Life in Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
maryellenSeptember 16, 2024 at 6:56 PM
ReplyDeleteWell played, Tom - both as an employer and a human being! Your handling of the meeting with Emma was pitch perfect, and left me confident that you would handle the even more difficult meeting between Emma and Fallon with an equally positive result. How different from Adam's appalling attitude!.
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AmbridgesMrsPSeptember 16, 2024 at 7:23 PM
Enter Ian with his humanity as large as Adams mean spirited attitudes are small, who is likely to explain to Adam how they would feel about Zander (a ? ) a few years down the line if he were to do something as dishonest as that which George ha
George has done, and how they might too be reluctant to own up in similar circumstances.
ReplyDeleteOf course we are also being manipulated into believing that yet again here we have the entitled Aldridge family thinking only of their own predicament in this scenario, and displaying Alice as a victim of her alcoholism not the author.
I find it interesting that Alice herself gets ever closer to seeing her own culpability in her apparent victim hood, while her family gets left behind in their thinking. But then that is I suppose the evidence of her therapy having some effect on her but not of course on them.
It also occurred to me this evening that Tom has done some growing up.
His conversation and approach to Emma was way superior to his previous attempts at solicitude with others. Where has he left his previous cack handed attempts at being sympathetic ?
maryellenSeptember 17, 2024 at 6:02 AM
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts chime with mine, Mrs P.
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maryellenSeptember 17, 2024 at 5:18 PM
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Lady RSeptember 16, 2024 at 10:55 PM
The new Tom full on bonhomie and compassion!
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Miriam
He is under Natasha's thumb, so is just following her instructions. The new revamped Tea Room is after all, her project..
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AmbridgesMrsPSeptember 17, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Very perceptive of you Miriam.
I hadn’t thought that myself, but now you mention it I suspect you are correct.
Hazza and Sparkles Ambridge style 🤭
DeleteHazza and Sparkles, who they?????
DeletemaryellenSeptember 17, 2024 at 7:16 PM
ReplyDeleteEddie’s turn for the shouty voice tonight. Straight out of the Middle Ages!
Sadly, my hopes for a successful meeting between Emma and Fallon, brokered by Tom, were.blighted. Emma’s dignified departure means an opportunity for Chelsea perhaps, while Emma could be a candidate for the charging station contract. Fallon’s new idea sounded unsuited for that type of environment to me.
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maryellenSeptember 17, 2024 at 7:22 PM
On second thoughts, this may not be the final outcome for the tea room. Tom may have achieved more than it appears.
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maryellenSeptember 17, 2024 at 7:16 PM
Eddie’s turn for the shouty voice tonight. Straight out of the Middle Ages!
Sadly, my hopes for a successful meeting between Emma and Fallon, brokered by Tom, were.blighted. Emma’s dignified departure means an opportunity for Chelsea perhaps, while Emma could be a candidate for the charging station contract. Fallon’s new idea sounded unsuited for that type of environment to me.
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maryellenSeptember 17, 2024 at 7:22 PM
On second thoughts, this may not be the final outcome for the tea room. Tom may have achieved more than it appears.
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ArcherphileSeptember 17, 2024 at 9:50 PM
ReplyDeleteI rather got the impression that Tom was more concerned with saving the tearoom than brokering a reconciliation between Fallon and Emma. And it didn’t quite work out as he had hoped.
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AmbridgesMrsPSeptember 17, 2024 at 9:58 PM
You rather got the impression ARCHERPHILE ?
IMO Tom was pretty blatant about it.
He completely ignored then over rode the very civilised conversation between the two women he was purporting to reconcile.
My hope for a more grown up Tom went out the window this evening.
He really does not have a clue, does he ?
I was trying to be ironic Mrs P!
DeleteI agree about Tom MrsP. He really misread the the situation.
DeleteI’ll take that ARCHERPHILE !
DeleteTony is literally paying the price for his mean attitude to George and deservedly so. Kicking a man when he’s down is not pleasant. I wonder if George has sufficient grounds for a claim of summary dismissal - not that he’d be likely to pursue it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me the men of Ambridge are more primitive in their reactions than the women. I’m excepting Tom of course, who showed remarkable empathy in his conversation with Emma, similar to his mother with Susan. I’ve often thought that on the whole the women there are nicer than the men
George framed Alice which might have resulted in her imprisonment, and Alice is Tony's niece so his attitude is perhaps understandable. It is time George learnt that actions have consequences. I thought Eddie's outburst was deplorable, not a good role model for his grandson. Thank goodness for Neil.
ReplyDeleteIt’s ironic, isn’t it? Alice is indeed guilty of one of the offences for which George framed her - driving whilst over the legal limit - just not at the time in question.(He apologised to her as he did it which to me suggested an unhardened criminal!)
DeleteThe police may yet bring a new charge against her. After all, if she didn’t give George permission to take over, she was still in charge of the car while over the legal limit, which could also result in imprisonment.
I do hope Harrison will seek out professional help. Clearly the accident and Fallon's miscarriage have deeply affected him - the more so because he cannot share his grief with his wife, and she is averse from him even sharing it with anyone else.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of attention on men's mental health at present - this would be a good storyline to explore and an opportunity to promote the support available.
I have wondered over recent weeks if the SL you suggest OwiaS is in fact already in its infancy both with Harrison and George.
DeleteThat’s a great idea - especially if they take their time with it. Remember how Elizabeth’s mental health issues got wrapped up in double quick time?!
DeleteElizabeth's mental health issues went of for years after Nigel's death. It was only after long-time she finally agreed to counselling (paying privately to speed things up), and she turned things around.
DeleteShula, David and Kenton, all tried to help her at various times.
Gosh, yes! I remember Elizabeth's out-of-the-blue panic attack in Underwoods when Russ was so good with her. I was thinking of the final chapter of the storyline, when Jolene inspired her to seek professional help, and after a couple of sessions we heard no more about it. Bloggers commented on the swift ending. Maybe her relationship with Vince has been an ongoing source of support.
DeleteEmma of course has not been “let off” which is why she will have either no letter or a very different one at least waiting for her….Now Eddie is about to try and get banged up too.
ReplyDeleteI’’ve never understood why listeners describe Eddie as a loveable rogue. A rogue, yes - and more. But loveable, never - or not since he walked out on Clarrie when she was pregnant with Will. She fell downstairs and nearly miscarried.. if Eddie gets banged up for perverting the course of justice or whatever, it’s not before time.
ReplyDeletePS. To be fair to Eddie (and show I'm not biased or anything!!) here are two things in his favour:
Delete1) As I recall, we haven't heard any of his regular employers (Brookfield,, the Market, people wanting patios laid, etc) complain about his work performance,
2) He is not a womaniser - unlike you-know-who! After his dalliance with Lilian at the back of the school bus, there were a few wild years before he met Clarrie. Their relationship has had some ups and downs, but I don't remember him ever cheating on her. He has sponged off Clarrie - she used her mum's insurance money to pay off his debts when they first got together, and bought her engagement ring herself, but infidelity hasn't been an issue. (Correct me if I'm wrong!)
