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Life in Ambridge: Comments week of March 25, 2019
Life in Ambridge: Comments week of March 25, 2019
FREDDIE COUNTDOWN
March 29
March 29
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THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Lanjan - Freddie’s room was searched ny the police. Remember how upset the twins were after the search?
ReplyDeleteHope not confusing - using same photo until Freddie is home.
Good idea, Ruthy, given we gallop through these blogs !
ReplyDeletePicking up a thread from the just closed blog, agree it was odd of Jill to propose a familiy party, quite out of order, insensitive & inappropriate. Makes me wonder if she has a Big Announcement to make ?!
Pip also seemed to miss the point on 2 counts : a) the main reason against is not that the last Brookfield do was awkward, but Freddie's release on licence is hary a hero's return b) nothing puzzling about Lily actually enjoying her call centre job, which is not cold calling but follow up contact. Job satisfaction, Pip, does not only reside in mucking about in a new milking parlour !
'hardly' a hero's...
DeleteOf course ,Ruthy.
DeleteI had forgotten that.
He was not to live there at first, but it was then sorted out with the prison authorities, as Kenton said, perhaps he will see the light and move out to get the licence back.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was such a surprise to all that Lily was actually enjoying herself, being among young people for once. The other repeated theme was: what is Russ doing? Answer: taking care of Elizabeth, he even said the same wise words as her therapist. I know plenty of people who grew up without parents and are not criminals.
ReplyDeleteFreddie, fun, just like Nigel. Elizabeth he will not come back a reincarnation of his father. As Lily said, he has spent the last six months living with very damaged individuals. I also recall someone commenting on him spending time in the gym. He will either be mentally stronger or a broken character. I hope stronger both physically and psychologically stronger.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to hope the same, not a little boy to be pampered after a prolonged stay 'in hospital' and given his favourite toys and foods. Matt learnt about gardening while inside and helped others with reading/writing.
DeleteStasia Agree. He will want to do right by all, and be a better person.
DeleteMaryellen: I missed seeing an Ambridge Observer too, so checked out the site. The last one was dated 10th March. There was no reason given for a gap in production, so perhaps Christine Michael is just away. There have only been 8 editions in all this year, 3 each in Jan and Feb and 2 in March, so she seems not to be writing one every week. Perhaps she waits for an eventful week before setting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard!)
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Archerphile - that confirms that I haven’t missed something and the most likely reason is that Christine has other journalistic irons in the fire, or as you say, is away. It would be unrealistic to think she could keep up the weekly flow forever, and I’m resigned to it becoming less frequent, though hopefully not stopping entirely! I missed Nancy Banks Smith when she gave up her ‘The Month in Ambridge’ column in The Guardian back in 2017.
DeletePerhaps it's to do with funding and the constant, so called "privacy" laws. Am fed up when accessing internet sites, the constant accept this, accept that and messages "turn your ad-blocker off" which if don't, then cannot access sites. Rant Over.
DeleteBack to TA - On Freddies Return, will he have an anķle bracelet, with a curfew, to check his movements?
What does being back "on licence" actually mean?
I have limited knowledge on this, so would love some clarification, as to what Freddie will or will not, be able to do, after his release.
Miriam - so glad you asked because I didn't know either.
DeleteRuthy.
ReplyDeleteI love the continuing photo of Freddie, as I so know what blog is about. 😍😍
I hope that when Rosie's middle name is revealed to Jill she will accept it gracefully.
ReplyDeleteShould that be “Grace”-fully
DeleteYes, or even with grace.
DeleteSo Natasha has an £8000 credit bill. For so many of her age, that is quite normal and it doesn't concern them - unlike me.
ReplyDeleteI still think that there is far more to this.
I still love my theory, which is very different and also one, which has never been in Ambridge before, and not sure if it would be a suitable S/L.
I am thinking, bigomy.
Natasha is still married, and rushed her + Toms wedding through, to suit her in some way eg a scam with the new food web site...
No way - on the bigamy.
DeleteI agree Ruthy.
DeleteTom went to meet her parents at Christmas so unless she really is pulling a fast one and they were not her real parents and all those letter openers apparently from her aunts were some she had bought with her credit card from Amazon or eBay,Ithink she has told the truth on that score.
Check what she has bought ,Tom .
Natasha and Tom: surely it will end in tears. At the least they have quite different approaches to money, at the worst she is some sort of cuckoo in the next. Neither will lead to a smooth marriage. It seems Tom has saddle himself with someone holding quite different ethics and that will strain their relationship. Is her business really profitable or is she hoping to cash in on the farm's income?
DeleteDo we know how long Natasha has been running her own business? Some time will pass between setting up & filing a return, it sounded to me as if her financial organisation is on par with Kate’s ( who tried to bin her receipts and other papers when decluttering as they didn’t bring her joy! Brian intervened) Maintaining a large credit card balance is foolish, I believe transferring balances only works if you then don’t add to that balance and it doesn’t sound like that is what she had done. Tom should be anxious, many couples argue about money.
ReplyDeleteI remember talking with Mr Nuts very early about how we would manage finances, we were discussing our future together and what we would do after we were married, I pointed out that he hadn’t asked me to marry him. His romantic response was “well you will won’t you?” That was 27 years ago & we have never argued about money and our daughters seem to share our values, which is gratifying.
I couldn’t believe it when natasha was so blasé about the £8000 credit card bill. Made me think, even more so, that she’s got an agenda re Tom/Bridge farm. For once dopey Tom seemed to hear the feint sound of alarm bells ringing!
ReplyDeleteDidn’t think Shula could get any more boring but I was proved wrong tonight.
Toby.....just stop the “funny” quips when having a serious conversation with the vicar. 🙏
It was rather cringe making, wasn't it. For once, Pip was honest & thoughtful, more respectful too. Alan is not some kind of servant, there to provide the rituals & ceremony when any silly young dad & vain grandpa want to put on a show !
