Life in Ambridge
New sign for the dairy?
Life in Ambridge
Following todays news
Popular posts from this blog
Lif in Ambridge
Archer Family tree up to 2000, (pre Helen, Pip & Tom’s off-spring)
Life in Ambridge
Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
AmbridgesMrsPFebruary 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
ReplyDeleteThe long story line temptingly suggested to us may well be the slow decline of Bridge Farm.
I imagine that often any decline in a business is slow, although obviously it can be rapid following some dramatic incident.
This event with the sewage overflow is clearly affecting Pat more so than others, tho’ we have not heard from Tony at all.
I would suggest, reluctantly, that it might also be in the mix to give Pat a long lasting condition, although again, that has already been done with Jack Woolly.
Whatever it may be, those stalwarts of us will be able to define it I imagine once we realise that we are truly in the realms of it.
I think the problem with Pat is that, it's bringing back too many bad memories of the previous E-coli event, when Bridge Farm was on the brink of closure.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is interested, I came across an article titled The Story of Bridge Farm, on the BBC archers Web page.
It makes interesting reading.
Forgot to say it only goes up to 2013.
DeleteAre Lilian and Justin really so stupid as not to realise that the Gills have got security everywhere and would probably be able to view their every move?
ReplyDeletePoor Kirsty. Mind you, I wouldn't want to buy her house either. She should tell Brenda to go away, and tell Roy to be patient.
ReplyDeleteMight Kirsty in desperation put her house back on the market at a price Emma and Ed could afford? (Just something Emma said yesterday.......)
DeleteThat is a very good suggestion Maryellen.
DeleteIt has taken me so long to be able to leave a comment - sign in to Google , check it’s me by opening Google photos, go back to Google, log in again, assure them it’s me, ad infinitum!
ReplyDeleteNow I have forgotten what I wanted to say.
Oh yes! Did anyone get the impression that the Gills may be of Asian heritage? I couldn’t quite catch what Mick said their first names were but Mr Gills name sounded vaguely Asian. And somewhere I read, or heard that very rich people from that area were buying up big country houses and spending fortunes on kitting them out. Or did I dream that?
Yes ARCHERPHILE I got that inference too.
DeleteThough one of them, I thought, had a European first name.
They certainly don’t appear to want to become part of the village community and are guarding their privacy very well indeed.
Thanks for the suggestion Miriam, that exactly what I had done , a different icon for each blog. But today I had the dreaded ‘sign in with Google’ message and had infuriating problems. I did have to download an iPad update the other day and I think that might have been the problem. But when I logged in today it seems to be OK again
DeleteOh how the mighty have fallen !
ReplyDeleteOr rather perhaps falling…. As Natasha has not yet reached the floor, fallen off her clackerty clack high heels.
How dare she accuse Fallon of taking advantage of the tea room’s misfortunes when that is precisely what she did to Fallon, taking over the tea room after Fallon brought it up into such a resounding success, then putting her into such a position that she needed to walk away.
Natasha is a waspish bitch.
Can I say in the nicest possible way that I totally disagree with your last sentence, Mrs P - but I do appreciate your correct spelling of Natasha's name. The Nocasha's, Gnatasha's and Gnasher's encountered on other blogs really give me the pip. Maybe they were faintly amusing first time around but now they are so, so stale, with neither relevance or wit.
DeleteI entirely agree with Mrs P’s opinion of Natasha’s nasty comments to Fallon about the dip in customer numbers at the Tea Room.She lashed out at Emma too recently but later climbed down and apologised.Hopefully she may,in due course pay Fallon the same courtesy.
DeleteI think she is a toal hypocrite - complaining of Fallon doing lunches, after she decided to poach customers away from the Bull with her pancake promotion. What goes around etc....
ReplyDeleteI agree that Natasha has no grounds to complain about Fallon and the Bull extending their offering. She’s always been the hard-headed business woman (still is with her house negotiation with Kirsty) so cannot complain when others use similar tactics.
DeleteBut she does complain about others using her own tactic’s against her doesn’t she.
DeleteTime and time again.
Just as, after the use of her sharp tongue, she returns the next day, or soon after and apologises.
This tactic when frequently used is hypocritical. If she was truly sorry she would seek to rein in her sharp tongue and find a less unpleasant and crushing manner in which to express her dislike of a situation. Rather than, as she does, blame events on the actions of others instead of accepting that those actions arise as a result of her choices, or simply because ‘that’s life ‘.
Maryellen - I had every expectation that you would take offence, ( politely of course as you always do ) at the last sentence of my previous post.
I almost added a note at the end to say so.
I admire your ability to be such a stalwart of Natasha, who I admit is a smart business woman. I’ve always felt tho’ that the really smart business people are those who manage to be caring to others as well as being number one in their business practices.
Sorry I was grumpy about Natasha’s nicknames. Clearly, if they still brighten someone’s day, they still have a point and readers like me who are irritated by them can do their best to skip them.
DeleteYes, Mrs P, I-admire Natasha as a smart business woman who still manages to be caring to others (witness her recent thoughtfulness for Clarrie) and is also capable of considerable kindness on a purely personal level. She certainly doesn’t deserve the lurid description of her in your last sentence!
Have to continue to disagree Maryellen
DeleteNatasha frequently makes waspish remarks, sharp and to the point.
Waspish !
She is IMO a ‘ bitch ‘ a mild description of a woman by todays standing I would say.
I would say she is not ‘ bitchy ‘ in the recognised sense. She does not gossip or say unpleasant things about others, and I agree she is often kind to others, but, nevertheless I believe that the way she often operates with others, particularly other woman, the description’ bitch ‘ is warranted.
You and I, Maryellen are going to disagree on the character of Natasha forever more. This will be my final comment on this occasion.
