night’s episode hit the heights of ridiculousness!
ReplyDeleteHerding a flock of sheep through the graveyard whilst a funeral was in progress, sheep clambering over graves, no doubt leaving droppings everywhere and the Grundy men thinking nobody will notice sheep on the cricket ground?? Apart from anything else you’d need a movement order which I don’t suppose for one moment Ed arranged.
Then Susan at her absolute worst, treating her ‘friend’ Clarrie like a junior assistant, trying to get Clarrie to do all the boring work in the Dairy whilst she hobnobs with Adam. And insisting Clarrie drinks Scotch in the pub, knowing Clarrie dislikes the drink, just because it was Burns night and Susan was showing off.
Aaarrrgh! Was that supposed to be humour?
I agree entirely with your comments Archerphile .There are bound to be repercussions regarding the flock movement,but Eddie always knows best.Couldn’t they at least have consulted the police about the possibility of using the cricket field rather than latching on to what was just a suggestion by Adam,especially as Ed wasn’t sure about it.
ReplyDeleteAlso I too found Susan’s behaviour towards Clarrie at work and in the Bull absolutely appalling., I assume, trying to impress Adam.
I too am in agreement about last nights episode.
ReplyDeleteBoth AP and Portia have said all that I felt.
And CC - your final sentence illustrates precisely how I feel about TA right now.
Having just read the latest TA comments, I have confirmed (to myself) that my expectations and thoughts about all things TA are so very different. I obviously listen in an entirely different way...🙀🤷♀️
ReplyDeleteMiriam, I feel that like you I have always accepted TA in whatever way it was presented, but I do feel that in recent months it seems to have lost its way.
DeleteI hope that at some point in the future I shall feel able again to accept TA just as I have in the past
I suppose the blood test will show whether Brian was faking his cat allergy or not. Tony taking Hilda keeps her in the family so Peggy’s wrath is averted. She’s got the same controlling instinct as Rob!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember exactly how long Kate has been living with Brian, but did wonder if it was her incense that was affecting him and not Hilda.
ReplyDeleteA thought…. CC commented that currently TA appears to be struggling to find its level in order to satisfy a new generation of listeners, which we all were at one point of course 🤣 and the programme managed to retain us for many years, which leads to a question what is the current age range of listeners? My feeling is that here on our blog we range from our 50’s to 80’s ???
ReplyDeleteSome of you use different platforms and maybe able to assure me that actually people in their 30’s and upwards are regular followers too maybe even younger, after all the programme moved to download and podcast etc. Is it ever discussed on mums net I wonder🤔
That’s an interesting post Lady R - I shall look forward to the answers that hopefully come in it’s wake.
DeleteI think that there are more younger listeners (30ish) than many actually realise, but these do not admit nor acknowledge this, just yet. This comes from posts read elsewhere. It is also surprising how many listen from overseas and are not just ex-pats!
DeleteOh yes of course Miriam our Lifeboat saviour from America for one! I also miss the posts that we used to get from Italy etc
DeleteJudging from a couple of Archers pages on Facebook I think there are quite a lot of younger-than-us listeners. And a lot more men than we have here (where are our male contributors like Pierre les Corbeaux?). I would guess from 30ish upwards. Not many teenagers though. Many of them are very amusing, very critical and take everything very seriously with lots of psychoanalysis going on.
DeleteAgree. In the other and small Archers group I also belong to, there are many males. For some reason they just give ridiculous posts, appearing to give anti- TA thoughts, but it is obvious that they listen intently but just daren't admit it!
DeleteGianna how wonderful to hear from you 🤗 and to hear your latest news. Sorry to hear that you and your friend have been poorly 🤞🏼better days are emerging now. It would be lovely if you can pop in now and again in the days ahead 🥰
ReplyDeleteHow encouraging it is to hear from you Gianna, I hope you continue to recover and then to enjoy the next phase of life in your ground floor apartment.