DeleteAt the risk of sounding too anti-religious carolyn, I thought that was EXACTLY what men like Alan were there for...! 😏😉
DeleteNaughty, GG ! I'm sure they do get used like that, quite cynically, too. I'm no defender of organized religion, but it can become farcical. It's perfectly possible to arrange some alternative arrangements, if you really want a party, & don't belong to any religion or denomination, but I'd rather just see parents bring up a child as best they can & get on with it.
DeleteI wonder what form Natasha had to fill in for HMRC?
ReplyDeleteI think we are going to find out that she is possibly up to her eyes in debt,
She may well have more than one credit card too.
All that silly young woman wants to do is to keep up with her friends who no doubt are doing just the same as she is.
Live now and pay later.
I reckon Tom will have a big payout
I think this might become a more interesting storyline and that many of us will realises that our initial thoughts about Natasha are justified.
Don’t sign that rent agreement Tom.
Certainly that debt revelation wasn't there for no reason...mmn ..
DeleteThey obviously have different ideas about finances. Tom pays off his balance every month which is the sensible way. Wanting nice things to quote N is all very well but why go into debt? This does not bode well for their future.
ReplyDeleteAgree, they both obviously have very different ideas about dealing with finances. The sensible way is to pay off your credit card each month, as Tom does,, so Natasha is not as clever as she would like to think.
ReplyDeleteOh Tom 😱 so now we know what the catch is!! Even £500 paid off drip by drip can take years and what with the expensive rent about to begin.... Natasha I’m with Tom pay up each month.
ReplyDeleteRespect to Pip ( for once) taking Baptism seriously and with honest feedback regarding her doubts to Alan.
Looks like the problems of getting married too quickly, before you really know each other, are just starting to become apparent.
ReplyDeleteTom was so bowled over by N, and so loved up, it didn’t occur to him to check out such basic facts about his new love as her attitude to debt and personal finances. He was so in awe of her successful business and ambitious ideas for Bridge Farm that he didn’t think to check out how she financed that business or her (by the sound of it) expensive tastes in clothes, houses etc.
Well, we have said it before, and now it’s coming true - marry in haste, repent at leisure!
I am sure Tom has more shocks to come.
Remember now someone said the other night about N being minted - driving a car like that!!!
ReplyDeletebut now know differently!
It was Toby's remark that Tom was onto a good thing, well. I know nothing about debt and credit, if Natasha wants to play the system, let her. Tom is cautious because he got caught out more than once and had to beg, steal and borrow.
DeleteNatasha appears to be living on the edge, financially. She seems to have the looks and gift of the gab to convince everyone that she is something she isn't. The emperors new clothes comes to mind. She reminds of those conmen who sell structures like the Eiffel Tower or London bridge to silly individuals with too much money. Will Tom go cap in hand to Tony and Pat and ask for a sub. I don't understand how she can be credit worthy. Will the new house be a joint lease or solely in Tom's name. Tony was right when he initially had reservations about Natasha.
ReplyDeleteToby=child=party= money. He and Natasha would make a more realistic couple. Big ideas, no substance.
In Natasha's defence, a heck of a lot of people in their 20's & 30's are completely comfortable with having thousands of pounds worth of debt - they are very savvy when it comes to transferring to new companies with zero % interest and never actually paying the debt in full. Countless apps practically do it for them! With the introduction of student loans years ago, many young people see massive debts as simply a fact of life. No big deal in any way. And after all, aren't most mortgages just enormous debts?
ReplyDeleteGG. The difficulties facing those with student loans is that they can only earn so much before having to pay back the loans. Unless you have rich parents, most students start life with debt. My partner and myself certainly did ( we didn't have the luxury of loans)
Deleteand it took a long time to reach a stage when we able to feel fianacially comfortable. You are right Natasha has learned to play the system but if she wants a morage then her credit history will follow her. Tom could use the Bridgefarm money pot, curtesy of Justin, to clear any other debts she has, eg, Tax due to the inland revenue.
I just hope that we don't have to listen to months of money management babble!
DeleteI still think that Natasha just may be the (business) making of Tom & by extension the entire farm. But I'm more than willing to be proved wrong for entertainments sake...😏
GG Yes, mortgages are enormous debts so whilst people may be comfortable with large debts such as Natasha’s it isn’t wise when put alongside mortgage repayments, utility bills, food costs etc. She has a devil may care attitude to what to Tom and others who pay off their debt monthly is a big deal. Living beyond your means which is what this boils down to is bound to end in tears. Remember Mr Pickwick - income 20/- etc. So true! I’m not holier than thou on this but my Scots blood comes out here! Also if these debts aren’t paid off who does pay? Maybe the rest of us! One of the factors in the 2008 crash was the amount of personal debt there was.
DeleteWhen I was young and earning a lot less, I carried at least 3 credit cards, student loan and trying to raise a boy in Manhattan, it was very, very difficult financially. Remember juggling what to pay and how long I can delay paying the rent. I know many people, Americans and Brits are carrying a lot of debt. Just heard last week more Americans are defaulting on their car loans than ever - an early warning sign of things to come - I think.
ReplyDeleteIt could go either way with the Natasha/debt storyline, which makes it quite interesting. Either she's good news for Tom & farm, bringing them into the (21, cool about shouldering long term debt, when prospects are so good, or she'll ruin them, through risky business projects & mounting debt.
ReplyDeleteI think it could definitely be ruin for Tom, but maybe not so much the farm as much as Helen, Tony and Pat still have a say in it.
DeleteWho is financing the website development?
This whole argument about debt worries me greatly. I was raised to believe that if you wanted something, you had to save up for it ( for me it started with 6d saving stamps in a Post Office Savings Book!). My parents had an absolute horror of Hire Purchase and would never buy anything using HP. Consequently we never had the latest of anything and we were years behind others even to get a TV
ReplyDeleteI have remained the same until a few years ago when I got a credit card to make life easier and save writing out cheques, but I always pay the full balance off every month.
My two children, now in their 40s are similarly reluctant to get into debt, but eldest grandson now has over £20,000 of student debt and another year to go. That frightens me and the thought of clocking up an £8,000 credit card bill, so casually, frightens me even more.
