"longer off topic comments" - Episode 2
Life Outside Ambridge
Life Outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Popular posts from this blog
Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Archerphile: ask and you shall receive! Fresh new post!
ReplyDeleteRuthie you are the Meister that just keeps on giving! 😊. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, I do wish the weather here was warm enough to enjoy a cocktail, relaxing on your wonderful garden furniture.
ReplyDeleteThank you for indulging us and creating an other miracle. Do you have. Hogwarts Wand?
Thank you Ruthy - this will save a lot of scrolling, for a while !! It’s obviously being very popular having two blogs, but Mr A is starting to comment on how much time I’m spending ‘on that machine’, so I shall have to write in secret, at night, under the bedclothes!
ReplyDeleteI too have commented on the creative and technology blog. I don't believe the BBC would have expected us to have such a presence, thanks to you .LanJan. I wonder how much longer they will tolerate us.
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate that now we have Ruthy's excellent blog some people are prepared to accept the fact although the BBC has let us down badly there is little more that we can do.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this way though.
I am so annoyed at the way we have been treated that I want to carry on and was really "chuffed" to read so many comments on the Writersroom and Technology and Creativity blogs by Archers bloggers.
I have just checked the "About the BBC " blog.
The latest blog is entitled "BBC I player Highlights 28thApril -4th May."
I haven't decided what to post yet but I am sure that Richard Bell whoever he is would be more pleased to read anything on the blog he has created than have no comments at all like in most previous blogs on that site.
At the moment plan A is to say what my highlights for next week will be-all of course to do with The Archers.
If there are other like minded people ,would you care to join me on "About the BBC blog"?
With reference to my previous comment ,I have posted a comment on the "About the BBC "blog .
ReplyDeleteI have addressed it to Richard Bell whose name appears next to the title of the blog which is"BBC I player highlights 28th April-4th May "
My. next comment will be about the highlights for next week which I would like to hear on The Archers.
That is surely on topic.
Since there has only been one comment recently from several blogs I am sure Mr Bell will be delighted to receive a few.
Will anybody join me in this please?
LJ.26/4 2.13pm Joined you on the BBC iPlayer highlights blog. What use. Who can tell. Nice to set up one's stall so to speak though. 🤔
ReplyDeleteRuthy I wondered whether you could get ITV programs. Although these veteran stars will not be well known in the USA the setting in LV would be of interest to you and of course there is a lot of entertainment value! maybe it will be shown there eventually! I’m glad you drink tea! Thank you for this latest blog! I am just about to get the garden chairs out of the shed!
ReplyDeleteThere's a line in 1st series of "Peaky Blinders": "I'm just a man who drinks tea." It's spoken by Birmingham gangster boss Tommy Shelby when he's fled a police raid on his pub and is hiding out at the barmaid's flat. Redbush tea might have calmed his nerves but it probably wasn't available in Birmingham in 1920. Redbush/Rooibus tea is an evening drink for me; it's naturally caffeine-free. Tommy suffers from PTSD from WW1 for which he self-medicated with heroin. By end of series 4 this was compounded with more trauma + strain of maintaining his empire and protecting his family. Definitely a man who needs to imbibe Redbush or camomile tea each evening. A few sessions in Kate's yurt re-aligning his chakra wouldn't come amiss.
DeleteLan Jan, Burnham Breeches and I have joined you. This is so much fun!.
ReplyDeleteSo have I!
ReplyDeleteMe too. Perhaps they will come to realise the only way to shut us up will be to give us our own Blog back.
DeleteI agree Mistral it is fun, though of course with a serious side too. We do need to keep it up
SMALL PORCELAIN TEAPOT SPOTTED! excuse capitals just want to catch someone's eye.
ReplyDeleteI recall someone wanting a small porcelain tea pot on Off Topic Mark I but can't remember who. Just seen in Sainsburys today a small white porcelain teapot for £8. I live in the south east but it may be available on Sainsburys online to order in and collect in-store.
After I wrote my comment on the BBC blog,I decided to try the Times Mind Games but have now checked and see that some of you have joined me on the blog.
DeleteI am so pleased.
I am really enjoying this but as you say Cowgirl,it has a serious side to it too.
This is going into my diary for today's pleasurable happening.
If it were still Lent ,I would have to donate quite a bit to Charity.
(Mr LJ who thinks I am still doing the crossword in my IPad (or "playing" as he calls it,wonders why I have a broad grin on my face.)
Incidently when I telephoned the London AirAmbulance with my donation (as a way of thanking Ruthy for this blog ) ,I was asked why I was donating as they liked interesting stories some of which are put in their newsletters.
So I explained.
I told her about Ruthy's Lifeboat but because I lived inland I was giving to the Air Ambulance
I told her if she had access to anybody of importance to the BBC and could highlight our cause I would make a further donation..
Sleepy Lawyer,how kind of you to mention the teapot.
DeleteT'was I who wanted a small one.
Thank you.
Funnily enough when out shopping this morning I went into a Charity Shop that thinks it is a rather upmarket household goods shop.
It is magnificent.
There are no clothes but they have lovely pieces of furniture ,pottery ,electrical goods(they check them) all beautifully arranged in the shop-and so reasonably priced because everything has been donated.
Anyway I came away with a brand new little tea pot for £4 .
It even had a tea cosy made to look like a little animal .
I won't use that but stuff it with kapok and make it into a child's toy.
Your welcome. It was part of their white porcelain range so probably available for a while yet. Lucky you found a charity shop find my daughter loves them. I found a Todd's bag recently in one for a tenner. Usually they retail at about 300 pounds.
DeleteI would just like to say:- a Massive "Thank-you" to Ruthy, for yet another blog page.
ReplyDeleteAlso I so admire the many regulars, who are posting on other BBC blog sites, who are showing that these sites are there and so should be used. I believe that the reason that the TA blog closed, was that the Beeb just did not want to finance it, due to its popularity.
Sadly I am not in a position to join in with this new campaign, but keep it going, as it seems that the message is getting through.
But where will this leave our wonderful Ruthy? - who is doing a wonderful, and so very much appreciated , and much loved alternative site?
When I had my kitchen re-fitted last Autumn, I had to do a lot of sorting out, so I took a lots of items to a charity shop. Included in these were both a large and small china tea-pot, which I felt that I would no longer use. and I have not missed them! Perhaps LJ has bought it!
ReplyDeleteRuthy. I have to ask you about your knowledge of the UK - in that, do you have family here, and are you a frequent visitor? I am just being curious, and I would so like to hear about more of your home-life, family etc. and why you love this simple, BBC every-day radio programme called The Archers so much. I am amazed that this simple radio programme, is so loved in so many different parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteI was just testing as my tablet told me I needed to sign in and I had forgotten the password but there I am, signed in. Can anyone understand why?
ReplyDeleteWere you previously signed in on another device?
DeleteYes, on my laptop but that stayed logged on even when I was having trouble on here(Android).
DeleteYou're welcome. Horrible spelling mistake in previous text....I blame Android predictive text.😁
ReplyDeleteI have 2 standard size and 2 smaller teapots. I use a smaller one every day. Another effort to reduce amount of water boiled backfired. I bought a small kettle, big enough for 2 mugs. It was a bit stylish, not my usual functional design. The water gauge was hard to read. I switched it on one day, thinking there was water in it but there wasn't. Burny-burny smell !!! It was fairly new. I was annoyed with myself.
ReplyDeleteI drank Earl Grey tea today. Stock of everyday teabags was down to 2 but there's almost a full caddy of Earl Grey. Lady Grey tea is very pleasant too. I watch for special offers on Earl or Lady Grey.
I just Love Earl Grey tea. This is my normal afternoon "tipple" along with a slice of home-made cake, of some sort. I take it with a very slight dash of milk, as I prefer it to lemon, but that's my taste. A sister of mine popped in a few days ago, and when I asked her what she wanted to drink - it was a cup of tea. However it was virtually spat out, as I made Earl Grey and not PG Tips! I forgot that she detests it, it was soon rectified but she still ate, and enjoyed, my "tea loaf", which was made with Earl Grey tea!
