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Life in Ambridge: Comments week of 22/May/2019
Life in Ambridge: Comments week of 22/May/2019
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Aaahhh.........bacon!
ReplyDelete........fresh as well..........enjoy! 😋
DeleteNo more cricket chat from me - you must all be fed up with it by now!
ReplyDeleteBut what I would like to comment on this morning is Emma and her obsession with owning her own home.
Nothing wrong with that, obviously, it’s what we have been brought up to expect in this country where home-ownership is almost a given. (Unlike some other countries where it is more usual and accepted )to rent.
Emma seems to think that everything will be wonderful if/when they move into their own little rabbit-hutch on the new development. And, the thing that worries me, is the way she always says it’s what she and Ed really, really want - that and the expensive new sofa.
But I’m not sure it is what Ed really, really wants at all. He was disappointed at the size of the place when they were shown round by Justin, the fact that there was no access to the back garden, nowhere to park his boots in the porch, or his vehicles near the house.
He is just going along with Emma to try and fulfil *her* dreams and taking a huge risk working for Tim, to please Emma
If they do manage to buy the house, Emma will be delighted at first, but the lack of space will soon become an issue, the mortgage repayments a huge burden, and arguments could soon ensue.
It could be the worst possible thing they should do.
The main thing is though ,Archerphile ,is that it will be their own home.
DeleteShe won’t have her mother in law faffing about all the time.
Do we actually know that the sofa was expensive?
However I do think that it won’t be too long before Emma realises that there are pitfalls to having a tiny house especially when Ed needs somewhere to store his machinery.
Re Ed.
I think that either Emma is going to find out about what is going on with Tim’s dodgy practice or Ed will get out quickly.
I do not believe we can have another Ambridge resident doing porridge.
I couldn’t agree more. I think Emma will have a reality check!
DeleteI was actually of the opinion that Emma knows full well the work for Tim is dodgy but doesn't care much as long as the cash keeps flowing in. Listening to Emma and Ed, I felt reminded of Natasha and Tom. In both cases, it is "want, want" for the women and the men are doing everything to please them when they should perhaps be a little more critical or hesitant about fulfilling their wife's every wish. Come to think of it, the same could be said about Jolene and Kenton, although Kenton tried to be reasonable about the photos at first.
DeleteI felt sorry for Ed and agree with Archerphile's comment above ("It could be the worst possible thing they should do"). Spending more time with the kids instead of working all the time might be more worthwhile than striving for something they cannot really afford and that could make them really unhappy.
Absolutely ✔️
Delete354am.
ReplyDeleteBit early for bacon,P tbY but pleased you are feeling well enough to want some.
True Yorkshire grit.
You remind me of Amanda ,the Yorkshire shepherdess who was on last night(channel 5 ,7pm ).
If you need a feel good factor ,please watch that programme.
It is a tonic
Amanda has nine lovely ,well behaved children
Jill could do with watching the programme.
Lanjan. Does the sheep dog round up the nine children?
DeleteIt doesn’t need to.
DeleteI have never seen such well behaved children in all my life.
There is one really lovely bit where the little six year old boy has decided to save up to buy a farm.
He has decided to sell certain things.....
Delightful.
I agree with Archerphile, last night Emma listed her dress, Neil's drill and a deposit on a sofa, all the things that money can buy, including houses. Ed said that he just wanted her to be happy.
ReplyDeleteProperty ownership involves loan repayments as well as maintenance costs.
Exactly Basia. I find Emma a very confusing character and I blow hot and cold about whether I actually like her! Sometimes she can be lovely, as with Mia recently. At others she can be really nasty, pushy and too much like her mother for my liking.
DeleteHardworking, most certainly, ambitious for her family, fair enough, but she also can be bitchy and jealous too. A bit of a Marmite character to me..
Well put Archerphile, Emma is a character of contrasts.
DeleteThis leaves us to be often puzzled by her behaviour.
Emma will be the ruin of her family - which is would be awfully ironic seeing as everything she (misguidedly) does is supposedly for their betterment. She is the one who cajoled Ed into doing dodgy work with Tim. She knew exactly what she was doing and poor Ed had to give in I suppose. Can you imagine the moaning he would have had to put up with if hadn't? As I've said before, she seems to be under the impression that if only she owned a house then life would be sorted. No thought seems to be given to quality of life. Endless hours working crap jobs for the both of them, no proper time with the kids or for relaxation, no money for holidays, arguments driven by stress over money. Negative equity anyone? Can't wait to see it all bite her on the backside!
ReplyDeleteYou're sooo mean, GG ! Don't think she did know 'exactly what she was doing', rather she closed her usually alert brain to the danger signals because she could hear the rustling of £50 notes. Only human.
DeleteI like the fact that she's not perfect - a 3 dimensional character , unlike some in TA. Could cite Shula & Jazzer as examples of those who are not ( opposing types, but equally predictable & unnuanced)
Sitting in a quiet Lubeck street, enjoying coffee & vanilla strawberry tart...
Oh good on you, carolyn! I can just picture you there. Have a lovely time!
DeleteEmma imagines life will be perfect when they get 'the home of their dreams' (actually her dreams) but doesn't factor in all the pressures of paying a mortgage and living in a small house with a growing family. She has a chip on her shoulder and can be really nasty, nagging and bitter. She does have a nice side sometimes but we don't see that side often enough. She is indeed a Marmite character and I'm not a fan.