I could mirror your post Archerphile, up to the point of credit card, never had one, never will, and daughters/ grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest and husband are very careful, but the children have their own money (presents ! ) and the eldest spends and refuses to save, though that may change come September and College.
My other daughter juggles huge four figure sums and investments.
I am concerned, but as adults ...... their lives !
Meant to continue, Natasha may be skilled at playing the money market, but her devil may care attitude and Toms different values combined with parents ethics may bring difficulties to this hasty coupling.
DeleteDebts. Nearly everyone have and use, credit cards, but it is how they are used which is important. It is so easy to get a new one with 0% interest, transfer an amount (for an transfer fee about 3.6%) to pay off in the required time.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if that card is used for further purchases, an interest rate is incurred so it the escalates.
Natasha -
a) How many other credit cards does she have?
b) Expect she has a car loan, or is it a company perk?
c) Why, hasn't her so-called, thriving business been mentioned since the marriage?
On the other hand:- she could be extremely wealthy and in full control of her finances, knowing exactly what she is doing when and how. After all who wants to use capital as a lump sum, when can pay back without any interest.
These are my own, 2 very different views to this situation.
Me - I am "sitting on the fence" at the moment, but it hurts...
Another quick thought.
ReplyDeleteTom + Natasha seem to be about to pay a substanial rent.
This could be more expensive per month, than the mortgage on a new Beechwood Home - but could they raise the deposit?? It, however, could be a good, short term, investment but would Natasha like living next door to Kirsty + Phil??
To add - pay rent or pay a mortgage - surely credit checks will need to be done.
DeleteWill wait in anticipation.
To rent or borrow money, get a new credit card, even buying car insurance (in the US), a credit check will be required. In the US, it takes a lot longer to get a mortgage after the financial crisis of 2008.
DeleteSo very interseting Ruthy.
DeleteNatasha was very scathing about paying off the credit card each month saying nobody she knows does that. You wonder what circles she moves in!
ReplyDeleteExactly Ev! Maybe those posh friends with the lovely homes are amongst them.
DeleteI see nothing wrong with having a credit card and paying the money owing off each month.
DeleteThat is what most of our Posters do ,like me,I suspect
£8000 seems a very large sum though on one credit card
However ,I am told that if you have never had a credit card then you don’t get a good credit rating and presumably Natasha must have a good rating since they have obtained a large Bank Loan.
I think,Script writers ,that we have got the message
Altogether now 🎶”There may be trouble ahead........”
I wrote (or perhaps just thought I wrote!) months ago that I had a plan for Russell. He is destined to make a move on the vulnerable Lizzie as part of his master plan. He is wheedling his way in now and much to my disgust, Lily - who at one time seemed to be beginning to see through him - thinks he is wonderful for her mother. Whether this will lead to a full blown affair just yet, I'm not sure, but it wouldn't be surprising.
ReplyDeleteHowever it is done, we are in for a full blown war with Freddy and Kenton on one side and Russell on the other, with Lizzie and Lily thinking he is wonderful stuck in between. The balloon will go up when marriage plans are announced - Russell's masterplan to avoid work and seize control of the estate over Freddie's head, thus taking his revenge on the latter.
I understand your thoughts + ideas, which ring very true in so many ways.
DeleteI still think, Freddie will usurp Russ, on his return. Why? - simple,
as Freddie knows more about Russ. and the drug dealing with Elliot in the college, than previiusly known.
He will turn the tables on Russ.
Wishful Thinking Only
Lovely to read one of your posts again,FOSO.
DeleteIn case you have not been checking the site recently ,please look in on 8thApril - our first Anniversary.
I must try to pop in more regularly. The Natasha/Tom: Russell stories are all pregnant with possibilities!
DeleteNice to see the anniversary for the board has come and gone. Most business fail in the first year, but this blog is flying.
FOSO How lovely to see your input again. Please keep it coming.
ReplyDeleteI think that there are very many potential furure story threads being woven into TA at the moment. Who knows what will happen next and the future outcomes?? I, for once, have no idea.
'There's so much about you that I don't know' and why does Natasha think anyone would ask her to be Rosie's godmother when the've only known her for 5 minutes? So they've taken out a big bank loan without discussing the details with the rest. Johnny doesn't seem to be a partner, so why is Natasha by virtue of being Tom's wife? Is there even a formal partnership?
ReplyDeleteExactly -regarding the Godmother business.A Godmother is not chosen because she happens to have married the second cousin of the mother of the child .
DeleteOften she is a close friend of the mother not some Jinny come lately.
When my children were Christened the Godparents had to have been Christened also.
.
I am getting even more confused about Natasha.
ReplyDeleteIs she genuine or not, and why doesn't she know anyrhing about her husbands pig business, which surely Tom would have talked about?
I am starting to go back to an original thought I had, which I posted, then dismissed it as ridiculous, but I am now resurrecting it.
It is still very controversial.
The marriage, the food boxes, her life-style and everything she says + does, is just a major "scam", and she is just doing a job (but can't work out the Nuffield Connection - the big flaw in my argument, except she had to snare anyone and/or business)
Her cosmetic, make-over expertise comes from where she was recruited from - a "beautician" in a department store, or a theatrical make-up artist.
My imagination does go overboard at times.
DeleteNatasha is one big con artist.
ReplyDeleteI wouldnt be surprised if there has never been a long term boyfriend.
She has probably been duping plonkers like Tom for years.
Pat is on the ball though.
She has worked her out and won’t let her get away with things.
I agree Lanjan. Tom is being lead like a lamb to slaughter.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you may be right Lanjan. Natasha is a bit 'slick' for my liking and very materialistic, wanting everything now and not prepared to wait and save a bit. Maybe others think huge credit card debts are OK but I don't and pay mine off every month. Pat's on to her but she's the only one questioning things.
ReplyDelete✔️ To all points AV
DeleteLike LanJan I believed that without a credit card, one had no credit.
ReplyDeleteI was told that i was wrong.
All other transactions are checked when credit checked, not just C cards.
When my marriage came to an end, all my husbands debts were paid off first.
