Life in Ambridge
So Lily is off to Australia, she might see this.
Life in Ambridge
An upcoming storyline methinks!
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Sydney harbour bridge is impressive but I prefer suspension bridges, more elegant I think
ReplyDeleteArcherphileDecember 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
ReplyDeleteI see Azra and her family are in the cast list next week, so I hope we will hear George paying her a visit and starting to get the help he needs. Hopefully she can refer him to the right place or person to begin dealing with his mental state.
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Lady RDecember 6, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Yes I noticed that too AP ✔️
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maryellenDecember 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I suppose every time someone rejects George, it’s the equivalent of a punch in the face but the bruises show in his subsequent behaviour not physically, of course. It’s not acceptable for him to punch Ed physically but seems to be okay for appalling Lilian to batter him verbally, affecting his mental health as seriously as he has affected Ed’s physical health, if not more, because she’s one of several. Have I missed something?
AmbridgesMrsPDecember 6, 2025 at 11:51 PM
ReplyDeleteNo Maryellen you have not missed anything.
Your point is valid.
If George can get onto an anger management course and be helped, perhaps some therapist can be rustled up to teach Lilian how to button her viscous tongue.
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maryellenDecember 7, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Thanks, Mrs P. It reminds me of the old playground chant: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. Hmm!
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AmbridgesMrsPDecember 7, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I can remember chanting that in defiance, whilst at the same time knowing very well that words can hurt, and did !
I’m quite glad the Malik family might be leaving. I’ve never really warmed to them, I suppose because there are long standing characters I’d like to hear more of, Hannah for instance, Toby of course, and isn’t it time Jack had a voice?
ReplyDeleteI quite like the Maliks. I hope they don't go.
ReplyDeleteI've had trouble posting today. I usually sign in with Google, but today I kept getting asked to sign in with Blogger. It seems to be connected with my new browser - I've switched to Ecosia - but Edge didn't co-operate either. I've had to return to Firefox to get in. Anyone else encountered the Blogger sign-in issue?
OK, I've deleted the last hour's browsing history and all is back to normal . (Or at least as normal as anything ever is inside this shoe ...)
DeleteGlad to hear that things are OK again OWIAS.
DeleteI presume that I don't tend to get any problems with Blogger is because it's a Google blog and I use the Chrome browser on all my devices. Hopefully that won't be a case of famous last words!
I posted on 8/12 did not spot new blog in action 😌
ReplyDeleteLady RDecember 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
ReplyDelete(No1)are the Maliks on their way after all? (No 2) only 12 in the cast this week and George is not one of them! Last Friday only showed spa summary and no cast 🫢 and finally No (3) A driving test Paul! Well you will certainly be waiting for one of those these days unless an “Ambridge” cancellation pops up probably before Christmas 🤣😂🤣
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Lady RDecember 8, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Only showed a summary of the programme - where did spa come from!!!
‘ They ‘ - are teasing us again.
ReplyDeleteAzra wants to stay, husband wants to return to Pakistan to the family farm, whilst we all know that ‘a farm ‘ is likely to become available - courtesy of the Ambridge Fairy - sometime soon.
However…… is this a subject, unknown to many traditional listeners, that is current in the communities in the UK who originally hailed from Pakistan. And is the BBC visiting this subject in order to widen the profile of TA listeners to include this community.
Something is going on !
Can’t help hoping Henry hasn’t been listening to the news to day - or Helen.
ReplyDeleteIt seems a European sperm donor had an undiscovered cancer gene in his sperm and it has spread to many of the children he fathered, some of which have very sadly died.
I know Helen did her research and chose her donor carefully but it goes to show that it could be a very risky method of having a baby.
I saw that as well and what I read, over 200 children were a result of his donations.
DeleteI'm looking forward to the time when Henry wants to find out who his donor was.
By that I mean, how he does it probably secretly and Helen's reaction when she learns what he's doing.
DeleteIt won't be too far in the future.
My immediate reaction too AP. TA were pretty ground breaking really with that SL so long ago. The danger of fathering so many children is that some could even marry a relation without knowing - after all the world is such a small place now 🤔
DeleteYaay I can get the Archers in Vienna! But have to listen an hour later. When I said to the eye surgeon in theatre 5 days ago I'd rather stay at home there was an astonished chorus from the nurses of - it will be an adventure! Oh to be young again and prefer adventures to staying cosily at home. This eye has been much blurrier and for longer than the first one but I have noticed it is beginning to clear today. I kept the eye patch on for the travelling, and discovered there were a lot of advantages from being offered a wheelchair !!! to being able, plus the others, to skip to the front of the boarding queue.