ReplyDeleteI like Emma because she is a hard worker.
ReplyDeleteShe is often misguided but is doing what she thinks is best for her family.
Her husband is weak especially where she is concerned which is a pity because “whatever Emma wants ,Emma gets”
I do want things to work out for them.
Unfortunately things working out for people doesn't seem to be on the agenda for The Archers these days.
DeleteEd is very subservient and is dragged along by Emma. Maybe he needs this but ironic that he apologised for snapping at her but no apologies from her for doing the same thing. He is going to have to keep doing this dodgy work for Tim to fund the house and new settee. I would have thought she should have discussed it with him before putting the deposit down. Poor Ed , hope he doesn’t end up in court!
Delete👏🏻
DeleteI very much hope Ed will not end up in court, but fear he will.
DeleteThen all his problems in his youth will be dragged up ( strictly for the purpose of educating new ' young' listeners), including the Ed/Will/ Emma triangle.
Then of course the Grundys will be down on their luck again.
And so it goes on. And on. And on.......
Rather than her dream sofa, I would have thought that beds, curtains, kitchen things such as a kettle, a microwave, pots + pans, etc. would be more necessary - but they are so boring.
DeleteI hope that Emma has measured the settee, so that it not only fits in the living area but they can actually get it into the house! I had this problem shopping for a new settee + chairs a couple of years ago.
Still what Emma wants for her dream home, she is determined to get it, by fair means - or not.
Ruthy, so sad your hummingbirds have not returned. Is it too late or is there still time for them to get to you?😥
ReplyDeleteRoy as relationship counsellor, ‘never mind Mate at least you tried’. What exactly did Tom try, he couldn’t give Natasha a big 🏠 house, no magnificent holiday in the Bahamas🏖 🇧🇸, grief for accumulating large debts£££, and a beef Dinner with wilting flowers.
Like the Terminator Natasha will be back, unfortunately for him, the farm and my ears. At least she will approve of Jazzer not being around! Tom should have consulted her on the £4000 He gave away. She is the last of the big spenders, mostly other people’s money.
He needs to experience a bit more suffering for his previous unceremonious dumping of Kirsty.
As somebody said, revenge is sweet!
But best served cold ............
DeleteMrsP...like custard. 😀
DeleteCold custard Miriam ?
DeleteI can't think of anything nastier.
Kirsty brought her dumping on herself. If she had paid less attention to wedding stationery and more to the man she was supposed to love and cherish, she would have realised Tom was in a critical mental state and hopefully taken appropriate action. So any further retribution should include her.
DeleteAgree, Maryellen but he should have had the courage to duck out before she reached the church!
DeleteTom was advised by Peggy the night before as I remember so he could have contacted Kitsty before she had her hair done. But the poor man was in a dreadful state.
DeleteSurely the money Tom is giving to Jazzer, is from his own pig business which Natasha has nothing to do with. If the same situation had happened at her juice business, she would not have consulted Tom.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can see/hear, they both have thier own independant business's and the only joint one, is this new fangled Bridge Farm App.
I bet I am wrong again.😣
Sweet last scene for Joe, with him and Poppy together.
ReplyDeleteWilliam is getting too good at covering up. I hope there is not a bad accident with Poppy at work with Daddy. I suppose it is more likely to be a longer story of Poppy tired and struggling in school and Will being less and less able to cope.
I'm not sure that 'Kenton' suddenly paying Dave the whole amount borrowed is going to make things better between them.
Especially if ‘Dave’ ever finds out where Kenton got the money from!
DeleteAs no doubt he will AP.
DeleteI knew he would smell a rat..,.
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 to all three comments
DeleteWhat sort of mindless individual leaves a five year old child with a ninety+year old man? The answer is Will, who is treating Poppy like she is the parcel in the game of ‘Pass the Parcel’. Joe (the character) sounds half dead already so the next time he nods off into slumber it may be for the last time. Mr Joe (longpockets) Grundy will (let’s hope) leave a stash of money 💰 hidden in the cider barn.
ReplyDeleteExactly ,Stasia.
DeleteI think the population of Ambridge might have the lowest IQs in the Country.
(See following comment)
Unlike many folk I didn’t take to Joe.
I couldn’t be doing with the way he always used everbody’s Christian and Surnames and also he is /was a scrounger .
To me he wasn’t a loveable rogue.
However it must be me because I find Bert boring.
Most folk seem to love him.
His poem’s (I can talk ! ) are pathetic.
He is a character I wouldn’t miss at all.
This is heresy.
Who is this ridiculous woman who likes Tracey but not Bert?
As for the Terminator ( I love that Stasia)
I didn’t like the way she spoke either.
Kirsty to me didn’t put a foot wrong.
What girl when she is about to get married is not concerned about wedding stationery etc.
Tom in a critical mental state?
Bolony.
Does everyone in Ambridge need Counselling?
I think someone who obsesses about table confetti or whatever might need counselling! Kirsty does have an obsessive streak. I liked her best when she narrated one of The Canterbury Tales.
DeleteAbsolutely! When David discovers that Kenton has avoided his responsibilities by taking money from their mother he will be so angry, with Jill as well as Kenton. I foresee permanent rifts, and God knows how it will eventually play out with Jill's will.... I'm also disappointed in Jolene. She's usually very practical and clear-sighted, but her head has been turned by visions of fame and fortune (not a very realistic storyline).
ReplyDeleteThé Brookfield Archers have a rich heritage of falling out over money!