Hooray! Enter Oliver stage right, and things are beginning to look up for the Grundys. Exit Harrison stage left (hopefully). His vindictiveness has caused them even more grief. Fortunately, Emma and Will no longer have to face the prospect of prison themselves, and if George gets a prison sentence I hope it will be commuted.
ReplyDeleteWill Grundy received a letter informing him that he will not be charged.
ReplyDeleteHe in turn informed Emma and advised her that she too would get the same letter.
We have NOT heard anything about Emma actually getting such a letter, though in conversation with Ed this evening she assumed she had been ‘ let off ‘.
Until I hear Emma open that letter I will assume she is still likely to be charged.
We haven’t heard that Emma did NOT get a similar letter either. I’d assumed the ‘did she/didn’t she’ question was a Friday night cliffhanger created by the listeners not the scriptwriters, who unusually ended on what seemed a happy note. .......
DeleteMrs P. I am with you as to Emma, in that it is still an assumption. At no time has it been said she has received the same letter. She might well have done but not mentioned.
DeleteYes Miriam - …… but not mentioned.
DeleteHave we not been told many times……. If you haven't heard it, or heard about it, it didn't happen.
Maryellen - what we have heard is Will telling Em in a voice mail that he had a letter and she would get one too.
We have also heard Emma in conversation with Ed , claim that she and Will will not be charged.
But still no mention of Emma receiving a letter.
✔️ Agree as stated on September 20th 11.27am
DeleteI thought Oliver’s draft letter in support of George’s character reference was very fair.
ReplyDeleteBut then I would not have expected less of Oliver.
But to me, it was what he left out!!
DeleteI think Fallon has been taking lessons in steamrollering from Natasha. Does she ever actually stop and listen to her husband?
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ReplyDelete'What can't be cured must be endured' was one of my granny's sayings, and it's how I feel about listening to Lynda Snell at the moment. The whole F&P story is a load of tosh and Lynda's self-appointed role is weird to say the least. It would be marginally more bearable if the actor used her own pleasant voice instead of La Snell's exaggerated drawl.
ReplyDeleteNow she's dragged Jim into it. The scriptwriters must be desperate to find storylines for their aging characters. As I've commented before, this is the downside of character-based drama in soaps. Much better when the storyline finds the character.
PS. I should have added IMHO to my last sentence to make it clear I'm just expressing my views, not laying down the law!
DeleteI have said exactly the same thing on another website. I thought she had lost the exaggerated posh voice but it has returned for her role as Miss Marple. Silly woman, why doesn’t someone tell her to pipe down and stop making a drama out of a dropped pie?
DeleteWhatever punishment George gets I hope that he learns from it, after all he does have form in mot taking the blame for his actions. He dropped his friend Brad in it over the damage to Caroline's bench.
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ReplyDeleteDon't worry, Cheshire Cheese - George is already coming good! Unfortunately, Tony is irredeemably wrong-headed. (WE'RE not writing a reference, he said, effectively quashing Pat's right to a voice.)
ReplyDeleteI immediately thought of Pat's feminist credentials and hope she will not take Tony's order lying down. If I was spoken to like that, I would absolutely rebel and do the opposite.
ReplyDeleteHooray, Pat did it!
DeleteClarrie is lucky to be able to take indefinite leave to care for her sister. I wonder what the terms are. We have a friend who is due to have a knee replacement, she lives alone and has got a dog. Her daughter has got 2 weeks annual leave to help but no other leave. Her son hasn't any annual leave and has been told that he can only have 1 week of unpaid leave. There is no other family to help.
ReplyDeleteClarrie was 70 this year, maybe Tony and Pat are concerned that she will just retire and lave them further in the lurch. There does seem to be very little in the way of retirement planning in the Archers,
DeleteHeather Bell, who plays Clarrie, is "ten years younger" than her. (The actress who plays Pat is also 80.) Clarrie wasn't heard for quite a while before TA rationalised her absence by sending her off to her sister, thus piling further pressure on Bridge Farm's staffing levels, and feeding into all the looming crises resulting from George's confession.
DeleteCC When my late Dad spent about 6 weeks in hospital/rehab. due to a medical problem, he was entitled to house adaptions via OT along with carers for 6 weeks. All of this was arranged by social services. I was there for all these discussions, did the collection of things from approved places via basically a different type of "prescription".
DeleteIf I hadn't been there, I am sure Dad would have said "No" to all, as he was a very proud man.
Just realised wrong page, but it relates to Rosie + Clarrie in a sort of way.
Well done, Pat! (Repeat x 100!)
ReplyDeleteWill Fallon would supply a reference for the man who saved her life, risking his own?
I suspect she might Maryellen, and what drama that will create. Following on the theme of partners falling out over the incident, Harrison will be very angry if Fallon does. His overriding thought will be that yes Fallon was saved but his baby was lost because of the accident.
ReplyDeleteAnd if Alice should write something acknowledging that she distracted George when he was driving ( not that that excuses George from framing her at all) then Brian and Chris will be really exasperated.
DeleteIf Fallon were to give George a character reference explaining how although causing the accident, he also subsequently put his own life in danger by saving hers, this would help George with his self esteem and give an enormous boost to his current mental state.
DeleteHe reiterates his uselessness but repeats often that ‘ he saved her life ‘.
Saving Fallon seems to be of the utmost priority in George’s assessment of his actions, and Fallons endorsement might change his view of himself and his actions.
Notwithstanding the above, George’s greatest problem is in his inability to see that his ‘ crime’ was in the deliberate framing of Alice as the driver and keeping quiet for many weeks in order to subvert the truth of the accident, in order to keep himself safe.
Taking responsibility for his actions has been an ongoing problem for George throughout his teenage years, and Emma needs to recognise this and look to her methods of parenting in this respect.
I think under normal circumstances Fallon would have had an abortion on finding she was pregnant and not told Harrison. If she had told him he would have been devastated and they would probably now be looking at a divorce. I can also understand Fallon's attitude towards Harrison and his "wallowing" as he appeared to be more traumatised by the loss of the pregnancy than Fallon being trapped under water and nearly dying. I also think Alice will speak up for George.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your assessment of Fallons situation PatriciaC and what she might well have done.
DeleteBut with one exception.
I think she would have tried to discuss an abortion with Harrison who would have been devastated and the marriage may well have fallen apart due to their very different feelings about the situation.
Your point about Harrison’s focus on the loss of a baby rather than the possibility of Fallons death being of greater importance, brings his behaviour into a different focus altogether, and not one that I’ve thought of myself thus far.
