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Life in Ambridge: Comments week of July 14, 2018
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THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
New post for Bastille Day.
ReplyDeleteHappy Bastille Day to all Francophiles and happy 12th Anniversary to my son and d.i.l who married on Bastille Day in France so that they would never forget the date! (Son was forever the practical one!) 🇫🇷 ❤️
ReplyDeleteBut back to The Archers. Do we think B&J will really have told their meeting that they are going to sell the house? It sounded to me that it was Jennifer making the descision and Brian was not at all keen....but Jennifer said “we will tell them OUR descision”. As I said on the just closed blog, I suppose we shall only get to hear what happened after the event, as has happened so many times before in TA. I suppose it saves the SWs having to write lots of argy-bargy script and having too many actors in one episode - but it seems a bit of a cop out to me.
ReplyDeleteI admired Jenny (not for the first time) for her pragmatic approach and prioritisation of family interests over sentimental attachment to the home few of them now live in. Brian was just being maudlin. Keeping things within the enclave (as thelatejulia used to call it - now there's a blogger I miss!), I guess the most likely potential purchasers are Borchester Land or Damara, both of which presumably can raise what it takes to convert it back to flats - luxury, I expect, so out of the reach of most of Ambridge's single room rent payers, i.e. Hannah, Kirsty and the Fairbrothers. Or perhaps Martin Gibson would fancy it for himself - that would be a bitter pill....
ReplyDeleteNow there is a character I would like to get rid of! That Martin Gibson, horrible man!
DeleteI'm glad there wasn't a meeting, we already had one when the idea of the house sale was first suggested. To me it was a clever way of doing it because now we can find out bit by bit what happened. Until the sale is completed I'm holding onto my hat.
ReplyDeleteYes, Basia, is it going to be another Brookfield style 11th hour u-turn? Alternatively perhaps it’s time for Brian and Jennifer to escape. How about a little retirement place on the Med - consider it Jenny then you could have lovely family parties to gather your brood and nurture them for restorative breaks.
DeleteI think Jenny is too rooted though and what about Peggy - or could/would she come too?
A couple of people mentioned on the old blog that the only 'loser' would be Ruirhi but I'm not sure why that would be? As he is still officially dependent (15 years old) wherever B & J move to, he would go with them. I would assume that a 'des. res.' of 3/4 bedrooms would be sufficient. Phoebe would need somewhere I suppose during University breaks as I am not sure how many rooms are at Willow Farm and whether Roy still has Abbie's bedroom there? Even Kate wouldn't be crass enough to expect to still live with her parents after all this brouhaha. Where she goes I don't particularly care and if, as reported, Phoebe stood up for Kate against Jennifer and Brian perhaps she might like to share Kate's cottage with her?
ReplyDeleteSomeone also asked if Jennifer had any money in her own right. I'm pretty sure that the answer is 'No.' She certainly wouldn't have had any from Paddy Redmond, the cowman, who is Adam's father. I don't think he even knew about Adam until some years later but not certain about that.
Adam was adopted by Jennifer's first husband Roger Travers Macy ( and who is Debbie's father. ) As both Debbie and Adam are now way beyond any age for having to be supported I wouldn't think she got any money from him. Brian paid for the private education of Adam (at his old school - Wellington?) and Debbie wherever it was that she went. So she may not hve had any money at all from Roger.
Jennifer trained as a teacher and lived and worked in Bristol, I believe, when Adam was a baby/toddler. However she hasn't taught in Ambridge area. She and Jill opened a craft shop run from one of the farm premises but that wasn't a success. I think she also wrote a official history of Ambridge and the Borchester area. Other than that I don't think she has had outside employment but has been a full time mother, wife and social secretary to her children and Brian. So I'm pretty sure she would have no funds in her name alone.
Brian (and Charles Collingwood) went to Sherborne school (Dorset). I suppose Roger Travers-Macy is still alive? No reason to suppose not. Perhaps he will conveniently die and leave a fortune to Debbie.
DeleteI would think that Roger TM would leave (if anything) an inheritance to both Debbie and Adam as he adopted him when he married Jennifer. It says on the character page that Adam is still in touch with him.
DeleteArcherphile, in answer to your post last night.
ReplyDeleteI thought Neil was for once uncharacteristically sharp with Susan and told her in no uncertain tones that he would not do it. And very assertive with it.
Tantamount to saying shut up Susan, in his way.
Perhaps the enhanced job is raising his self esteem in other directions !
I too am pleased with no meeting.
It is a TA device that works for me, when we get verbal reports from those present about what was said after the event.
I found Jennifer's speech to Brian about choosing to be a wife, mother, and the nurturing of the family unit to be rather touching, and a useful counterbalance to the focus on women who must strive to be ' something important ' outside of the home.