Well, I suspect Natasha and Fallon are both characters who are with us for the duration, so let’s hope they can learn from each other and coexist amicably and successfully, rather than being forced into continual conflict by the scriptwriters’ penchant for confrontational drama.
DeleteWhile my opinion of Natasha is closer to MrsP than Maryellen I do share ME’s dislike of the unpleasant nicknames that often feature on some websites, and previously o the BBCblog I think. Neither funny or affectionate & I am glad that they are not used by my friends on this forum.
DeleteHear, hear!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI think Natasha had no right to talk to Fallon like she did, esp. how she ousted her from the Tea Room by not renewing the lease, and making her just an employee but wanting her to provide what she always did
ReplyDeleteFallon is finding her feet in The Bull, which she so needs whilst Harrison is elsewhere..
Now all we need is for Chelsea to join her Mum + Fallon.
The customers will vote with their feet, but there has to be room for both the Tea Room + the Bull in Ambridge in differing ways.
I have to admit that I loved Natasha giving a day-old left-over cake to Fallon of all people!
She should taken it for the shop.
I thought this evenings fare was good.
ReplyDeleteNothing silly, nothing dramatic, but both aspects dealing with important issues.
Azra’s assessment of Justin spot on, and Linda drawing Azra out on Kalil’s childhood cancer very well done.
Congratulations for a serious and well produced episode, and done with an eye to the budget too.
BBC News - Wild beaver release approved for England
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj3nn4rlxz5o
Now this will definitely help the re-wilding project but antagonise others, such as David!
I hope this is shown well in Ambridge. It's not exactly a direct farming issue, but one which could affect farms in the area.
Sorry link didn't work, but the article can be seen or searched for on the BBC news site. It's a good read.
DeleteThanks for the tip, Miriam - I agree it’s an interesting read. Today’s (Saturday’s) Guardian has an item about beavers in Cornwall which features a very enthusiastic farmer. His next suggested species for introduction there is storks! Might the TA scriptwriters will pick up on it, I wonder.....?
DeleteI wish it to be publicly known that for half a minute this evening, I had my hands around Natasha’s throat throttling her.
ReplyDeleteAnd Maryellen if you feel inclined to defend that extremely deliberate nastiness this evening, then I bow to you.
I was more struck by Fallon’s less attractive side, which we don’t see often but undoubtedly exists. I remember her being equally strident over finances hin the early stages of her relationship with Harrison.
DeletePS. Actually I think Natasha’s comments about Fallon’s backward step etc contained a lot of truth which is why Fallon reacted badly, of course.
DeleteYes we did see the more negative aspects of Fallons personality in that encounter. But it happens rarely.
DeleteSo rarely, that I often wonder if Fallons more positive encounters are truly genuine, or are perhaps a foil for what is simmering away underneath.
I don’t think Fallon is a saint !
Whereas Natasha displays it all out front.
Always quick to respond to any comment good or poor, frequently waspish or at the very least sharp, and always forensically targeted.
They are two very different woman, and the writing and characterisation of each of them along with the acting is so very very good.
To clarify :
DeleteI don’t think Fallon is a saint, but I do think she often hides her true nature, which may not be the Miss goody two shoes that she often presents as.
Fallon 👍, Natasha 👎
ReplyDeleteThat's my result.
Ditto.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a black-and-white situation. Natasha has her virtues, Fallon has her faults.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I can't think of any virtues Natasha has. Please tell me what these are.
DeleteYes, Fallon has her faults, bit then don't we all.
Miriam - her instinctive kindness for starters. A major virtue but sadly underrated, I've always thought. Shall I go on?
DeleteRe your last sentence - "but then don't we all" - the "all" would include Natasha so logically she should be excused her faults on the same grounds as Fallon and the rest of us. Otherwise it would look like one law for Fallon and everyone else and another for Natasha.
I give up!!
DeleteThe storyline about Natasha and her credit cards has been touched on several times. I wonder where it's going.
ReplyDeleteMy instinct is growing regarding the slow downfall of Bridge Farm that I suggested might be the long running SL recently hinted at..
DeleteThat hint last night that CC is referring to might start as a tiny stream, but could it gradually become a small riverlet along with further problems with Helen’s cheese making empire ?
We have already been re introduced to the other cheese maker that Helen feels intimidated by.
Might these minor hiccups enlarge and form together to become considerably larger problems ?
It's so mirroring the E. Coli outbreak, when the Bridge Farm produce had to be re-branded and re-launched.
DeleteDo Tom + Helen have business shares in the farm or are they just joint managers?
I remember Home Farm did something like this, and also Brookfield was put into something similar after Phil's death.
TBH. I can't recall it all.
I have to say that the E - Coli outbreak has been completely forgotten by me.
DeletePlease remind me, when was it ?
I think I've posted this before, but go to the BBC website where there is a good read titled, The Story of Bridge Farm. This includes the E-coli happening which was in 2011
Delete👍
DeleteThe Archers always amazes me, as to how differently we all listen, interpret + then discuss this radio serial drama.
ReplyDeleteI loved the parallel last night, when Lynda talked about Lent with Khalil.
It seems that the BBC are trying very hard to feature other religions in its programmes - and here we have the excellent example of Azra and her family, fasting for Ramadan etc, the problems children had a school because of their religion..
ReplyDeleteSo now I am waiting for mention of the Borchester Synagogue, thought it would probably be located in Felpersham. And how about someone asking for Matzos and Tomor margarine in the village shop for a start. Especially with Passover coming up.
I think it’s less about the religion of the Ambridge newcomers, rather the multi cultural differences.
ReplyDeleteI can’t speak for others but for myself because I have chosen to move around and often live outside of my home city London, I have seen the gradual rise in multicultural differences outside of a city environment.