ReplyDeleteMy hubs and and I met an American of Italian extract a February years ago on holiday in Italy. He has become a great friend and although he lives in far flung Kent we have visited a few times as well as having two more holidays together. On our first visit I found he was making tea in ,the mug and went out and bought him a teapot. I did say to him though that if he must make it in the cup he should warm the mug first! He said it did make a difference! As he has lived in UK for about 50 years he is now a Brit and should know better! Apart from everything else you need twice the teabags if you do individual cups. My daughter and I brew it up in a small teapot and one Yorkshire teabag makes two cups! I’m afraid I don’t like Earl Grey and always ask for builders tea! The perils of being brought up in the North! We always had Typhoo but then Yorkshire tea hadn’t been invented then!
ReplyDeleteThat should be my husband and not my hubs!
ReplyDeleteI have my morning tea pot, large, green Denby, loose leaf.
ReplyDeleteBone china breakfast cup and saucer, currently Limoge.
In the afternoon, a small white porcelain pot, teabag.
China tea cup and saucer
I detest Earl Grey.
Other smaller pots for herb teas.
Never drink from or make tea in a mug.
But most visitors seem to prefer a mug, so do have nice ones.
Then there are ' the teapots ' !
I collect them. Different colours and shapes, but nothing fanciful or jokey.
I bet nobody is surprised that I don't do ' jokey ' anything !
My kitchen isn't finished yet, but there are lots of shelves being erected for my teapots when they get unpacked. I don't know how many but think I must have at least twenty.
Typhoon, red label, ' good ' tea, but nowadays Yorkshire.
I also collect pretty teacups and saucers. No theme, just if they appeal to me.
I still have most of my mums tea and dinner service from the forties.
Yes, like Ev I always ask for builders tea. Most seem to understand.
Change of topic from tea etc- I am really chuffed to have found and bought an old Archers jigsaw puzzle on eBay. I have been looking for one in charity shops for ages with no success. This one shows various buildings and scenes around Ambridge , but the best thing is that the box has been signed by Charles Collingwood and Judy Bennet! I am thrilled to add this to my vast collection of jigsaw puzzles and will start on it tomorrow. Just wish I could post a photo to show you all!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful Archerphile, I didn't know that T A jigsaws existed.
DeleteI love J Saws. Lucky you.
Miriam: I have no particular ties to UK. I have only been to England once, I have a brother-in-law, who is from England, I work with a couple of Englishmen who now live in the US. By the way, I am not doing something extraordinary, just something that is useful.
ReplyDeleteLanJan I am very touched that you have made a donation to London AirAmbulance and gave me a honorable mention. I think we have a good story that should be told.
Lastly, I’ve been loving all the comments on tea, teapots, tea cups and saucers. Where else could I go for these lovely exchanges.
On the subject of tea I'd like to give an uppy for newly discovered 'Dorset Tea'. Imo water makes such a difference to the taste anyway. So for me the above has been a real find. Second now is Yorkshire. 😋
DeleteBB you are right about the water and I am missing the lovely water I had last week up north cf my city water. I don’t use teapots much as I like my tea really weak no milk but I love spicy Christmas blends I make in a pot. When I visited the US some years ago someone said to me “you’re English and you don’t like tea??”
DeleteI couldn't agree more about how much difference the water makes to tea.
DeleteIt should be fresh water in kettle for each brew, not same water boiled several times over. Each morning I draw water from tap to water houseplants before I put water in kettle. It's something to do with oxygen bubbles (?) in water flowing along pipes. Hydrolytes (?)
DeleteStill on tea I am afraid.My new teapot is very slightly larger than the other one so I didn't add quite as water to the pot as I usually do and I think it wasn't as good.
ReplyDeleteWith the smaller one I could fill it to the brim and it was just right for my two china Yorkshire tea mugs.
My problem with the smaller "pot " one is that it stains so easily so have to keep using baby bottle steriliser .
I wondered if a proper china tea pot would not stain as easily.
As for tea
I am another one who cannot stand Earl Grey or even worse -Rooibos.
It is Yorkshire tea for me although both Gregg's and Wetherspoon's do good tea .
At Wetherspoon's a mug costs £1.25 and you can have as many refills as you like.
No tea pots though.
I clean my teapot, mugs & teaspoons with sodium bicarbonate.
DeleteMiriam,
ReplyDeleteWe will not abandon Ruthy's lifeboat whatever happens.
As you say this blog site is great.
Lanjan, Both Ruthy and yourself are brilliant and I shall never abandon this life saving ship.
DeleteMrsP. I hope you don't mind me asking, what motivated you to leave London and move to Stroud? I left London in the late eighties because I'd changed my job. I could have moved back, but now the noise, and just getting from one place to another is just too stressful. Perhaps I've transformed into a country bumpkin, growing vegetables on my allotment. What am I saying , underneath still lurks the radical left wing feminist, I have not acquiesced on my political views, although I have become more tolerant since getting older.
ReplyDeleteHave just finished my ritual morning tea.
You'll be able to empathise with Pat.
DeleteMrs P 26/4, 11.28 pm ......I see we are both late at night posters ! For me that is because I listen to TA in bed and catch up on blogs afterwards - much to Mr A’s annoyance! Regarding jigsaws, we are both a bit addicted and always have a 1000 piece puzzle in progress on our dining table. They can be very relaxing and I often do some jigsaw whilst listening to the afternoon play on Radio 4 or, increasingly, Radio 4 extra. They are getting quite expensive to buy new so I usually find my jigsaws on eBay where you can often buy one for £2 to £5 (plus postage). When we have finished a puzzle I often take them to our local charity shop but have kept all my most favourite ones to do again in a year or so. I saw on FB that an Archers fan had found an Ambridge jigsaw at a jumble sale and they posted a photo of it. So I entered ‘Archers Jigsaw’ in the eBay search box and it found several for sale. Not only the one I now have but several in a series of Ambridge locations, taken from those pictures like the one Ruthy has used at the top of this blog. I’m now going to have to try and collect them all. As I said, it’s a bit of an addiction!
ReplyDeleteI don't do jigsaws but Mr LJ always has one on the go .
ReplyDelete1000 piece like you do Atcherphile.
Most of them come from Charity Shops.
A lot of folk write on the box to say that all pieces are there.
Some Charity shops won't take jigsaws unless they are complete.
Mr LJ is very cross if he gets nearly to the end and finds some pieces missing.
He once bought one from a Charity shop and more than half the pieces were missing.
I called in to the library yesterday and there was a group of women there chatting away.
ReplyDeleteThe librarian said it was the Make and mend Club.
She said that she actually thought that they mainly came for a good chin wag.
Good for them.
This is what I am doing now.
I have just returned from the hairdresser and am having a cuppa whilst reading through Ruthy's blog .
At first I have to say that it wouldn't have worried me just having the one blog but now I am delighted that we have two.
People who are not interested in digressing from the Archers can ignore this one.
Stasia you are very kind.
I can't tell you the pleasure all of this is giving me.
I am so enjoying the clever comments written by posters on the hijacked blog sites
I am sure the BBC thought we would just accept what they have done .
It must be very annoying to them to find that we won't..
At the moment we are having the best of both worlds because of Ruthy.
Miriam,it wasn't your tea pot but I am sure another elderly person is enjoying it .
Most youngsters just put a tea bag into the mug.
This tea pot is brand new and is not porcelain.
I think it will still stain .
Am I right in thinking that a China one will not stain like a pot one?
LanJan 11.11 a.m. I used to have a little brown earthenware teapot, just enough for one. It never stained.