ReplyDeleteHad a really good meal earlier of chicken schnitzels and potato salad with a nice dressing, and an apple and carrot juice that was freshly made. Looking forward to a Continental breakfast tomorrow. My daughter has suggested an open top bus tour of the sites tomorrow, which will suit me fine as I do think you feel like resting more when healing.
Thanks to Lanjan for suggesting getting a temporary pair of reading glasses which I did, and it meant I could read the menu.
Sorry that should really be on the other blog.
DeleteNever mind being on the other blog, it’s lovely to read your joyous post.
DeleteWell done for going and now enjoying it.
At last Ambridge residents are falling apart but happily they can all get Dr appointments if not on the same day within the next day or two 🤣 The integration of the Maliks their nationality and skin colour continues therefore they will be staying and maybe buying the farm from the young lady who has just lost her dad (she will continue to work with them and probably marry Josh) 🙂
ReplyDeleteWhat has the mystery illness been flu or Covid?
It's probably easier than that, as Meadow Farm is tenanted, so it will be just a case of taking on the tenancy. Well I say easier, but I have no idea how such things work!
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ReplyDeleteI have made a point of listening again to last night’s episode as I wanted to be very clear about what we were presented with.
DeleteLaurence Harrington yet again waving his racist credentials, and in front of a waiting room full of patients at the surgery.
The result being, at the end of her working day leading Asra to reflect again on the possibility of the family returning to Pakistan.
So, more fuel to that fire !
But yet another of the occasional outbursts of racism in a public place from L Harrington.
How many times will this man be able to get away with his behaviour.
Is this two story lines converging or the reality of two separate SLs juxtaposed against each other and each affecting and acting upon the other.
Further - I can see the possibility of Laurence Harrington, should he recover, choosing to sue Dr Malik for damages.
However his racist behaviour was witnessed by a number of people in the waiting room, or at the reception desk.
Might this be the long running SL extending deep into the future predicted some time ago ?
I find this storyline distasteful and unrealistic: a person in death throes refusing help from a dark skinned doctor, do such people really exist? I left the UK over 20 years ago and things seem to have deteriorated since. To me Lawrence is a caricature. I also remember the racist attacks on Usha which I found credible at the time. How long has Lottie been working at the surgery? And suddenly we find out about her skin colour because it matters to Lawrence.
DeleteAlso, what have they got in store for Alan? Early signs of what?
Ed's also been to the surgery for himself and on George's behalf.
I'm disturbed and confused.
Having had to deal with unacceptable behaviour from patients during my career, my strategy was to try and remain calm, give them the choice of a reasonable course of action and let them decide whether they wanted to accept it or not. Then document everything in detail and get any witnesses to do the same.
DeleteMost people calmed down and stayed, a few realised that their shouting and blustering was getting nowhere and left.
However, I appreciate that the world has changed since I retired with so much anger and hatred around, fuelled by social media. I'm not sure that I'd like to be working in healthcare now.
What a nice, calm week in Ambridge, which ended up with things being sorted out in a good way.
ReplyDeleteI say calm, regardless of Lawrence!
DeleteI am.about to send.a Christmas card to Rosemary (no recent news to report). Shall I add something like...from all of us who know you as Sarnia with our love etc, ?
ReplyDeleteYes please.
DeleteThat would be much appreciated Maryellen, thank you for the thought.
DeleteAnd please include me too, Maryellen
DeleteDone!
DeleteSorry I was too late but dear Sarnia is always in my thoughts ❤️
DeleteWhat's the betting that's there's something of real value in the Meadow Farm junk. Esme then gets the finances she so needs and can employ a manager - Akram or Josh?
ReplyDeleteCarly back with ex, Chris back with Alice - sorted.
ReplyDeleteI think so many would love that to be so BASIA.
DeleteChris + Alice? As Lanjan would say, they’d spoil another couple. (I’m not keen on either of them.)
