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Life in Ambridge: Comments week of July 21, 2018
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Barnegat Lighthouse on the shores of New Jersey. Happy blogging!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Ruthy. What a wonderful blue sky on your lovely lighthouse photo. Going to google where it is.
ReplyDeleteHere’s hoping the sky is that blue for the Ambridge village fete. Good luck to all it’s performing pets. Might get a lighthearted episode for a change. 🤞🐶
Robin Fairbrother (to make a [brief?] reappearance in Ambridge. He is Rex and Toby's father and a [very] old squeeze of Elizabeth. Interesting...
ReplyDeleteWill Jil throw another wobbly?
DeleteBeautiful photo. Thanks for keeping us so regularly supplied, Ruthy.
ReplyDeleteInteresting development, Fairbrother senior. Perhaps he & Jill will have a slanging match, egged on by barking from Ruby & Monty...
Felt sad for Jennifer last night. Debbie must be the most sensitive of her offspring.
ReplyDeleteNoticed, following some bland comment from J. about Kate, Debbie's response was quietly acerbic ( on the lines of 'she got what she wanted')
Anyone seen the *front* page of The Telegraph this morning? Do not read on if you don’t want to read their spoiler, mentioned by Muckspreader above. Robin Fairbrother is, indeed, going to be heard (for the very first time, only ever referred to in the third person before). He is to be acted by Anthony Head, that dishy bloke who was in the Nescafé adverts years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe Telegraph speculates on the possibility of a re-kindled romance between him and Elizabeth but I can’t help feeling that would be a liaison too far between the Archer and Fairbrother families!
I agree Archerphile, too far indeed.
DeleteHowever in life such relationships do exist.
I like Anthony Head. Another distinguished actor willing to be on TA.
Though I can't say I know him from television advertisements.
Antony Head was King Uther, Arthur's father, in the BBC1 series Merlin, which I used to enjoy. Maybe he wants an easy radio cameo appearance?
DeleteHe was also in Buffy the Vampire Slayer which I used to watch with my daughter.
DeleteI must be heartless but I don't feel that sorry for Jennifer really.
ReplyDeleteIt must be a wrench to leave a large house with all the mod cons but I live in a two bedroom bungalow and wouldn't change it although I must admit I would love to have a second bathroom.
When one gets to a certain age it is ideal that one doesn't need to keep going up and down stairs.
It forces one to be tidy because there isn't the room to be otherwise.
If anything is "lost" there are fewer places where it might be hiding.
All Jennifer needs is a three bedroomed bungalow for her,Brian and Ruari.
Incidently.
Is Spiritual Home an actual building?
Is it a yurt?
Is it near to Kate's cottage?
Ies she have to pay Council Tax?
Anybody know what is what please ?
I don't feel sorry for Jennifer and I don't want to see Alistair's downfall.
ReplyDeleteThe Spiritual Home is a converted barn which Kate requested from Brian.
I remember Anthony Head from TV, his will be a second star guest appearance in the Archers this year, following Alison Steadman, incurring a hefty fee no doubt, so much for the cuts at the BBC.
I agree, in that these very more "expensive" visitors to Ambridge, although they are nice to hear, they are not exactly not needed . I feel thay these parts, such as Olwen, could be played by very proffessional actors/actresses, who would portray the characters equally convincing. I would like to think that this will leave some finance to pay for and bring back some of the missing Ambridge residents, such as Ben, Ruiari and Jamie.They need to re-appear in order to offset Freddie.
DeleteThere was an extensively long article about Carrie Gracie on equal pay for equal work. It’s all the same problem everywhere. As a women, I have always known my male counterparts got promoted and moved up the ladder much quicker than females. Large corporations want to hide as much as they can, but it’s up to us all to expose their wrongs. Agree the BBC should not pay these high profile actors for TA, and instead reinstate our beloved blog.
DeleteIn my latter years of working, a vacant "area manager" position always went to a young male candidate, rather than an older and a very experienced british female. I found that I had to endure very young male "bosses" who were Polish, Spanish, Hungarian. I am not racist, but accents did made communication quite difficult at times. There were females who had all the necessary qualifications and very capable, but were always rejected.
DeleteI think Jennifer has mixed feelings as her head isn’t against downsizing but her heart is hurting because her family life and memories are tied up with home farmhouse.
ReplyDeleteJennifer is damned fortunate to be making a choice about leaving.
ReplyDeletePlenty of other folk are evicted from their homes through unfortunate circumstances, or sadly leave through divorce, or the end of a relationship, when the happy memories are wiped out by bitter and unhappy ones.
She certainly is and I think she knows that as she said this way the family will stay “together “.
DeleteDisappointed that The Telegraph had to tell us that Robin Fairbrother is going to turn up this week.
DeleteWhy should it be big news that a particular actor better known for a coffee advert will be appearing in a radio Soap Opera.?
The papers made a bit of a deal over Alison Steadman appearing too.
Obviously Pipette or Pipito will make an appearance early on.
Can be doing without Ruth drooling over the "beautiful " baby and telling Pip how clever she is as if no woman had ever given birth before.
LanJan we only take newspapers at the weekend, The Sunday Times on Sundays and the Telegraph on Saturdays. I started noticing the Telegraph’s keen interest in The Archers during the Helen / Rob saga when they regularly published items and photographs about the story. Gillian Reynolds was their radio critic back then, a well known Archers fan. Since those days the paper has continued to feature Archers news regularly and Simon Williams (Justin Elliot) write a column in their Saturday magazine, another link. They always comment on such things as changes of Editor, but I have never before seen an Archers story feature on the front page!