In the two and half years I’ve been in Minehead I have seen a rise in brown and black faces since I arrived.
As a Londoner I’ve had friends and close relationships with different faiths and experienced various cultural rituals since my teenage years. But outside of London most friendships have been of the homogeneous white British or European variety.
Some second and third generation immigrant citizens are moving out of cities and choosing to integrate into smaller communities, and those communities are needing to become familiar with different faiths and cultures.
Jewish communities have always been with us, generally well distributed around the UK, more so in some cities than others. I’ve not been aware of any corner shop or supermarket where Matzos have not been on the shelves, perhaps less so where margarine is concerned. But they have been available along with Chinese food items and in recent years a preponderance of Polish fare.
We have recently had the addition here in Minehead of a very smart Ukrainian shop opening up.
I think the BBC is boxing clever by bringing an Asian family to Ambridge. I imagine it’s possible that statistics have been produced to show that there is a rise in Asian listeners to TA, and if that is not so, then perhaps it soon will be.
Different foods and peoples, take longer to reach Cornwall I think. Mabel either has to order Filipino ingredients from a London supplier, or when we went to Exeter in Devon for the Christmas market she found a specialist shop there.
ReplyDeleteI find the Passover interesting, were the Hebrews protected from the Plague (?) because it was rat borne and getting rid of bread and grain from the house also got rid of the rats? And was staying indoors protective as with us during Covid. And what kind of plague like that last one kills only babies snd cattle. I suppose this type of discussion belongs on the other blog really.
I did think the father/daughter discussion was nice especially with the lightened mood at the end with Zainab's dad racing her home.
Good to hear Pat in crusading mode again. She and Emma make an impressive team.
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t believe that,in MIck’s absence,Joy once again flouted the Home Farm house sitting rules by bringing Lillian and Brian in.If the robot cleaner has been damaged there will no doubt be ructions from Mick and the Gills,if it is true that they can tune into the situation at home.
ReplyDeleteIn total agreement Portia.
DeleteNot good !
I do think however that this is a very silly SL.
But I suppose I should hold my tongue and hope that it’s the beginning of something substantial.
Great to hear Kirsty defend herself tonight. I hope she thinks long and hard about what Natasha said. If all the Bridge Farm enterprises are going broke, can Tom and Natasha even afford their 'peanuts' offer? I think she should follow Joy's advice and take her house off the market. If she loses Willow Farm, something else will turn up, and she will get Brenda off her back. She needs to have a break from these demanding people and really re-examine what she wants.
DeleteI wonder where Kirsty would live if she loses Willow farm, because whoever buys it would want to live there. Would she then give Helen her notice and move back into the Beechwood house, even though it has bad memories for her.
ReplyDeleteIt would save Joy from having Tom, Natasha and the twins living next door.
DeleteMaybe she could share Rex's boat as a temporary solution. If Roy was in danger of losing his sale, he might decide to carry on letting it out to her. In any case, she could have a word with him and ask him to call Brenda off.
DeleteMistral. My thoughts exactly. Roy wants Kirsty to buy Willow Farm and to continue to letting it to her, is advantageous in a way.
DeleteKirsty is committed as she was just about to exchange contracts, when Poo-gate happened.
I think that a while ago it was said that Roy needed to sell in order to buy a place where he is living now.
DeleteNatasha is obviously after a cheap deal, as it seems she needs to recuperate monies from somewhere, whilst still getting exactly what she wants.
ReplyDeleteNatasha wanted to use Tom's credit card because she said hers were " maxed out", and if they are in that state now I don't see how they could make the mortgage repayments.
ReplyDeleteI think the Maliks will end up buying Kirsty's house.
ReplyDeleteIt sounded as if it was heading that way OWIAS
DeleteI had the same thought.
DeleteIt seemed a clear sign post.
That’s a shame. I was rooting for Emma. Still am!
DeleteNoticed again that this weeks writer had a south Asian name - Nina Ahmed I think ?
DeleteI’m enjoying the developing diversification of Ambridge and am prepared to continue to welcome it while the Malik family settle into the village, but look forward to a time when it’s no longer necessary to focus on their comings and going’s once they are truly ensconced.
I think Maryellen that Emma and her dream of a house in the village has been put on hold for the time being, perhaps to be resurrected sometime in the future. Like you, I hope someday we will see it come to be a reality.
Don't forget Emma + Ed have borrowed monies from Will to set up the Tree Surgery business. They are meant to be paying him back monthly, but is this actually happening?
DeleteAs such, how can they get the deposit, let alone pay a mortgage on any property in Ambridge.
I’m sure the scriptwriters can wangle it. Look at Will and how he acquired No. 1, The Green.......🙂
DeleteNatasha certainly seems very stressed at the moment. Her behaviour and the way she speaks to people has been dreadful. But at least last night it seemed she had lowered her expectations and apologised. I must admit that I am finding the long drawn out story of who lives where in Ambridge has become very boring and I’d like to get back to some happy/funny stories occasionally
ReplyDeleteI love the Ambridge Fairy playing Monopoly, as to who buys what 🧚♀️🪄
DeleteDoesn't Natasha's Dad have bi-polar or similar? I wonder if this is relevant, but then perhaps not, just another TA Red Herring tossed into the mix.
ReplyDeleteThe other thought is, is this the long-term S/L, which was hinted at in a podcast awhile ago?
I think all the angst going on around Natasha and Tom - mostly Natasha actually - along with Pat getting on her high horse again and Tony not quite approving, is all the low grumbling of the long term SL hinted at a few weeks ago.
DeleteI’ve said this before…. In the last couple of weeks….. that I suspect that the long SL will be ( is ? ) the very slow death of the Bridge Farm enterprise.
Natasha maxing out on her cards ; the dairy and cheese making failing to get back on its feet ; the veg box sales below what they were, all signs of a slow disintegration.