My thoughts. George is pleading guilty to two charges - Dangerous Driving plus another related charge, so has to be punished accordingly regardless of saving Fallons life. If he hadn't been driving, then he wouldn't have had to save her!
ReplyDeleteThe punishment must fit the crime in some way.
A thought which is not mine - Alice/Brian have been paying legal fees since May which are now known as unnecessary, so can they claim these back.in some way from George 😂😆
I doubt it Miriam, he hasn't got the money and it would cost Brian and Alice more in legal fees to sue him.
DeleteIt is my understanding and my experience that it is the court who decides who should pay the legal fees. Not having the wherewithal to pay those fees is irrelevant.
DeleteUmmm somewhat of a damp squib tonight for me, messy and hurried. With the prison situation being what it currently is and George pleading guilty and two good character references the sentence may well be a suspended one with Community Service. This would cause bad blood of course within families (looking at you Pat therefore good Sl for the SW) and the village in general!
ReplyDeleteDidn’t Ed have to do some sort of anger management or critical thinking course back in the day ordered by the court for some indiscretion. I sincerely think that community service along with similar counselling/education would be most appropriate.for George
ReplyDeleteSeparately, some people both here & on other sites have said that Alice needs to accept responsibility for her part in what happened, I am fairly sure she did this to someone but I can’t remember who she was talking to, I think it was possibly a family member who closed her down, i don’t always listen with full attention & since they moved the omnibus I often don’t re-listen
Yes Alice did say she was responsible KP but like you I cannot remember who the conversation was with. I do have an inkling that it was when Susan visited her, but I’m not at all sure that it was Susan that she said it to.
DeleteI think it was Fallon. As I remember it, Alice didn’t go into details.
DeleteAccording to the Ambridge Reporter Synopsis it was Harrison and, no, she didn't go into any detail.
DeleteI'm no fan of George KP but do agree that prison wouldn't be right in this case. Some form of community service would be appropriate. I wonder if he will get points on his licence or even a driving ban.
DeleteThanks, Patricia - that must have been the episode which ended with Alice and Harrison’s reconciliation.
DeleteYes it was Maryellen.
DeleteI found it interesting to compare the storyline described in Helen's Dangerous Driving (2006) on the BBC's TA website with the current one. It was foggy, Helen was drunk and knocked over a pedestrian (Mike Tucker) causing minor injuries. On an impulse, sober Tom, her passenger, swapped seats with her, and as the apparent driver reported the incident to the police.
ReplyDeleteHe was released without charge (though he had to attend a driving course which Helen paid for.) That sounds to me like perverting the course of justice - and getting away with it. True, his motivation differed from George's, taking the blame not shifting it, but even so....
Tony and Pat were furious with Tom until Helen confessed she was the driver.. They agreed with Mike Tucker NOT to tell this to the police, which again sounds to me like the covering up that Emma and Will were originally charged with. Hmm!
MMMMMMM !
DeletePoint taken Maryellen.
Certainly explains Pat’s greater understanding of Emma’s behaviour.
DeleteLilian’s turn for the shouty voice tonight. Between them, she and Eddie have made being part of a family sound like living in a police state!
ReplyDeleteI for one, will be cross if George gets away with a non-custodial sentence. He deserves some sort of harsh punishment just as Freddy had, whose sentence was 12months in a YOI.
ReplyDeleteWhy should George be excused, but I am suggesting just a short 3-6 months term.
I might sound callous, but this is my opinion.
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DeleteThe omnibus is available from Sunday midnight. I listen to it to suit what I doing on a sunday morning.
ReplyDeleteNo Susan, you shouldn’t tell anyone.
ReplyDeleteThe person you need to speak to is Poppy herself.
Then, you report to Will what happened and what you said to Poppy.
Agree MrsP
DeleteWhat a ghastly woman Tracy Horrobin is! Not a shred of humanity, unlike Pat. I was impressed by the way Brad calmly stood up to her, I didn't think he had it in him, my mistake. He is exactly the friend George needs right now, and I can foresee a positive relationship developing between them for the future. The balance between them is already shifting with Brad as the still centre around which George revolves.....
ReplyDeleteYes I was pleased to hear Brad become the in charge /supportive person he became last night ✔️
DeleteI've got a lot of time for Brad. I wish he had more confidence in himself, with his mathematical ability he could go far.
DeleteCertainly very different from the clownish Brad we encountered at Grey Gables last summer. Listeners attributed it to neurodivergence (as diagnosed by bloggers, not referred to as autistic, on the spectrum or neurodivergence in TA, that I recall) but personally I think that storyline was an aberration, thankfully short-lived.
DeleteWhat George "needs to hear" from his aunt is that she will give him a character reference. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteAn apology for her drunken behaviour is probably too much to expect.
My thoughts on Alice’s words this evening were that she might apologise to him AND offer a character reference as well.
DeleteWhat George needs to hear is, how long he will be away for.
DeleteThere is no excuse for Perverty the Course of Justice, which was done for so many months from May to August and then beyond.
It is after all preventing + hiding the truth as to an offence, which George was guilty for. This was he was driving and caused Micks car and passengers going into the AM and then manipulating the scene to put Alice as the cause.
This cannot be excused in any way, well to me!
I realise others think otherwise but I will not change my thoughts.
I have just realised that I shall miss the very important episode next Thursday as I shall be in France and don’t think I can get Sounds there any longer. Just as this long running story is reaching its climax, I won’t be able to hear it until I get back home later in the month!
ReplyDeleteWhat a disappointment! ☹️
You should be able to get Sounds in France, I was listening fine in Greece.
DeleteOh, that’s good. I thought I’d heard that you couldn’t do so any more. As long as son’s WiFi is actually working I should be OK. Thanks KP
DeleteI was so pleased by Brookfield's civilised approach to the Grundys. No shouty voices there. Instead, putting sympathy into practice by offering them a job and promising to pay promptly. Well done, David and Ruth!
ReplyDeleteBut I was shocked and saddened by how inarticulate Jill was, no doubt reflecting the actor's own decline. What has happened to Leonard, I wonder? No mention of him for a very long time.
Yes I agree. Paddy Green sounded dreadful and I found it quite distressing. Perhaps her birthday party will be her farewell performance.
DeleteA glimpse of the original voice in a few words, but yes, mostly pretty distressing. I too thought this was likely to be her swan song.
DeleteI have read elsewhere that her part was ‘patched in’, in other words, recorded at home and added to the broadcast later. I think this is also how Peggy’s last few broadcasts were done. Feels like another end to the era I grew up with.
DeleteI agree with all comments it surprises me that although I of course have grown older whilst listening to TA somehow I do not except the same of the actors 🙃 so many of whom are now in their 80’s and 90’s and unlike the their Ambridge characters and more like us are having some issues along the way.