DeleteMr A says that it is a good thing to let a patina of tea stains build up on the inside of a teapot. He gets very annoyed if he catches me trying to clean the pot properly instead of just rinsing it out. Says it improves the flavour of the tea, to leave the stains in place ! However, I can’t stand the tea stains that build up on the inside of cups (I use Denby Imperial Blue which have white insides, but it happens on porcelaine too). But I find they can be easily removed by wiping with one of those white sponge ‘Magic’ cleaning blocks. It just whisks them away. Oh, gosh, I sound just like an advert!! 🤭
DeleteWell, I'm not a youngster, yet pop the teabag in a mug except for breakfasts when friends are staying, or after dinner, in the unlikely event people want tea rather than coffee. We've one friend who only has Earl Grey(yuk..) so she also gets a small pot so that she can top up with her odd smelling, nothing tasting beverage at will. Fascinating to read about others' tea rituals and preferences (agreed, Yorkshire is great, but we usually have typhoo), also careful distinctions between bog rolls. I just get soft enough supermarket brands in bulk. Certainly remember tracing paper sheets ! Another thing which I think many will tut at, something came up in the old BBC blog, is eating in the street. I did that in London yesterday, starving, no time for mid morning snack or lunch. It was a bag of crunchy things from a well known pharmacy, and I stuffed my mouth eagerly, a number of crispy nibbles dropping on the pavement. Still got some, yummy,whoops, sorry Percy Cat,that one bounced on your fur. Not at all classy, but I do think Rex was absolutely in order to call Brian Mr Aldridge, as Brian would be to call him Rex. I expect Rex does call Ruth and David Archet by their first names, because he knows them quite well. (Wrong blog for last comment)
ReplyDeleteThanks Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteI have just ordered magic sponges from EBay
I had never heard of them
Still on tea. In February 2017 we went to visit my daughter in Singapore. For Valentine's day my husband took me to Raffles Hotel for afternoon tea. It was an afternoon that I shall remember for a long time.
ReplyDeleteAround 1952 my uncle was 17 years old and stationed somewhere in the Far East with the British Army - he won a small fortune gambling one day and decided to go AWOL. He was found 7 days later after being tracked to Raffles Hotel where he had been holed up for the week... You gotta love that style!!!
ReplyDeleteRaffles Hotel featured in the TV serial "Tenko" . There was a sequel set c1950.
DeleteWhat punishment did your uncle receive?
He was imprisoned for a few months at least - during his sentence his brother (my father) was released from a P.O.W. camp in China, (Korean War) and got a ship to Hong Kong where he was greeted by my uncle who had been driven there by the Military Police as a surprise! And what a surprise it was - my dad had no idea that his little brother had joined the army, what with him being in the camp for almost 2 years...
DeleteMy Dad had an uncle who went out from his marital home on his pony and trap on an errand and didn’t come back for three years. He had joined the Navy! No, I don’t know what happened to th pony! Yes, GG you do have to admire that style!
ReplyDeleteHave just put my teapot in the dishwasher. I usually wash it manually after each use not agreeing with what my husband used to say that the stains add to the flavour. Sorry, Mr A! The dishwasher also removes stains in cups but I know from previous sadly defunct blog that not all of you favour dishwashers. I find it hard to do without one! I do still do some washing up at the sink!
Have posted on the BBC Mr Bell blog and amused to see that we TA bloggers have put all the posts on it. Last time of looking no response from Mr Bell! We must carry on rattling the cage.
Indeed we must Ev.
ReplyDeleteMention has been made of Singapore ,I have been fortunate enough to visit the island a few times and like others have had meals at Raffles.
Wonderful.
Carolyn have you been there?
I ask because in the bar when peanuts are eaten ,the shells are thrown onto the floor so it wouldn't matter if you were eating your crunchy whatevers because nobody would notice if you dropped a few!!,
Thanks for the tip, Lan Jan - clearly I must head for Rafflles, a home for sloppy eaters in public places...
DeleteJust joining in with the tea discussion. We have friends who not only make the tea in mugs but also like Roobos. Ugh. I don't mind Earl Gray, very week but orefer proper tea, usually Yorkshire and always use a pot. Our little one is lime green and came from a very nice cafe in Grassington. Our big one is Denby.
ReplyDeleteI was a very early member of Archers Addicts, when it was a proper club with Ambridge Echo came in the post before it was all relegated to Facebook. I went to their first Archers Convention at Pebble Mill studios(we lived in Warwickshire then) so not far. We were all given a china mug with the date on it and 1st Convention I think. Needless to say I have never used it.
Oh, why not ? When I started reading your post, I pictured you drinking from that mug when listening to TA, probably during the omnibus because 7.03 PM is dinner time, isn't it. How super it would be for a photo of you holding it for a TA related blog here(or this off topic one, next to a variety of toilet rolls, and some books by authors that have been mentioned...
DeleteSorry, very weak -the Earl Grey
ReplyDeleteWe have so many mugs, but I do have a bright green Archers Addicts one that I do use. A bit more robust and goes in the dishwasher. I think I also have a couple of Simon Drew ones as well. One is called Fallen Archers
ReplyDeleteI only use bone china cups/mugs.
ReplyDeleteSandraKay. 4.22pm. I was also a very early member of Ambridge Addicts - still have the little green and gold enamel badge to prove it! My daughter joined me up as a birthday present and I loved getting the Borchester Echo too. I still have, and use almost daily, a small hand crafted milk jug with the words Aldridge Millennium Wood on one side that was offered as a Millennium souvenir. I was so sad when the club was closed down and the various events you could attend stopped. The Archers jigsaw I was talking about earlier on was actually an Archers Addicts product and I’m thrilled to bits to now own one. One of the scenes in the design is of Nelson’s Wine Bar, and another is Nightingale Farm - so you can tell hiw old it is!
ReplyDeleteI definitely don't suggest that we post comment on the Writers Room blog again but I was just looking at it and there is a new blog about writing log lines.
ReplyDeleteThere are two comments.
One of them is from Mikey and he mentioned the Archers .
Those who commented will know that he was one of the few non Archers fans who commented.
Someone has given him a down arrow.
Of course I promptly gave him an upper.
I wonder if you would mind giving him an up arrow please?
He seemed a nice bloke but needs a helping hand and I think a load of uppers would cheer him up.
Thanks
For those who didn't comment on the Writers room blog.
It is to be found in the BBC blog section.
Ah the Archers Addicts...Mr S used to renew my subs at Christmas and I still have the cards with signatures on from Kathy and Lilian and an Ambridge map. A couple of fridge magnets as well...happy days. I confess I do love Earl Grey tea - the bergamot is a great pick-me-up - but I know it is a love or hate thing. Jasmine tea is another.
ReplyDeleteLan jan have given Mikey an up arrow. He was very patient with us! I see there are about posts on Mr Bell’s blog and all from us! I can’t believe none of these blogs have relevant posts. They deserve our interference.
ReplyDeleteThat is 20 posts. I did put that in but was “corrected”!🤓
ReplyDeleteThanks Ev.
ReplyDeleteI am still wondering who Alex is .
He or she commented on the Technology and Creativity blog about The Archers.
I was once an Archers Anarchist but I went to several events organised by the Addicts
I've up arrowed Mikey. Can't work out who Alex is but think I know who EssCee is.
DeleteI have just replied to mikey10 on the BBC blog, Writing log lines.
ReplyDeleteMe too. It was nice of him to think of us. Maybe we are subtley infiltrating his mind, he might end up as an Archers scriptwrter....
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say I love the name Louis, just given to the new Prince. So much nicer than the predicted Albert, or even Arthur in my opinion. Lord Louis Mountbatten was so much loved by Charles and the rest of the Royal family, so it is lovely that he has been remembered in this way.
ReplyDeleteI would have preferred, Prince Arthur, Philip, Charles. But I do love Prince Louis, as so different but still regal.
DeleteLouis was my Dad’s name.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely lot of folk you are.
ReplyDeleteMikey has got 11up arrows and I bet he is chuffed.
Perhaps he will now decide to listen to the programme
I have commented on the Jane Austen blog and it is lovely to see so many Archer fans commenting there. Like the good old days.
ReplyDeleteI also replied, I take it that running amok is not sommom in th US.
DeleteWe are a glorious bunch anarchists.
I so hope that this is a general blog, I get confused.