DeleteI read it in the Belfast Telegraph, not the Daily Telegraph. with a photo of T❤️O❤️B❤️Y and Antony Head as his father. I've never seen the advert AH appeared in. Hope their baby/grandbaby is gifted with the Farirbrother charm and looks!
ReplyDeleteI hope she/he is like Rex, rather than its father.
DeleteI believe that Robin Fairbrother is about to resurface. I would like to think that Dr, Richard Locke will also re-appear. I am saying this, as I would like Elizabeth to have a choice, between two very suitable suitors.
ReplyDeleteI try to avoid spoilers, but this one has been impossible not to see.(I saw it on-line).
We all know what/who will happen but no comment until I hear it tomorrow, all the same, what a coincidence, everybody out and no phone for Ruth.
ReplyDeleteDidn't we all know that there couldn't be a straightforward storyline about the birth of Pip and Toby's baby?
ReplyDeleteJust dial the hospital or 999 Pip ,if the birth is imminent.
Again I say.
I don't think anyone else has ever gone through what Pip is going through.
Another ridiculous storyline.
It will be a girl.
...or a boy.
DeleteYou could both be right!
DeleteFurther to my previous comment, I have just read that Anthony Head is doing a "cameo" performance for one week only, with no hint of rekindling a romance, that is if the on-line papers can be believed.
ReplyDeleteToby it sounds like you should have been entered in the Ambridge performing pet show " Tobeeee get here right now!" Good job you have not married the Pip what a life you would have had 24/7...
ReplyDelete(We all knew the birth would be "Soap" style ie not straight forward!) will it be Rex- who by chance of course calls by and delivers the latest Archer.
The spoiler see s to be aimed at making us think that....
DeleteAnyone taking bets on who will come to Pips aid and drive her to hospital or even actually deliver the baby?
ReplyDeleteMy money is on Rex but I could be completely wrong .... wonder what Ben’s doing tonight 🤔
If you are looking at form, Archerphile. Rex has no history of helping anyone in distress whereas T❤️O❤️B❤️Y undoubtedly has. However, I gather Toby is already doing an emergency dash to save The Bull from Cola drought....
DeletePerhaps this is Rex’s chance to show his compassionate side then !
DeleteHe already has : pulling his bro' together when he was moping around after the split from Pip, also being understanding with her, supporting Dad after he had a heart attack ( I think it was), generally supporting Anisha when her mum was ill.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteCarolyn ✔️👍
DeleteI wasn't the only blogger who wondered why the strong- minded and independent Anisha needed so much support over such a long period -
Deleteleading to Rex's neglect of his business at a critical time and its subsequent failure. I may have been the only blogger who wondered if free board and lodging were a factor, ditto caring for Robin. As for Pip, where was Rex after her accident, and doesn't he make the most of any opportunity to deprecate his brother during his rare chats with her?
I thought Pip wanted her Mom to be with her during delivery, so why make such a demand of Toby. I am sure she is setting up to be royally not happy with the situation. She could also call 911 (is the equivalent 999 in the UK?)
ReplyDeleteExactly, Ruthy.
DeleteI agree with what you say about the soap opera style Lady R
I can't remember any drama with Emma or Nic when they had their babies
Of course we could all be wrong and Pip could calmly contact her grandmother who would pop along,boil a kettle ,tell Pip to keep pushing and say what a good girl she is and before Ruth has time to find her phone ,there will be another baby Archer at Brookfield.
Maryellen ,surely although several of us suggested twins some time ago with all the scans that are happening nowadays I think that it might have been noticed that there were two babies waiting to make an appearance.
LanJan - this is Ambridge, not real life!
ReplyDeleteYou are right Maryellen.
DeleteWe could have another flood with all the rain Ambridge has been experiencing recently .
They could be having a really cold spell of weather which means that Jill will save the day by producing some nourishing soup for the new mother..
I could do without any of the grunts and screams that apparently always happens but I am not holding my breath on that one .
The one thing I am not looking forward to is the drooling over the baby and saying how lovely he or she is.
In many cases new born babies are not attractive -except to the mother.
I know they don't all look like Winston Churchill but .......
My second baby was definitely not attractive when he was born
It didn't stop me from thinking he was wonderful although I didn't expect other folk to think the same.
Of course in those days we didn't inflict lots of photographs of the new born on people who are not really interested.
I have only ever seen one photo of myself as a young baby, taken at about 4 months old.
DeleteI was the spitting image of Winston Churchill! Several people remarked on it!
Winnie famously remarked that all babies looked like him - here's hoping Julius Fairbrother-Archer takes after his dad in looks and winsomeness!
DeleteWell I certainly looked like " Winnie" at one point I have just revisited the photo in my photo gallery 😂
DeleteEven worse than photos of the baby are the indecipherable scan photos which are bandied around nowadays! I hope Pip does pop tonight as we don’t want to suffer every twinge with her!
DeleteI had an inkling last week it would be Rex and mentioned it which dismayed Maryellen.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see. Is there any chance we will be spared the details and baby will be delivered off air?
I think Rex will be there, not necessarily deliver and I say a girl.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Rex will free up his brother to be there.
DeleteUnusually, more comments here than off topic right now - seems, despite sighs, we like to sound off about highly predictable, hackneyed story developments ! Yes, of course there had to be a birth crisis with no one around, no, of course she wouldn't do the obvious & ring for an ambulance, & I suppose Rex will show up at the right moment....maybe after she's marshalled the brain cells & phoned, & he'll be the one holding her hand in the race to the hospital etc..
ReplyDeleteLynda & Lilian were a welcome diversion, & Neil handled everything pretty well & very firmly, but it didn't feel in character to mock the hapless Alistair about the silly Lavinia, who I really hope doesn't go back to gambling, though wouldn't be surprised if he hits the bottle heavily.