ReplyDeleteWhen David finds out, as he surely will, there will be an even bigger and more bitter row than over the inheritance of the farm.
Jill now needs to think about her will very carefully. As I have suggested before, she must ensure that Kenton’s ‘loan’ is taken into account when she decides how much to leave to
whom.
Shattered today, arriving home v.late, but caught up with TA, & agree with most comments.
ReplyDeleteGlad Clarrie was firm & clear with Will for once - the man is clueless.
Leonard is a very decent man & a delightful character but he stepped over a line, I felt, in tackling Kenton. As for Jill, forcing her middle aged 'boys' to make up & shake hands - cringeworthy ! David, in particular, must have wanted to throttle her, along with Kenton, of course.
Don't have any thoughts about her will, presume she would make fair adjustments.
Why has Jolene become so silly ?
Another scenario is that Kenton did not use Jill's generous offer of her money, but Leonard's.
ReplyDeleteHe cares for Jill and he just wants to see her happy. He did say that he was going to give her a surprise present, later that day - was that it?
IF this is the case, it will be Jill
who gets upset or even angry.
Time will tell, but I expect it will be a long time in coming.
I was thinking that way too Miriam.
DeleteLeonard gave Jill lemon sherbert.
DeleteLanjan. I agree with you about Joe, I have never found him to be a nice person, especially his feet and ferrets. Wouldn’t touch his cider I imagine it’s rat flavoured!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t miss Bert, we haven’t heard him or his doggerel for a very long time. I can’t recall what he sounds like.
I might be wrong but no one actually commented on Leonard/Jill giving Kenton the money. I initially assumed Kenton took Jill’s money offer, and then I thought, did the money come from elsewhere. Maybe I missed something during the conversation with Jolene, the fading ageing Dolly Parton of Ambridge, does she have big hair and large bosoms?
I miss Bert.
ReplyDeleteWhy, no idea.
He is though, one of the last very senior Ambridge residents, who have more principles, courtesy and understanding, than many of the younger Ambridge residents.
Bert is really the only character who can now take on the mantle of male village elder after Joe dies, following in the footsteps of such characters as Jethro Larkin, and of course, Walter Gabriel.
DeleteBut somehow he doesn’t quite fit the bill for me - though he is a true countryman he hasn’t got the slightly ‘rough round the edges’ persona the others had , nor the reputation for being a bit free with the law. He is too well scrubbed and law abiding to take Joe’s place, and definitely Walter’s!
I don't recall or know Gabriel or Jethro, so I do not know what I have missed. Sorry 😣
DeleteTo me, Bert is kind.
He has taken in the Fairbrothers, loves his gardening and helps Carole T. out with hers, (Glebe Cottage, Jill's property), is and has been a stalwart at Brookfield, and loves Rosie. There is nothing that I, personally, cannot fault him for.
Just my own thoughts, as usual.
......and he is boring.
DeleteWhy don't they go to bed now..
ReplyDeleteInstead we had to listen to a travel brochure, all because Tony made the phone call.
DeleteCuba, Natasha's back in charge.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dreadful dreadful woman.
ReplyDeleteWhat a weak weak man.
What a load of yuk.
What terrible words.
“I’m here to stay”
What a shame
There is one episode I won’t be listening to again.
One whole episode on that bloody tosh !
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't believe a word of it.
Also last night, in David's presence, Kenton apologised to Leonard for having to go through it again, a bit of a give away and confusing too.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that, too.
DeleteCuba - that idea has not suddenly appeared.
ReplyDeleteNatasha on her return, took over the app business meeting, informed Tom about their honeymoon, played the loved up "Mrs. Archer".
What will happen when they are in Cuba, where the internet, mobile phones etc, do not always work. Is this a ploy?
I think that Trev. will be in control + keeping this scheme/scam going along.
No, Natasha, you are not 'a good team'. This relationship has nothing to do with team work; you call the shots & he comes running
ReplyDeleteAren't we all cynics? I thought it was sick making but then she started going on about what a wonderful honeymoon they are going to have in Cuba, the latest 'go to' holiday destination it seems and it all clicked. She hasn't changed at all! I believe she's still on the make!
ReplyDeleteNatasha sounded very false, going from refusing to answer texts/Emails & phone calls etc to suddenly dashing in & joining the meeting & then gushing all over Tom & being all lovey-dovey. Tom should have been much more cautious in taking her back til he knows her plans!
ReplyDeleteI have just one comment after listening to an entire episode of N & T slopping over each other:
ReplyDeleteHmm...how long this time?
What a wet episode. Totally fake Natasha and Tom taken in by her. Yuk. It won't last.
ReplyDeleteI like Stasia's description of Jolene as Ambridge's Dolly Parton. I do imagine Jolene to be bouffant hairdo and large bust with cleavage showing.
Natasha is fake imo. I think she has been with Trev fine tuning this next phase not with her parents and I even doubt Tonys “call” “Please Tom don’t mention it to him.”?
ReplyDeleteTom is so besotted / glad to be able to scrape his pride back up from the floor that he would agree that black is indeed white if it pleased THE
Mrs Archer.
Let’s hope a honeymoon baby doesn’t come along 😱
When is Lexi’s baby due by the way?
.
Someone mentioned elsewhere that the 'implant,' (what a horrible expression for creating a new life? IMHO only!) took place on January 8th so a while to go yet.
DeleteI actually do think that Tony called Natasha - he is almost as besotted as his son!