ReplyDeleteI would just like to say that I received a phone call today, supposedly from HMRC saying that legal actions were now being taken as to non payment of taxes. To sort this out, press keys xx and then xx. I was not conned, especially as I have just received a tax refund - it was like winning the lottery. To continue, I reported this phone call to Fraud Alert and I was then redirected to a police link, to give all the details. It took over 40 mins but if my action prevents another bring scammed, then I have done my civil duty.
It now appears that there is a crossover showing, from other sites now taking place. I do not object to this as such, but I so hope that this tranquil site remains at is it, a gentle, informative, friendly place, with like-minded people posting thoughts on many topics, and in my opinion, and
ReplyDeleteso importantly, with no dis-aggreament or "bad feelings". As a more lowley "poster", I just hope that this post is understood.
Miriam I for one understand exactly what you are saying.
DeleteI have been posting on other sites, whilst it is amusing to poke fun at the BBC it also has a serious side, They closed our blog down that was well used, the sites we are posting on have had little or no use. I personally think it is important to draw this to the attention of the BBC, when all said and done the service is run for the benefit of its users, sadly this seems to be forgotten as can also be seen by the comments made by Bloggers with no connection with the Archers
On Ruthy’s other blog I was saying how I saw humming birds in Alaska. The other birds I saw in America were Mocking birds in the South. I was so excited as one of my favourite books is “To kill a Mocking bird” and of course the film with the great Gregory Peck was one of the best ever. Another favourite film is “Brief Encounter”. I never fail to weep buckets at the end!
ReplyDeleteMiriam 7.38. Lovely for you to have a tax refund, I am expecting a nice one too :) Thanks for the scam info.
ReplyDeleteEv 9.35, same here, but I didn't like Harper Lee's prequel/sequel so much.
On Wednesday I went to see Cinderella, (Matthew Bourne) which had a reference to Brief Encounter at the end, it was really lovely
Mrs P
ReplyDeleteYou have been quiet of late, I do hope you (and your knee ) are well.
stasia - running amok is a common saying in the US too.
ReplyDeleteev - don’t have access to ITV here. Have you watched Broken. I read very good reviews. I will give Peaky Blinders a try. That’s is on Netflix here. Also have watched the Detectorists. Such great fun.
Yesterday, we went to see King Lear a RSC production at the BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) Harvey Theater. Anthony Sher played an excellent Lear. The BAM has a long running tradition, over 100 years of Shakespeare. I am a newbie as I have only attended 15 years.
We get a pair of ruby throated hummingbirds in our yard come summer!
DeleteRuthy, "Peaky blinders" is set in Birmingham. You will have to accustom your ears to the Brummie accent. Main actors are not native Brummies.
DeleteLucy (?) the original Hayley is comedian Jasper Carrot's daughter so had genuine Brummagen credentials.
Joe and Eddie did some metal detecting once.
Thank you CowGirl.
ReplyDeleteMy knee is very good and I am going for a longer walk each day.
However I am still extremely tired all of the time and am beginning to be rather concerned about it.
I am also suffering from cabin fever !
I have been quiet, probably because I have not joined in the continuing campaign
focusing on the loss of TA blog.
I am an innovative person, and do not have difficulty in accepting the end of something.
IMO everything has a life. For so long.
When it's over, it's over !
Start afresh with something different.
Cow Girl, it was me that advocated starting our own blog way back in December when we were for the second time concerned that the BBC might close the blog.
I posted at that time that I had asked a friend to suggest a way to start up our own blog, and that I had the link to do that, but was not capable myself.
Ruthy then took up the cudgels and produced this blog.
And well done, and thank you, Ruthy.
And isn't this a success ?
For the time being, it is enough for me.
Glad to hear you are making steady progress. I was quite tired after my op, but you should be over that by now as it is over 6 weeks, go and have your self checked out.
DeleteYes I do remember that you offered to sort out a blog for us. Yes this has been a succsess.
I'm afraid I'm a bit like a dog with a bone' and wont let go.
just spent 2 years fighting my electricity company, they were the losers not me.
Stasia, I've just scrolled back and have re read your question about me moving from London.
ReplyDeleteIt's a complicated answer.
As a child I had a number of opportunities to spend short periods in the countryside which I enjoyed enormously.
When we had small children my husband and I went to live in a small Wiltshire market town.
The best, and the worst, five years of my life.
Later when my girls had left home I left London again to start a new life for myself, but was drawn back to support my mother as my sister had failed to step into the breach and my daughters were needing to step up to the mark, which I did not feel was fair.
I had spent two years as a volunteer on a large community arts project, a Community Play in Bradford on Avon, then running a small Museum in Dorset.
Life jogs along, and much as I love my home city, I continued to yearn to live where I could enjoy long views. The best I had was from the top of Putney Hill looking out across central London.
I would have liked to be in a smaller city, Bath, but my daughter made it very clear that she did not want me on her doorstep, the right property in Frome didn't materialise, so I plumped for Stroud and the surrounding area, in particular the Severn.
Rivers are important to me. I need to be near at least one. And a three minute walk up the hill gives me a long view of the Severn snaking along below the Welsh hills on the horizon.
Apologies for the long answer, though it is in essence brief.
There were of course many other considerations too complicated and inappropriate to explain.
Mrs P - your "Rivers are important to me" - me too! Wide, slow, reed- bordered, tree- fringed rivers like the Great Ouse (not to be confused with the Yorkshire Little Ouse) on whose banks I grew up. It was an integral part of our lives - we swam in it, fished in it, punted on it, played Pooh sticks and floated our home-made coracle on it (which promptly turned turtle). My secondary school was built on its bank and as tradition dictated we threw our Panama hats into it on our last day at school.
DeleteNow I live near the River Ver, one of England's erstwhile chalk streams. It's endangered so I feel,sorry for it, but I can't take it seriously as a river!
The Am's recent storylines have been fairly depressing - flood damage, poison - please scriptwriters, give it a break!
Ruthy @ 12.18pm.About 20 years ago we went to see King Lear in Leeds where my daughter went to University. A well known comic actor, Warren Mitchell played Lear and was magnificent. It’s amazing how comedians can have this other side to them. Lenny Henry, a black comedian, a very bouncy huge presence apparently gave a wonderful performance as Othello.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I went to see an open air version of “The Tempest” at a monastery here on the island. There is a malevolent character in it which was enthusiastically played so much so that a dog in the audience took umbrage and barked fiercely at him and had to be hastily removed by the family! At the end when the important summing up was taking place the bell rang noisily for the next prayer time for the monks. At the end the lead actor said how pleased the company were to be there and next year they would be doing “For Whom the Bell Tolls”!! Incidentally some of the monks were in the audience and thoroughly enjoyed the comedy! It is a closed order but they have realised that in order to survive they have to reach out to the local community. There is always an art exhibition there largely by local artists and a tearoom and shop run by a company and volunteers respectively. It is a place of great tranquility and calm and one of our favourite places. Oh, they keep sheep and pigs too! You can buy pig pellets in the shop which theporkers relish. When sitting outside at the cafe chickens run around the tables certainly free range! They also grow and sell lots of vegetables and fruit.
Lenny Henry has re-invented himself in later life. His profession as a comedian began aged about 16 after he won a TV talent contest. He returned to education as an adult and began to appreciate Shakespeare. He did a Radio 4 programme about his "journey".
DeleteEv, Quarr Abbey is one of my favourite places. I go as often as I can.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible to attend services there. And like you I love the pigs and the piglets.
Way back in the seventies my Mother in law lived close by the Abbey and I remember walking along the back path with her and discovering a Judas Tree, in flower, the first either of us had ever encountered. I've been in love with those trees ever since and always seek them out.
Now I go there with my daughter.
But my D and S in L are selling up and leaving the island this year.
I do hope I have not been to the island for the last time. But do wonder.
In response to your comment,Cow Girl (8.20 pm yesterday) I am 100% in agreement with you.
DeleteRuthy's site as I have said several times is great for us.
It feels safe and we can post off topic without any worries.
However I do feel that we should continue to wear the BBC down.