Whoops - meant Alistair in connection with gambling, not Lavinia...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree it grated that Neil was portrayed as insensitive with Alastair and Pip - I really like Neil and he just wouldn’t have made either of those comments.
ReplyDeleteYes, Seasider it would be better off air and I agree about Neil too.
DeleteWhen in time of crisis it's not unusual to ring your dearest and not necessarily nearest, I once heard a man recounting how it took him a day to get to the phone after a stroke and then he rang his mother (in another country). As long as Pip and baby are all right I don't mind now, although I had this idea that perhaps 'they'd' outwit us and present with a fait accompli when's all done and dusted. Wishful thinking now...
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that Neil, the character is being ' developed ' by the Powers that be, but not in a way that reflects th character that we have known for forty odd years.
ReplyDeleteI and others have noticed him ' coming out of his shell ' over recent times.
Last episode - Alistair [about Lavinia], "She's already had me give her schnauzer a thorough checkup".
ReplyDeleteOoh er missus!
Sounds like a Carry on line! You can just imagine Sid James saying it!
DeleteI also hope we don't have to listen to Pip, especially if she has to rely on Bro Toby with his various aids, notes, stopwatch and instructions. Flapping as he did when he thought she was going into labour a couple of days ago.
ReplyDeleteRex on the other hand will be calm and empathetic, I suspect he will drive her to the hospital and be holding her hand whilst she screams, "get it out". If my memory is accurate, it was Rex who left to look after his father when he became ill, and Toby refused to go and help.
Perhaps Rex will suddenly realise that a screaming Pip is not so appealing after all, and head of into the sunset with Anisha.
In my fantasy Pip will give birth to the Pipette in Rex's taxi, and the Ambridge Observer will claim him as a hero, with a smiling mother, and baby screaming. All front page news, read all about it.
But my fantasy is just that.
I am being very optimistic, in that I hope that at 7.00pm tonight, there is a new member of The Archer "clan" at Brookfield. I am ever hopeful. I will be quite happy to hear all about it, in a second hand way.
ReplyDeleteDaddy Fairbro is to make an appearance, so the press is telling us, also in of all newspapers, The Belfast Telegraph. I would have thought this paper had enough news to print, without this bit of nonsense being given front page headlines. Maybe the aim is to keep us all in la la land and this sensional piece of news will stop us thinking about more serious issues. Mind you, the PM has been in N.Ireland trying to sound positive about the future, so she took Fairbrother senior with her to ease the burden.
ReplyDelete😂👏🏻
DeleteI am hoping that Robin F. will finally convince Rex, that his life is in Ambridge, with all it has to offer. This will be far more realistic than re-locating to Newmarket with Anisha.
ReplyDeleteYou could be right, Miriam, like you & others, I suspect he'll stay, but am hard pressed to see the 'all'
Delete(C) ambridge has to offer ! It's not been such a great move for Rex.
.....just yet! I think that Rex does have a future in Ambridge, but I am not totally sure what it will be. Toby seems to have roped in Stan, to help out with the gin, why not just utilise Rex?
DeleteSurely an insert into TA soon, news full of crop problems, cattle eating winter hay stocks and the polytunnels of strawberries rotting part weather and of course trouble getting pickers (which has been covered)
ReplyDeleteHang on in there B & J may not be any point in selling your home if the farm itself is going to go under!
As most of us said a girl, will they call her Jill?
ReplyDeleteIsn't Jill one of Joe's ferrets?
DeleteA female ferret is called a Gill/Jill and a male ferret is called a Joe.
DeleteWell it certainly won't be Grace.
ReplyDeleteHow about Heather?
How about Kim? With a father and an uncle with doggy names . . .. Davina, by analogy with Pip being named after her grandfather.
ReplyDeleteGot it! Philby.
ReplyDelete√√√
DeleteOr Robina .
ReplyDeleteRex actually doesn't care a lot about Anisha, does he ? '...not working, evening with A., doesn't matter, this is more important...' Come on, once mum has arrived, eventually Toby, why stay ? He's done his bit, got her to hospital, calmly & speedily, but he has to linger on all night. He's still very infatuated, &, what's more, Pip's manner towards him is much warmer than it is towards Toby, so it's obvious that, in their dumb kind of way, they are moving towards the earth shattering realization that they are 'meant for each other'.
ReplyDeleteAnisha is blatantly self serving, but she is well shot of these people, having been twice subjected to the ambridgean disease of crippling inarticulacy : 1st, getting entangled professionally with Crawford, because Alistair doesn't explain how dangerous the man really is; 2nd, Rex's lack of confidence & self awareness prevents him from telling her she's not 'important' enough for him to uproot & go into the dark unknown of Newmarket..
So Rex was muscling in, as predicted. There was absolutely no need for him to stay - but he lives his life through T❤️O❤️B❤️Y. Shame Toby's emergency mission for The Bull delayed him but the moment when he and Pip were alone sharing the joy of their new daughter and Pip said she'd ever been happier was very utterly convincing and touching.
DeleteWell, at least there wasn’t too much screaming, thank goodness! Rex was perfect in his supporting role and T❤️O❤️B❤️Y was very sweet, realising that he really is, at long last, a Daddy. But which one will Pip settle on, I wonder, or will she stick to her plan of remaining a single mother relying on help from family - we shall see. The future of Brookfield is becoming interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhen is Ambridge going to notice the drought conditions? I'm not the first to raise this, but it is getting ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteSo agree, Bootgums, it’s high time for a few topical (or should that be tropical) inserts. ☀️☀️☀️
DeleteThey are harvesting in Ambridge which is early as in real life so we can assume Borsetshire has got the same weather conditions.