I did get a home but no other financial help for the next three years.
I have NEVER owed a penny since in forty five years.
I think Pat is beginning to get the measure of her new daughter-in-law and, hopefully, will keep a close eye on her activities.
ReplyDeleteI’m amazed at the gall of Natasha, pushing her way into Bridge Farm business and demanding she and Tom run the veg boxes as stand alone venture. If Pat and Tony (and Helen) are not careful she will be taking over the shop, beef and everything else whilst Tom looks on with stars in his eyes.
Cue a massive family break up and the end of the successful business they have taken years to build up.
Agree 100%. So if Tom and Natasha is charging a fee, the profits minus the fee will all go to Bridge Farm, right? Still, I don't trust Tom nor Natasha. I still can't believe they were able to get a load for the website venture. What bank would do that? I don't remember that they developed a business plan.
DeleteOh - that should have been "loan" though "load" wasn't a bad slip.
DeleteAhhhh is it to be Home Farm all over again at some point!
ReplyDeleteI presume the 'massive loan' that Tom and Natasha have acquired is some sort of business loan from the bank? If Natasha is not worried about an £8000 debt how much, I wonder, is 'massive?'
ReplyDeleteAs Ruthy says where was the business plan to present to the bank? All other Ambridge enterprises have had to have one recently.
Finally against what is this 'massive' loan secured? They own no house and the business premises belong to Bridge Farm. If it's secured by Bridge Farm did Helen, Tony and Pat agree to Tom borrowing from the bank? It doesn't seem like it?
Perhaps the answer would be to pay the 'commission' that N&T are expecting but charging them rent for the use of Bridge Farm for the 'stand alone' business and perhaps a commission for using the Bridge Farm name?
Should add - If Johnny is planting, weeding and picking vegetables (in between being a full time herdsman to however many pedigree cows) who is paying his wages? Or are Tom and Natasha going to do the agricultural bit all themselves?
DeleteHow come Natasha 'knows nothing' about the pigs? Tom never used to stop obsessing about them.
What happens when the web site goes live and they get orders for 200 produce boxes to be delivered next day?
Uhmmm - 200 portions of organic cheese, 800 yoghurts, 100lbs (454gms I suppose) of sausages, 400 steaks and 50 joints of topside plus the vegetables?
Where are the labels and the insulated boxes? How will they be delivered, by van (would have to be refrigerated.) I presume Bridge Farm has one to deliver the yoghurts and cheese to Underwoods. Will Tom and Natasha rent this or take it whenever they want for their 'stand alone' business.
How come Helen who was an absolute b**ch to Hayley and to Brenda when both of them worked with Tom's earlier enterprises now just lets Natasha in? Yet this new enterprise will take away (as Tony said) business from the shop which is Helen's business.
Oh it gets sillier and sillier!
I wonder what Helen’s rent/profits situation is, In running her cheese-making business from Bridge Farm, using its space, products, utilities etc. Is there an existing model here, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteFOSO, How did your op go. Well I trust.
ReplyDeleteNatasha says she and Tom carry all the risk in their new enterprise. Not so if they are using Bridge Farm Logo, then the whole enterprise is at stake. You are not quite the brilliant business woman you think you are Natasha if you don't understand that,neither you cant trade on someones good name and expect commission. Non of this makes good business sense.
Spiceycushion. Brilliant analysis. Natasha's "vision and expertise" has now secured a "massive" loan. Reminds of the company who presented a plagiarised copy of a Chinese restaurant business plan to the government, which netted them £11 million + and they didn't have any ferries.
ReplyDeleteIs Bridgefarm divided equally between T, P, H and Tom. Has Tom used his quarter as security for the Massive loan? Ruthy is right, after 2010 and the collapse of many banks obtaining loans is more difficult. I really do question her current business ventures re fruit juices.
My goodness, the more I read about this T & N venture and its relationship with Bridge Farm Ltd, the more I realise the scriptwriters are missing huge chunks out of the story.
ReplyDeleteOK, I know we wouldn’t want to be bombarded with the minutiae of the financial paperwork and blow by blow accounts of every detail about the project - but really, the holes in this story are huge.
So many aspects haven’t been discussed between T&N and the rest of the family, some of which have been mentioned by others, above.
If only it were so easy to set up a new farm enterprise delivering meat, dairy products, fruit and vegetables all together, apparently with no additional workers and no fleet of suitable vehicles, I’m sure every farm would diversify this way. Natasha seems to have dreams of Bridge Farm becoming the next Ocado!
This smacks of lazy story construction to me, for the sake of signalling possible family conflict.
I think Natasha married Tom because his surname is AAArcher. She might have been interested if he was a C....., but no chance if his surname began with X, Y or Z.
ReplyDeleteI have just listened again to last night’s episode and on second listening thought
ReplyDelete1) What a cheek to ask Leonard to paint a picture of a horse for Shula.
In fact to ask anyone to paint anything -unless it is a garden fence - is so unfair.
How many hours will that take him?
Surely that was not the idea at all
2)Veg boxes
I bought one once but didn’t get a choice of what was in it and there were far too many turnips and parsnips and there was something I didn’t know the name of.
Most of it was made into soup.
3) I wonder how much Natasha andTom are paying the Design Company?
4) What sort of family does Natasha come from?
Mother sends her to Sunday School and father tells her that she need not go so she didn’t.
I wonder if Mrs Cymru ever found out?
(Do we actually know Natasha’s maiden name?)
Thomas.
DeleteI think Pat is more wary of Natasha muscling in after what happened with Rob taking over, understandable I think.
ReplyDeleteIs Natasha as successful as she says? I suppose we will find out in due course, in the meantime I do find her rather unsettling, one moment delightful eg when doing Jill’s makeover, but at other times quite pushy/arrogant.
Hope you're right about Pat, KP. She seems to be the only one of the Bridge Farm clan (apart from Johnny perhaps) that is wary of Natasha. After her cosy little chat with Tony on the way to the wedding, he seems to be going down the same path as his son - can see no blemish on the 'juice goddess' (as Susan calls her!), and Helen completely isolated in her own little bubble of misery.