ReplyDeletePerhaps, when she heard how devastated Tom was, and how much he (andTony) wanted her back, she thought she’d take the opportunity to have another go at taking over.
Goodness only knows what Pat is going to say, especially if she finds out about Tony’s phone call. I think she will be the only one in the family not to welcome the Welsh Witch with open arms!
Oh, and by the way, where are Helen and Johnny these days? We haven’t heard their thoughts about Natasha’s disappearance - or yet, their joy or misery at her return.
Helen, similarly to Roy the other day, opined that Tom & Natasha were 'made for each other'. Both have history as poor judges of character & situations.
DeleteI also think Tony did contact N. - he talked to Pat about doing so, though she wasn't in favour of interfering.
I am surprised that Tony knew how to contact Natasha.
DeleteHe diesn’t seem to be the sort of bloke who has “contacts” on his mobile ‘phone.
For whom exactly are the script writers writing this rubbish ?
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that we are typical listeners and as far as I can see ,not one of us was impressed by last night’s episode.
Can you imagine the likes of Stephen Fry,Michael Howard or David Blunkett being glued to the radio at 7pm any more?
I can’t.
Still the same writer as last Sunday's dreadful episode! He really does awful 'love' scenes, then again imho he does awful 'shouty' scenes too!
DeleteNot really a spoiler but...
He's also writing next week too. That's three weeks in a row!
Something to look forward to, Spicycushion then!
DeleteCan hardly wait.
So are we going to have a shouty ,sexy scene?
Now who could that feature?
What a dreadful 13minutes. Natasha returns cool as a cucumber 🥒 in a flashy set of wheels. Leo was definitely impressed with her sporty 🚙. Back to square one for Tom, eager to please,
ReplyDeleteCuba 🇨🇺 Is not cheap despite her air miles.
Ninety % of the episode devoted to two silly characters, the acting was awful. The BBC should have employed a Mills &Boon writer! Tom Archer is not a strong, manly, husky, hunky husband. He would need Natasha’s permission to sweep her into his limp armspits. Can I kiss 💋 you darling wife, my own Mrs Archer? 👎👿
Re Tame and Gnasher. "Stone the ******* crows!"
ReplyDelete👍🥴
Delete😂✔️✔️✔️
DeleteI think they did employ a Mills and Boon writer,Stasia.
ReplyDeleteI was waiting for Tom to gaze into the deep amber pools of her lovely bright eyes,
Perhaps he did and I missed the moment.
I actually wondered whether she had returned because she found out she was pregnant.
Of course if so...is it Tom’s or Trevor’s?
Tame and Gnasher -great Pierre
Delete✔️✔️✔️😁😁
Haven’t listened to this episode yet but can’t believe she’s back. Oh, no! Had hoped it was the end of her!
ReplyDeleteFraid not Ev.
DeleteYet more to come I fear.
Today’s Guardian has a feature article entitled Archers reveal all: Tour lifts the lid on secrets of Radio 4 favourite. It’s about the All About The Archers tour at BBC Birmingham. What I thought would most appeal to bloggers here is that fans can create their own episode in the studio. Mine would be 14 mins of T❤️O❤️B❤️Y!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite S/L (posted before) which I still love, is an unknown elder brother who is a half-brother to Nigel, who appears to claim LL.
DeleteThis character will have to be played by Graham Seed.
Or what about a bankcruptcy story with the obvious candidate of Tom?
Did you learn much ,Maryellen?
DeleteWhen I read the book entitled something like “David Archer and Me” or “My life as David Archer “ by the actor who plays David it was mostly about his childhood and other parts he has played.
The one thingI did learn was that each actor is paid per episode and that in one episode Joe only said one sentence but was paid as if he had spoken for most of the 1/4 hour.
Not about the dramatic content, LanJan. The journalist was mainly talking to the guide about the studio tour, which focuses on the mechanics of production, particularly sound effects. She dodged his question about TA listeners being geeks! I did learn that hot and cold water sound different when poured, and if cold water is used to simulate the sound of tea being poured, they are liable to get listeners complaining. The actors do actually lie down for bedroom scenes, because voices sound different depending on body position.
DeleteFallon and Harrison were there filming a promotional video when the journalist visited. Harrison said the weirdest thing about radio acting was that you didn’t look at the person you were tailking to and the nicest thing was the anonymity. Fallon said she liked working on TA because it allowed her to take other jobs without being typecast in a soap.
The tour costs £15 for an adult (same as Freddie’s ill-fated tour at Lower Loxley). It struck me it could be something bloggers who meet up might like to do together.
PS. There was one quote in the Guardian article which related more to the programme’s general content. The actor playing Harrison said: “There’s a risk of the Archers becoming pure nostalgia for 50s Britain, but I’m happy to say it isn’t. It’s become much more diverse, much more reflective of 21st century Britain”.
DeleteI went to Cuba, on a small group tour, which was throughout the island, about 8 years ago. It was brilliant but very different. Luxury no, as rationing was still a part of normal life. Meals were basic, often just tinned franfurter sausages with rice + beans, then-eating ice-cream off the dinner plate, as no other crockery! The hotels were like stepping back in time - one was a 70's throwback with the original furniture. It was so much fun, though.
ReplyDeleteI expect that Natasha will have found something very expensive, in a hotel, which could be almost anywhere in the world. Just Sea, Sand + SxX...
This should have been on the "off topic" page.