If the sale of the house goes ahead, I have little doubt that Jenny will buckle down with enthusiasm and make another comfortable and organised home for Brian and Ruari, with room for entertaining the rest of the family on High days and Holidays as well.
Perhaps even a granny annexe for Peggy.
But not I hope, any room to install Kate, who by her recent actions has now demonstrated that she can stand on her own two feet, and indeed can fight back when she feels strongly enough.
Which in turn means that she is capable of finding herself a home.
Well said. Doesn't Kate have a home already?
DeleteI think she moved in with her parents so she could rent it out, in which case if she has to move back there her income will take a dive. Actions have consequences, and maybe a reality check would help Kate mature.
DeleteI like the idea of Martin Gibson buying the Home Farm farmhouse. I am very certainly thinking along the lines, that this sale is the best option, for all the family.
ReplyDeleteOh Miriam, why? Martin Gibson is a truly nasty character and a bully to boot.
DeleteRemember how he treated Kathy when she worked at the Golf Club and he has been a pain in the neck where Borchester Land is concerned and with Will. I couldn’t bear it if he came to live in the village and started lording it up over Jennifer and Brian.
I accept that the house at Home Farm might have to be sold but NOT to Martin Gibson please! 😵
P.S. I think Brian’s school was Sherborne rather than Wellington, and it is where Ruairi goes too.
I think that Martin is deliberatly behind the problems that Will is having, as the game-keeper. I am putting 2 + 2 together, but probably making 5!
DeleteMartin seems to be quite a manipulitive character, and I just wonder what his aims are - especially with Justin.
When is Pip due? Should be any day now?
ReplyDeleteEnd of July? I am wondering if Rex will be inadvertently at the birth.
DeleteDon't you mean T❤️O❤️B❤️Y, Seasider? Fingers crossed, Rex will be in Newmarket!
DeleteToby is already having cold feet about being at the birth and Rex told Pip some time ago he will support her and her baby in any way he can (!) and he said to Anisha the other day it will take a while to wind things up in Ambridge implying he won’t be joining her straight away.
DeletePip was encouraging Rex to go to Newmarket, we were told - so it sounds as if she didn't want his support and didn't feel in need of it. I hope he doesn't try to muscle in on T❤️O❤️B❤️Y's baby.
DeleteI don’t think Rex would ever muscle in on anyone uninvited. I just had this vague inkling that the script writers might devise a story involving Rex being the person who happened to be nearby when Pip goes in to labour and it’s all moving too fast to call anyone else. I would prefer for Toby to be there and be the perfect support for Pip and baby without melodrama.
DeleteIF, the Home Farm farmhouse is sold, I wonder what Jenny + Brian will then do next?
ReplyDeleteThe obvious solution is that they will move in with Lilian + Justin, which will be just for a short time.
I am thinking about Carole T. I cannot remember the last time she actually appeared in TA.
Perhaps she will leave and re-locate to Cheltenham, so that she will be close to Anna + her partner.
This will then leave Glebe Cottage empty. I am considering if this could then become a home for Jenny + Brian? Jill + Phil were very happy there, after they "retired" from Brookfield, and Bert is happy and content, looking after the garden.
Miriam - no need for any personnel manoeuvres. Blossom Hill Cottage stands ready and waiting (or will be very shortly!)
DeleteI was thinking about another alternative solution, so that if it comes to it, Jenny + Brian would then have a choice of a future home, with Ruari.
DeleteFurther to yesterday’s discussion about Pip and Piplet I hope it will be a turning point as we had when Toby attended the scan. Maybe the baby’s birth will bring Pip and Toby back together just as Helen and Tony’s relationship healed when Henry was born (obviously father and daughter in that case). If Toby is going to be at the birth it could be pivotal in bringing that about. Happy families and Pip and Toby as super Mum and Dad, complete with all terrain buggy.🤱🏼👪💝
ReplyDeleteI don't check to see who will be appearing each week but I wouldn't be surprised if Lexi will be reappearing soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pity if so.
It looks as if we are about to have to have a bout of babies.
Seems we are still going ahead with doom & gloom for now, in which case it would seem like Pip is going to go full term - week after next then?
DeleteOn my Archers FB page this morning another member reproduced a ‘tweet’ from
ReplyDeleteDr Charlotte Martin (Susan). It showed a photo of her ‘very good friend’ Hedli (Kathy) taken in the 90s during a touring show TA used to put on in those days. Also in the group were Eddie, JackWooley and Jill, all dressed up in funny costumes. Charlotte says she wishes Hedli would return to the programme but there is no indication of whether this is likely to happen or just wishful thinking. Personally, I hope she does not. I always found Kathy a very boring character (apart from the rape story, which was done well) with a very flat and boring voice. I think it is time the SWs allowed her to retire from Grey Gables to go and live in the country with Jamie somewhere.