And how will this affect Adam, seeing as he works there too ? Ages since heard from him or Ian
DeleteIan is an interesting thought, as to does he still do something with Grey Gables?
DeleteThe other thought has to be, will GG still support and serve the Bridge Farm cheeses in the short-term..
There is Henry though who is showing the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that might save the farm in the long term, and I wonder if Natasha's fruit juice business could be expanded.
ReplyDeleteI think after Natasha took the extra £K50 for the house deposit, from the Juice business account and having just lost a major customer - I predict problems with this enterprise.
DeleteDoesn't she still rent the orchard in Wales? All it needs is something to happen there, such as gales, frost etc, so a poor fruit yield.
I predict problems ahead.
I had forgotten about the deposit money. I hope to goodness the deposit hadn't already been paid to the mortgage company and that it wasn't the non refundable type. They didn't get to the point of changing contracts so hopefully they won't lose it.
DeleteSadly it will probably be spent on tiding them over the immediate expenditure rather than going back into the fruit juice business.
Perhaps in that miraculous Ambridge way Pat and Emma will be successful in their campaign and the Water Board will be forced to pay compensation.
With the continuing rise in interest in organic and ethically produced foods I think although it would be realistic to portray the struggles of that kind of enterprise it wouldn't be true to present day trends to wipe Bridge Farm out entirely.
Janice
DeleteI’ve thought about the quandary of Bridge Farm Enterprises folding re the continuing rise in organic and ethical practices in each and every post I’ve written about this failure likely to be the long term SL projected.
But it seems to me that luck has a very large part to play in life, and that it’s possible for a business to fail due to unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances as much as if it were to be a poorly run business.
It would seem that Miriam has the same instincts as me in this matter, and for the time being, I’m sticking with, my prediction.
Will schools have the budget to purchase organic meat from Freddie and is meat even on the menu these days especially red! Hospitals the same local chef James Martin tried very hard to convince hospitals especially Basingstoke that a fresh and nutritious diet could be done within budget but not interested because of contracts in place and most items bulk purchased frozen ie soups……
ReplyDeleteFull marks for trying though and good luck. Good to hear Lily being so supportive of Freddie. Maybe one day they will very successfully run LL together 😇😇
My thoughts also. Does Borchestershire have the budget for such school meals?
DeleteWhoops it’s nearly ten past five, time for Evan !
ReplyDeleteEddie has certainly gone down in my thoughts. He's certainly turning into his dad Joe, a scrounger, an old codger, plus only thinking of himself.
ReplyDeleteHe still thinks George is hard done by, and he is now using Brad in a way that was not meant. Brad only said he'd help out, he's not paid (I think) and wasn't it just a casual favour, now + again.
It now seems Eddie is in charge, making bookings, expecting Brad to do the work and no doubt, lining his own pockets at the same time.
I wonder how he would react if it was George being put upon, made to feel guilty, and work for nothing! - let alone affecting his own life and future prospects.
Agree 100% Miriam
DeleteMe too! Eddie is either blind or just plain selfish, only thinking of his grandson and not Brad’s prospects.
DeleteI really don't like the way that the SWs are treating Brad.
DeleteTotally agree Miriam - well said!
DeleteDitto.
DeleteI thought it was a bit ominous that Brad said to Eddie that he couldn't really fly this new drone. I felt like shaking Eddie when he said "of course you can" without giving it any real thought at all.
I wonder if Brad has done the online theory test and got his flyer ID. If he hasn't and crash landed it on someone or something he could be in real trouble. My son flies drones, and one with a camera is likely to be heavier if it hits something.
I hope Brad doesn't fail his end of year exams.
I am really warming to the Khalil/Henry friendship. I just hope that the S/W's keep them as they are and don't get them going "off the rails" so ending up in trouble. I have no objection to mischief + pranks, but nothing too serious.
ReplyDeleteTwo such male youngsters are so needed in Ambridge, IMO.
When we think about Henry’s previous friendship with George, I find it a relief that he is now developing a friendship with Khalil.
DeleteAlthough George mentioned H in conversation with Brad this evening.
I hope that G and H are not continuing that friendship while G is inside.
I was surprised to hear George again. Sounds like prison is being a very bad influence, turning him into a thug with plans for more criminality when he is released.
DeleteBut at least he was OK with Brad, thank goodness. Brad should be able to concentrate on his studies now without worrying about letting George down
George didn’t say what his plans are so we don’t actually know if they are nefarious or not. I still blame that short sighted judge for exposing him to bad influences when. other sentences are possible. I hope Brad and lovely Henry can help George combat the after effects of prison. Something Freddie is still conscious of, though Ambridge itself seems to have forgotten his criminal past.
ReplyDeleteThere might be another side to George. Is he putting on the bravado as he is suffering the opposite?
ReplyDeleteBy that I mean, is he actually learning his lesson, trying to not get involved and as such, is being picked on.
This might mean a very different George returning to Ambridge, whenever that is.
That had occurred to me too, Miriam - that George might be bluffing to disguise his low morale. . I think he could be out this summer
DeleteAs early as Summer, as I was thinking more about autumn, such as September. Either way it's only about 6 months.
DeleteDidn't Brad ask George why he had bruising to his face and George tried to make light of it. I think he must be having a rough time of it.
DeleteWell done Brad for holding out against Eddie's disgraceful emotional blackmail. Eddie would have been quick to call foul if it were Brad imposing on George.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, Jim was gently encouraging and affirming during cricket practice. And Freddie showed sensitivity and leadership in finding a role for Brad that plays to his strengths.
Brad did attempt to hold out against Eddie - yes, disgraceful ! - but Eddie continued his tirade which elicited from Brad a deep sigh which I rather took to mean that he felt defeated.