DeleteApologies. 😆
I'm not in the anti-Natasha camp. Mainly I'm pleased she's back because I like her accent and her joining the Bridge Farm Archers has a lot of possibilities. Who was running her business during the past month while she was with parents in Wales? I know she can do remote management but can she trust her staff to leave them for a month?
ReplyDeleteEither your campsite is a small one Hedgehog at Hollowtree or there are a lot of empty tents I would suggest.
ReplyDeleteI’m in the next door tent to Hedgehog at Hollowtree! I’ve never heard the evidence that Natasha’s sole aim is to take over Bridge Farm that other listeners say they have heard - and if she is, she’s going a very funny way about it. On the other hand, I’m slightly concerned about Leonard Berry’s motives, his
Deletefins to Jill, and the way he is insinuating himself into Archer family affairs.....
....fibs to Jill.
DeleteDid someone or perhaps more than one person think that Leonard May have paid Kenton’s debt ,or did I imagine it?
DeleteI am not at all worried about Leonard.
Are the fibs you have mentioned about his artistic talents,Maryellen?
If so he probably told Jill he enjoyed a bit of painting (meaning the fence) and was too embarrassed to tell her later what he really meant.
To be honest I think that was another weak (if trivial) storyline.
As to Natasha, is it is normal practice for a young woman to play hard to get one minute and then rush into marriage the next before rushing back to mummy and then returning to the perplexed unhappy husband?
DeleteShe is a nasty piece of work that one.
I think she is probably in more debt than she has told Tom about and needs him to bail her out.
How is the Cuba trip to be financed?
Leonard has told Jill he can't paint and resigned from Shula's committee because he feels a fraud living in Borchester - that's Jill covering for him.
DeleteI'm really not sure about N., which (possibly !) makes this one of the more interesting SLs, even if the other night was yukky. Inclined to think she's just out to dominate Tom, have everything her own way in the marriage, rather than engaged in some calculating take over of the farm. We'll see. She's certainly a reckless spender, that's been highlighted in flashing lights, so maybe she'll be the ruin of them all....
ReplyDeleteI am puzzled too about the character 'Natasha.' I think we are now being conditioned to suspect all and sundry of having an ulterior motive. With Natasha there are a few possiblities.
ReplyDelete1. She needs money so as to live the life she wants, flashy cars, new clothes, expensive holidays and she needs to pay for all these.
2. She wants to secure her future by insinuating herself into a successful established business to be a back-stop if her own ideas fail.
3. She has a 'personality' disorder (whatever that means nowadays!) where she needs others to control and boss around.
However
1. She doesn't seemed to be concerned about debt and is quite happy to shuffle her debts around whilst accumulating more.
2. She certainly has worked on securing Tony's good will and getting her way via Tom over Pat. Who knows about Helen? -she seems to have been left out of the Bridge Farm business discussions.
3. She is a control freak. If so that is awful laziness on the part of TA team as we've just had years of this with Rob and Helen.
I'm inclined to the third option and am very disappointed if this theme/issue is to be re-hashed.
Natasha certainly paid Tom back for cancelling her big house. If she doesn't get the 'honeymoon' she wants, will she disappear for another month until he has 'learned his lesson?'
Like others I too am puzzled by Natasha.
ReplyDeleteI don't fall for her. Welsh accent, manipulation, and switching moods combined, ring warning bells for me.
Nevertheless I am not sure that it is all planned, though sometimes appears to be so.
Like Spiceycushion I have thought on several occasions that the subject of ' control' is being re visited but with genders transferred.
Yes, if so, very lazy of TA team to be dancing down this road again.
As to Cuba, I understood that this was the holiday destination of at least a decade ago.
Why does her Welsh accent ring warning bells? As we're being derogatory about a person with a Welsh accent, do you think she will steal Ed's prize-winning sheep, or are you worried that she is in league with Kirsty's man?
DeleteAnd we heard Edward Kelsey last broadcast today, made two weeks before his death.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely for that actor to be able to maintain work right to the very end.
However we may feel about him, Joe will be missed when he finally goes.
He certainly will, MrsP. Not many authentic countryside 'characters' left now, and it's starting to lose that countryside feel that made it so distinctive.
DeleteYes, I certainly shall miss Joe. Another link to TA history gone. RIP Joe.
ReplyDeleteThere was a flannelled fool called Tom
ReplyDeleteWho lost his head to a beautiful! brilliant woman called Tash,
She came to him without concern owing everyone lots of cash
demanding trinkets and a house, driving cars with flash
and speed all to impress the trousered fool who says no,
As punishment for uttering no she leaves him with dinner burnt
and returns to the valleys to mope and cry, or so she said it goes
So Tom the fool on her return will now pay the cost of such a love
Plus the debts that will arise when next we hear the two love doves.
Apologies for writing such drivel, my response for having listened to drivel.
Well Done, Stasia.
DeleteYou have it spot on.
Not drivel at all, Stasia - certainly nowhere near the drivel we found ourselves listening to on Friday !
DeleteA good antidote, thanks, entertaining & probably spot on...
I heard Natasha say to Tom - in the omnibus - that their Cuba honeymoon will be the best time they will ever have together.
ReplyDeleteI found this strange.
Does it mean that she is planning to depart again afterwards - or is it my imagination going into overdrive again.
I don't trust her.
I stand my thought that she is just a Sheming Little Madam.
I would love to see Tom happily married, with a family of his own and cousins for Henry + Jack, so perhaps Natasha returning will realise this.