(I have got my tin hat handy! 🤭)
I agree with your comments about Kathy. I also think that it is time for her to depart from Grey Gables. I would like though, for Jamie to reappear. If my memory is correct, he trained as a "tree surgeon. I would like to think, that he would be useful, in maintaing the Millenium Wood, The Green Burial site etc. He must be a strong, strapping man, by now and I am thinking another bell ringer?
DeleteArcherphile. . Is that the first mention the Tin Hat since we left the old blog? I Agree Heidi had a rather drippy voice.
DeleteIf Kathy left, Oliver would have no one left to while away the hours playing Scrabble in her office!
DeleteIf Kathy left, then I envisage a joint managership of Grey Gables with Roy + Kirsty. This will then become a lovely triangle, which will include a pregnant Lexi esp as they all share the same home.
DeleteCome back, Kathy! You were the voice of middle Ambridge. Not wildly exciting, but wholly convincing as a character, and very necessary as a foil to the whackier but less plausible behaviours of more recent characters (all drama-school-trained, of course, and so beyond reproach).
DeleteI agree Bootgums.
DeleteI also agree Bootgums.
DeleteI listened to the omnibus edition this morning. I am very surprised that Anisha has totally been able to dictate her own leaving date. In a partnership with Alistair, I would have thought that her notice period, as per her partneship agreement, would be at least 3 months or even longer. I just cannot understand why she can leave so suddenly and is expecting a full re-imbursement of her financial partnership input. She seems to have no liability to the massive £250,000 debt, which she instigated.
ReplyDeleteIs Latif still a "client"?
I think Alistair should now consider selling his Vetinary Practice, if only to recoup his losses and pay off the loans etc. I am thinking that this will help him, when his
Deletedivorce happens, but I think that he will need a lot of help from Jim, in order to prevent him reverting to gambling again.
Bring back all those happy years when Alice never spoke!
ReplyDelete😀😀😀
DeleteIf Kate thinks that the sale of Home Farm is a joke then I'm prepared to go along with it.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me wonder if ,when Jennifer and Brian put the house on the market ,Kate will actually back down.
DeleteWhy is everyone pussyfooting round her anyway?
Why don't they say that selling that land is the best option so she will just have to put up with it.
I must have missed something somewhere .
Why for example won't Ruth go for that option?
If they go ahead with selling land around Spiritual Home, Kate will sue for her share of the farm, thus end to the family partnership. Sounds like from Sunday’s episode, no one is up for any other option. I guess we will have to be patient and see to the end of this hold debacle, or stop listening all together.
DeleteKate seems so convinced that the sale of the house will never happen and I think she will have second thoughts when she finally realizes it's happening. A family rift looms large as Alice is so angry on her parents' behalf and won't be able to forgive what she sees as scheming by her sibs against B & J.
DeleteAwful Alice is the sib with least to lose (along with Debbie). She's got her gifted cottage and a home with two good salaries independent of Home Farm coming in. She may have suffered some loss of standing at work, when her firm was forced to withdraw from the Home Farm contract but it doesn't seem to have affected her career. What she has lost, however, is her all-powerful, infallible and protective father ("you can find a way" she said to Brian early on, in this saga, "you always do"). That's what is making her so angry -.disillusionment, and perhaps the loss of her safety blanket. No wonder she is piling the blame on her sibs.
DeleteSeems to me they are all blaming each other, with Debbie trying to act as peacemaker. Even she seems to be flummoxed with what to do for the best.
DeleteNever heard Alice so angry before and it was not nice to listen to, though understandable.
I wouldn’t blame Ruth for deciding to retire from her position, who would want to get involved all in this family turmoil, with very little thanks.
I don't blame Alice either, her anger is understandable, she is very close to her parents, especially her father. Debbie is struggling to facilitate a resolution to the squabbling, and it is not helping when she is then on the receiving end of Alice's anger and Kate's fantasy that Brian is just joking about selling.
DeleteKate appears to be oblivious to the turmoil, even asking Debbie and Adam to move a yurt. I'm afraid I would have told her to move it herself, if she was so concerned about the position of the chi. Not sure if I got that word right.
I thought it was was all about the ying and yang. Maybe she should consult with Linda.
Alice is the most vituperative with the least material cause. It's Brian she's really angry with, of course.
DeleteI am, personally, getting very fed up with the constant Home Farm story-line, alongside the story-line which concerns the behaviour of Lillie + Freddie. I just need to add to my growing list, how much I don't like the way that Susan is constantly putting Neil on a pedestal. ( and I am not going to even mention, Shula, Alistair + Anisha).
ReplyDeleteI would so like some more humour and light-hearted banter, such as when Monty attacked the wack-a -mole, destroying a "mole".