DeleteMe neither. I’m afraid I have never liked Alice and have found her attitude irresponsible and self-indulgent for years - dating right back to teenage years, early employment and stupid acts. However, I do like Chris and was disappointed to hear he had married Alice. I never thought an alliance between the Aldridge’s and Carters was going to be entirely successful, although Susan thought it a great idea! I am really surprised their marriage lasted so long given the difference in their backgrounds and really hope Chris can find someone else to fill his life and not get back with Alice.
DeleteMany will not agree with me, but there it is
I'm still not sure why Esme is now becoming so prominent. Is she suddenly to become the newest Ambridge farmer running another Ambridge Farm, which until now, was unknown?
ReplyDeleteNow we know Miriam, Josh is after Esme's farm, she wants to keep it, so they join forces.
DeleteThe reference to Bondi Beach was inexcusable. They knew it was there and if someone important had died they would have erased that part. They had three days to do that. As it was it actually sounded accurate but distasteful all the same.
ReplyDelete15 totally innocentbpersons lost their lives whilst celebrating Hannukha and many severely injured
DeleteThis mention of Bondi should have been removed immediatly from tonight's episode.
Did we need to know Lily would be having fun there - NO.
I was shocked when I heard that.
DeleteIt was certainly a surprise that it was not deleted from the recording however late in the day it might have been necessary.
DeleteAs for Josh and Esme…. I could envisage a romance slowly developing there.
It would be interesting to have an emotional attachment with an age difference.
Does anyone have any idea what that difference might be ?
How old do we think Esme is ?
I too was shocked and felt most uncomfortable at the reference to Bondi beach being left in the script. Oh dear it is not the BBC’s best year is it?
ReplyDeleteJosh was 28yrs in Sept but no age given for Esme “fans” are guessing around 30yrs (so google says) maybe all will be revealed soon. Odd that no one in Ambridge appears to know as David remembers her father very well. I had never heard of the name Esme until The Sewing Bee lady joined the programme!
ReplyDeleteThat’s unusual Lady R - I’ve known several Esme’s throughout my life.
DeleteSo if she is around 30 there is not an age difference between them.
Of course it doesn’t have to be a romance, they could just be friends.
But could always become working friends sharing the farm.
That would leave it open for the TA team to allow romantic developments at any stage in the future.
There's an Esme living in our close. I've known her since she was a baby and she is now in her mid teens.
DeleteMaybe I've missed something but it seems odd to me that Lily has gone off to Australia with no mention of any goodbyes to her mother and brother and so close to Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIf you missed it, so did I CC.
DeleteThis trip to Australia has seemed very odd to me.
Just ‘tacked on ‘ as so much of what happens in TA seems to be very often now.
I agree!
DeleteWhat a lovely episode tonight! Old fashioned in a good way, I could see and feel the family “decorating their tree with memories” in the cosy sitting room at Bridge Farm and for once all four able to be really close in their discussion regarding John’s 50th birthday. I thought the script writing was excellent and spot on in its empathy ⭐️ Also Susan & Emma sharing their feelings too , a very calm end to the week - for once.
ReplyDelete75th anniversary for the programme early next year what an achievement I was just a very young toddler 🫢 but have been a follower for 50 yrs now!!
I’m sorry to strike a discordant note but I thought the family’s memories of John were pretty selective , which I suppose is often the case, and mainly confined to his lovable childhood, which again wasn’t surprising given the setting But from what I’vee read and remember, John wasn’t so lovable as an adult. It makes me.slightly uncomfortable when the family are eulogising him, though I respect their feelings of course.
ReplyDeleteI don’t even remember John as being particularly lovable as a child, much less as an adult. But as you say, families will remember the good times in such circumstances and gloss over the inadequencies
DeleteNot to do with Ambridge but I am going to put the names of those who expressed an interest in joining in the Desert Islands discs in a hat and will draw the first tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteFirst castaway named
DeleteIs George doomed or will it all come good in the end and what dramas is it going to bring on the way?
ReplyDeleteI can only understand George as a lost soul who does seem to hate himself, and needs to prove it to himself at every opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWhen will someone in that family suggest he gets some help.
And well done Fallon for giving it to him straight…… even if she then got those awful words thrown at her for doing so.
I know everyone makes comments about ‘is it the same actor’ when someone returns, but I hardly recognised Harrison’s voice last night. I know it was the same actor - it said so in the Radio Times - but he sounded gruffer & rougher to me. Is Fallon going to tell him what George said and did?