Miriam. She is a narcissistic scheming me, me and more me. Otherwise she is traumatised little girl, trying to impress all the big adults. Somehow I don’t think so.
DeleteI am surprised that Tony is so taken with Natasha.
DeleteAll I like about Natasha is her accent (not voice) because it stands out, otherwise she's a paper cut-out, she's only pleased when far away from Ambridge.
ReplyDeleteTom was into debt before his previous wedding attempt, so this time he married first.
He and Kirsty got together three times, didn't marry, went away only to get back and lose a baby.
What is the point of all this, I care not.
I am having another thought about Kenton paying back David.
ReplyDeleteKenton refused Jill's offer of money, but after talking to Leonard he said to Jolene shortly afterwards - what do I do about this offer?
I thought that Leonard was personally lending the money, but what about he did, but Jill passed her funds over to Leonard, who then passed them onto Kenton?
Kenton thinks that Leonard has helped him out, when it is Jill all along.
Just another possible TA twist.
I assumed he went back to Jill & accepted. I don't think either pride or decency would persuade him to take money from Leonard. Also Jill sounded quite accepting, so that said tome Kenton had changed his mind.
DeleteObviously I got that wrong- yet again! 😂
DeleteJust thought it could be different, as that Kenton didn't want to directly accept Jill's offer. Oops!
You may well be proved right, Miriam; was only offering my view on things, as you were.
DeleteI don't think Kenton would have accepted L's money if he rejected Jill's.
DeleteWell done to who said where st Shula was heading, she clearly expected Alan to fall over backwards!
ReplyDeleteHe did his job, very clearly. A well written scene. Shula being encouraged to 'think', a challenge indeed for her.
DeleteT'was me who suggested Shula might have 'a calling', but it wasn't a very difficult guess as the SW's do flag certain things up in a very unsubtle way! 🙄
DeleteYes they do BB - and like you, I felt ordination was likely to be Shulas ' calling'.
DeleteI wonder how Dan will respond to his mum, Shula, with her thoughts about ordination and training at a theological college Shula could then end up, very far away from Ambridge + The Stables.
ReplyDeleteIs this why Freddie has now moved in, to take over?
Another idle thought.
Probably yet another pointless comment of mine!
DeletePS Are Dan + Dorothy still a couple...
Are we in for months and months of Shula wrangling with her conscience about whether to become a Vicar. It going to be terribly boring and worthy.
ReplyDeleteI hope she decides to do good works instead, like help at the homeless shelter or food bank or visit the elderly and do their gardening for them - she’s good at weeding.
It sounded as if Alan had hit the spot when he asked Shula if she was sure it wasn't just another 'project.' Her almost tearful reaction because he didn't praise her was very telling I thought.
DeleteIsn’t marriage about pulling together? Surely Tom should have been more angry with Natasha as she had left him and then returned weeks later breezing in as if nothing had happened. What is she about? Maybe her parents got fed up, chucked her out and she has nowhere else to go!
ReplyDeleteTom is totally under her spell, she has got him exactly where she wants him - dangling on the end of her strings like a puppet!
DeleteWhen she pulls a string, he jumps!
He is so besotted and probably worried she might disappear again that he’ll agree to anything she wants. Remember her reaction when he questioned her credit card bills? He won’t do that again!
Shula - SL as we anticipated 🙄
ReplyDeleteI agree that Tom should have been more angry with Natasha than he was. She acted in a really childish way, cruel also and he just acted pathetically grateful that she'd deigned to return to him. Is it really a good idea to have an expensive honeymoon when she has a large debt? I think not and Tom should also think about that but he won't.
ReplyDeleteI think Natasha ran back to Trev, not to her parents, which makes no sense since they live so far from her business..like everyone else, I would not trust her.
ReplyDeleteI think you may have a point there Ruthy.
DeleteTom has grown up in the shadow of his dead brother. John was no saint and if he had lived a full life would probably have further blotted his copybook. It is hard to live up to a memory of someone and I think Tom has always felt inferior and therefore more susceptible to controlling behaviour such as Natasha’s. It could be this early tragedy also had it’s effect on Helen. I am no psychiatrist, just mulling over the possibilities! Could just be that love is blind!!
ReplyDeleteYes, & I do dislike the way people are lionized after their death, especially when it casts a shadow over remaining siblings.
DeleteShula & Kenton are 60/61, aren't they. Hardly a good investment for the church, so I wonder if ordination would even be considered, on the grounds of the alone.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Shula has a calling, surely that would have manifested before, but a desire borne of emotional need, a need for purpose & recognition. Maybe when Alan next speaks to her, he might bring in the quality of humility ( often underrated) & remind her of many other ways to serve....
'on the grounds of age'.
DeleteFrom a 2018 report in the Daily Telegraph, Church of England dioceses are abandoning their individual upper age limits for training for different categories of the ministry (ranging up to 62 years) in order to allow older people in their late 50s and early 60s to train. “60. Is the new 40” said the Bishop of Winchester. I think Alan would have cited age atthe outset of the discussion, had that been a barrier.
DeleteMost likely the reason for this SL then! Everything that comes up in the news has to be crammed in these days be it on tv soaps or TA! In either case it usually involves going “off piste” for the characters used in them 🙄
DeleteAh, glad to have that point clarified. Aren't our SWs up to date !
DeleteStill doubt she had a calling as such, guess that will emerge during a rigorous assessment.