On a break just now, caught up with yesterday's TA (not Friday). Alice's distress & anger surely justified. No, it doesn't help, Adam & Debbie clearly struggling to avoid more bitter dissension, but they are much older than her, trying to face the probable outcome, however unpalatable. They did so well not to snap when Kate asked for help with her yurt. (Yes, one of those that she doesn't maintain in pristine condition condition....). Her current line is interesting in a twisted way : so her parents are only bluffing to shame her into backing down ?! More likely that she can't face the possibility that they really do mean to sell their home, seeing no other viable alternative, & she, Kate, would be blamed & hated for pushing them to this dismal outcome. (she does need to be liked & admired to a grotesque extent - remember that 40th birthday nonsense ?)
ReplyDelete✅✅
DeletePosters who are owned by cats ,a question.
ReplyDeleteWould you take your cat to a fête where there are dogs and other large animals?
I wouldn't.
Wouldn't they become very frightened and probably scarper?
Do the script writers not realise that it isn't the easiest job in the world trying to put a cat into a cat basket?
Where do they get their ridiculous ideas?
At the Royal Cornwall Show they certainly wouldn't have a cat section, but several years ago our local village chapel had a little pet show to include cats. It was fine BUT the cats were not lifted out of their baskets, and I don't suppose anyone would have brought a timid pet. Our lovely tabby with a white chest, Tabitha , who lived until almost 19 won the prize for "brightest eyes" 🥇. She was a very confident cat though, I wouldn't dream of taking our timid little Tiger Lily to anything like that. Bella our beautiful big black rabbit hunter would probably take a prize for fattest cat. I saw her demolish a mouse from the window this morning, and 5 minutes later she was in sitting by her bowl asking for breakfast. I told the new vet at their annual check up, when he went to get the biggest size dewormer, that she caught rabbits and he gave me a funny look and said he was surprised she could move fast enough to catch them!
DeleteJust out of interest there are often sightings down here in the moorland area of puma type cats, probably from ones released in the wild. This week it was in our local paper that a lady driving slowly down a narrow lane early in the morning met one which was within 6 feet of her before jumping the hedge and making off. She said it was 2 feet high, with long tail and a very dark brown almost black colour. I also know someone who used to lead guided walks over the moor. He was out at 6 am one morning planning a new walk and a black cat, he thought a panther, jumped over a hedge into the old track running up over Hawks Tor. The wind was against him
and it kept running down the track towards him and his little dog , then it saw them gave a very startled sort of grunt/snarl that set the farm dogs barking 1/4 mile away, cleared the opposite hedge and ran away over the side of the tor. He was able to watch it until it vanished amongst the rocks. He said it wasn't until then that he realised the reality of hairs standing up on the back of your neck. We walk the moors often but have never been lucky enough to see one. I used to wonder if our Bella found on the moor was going to turn out to be a cross breed !! But no not big enough , just a cat who likes her food!
Ruthy I think in America you have pumas. What do they look like and are they dangerous? The woman in the paper this week said the one she saw ,and it was close up, had a kind of blunt end to its tail.
Janice, in reply to your post, I have been fortunate enough to have had a sighting of the black puma type animal, here in Stroud.
DeleteStroud is a hot spot for these animals.
As a result of reporting this incident I now have an annual invitation to the conference held at the Agricultural University in Cirencester.
Happy to tell more if of interest.
Janice tell your vet that your cat doesn't need to run after the rabbits, she isn't that stupid, all she needs to do is sit for hours at the entrance to the burrow and nab it as soon as it pops its head out.I had a Siamese (bought for a foster son who had had one at home, I prefer moggies) who spent hours catching them and then eating them under my bed! The down side she used to get rabbit fleas.
DeleteInteresting about your Pumas.
Pumas on the other blog, please. None in Ambridge at the moment. (I don't think the 'beast' Lynda encountered when walking Scruff in Leaders Wood was a feline.)
DeleteYes Mrs P I would like to hear more about your sighting, maybe on the other blog if Linda's beast wasn't a puma 😊
DeleteDitto Janice !
DeleteNot all bad then!!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/simon-williams-aka-justin-elliott-sunday-mornings-torn-church/amp/
Thanks for the link, BB!
DeleteJennifer might be priding herself on the fact that she gave up a career to become a "home maker".
ReplyDeleteSome people like Emma have to do both and more.
I don't think Jennifer has made a particularly good job of it either.
Her two youngest daughter's are spoilt and selfish.
Her young step son hasn't spoken for about 12 years or so.
She has had every mod con going .
She can't remember anyone's name so she has to copy her sister and call everyone "darling"
Can you see her in a house with -heaven forbid-only one bathroom?
Imagine having to share one's bathroom with someone else.
It doesn't bear thinking about.
No,they will never move unless as I have said before the actor playing Brian wants to retire.
They rarely do though do they?
My view exactly LanJan - do hope CC & JB stay (as Brian & Jennifer) annoying as J can be only 1 bathroom love it!!!) At least we know who is speaking when they are in a scene they do not need to be continually addressed by name 👏
DeleteAt least last nights episode provided a bit of light entertainment. Lynda a nod Liliann make a nice comic pair away from all the angst.