Yet another blog has appeared on the About the BBC blog.
I wrote on Ruthy's other blog the number of comments each blog on that site has received.
Most have received none.
One has had 38 comments-about The Archers.
A lot of people tried very hard to save the Archers blog.
Why give up now?
It doesn't hurt to infiltrate other sites.
As I said on Ruthy's other blog the About the BBC site is perfect for us because they seem to have a blog about highlights each week.
Well we can tell them what the highlights are.
I am still trying to find a reason to comment on the Jane Austen site which is relevant.
Maryellen may cease to be my Agent if I don't write something soon!
Apart from anything else I am enjoying "misbehaving "and actually believe that what we are doing will prove successful.
Lan Jan
DeleteWe are like a pair of naughty school girls, just forget about our age!!!
I am so happy, as my eldest niece's new house purchase, looks as if it will actually happen. They have put in an offer for a wonderful 5 bed home, only 25 miles away and both their buyers and their own surveys, have been done and there are no problems.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what Brian is up to and scheming and it does not bode well.
Ev,
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in my first year at Grammar school ,I was a nymph in that he Tempest.
We must have been on stage for all of two minutes -no - possibly less.
The changing room was the biology lab and there were ladies (to my my eleven year old eyes) -six formers -who wore corsets which they had to remove before the performances.
At the end of the play on the first night we ,the nymphs stood up and hid the main performers.
I can remember the teacher in charge shouting at us.
"Who do you think people have come to see ,not you!"
Well my mum came and it was a long bus ride away plus a walk but I didn't tell her that and I had to do the same journey each Saturday afternoon and pay my 2d bus fair for rehearsals.
Never again.
Has anyone heard any good plays, drama serials etc to reccomend for downloading, to give a give listen?
ReplyDeletePS I am familiar with Home Front, but what else is available?
DeleteSometimes it is worth downloading "Book at bedtime,"Miriam.
ReplyDeleteI don't really understand this downloading lark but if you start st the first episode on a Monday it just seems to carry on and on .
I have just heard from my daughter that the has had an exhausting day helping my granddaughter to decide on a ‘prom dress’. Apparently they are still on speaking terms -just! I had to ask what a prom dress was for and heard all about this modern trend of having a formal ball on leaving secondary school, which is apparently going to cost my daughter and s.i.l a small fortune. Never had such things in my day - was still wearing a tunic and knee-length socks with a St Trinians style hat on the day I left school!
ReplyDeleteWhen my three daughters left school there were two outfits to get. One for the official leavers ceremony and prize giving and the dress for the the ball. Then there are the weddings!
DeleteIt gets worse. I've seen prom pictures from primary schools in local paper. What about those parents who can't afford money for special outfits? Do they go into debt or do their children not attend?
DeleteMrs P, Maryellen - Rivers: Visited S and DiL in S Wales this weekend and spent Saturday afternoon canoeing on the R Wye. Hard work paddling upstream as the river is fast-flowing after all the recent rain, but nevertheless - blissful! I'm a bit stiff today, though.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds lovely 🛶
DeleteWelcome to the Forest, Sarnia. Glad to hear that you had a good time, such a beautiful river.
DeleteI have made a comment on Ruthy's other blog .
ReplyDeleteWasn't sure on which one to comment.
I have e mailed Alistair Smith as he asked for suggestions for blogs on About the BBC asking of course for the return of our blog! I had an instant reply that he is out of the office and giving an e mail address for a lady called Jennifer. Will later forward a copy of the e mail to her.
ReplyDeleteI emailed him last week Ev, on the same subject, having also made a suggestion about a blog for another programme I like - and haven’t even had an ‘out of office’ reply. Why do the p.t.b. ask for listener feedback then totally ignore the trouble we have gone to in replying?!
DeleteBecause it's all about MARKETING Archerphile.
DeleteThe BBC Marketing department is brilliant at what it does.
It doesn't need to answer anyone's question because it has already done its job, by getting the message out.
Sarnia, delighted that you spent enjoyable time canoeing on the Wye.
ReplyDeleteWe viewed a house somewhere around Cinderford when house hunting in the early seventies. ( we settled in a small market town in Wiltshire)
I desperately wanted to visit and see Symonds Yat, but it didn't happen.
Last year I treated myself to three days in Ross on Wye and finally made my visit to S Y.
I doubt that I will ever canoe down the river, but I do intend to treat myself to a
boat trip, hopefully this year.
Mrs P: Funny, I didn't think I'd actually mentioned SY by name, but yes, that's where we were. SY East has been one of my very favourite places ever since we went there for the weekend for my 70th, although a nightmare to reach by public transport. DiL was persuaded to drive me there for the day. Despite previous reservations she also suddenly decided to join me in the canoe, and afterwards declared the experience 'awesome'!
ReplyDeleteIsn't the connections we make on here, places, experiences, favourite activities, even, as recently the fact that almost all of us use teapots rather than ' dunking' in a mug, the best part of our blog.
DeleteApart from The Archers of course !
Are we a ' tribe ' ?
Mrs P - John the Agnostic always said that people only considered topics to be 'off' if they were personally uninterested in them! I have to say I have minimal interest in people's tea- making preferences and I'm sure the same goes for the non-Archers-related topics I introduce. The point I've tried to make in my last (and final) campaign post on the About the BBC blog is that I don't think (as a licence payer as well as member ogf the general public) that it is the BBC's role to fund discussion of non-Archers topics. If combating loneliness etc is within its remit, then providing a forum for mutual discussion of TA fulfils it. So Ruthy has done us an enormous favour in picking up on the additional need for a general chat room. (It's taken me a while to think this through!)
DeleteMaryellen - I have always been of the opinion the the BBCs role is to Broadcast. The clue is in the name The British Broadcasting Corporation.
DeleteHowever some two decades or so ago, the BBC decided to enlarge its remit and to include ' on line ' .
I clearly remember this, as I felt at the time that this decision would be likely to create a whole new world attached to Broadcasting.
That it IMO what has happened.
As a licence payer at the time I did not consider this to be the role that the BBC should adopt. But Parliament approved the decision and I accepted that.
Having made that decision then, and increased the output far beyond what might have been envisaged at the time, it seems to me that the BBC having freely given, can also freely take away.
And for what ever reason the powers that be choose.
You, I and others on here have availed ourselves of the facility given to us on The Archers Blog over recent years. We have enjoyed ourselves on and off topic.
Now the BBC have made a decision about that particular blog.
I see it as the BBCs right to do so and as Pierre le C has said on the other blog I think, the BBC will never admit a mistake or that it got something wrong.
The BBC is monolithic and can get away with most things unless Parliament steps in and demands reparations.
Unlikely to be the case with the cessation of T A blog.
Unlike others I do not feel a need to chew at a bone.
As I have said before, if one wants something in life, then if one has the ability to do so, then create it for oneself.
Which is why I advocated we do back in December.
I am content to have had that blog, and am reasonably happy with this one, kindly produced with care by Ruthy.
Whether we are on or off topic not everyone will be happy or content with all that is written.
In my answer to Sarnia 12:46 today, I was simply saying how happy, and content I am with this present blog facility.
I hope this explains how I feel on this subject.
Perfectly Mrs P! I was a very late entrant into the world of computing, never thought I would need one, never thought I should use email or websites. In fact I used to get very annoyed when the BBC started saying that more information about a programme could be found ‘online’, or I could download a ‘pod cast’. “what on Earth are those?” I didn’t have a computer, didn’t want one! But my daughter started a campaign to get us into the 21C and bought me an iPod . Within a ver6 short time I was hooked and bought our first proper computer and I delighted in all the instant information at my fingertips. But I was always concerned by the sheer bulk of
DeleteWhoops! Pressed Published but mistake .....by the sheer bulk of material published by the BBC - recipies, gardening tips, follow up material on every single programme going. I worried that this huge internet presence would eventually detract from the programmes we watch and listen to - that one day everything would only be available ‘online’ or we should have to have a huge increase in the license fee to pay for everything. So I am unsurprised that something has had to be cut back. I should have liked it to be the massive amounts spent on sports coverage but the p.t.b. haven chosen to curtail our blog site and cut down on their internet presence instead. I think the government has had something to do with this, something about internet services not being part of the BBC Charter. So, like you, I am happy to use Ruthys blog and am slightly less worried about loosing the BBC one now, though I know I should welcome it and return, if it is ever reinstated.