DeleteBoth Tom and Helen seem to sleep walk into relationships. Both easily lulled into doing what others desire, like puppets on a string. All ending badly. Will Natasha be any different? Lee seemed like an nice ordinary bloke, but Helen is still living in a nightmare. What needs to done to wake them up?
ReplyDeleteNot sure Helen sleepwalked into Rob's arms. She was very determined to 'have him' even though she knew he was married. She stalked him (as she did with Lee to start with) and managed to get Adam and Ian to invite him to dinner when he first arrived in Ambridge, where she flirted with him throughout the evening.
DeletePoor Kirsty had to put up with Helen's misery when he told her he was going to mend the marriage with Jess.
When Helen told Pat she was moving in with Rob, very soon after Jess had left, Pat was very upset as she worked out that Helen and Rob had been 'carrying-on (to use an old fashioned phrase) When she queried it with Helen Helen threatened to never allow Pat and Tony access to Henry who they had helped to care for for three/four(?) years
I'm afraid it was "What Helen wants Helen gets."
I agree with you all though that she needs, if not psychitric treatment, then counselling at least to get through the trauma of her marriage.
A timely reminder, Spicy, one source of the dislike some of us feel for Helen. Yes, she had no compunction about trying to pull a married man, & she did behave atrociously towards her always supportive parents.
Delete✔✔
DeleteOne thing is obvious.
ReplyDeleteThe new TA, with Jeremy Howe in charge, is giving us so many ideas, debates, speculations, as to the ongoing S/L's.
I just love reading all these wonderful posts.
Freddie's release is now looming.
I bet he will only mutter a few words- such as - "I'm sorry Mum".
That rings true, Miriam !
DeleteIan must be back from Bulgaria, Adam could have mentioned that in passing.
ReplyDeleteWhen will a new character be introduced into the programme who actually comes from the area?
ReplyDeleteThe North easterners amongst us will probably know whether he is a Geordie,from Teeside or from Wearside.
I favour the latter myself.
I think he is from Sunderland and I don’t think Alastair is very pleased with his ideas.
No more am I.
Tonight's theme. : employees getting harrassed. Adam clucking around the perfectly capable Ed & Alistair in formerly independent local vet meets modern business strategies & imperatives from his employer ( & finds it very uncomfortable). Much sympathy to them both.
ReplyDelete✅
DeleteYes 100%
DeleteIn some fairness to Adam, Ed doesn’t have an unblemished record with Home.Farm equipment. Nice to hear from Josh again - another well-acted character.
DeleteWhat’s up with Adam? Has Ian returned with bad news or something? He is not usually so wound up about work, micro-managing Ed and fussing like an old aunt. I think there is something on his mind, bugging him - wonder what it could be?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Tom draws a larger director’s salary from the Bridge Farm business to compensate for not having free accommodation etc like Helen and the other contributing director’s do? I guess that would apply to Natasha as a contributing director too, wouldn’t it? I’m not at all clear which of the enterprises based at Bridge Farm come under the Bridge Farm business umbrella and which are individually owned, (ie. not simply a named individual’s responsibility). I know the tea room is a concession. Presumably the expenses associated with the goats come out of Pat’s pocket because they were a personal present from Tony, same with Tony’s hobby tractor(s). What about the goat’s milk? Does the family drink some and the rest gets thrown?
ReplyDeleteI believe the shop that Helen 'runs' is part of Bridge Farm. When the shop in Borchester (?) closed they decided to open up the new shop by including Helen's organic health stuff with the Farm Shop at Bridge Farm.
DeleteI don't think the cheese is Helen's own business. I would think that Bridge Farm provides the wherewithal . I mean she would not have had the money personally to buy all those pedigree cows, would she? I think she just makes the cheese for Bridge Farm as Pat does the yoghurts?(or used to)
Tom's sausages are part of Bridge Farm because there was the trouble when Tom fed non organic feed to the pigs and Tony said it would affect the status of the whole of Bridge Farm.
I think I have remembered that correctly.
I don't think Natasha is a director yet. She may charge a 'consulting fee' though!
If I remember correctly they make yoghurt with it to sell in the shop.
ReplyDeleteI don’t see why Natasha can shimmy in and become a partner just because she married Tom. She has her own business and surely could carry on with that if it is viable. To be fair to Helen, she is a daughter who has had a rough ride and her parents are looking out for her. I have deep suspicions of Natasha. There may be troubles ahead..........!
ReplyDeleteHelen needs to face the music, and deal with demons.
DeleteEv, I questioned that as well, they don't seem to have a similar set up as Home Farm.
DeleteWelcome to the real world of business, Alistair. It's a world of, dog eat dog, or your out. Was Josh the appropriate person to share flogging the Lovell James scheme with, although he grasped the situation very well.
ReplyDeleteI shall never have lunch or afternoon tea in Fallon's establishment. The music was deafening and not to my taste. My anxiety levels would have been raised and I'm not so sure I'd have been so polite to Mr, "I shall be monitoring your performance", Lovell James.
There is a lot of research on the impact of different styles of music on behaviour in public spaces.
Does Pat ever look after the goats? She’s always too busy surely making , wait for it, “only soup” for lunch!😆
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chuckle.
DeleteThe goats have decamped to Lynda's.
DeleteLynda has agreed to keep quiet about the animals finding her hands more soothing on condition she gets to keep half the milk.
Shall we all move to Ambridge - even though farmers abound it appears to be the most Brexit free place in the UK. (Thankfully as it goes at this very particular time 😱).....
ReplyDeleteAlistair is to be joined by Jakob, another equine vet, where is he from and will we meet him?
ReplyDeleteAnd how long will it be until listeners start trying to partner him up with one of the other characters in Ambridge?
DeleteSigh, yes. He could be a happily married man with 2.5 children, but unlikely...
DeleteAll we know is that he's Swedish, so we can be grateful that he won't be another soundalike.
DeleteLady R. Yes Ambridge seems almost "idyllic" at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIs this "the lull before the storm"? Not sure what though:-
Freddie, Natasha, Alistair, Adam + Ian, Ed + Emma?