ReplyDeleteLanjan. I wouldn't take my two cats to a pet show. They would absolutely pet-trified.
Correction. A nod. Should read, and. I must have winked as I was typing.
Delete😄😄
DeleteSurprised there are no comments about last night’s acrimonious meeting between Shula and Alistair. I felt really sorry for him, and very angry with her! She just had to bring up the fact they had to remortgage to clear his gambling debts, thus painting him in a negative light with the conciliation man trying to help them and thus trying to claim she should have a bigger share of the money available than him. So much for an amicable 50/50 split.
ReplyDeleteAs a long term follower of Shula, I am quite distressed that the story is taking her in this direction, turning her into an angry, bitter and very unlikable character. What does everyone else think of last nights confrontation?
✅✅
DeleteI'm just tired of all the animosity and bickering at Home Farm and the Stables. At first there's love/sex and then it's all down to money and Ambridge is a sad reflection of the society at large.
DeleteBasia. ✔✔✔
DeleteI have been reminded this morning that in his resignation interview, Sean O’Connor predicted that the next big storyline would be trouble at Home Farm. He actually said it would involve Brian wanting Ruairi to inhereit the farm at the expense of ‘Jennifer’s children’. There was no mention of the pollution aspect, or the financial difficulties but theses could have been added as the scripts were being worked on. I wonder if we still have the inheritance issue to come? Itjust goes to show how far ahead stories are outlined
ReplyDeleteThe question of Ruairi's inheritance has come up before and Jennifer told Brian that she would divorce him in order to leave her half of the farm to her children, it was then that Brian made some concessions towards Adam and Debbie, they even chuckled together as to how far he went.
DeleteNoticed the reference to the bunting 😀
ReplyDeleteListening right now, to the acrimony between Shula and Alistair.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Alistair has a very reasonable tone, whilst Shula is becoming angry and verging on vituperative.
Buying half the house will leave me with a crashing debt, says Shula.
My reply would be..... yes Shula, that is frequently the outcome of divorce for many !
Agree, the reality of her decision is dawning on Shula
DeleteI am thinking back. I seem to remember, whether this is right or not, that Shula re-morthaged The Stables, so that Alistair's gambling debts were paid off. I therefore, just cannot see how Alistair actually thinks that he is entitled to a full half share.
DeleteMe too. I couldn't help reflecting that Shula has brought this situation on herself, so if anyone should be generous, it's her. I wonder what Dan thinks?
DeleteMy 'Me too' is confusing, because I was agreeing with MrsP and Cheshire Cheese more than with Miriam. Shula *and Alistair* remortgaged The Stables. He was grateful for her love and support, but now she has apparently cancelled them out. As he said, he thought they'd be married for ever. Poor Alistair!
DeleteAgree Bootgums.
DeleteCertainly, Alistair is in the worst position. Shula lashed out, seemingly taken by surprise, but why ? She knows what has happened to the partnership, so why hasn't she added up that he'll be struggling, perhaps facing ruin ? She was the one who demanded divorce, she can't realistically imagine it's going to go all her own way ? How hollow are her words, spoken more than once that 'Of course she 'cares' what happens to him'.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone had any doubts about Jennifer giving up her home, proof enough, as she's obviously downsizing. It's so sad; it doesn't matter to Kate where she lives, so long as someone is there to support & finance her. J. built a home & a life at Home Farm.
Alistair wanted to sell his practice but decided to stay on and take a partner in order to finance Shula's ambition to become the Master of the Hunt, so this also comes into the equation.
ReplyDeleteSo it does - I hope he uses that aspect.
DeleteI thought that Shula is only a joint Master of The Hunt.
DeleteI would personally, love Oliver to re-appear in Ambridge, as I think he might just be able to help Shula + Alistair, as I think Dan could.
Basia, 6.10pm - these were also my thoughts as I listened.
DeleteI visualised that hunting jacket that Alistair paid to have made for her, as well as the financial contribution from the ' Master' that he agreed to.
👍
DeleteI had forgotten that Alistair had made sacrifices in order that Shula could become joint master. I hope he remembers that soon!
DeleteLet Jennifer do what she wants.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that Alistair is standing his ground and going by the book at least as far as the practice goes. Shula is his wife and Anisha his friend and they have both let him down.
Janice - I just read yesterday’s post and came across your wide cat comment. In North America wild cats are very, very rare. Very few people have ever seen one. There are the very occasional sighting of a mountain lion or puma.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Jennifer is doing what she wants at all, that's clear in her attitude, but simply making the only decision she thinks she can make to save the farm for the family. Debbie & Peggy are right, she is being brave, & very dignified. At the same time, Lilian & Alice have completely understandable & human reactions.