DeleteI have said all along that Rex and Pip will become further entwined in due course.
ReplyDeleteWarmth and care for each other in abundance last night, but yet joint tenderness between Toby and Pip too.
They will share a child for ever, but becoming a bonded couple will be a very long journey for the two of them, if ever.
If we are to experience a similar story line to Emma, Ed and Will, hopefully the merging will be less angry and vituperative.
I hope for Maryellens sake that Toby does actually stay around. He gives a good balance to TA.
Yes indeed, Mrs P - Ambridge is woefully short of characters who are young, and likeable without being boring! I expect every listener has noticed that T❤️O❤️B❤️Y's gin business is now doing well enough for him to be able to take on a reliable employee. With two jobs he's succeeding at, and giving a helping hand with farmwork and childcare, plus a needy brother, why would he leave?
DeleteI wonder if Robin Fairbrother is being brought in to replace the Brian Aldridge character. Antony Head didn't rule out the possibility of his cameo appearance turning into something more permanent in the interview I read in the Belfast Telegraph (no doubt on instructions from his agent). How interesting if Robin bought the Home Farm farmhouse! Baby Doris would be quite some heiress.
ReplyDeleteWell at least I was right about Rex turning up in his Taxi. I'm afraid last nights episode was just too saccharine for my taste. I wish I hadn't listened. But too late, I could have done with having a bucket by my side.
ReplyDeleteThe news this morning is all about farmers having to use winter feed for cattle and sheep, crops failing, prices rising and land fires. The agricultural adviser should be insisting they stop mentioning rain and discuss the implications of drought on crops and pasture for feeding animals. Ambridge still exists in a (contemporary) rural setting with lots of farms, and it's not as if the BBC hasn't had time to include the current weather conditions, we have had no significant rain since May.
I have a 1000 litre water tank on my allotment and have had to fill that, and my other water buts three times and am about to do so again today.
The S/Ws have missed an opportunity to create some meaty stories, but instead we have Pip and Pipette and two dozy brothers.
Apologies for the rant.
Rant on, stasia. It's starting to irritate me too, especially as I'm now saving my bathwater, and carrying it downstairs in a series of buckets and cans so that I can use it on my parched garden, and despite all my efforts, my damson crop is shriveling on the tree. It would be nice to hear how Bert, Jill etc. are managing to keep their plots going. And what about Joe's cider apples?
DeleteAs I wrote before the serious issues arising from the heatwave appearing not to be worthy of a topical insert or two is ridiculous.
DeleteGood job the current team are not faced with the Foot & Mouth outbreak of some years back which immediately had to take precedence no matter what storyline was in the pipeline. More serious of course but even so there are many concerns for farmers right now - so come on editor - maybe tonight....
Rex could not have made his feelings for Pip any plainer than he did last night, I think he is in denial at the moment though. I feel another uncle/stepdad relationship developing. It was declared recently that out of ALL tv soaps there is not one conventional
family - extending to radio no doubt....😮
Rex was keen on Pip from the start and Toby encouraged him but there was chemistry between him and Pip. Rex told Pip that Toby was a man her mother warned her against and later she admitted to him that she'd chosen the wrong brother. Rex was prepared to give Pip priority at the start of his liaison with Anisha and more so now. We have the time to see it develop at leisure.
ReplyDeleteBasia - your summary misses out the crucial facts that T❤️O❤️B❤️Y was the brother Pip proposed to and whose baby she decided to keep. Any misguided woman who ends up with Rex will find herself in Shula's position in x years time.
DeleteToby and Pip certainly had a sexual attraction between them but that is something that can burn itself out and if in everyday life there is no rounded relationship to embrace then that is so often it!
DeletePip and Rex destined to be the next Dan & Doris of Brookfield? Not sure I wish it on Rex 😉
I wouldn't wish Rex on Brookfield either - not with his history of business ineptitude. David didn't"t want him when he asked for work (but was prepared to work alongside T❤️O❤️B❤️Y). I don't think sexual attraction is the only factor in Pip and Toby's relationship (and doesn't burn out leaving nothing as often as third parties would like it to!) In any case, Pip has never shown any sign of sexual attraction to Rex and was encouraging him to go off with Anisha.
DeleteSo many views which makes this blog the interesting place that it is 😀
DeleteA bottle of vintage malt whisk(e)y on each table at a Sikh wedding?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have some knowledge of Sikhs and alcohol? Apart from the internet.
Sikhs do drink alcohol. I worked with several who liked to imbibe.
DeleteThanks Stasia, I thought it was against their religion or maybe the non-religious drink.
DeleteBetting odds -Christian name of baby Fairbrother-Archer
ReplyDelete1) Family names.
Heather -10-1
Jill-15-1 (she won't like that
Ruth20-1
Gracw1000 -1
2) Royal names
Elizabeth 30-1
Kate25-1
Katherine 25-1
Charlotte 16-1
Megan 50-1
3) Popular names.
Olivia 8-1
Amelia 9-1
Isla 10-1
4) long shots
Ethel 200-1
Elsie 200-1
Agnes200-1
Doreen,Maureen ,Irene,Eileen,Ada .400-1
Chardonnay ,Tayler,Jorden-450-1
I reckon the baby will have a fashionable name followed by Jill and or Heather.
I think Olivia but perhaps Eleanor or Sophia
She will then be called Livvy or Ellie or Soph.
Or maybe Heather Jill Fairbrother Archer.