ReplyDeleteHearing from you makes me wonder how many others from our old days on the BBC blog are still with us but silent.
If you are one of those and reading now, know that those of us still having our say miss you and would welcome you back into the fold should you wish to join us again with your comments.
Lovely to hear from you Gianna 🙂
ReplyDeleteWhen we had our house rewired it took a lot longer than a few days! Might be prudent to ask if the village hall is available.
ReplyDeleteWe spent the summer in our house in the mountains and returned when my ground floor flat was finished. The family moved back upstairs this past weekend but their kitchen isn't in so we are still eating together in my flat. Hopefully that will be put in this week.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to hear from you Gianna and to know that someone from a different country is still with us. My cousin's grand daughter took a year out before going to university and spent several months last year travelling round Australia and then New Zealand where she has cousins, and it made me wonder how NZ and her albatrosses were.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back from me too Gianna, lovely to hear from you again. I wonder how many former contributors to the blog are still reading. It would be wonderful to hear from you all again, even if only occasionally.
ReplyDeleteAnd it would be good to have a male perception of current storylines too, this blog was never intended to be an online branch of the Women’s Institute! 😁
I too would love to hear from others who might still be around, be they in the UK or living else-where.
DeleteI am not sure as to being classed as a WI member...but get the analogy and why 🤣
TA to me, is still a pure delight in so many ways, which leads onto to other thoughts and ideas in many differing forms.
Here's hoping others will join in again, with other alternative perspectives.
So what is Joline about to find ?
ReplyDeleteIs she hit on the head as she leaves the bar ?
Have the generous strangers been busy stealing all the electricians equipment ?
Or was it all a foil for some other nefarious activity ?
I thought they were after the tools and materials. We are a suspicious lot.
ReplyDeleteThe world of the last fifty years has changed a great deal and made us suspicious.
DeleteWe would not have had those thoughts so quickly in the past.
I got the impression that she recognised them, and did not want to meet them.
DeleteOr perhaps she knew there might be an argument and didn't want to be there when Neville was declared winner instead of Bert. I expect Tracey and Emma hoped Bert would win.
DeleteOh Kenton, couldn't you have just waited for the police?
DeleteI was wrong about Jolene recognising them.
Tools and materials, or dog fighting?
That was horrible, I wish they had just pinched the tools. This is an apt story though, there have been so many deaths over the last few years from out of control/dangerous dogs, both adults and children. I do wish there was some control over dog breeding, licensing etc. I am looking for a puppy at the moment, it seems a very risky business looking on some of the internet sites, there are some very unscrupulous people around.
DeleteThat episode has quite upset me, I can't imagine how horrible an attack would be.
I've just discovered that Natasha Archer appears to be moonlighting as PA and stylist to the Princess of Wales. They've managed to keep that quiet!
ReplyDeleteI have seen that also, but didn't dare to mention it!
DeleteWhatever not? It's just tongue in cheek.😋
DeleteI agree Mistral, that was a horrible episode. Mia getting very stressed and rubbing everyone up the wrong way - she really does need to learn how to handle people and not antagonise them
ReplyDeleteThen that awful dog attack on Kenton - were they supposed to be the American Bully type dogs I wonder? It sounded like a vicious attack and as if Kenton had been caught by the throat, he didn’t seem able to breathe properly. I hope we are not in for a life or death cliffhanger tomorrow night. 😧
Having listened to that awful dog attack in bed last night, I couldn’t sleep and kept remembering the time I was attacked by a GermanShepard dog, as a child. The reason I have never liked or trusted dogs since. Perhaps it was written to reflect the restrictions, coming into force today, for the American dogs.
DeleteWell poor Kenton won't be able to be a model now for Mia, and I should imagine the whole show will be cancelled.
ReplyDeleteThis will sound horrible to people and especially dog lovers, but I was told once that if seriously attacked by a dog, and not able to get away, then, if able to, bend its front legs out flat to the sides and that will pierce the heart. Probably very difficult to do in reality though.