ReplyDeleteI use a "proper PC" with printer, which is in the 3rd bedroom, aka the box room/study. It is my tiny hide-away, and now I do internet banking, on-line shopping, read on-line newspapers etc. etc. I now do not feel such a dinosoar, but have evolved into a Butterfly of the 21st centuary. I also use my smart phone a lot more.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazes me in Ambridge, is how does every-one pay for all the modern "gadgets" they always seem to be using, be it in a home, a tractor or in a field. They must have wonderful, and costly Wi-Fi/Satellite connections.
There's probably a cash machine at the Post-Office. One would hope so.
DeleteI am looking forward to my day out tomorrow. The plan is to go to "Little Moreton Hall" a NT property. I have been there before, but it was quite a few years ago. As per usual, all NT properties have a wonderful shop and "eating place", which will
ReplyDeletebe enjoyed completely.
I meant to visit Chastleton House (NT) recently, despite the fact that it doesn't have a tea room (I know!), but it was closed due to being waterlogged.
DeleteOff topic. I so hope that Lynda will find her new dog, which she can love in the same way as she did with her beloved "Scruff".
ReplyDeleteI am still feeding my "stray" cat, or one which is often shut out of its home. I have been putting food down outside, pusscat then appears as is very hungry. When I have stroked him/her, its fur is often wet due to rain, or it feels very cold. I cannot adopt this cat, by that invite it indoors, as mine will just not adapt to it. I will just to my best.
Lanjan. I have just made it 50. Have also commentated on the Lin blog.
ReplyDeleteMrsP. I glad your knee is improving, rehabilitation can be very tiring.
I shall reply to your response to me later. I tried three times yesterday but finall realised Google had signed me out.
I have been watching a male blackbird with his two feldgelings, feeding in my garden. At first the parent was feeding the youngsters, who were following him around and were pale in colour. Tonight what a difference, the youngsters are now black, are feeding themselves, but "Dad" is still around to help. It is a joy to watch and enjoy their progress.
ReplyDeletePS I need to talk to Harrison. My current acount with my bank, had a 4% interest rate. When the Bank of England rate went down, it then became 2%. The Bank of Englsnd rate has since been raised but it has not been passed on to us retirees and "savers". I have just received a notification that the interest rate, on my current account, is now being reduced to 1.5%. I have a Finacial Advisor, who is brilliant and could help, but it is costly. I am so angry
ReplyDeletethat those like myself, who have saved hard, are now seemingly being victimised.
Miriam I think the problem is that as interest rates have gone down the banks have less income from Mortgages so pass on the bad fortune to savers! I think 1.5 % on a current account is quite good in the current climate. Agree it is frustrating though. I hope the bank rate will go up. There are warnings that if there is another global slump there will be no room for manoeuvre as interest rates are usually lowered then to correct things. The Americans have taken this into account so hopefully the Bank of England will.
ReplyDeleteI would like to respond to whether I find it discourteous that we continue to campaign to BBC on this blog. I don’t find it discourteous, but I do wish that we reserve the Archer posts reserved for mostly Archers comments, minor digressing are acceptable. I for one, though I will continue the campaign to get our official BBC blog back, the constant campaigning is wearing me down and preventing me from the enjoyment of reading the comments. I will continue hosting this blog, and creating posts is actually quite easy. I hope that we don’t spoil it for others who wants to read and enjoy reading these creative and witty comments.
ReplyDeleteWell said Ruthy. Totally agree, keep Archers blog for Archers and campaign elsewhere.
DeleteMrsP - we are a tribe!
ReplyDeleteAre we not, rather a community? New people from elsewhere can join a community. A tribe seems to me to be exclusive. I didn't understand this online community concept until I discovered blogs.
DeleteYes community.
DeleteHAH - well said!
DeleteMiriam April 30th 5:26 pm: I hope you you enjoy your day out at Little Moreton Hall. It's one of the NT places local to me that I enjoy visiting.
DeleteRuthy, you have created something special here and I like the comfortable friendly atmosphere. It is much more relaxing to know the blogs are provided by one of the bloggers. To me it seems better than people having to worry about when a blog would close or whether a new blog would be opened as happened on the BBC blog. Although it was that blog which drew me in (admittedly only at the very end although I read it for a couple of years) and I do think it is sad they closed it and I can see how much it upset people, particularly the perfunctory way it was handled, I have to say I am happy here. Grateful thanks to you Ruthy - that’s not to say I doubt anyone else’s appreciation of this blog as it is clearly loved and supported regardless of people’s feelings about campaigns to reinstate the BBC blog.
ReplyDeleteI hope my previous comments are not taken as presumptuous as a newcomer to TA blogs. Of course I was shocked and sad that the blog closed and huge respect to the campaigners. Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteHappy Beltane. So glad to see the sunshine this May Day after yesterday’s awful wet and windy weather here. Perhaps I will have a dance on our heath in celebration.
Is May Day celebrated in th UK, or where you are? It is not celebrated in the US. Let me know how you celebrate 🌈🦋🌼
ReplyDeleteOur May Day has been demoted to ' Spring Bank Holiday ' here in the U.K. Ruthy, and it has been moved on a week. This year to the 7th of May.
DeleteI believe it is still celebrated as May Day in various regions around the UK and I think it's possible that some smaller communities still have their May Day Parades, hopefully with a May Queen and Morris dancers.
Others will have better information than me, I am sure.
Lassington Oak morris men were dancing on May Hill at dawn this morning, Mrs. P. Can't get more traditional than that. Perhaps there will be a little snippet of film on Points West tonight :)
DeleteHello Ruthy, down here in my area of Cornwall May day is still celebrated actually on the first May and not on the bank holiday. It begins the night before about midnight , then at 6am the may flowers and branches are symbolically gathered from the woods, most having been picked beforehand. This is a very ancient pagan festival with 2 teams of drummers and accordionists following 2 Osses (horses) throughout the day until about 10 pm. It is a mixture of celebrating the death of Winter and the coming of Spring, and an old fertility rite. To touch the oss is considered both healing and very lucky. The drumming is hypnotic in the narrow streets and can create a trancelike state. There is also a very beautiful maypole , and it is traditional to wear bluebells and cowslips. Look it up on Google. I am still buzzing through having spent the day there!
DeleteSummer, not Spring, and to find it in Google you will need to type in Padstow.
DeleteRuthy - May Day in England is not as widely celebrated as it used to be, but we do have a Bank (public) holiday; not actually on May Day itself, but on the closest Monday after May 1st. For some unfathomable reason, English public holidays are always on a Monday, apart from Christmas and Easter. However, in Oxford, there is a tradition of a choir singing at dawn on Mayday on the top of a tower at Magdalen College and crowds always gather to watch, and listen. Many students used to dive off the bridge opposite the college into the river but that has been discouraged now after several accidents. There used to be a tradition of children dancing around a Maypole in many villages, including Ambridge. This is now usually done on the May Bank holiday (see above) and is often incorporated in a Mayday fete. Today, being a Tuesday and a normal working day, I don’t think much is going on except in Oxford.
ReplyDeleteI think dancing around the maypole on Ambridge village green only takes place when the scriptwriters remember !
DeleteDear Ruthy, I would like to thank you again for both blogs, and yes, I believe we are a community, ready to welcome others and their thoughts about the Archers and other things that arise from the discussion.
ReplyDeleteWhilst it is fun to invade the many, many blogs the BBC creates, and sit vacant of comments, I have decided to make comments about current episodes on the blog you so kindly created for us.
I. Have just received two emails from the BBC telling me that my comments have been removed because I broke the rules. One even went so far to tell me my account could be terminated if I continue. Did some actually read them?