I have an idea for the newest Archer family member:-
ReplyDeleteMary Heather Archer.
Heather, this is obvious, as it is in rememberance of Ruth's much missed mother,
and Mary?
I like this name as it reminds of two nursery rhymes:-
1) "Mary had a little lamb"
2) "Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow..."
This is my idea as to names for Pip + Tobys daughter, David + Ruths first grand-child.
The lamb reference is completely obvious but I am referring to my second rhyme.
DeletePips daughter will certainly become a contrary character,, but I would like to think that she will in very years to come, be in charge of a thriving bee colony, with its own bee friendly garden, and its related
commercial business.
(in the memory of Jill).
The little mite is half-Fairbrother - how about the name of her grandmother/great-grandmother on that side of her family? LanJan has ruled out her step-grandmother Grace - which is a shame because I think it's the loveliest of all the suggestions here.
ReplyDelete(Although I once knew a Grace who said she got fed up as a child by being teased with the rhyme: Patience is a virtue, Virtue is grace, Grace is a little girl, Who doesn't wash her face. This was decades before the rhyme was popularised by children's author Dick King-Hall in 1992.)
Maryellen - I don't recall Pip's proposal to Toby, of marriage? All I remember is that after dumping him she wanted again to be more than friends.
ReplyDeleteBasia - there are more types of proposal than marriage - Pip proposed that she and T❤️O❤️B❤️Y should become sexual partners, and literally dragged him into Rickyard Cottage to be her live in partner.
DeleteIn my memory, Toby was keen (especially on the prospect of a friendship with the benefit of a farm), Pip knew he was unreliable but was attracted, Toby wanted to put one over on his brother, they (Pip and Toby) went up Lakey Hill and one thing led to another. Subsequently Pip got more keen than Toby, then saw the light and dumped him, head ruling heart. Toby turned out to be less shallow than he appeared and was quite upset. The 'reconciliation' was completely unbelievable and came about because the person who had planned the pregnancy won. Toby has grown up a lot and may turn out to be a decent chap after all.
DeleteWell done, Rex, for not following Anisha to Newmarket!
I can't wait to find out how much the house is worth.
ReplyDeleteAs I remember it, Toby had been flirting with Pip for ages, regardless of Rex's more serious longings, & eventually she succumbed, but on the basis of a casual relationship, no strings. Then it did become more serious & they moved in together. She may well have made the first move, but he jumped at the chance. The impression was it might have been the first time he's been actually in love( hence his massive meltdown after she dumped him).
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember Pip suggesting to Toby that they shoulf get together,. I seem to remembet that Toby stoof her up or he said that he was not free, only for Pip to see his car parked at Home Farm. I think that this was after the Kate + Toby fun in the Pool, which was well before the fun in the Bouncy Castle. I am still not sure I trust Toby, sorry Maryellen.
DeleteCarolyn - I said I'd repeat this fact as often as it took, so here it is again. Pip and Toby had been in a flirting relationship and he succumbed when she proposed that they should become an item. Far from jumping at it, he honourably drew back, saying he didn't want to be in a position where he could hurt her. She persisted, and he agreed. He was similarly taken aback when she dragged him into Rickyard Cottage with her.
DeleteMiriam - it's Rex I don't trust. He as good as said I'm muscling in on Pip via the baby. "I'm staying to make sure Toby doesn't get it wrong" - what sort of rubbish statement is that from a man who has significantly got it wrong about a man who is doing his best (and succeeding) to get it right?
An ingenious interpretation !
DeleteOh Carolyn, you so frequently say it for me....
DeleteThank you !
And admittedly difficult to accept by those who have been brainwashed by Rex into thinking he is the good guy and Toby the dodgy one. Ask yourself one question: whose business failed due to sheer negligence - and whose business is succeeding due to determination and hard work? And another: who went to comfort Pip after her accident (and whose bracelet does she still wear) - and who didn't?
DeleteMaryellen, I am very happy to admit that Toby has improved a great deal since his early days in Ambridge.
ReplyDeleteHowever my instinct remains, and grows, that Rex and Pip will inevitably become a couple.
But it is just instinct, and I personally have nothing against Rex.
Yes, Mrs P, according to my inside information they do, but it's on the rebound for Pip and it doesn't last. She ends up with someone else. My information is probably well out of date by now, so I'll omit the details
DeleteError : I, personally have nothing against TOBY
ReplyDeleteT❤️O❤️B❤️Y or Rex?
ReplyDeleteToby for me anytime.
As has been already implied by Maryellen, Toby has far more about him.
He is prepared to take a gamble .
He is prepared to do what he can to make a Project succeed.
All Rex is doing is working for someone little more than half his age and making ends meet by being a taxi driver.
Surely at the unlicensed School he attended he managed to gain some qualifications.
Also I find all this drooling about the baby rather unnatural.
If this were a Catherine Cookson drama,T❤️O❤️B❤️Y would I am afraid die!
Sorry Maryellen.
Pip would then marry Rex.
I can still see that happening.
Don't know how unlicensed got there.
DeleteI meant to write Private.
Lanjan, I have never read a K. Cookson novel, but I do like the sound of the ending. It happens in soap land all the time, train disaster, shootings floods and a distillery blowing up in soapy Ambridge. Very dramatic, exit Toby.
DeleteI have decided that Rex is a non personality, he is boring but stable, dim and unemotional. Why on earth has he had to spend his life looking after his equally dim brother?
Sounds like Mummy and Daddy Fairbro had little input into their upbringing, so why is daddy F. making a visit to see granddaughter Pipette, is that to check she comes from the right family stock?