DeleteI don't think it is kind to keep recording 'Jill', I wonder if she would like to be remembered that way.
Deletei have been wracking my brain trying to work out the relationship between David and Alice. Are they cousins? If so, how? I think it might be Dan's sister was Jenny's mother???
Alice is Jenny’s daughter.
DeleteJenny and Lilian and Tony were the daughters of Jack Archer and his wife Peggy.
David Archer and his siblings Shula and twin Kenton and Elizabeth are the children of Philip Archer and his wife Jill.
Philip and Jack were brothers, and their sister Christine were the children of Dan and Doris Archer of Brookfield Farm.
I think that makes David Alice’s uncle.
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I think Maryellen may have had a hand in writing Alice’s statement that we heard Alice reading to George this evening.
Thank you Mrs. P., beautifully consise. I had completely forgotton Jack Archer, also Peggy and Christine, having my own senior moment there.
DeleteI thought Alice's statement was very fair, but I cringed a bit at her 'single mother nearly lost my only source of income' bit.
I know this true, in fact, but doesn't really feel it to me.
David and Jenny were first cousins because they shared the same grandparents.
DeleteDavid and Alice (his cousin's daughter) are first cousins once removed (one generation apart).
Likewise Jenny and Pip.
Jenny and Rosie were first cousins twice removed (two generations apart).
Alice and Pip are second cousins because they share the same great grandparents.
Alice and Rosie are second cousins once removed.
Martha and Rosie are third cousins because they share the same great great grandparents.
Shall I go on, or have I bored you all into a stupor?
I didn't post because I was still working out the first and second and how many times removed thing. Thanks for saving my brain energy OWIAS
DeleteThank you OwiaS for your clarification on the cousins issue.
DeleteThere was a time when I was able to be concise on the first and second cousins issue, but for me that ship appears to have sailed !
😊 This is probably the clearest chart I've found for family relations: https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/comments/mtr36j/my_friend_made_this_cousin_chart_shared_with/
DeleteOr, if you prefer reading off tables, try https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/cousin-chart for a very comprehensive guide.
Or give up and call them all relations or distant relations!
Thank you all, I do find it a tiny bit confusing, it would help if I could remember all of the characters!
DeleteIn my opinion George is not responsible for Alice's present relationship with Martha - her alcoholism is. Without the accident Alice would have probably carried on drinking leading to who knows what? The accident was the "wake up" call which resulted in her going back into rehab which probably caused Martha to feel her Mummy had abandoned her and explaining Martha's reactions now. It in no way absolves George and the agony he has caused Alice, but he is now having to face up to this and take his punishment.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Patricia on the points you make.
DeleteAltogether, I was pleased that Alice was prepared to make her statement to George.
However, like Mistral, I too cringed at her mentioning her ‘ single mother/ only source of income ‘ part of that statement.
It has probably helped Alice in the process of her recovery to make her statement in a written form and then to read it to George.
It will have given her a greater sense of identity to speak it to George.
It was however a flawed statement IMO.
Alice seems to be coming to terms with taking responsibility for her actions, but seems also to be blindsided where her care of Martha is being considered within the bigger picture.
Managed to hear the Friday night episode today. You are right KP, I can get Sounds in France, there are just restrictions on some broadcasts like sports commentaries.
ReplyDeleteAs for the content, I thought Lilian went way over the top in her treatment of Will. She has forgiven Justin no end of misdemeanours but seems unable to do the same with the some of the Grundys.
I thought Alice’s treatment of George was very cold and accusatory. George is not responsible for her alcoholism and it is that which has had most effect on her relationship with Martha.
And is also the reason she was parked in that lay-by, incapable of driving, initiating the whole string of events
He seems to have truly realised how badly he has acted, (and not just over the Alice business), and knows he needs to be punished and turn his life around.
I never thought I’d say this, but I think George will come good, become a good farmer and even husband and father through having been through this whole event. A spell in a YOI could be the making of him.
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DeleteAgree with all your comments AP.
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It will serve as a punishment but only that I think. A review done recently by HMIP has highlighted worsening standards in YOIs, with lack of educational opportunities, increasing amounts of time locked up in isolation which creates mental health problems , and a lot of violence, so I don't think George will learn anything useful.
ReplyDeleteI suppose Alice was confronting George with reality in the same way she would have been in rehab, and it seemed to be effective as he was reduced to tears; but I'm not sure she has truly taken on board her part in what happened. I wonder if she even remembers trying to open the car door.
DeleteHmmm🤔
DeleteI agree that Alice has yet to become fully aware - and able to admit - her culpability in the event, but feel strongly that she is in a process of understanding which is, and might continue, to take time.
DeletePerhaps a longer length of time that some might wish.
I agree Janice, I think George would get more benefit from community service, assuming that something appropriate exists which is doubtful these days.
DeleteI think that even though George is now admitting that he was responsible for the accident, Alice was lucky not to have been charged with being drunk in charge of a vehicle, regardless of the fact she was in the driver's seat and the keys were in the glove box. I think this law only applies to someone who is over the limit. You or I would not be classed as being in charge of a vehicle if the keys had been removed from the ignition (presuming we were not over the limit 🥴).
ReplyDeleteI think Fallon will surprise us with a last-minute character reference for George........
ReplyDeleteAh, apparently she’s doing a personal impact.statement, wonder if you can do both?
DeleteOh dear Linda, was that your racism showing? Not a nice look.
ReplyDeleteI really don’t think Lynda would be that crass, poor writing on this occasion i thought
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ReplyDeleteI imagine Khalil and Henry are destined to cross paths (hopefully not words!) since both live on the Beechwood estate and are the only two males of secondary school age in Ambridge with the gift of speech! Zainab is clearly filling in for Mia as the village's latest feisty young female while the latter is away in Newcastle.
ReplyDeleteIf a drone weighs more than 250g you need to pass a test with the CAA and have a flier ID which must be carried at all times while flying. I hope that George isn't breaking the law whilst waiting to be sentenced and potentially getting Brad into trouble.
ReplyDeleteAren't Henry + Khalil almost the same age and live just across the road from each other?
ReplyDeleteOne thing I picked up with both Zainab + Khalil, neither seemed to have a mobile 'phone or if they had, weren't using them.
The man who risked his life to save yours, Fallon, does have a name. Referring to George as 'him' as if you can't bring yourself to utter it, is not merely discourteous but massively ungrateful. Let's hope you do better on Thursday, and we don't get more self-dramatisation such as we heard from Alice last Friday,
ReplyDeleteIt concerns me that Alice’s role in causing the crash may never become public knowledge, and only George and 5 million listeners will ever know the truth.