ReplyDeleteHe was still in his villainous Coronation St. voice and hadn't adapted back to his lovely Ambridge one.
DeleteFantastic News - Rachel Reeves has made yet another U turn and altered the inheritance tax for Farmers.
ReplyDeleteInstead of having to pay on assets of £ 1 million it’s been raised to £2.5 million which will be a huge relief to many family farms. Only the really big (probably commercial Company farms) will have to pay.
What a pity thousands of family farmers have had to spend a really anxious time trying to plan for the future., and some even took their own lives with the worry of it all.
Maybe those tractor protests did some good after all!
That's an amazing u turn and a huge relief to small family farmers in our area.
DeleteI expect people will have read about The Archers: Truth and Lies, the play to be broadcast to mark TA’s anniversary., so not, as I predicted,, the touring product thar ‘Amber’ was in. Shame!
ReplyDeleteSadly it looks like history repeating itself: George loses his girlfriend to his best friend.
ReplyDeleteThe victim that he is he will blame everybody, I might stop listening.
Amber's back, that means trouble.
ReplyDeleteI don't see what all the fuss is about, George didn't threaten Fallon and as he says she followed him.
After all Lynda told Freddie that he shouldn't have rescued her.
People say things and they should all shut up, but they don't, and what is Harrison going to do, arrest him?
I'm glad that I will be in an Archers free place for the next few days.
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ReplyDeleteHope everyone had a lovely peaceful Christmas Day. Our family are on the way back to France today so I can relax after getting the house sorted out.
ReplyDeleteAmbridge - wise, I have to say I did get a bit fed up with Joy’s constant twittering about the Tractor Run. She was almost as bad as Lynda, trying to organise people but I noticed Lynda had a good word for her when it was over. Is Joy the new Lynda? Will she be supervising a pantomime next year?
TBH I didn't like that George was still mentioned in the Christmas Day episode. I had hoped for a totally George free festive episode but that was wishful thinking!
ReplyDeleteAs was the Boxing Day one!
DeleteHow can George be so vicious one day talking to Fallon and Kenton - then be all sweetness and light to Pat the next? Some might suggest bi-polar, but I don’t want to make any excuses for him.
ReplyDeleteHe’s not ‘poor George’ to me, he’s just vile.
He’s poor George to me. Who’d want to be trapped in the persona that other people have forced him into? Ambridge has a lot to answer for.
DeleteI think that it's just George's basic personality, he has shown those traits for a long time.
DeleteI don’t want to go on about this. The attitudes displayed on other blogs make me feel slightly sick.My point is that if the village had behaved differently, so would George.
Delete‘If the village had behaved differently, so would George.’
DeleteMaryellen - have you so little regard for personal agency.
George is responsible for his actions and is responsible for how he reacts to any situation he encounters.
I would draw your attention to his time in prison, where he was able to modify his behaviour to suit the situation he found himself in.
I would posit that the situation in that environment was far worse and extreme in comparison to the unfortunate- I agree - unpleasantness he has encountered outside of his family.
George has his own poor instinctive actions as well as his good instinctive actions to thank for the situation he finds himself in.
He also has his an equal ability to choose how he behaves in that situation.
You find it sickening that others display negative attitudes.
I am appalled that you have such little regard for George himself, that you believe him to be able to make only further negative, poor, choices as a result of other’s attitudes displayed towards him.
George claims to be an adult.
Then let us see him take himself in hand and display some adult behaviour.
So far all we see is ten year old playground behaviour.
Having said all of the above, I personally feel that George needs professional psychiatric help.
As I have said previously, he is a lost soul. And I do have compassion for him.
My final comment re George - through weakness or whatever, he’s been driven into a bad boy corner that he doesn’t have the will power to get out of. So he needs shocking out of it. That’s the conclusion of my amateur psychology!
DeleteAnd yes, I do think describing him as an evil little incel is sick-making.
I don't think that George knows how to get himself out of it, he needs professional help.
DeleteI've given up posting on the George subject and TA in general. I have seen some horrible + nasty comments, not just about the current S/L, but also between fellow posters - not here obviously.
ReplyDeleteI'm staying away from TA sites and will just listen calmly until after the Big Reveal, with whatever that might entail + bring.
I did love the Tractor Run and thought the use of marshalls Ruiari + Lynda as narrators, was really well done.