ReplyDeleteYep. Me too.....The BBC are really showing what a load of w****** they are. Apologies to those with sensibilities. The BBC belongs to us and is accountable.......yer right.........just discraceful!
DeleteHave just checked, all our comments have been removed.
ReplyDeleteI have just posted two more on that site!
ReplyDeleteI expect my contract will now be terminated.
ReplyDeleteI am going to phone somebody.
ReplyDeleteDon't know who yet but I have had enough of their rudeness.
A point I have just made is that I have assumed that the BBC has removed my posts but maybe it was somebody else because we had not done anything wrong.
ReplyDeleteLanJan and others: I just looked at the about BBC blog where many of you have posted comments and now deleted. I think the BBC has done us all an injustice by canceling The Archers blog due to "cost cutting", when they continue to provide new blogs on other programs. The reason we are giving is an insult to us all. I will renew my campaign on this issue. As like you, we will figure out who to appeal to.
ReplyDeleteThose comments on the BBC Sesh and writing Log Lines still remain, Archers related but probably just about on topic we will wait and see if they are removed.Jane Austen too still safe at the moment so will go on posting on those when I can think of something appropriate. Did think I could create another account, but not sure how to do it, if the worst comes to the worst.
ReplyDeleteI think you have to have another email address to create a new account - does any one know for sure?
DeleteWell I have been on the 'phone to the BBC and after telling one woman exactly what the problem was I was passed onto another Department .
ReplyDelete(She said there wasn't a "blog" Department.
She couldn't let me get in touch with Richard Bell either.
Yet some time ago when Hannah Ratcliffe was doing our blogs and I asked to speak to her I was given her number and spoke to her .
That was when she said that we would not be losing our blog but there was reorganising within the Production Team which meant we were without a blog for a while)
I explained to the next person I spoke to what happened in the past re our complaints and was told that where we went wrong was that we should have contacted them again and said we were not happy with their response and then our complaints would be escalated .
I am not convinced .
However I am blazing mad about all of this and am going to go ahead and re complain.
Since we first complained we have learned that other blogs have not been closed down.
Why not?
Ruthy you have given us a safe haven for which I thank you.
My trouble is as Mrs P says I am like a dog that will keep chewing at a bone .
I hate injustice.
Had they closed all blog sites down I would not have liked it but at least we would not have been discriminated against.
My point may be that I think it is some malicious person who has removed our posts and nothing to do with the BBC because actually some of the posts were on topic .
We were talking about the highlights on the programme.
Incidently ,the man I spoke to finally obviously wasn't at all sympathetic sadly.
I got him to read my two posts which I posted after the other posts had been removed .
They may have been removed now.
Hello LanJan I seem to have somehow made it here despite lack of computer skills. After a wonderful Mayday at Padstow just checked in to the highlights site and wanted to say I have left 2 comments and will see if I get the same treatment!
DeleteThey have been removed.
ReplyDeleteHow do we know whether they will be reinstated as HG's and mine were before?
I have never had a response from the blog removal people when I complained in the past so I am going back to square one and making the complaint and then saying I am not happy and see where we go from there.
The BBC are an absolute disgrace.
They won't be reinstated Lanjan - only those referred for further consideration have a chance. Ours have all been 'removed', that is final!
DeleteI too am going to formally complain again, but this time I am going to do so in writing and as usual send it recorded delivery.the approach I shall take is the unused blogs, the new blogs and the request for ideas for new blogs
DeleteGood on you CowGirl!
DeleteYes, they have all gone which leaves no posts on that blog! They took their time though as we started posting on 26th so plenty of time for people to read them. We made our point which is the main thing.
ReplyDeleteThis may be totally irrelevant but the posts were removed in two stages: first, all those that were related to content (like the posts about Tom) went , but the SOB (Save Our Blog) posts remained - I thought the logic was that they were 'About the BBC' and therefore legit - and when I next checked, they had all gone.
ReplyDeleteI wil chunter to myself ( hopefully joined by others) on the JA blog to keep a space open for lurkers to make contact
Lanjan - You are wonderful! I am fighting against a fit of despondency and you are keeping me just above water!
ReplyDeletemaryellen, I got the impression that they first left all posts which were directed to Mr. Bell personally - then they went too. There is one post (stasia 12) which has been referred for further consideration, the only one, and still showing the arrows.
stasia - do you remember what you said in that post? It's odd that it is the only one not to have been finally removed.
I have to leave now, will look in late tonight and think about complaining to the BBC again tomorrow. Good luck to all of you who still have commitment, energy and imagination!
HG. I used a medical metaphor to describe how we had been treated when the blog closed. I included words like amputation, bleeding, heartless psychopathic individuals cutting us off. It was this comment that was emailed back to me and issued with a threat. I deleted it right away as I was angry.
DeleteI have just read Ruthy's post dated May 1st 1.09am, which I personally agree with. Ruthy is the Administrator of these sites, which she has set up.
ReplyDeleteI have had to scroll down through many boring posts, - which are just relating to posts, posted and then deleted, on various other BBC blogs.
This is not what I expected to read.
I, for one, am getting so fed up with this, as it has been going on for so long.
Read Ruthy's post, again, and respect her wishes.
She could well close her sites down.
Miriam, at 12.08 I posted a comment to Ruthy making it clear that I am eternally grateful for both blogs and will use the other blog to comment on current issues in the Archers. This blog is exists to discuss extraneous issues, and yes, maybe long discussions about tea, coffee, buns and lemon drizzle cakes maybe boring to some.
ReplyDeleteRuthy herself uses this blog, eg this morning there was discussion on rituals in this country related to May Day.
The use of BBC blogs, 99% of which contain no comments, was hijacked by some of us to make a point about loss. I will concede these posts will probably only be interesting to those who have commented.
I find everyone's comments interesting, including your own, however I don't always reply.
Three cheers for Ruthy.
On a much lighter note, I am leaving, this site, to go and "create" the evening meal. I recently bought some turkey breast fillets, as they were on Special Offer. These are being used, along with double cream, milk, butter, cornflour, garlic, chestnut + porcini mushrooms, to make a love pasta sauce. It will be served withhh tagliatelle, brocolli, leeks and carrots.
ReplyDeleteYum, yum. A love pasta? Can I come to dinner please? I will bring lots of wine.
DeleteMiriam ,I read Ruthy's comment 1.06pm which actually says that she seems to agree with what some of us are doing.
ReplyDeletePlease don't read on as this post will bore you.
I have again telephoned the BBC and after half an hour of explaining why I was 'phoning I have been given a case number and will have to go through it all again in writing or by email.
I will do so tomorrow.
I have to say at times like this I could wish I were more like Mrs P.
To be fair ,the person I spoke to did seem to understand my point.
I will suggest that they read my first complaint but say that it was made worse by the fact that other BBC blogs are still up and running ( some of which have no comments) and when we chose to use the most relevant one (highlights) ,all our posts were removed.
Incidently there is nothing on their web site about our previous complaints.
The only two are about. the Technology blog and Enoch Powell!
Lan Jan,
DeleteI have just looked at the response to my complaint, although it says it is from complaints, it doesn't tell me that I can go to the next stage which according to their website is 1b. To me it looks like they have not taken the complaint seriously. I wonder if yours is the same ?
I shall post my formal letter of complaint on Thursday
Cowgirl,
DeleteIf you have your original Case number and quote it I think you can go to 1b.
I didn't have it but when I phoned up ,it was located and I have quoted the case number on the letter which I am now writing.
Good Luck.
That is just my point and is just my own individual opinion - so boring and so repetative.
DeleteI will catch up tomorrow sometime, when I hope that I will not have been singled out and told not to read certain comments. It has upset me so vety greatly.
ReplyDeleteMiriam (May 1, 2018 at 4:59 PM) - no way, I would close down this blog.
ReplyDeletePunctuation saves lives: 'Let's eat Grandma'.
DeleteRuthy, I hope I may pinch your comma above in order to save both Grandma and this blog ; )
Apologies Miriam.