ReplyDeleteNo mention of Kate's role in this, though she is the one who has created the sad situation. There was the viable option of selling various parcels of land, but she put her wretched business before any other consideration. I'm not sneering at spas or spiritual retreats, both can offer a great service, but hers is pretentious & half baked. She can't even deliver a massage without frying the client. There is no evidence of healing skills, or a real desire to help others. I don't see how her parents, or any of her siblings can tolerate her presence gladly in the future, let alone feel any affection or respect.
✅✅✅
DeleteYour post has got me thinking, Carolyn.
DeletePerhaps it is the actress who plays Kate that is leaving !
It was Brian, not Kate, who created the sad situation. Kate was the first to suggest a more viable solution than selling parcels of land. Her motives may not have been the purest, but her suggestion made sense. Personally I hope the farmhouse is sold to some interesting new characters.
DeleteWe know Brian is responsible for the original crisis, I was refering to the current one - how to save the farm. Kate is not interested in that, just in her little bit, as she made clear to Debbie.
DeleteTrue, Mrs P it's hard to see how she can remain on the cast list, unless either a) she has a last minute character transformation or b) the Aldridge clan morph into saints !
carolyn. I do hope Kate has insurance, she is a danger to life, I'm amazed Usha didn't end up in hospital with third degree burns. Did Kate learn her techniques from the 'School of See one Do One'?
DeleteYes!! As did Noluthando, remembering her massage for Lynda (I think), though she 'learnt' more effectively.
DeleteYes!! As did Noluthando, remembering her massage for Lynda (I think), though she 'learnt' more effectively.
DeleteI have been reading these blogs for years but have rarely commented myself.
ReplyDeleteAlthough a campaign has been running to reinstate the BBC blog, lately I have noticed that
there are far fewer comments on the Archers programme than on the off topic blog. I would be interested in any comments as to the reason for this.
Hello, Kathleen Carter. Ruthy very kindly created the other blog so that Archer fans could communicate on issues not related to the archers. On the old BBC blog these issues did arise and some felt it was not appropriate for Arecher related storylines. Although many of the off topic discussion did initially stem from the Archers.
DeleteI do hope you will make further comments, on or off topic.
These blogs are very friendly, which wasn't always the case on the old blog.
I think it's because people like talking about themselves more than they like talking about The Archers. Which is fair enough, but not part of the BBC blog's remit.
DeleteDo you have any views on that yourself ?
ReplyDeleteI think it''s a human thing : people become enthused by others' enthusiasms & want to Chat; bloggers write a little about their lives, & we become interested & concerned. It's the positive aspect of being human, I think, which can seem in short supply in the world, so much to be welcomed !
Both blogs have vastly more comments than the current BBC blogs. I do wonder whether the usage of the blog was too much for the BBC! I think we have developed a circle of friends although mostly we have never met and we are interested in each other’s lives, problems and joys.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Kathleen, lovely to have another Archers fan joining in, especially as you say you have been reading the blogs for years. I think the answer to you question lies in the very fact that we now have two distinct blogs to use. On the old BBC ones we often used to go ‘off topic’ but sooner or later someone would complain, or the BBC would delete a comment as being off topic. Here we have ‘permission’ to discuss anything and everything, to our heart’s content. Also we are a smaller band of correspondents and are getting to ‘know’ each other very well. Thus we feel we can ask for help or opinions about a problem, exchange experiences, discuss medical matters, talk about holidays, etc etc. We could never do that on the BBC blogs.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time we have the Archers blog in which to talk solely about the programme, dissect plots, predict future stories and enjoy a real ArchersFest! It is bound to attract fewer posts, I think, because it is limited to one main subject i.e. life in Ambridge.
Good morning and welcome Kathleen.
DeleteThe posts above have given many answers to your question and I agree with each of them.
I would add another.
On the BBC blog we had a number of male contributors who, while making many contributions towards the subject of The Archers, did not, often, make many contributions towards off topic discussions.
These gentlemen have not joined us on this blog and I believe that the loss of their posts have contributed towards the fewer posts on the subject of TA.
In addition, the fact that we are largely women on this blog contributes
towards a greater number of posts on the off topic thread.
Women talk to each other as a rule !
What a very kind woman Lilian is, wouldn't mind having her as my sister. But would selling a few Amside properties raise enough money?
ReplyDeletePossibly as much as the farmhouse to prevent its sale. However whereas the farmhouse, being the Alldridges main residence, shouldn't attract Capital Gains Tax if sold the Amside properties would attract the tax, and if the money was given/leant to Jenny and Brian then the C.A.P. couldn't be rolled over and put into another business interest and would have to be paid. So Lilian is indeed being very generous. If she actually bought the farmhouse so that it became part of the Amside business then I guess Jenny et al could continue living there without owning it, but I don't think Jenny would feel happy living in a house that was no longer her own.