ReplyDeletea) We don’t know if Alice has remembered (or will remember) it and if she does, will she or won’t she say?
b) We don’t know whether George actually included it in his confession - he could have omitted it to spare Alice further incrimination - and, assuming he did include it, whether it will be used in court or not,
c) The occupants of the oncoming car apparently saw nothing of Alice’s attempt to exit the moving car.
Dangerous driving is the least of the two offences to which George has pleaded guilty, and I hope that with all extenuating circumstances taken into account, neither the sentencing or public opinion will be too hard on him, especially as he seems to be normally a safe driver.
Voluntary service at The Laurels where he would undoubtedly get a right earwigging from Peggy might be appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI shall be very interested in what Fallon has to say in her victim statement. He saved her life which is a big plus in his favour, but if she says the accident caused her to miscarry without mentioning that she would have had an abortion anyway then that is going to weigh heavily against him. She can say it affected her husband badly but that is only half the truth, and she might find it very difficult to say in public she herself did not want the baby. The interesting thing in this story I think is the way in which the ripples from it will go on impacting all the players in various ways. Some one else pointed out that Pat's helpful attitude may have been rooted in the family's cover up of Helen's accident in the past, and the scriptwriters may be able to use the impact of this event in the future.
DeleteFallon cannot say with certainty that the crash led to the death of the foetus noone knew existed, because the hospital doctor said it was impossible to determine the cause of death, and the crash was only one possibility. What the crash revealed was the shaky foundation of her marriage, and George can hardly be held responsible for that.
DeleteAssuming, as Harrison unquestioningly has, that the crash caused the miscarriage, one could say George unwittingly did Fallon a favour in that it spared her having to tell Harrison she was deliberately terminating the pregnancy. The fallout from that is too awful to contemplate.
PS. Like Janice, I will be very interested to hear what Fallon focuses on in her impact statement. I think Thursday will be her moment, just as Friday was Alice’s moment.
DeleteIf George hadn't stolen Alice's car there would have been no crash and Fallon wouldn't have needed rescuing, so why should Fallon be grateful? I think there are three scenarios regarding the pregnancy, Fallon would have :
ReplyDeleteA). miscarried anyway
B). had an abortion and not told Harrison, or
C). decided to keep the baby. (Although I think this unlikely.)
I do think this is the wake-up call George was badly in need of and if given the chance he will make the most of it.
Immediately after the crash George had a choice: to stay and help rescue the passengers in the river, or to scarper. He chose to stay. Rescuing Fallon, nearly submerged and working by touch in the inky water, was increasingly dangerous and frightening. He could have given up and saved himself. He chose to stay, and carry on. I think she has cause to be grateful.
DeleteUrggh! So after Lynda's hostility to Azra's son (whether motivated by racism or simply distrust of outsiders to the village - rather ironic from someone who runs the local B&B), we have her blatantly fishing for compliments. The dish of food was a nice touch, but I would far rather have heard her owning up, admitting she jumped to unfair conclusions, and apologising directly. Lynda has shown herself capable of eating humble pie in the past, now would have been a good time to do so again.
ReplyDeleteAnd Azra *must* have realised who the obnoxious woman was - how many exotic animal owners are there in Ambridge?
I heard Azra’s retort as an oblique message to Lynda that she knew precisely who the obnoxious person with the exotic animal was, and I thought it clever and diplomatic.
DeleteWell done Azra !
Agree however that it would have been an opportunity for Lynda to show some of her humanity and apologise. We know that she can. But the SWs chose on this occasion to show instead Lynda’s unpleasant side which again we are all too familiar with.
It reminded me of how Lynda behaved when Ardil first became her B&B guest.
Yet another reminder of the complexity of Lynda Snells personality.
Certainly not one of my favourite Archers characters, however cleverly she is written.
Listening to the Grundy family gathering for George’s ‘last supper’ anyone would think he is a hero who has done nothing wrong. OK, he has now realised his behaviour was unacceptable and is prepared to face the consequences but the way Eddie was carrying on, you’d think it was something to be proud of - the possibility of being sent away
ReplyDeleteSeems I’m not anyone because I didn’t think any of that! All I heard was a family doing its best to show support and boost the morale of a family member about to undergo a challenging experience. I liked the preceding scenes with the cousins ribbing each other and Eddie and George laughing together. I feel George is in a good frame of mind.
DeleteOh no, you are not just anyone, you are Maryellen, who makes very wise and insightful comments on the programme. Sometimes we see (hear) things differently but I always respect your views.
DeleteFeel I must say that I too heard as Maryellen heard last night.
DeleteA family giving support to a very scared young member of that family. The support that he needs to withstand the ordeal that he is clearly going through.
And even Eddie seems to have at last come round to acknowledging that George needs to be a man and to stand up to and face the reality of his actions on that night, rather than his previous advice to view himself as a wrong’un in the eyes of the law.
George himself, in the voice message that R4 are playing in the lead up to tonight’s episode, finally mentions ‘ the lie ‘ at the heart of this drama, and wishes he had not lied, amongst other actions of that night.
However I can easily see how ARCHERPHILE heard differently a family treating their hero, unfortunately caught in the headlights and about to meet his unfortunate fate.
I also agree with Maryellen that George is now in a good frame of mind.
Spending months hiding his truth and clearly knowing his actions that night in moving Alice into the driving seat, were wrong, and particularly mean, whilst recognising the effect that his silence on the matter was eating away at him. Once opening up to the truth he has grown from an overblown and overconfident adolescent into a young man ready to meet his ( imagined) worst nightmare.
An extremely well written and complex character.
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DeleteDear Archerphile, that's very sweet of you - you've made my day! (Thought I think your first full stop would be better placed after "sometimes" instead of before it!) I always look forward to your thoughtful and well-expressed views, even if I don't altogether agree with them. They're typical of this blog eally, civilised and perceptive. No knee-jerk reactions here!
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ReplyDeleteI completely agree with both Maryellen and MrsP regarding the Grundy family's support of George. MrsP especially expressed my thoughts. I can't imagine not doing the same were it one of my grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteI so understand how the Grundy were rallying round George, even if Clarrie was cooking a family roast so stuck in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteGeorge was being helpful with Grandad Eddie with the turkeys but I'm still not sure how Eddie can say how "proud" he is of his grandson.
Perhaps it is to do with the money George made for them with the Bartleby videos, buying a drone for his so-called business, doing the hay bale challenge, not sure.
It can't be proud of George for getting sacked from Berrow, trying to scam the programme money with his QR code at the 2023 fete, or was it for telling the truth when he kept this quiet for months and was prepared for Alice to go to jail instead. He only confessed when his own mother called in the police.
There are different ideas as to what this meant, but IMHO there is not massive to be proud about with George.
I'm still reserving judgment about George. He is saying all the right things about understanding the situation that he is in and wanting to be a better person. I'm not convinced yet, but he will need a supportive family to help him to do that and I hope that he succeeds.