DeleteI was surprised Brad had time for cricket when it’s been made abundantly clear to us that uni and Grey Gables are as much as he can manage. Maybe this is really a storyline for Jim who’ll start quoting Latin tags again!
ReplyDeleteI thought the same ME, but concluded that Brad felt that with all the pressure that he is feeling, he should have some respite by joining in a village activity outside of his ‘ duties ‘ of studies and paid work, that simply made little demands upon him.
DeleteBut your point of it reintroducing Jim may be correct. He, along with so many others, has been absent for some time.
Jim and Khalil might be an interesting combination.
And cricket scoring would only take up a weekend afternoon, he wouldn’t have to go to nets or training sessions. The lad needs a bit of a break from Uni studies & dogs-bodying at Grey Gables.
DeleteI agree Archerfile. I think that Freddie came up with a good solution.
DeleteAt least Brad went to nets and gave it a try. I took this as Brad starting to change in a more positive way, as it was when he went off to a Film Society event.
DeleteIs this a small part of Zainab rubbing off, or just a nearly a year at uni. show is just maturing?
I’d no idea cricket scoring was so complicated! I’d have guessed it was a much simpler affair of single strokes for runs arranged in ‘5-barred gates’ for each batsman, so I’m mighty impressed. I suppose nowadays there’s software available for it too, if not, Brad will probably design some....
ReplyDeleteBut I don’t like to think of Eddie’s reaction when he learns Brad has time to help Jim but not George.
PS. I thought Emma was on terrific form last night. The scriptwriters certainly make the best of the acting talent they’ve got.
DeletePPS. Yes, cricket scoring apps exist so I predict this will be reciprocal with Brad teaching Jim how to convert his paper scorebook to a digital scorebook.
DeleteOne more thought for the weekend - it would be best if Helen let Clarrie go, rather than Susan, then Natasha can offer Clarrie the tearoom baking job again................
As a qualified cricket scorer married to a qualified umpire, I can assure Maryellen that scoring is a complicated business with far more than just runs needing to be recorded. A proper scorebook is quite large and contains loads of information for each match. The players consult the book frequently through the game to see how they or their mates are doing. I developed a scheme where I used a different coloured pencil for each player so they could find their statistics more easily. Quite a job juggling with 11 different pencils and a pen but the men appreciated it. Sadly I had to give up when my eyesight deteriorated and though I could still easily interpret the Umpires signals, I couldn’t always tell which players were which! No apps in my day!!
DeleteI take my hat off to you, Archerphile!
DeleteThinking of Brad, how does one qualify?
He would need to apply to the Association of Cricket Scorers, read all the literature and do an exam. At least that was it in my day - probably done on line now. When MrA was qualifying to be an Umpire he had to attend weekly evening classes over a whole winter and take two exams at the end, one paper & one verbal. Eventually he was presented with an official tie which is green with an owl motif. Again, this was back in the 70s.
DeleteI am assuming that both Susan + Clarrie are employed, paid workers.
ReplyDeleteIf one is let go, would redundancy pay apply?
Surely they can job share to suit them both.
Feed back this evening on The Archers :
ReplyDeletewell over twenty minutes on the views of listeners on the Malik family and the focus on Ramadan as well as the lack of very much interest in Lent which overlap this year.
Also featuring Academic Archers views too, as well as a statement on this issue from the programme.
Well worth listening to.
Personally I’d rather hear from the Button family who’ve always interested me instead of the newly-invented Malik family. Every time I hear Zainab, I miss Mia. Molly or Tilly could have filled the feisty young female slot if ‘Mia’ was no longer available..
DeleteWhat a daft idea - Lily picking the team for cricket matches! And Lynda is being far too authorotarian over the club. For most village teams the purpose is to have an enjoyable afternoon playing the game, having a good tea and socialising after the match. Not trying so hard to win at all costs that it takes all the joy out of the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish Robert had become chair of the committee.
DeleteWho else in on the committee, as Lynda alone seems to make all the decisions.
I do believe though that Lynda wants to try + up-stage Lawrence, or whatever his name is, but she's not being at all realistic.
Now who will be doing the cricket teas, which is as equally important and just as interesting!.
When Linda is on a committee there are no other members, because Linda is a ‘ my way or no way ‘ person, any other members are simply redundant.
DeleteShe takes charge, takes over and steamrollers over anyone else, and intimidates them into silence.
Horrible woman !
I am willing to admit that the accident and her injuries have caused her to reflect….. a bit !
And it has changed her…… some of the time.
But there is not in my opinion very much improvement.
Presumably Lynda subscribes to the maxim that the ideal committee has an odd number of members and three is too many.
DeleteBrilliant comment OWiaS!
DeleteAP + OWIAS 👍
DeleteLily is certainly doing things to be to her personal advantage.
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever young person she's evolving into.
Freddie is Nigel, whereas Lily is Lizzie..and whatever that will bring.
I understand nothing at all about cricket but please assure me that what is happening in Ambridge right now is a load of old tosh! 🙏🏼
ReplyDelete✔️✔️✔️
DeleteI can't decide if this storyline is meant to be serious or a farce.
DeleteDo I care CC ?
DeleteDo you ?
Apologies for not caring, I do realise that for many listeners Cricket in Ambridge is sacrosanct.
Akram Malik seems to be all over Ambridge like a rash - where will he crop up next?🙂
ReplyDeleteEstablishment of a new character ME ?
DeleteDid anyone else listen to the latest edition of Feedback on R4 ?
Lots of strong feelings about the appearance of the Malik family, and the focus on Ramadan without much focus given to Lent which overlaps with Ramadan this year.
What I noticed was much about pancakes, but no mention of the connection between pancakes and Lent.
But then, statistically, we are no longer considered to be a Christian country are we ?