Another on trend SL - dog attack! Just hearing it was sickening I have to say!
ReplyDeleteI do take issue with Jolene’s call having made 999 calls very recently. Service required yes -ambulance and then a list of questions starting with is the patient breathing etc and even pleading as one wants to do and I did will not bypass this. In these times it is I guess necessary because the calls have to be prioritised (even if you are as Mr R is a very senior person on your bathroom floor
naked) due to pressure in number of calls and hospital availability.
On Tuesday it was announced that within our group of hospitals - Basingstoke, Winchester & Andover both Basingstoke and Winchester had declared a critical incident as both full!! In the comments section it was remarked on the amount of building in the surrounding areas has been and still is massive without any extra surgeries, hospitals or schools being put in place, and the amount of retirement flats being added to those already here is considerable!
I found that very worrying Lady R. They also said waiting times at A&E would be very long. They were bad enough when I had my heart problem earlier this year. I wondered what I was supposed to do, or where I should go for help if one of us should have a heart attack (more likely for me these days) or Mr A have an accident in the garden.
DeleteWell Kenton is still with us, but no cctv coverage to be had so if the perpetrators are not found where will this SL be going? Bad deep leg bites so maybe Kenton is to be a wheelchair bound character highlighting the many difficulties of the disabled. Shula must be devastated, as Kentons’s twin I wonder if she will be in touch with her sibling.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if a connection will be made with the strangers who were there the night before because they might have been caught on camera if anyone took photos of Neville in his moment of triumph. The man when talking with Eddie about just passing through Ambridge said that it was "a nice quiet area, just right". I guess just right for dog fighting.
ReplyDeleteWell spotted Janice, now that you have reminded me of the conversation I think you are absolutely right there has to be a connection . A ⭐️ to you!
DeleteLove that idea Janice, about mobile phone photos and what a great thought.
DeleteI also picked up how Tracy or was it Emma, was praised for clearing up + tidying the garden area, even if no outside lights at the time.
We're the vans spotted at that time..
So I was right, Jolene did recognise them. I think I would prefer to have been wrong.
DeleteAnd her name was mentioned, by Kenton, I think.
This needs to be reported to the police. Who need to tread very, very carefully.
Bring back Bunting-gate.
You got it in one Janice 👏🏻 and as I thought should happen ( if only silently) up pops retired Judy Bennett much more realistic that she (as Shula and Kenton’s twin) would actually vocally make a guest appearance and as annoying as the character could sometimes be it was good to hear her again.
ReplyDeleteA new ongoing SL is with us……
What a treat it was to hear ‘Shula’s’ voice again.I hope she will be heard again while Kenton recovers from his ordeal.
ReplyDeleteI so agree, Portia! It was the high point of the episode for me.
DeleteJolene, your husband has nearly been killed by a crazed dog. You're terrified of what those thugs from the past might do. And yet you go out to the same car park, on your own, at night, to see to a car alarm. Even given the alarm's recent behaviour, that doesn't seem very clever to me : (
ReplyDelete✔️ it had to happen though didn’t it 🥹
DeleteOh how I agree with your comment OwiaS - even as she muttered to herself it was obvious to the listener how stupid her action was.
DeleteHowever - being a fearless and therefore reckless person myself, whilst recognising the danger I was still aware that I would have been tempted to take the same action myself.
And as Lady R says……… dramatic licence !
What I want to know, is why Fallon didn't go and stay with Jolene?
DeleteThat would have been too sensible an idea for dramatic licence Miriam
DeleteFor the first time in many, many years, I did not take the radio into the bathroom with me to listen to the Omnibus, my usual Sunday treat.
ReplyDeleteI simply did not want to hear that dog attack again or the frightening scene with Jolene outside the pub on Friday night.