ReplyDeleteI sadly, have no empathy for George as it was only his own actions and lack off, which has put him in this situation.
DeleteI do appreciate that there are many What If's, but to my mind he was driving, he was responsible for the crash and he moved Alice to put the blame on her.
Hopefully, the sentence will go to appeal and succeed. George is far too interesting a character to lose to HMP for so long!
ReplyDeleteA very tense, well written, well acted and dramatic episode. So it’s an adult prison for George and he is obviously terrified - who wouldn’t be? I couldn’t quite make out the family reactions at the end, whether it was Susan or Emma in such distress but they are going to have to deal with the outcome somehow. So now the gossip in the village will really start.
ReplyDelete.
It was Emma.
DeleteApparently for a sentence of 2 to 4 years you serve half and are then released on licence for the other half. I think the year for dangerous driving was harsh because it was Alice in her drunken state who caused the accident. At least it was to run concurrently with the two years for perverting the course of justice. All being well he will be out in a year, but he will have to be incredibly strong to resist the teaching and influence of other worse criminals than himself. For some one used to being outdoors being shut in will be difficult.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Janice the greatest punishment of all, especially if locked in a cell for up to 23 hrs a day.
DeleteI am panicking to get my breath at the thought of it….surely enough to deter most people from ever returning. I assume this prison is a fictional one and if so will it have a garden veg etc that George could work in?
I have been hoping for some time that if George is sent to a young offenders facility that there would be something like a vegetable garden or possibly animals for George to become involved with.
DeleteHowever if he has now been sent to an adult prison, albeit a wing for younger inmates, it might have even better opportunities such as a productive smallholding.
I would expect the TA team to have done their research in this regard and we must hope for some redemption for George.
I certainly hope that we are not to be led down the path of a troubled and violent time for George while inside.
In our local prison/YOI at Winchester things are dire. Men locked up for 23 hours a day because there aren’t enough staff to supervise them. Classes all but suspended for the same reason. Makes for a very unhappy and rowdy place so I hear, with fights and attacks on staff. Poor George if he is sent to a place like that.
DeleteI heard this morning that, tonight, there is to be the start of a weekly podcast about The Archers, run by Emma Barnett and Susie Riddell (Tracy). Lots of discussion about storylines, actors etc etc. Guest contributors too including Judge Robert Rinder assessing the judges decision regarding George. Available, I think, hope, on Sounds.
ReplyDeleteI’m surprised that you have only heard about it today ARCHERPHILE- it’s been trailed on R4 for weeks.
DeleteI’m looking forward to it.
I did not know this either so thanks AP! Yes many prisons are like Winchester now I believe…..
DeleteHaving found “All about The Archers” on you tube I am still following that too. It is now in the top 200 podcasts considering how many are available pretty good going, and was only a year old last week.
Also available as just an audible version. They post every Tuesday evening but did a special last night following THE broadcast. I have yet to pick up on that one. Tomorrow there will be an interview with “Ruth” these happen every few weeks again YouTube and I think just audio if preferred. So plenty to keep one amused Archer wise.
I will avoid it, not especially interested in 'celebrity' opinions, and I cannot abide Emma Barnett at all. She put me off listening to both Womans Hour and Today, she won't put me off The archers as well.
ReplyDeleteI think it's Emma Freud not Barnett. There was an interview on the Today programme this morning with both her and Tracey Riddell. I wasn't planning on listening to it but after hearing the interview I might give it a go.
ReplyDeleteSusie Riddel not Tracey!
DeleteSorry, I got the wrong Emma! And it was the interview on the Today programme I listened to. Missed the very beginning so didn’t hear the introductions. I’m quite glad it’s not Emma Barnett as I’m not too keen on her.
DeleteI might give it a whirl but on the whole I don't enjoy magazine-type programmes as (imo)they tend to be itty-bitty with too little coverage of the topics that interest me and too much of those that don't! I'd rather hear interviews with the TA production team than the actors, because the actors are only on the receiving end, and it's the team that determine plot and character development and can spell out the thinking behind it. Although I suppose an actor has more glamour than as scriptwriter and can add some extraneous details listeners might find interesting like how they acquired their regional/class accents for the programme.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIf the interview was anything to go by, it sounded like they were going to be exploring TA in some depth Maryellen.
DeleteI listened to Emma F's introductory/promotional episode and brightened when she mentioned contributions from a producer and a scriptwriter, but then my heart sank when she ended by highlighting a fun feature on Who's Got The Worst Pet?!
Delete(If you're thinking I'm an old sourpuss, you could be right!)
A controversial thought I know, but George had to have a custodial sentence. The Judge in my mind, focused on the two main issues as to perverting the Course of Justice. These were:-
ReplyDeleteAfter the crash, despite doing what he did with those who ended up in the AM, he still had the audacity and the conceived thought, to move Alice into the drivers seat. He then tried to put Harry into the frame..
This manipulation of the truth, is, well IMO, why he has the sentence he has.
No doubt he will only serve about 9-10 months with early release.
I will listen to the new TA podcast.
ReplyDeleteThis cannot even be judged yet, as it hasn't had it's first broadcast.
I will listen with interest as to what audience it is aimed at.
If it brings more TA listeners in, then that is great.
In my opinion…… anyone who chooses to bypass the Emma Freud ARCHERSPODCAST is missing a jewel.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly this was the first episode, but nevertheless it promises great listening.
There were no ‘ personalities ‘
There were two members of the cast.
There was a long time listener who is also a judge who went through the how why and what of George’s crime and sentence.
And there was a great discussion about Emma’s relationship with George, being a Horrobin, the different sides of the Horrobin family, leading to further discussion of how the origins of this current story - Clive and the raid on the village shop - thirty years ago, have played out now.
It was not at all itty bitty nor a ‘ magazine ‘ type programme.
It will most certainly be a weekly listen for me from now on.
I will probably listen to this although I already had four other Archers based podcasts in my inbox each week…. I think I may have a bit of a problem. There’s a new book about the Archers by one of the production team os writers coming out soon as well..
DeleteWell done MrsP. The final paragraph in your earlier post, "I certainly hope that we are not to be led down the path of a troubled and violent time for George while inside", seems spot on judging by tonight's episode, although I'm really disliking the direction the storyline is taking - poor Emma.
ReplyDeleteIf so George will definitely be staying in the cast and I think this is going to be a current insight into today’s prison system SL. I appreciate that if you have “children” in your mind they are always so - no matter what their age but in reality George is a man he is 19yrs old so has been one for a year. If this is not to be considered the case then the coming of age should return to 21yrs.
DeleteI think it should never have been changed from 21, although I think voting should be allowed at 16. Young people vary so much, some daft happuths take until about 25 to develop any sense. Apparently the part of the brain to do with rational thinking isn't fully developed until around the age of 25, so there is hope for George yet.