Ref. Archerphile yesterday 10.27pm : agree, this could lead to months of tedium in this case. However, it is intrinsically a very interesting issue, religious & / or personal doubts, crises. Such matters have been explored in fiction & drama most effectively in depth, but it's hardly TA style.
A country vicar posting elsewhere says that one does not just walk into Mordor (Sorry!) the priesthood!
Delete1. Most dioceses do still have an upper age limit.
2. Theology has to be studied up to diploma, foundation degree, or BA level (again varies by Diocese and by age at entry point.
3. It would probably be a position dictated by the Church so she would most likely have to leave Ambridge.
I'm not sure what Shula and Marjorie Antrobus had to do to become Lay Deacons many years ago but presumably was some sort of Bible and religious instruction.
Should have added that previous dubious morals would possibly be taken into account! The affair with Doc Locke, the silence over the hunt saboteur, the silence over the guy that beat up Debbie (Can't remember his name but I think he hit Shula, she said nothing but he then really beat up Debbie?), her speculation about whether to have a 'fling' before she declared to Alistair that their marriage was over, and finally her very un-Christian attitude to Usha in the Vicarage. Even if some of these incidents were not publically known in Ambridge, has Shula acknowledged her dubious behaviour to herself?
DeleteSorry first post should have been 'Lay Readers.' Not Deacons.
DeleteI welcome this storyline as something meatier and more serious than family bickering and resurrected bunting. If age had been a barrier, I am confident Alan would have mentioned it at the outset because there would have been no point in continuing the discussion if it was. I am also confident that capable Shula would have researched what the training entailed, and not been daunted by it. She has several times previously mentioned the possibility of leaving Ambridge in order to pursue new objectives. (Clearly an opportunity also for the actor to leave the cast if so desired.)
DeleteDidn’t she fancy going to Africa to do good works there or am I mixing her up with a member of the Royal Family?
DeleteMaryellen - You are assuming that the scripties have researched the topic. I am not so confident.🙂
DeleteSeem to be verbose this morning, but here goes, anyway : don't think Natasha is a female Titchener, as has been suggested, she's a species of control freak, yes, but it's more about life style aspirations, & a spend, spend, spend sickness.
ReplyDeleteI am with Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteNatasha is someone who knows what she wants, and will get it, no matter how and who she comes across, in the process.
I am still think that Natasha is whisking Tom away to Cuba, for a reason - I say this not knowing, when they are going, which could make a difference to my thoughts.
The Bridge Fresh App. is due for its launch soon, and the owners + instigators, might be elsewhere. Surely a new business, such as this, would need 24/7 attention as there has to be many teething problems.
Who will be doing the deliveries?
To add - do Pat,Tony, Helen + Johnny - realise how much this will cost them in a monetry way.
DeleteAlso, they are the ones who will be producing the majority of the items, at a cost to Bridge Farm, to be included in this new scheme.
Natasha has self admiration and a grandiose sense of self importance. She is preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, and her own intellectual brilliance. Remember the business gobbledygook. She appears to crave attention and is willing to exploit with exclamations of love, but if her desires are not met she becomes cold emotionally. She needs to be fed constantly with how wonderful she is and Tom fulfils that role. Tony has also fallen into the trap of feeding her craving for acknowledgement of her importance. She inflates her self importance by acquiring things that reflect that position. Flashy sports car, expensive perfume, couture fashion etc and expected Tom to approve her business status by renting a big house. When he failed to achieve her desires she withdrew, in what I would describe as a tantrum.
ReplyDeleteI remain unconvinced about her business acumen, and have no idea what she actually does with these fruit trees.
For a women who previously sold make up how does she become an expert on growing fruit? She doesn’t own land and managed to business talk Tom+ into planting fruit trees that as far as I can understand will take a good few years to come into making any money. The pigs were supposed to romp around the orchards, but she talked Tom into getting rid of them! Jazzer spotted her personality and he may be right, unfortunately he was on the receiving end of her exploitation.
Shula as a vicar! I’m glad I’m an atheist, her lack of decisiveness fills me with dread. She might benefit more from doing Russ’s Stations of the Cross ✝️ asking for forgiveness from those she has hurt.
A damning analysis ! And probably very close to the truth.As for Shula, she's able to manage her business, is not totally incompetent, but has little understanding of others ( taking Elizabeth out to the pictures or something, never anything really helpful, easily panicked, not reporting Titchener''s behaviour at the hunt, far more concerned about her role there than Alistair's worry over Crawford, completely insensitive about his shock when she opted out of the marriage, giving no coherent reason, getting all prissy about the gossip when he had a one night stand, & so on & so on). No, not a person to be in authority in any situation, let alone a spiritual mentor.
DeleteTotally agree with Stasia and Carolyn in their analysis of Shula and Natasha, two less than likeable but interesting characters!
DeleteGreat analysis of Natasha, stasia. Makes sense to me.
DeleteStasia - I am also thinking like you, with very similar thoughts
ReplyDeleteI just do not believe that she owns her so-called fruit juice empire.
Why - easy.
She said to Tom, that whilst she was staying with her Mum + Dad, all she had to do, was to look on various web sites, as to fantastic places to visit - Egypt, Morrocco + Cuba.
Why was she so upset + bored, that this was all she could do - when she has a juice empire to run. She also has a new major trial contract, for her juices, with a massive hotel chain.