After you mentioned it I found it and have just been listening. Interesting viewpoints.
DeleteI think yes statistically attendance in many, but not all, churches has declined but it seems to me that Christianity down the ages has become interwoven with our culture and heritage. I suppose that gradually other faiths and ways of living will also become embedded in our culture, or will secularisation take over completely I wonder. There will always be those who feel and seek the spiritual though.
Computer simulation anyone?
For those who might need it at present, from Tagore a Hindu's writings:
Delete"Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come."
Thank you Janice
DeleteSince I believe in reincarnation for me death is the dawn of a new life.
Although I also believe from some experiences in life, that not all of us move on immediately.
Of course some people believe that death brings a void.
Nothing !
A friend of mine who is dying slowly believes this.
We have interesting discussions.
I agree. We all now live in a very multi-cultural society and many are 2nd generation.
DeleteI thought including Ramandan into The Archers was well done. Lynda joining in was a mark of respect and learning about this diversity.
Natasha is so grating on me, even more now.
ReplyDeleteShe would not have suddenly left her mobile at the nursery! It was very well planned - as was her meet-up with Kirsty and agreeing to pay their original offer
She's hiding things from Tom, far more than just the credit cards and also knows that a new, revised mortgage offer, just would not happen.
It will be interesting to see where the SWs are going with Tom and Natasha's finances. Disaster or red herrings?
DeleteThat is so debatable, but I know what my thoughts are, and it's to do with the Juice business.
DeleteI think that the combination of Tom and Natasha finances and Helen’s cheese and dairy outfit is the beginnings of the downfall of Bridge farm.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThey could get some additional income from letting Helen’s underused cheese-making course space built with the proceeds of the Beechwood land sale - and hopefully that still left enough in the bank to cushion them against insolvency. And Tony’s dream house still seems to be on the cards, well, as much as it ever was!
DeleteAs I've just seen elsewhere - Martyn Gibson is also Maurice in Charles Paris.
ReplyDeleteI need to listen again + then compare, but it's lovely how such actors pop up now + again in TA.
I am wondering about Tom and his sausage business with Maurice at Sawyers, which hasn't been mentioned for ages.
ReplyDeleteHe also let Natasha use his credit card, so I'm now pondering as to if he's wiser and knows a lot more, han I give him credit for.
Meant Morris obviously, his Sausage Manager.
DeleteSurely
ReplyDeletethat wasn’t Martin Gibson, didn’t sound anything like him! Shouting and raging and threatening Neil !
What a performance.
As for Lily, everything she has done since declaring herself ‘Cricket Director’ has been totally wrong - as discussed on this weeks Ambridge Podcast. I sincerely hope she gets her comeuppance from whoever is really in charge of Ambridge cricket this year.
..but isn't that Lynda?
DeleteElizabeth and Nigel had their faults but it beats me how they managed to produce such an amoral pair. (Though Elizabeth has always said Freddie’s drug dealing was merely stupid, never that it was actually wrong. Right now, I’m more shocked by Lily who sounds horribly like a young female replacement for Matt Crawford!)
DeleteWow ME.
DeleteTo me Freddie + Lily who are twins, are not totally amoral in the true sense.
They are now, at 25yrs, showing differing traits, but to describe Lily as a new Matt Crawford!
He was a manipulator, a rogue, a "love rat", a con man plus a lot more This includes serious consequence, when a senior citizen who fell + died in
..an Ameside property thanks to Matt.
DeleteI can't see either Lily or Freddie doing similar.
Freddie served his time, after the drug events, learnt the hard way and is now coming into his own.
Are they both amoral - not in my mind.
Lily is very self-centred but Freddie is suddenly showing his true worth, just like dad Nigel.
I meant Lily,’s amoral approach reminded me of Matt Crawford’s amoral approach though in different ways. Would unethical be a more acceptable description of her suggestion they should secretly bribe Rex to play for the team? Freddie soon fell in with it when she assured him he wouldn’t have to deal with uproar among his volunteer players because they would know nothing about it.
DeleteI must admit I don’t like Freddie’s voice which might colour my perception of him, but I think he’s like his father, with ideas outstripping his capability (which is where Elizabeth came in). An engaging character maybe, but not a strong one.
Yes, Miriam, you are right, it is Lynda who is President (I think that’s the term) of the Cricket club, but it should be the team Captain who makes most of the day to day decisions and I have never heard of a ‘Director of Cricket’. What a pity Harrison is no longer able to take charge.
DeleteThe President of our Cricket Club was Ron Ferguson, the father of Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson who lived nearby, but all he ever did was make generous donations and appear at the annual dinner. He certainly did not take any part in any descisions about team selection or the running of the club in any way.
Lily and Freddie amoral ?
ReplyDeleteTo put it more prosaically….. a pair of chancers !
Much like Nigel but with a touch more gravitas.
And with Lily, a grasping coldness.
Something will happen and she will grow into a less self centred and warmer person.
I sometimes find Freddie’s voice irritating, but on the whole he is growing on me as he seems to be growing up.
"Something will happen" - possibly a change of scriptwriters? She wasn't always like this. I admired her for organising the only teenage party in the history of soap that didn't end in disaster!
DeleteThe SW's are good and they all bring interesting aspects into Ambridge.
DeleteRemember, they are restrained with how to write their scripts to give continuity, having just a handful of actors for each recording weekly sessions.
What I meant (but didn't get across successfully) was that different scriptwriters might decide to show a different side to Lily instead of the current not very likeable one. I hope so.
DeleteI listened to the Omnibus and podcast, back to back this morning (snuggled in bed).
ReplyDeleteLily came over particularly badly in so many ways. She just hasn't a clue about what playing in a team means, as she has never been a team player in any form as far as I can remember.