DeleteI listened to the podcast and found it interesting so thanks to those who recommended it. I was surprised it was as long ago as 30 years that Susan was tried. I can still remember and hear the uproar in the court when she was sentenced, and yet I had forgotten Kate attempting to let down the tyres of Clive's getaway car. I was struck by Judge Rinder pointing out that normally a third of a sentence is knocked off for admitting guilt and pleading guilty and that it was unrealistic that that was not done for George.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting hearing Susie Riddell as Kate in the clip from the Post Office raid. I didn't know that she had played that part as well as that of Tracey.
DeleteI too, really enjoyed the podcast, especially the playing of old clips. The one of Clive Horrobin’s attack on the post office was riveting. I had forgotten the exact details and how violent and dramatic it was and also how it led, long term, into recent storylines.
ReplyDeleteI shall certainly be listening regularly.
I have it subscribed but I have not listened yet. I am so looking forward to hearing this...perhaps tonight whilst getting the evening meal ready, so filling the TA Saturday gap.
ReplyDeleteOh well, I admit it, I listened to the podcast and really enjoyed it, so thank you Mrs. P.
DeleteI will be a regular listener now. I thought the parellel between Susan and Emma sort of sleep-walking into criminality was very interesting. I'm really glad that Emma and Will weren't charged in the end. I think Emma's reaction is a bit odd though, she is so concerned about public opinion, and had such strong views on George's behaviour, now she is falling to bits when she needs to build bridges with Chris, Fallon and hostile neighbours. I agree that George is not a child - this could either be a blessing or the start of his proper criminal career.
Taking up your point about Emma’s concerns with others opinions, Mistral, I hadn’t thought it till reading what you wrote, but realise that it’s been there at the back of my mind for months now.
DeleteEmma is / has become, the image of her mum when younger. I think back to the time when Neil built the house and although I can’t recall any details, I do remember how concerned she was to have everything looking the way she perceived others would see the house.
That is just one example of course.
Susan has mellowed considerably over the decades, as do most of us I think, and perhaps this episode with George will do something similar for Emma.
I’m glad you listened and enjoyed it Mistral.
My post recommending it was aimed at you and Maryellen.
And if Miriam does listen while cooking, I think she might miss out a bit.
I sat and concentrated throughout and was pleased that I did so.
Thanks, Mrs P. I'm glad I listened as it was much better than I expected, with all the running time devoted to a topic that interested me. I liked hearing all the hypotheses about the characters' motivation and behaviour, which I didn't always agree with (bit like this blog!), though I could have done without the barrister who didn't seem to be taking it seriously and said a lot about nothing much.
ReplyDeleteBest of all was the replay of Clive's Post Office raid, famously written by Sally Wainwright of Last Tango in Halifax and Happy Valley. I think I'll probably listen selectively in future, rather like I listen to Front Row. The Who's Got the Worst Pet? feature is not for me!
We have similar selective listening habits Maryellen.
DeletePleased you listened and enjoyed it, and agree about the barrister.
And I look forward to Miriam’s opinion too.
PS. I gather listeners to the podcast detected a pro-George bias - which hasn't gone down well with the Lilian Bellamys and Chris Carters of this world!
DeleteClarrie’‘s back on air - but will we be saying goodbye to Neil instead? And if so, will that also be held against George?
ReplyDeleteOh Maryellen, I do hope not, Neil is the voice of reason. I think he knows he has got a problem though, masking it behind breakfast-skipping. As if Susan would let him out of the house without it.
DeleteNeil’s problem sounded to me very like the symptoms I’ve been experiencing for some time on and off.
DeleteSo I’m rather hoping he needs a pacemaker, which I am reliably informed is not serious.
Neil being my favourite Archers character cannot leave us yet. He is younger than me and I’ve loved him since he was a young fella desperately fond of Shula, who he always knew he was not ‘ good enough ‘ for.
And I’m not ready to lose him yet !
Nor me MrsP. I have seen opinions elsewhere that he could be suffering diabetes but I am not sure about that. Mr A’s first symptoms were excessive thirst and blurred vision. I can’t remember if Neil mentioned those. I don’t recall dizzyness. I suspect, as Mrs P said, a heart problem, hopefully one that is easily managed.
DeleteI don’t recall dizziness being one of Mr A’s symptoms
DeleteIt could just be dehydration and we'll get the message to drink however many glasses of water a day. If it's more serious, I guess it's a plot device to heap yet more anguish and guilt on Emma and George. Poor them!
DeleteThe “All about The Archers” podcast / visual if on YouTube was an hours interview with Felicity Finch (Ruth of course) last Saturday. One personal thing I learned about her is that her partner is Kim Durham ( Matt Crawford) did not meet in TA studios but at an outside event! She a a very positive person with strong views on her character and TA in general no shilly-shallying.
ReplyDeleteRuth and Matt - oooh nooooo!
DeleteApparently very happy together for a number of years.
DeleteShe very much underplayed the relationship, I got the impression that she rather wished they had not introduced the subject, so responded in the least objectionable manner.
Who has been editing the Ambridge village website since Jennifer's involvement? I wonder if she or he would be willing to hand over to George, or take him on as sub-editor, because it strikes me this would be an excellent way to re-integrate George into the community. Maybe it would qualify as community services if the latter part of his prison sentence was commuted to include that? WE know he has the technical and creative skills for it, and it would be a good introduction to a potential career in media journalism or IT management should either appeal to him. Good as he is at farm work (when not distracted by thoughts of Tilly Button!), I don't feel that's where his heart lies.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the community, bloggers elsewhere have mentioned the outraged reaction of the village as if it was automatic and unanimous . But we've no evidence of what the village at large thinks. Noone walked out of The Bull on the evening when Lilian banned Will on the grounds that his presence would send the wrong message to customers. The egg-throwing incident was a family affair with pro-George Poppy having a go at Emma. Emma has been aware of "people looking at her" but in her heightened state has also cut short sympathisers who she imagined were disapproving.
I imagine the villagers as a whole are no more or less bothered now than they appeared to be by Freddie's conviction for the horrible offence of drug-dealing, or Susan and Matt Crawford's convictions. And as for the future - well, villages may have long memories but that doesn't mean they necessarily dwell on them!
Well, would you believe it? Yesterday, a character says she needs a new job, and today a job vacancy comes up!
ReplyDeleteBut what about Harrison? I think he should leave the police force which he wanted, and go to work for Fallon at the charging hub. If his pride can let him.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if whoever owns the site would need to employ someone in a security capacity. That might suit Harrison well. Is it Damara/ Justin who owns the site, and is that why Fallon put her ideas to him?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was Justin, he kept it quiet until Brookfield agreed the sale.