It seems the Archers has become very dark all of a sudden, far worse than the armed raid on the post office, or Greg’s suicide or several other dramatic scenes we have heard in the past.
It was the air of menace I disliked and it made me feel very uncomfortable. Trying to bring TA into the 21C perhaps and following other soaps that have also become dark and menacing - is this what the BBC think younger listeners want?
I found the Omnibus fine, and not as traumatic. It was probably due to knowing what happened.
DeletePerhaps they've been taking on board the complaints that TA doesn't do enough to mirror what happens in the real world?
ReplyDeleteThe timing of this storyline is unfortunate considering what has happened in the real world today.
DeleteAnd has been happening far too often in Britain recently. So yes, maybe they are trying to reflect real life events and this was a particularly nasty one.
DeleteMy thought as to last week, is that it is all purely co-incidental.
ReplyDeleteCoincidences are as follows:-
a) These 6 persons ended up in The Bull by chance.
b) Jolene recognised that bloke, again by chance.
c) The dog attack was not deliberate as such, but a strong dog escaping and doing what it knows best (but trained for?).
d) The threat to Jolene was just that. Markie knows that Jolene recognised him, as she did her, so he intimidated her to not say anything whilst they go about their nefarious ways.
To me it is - wrong time, wrong place.
Absolutely CC such a terrifying and sad way to lose a life 😥
ReplyDeleteAnd especially as it was witnessed by an 11 year old boy who tried to help his grandma.
DeleteKenton how were you able to discharge yourself so quickly! Even a planned one takes hours “discharge” report to be set up and probably meds to wait for and an unplanned request to leave would have taken even longer I would have thought. Also if he were to somehow make it upstairs but then be unable to get out quickly in the case of fire the fire brigade have to be informed. My sister was given that information when her late husband was due home if he was not able to be downstairs which as it happened medical arrangements allowed for. Also just remembered that chap said to Jolene nice place you’ve got here be a pity to lose it - or words to that effect, so what I have just outlined may well be about to pass…..more potential misery folks!
ReplyDeleteI believe that when a person chooses to discharge themselves from hospital, nursing staff do their utmost to delay the procedure required for as long as they can. A doctor’s signature is required at the very least.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, slipping out of a ward, dressed, and unchallenged is in my experience not very difficult.
This post has come about as to the other page, which is titled "Cheese Makers" - thanks KP.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of the Dairy situation and how will they cope with making the Easter Cheese Eggs?
Linda at her best tonight, which Kenton eventually appreciated. Harry well what’s the craic (as would be said in Ireland) first of all I thought he and mum might be in cahoots in some way and the talk of 6 garden centres etc all talk but it seems this is not the issue but Harry’s health. Alice will have her heart broken losing him and Chris may be back in the picture in a year or so…..
ReplyDeleteCircularity Lady R, circularity !
ReplyDeleteAs I have posted else-where, which others might already have seen, I think that this is a case of identity-theft by "Harry + Eve"..which is why Harry did not want the blood results as they weren't his, and why when he fell off into the mud, he was totally fine...
ReplyDeleteWhen Harry first appeared he was purely after compensation, but realised when he met Alice and "Aunty Lilian", the plan took a different angle.
It's just a different "wacky" thought 🤷♀️ 🫣
Can’t imagine your convoluted plot line Miriam, but do have a feeling that there is something fishy about Harry and possibly his mum too !
ReplyDeleteWell it is/was a different angle as to Harry and how he now appears.. Don't worry, as I will now keep my thoughts to myself 😃
DeleteWhy so Miriam your thoughts are as valid as anyone else’s after all 5 million listeners will never all agree with each other and why should they!
DeleteIt’s true that when Harry first appeared he was very angry and threatening all sorts……. until he glimpsed Alice and sussed that she and Aunty Lil were part of a big valuable set up. He almost instantly cut out the threats and became very reasonable and friendly. Whether this was because of pure physical attraction to Alice, or whether £ signs were flashing in front of his eyes, we don’t yet know.