Would love to hear Lynda, Robert + Jim again as they seem to have been quiet for quite a while, and so want The Gills (plus sons) to be heard out and about, in Ambridge.
Agree I thought we would hear from /more about the new inhabitants of Home Farm!
DeleteThe storm could come from just about any of the people you have listed Miriam 🤭
My thoughts + ideas do go very OTT many times, this I know. Just love Ruthy for this site, where I can then express my TA "wacky" thoughts with like-minded TA addicts. 😀😆
DeleteAll I can think when I hear about Natasha is: “What Natasha wants Natasha gets.” A very unhealthy attitude in my opinion. She is like a spoilt child and so very adept at getting exactly what she wants that Tom and his family don’t even seem to notice how she is manipulating them to get her way in just about everything. I don’t trust her one inch and think the Bridge Farm family is in for some very unpleasant surprises.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts re Natasha- go from good to bad, then back again. I just can't work her out, which I find so intriguing, as I do with Jill + Leonard.
DeleteMy only definite thought, is that Russ has to be removed from LL. somehow.
Natasha has been very dismissive about Tom's pigs, saying she knew nothing about them at the meeting and that he couldn't see the world beyond them after a visit to her posh friends. She knew it was his line of business when she married him.
DeleteVery nice to see Nigella Anglophile either back, or still with, us.
DeleteMay I very politely say, that I am loving this Freddie Countdown - just 1 day now to go.
ReplyDeleteHis return to Ambridge could go in two ways - it's 50/50 as to how he reacts.
It will be interesting
I think Freddie will be 50 in the the bad way. More drama for the s/w's
DeleteOh! Well done, Tom! Natasha is having her wings clipped and no posh Penny Hasset house for her!
ReplyDelete✔️ 👏🏻 Good for you Tom however - is it to be “marry in haste & repent at leisure “ and where to now Bridge Farm 😱?
DeleteWell it looks as if most of us are right about both Natasha and Tim.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that the cows that escaped or whatever excuse Tim gave to Ed meant that his married lady friend had a free afternoon after all so would he like to pop over!
I be ver thought I would say it but.
Well done Tom.
At last you have shown a bit of bottle.
I don't think it was a lady friend - Tim sounded genuinely cheesed off by the message. But it wasn't cows: when Ed asked if they were alright Tim was momentarily nonplussed.
DeleteI'm disappointed, Tim seemed a genuine good-egg when he first appeared. But there's definitely something fishy going on.
Wow, Tom has stood up to Natasha who *is * mired in debt. She won't be told how to run her business but she likes telling others how to run theirs. He should have told her before cancelling.
ReplyDeleteTim, please pay Ed double and I don't mean in pints. Was it just the cows that slipped out?
William, no he can't let go. I wonder if Oliver will step in and everybody will stay where they are.
So an episode focused on finances, credit cards, debts, rent etc. which is so topical today.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if any of these 30-40 yr olds, pay into a pension scheme - which is now getting so very relevant.
My "late" father made me set up pension funds, when still only 29yrs old. How wise he was.
I now benefit from his bullying advice.
Well done,Tom, not so besotted & blinded that he can't balk at 15k debt( £900 for a wedding dress, just a buffet down the local, hastily arranged in 5 minutes ! Honestly) She hadn't actually covered her tracks, it seems she's bought into this lifestyle, presentation is all, blah, blah. She believes all that, but underneath is probably pathologically greedy, into instant gratification, & addicted to spend, spend, spend. He did right to cancel the Penny Hassett place.
ReplyDeleteWhy are Will & Clarrie so surprised that Mia's school work is suffering ? There's no mystery
ReplyDeleteShe is grieving for her mum, everything has changed, including a hormone upsurge & she's being little mum at home.a holiday, fine, but the girl needs more than a week's escape to get her life back on track.
Message to Tom and Alistair: Read the small print!
ReplyDeleteAttitude to money and debt is one of the issues Mr and Mrs Archer needed to talk about *before* they committed to marriage. Maybe if they hadn't been in such a hurry to nab an implausibly available but highly romantic date for the wedding ...
As for Alistair, surely he would have discussed business models and company expectations before signing the contract? Or at least look into what service and charges Neville Lovett offered their existing clients.
I don't know, I think I should move to Ambridge and set up business. I have zero business experience and no spare cash, but in Ambridge that doesn't seem to be a problem. I haven't decided what the business will actually *do* yet but it will have a flashy website. It won't involve tabbards. Anyone care to come into partnership with me?
ReplyDeleteEH UP!!!!!! Tom grew a pair in the course of an afternoon!!! 🤭
So tomorrow is Frexit! It should be more interesting than Westminster.
ReplyDeleteThe newlyweds did well this evening, at least Tom remembered to shut the door so his house mates didn’t hear.
Frexit- brilliant KP 👏🏻
DeleteLet’s hope Freddie’s return is not a Friday night let down after all the build up!
(I’d rather over hear the newly weds arguing than.... 😱 😂)
Friends of mine saw posters promoting Frexit when travelling through France last year. Frentrance? Stage right or left?
DeleteYes, go Tom! At last he's stood up to his new wife who is totally out of order in making light of such a large debt.
ReplyDeletePoor Will and poor Mia, struggling to carry on with their huge load of grief.
Maybe someone could set up a massage parlour in Ambridge to aid the stressed-out inhabitants!
Well, it didn’t take too long for the scales to fall from Tom’s eyes re Natasha and her extravagant ways, did it?
ReplyDeleteNot a good outlook for their future as a business couple, let alone a married couple.
Repent at leisure Tom!
Oh, well done T♥️O♥️B♥️Y!! You were the clever one after all. A news report this morning says the sales of G♥️I♥️N have doubled in the last year, thanks to all the artisanal versions now available. He was on to a winner and now it’s been proved he was right.
ReplyDelete(Must admit ‘Scruff’ wasn’t specifically mentioned, but it must have helped spread the interest, don’t you think?