Setting Clarrie and Susan in competition to each other seems to me a very mean thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Fallon needs some help with the cooking at The Bull.
I’m so pleased Emma is on such good form at the moment. Listening to her praising and supporting her mother-in-law was a joy. A well-deserved recognition.of all she and her family owe to Clarrie, and a sign that Emma has come out of her dark place. Hopefully George won’t serve his entire sentence and will be out in time to rescue the Ambridge cricket team from the failure which is bound to impending......
ReplyDelete....bound to impend because, no disrespect to the team, but that’s what Ambridge drama requires! 🙂
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely idea. Being accepted back into the cricket team would help George integrate back into the village, and it is something he is good at and would be praised for.
ReplyDeleteI’m also pleased about the growing friendship between Emma and Robert. They share a genuine concern for their community. I’m finding Robert a more interesting character these days.
ReplyDeleteThinking about Bridge Farm and the dairy, Clarrie, Susan scenario, it seems that this unit is separately run from the entire Bridge Farm enterprise, which I assumed was united.
ReplyDeleteI say this, as to what about Adam and his involvement in the set-up and just how needed is he? Couldn't they offset his wages against those of Susan + Clarrie..
I am sure the likes of Will + Henry, could fill in on a casual basis + far less costly.
Sound idea Miriam !
DeleteOh just shut up Helen you are getting on my b***dy wick now! 😡
ReplyDeleteCould Clarrie and Susan do a job share? Whatever happens, keeping them waiting for 4 days is really not acceptable.
ReplyDeleteThat would save on staff salaries but not on the cost of managerial staff time spent on the extra admin involved in employing two staff instead of one. Really, Helen should be advertising this new job complete with job description etc, but then Ambridge isn’t real!
DeleteCorrect ME
DeleteAmbridge is not real, but the SWs seem to want to adhere to some of the reality, certainly in the form of the interview process, yet not openly advertising the job as well, which is part of employment law.
Having their cake and eating it ?
Helen! She has been dropping even further in my opinion recently and especially over this interview business.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the point of holding interviews and then not employing the obviously best candidate?
And Clarrie was obviously the best candidate.
If Helen really prefers to keep Susan she should have decided that at the outset and had the courage to make Clarrie redundant
I suppose the only solution is a job share, if Clarrie could manage on half pay. And they could stand in for each other in the event of illness.
Making the two ladies wait until Friday is cruel and unnecessary, but good for a weekend cliff hanger I suppose.
I’m not sure that a job share is the best option for Clarrie and Susan.
DeleteI too thought this the best outcome last week, but soon realised that the element of the job that means so much to them is the sharing of the job between the two of them.
By sharing the job, they would only have interaction outside of work, which they have always had, of course, but within the working day, that would be gone.
So not a satisfactory option after all.
It could be a partial solution if Helen has the imagination and finances would allow, if the job share could be :
Two days Clarrie
Two days Susan
One day both Susan and Clarrie.
However, I’m not sure Helen will allow herself to be that imaginative.
Perhaps S and C could work it out between them since together they have more common sense between them than Helen has brain cells.
I just want to say, just how badly constructed the interview questions were.
ReplyDeleteJust how important knowing when Bridge Farm went organic is, as to showing suitability for future dairy work and future ideas, actually is?
In my opinion, a decision is never made purely on a interview.
So we learn a tiny bit more about Rochelle.
ReplyDeleteHer children live with her ex and his ( new ? ) partner.
And her house share has broken down because ……….. ?
How about because she is a really difficult - and touchy - person ?
How to describe her personality ?
Defensive.
With Emma being so busy working in the tearoom, organising and taking part in protests and presumably still doing her Parish Council work, I wonder what's happening with the tree surgery business and where bringing up Kiera comes into it.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that Clarrie is doing a good bit towards the bringing up of Keira.
ReplyDelete..plus equally spending time with Poppy at Will's?
DeleteThey obviously are together a lot somewhere, which was shown when they concocted that letter to George.
At least they care about their family. I do wonder just how much they overhear.
Did any-one like me, feel that Joy was pleased to see Rochelle again in one way, but not so much, when she realised that Rochelle had returned for the long-term.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. Watch out, Rex!
DeleteNo I didn’t feel she was pleased at all.
DeleteWhat I heard was Joy gritting her teeth and plastering a smile on her face.
I also heard Mick, fearful of the look he interpreted on Joys face, wade in and give encouraging words to Rochelle that he felt should actually be coming from Joy, but which he was giving because Joy wasn’t.
We all hear differently !
We've heard Joy's side of the story, I guess we're going to get Rochelle's next.
ReplyDeleteThey’ve made us wait long enough for tonight’s explanation, we might have just as long again for Rochelle’s.
DeleteStringing it out !
A very sober episode this evening.
I thought we had Rochelle’s side of the street on her previous visit when she abused her mother for deserting her. Joy has now confirmed she did that and I fervently hope there’s no more to come.
DeleteStory not street!
DeleteDream on Maryellen !
DeleteWe've heard Rochelle's side but Mick hasn't.
DeleteNeil’s closing speech tonight had shades of Tom Forest to it for me in its content and its delivery - ahh dear old Tom and his party piece “The Village Pump” memories memories! 😊
ReplyDeleteWhat I liked were Neil + Eddie together, as there was no discussion as to whose wife should get the Dairy job ie neither was better than the other..
DeleteI'm not sure that I personally, want to hear the full truth about Joy + Rochelle.
ReplyDeleteI find the not knowing so fascinating and intriguing.
Perhaps less is more after all 😀
I’m not sure Mick wanted to know quite so much either.
DeleteBe careful what you wish for !
Who is telling the truth and who is telling the porkys - or is it a bit of both from mother and daughter ?