Yes, LanJan, one of the details I omitted from what my contact told me, because it was so distressing, is that T❤️O❤️B❤️Y goes to join St Niggle in the sky, where I expect they will get on famously together.
DeleteThe othe crucial detail I omitted is who Pip ends up with, after her relationship with Rex breaks up - but I can reveal it isn't Charlie Thomas!
(As I said, all this could have changed with a new editor.)
I agree that Rex's reason/statement: 'I'm staying to make sure Toby doesn't get it wrong' is pure nonsense' - my baby brother has a baby and I have to watch over him. I still like Rex but I like Toby more. Anyway, because Rex is staying in Ambridge I can hold on to one of my two hats and as I said last night all I want to know now is how much Home Farmhouse is worth.
ReplyDeleteIs Granny Fairbrother still alive?
DeleteSurely if so she would want to see her grandchild.
Now who can play her?
Dame Maggie Smith perhaps or Dame Penelope Wilton.
Lanjan - She very much is, she advised Toby to do a paternity test while Robin F opened an ISA or said he would.
DeleteI don't see much point in comparing the two Fairbrothers. They are as different as chalk and cheese. Both have their good, likable sides and both have less admirable characteristics.
ReplyDeleteIt will be up to Pip to decide if she wants to spend the rest of her, and her baby's life, tied to either of them. Either scenario could be a roaring success or an abject failure.
It will be very interesting to see which one (or neither) she decides to go for.
Maybe Matthew will come back into her life?!
DeleteI do hope so. 🙏
DeleteEv. I have always liked the idea that Matthew would one day reappear, and as Stasia says, I hope so. Perhaps he will return as a relief milker, whilst Pip is on "maternity leave".
DeleteRemind me what Matthew's distinguishing characteristics were......
DeleteI am less interested in the naming of the latest TA infant, than I was in the recent Royal birth, & likewise indifferent to Pip's next man, rather more curious about Debbie's private life - nothing going on there, I take it. Really interested by Anisha's response to Rex - upset, yes, but not so very surprised : she got it so quickly, 'So I'm not the one', & when she reflects a bit, I reckon she'll realize he never was the one for her, either. Not saying couples have to be the same, complementary nature's work well, but his lack of confidence & ambition surely don't mesh well with a woman like her. She'd quickly become bored & impatient with him if they lived together. Still, can't believe she swallowed the line about staying behind because of a brother & neice !
ReplyDeleteMy money's on Doris: Doris Heather Fairbrother-Archer.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteLily is into older men and T💕by is in some respects very like Nigel. They could run LL when Lizzie sails off into the sunset with Richard Locke as Freddie will be making his fortune in SA with Nolly at his side! How romantic!
ReplyDeleteNigel had a "je ne sais quoi" which Toby will never have!
DeleteDoris is a bit old fashioned but would complete a circle. Heather will be in there but wonder whether Charlotte will figure? Maybe Davina after David! I thought when Shula called her son Daniel maybe she should have left that name for David as his firstborn would have been another Dan Archer! All fanciful stuff!
DeleteMiriam,yes agree Toby will never be another Nigel but there is a bit of the devil may care about him! Think we are being manoeuvred into a Pip/Rex liaison. as predictably he is not going with Anisha. Think she shed crocodile tears!
DeleteI can evisage Rex doing a "Mr. Snowy" equivalent, but not Toby. I have just declared which Fairbrother I prefer.
DeleteI still miss Nigel! 😭
DeleteRosy Ruth Archer - lovely. I quite liked Juniper though.
ReplyDeleteOh no.
ReplyDeleteWhen you think of the many lovely names she could have chosen.
Rosemary perhaps
I far prefer Juniper.
Rosemary Ruth Archer sounds quite distinguished.
Rosie Ruth sounds like an apple.
Cider with Rosie perhaps?
DeleteBetter than Gin with Juniper😉
DeleteQuite a pretty name but agree it sounds like an apple!
DeleteYes, Rosemary would have been better. They could still have used 'Rosie' on a everyday basis. I never approved of 'Jamie' as a given name. He should have been registered as James, so as to have it as a dignified name to fall back on when he grew out of 'Jamie'.
DeleteBBC News today-
ReplyDeleteA woman who wants to divorce her husband on the grounds she is unhappy has lost her Supreme Court appeal.
Tini Owens, 68, from Worcestershire, wanted the court to grant her a divorce from her husband of 40 years Hugh, who is refusing the split.
The Supreme Court unanimously rejected the appeal, meaning she must remain married until 2020.
As I have lost Shula's email address perhaps one of you could pass this on.
✔️✔️✔️
Deleteshula.hebden.lloyd.@hotmail.co.uk
Not sure I could stand listening to mediation sessions for five years.
DeleteSomeone on the radio tonight said we don’t like arranged marriages but this woman is being forced into staying married. Maybe time to change this law. A period of say two years would be more acceptable. Unless both partners want to remain married what is the point? Her husband sounds unreasonable.
DeleteI agree absolutely.
DeleteAs one of the few males here I agree absolutely. What is his point? Just spiteful in my opinion.
DeleteThe wife had an affair, so the husband is yes, spiteful.
DeleteIt seems appropriate to publish an updated version of the Archers/Ambridge family tree. It may be found here:
ReplyDeletehttp://familytrees.genopro.com/PJ/Archers-Ambridge/default.htm
Please let me know of any major errors or omissions.
By my reckoning there are 21 Ambridge citizens who are now over 70 years of age. All have spoken at some time but may have been silent for some time. They can be split as follows:
Over 90 - 3
80-89 - 5
70-79 - 13
The last group includes two people whose DoB is not given (so I have estimated).