Absolutely, Archerphile! I believe you can buy Scruff gin bottles though, sadly, minus the gin.
DeleteI’d quite like one of those bottles as a souvenir. The lack of gin wouldn’t worry me as I don’t actually like gin very much - prefer whisky or Armagnac for a spirit!
DeleteNatasha to Tom, 'what's yours is mine and what's mine is my own'. Tom now believes that the £15,000 debt is also his responsibility, he is still a prat in my book. She created those debts in her name he can't be responsible for clearing them.
ReplyDeleteNow T, N and J are going to be homeless, or will they now be reduced to living over the shop? Will Bridge Farm be sprouting more bedrooms? Didn't Natasha leave a lot of her stuff in Helen's bedroom in the hope that it will eventually be hers, lock, stock and shop. Tom you have been led up your own farm path, how much will it cost to exit this marriage?
On second thought. perhaps Natasha deliberately left her credit card bills lying around, but does dopey Tom have the funds to pay them off.
Tom may have bagged the queen of business speak, but she is now a financial handicap.
Is this his comeuppance for jilting Kirsty? I do hope so.
Love it - the queen of business speak - is just brilliant.
DeleteI wonder what else will surface??
Question - is E and L picking up Freddie? Have a feeling we may only hear him utter 1 word and that's the cliffhanger gift the SW will give us.
ReplyDeleteMy thought is 3 words - I'm sorry Mum.
DeleteThat's wishful thinking
Ruthy may I make a polite comment?
DeleteI have loved the same photo on the "on topic" board. It is then easy then to quickly distinguish between the 2.
Perhaps this could be done, for say, 4 weeks at a time?
My thoughts only.
Miriam - I would love to do this - would be much easier for me. Let me think about it...
DeleteIt is now 6.50pm
ReplyDeleteHere we go:-
Will Freddie be reformed or just become an obnoxious extra?
I for one, am intrigued to learn whether Freddie will have learnt his lesson or just goes totally "of the scale".
As said, posted before the 7.00pm TA episode on 29/3/19. 🤣🤣
Well, Freddie sounded a reformed character - not!
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's just bravado and relief to be out. The apologies and remorse will come on Sunday. Unless he's stopped for speeding on the way home ...
.................or manages to kill himself, Elizabeth and Lily in a pile up. Well it would make for a different Mothers' Day and numerous new story lines!!😢
DeleteMy thoughts too BB !
DeleteI was hoping there would have been a change of actor.
ReplyDeleteNo such luck.
I was surprised at Tom.
ReplyDeleteSurely he would understand that Natasha would want to go + see her Mum, on Mothers Day. That is not un-realistic.
I don’t know which part of Wales Natasha’s parents live in but I dare say it is quite a drive to their home so I wouldn’t expect Natasha to go there orTom to think that she would do so.
DeleteIt is the worst day of the year to try to get a meal in any pub or restaurant without booking in advance.
I once made the mistake of driving about 35 miles to take my mother and mother in law out for lunch on Mothering Sunday and spent much of the time going from pub to pub trying to find one where we could eat.
Do we know if Natasha has grandmothers who are still alive because if so her mother might be visiting them.
I was surprised she sprang iton him at the last minute and flatly turned down his presence there. Makes you wonder whether this is just a cover story.
DeleteThat was my immediate reaction too Ev. I thought she might be meeting someone else. Didn't she say 'You're not invited?' I would have thought that Natasha's parents would have appreciated a visit from their new 'son!'
DeleteDoes the village shop still do newspapers I wonder? That's the only reason I could think of delivery lorries stopping outside at 5 am.
The small independant shops that I know of ( 3, including a 'community' shop) all get their supplies from a cash and carry depot. The shop owner/ manager goes to the cash and carry to collect. Many years ago we heard about regular visits from someone (I think it was Pat) to the cash and carry.
I hardly think that a delivery lorry would regularly deliver something like 12 cases of dog food and 5 or 6 jars of sweets!
I thought Freddie sounded refreshing - thankful for fresh air and drive a car - freedom. Will have to wait and see how he reacts to Russ waiting at LL.
ReplyDeleteI agree, first moments of freedom, what else would one expect from him so soon ? At least he wasn't in some catatonic bubble as he apparently was in the earlier stages of his sentence. Why did you want a change of actor, Lanjan ? He was utterly convincing as spoilt little rich boy before, whether petulant, whining, lying or avoiding.
DeleteI think I hoped that perhaps prison had actually done some good and that when he came out he would have sounded less like he did before.
DeleteI really did not like him for the reasons you gave Caroline and perhaps I thought a different voice may make him into a different character.
I actually feel sorry for Lily because her mother does not appreciate anything she has done.
Lanjan - I very much agree with you Lily does not feel appreciated. Mom wants to get better for Freddie's sake, when she should really want to get better for her own sake. I see Lily spending more time away from LL and eventually going back to Manchester - with Russ in tow - sadly.
DeleteVery much with you both, Lanjan & Ruthy. Shame she still sees Russ as her rock - the girl just wants some approval, & encouragement, & that is what he tactically provides, plus getting in with the natives, nauseatingly as he did tonight with good natured Jolene. Elizabeth was an utter pain in the butt, stupid with it. Yuk.
DeleteI felt sorry for Lily when she had to ask 'Did I have a christening gown?' E does not realize how her concentration on Freddie might affect Lily and how hurtful it is being.
DeleteThe Archer gown was probably made with love by a family member - possibly Jill.
DeleteThe Pargetter one will have been bought at Harrods or, if older still, sewn by a posh seamstress or the family nanny (depending on the Pargetter fortunes at the time). There again, perhaps Nigel's mother bought it in Mothercare and cut the label out.
I'd go for the Archer gown any day : )
Tom and Natasha - in early stages of married life - they have to figure out finances, which side of the family to visit for various occasions, birthdays, etc, etc. At least Tom was able to talk her out of the fancy house - I guess now I understand as they need to be kept in Ambridge to keep SLs going.