DeleteI wondered whether letting the farmhouse while living somewhere much smaller would be a viable option (cf. Kellynch Hall in Jane Austen's 'Persuasion'), with the hope of returning one day. But that would probably mean getting a prohibitively expensive loan in order to pay off the clear-up costs for Low Mead.
DeleteThinking on from that, a farmhouse isn't just a home for the family it is the working centre and heart of the whole farm. Where is the new working centre to be? Is Adam's place big enough to have an office, and is Ian going to want to lose the privacy of home and have farm workers trudging in and out with muddy wellies, and is Ian going to want to give up his job and do all the cooking needed to feed men doing hard physical labour? I am wondering if Adam has fully thought through the taking over of the farm. Someone earlier spoke of Jenny being just a homemaker rather than coping with having a job as well, but as someone brought up on a farm believe me when I say that being a farmer's wife is a very full time and skilled vocation, and Home Farm is a very large business. Ruth is extremely lucky in having Gill to help.
DeleteI had forgotten the shoots Esscee. Perhaps in future they will have to be fed and watered at Grey Gables, or maybe with Jenny supervising the cooking at Fallon's cafe. If the scriptwriters did expect us to suspend disbelief and believe it could be held in a small cottage then I really hope Martin Gibson finds himself sitting on a stool crammed in the broom cupboard!
DeleteWhen Anisha said to Alisrair what is progress on buying her out, I don’t remember she put any of her own money into the vet business. Can someone enlighten me?
ReplyDeleteYes, she did. That's how she became a partner rather than an employee. I was puzzled that she was in a position to buy into a partnership but seemed to regard having a house of her own as a distant dream and rented a small cottage. But I don't know/remember how much money she put into the practice.
DeleteThank you bootgum - and I would imagine she owns half of the loan taken out for improvement, or was Alistair not smart enough to put that into the agreement?
DeleteAlice is acting entirely ridiculous to insist that Brian is acting so weak and can’t take care of old mom. Jennifer is showing some strength and willing to make the sacrifice to relocate to another home, which BTW, many of us have all done, and more than once, either due to necessity or otherwise. Let’s just move on from the whole Home Farm saga.
ReplyDeleteAh Ruthy, if only we could, I fear that the repercussions will be far and wide and there is still the question of a possible prosecution.
DeleteCharacters who are alienating me in a way they didn't before (in alphabetical order):
ReplyDeleteAlastair - demonstrating why two wives and a business partner have left him
Alice - Daddy's Little Girl being dragged screaming into adulthood
Brian - nuff said!
Has Alice become Daddy's Little Girl only recently? She showed independence early on in marrying Chris, getting a degree and having a respectable career (whose details I haven't always been able to follow, to be honest). She's got her own cottage, but if she hadn't had, she and Chris would have lived with Neil and Susan before striking out on their own. She's an engineer, he's a farrier.
DeleteDoesn't Lilian have the odd million £ sitting somewhere? During the Matt saga didn't he repay money he had stolen, or in his hurry to leave Ambridge did he steal it again?
ReplyDeleteBrian and Jenifer are now a charitable case, so maybe Lilian could gift aid a million to save them from homelessness.
Debbie couldn't come up with a solution so step in Auntie Lilian.
Said tongue firmly in cheek. 🤑
I am thinking along the same idea lines. I seem to recall thatJustin bought the Dower House from the Trust, Matt had set up for Lilian, for £1mill. This has to be hers, unless there was another clause which means that she has no ready access to it.
DeleteI just cannot remember!
I am also wondering about Lilians Ameside Property business, is it viable enough to buy Home Farm, and then rent it back, at a peppercorn rent, to Brian + Jennifer.
I am still waiting for an old photo to come to light, showing the identifible "toxic dumpers" in the background.
It was a good episode last night, Brian and Adam dealing with the farming issues, Joe rescuing Ed's ram and he Joe's ferret - I just wish it hadn't been down Joe's trousers; non controversial so no comments so far.
ReplyDelete✔️✔️👍
DeleteYes, far less angst, Basia. I quite enjoyed the Joe/ferret/Emma/Ed carryings on - better than Lynda & Lilian moving around each other rather stagily.
ReplyDeleteBrian & Adam were a good working team, best rapport we've witnessed between those two in ages. Doing what both do best, farm business, covering the practicalities, strawberry pickers included. It enabled Brian to offload some guilt & regrets as well. I admire the courage of both B. & Jennifer, facing up to what has been forced upon them, coping & accepting in their different ways. (I don't accept the fait accompli ! On the say so of one solicitor? Too many unanswered questions)
✔️✔️👍 again!
DeleteAgain Ed & Adam mentioning rain break & being rained off, but no mention of hot dry weather & having to use winter feed for animals as grass so dry! I know it must be difficult to keep everything "up to date" but we haven't had a full days rain for 8 weeks here in yorkshire, we've had half hour here & there adding up to maximum off 4 hours since then.