DeleteThe BBC news report today about the extreme violence and gang rivalries in the prisons they visited makes for very disturbing reading. Things seem to be totally out of control with overcrowding making things worse. If warders themselves are afraid to tackle what is happening then a young man like George isn't going to stand a chance. If they portray it in the Archers in any other way then it won't be realistic.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been listening to the news today and feeling exactly as you do Janice.
DeleteNot good !
Oh dear, it's Natasha-bashing time again on other blogs. At least it gives Emma a break.
ReplyDeleteWhat has happened to Fallon's other business interests, upcycling and outside catering, of which we've heard almost nothing, and I assume are not making a profit?
Great to hear Henry again, now with a grown up voice like Khalil's (if they're about to become friends, will listeners be able to tell their voices apart?) Henry was so mature in his thinking and positive in his approach during his conversation with his grandmother. I think he will replace Neil Carter as Ambridge's "voice of reason" - minus Neil's reactionary tendencies. Stay around, Henry!
ReplyDeleteSeems like Brad is ready to move on Mia 🤔
ReplyDeleteI don't often post my TA thoughts here.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I loved Chelsea, Brad + Nainab meeting up. I can forsee friendships starting, not forgetting Henry + Khalil getting together as a mischievous pair!
As to the Tea Room -it's Natasha's pet project, so she has to sort it out. She can't have her cake + eat it, as the saying goes 😃
To add - I still think Fallon is rushing into things about the EV unit.
ReplyDeleteShe has to buy all her catering equipment plus pay for it's installation, then decorate and furnish the unit out as to her design, probably having to pay a substantial amount of the lease up front.
Hopefully her finances are all in place, but what about Harrison going back working full-time?
Has he agreed to this, and is there a position available for him to do so?
Now you know why I keep my thoughts to my other small + private TA group.
All perfectly legitimate thoughts Miriam, and practical ones too.
DeleteAP I know you see my comments on another TA site, but I also belong to another one, where I tend to give my more in-depth TA thoughts.
DeleteWho knows others might also be members of this site as well.
Natasha did say some lovely things though. I think she might have been sincere. I'm really glad Fallon is going for the new unit, she seems to be a successful businesswoman. I hope she will find a meaningful role for Harrison too, I think his police career is coming to an end.
ReplyDeleteI believe Natasha was genuine in what she said. I’ve always found her straightforward in her dealings, both business and personal. She’s also capable of considerable kindness. I remember her kindness to distraught Kirsty during the Philip Moss episode, and her moving recollection of growing up with a manic depression/alcoholic father.
DeleteI think that friendship with Kirsty, who has just said she needs a new job, may lead to Kirsty becoming Tearoom Manager at Bridge Farm, hopefully with Emma as Baker in Chief. Fallon’s resurrected business will sink or swim in its new rented accommodation on the bypass.
Listening again this afternoon to Natasha trying again to influence Fallon, I wanted to shout at her ‘ but the tearoom was Fallons before it became yours Natasha ‘.
DeleteEntitled bloody madam that Natasha IMO !
I’m hoping all will go well for Fallon in her new venture.
And perhaps Zainab will become the new employee at the tea room.
The Tea Room was a Bridge Farm concession. Fallon ran her cafe business there on a fixed term rental basis. (I believe she ran the business on a similar footing elsewhere before moving to Bridge Farm.) The expiry of the rental period gave both sides a legitimate opportunity to reconsider their options.
DeleteFallon prepared a business plan in the expectation of the concession being renewed (but apparently had no contingency plan for non-renewal, which she must have known was always a possibility. Bridge Farm did indeed decide to drop the concessionary approach in favour of the same model as the Farm Shop, run directly by Bridge Farm with the addition of a paid manager.
Fallon was offered the manager's post, to retain her baking and day-to-day management skills and soften the blow. She took the post because she and Harrison needed the regular income, and temporarily put her business on hold. Fallon is now doing the obvious thing and restarting her business in rented accommodation elsewhere.
It all sounds perfectly logical and legitimate to me. The Farm had every right to alter the way it ran its tearoom operation when the opportunity presented. So what have Natasha and the Bridge Farm directors done that's so wrong?
So what have Natasha and the Bridge Farm directors done that’s so wrong?
DeleteIMO Maryellen they have failed to take any account of the emotional aspect of the individuals concerned.
You will say, I presume, that it is a business arrangement and any emotional content is immaterial.
In my memory- I’m willing to be corrected if wrong - Fallon was part of the wider Bridge farm ‘ family ‘ before Natasha came along and pretty soon took over as queen of business at Bridge Farm Enterprises.
I would never deny that Natasha is an effective business woman.
She sometimes allows a little of her heart to be illuminated, but as far as I am concerned she is a hard headed manipulative nasty piece of work.
I’ve never liked her and doubt I ever would.
Logic and legitimacy is I am sure what is required in business, and as you say Bridge farm has every right alter it’s business model as it sees fit, but it seems to me that in a village setting, and with Pat and Tony at the helm, a little humanity might be evident.
But I imagine that you will counter that Pat and Tony have not been at the helm for a number of years now.
In addition to all the above, it is without doubt Fallons ability and vision and damned hard graft that has made the tearoom such a success as Natasha has made it clear she and the company understands.
I’m sure they will find someone to take over but I will not be surprised if the BF Tearoom starts to become less popular.
There's nothing nasty about Natasha that I've detected. (My definition of nasty is Mat Crawford!)
DeleteTwo points: I suspect that, consciously or not, Fallon was becoming stuck a cosy rut at Bridge Farm. Admittedly, with the concession renewal looming, she had prepared a plan for her business, based on bringing in her previous business interest in outside catering.
That didn't happen, and Fallon is now excitedly anticipating the rebirth of her business in a new venue with an equally new and trendy cafe cuisine. It has the potential to bring her to the attention of a new and hopefully influential clientele. Not forgetting the local clientele too. One could say Natasha had done her a favour. Unless it turns out to be a venture too far for Fallon.
As for the Bridge Farm tearoom, yes, it will continue to be a success, if only because TA runs on dialogue and characters need places to meet people to talk to other than in their own homes or workplaces. The teashop is one of them. The changes made since Bridge Farm ended the concession (including Tony's interference with the decor) have not been the deterrent other bloggers predicted. Bridge Farm should have no difficulty in finding a competent manager/baker, even if it means looking outside Ambridge!
Natasha + Tom did not renew Fallons lease of the Tea Room.
ReplyDeleteAt that time Fallon could not set up her own business so her best option was to become the Manager.
Now Fallon is moving on, it is up to Natasha to organise things to suit her thoughts and ideas, as to the future of the Tea Room. It is her project after all.
BTW Can Natasha cook cakes, make bread/quiches and provide food for group bookings?
New thread opened
ReplyDelete