ReplyDeleteYes, they both showed some signs of trying to see the other's point of view, & seeing ways to compromise. Tom was right, they've led very different lives, it's going to be Rocky ( don't mean in the sense of Russ being A 'rock', which he isn't !). I hope their marriage survives
DeleteFreddie sounded like he was putting on a “cool” front, hopefully some remorse will show at some point.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth really needs to show Lily some genuine appreciation.
Pat has already suggested that Johnny returns to Bridge Farm, at least for a while.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Tom and Natasha found out that Hannah has already got the flat over the shop.
OOh yes could be!
DeleteI thought at one point the cliffhanger was going be a car crash (or maybe a speeding offence and straight back to prison)
ReplyDeleteSo Natasha and Susan 😂 should be fun.
What a pair T & N are ditch the house lose money then T plans to spend on a luxury meal out and something else I can’t recall - oh dear senior moment...😂
Wonder if Freddie”on” something? Easily got inside we are led to believe!
ReplyDeleteYes, had visions of Freddie careering down motorway at 100 mph, being caught then straight back to clink! First impressions, he hasn’t improved! E’s favouritism I still think recalls Mrs Thatcher’s attitude to her twins!
DeleteI agree with the Mrs Thatcher comparison Ev. Mark, despite being a bit of a tear away, always seemed to get Mum’s approval, or at least, indulgence whereas Carol always seemed a bit sidelined - at least that’s what it looked like from TV and newspaper reports.
DeleteDoes Elizabeth really not realise how one-sided she is being with her twins. On and on and on about ‘my son’ (oh dear, that brings back memories!) and hardly a word for Lily.
She is going to drive Lily away at this rate. She feels completely unappreciated and second best. But will Russ still be there to compensate or will he divert his attentions to Elizabeth?
I am not sure you are right about Mrs Thatcher Ev and Archerphile.
DeleteI know she was upset when he was lost in the desert but who wouldn’t be ?
I mentioned before that my mother was helping with teas at a Cricket Match at Harrow School when Mark Thatcher was playing and he was the only one whose mother wasn’t at the match which my mum thought was very sad.
She was possibly the same with both children.
Who knows?
I think like some other wealthy parents -obviously by no means all -the children were sent to prep schools and then Public Schools so they only saw their children during the holidays.
I can’t see how they can know their children properly.
(I am reading the excellent autobiography of Tim Waterstone who foundedWaterstone’s bookshops and although he came from a much more affluent family than I did and isn’t that much older than I am ,I would have hated to have had a childhood like he had.)
Incidently the mother of the actor who plays David in The Archers committed suicide when he was at Harrow School.
That is so unbelievably sad.
I wonder. Did Russ pay for his coffee. Or was it another freebie? Is Lily subbing him with pocket money from her earnings?
ReplyDeleteDrugs are rife in our penal institutions, I also thought Freddie's response was over the top, perhaps some wacky baccy before facing Mum.
Lily and Elizabeth need Russ. He provides warm, comforting emotional validation for Daughter and Mother, and in return lives the life of Lord of the Manor, wandering round Ambridge with his little sketch pad.
Don't forget the hot dinners Russ also provides and he'll be the best Easter Bunny ever.
DeleteI was surprised at Jolene saying in front of Russ she'd have a word 'with that man' Kenton.
My thoughts when we first heard Freddie last night were “Oh no, he hasn’t changed a bit! “
ReplyDeleteAnd as for letting him drive the long journey home, when he hadn’t been in a car for over 6 months and was all hyped up, seemed a very poor decision. If I had been Lily I should have insisted on driving at least part of the way until Freddie had calmed down a bit.
And did I hear any signs of remorse or apologies? Can’t quite remember, but I think not.
Archerphile✔️✔️✔️
ReplyDeleteI thought Freddie would have been grateful and releaved on his release. But no - as cocky as ever - to me it wasn't realistic.
ReplyDeleteFreddie hasn't quite realised the consequences of his criminal record on future prospects Jobs, travel, insurance, but never mind eventually he will inherit LL. He certainly won't see his name above the drinking door. But then unless Elizabeth wakes up there will no LL. Hold on to your seat belts we are in for a long ride. Freedom means what?
ReplyDeleteIs Natasha another Toby, dashing here there, and everywhere spending money. At least we knew where Toby was spending his time, or so he said. But then lies also trip easily off his tongue. Have you moved into Rickyard? Er, yes.
Elizabeth is not showing the healthiest attitude towards her beloved son and heir. There is maternal love, concern and defence and there is............! Is she confusing him with Nigel! 🤔
ReplyDeleteE reminds me of a mother I once knew whose son had a few drinks too many and ran over and killed a 59 year old man. Son was convicted and went to prison. Mother bemoaned the fact that he was in there “with all those criminals”. E has similarly not accepted that Freddie did wrong but sees him as a victim. He could have killed someone by his actions. Her attitude of indulgence showed when she didn’t object to him driving home even when it was obvious he was not going to do it safely. I hope they get home in one piece!
DeleteAgree wholeheartedly Ev.
Delete✔️ 🙏🏼
DeleteIt seems from the so many wonderful commrnts posted + read, it seems Elizabeth is the one, to sort things out - but can she?
ReplyDeleteI still think she is still very delusional, and is her own world with her grief + thoughts about Nigel. This is overwhelming her, so Russ + now Freddie, can manipulate her.
I would love to hear how the LL Accountants + Trustees, assess this current situation + its viability.
It puts Tom/Natasha + debts, Eddie/Clarrie/Joe with Grange Farm, Ed/Emma and their new home, into a different, but still fascinating perspective.
All are having their problems, in differing ways.......
My thoughts only,
DeleteBut I so wish that Kenton sorts his monies owed to David out, and starts paying back the debt he owes.
Kenton will pay back in his own time, in the meantime he's looking after Lower Loxley which is in great financial straits.
DeleteYou should never lend money to anyone unless you can afford for them not to be able to pay it back-even a sibling.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteYes Lanjan - sad but true.
Delete✔️ 😕
DeleteNever a borrower or a lender be! Wise words!
DeleteListening to Russ the other night felt more and more like listening to Rob. Very uncomfortable.
ReplyDelete