ReplyDeleteOf course this story could all be part of a big tease by the SWs 🧐
What's this, a Victorian melodrama?
ReplyDelete'My child, you must never see her again. Remember the dreadful fate of Great Aunt Matilda' .... [cue ominous music]
🤣 spot on owias!
DeleteWhat a tedious man Kenton is being. Leaving hospital without proper consent, getting Jolene to look for suitable accommodation for him, moaning about being bored!!! Hello Kenton, that's what being ill is about; to let your body heal. Jigsaws and books someone please! To crown it all, coming to The Bull to help.what did he think he could do on two crutches?!! A crash heard, so more damage probably done to his leg. Not at all helpful, no self awareness. As someone once said, many times "You stupid boy"!!!!
ReplyDeleteKenton is behaving like a spoilt child,overriding Jolene and Lynda’s efforts to ease his recovery.As BB says,he may have brought on more damage to his leg in the carnage he seems to have caused in the Bull bar.Serves him right if he needs to go back to the hospital he so detests,(if they will have him back.) He has the reputation of acting first in situations before thinking.Like the time he spent (in advance on credit cards) all the money he expected to get from a share in the proposed sale of Brookfield when David
ReplyDeleteand Ruth considered buying a farm in Northumberland,which didn’t happen.
Nothing new on here either or is my iPad playing up? Kenton is getting on my wick I have to say, and of course Alice’s love life was never going to run smoothly. Apart from mums rejection of her there is the mysterious illness of Harry’s to contend with - is he on borrowed time? If so both Alice and possibly Martha will be heartbroken and maybe the bottle will call but I do hope not. I thought Alice was very understanding of Harry’s mums reaction- maturity finally kicking at last ⭐️
ReplyDeleteI found All that nonsense at the dairy with Tony ‘sacking’ Adam very tedious. I thought they were terribly busy getting all that yogurt ready for their commercial customers. No time for larking around surely.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness there is some proper farming going on with the birth of the calf and other jobs at Brookfield. A bit of reality for once.
Couldn't agree more Archerfile. They really are struggling to come up with some decent scripts.
DeleteAgree 100% Archerphile 👏🏻
DeleteSo it’s a case of will they or won’t they? and as husband and son are due to be away weeks at least it’s going to be a yes I suppose 🙁
ReplyDeleteWhy hasn’t Jolene taken on a temp it is ridiculous that David would leave the farm to help out in the pub and anyway it appears he is useless at it anyway!
Doesn’t seem to be much interest in TA at the moment - is that due to lack of interesting stories?
ReplyDeleteYes, the mention of Toby (see below) is literally the only item that has interested me personally in the past few weeks. I can't work up the mental energy enthusiasm to suspend my disbelief and pretend these are real people in real situations. (And with apologies to cat lovers, devoting so much air time to a non-missing cat was a totally wasted opportunity. to bring in other characters. I thought (a) the cat comes cheap and (b) maybe it's a chance to refer to Peggy and keep her alive in our minds.)
DeleteThe blog has always reflected the state of the programme. When that stagnates, so does the blog!
Jolene.& Co could try asking T❤️O❤️B❤️Y to help out at The Bull. He’d be the ideal replacement for Kenton. He’s already freed up Pip by taking Rosie for half term as well as showing how active he still is in his parental role.
ReplyDeleteTo me TA feels disjointed, more like a collage than a picture of life in the village. The current storylines make me feel bored or miserable most of the time. Maybe I'm just being a grumpy old woman 🤨
ReplyDeleteI missed the last episode and only caught up with the synopsis. Are we meant to assume that Paul has West Indian heritage?
ReplyDeleteThere is a great deal of speculation on FB today that Paul is dark-skinned and Denise too. People are saying Denise has a Carribean accent and they have known for some time that she is also dark-skinned. Others are commenting about there not being any obvious racism in Ambridge.