ReplyDeleteAgree, Phoenix, even less than that down in my part of the world!
DeleteBorsetshire must have it's own microclimate independent of the rest of the country.
DeletePhoenix it's the same down here in Cornwall. The pastures are turning golden brown instead of green, and my brother is keeping a close eye on his cattle.
DeleteMore rain tonight...I hope that the the trip to South Africa does take place and Freddie leaves his low life behind, those two pickers Adam mentioned looking worse for wear must have been under influence.
ReplyDeleteAgree - that's a good reason - not the drink, it's the pills that Fred is dealing.
DeleteOh T❤️O❤️B❤️Y, bless him. Trying so hard to be a support to Pip but not getting it quite right! Never mind, he’s had a little practice now and I’m sure he’ll be a rock for Pip on the day - if Ruth lets him.
ReplyDeleteOr if Pip let's him...
DeleteRE Kahleen/Peggy's comment earlier.
ReplyDeleteYes there are fewer comments about the programme itself but perhaps it is because lot of folk are getting a bit fed up with the same old storylines not seeming to go anywhere.
What I am trying to say is that a lot of us have already commented on what Jennifer and Brian should do,how we are sick and tired of the Lexi business, have had enough of Pip's pregnancy (no doubt Pippette will be born this evening) and feel that we have had enough with the antics of Elizabeth's twins and Shula and Alastair's problems .
We have nothing new to get our teeth into.
Lanjan, all you have left us with are the Grundys, Emma's constant whinging about housing, and Lilian and Lynda bickering about performing dogs. Oh, I forgot about the wonderful Town/Village Crier that is Susan. Now all we require is Susan to do the entire episode all on her own.
DeleteThen we wouldn't have to listen to the useless Toby talk about stop watches, notes contractions etc.
Wasn't TA ever thus ? Has anything changed that radically ? Admittedly, there used to be more focus on the seasons, countryside & the realities of farming, but I suspect the characters were the same mix of the irritating, comical, with a few bright sparks + some darker moments. Same with the SLs.
ReplyDeleteProbably !
DeleteThe brilliant exception, of course, was the Rob and Helen story - until Sean O'Connor left and it got silly.
DeleteI think the same. In the nearly two years, since Helen was vindicated, and she was found innoncent and Rob then tried to kidnap Jack, I feel that Helen is not the same character. She seems to be giving up too soon, when her plans do not come to fruition, as with the cheese-making classes. I also think that she is not as involved with the dairy, and doesn't seem to have much enthusiasm for the farm shop.
DeleteThat seems to be realistic to me Mirium.
DeleteMost individuals who might have experienced such events are very likely to be changed. Perhaps some quite seriously.
The many experiences I have had have certainly changed my character.
I agree Mrs P and I think she probably only feels safe with the familiar.
DeleteHow long will it be before we know if Lexi is pregnant? It was only a couple of days last time before we heard that the transfer had not been successful. Where is Ian?
ReplyDeleteAnd will Jolene turn up to Fallon’s wedding? She’s been very quiet recently. I hope she knows or she won’t have time to sort her outfit.
One of my all time favourite Ambridge characters is Jazzer.
ReplyDeleteI am very concerned, after listening to tonights episode, that he is being set-up, to be the downfall of Alistair when Alistair gambles away both his vetinary practice and The Stables.
Jazzer always seems to be a "simple" person whose only passion is his pigs (+ Fallon + Hannah). I am not sure how he has suddenly has the knowledge, to be able to give Alistair a good betting tip. This is so out of character for Jazzer, and I wonder why this situation has suddenly evolved.
I see the point you are making Miriam, but I am not so sure that this is a change in the character of Jazzer.
DeleteHe has always had a rogue side to him, and was quite wild in his younger years.
In addition he comes from a ' dodgy ' family background and those family links have, from time to time, come into the story of Ambridge.
This is a very clumsy storyline, Jazzer inadvertently leading Alistair astray and I'm very annoyed that he might start gambling again.
ReplyDeleteJazzer said it was the son of a customer [I think] who gave him the racing tips
ReplyDeleteI love Jazzer, but tonight he suddenly seemed to be more Scottish than usual and I struggled to understand him at times.
ReplyDeleteIf alistair starts gambling again I will be shouting at the radio...... again. 😠
I think it would be better if Jazzer sang his lines, as he has a very nice singing voice and isn't so relentlessly Glaswegian when he sings!
DeleteOh dear Maryellen I rather enjoy the rich diversity of accents from around the British Isles. A richness surely to be appreciated.
DeleteOh dear! Maryellen, I rather enjoy and appreciate the rich diversity of accents from around the British Isles.
ReplyDeleteSurely you must too?
Unknown - please change your profile name.
ReplyDeleteLook for lighthouse!
ReplyDelete