Having had a birth (surprisingly for the village, one without any "problems") I suppose we are due a death. Not morbid - all part of life's rich pageant.
Have you included Bartleby (? horse years = ? human years?)
DeleteWell, Pip had a last-minute panic, and then a Caesarean. But yes, that's pretty mild.
DeleteI don't think we've heard you for a while, Mucky. Welcome back!
I am thrilled to bits that tha new baby is to be called Rosie . That’s my one and only granddaughter’s name (shortened from Rosanna which she never uses).
ReplyDeleteMy Rosie will be 16 in a few days time and is waiting for her GCSE results but it will be a long time before Rosie Archer has to worry about such things!
Rosie Fairbrother-Archer.
DeleteSorry Maryellen she said not.
DeleteYes, she was introduced as Rosie Ruth Archer and I did wonder how T❤️O❤️B❤️Y was going to feel about that. At the very least the baby could have been given Fairbrother as a third name, even if not hyphenated with Archer. Still, I suppose they must have discussed it. Perhaps it will be added later (as in Daniel Hebden-Lloyd) if a marriage ever takes place.
DeleteSeasider - Pip is known for changing her mind - and I think Robin, when he arrives, may be the person to persuade her.
DeleteI like Rosie.
ReplyDeleteI also like Rosie Ruth, a double name, and I don't mind it sounding like an apple.
But to me it sounds like a rosy cheeked country girl called Ruth.
We had a Rosanna in the family and she stayed Rosanna throughout her life, but was known as Rosie Lane.
Does anybody else think that Pip is heading home a little too early after having a
ReplyDeleteCaesarian ? Is this the norm nowadays ?
Mmm..... I wondered this too.
DeleteI think it is the norm, all being well & support back home. Do like the names, the alliteration & nod to Ruth who's going to be very much a hands on granny.
ReplyDeleteAm surprised there's not the teeniest bit more interest in the Rex/Anisha split...as said, I thought it was well done, true to character (expect A taking his feeble reasons for staying at face value)
I agree with bootgums about registering/christening a child with the formal version of the name - in this case Rose, Pip's middle name - with a diminutive or alternative for informal use if and when wanted.. She will always be Doris to me!
ReplyDeleteI think Ben had the right idea, disappear, say nothing.
ReplyDelete😂
DeleteDid anyone else feel David was acting very propriatorially last night - all the nagging Toby about fitting the baby seat correctly, the wising it had been him and Ruth bringing Pip and baby home, the muscling in on the homecoming, the fuss about the new cot etc and trying to exclude Toby?
ReplyDeleteIt was almost as if he was feeling jealous of Toby and wanting to fulfil the role a new father should take (rather than grandfather). It felt just a little bit creepy to me and yet another example of his great adoration of his daughter over and above his sons. I didn’t like it and was glad when Ruth had the sense to prise him and Jill away to give the new parents time to themselves.
,
I felt exactly the same ,Archerphile.
DeleteAnyone would have thought that Pip was the only person who had ever given birth.
The other thing I found odd was the way -was it -Freddie said what a lovely baby she was.
I can't remember any young man eulogising about a baby who wasn't his son or daughter.
Also -is Chris trying to do an audition for Poldark?
He keeps trying to put a few West Country accented words into every sentence.
Yes, very much so, David just couldn't let go and was meant to be so according to the synopsis. Pip was definitely moved by the cot though and David's voice did slightly break with emotion. I thought Toby was very resolute, first with David and later with Pip, totally at ease in his new role.
DeleteAgree with each of the above.
DeleteYes David creepy in his role of adoring father of daughter, but I have found this to often be the norm in reality.
Doesn't stop it being creepy for me.
I did not have that sort of father, so may be this accounts for my attitude.
Nevertheless I also thought Pips regard for the cradle to be genuine and David touching in that moment of giving.
It seems that Toby might well ' shape up ' as time and fatherhood progresses.
It was Alice who was looking at a picture of baby Rosie on Facebook and Chris who said she is lovely. I took this to be a reference to Chris wanting to start a family and Alice not being so keen.
ReplyDeleteInteresting baby's last name is Archer, and with no Archer-Fairbrother. Though Toby still needs to be subservient to all of Pip's demands and provide financial support.
ReplyDeleteGood heavens, Archerphile, that is exactly what I thought - that David's burning desire to be the baby's father figure hinted at something slightly unhealthy in his attitude to Pip. But I told myself it had been a long, hot day and I was being over-interpretive!
ReplyDeleteI think even T❤️O❤️B❤️Y's detractors would agree that despite being criticised, ignored and outshone, he showed sensitivity, restraint and generosity.
Indeed he did ,Maryellen.
ReplyDeleteYes Maryellen, he did.
DeleteIn fact, the description I'd apply to the quality Toby displayed at the homecoming is 'grace' - which I've also seen described as Barack Obama's overwhelming wuality!
DeleteI see there’s a letter in the Radio Times about the absence of comments in the Archers relating to the heatwave. No response from the editors.
ReplyDeleteThe non-mention of the heatwave has reached farcical proportions - as we are forecast severe thunderstorms and possible floods tomorrow I expect Ambridge to stay completely dry! 😤
DeleteI am in Cheshire and there is no forecast for rain, until Saturday at the earliest!
DeleteI hope the storms are not too traumatic.
Ambridge might well stay dry, as it is in the West of the country.
It is nice for once, that west might be best. Normally we get the "brunt" of the winter storms + gales.
DeleteAmbridge might well miss any rain!
Jennifer might be sorry but I am pleased that Lexi isn't pregnant.
ReplyDelete................yet.
Three times lucky or not?
DeleteSame here, glad she’s not up the duff. In fact glad we haven’t heard her at all for weeks. 😁
DeletePBY, Snap.