ReplyDeleteI can’t say this has ever occurred to me. I missed the fact that Paul’s grandma lives in St Lucia, so I didn’t make any sort of connection.
As for Harry, now we know what his problem is and why his mother didn’t want him associating with Alice. What a disgraceful performance last night. I thought Harrison was exceptionally tolerant and helpful. But will he pass on the information about Harry to Fallon, and if so, will she feel obliged to tell Alice?
If Paul is indeed of Afro-Caribbean descent, presumably it’s via his father (Mr Mack, not John, Denise’s current husband) and it’s him he is going to St Lucia with. Whatever his skin tone (not necessarily dark), I don’t much care for his general tone. Too lightweight and self-centred for me.
ReplyDeleteIf Paul is dark skinned (don’t like this description, but not sure what you are allowed to say these days; black, brown, coloured?) I don’t understand why it hasn’t been mentioned before. We were quick enough to learn Paul is gay and it wasn’t a problem. So why not refer to his ethnicity as well. It certainly never occurred to me that Denise is Afro-Carribean. Someone on FB said that Denise’s actress is black but that doesn’t mean the part that she is playing also has to be black.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember that Jim’s daughter was played by Adjoa Andoh, who is certainly black but I don’t think Jim’s daughter was.
Isn’t that the attraction of radio? Actors don’t have to look the part - so can be of a different age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, behaviour and dress style to the character they play. Perhaps the most extreme example is mature women playing small boys.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, there’s the.question of publicity photos. I’ve belatedly looked at the ‘Characters’ pages of the TA website and it’s noticeable that all the characters we know to be White are played by actors who look White, and all the characters we know to be ethnically diverse are played by ethnically diverse actors. Denise and Paul are also played by ethnically diverse actors, so logically, although we haven’t been told this, the characters also have different ethnic origins.
The reason it hasn’t arisen is probably because it has had no relevance to the plot, unlike Paul being gay, but could come into play if, for example,, the editor decided to revisit the racism issue.
I’m still convinced this is a different Denise to the rather starchy woman who went home to her husband with a rescue dog and didn’t resurface for ages!
As far as I am concerned, I really enjoy the Archers characters, whatever their skin-tone/sexuality is meant to be. I still prefer my own image of the wonderful characters.
ReplyDeleteIn my simple mind, I just prefer to listen to the acting and characterisations in TA.
Yes, it surprises me how much psychoanalysis and speculation goes on in some of the FB sites. There are one or two posters, especially on the Ambridge Addicts Too site that write screeds about the reasons why the characters are behaving as they do and ascribe all sorts of underlying psychoses and backgrounds. I can’t be bothered with reading them any more, it makes listening to a ‘simple story of country folk’ like following a psychology exam syllabus !
DeleteIn fact, I have just belatedly realised I don’t have to read those comments any longer so I have removed myself from that super-analytical group. I shall just stay with the “BBC The Archers - Unofficial “ page which is made up of fans of the old BBC group before the BBC removed it. Far more my type of listener but with an injection of humour now and then.
DeleteThis is why I also enjoy the other Archers group I have belonged to, for over a year now.
DeleteYes, TA issues are discussed in a sort of serious way, but there is banter + humour at the same time.
👍
DeleteI dip into the Unofficial blog from time to time and I’m always pleased to encounter Archerphile and Miriam there, but a few of the regular (male) contributors give me the creeps!
DeleteHooray! A storyline that genuinely interests me involving two of my favourite characters, both born and bred in Ambridge: Ed and Emma’s quest to house their flock and develop a joint career in tree surgery. (When the Council cut down the huge sycamore growing a metre and a half from the front door, I noticed two women on the tree removal team, though on that occasion at least they only came in at the clearing up stage. The removal itself was pure street theatre!)
ReplyDeleteI wish Emma and Ed every success.😄
New thread opened
ReplyDelete