Well done, Mrs P, it looks as if you were correct in supposing the scriptwriters weren’t going to let off so lightly! What,’s the betting they’ll go the whole soapy hog and have Rochelle seduce Mick in revenge for her mother’s real or imaginary misdemeanours?
DeleteOh no Maryellen please NO !
DeleteWhat an infuriating episode!
DeleteFirst Helen sacks Clarrie, despite her giving by far the best interview. Why? And why put both candidates through a formal interview and a week of worry when she knew she would give the job to Susan?
I thought Clarrie was very calm in the circumstances and refused to break down in front of Helen. She handled the situation very well. Helen 🟰 0, Clarrie 🟰 10
Then the goings on between Mick, Joy and Rochelle. Who do we, and more importantly Mick, believe? I have seen a suggestion that both women suffer from Bi-Polar disease. Joy in her manic stage when arriving in Ambridge, very ‘up’, talking incessantly to everyone and anyone, trying too hard to fit in. Rochelle in manic stage when fixating on Rex, arranging events in the village then running away again. I’m not sure I subscribe to these ideas but there’s definitely something not right with mother and daughter, or with their relationship. Mick should get out now, while he still can.
I would have had no hesitation in giving the job to Susan because she has the greatest range of skills, so Helen said. Her personal experience of Susan and Clarrie’s skills was apparently standing in for the job applications, cvs and written references one would normally expect and which would be the employer’s starting point for decision-making. Clarrie was amazingly fluent at the interview stage (necessary according to employment law because the solo job is a new one), but what we heard from her was a potted history of Bridge Farm’s organic development such as you might find on their website. She offered no more than tongue tied Susan did on the practical and promotional skills and ideas she could bring to the job.
DeleteAlso, I might privately think that Susan had a longer shelf life, but this smacks of ageism so is therefore officially discouraged......
What I'd like to know is, if Joy was in such dire financial straits when she separated from her husband, can she now afford a house in Beechwood? She must have got a very good divorce settlement. I suppose time will tell, but it's all very bizarre.
ReplyDeleteThat's always intrigued me also.
DeleteI think that both Rochelle + Joy are hiding the same secret, but in differing ways. It's to do with Mr. Joy and father of Rochelle.
ReplyDeleteI am now tending to think that he is sadly no more, as a result of actions by them both, either separately or together. As such they both have guilt feelings + blame each other.
To add, I stand by an earlier thought of mine, in that Joy spent time in a psych. hospital but inherited the late Mr.Joy's estate and monies.
I know - wild + wacky, again! 😀
What’s going on this evening. TA is not listed on Sounds for 7.02 pm, there is some other programme in that slot. And I can’t see The Archers Unofficial page on FB either. Have I missed an announcement that there would be no episode tonight? Has anyone heard it?
ReplyDeletePlease totally ignore my last comment. I have just realised it is Saturday, so no episode is broadcast!! Oh dear! Is this my first indication of memory loss? I never seem to know what day it is and I was sure it is Sunday. 🤯
ReplyDeleteDon’t worry,, Archerphile, I expect we’ve all done it, I certainly have!. At least II’ve remembered to put the clocks forward!
DeleteI thought it was Friday for most of yesterday Archerfile!
DeleteDon't worry Archerfile you are not alone! We have only just realised the clocks went forward and it will be a bit of a scramble to get ready in time for son picking us up to visit a garden open for the National Garden Scheme today.
DeleteYesterday I asked my son to drive me into the vets about 6 miles away to pick up some medicine for one of the cats, and of course it was Saturday and shut!
I think once we are retired and no longer have that routine it is easy to forget the days, and my daughter works Saturdays and has a varying day off in the week instead, so that makes it easy to forget a Saturday is a Saturday.
If the milk turns up on the doorstep I know it is Monday or Thursday!!
I too have to admit to getting last Saturday wrong thinking it was Sunday and fretting that there was no Archers programme.Glad I’m not alone in my senior moments.The Joy/Rochelle story is becoming a real tangle,with neither of them now shown in a particularly good light.I agree with the previous comment about how Joy was able to buy her Beechwood home when she now says she was penniless on the breakdown of her marriage.In her early days in Ambridge she was very keen to make friends and gave the impression that she was in close contact with her daughter who was always supposed to be coming to visit,but never did,leaving us all to speculate.Now the latest revelations from the newly returned Rochelle have put the cat well and truly amoung the pigeons.From what we’ve heard previously, from Rochelle and so far,I don’t trust all the outpourings against Joy ,poor Mick is having to take on board.There was no mention of the reasons regarding Rochelle’s own marriage failure and why her children are in their father’s care.Perhaps there will be more revelations tonight.It is Sunday.?
ReplyDeleteI could write an essay on my speculations regarding Joy and Rochelle but will desist.
ReplyDeleteI will say the following however : it is possible to recover from being penniless to becoming a home owner again.
I’ve managed to do precisely that twice in the last forty years.
I’m not saying that Joy has, or has not, done so. We must wait for further revelations, but I am saying that it’s possible.
I so feel for Mick. He's had a great time at Home Farm, excited + pleased to return to his now home in Beechwood.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens - Rochelle + Joy - who are telling very differing stories of a time which must be what, 20yrs ago if not more.
This was obviously the start of the problems between them.
There has to be the truth somewhere, but where and told by whom?
I think there are faults by both.
Poor Mick, what is he now thinking.
I never thought that I would be concerned about him and almost (but not quite) care.
Mmm yes, Mick, a bit of a rough diamond has grown into a recognisable character hasn’t he, and earned his place in Ambridge.
DeleteThis cricket-based storyline has gone way beyond silly. It’s giving village cricket a bad image. I expect there’ll be official complaints to this BBC if there haven’t Ben already.
ReplyDeleteNew thread opened
ReplyDelete