DeleteJennifer's voice has been different recently, maybe Angela Piper had a cold at the time.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like I won't find out the real worth of Home Farmhouse because the pollution has brought the price down, perhaps it won't be worth selling it in the end.
Yes that's a point Basia.
DeleteOh Yes !
DeletePerhaps that will extend the story even further........ and longer
Basia I was just going to comment on Angela Pipers "cold" it sounds a corker! As so many episodes recorded at once it will feature for a while I expect.
DeleteCan hardly believe I am saying this but on birth night and last night I did not find Pip's voice annoying- in fact it didn't even sound like her it wasn't jumpy at all. Will it last.....🙏
True - she sounded like a real person...
DeleteYes, somehow J.'s cold loaded voice fits well with the strain & distress she's feeling ! I lost some empathy for her last night when she was so cold & indifferent to Emma's disappointment, given J. has had 40 years of a lovely family home, whilst E. can't even make a start, with elder child already hitting his teens. It's also puzzling that Jennifer is so exercised about the surrogacy - displacement activity for her emotions ?
ReplyDeleteIt became clear that Kate is still in denial about her parents' genuine decision to sell ! I wish the family would pack all the stuff from 'her' room into bin bags & Chuck the lot into one of the yurts - then she might get the point. Of course, this is TA, & it won't happen.
ReplyDelete☑️⛺️Or put her on a slow boat to China.🚢⛴
DeleteStasia may I just add? " ...or anywhere"
DeletePip/Daisy Badger is in a stage production currently, perhaps it's helped her diction.
ReplyDeleteMaryellen, how was the play/Pip? Perhaps it's on the other blog, to me it's Archers related.
Well, Basia (since learning Stasia is pronounced Stasha and someone asking if that meant Basia was pronounced Basha, that's how I've been thinking of you), Pip has been part of the RSC's summer season, appearing at Stratford-ion-Avon in a period drama (which I haven't seen) and Miss Littlewood (which I have), a new musical based on the life of revolutionary theatre director Joan Littlewood, best-known for Oh, What A Lovely War!
DeletePip plays an idealistic young actress in Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop company based at Stratford East (and before that in Manchester). Joan is notionally directing the story of her life and Pip is desperately trying to keep the record straight. She is fine in the part, fresh and engaging, no problem with diction. The best turn in the show was Barbara Windsor's audition number (in sheath dress, high heels and blonde beehive) which had the audience in stitches.
It reminded me, listening to Pip talking in paragraphs, how different 'real' drama (and life) are from soap and sitcom, where characters rarely utter more than two or three sentences at a time!
Hurrah for Susan's gossiping and tittle, tattle. Its good for the soul to have light banter from all the sentimentality and angst. 😀
ReplyDeleteI felt quite sad for Jenifer admitting, without any insight, that Kate is now key to their problems. Kate has what she wants, valuable land for Spiritual Home which as a business wasn't even thriving before the discovery of the contamination. 🕍
What a relief to hear that Lexi isn't pregnant and Lily isn't a Lesbian. We can all sleep well tonight.💤💤
I'm very much looking forward to Robin's visit, apart from the famous Fairbrother charm seeping out of the radio, I think it will help to sort various situations. I'm completely sold on the idea of him buying Home Farm (possibly at reduced price) and setting T❤️O❤️B❤️Y and Pip up there to become the HQ for Toby's gin manufacturing business. Robin is/was a wine merchant (should get on well with Brian) so may be able to supply marketing advice. Out with the Aldridges, in with the Fairbrothers, say I!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea,Maryellen.
DeleteI like the sound of Robin Fairbrother
Why stop there ? They could take over Bridge Farm & Brookfield, TA would become TF, village renamed Ginbridge. They're not farmers, so the land would be given over to massive gin festivals, combined with loud music, tents for the hoi polloi, yurts for the celebs & well heeled, bouncy castles galore, for children & lust consumed adults. Rex would be allowed a corner for pigs, & maintain a taxi service to ferry drunk festival goers between venues...
ReplyDeleteOh Maryellen - sedition !
ReplyDeleteVery clever Carolyn - love it! 👏😂
DeleteOh and I like your idea Carolyn too.
DeleteMock not, Carolyn, my idea has genuine mileage!
DeleteNow here's a worry.
ReplyDeleteWhat will Pip say when Jill presents her with a layette knitted in nylon yarn (pale lemon because Jill didn't know the sex of the baby and crocheted pram cover again nylon which she asked Auntie Christine to help with?
I know that Ambridge isn't having a heat wave but even so artificial fabrics are not ideal in this weather.
We have a Charity Shop where I live which is full of items for children.
One of the saddest things about it (apart from barely used baby carriers ) is the number of hand knitted bootees matinee coats and bonnets all looking brand new.
I can't believe I heard Jennifer say she wished Kate would clean her room. Didn't Kate gtt rid of everything unnecessary in her life for her birthday last year/ What would be left to cluttered her room? Ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, you heard absolutely correctly. She is a dirty adolescent in many respects. Given that the word Spiritual is key to many of her utterances she seems not to have factored the word wrong doing into her life. She should be proclaiming the mantra, unclean, unclean as she wanders round the mouldy yurts, and messy bedroom. I suggest she seek out a real spiritual person and request reconciliation/confession for all her self seeking behaviours.
DeleteStill she brings a certain something to Ambridge, weird.
I like the idea of Robin F. buying Home Farm. If he could persuade Brian to add some acreage into the "sale", could he set up a vine-yard? - as Lower Loxely produces its own wine. This is just food (?) for thought.
ReplyDelete