ReplyDeleteI have had a very trying afternoon but that was no reason why I should have taken it out on you.
I actually meant that I didn't think you would be interested.
I have now written the letter which I plan to send tomorrow.
I am very tired now and intend to watch ,on Catch up., Monty Don and then University Challenge-then bed
By Monty Don do you mean what is known in our house as "Nigel's Programme"? For Ruthy, Nigel is a lovely golden retriever who steals the show in Gardeners World.
DeleteAlong with Nell!
DeleteI heard Monty speaking “live” a couple of years ago. He brought a slide show and when a picture of Nigel came up there was a chorus of “aahs”. Monty laughed and said how often the camera man says “that’s great “ whenever he gets a good shot of the dog. He said “I didn’t I would be upstaged by a b.... dog”.
DeleteMiriam reminds me of Maria !
ReplyDeleteSimilar style
Similar content
We have an expression in German that names are but smoke and mirrors!
DeleteMrs P - yes! l was sorry when Maria said she was attracted to Facebook.
ReplyDeleteAnd that sadly her vertigo prevented her from scrolling.
Deletestasia may 1, 2018, 5.02 pm - that's not the post I meant. Your number 12 on page 2 is the only one referred for consideration.
ReplyDeleteI have just completed a mitten on circular needles using a 'magic loop'. There are two tiny holes at the base of the 'after thought' thumb that I should be able to fix with the joined-on tail of wool. More annoyingly, there is a diagonal 'scar' across the palm where I did a 'jogless jog' to make my stripes match up. I think for the next pair I shall use self-striping wool.
ReplyDeleteNow I've just got to make the left-hand mitten match. The pattern tells me to knit them both the same then press them into left or right handedness. But that shows up where my loop changed needles so I think I shall move the thumb instead.
I'm fairly new to circular needles but have quickly amassed a stack of beanie hats for the Christmas shoe boxes (except for the ones small shoe-dwellers have claimed for themselves) so I thought it was time to make some mittens to match. After that perhaps I should start on some baby hats and mitts for the Fairbaby - and the Transfer, should it successfully take place within the allotted window.
Good thing that the Transfer is tiny enough to fit through the window aperture.
DeleteOWIAS. I didn't understand a word of your description on the use of circular knitting needles. But I it it did make me laugh. I shall definitely not be knitting anything for the mini Archerbrother.
DeleteStasia, I have to tell you that we have a new Georgian Tea Room here.
ReplyDeleteOpened on Saturday apparently. I discovered it today.
Lace tablecloths, silver teapots, proper china teacups and saucers and Georgian furniture.
Properly researched cakes from the period. I had pound cake.
And a butler in period costume serving.
MrsP. I was going to visit Stroud next week, a well earned day off from the allotment, to browse around an antique centre. Where is the tearoom?
DeleteJanice, MrsP, Suz, Esscee - thank you for your response to May Day celebrations. This didn’t even registered in the US. I did google Padstow and it looked lovely.
ReplyDeleteOWIAS - I started knitting a baby blanket with 4 bunnies. I wish I can share the image. Good luck with your other mitten.
May 1st is also International Workers' Day and feast day of St. Joseph the Worker. Weather turned cold, wet & windy here again after a few Spring-like days. No May-blossom yet, hawthorn leaves came out only during the last fortnight. I saw Mayflowers (Lady's Smock or Cuckoo-flower) while on a walk on Sunday. It's food-plant of Orange-Tip butterfly caterpillar. I'd seen a male Orange Tip in the lane near the flowers, waiting for females to arrive. There was 1 Peacock butterfly feeding on a dandelion. Coltsfoot and lesser celandine blooming , not much else. Even wildflowers are late this year. Cowslips are flowering in my garden.
DeleteHAH - Mayflowers (Lady's Smock or Cuckkoo- flower) - we called them Milkmaids, they were one of my favourites.
DeleteThanks Hedgehog I didn’t know Joseph was associated with May Day. Bluebells are out in my garden and wisteria across the road. White lilac next door. I found wild garlic in the lane behind my mother’s house when I was visiting the week before last - we haven’t seen it there before, and a pheasant nesting nearby. I haven’t seen them come so close to the coast.
ReplyDeleteOld Woman I am sure the Fairbaby would appreciate mittens for early morning milking. Just be careful not to upstage Jill. Might be good to check what she is making although I don’t think she has got much time to talk as her own work is keeping her very quiet at the moment.
😄🍼
DeleteAt last I can admit it.
ReplyDeleteI am just a crochety old biddy.
Watched Gardeners World last night.and the best bit(apart from watching Nigel and Nell) was when Monty told us what needed doing in the garden now.
That is what I want
I don't need Carol Klein telling me the Latin names for plants or a presenter travelling to Italy to look at roof gardens.
I want to know when I can put my tomato plants out ,when to sow seeds and take cuttings.
This could be done in half an hour .
The other bits and pieces-going round National Trust gardens etc could be left for another programme.
I don't think anyone will agree with me but after yesterday I am still feeling nowty so I am getting it off my chest!
that makes 2 of us !
DeleteCant make any comment about Gardeners World I have no TV
Seasider ,don't ever plant wild garlic in your garden.
ReplyDeleteIt will take over
You will never get rid of it.
I am forever pulling it up.
In fairness it looks fine with the bluebells -some are pink!
The other plant which keeps on multiplying is the Michaelmas daisy.
Periwinkle does as well but I rather like that.
I have wild garlic in the garden too and it is very invasive! I think it is left over from the days when this area was all woodland as a neighbour 3 doors away has the same problem. It grows from bulbs and they are forever having babies! My overwintering broad beans are thriving but no little pods yet and they should have been ready to harvest in May. That hard winter has put things back. We were enjoying lovely spring weather but this week it has been much cooler and wet but the weekend ahead is forecast to be warmer so will get the bikini out!,, That would shock the neighbours!
ReplyDeleteGardeners World : Lan Jan: I think one hour is too long, they have to pad it out with these filmed reports which are usually of no interest to me. Like you, I want weekly advice on what I should be doing in my own garden, what to sow, what to transplant, what to prune etc. When to fertilise or how to combat coddling moth larvae! I’d like advice on which plants are suitable for, say, chalky soils, which are rabbit proof, which do well in containers etc. I do not enjoy seeing the wretched dogs (sorry, I am not a dog lover), they almost seem to be more important than the garden sometimes. I most definitely do not want Carol Klein telling me anything as I cannot stand her strange accent and way of talking. I should like to see more of Joe Swift instead. I suppose what I should really like are re-runs of old Percy Thrower and, especially, Geoffrey Smith’s gardening programmes. They really did know how to garden; fruit, veg, flowers, lawns, trees, ponds, the lot - and how to put their knowledge across without the need for animal companions. I should love to see Percy’s lovely garden at The Magnolias again, or accompany Geoffrey Smith on one of his trips to Harlow Carr. Those were the days!
ReplyDeleteI gave watching Monty Don and his clique a couple of years ago. I preferred the previous show which was more practical, and was presented by Barry Buckle and Alyis Fowler, they also had an allotment. A. Fowler writes a gardening article in the sat Guardian and every week she gives tips like what to plant and prune.
ReplyDeleteI shall be at the Malvern Spring Garden Show next Thursday, am looking for a feature to grow sweet peas up.
HG. I have just looked at the BBC blogs again, and you are correct that comment was written on 26th Apr. I really can't remember what I wrote, but I certainly would have been more polite at that point. Maybe I should have read the BBC's email instead of just glancing and deleting
ReplyDeleteMaryellen mentioned re reading favourite books and wondered if we would find them as good as we did when we were a lot younger.
ReplyDeleteI am going to test this out because I am sick of giving up after a few chapters after reading "Must read books"
I have just given up on two of these best sellers.
It may be me
I may be alone but.......
There used to be a main character and the story progressed .
Now there is a switching of characters ,telling his or her story each chapter (which is dated because often the chapter has gone back in time) but what I hate more than anything is that most of the book is made up of short sentenced dialogue.
I bet it is "Creative Writing"