My questions are-
a) why was she so bored, with nothing else to do,
b) where has the new car come from
c) why didn't she reply to Tom, when he said "I love You"
👍🏼
DeleteSo the Cuba honeymoon is in August. Do they realise that is part of the rainy/hurricane season??
ReplyDeleteI could have done without the smutty comments.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. A bit unnecessary. Obviously they HAD to have Tracey cause the accident to Chris!
Delete😒
Ooo-er - who would trust Natasha after tonight's little goody, goody show ?
ReplyDeleteNice to hear Kirsty & Philip all loved up.
Kate - a figure to be mocked.
Easy to plonk Kate and Tracy into the script as the, let’s give the listeners a bit of humour. Their function is to highlight the pretensions of everyone else.
DeleteOne down to 🌍 earth and the other living on another 🌏.
I want to shake Kirsty every time she goes into her ‘all I can do with my life is fold towels’ routine. Let’s hope Philip can energise her into doing something positive about it. I thought Natasha didn’t put a foot wrong this evening. I’m still happy to give her the benefit of other listeners’ doubt.
ReplyDeleteNatasha oozes insincerity.
ReplyDeleteShe loathes Ambridge and it’s inhabitants.
It is so obvious.
She hated the cricket.
She hated talking to Kate about Hilda.
Perhaps Phillip her Countryman will sort her out.
He may have the measure of her.
Kirsty has changed,Maryellen.
She never used to whinge on about stacking towels.
I can’t think why a woman like her hasn’t got a better job.
Has she any qualifications?
What did she do before she stacked towels?
👍👍
DeleteI reckon we are starting a new 5weeks Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteCertain characters will vanish and others like Kirsty,Phillip and Kate will reappear.
I think you may be right LJ.
DeleteNot just Philip and Kirsty this evening but Kate too.
But an overlap with Chris, and did we actually hear Alice ?
I know she was mentioned.
So perhaps we will lose Jazzer and his side kick for a while now.
They have become a very good double act.
Well that was the best cricket episode ever. Well done Tracey for bringing a bit of entertainment to the single wicket.
ReplyDeleteHope Chris’s googlies survive (sic)
On another topic, it’s only 2 weeks to open farm Sunday and no one has given it a mention at Brookfield.
Or Brexit chaos. Need for MEP election and the PM standing down - all very pertinent issues for Ambrohe
DeleteAmbridge - of course 🙄
DeleteI wouldn't fancy being an elderly resident of The Laurels and being visited by Hilda!! What a liability. Doubt that Kate has thought it through.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed with all the health and safety regulations there are about at the moment ,that Kate is allowed to take Hilda into the Home.
ReplyDeleteProbably she is not! I don’t suppose Kate would have bothered to check first, she’ll just waltz in expecting to be welcomed with open arms.
DeleteNo doubt Chris will retire to her bedroom and lock the door! 😾
I've heard of dogs being taken to Care Homes and Hospitals but not cats.
DeleteThere are cat cafes where you can sit and have a cup of tea/coffee amongst several friendly 'house cats.' But cats are different to dogs and like their own territory. Taking a highly strung cat into strange surroundings ,I would think, is asking for trouble.
Some care homes do have their own animals. I visited one that kept 🐓 and the clients looked after them. I watched a programme about goats visiting care homes and the change in the clients facial expressions was wonderful.
DeleteI am a cat lover but Hilda sounds too difficult.
Where are these cat cafes Spiceycushion?
I’m amazed Peggy is allowing her beloved feline to be taken of her care. One of the residents might smother it. Here’s hoping!
Deletestasia I had seen a clip about them on the tv. Must have been regional news. A quick googleshows me that there is one in Herne Bay and one in Tonbridge. Maybe more in other regions? If I visited I wouldn't want to leave!
DeleteThere is also a lady who takes two llamas into care homes to amuse the residents. They even go up in the lift to see residents on the first floor! I think they are very popular!
DeleteIn a perverse way I enjoyed last nights episode. Kate’s response to Natasha talking a about maximising profits at Spiritual Home was amusing. Natasha will certainly get a surprise if she has the HOT STONES treatment!
ReplyDeleteKate obviously has a wonderful relationship with Hilda, but hasn’t done a risk assessment on how she might use her fangs and claws when interacting with clients at the Laurels. Christine certainly won’t want to participate in Hilda Ogden, cat 🐈 therapy.
😂😂😂 Enjoying your comments very much, stasia.
DeleteStasia,there is a Cat café in London somewhere.i think it may be called something like The Cat Emporium .
ReplyDeleteHowever you would have to pay to go there even before you have bought your cup of tea or whatever.
I think its in Crouch End or near. I remember a cat mad friend telling me about it a long time ago.
DeleteMany care or residential homes have a resident cat.
I've come across a number that have, when researching for my mum, or visiting friends.
Good to hear all this; aside from Hilda & her ilk, cats are such soothing companions......purr...
DeletePS ....but Kate isn't. The combination of her nonsense & Hilda snapping & snarling would be enough to cause severe setbacks to the Laurels' inmates. Be warned, staff !
DeleteI am sure that The Laurels has a good supply of antiseptic + plasters, which I think might be well needed.
DeleteMiriam, they are going to need them.
DeleteI find it odd that Natasha needed Tony's phone call which made all the difference, to come back, as if Tom's entreaties were not enough.
ReplyDeleteTonight showed why she needed Pat or Tony on side before staging her return. I'm now beginning to swing back to the idea that she IS planning a take over ! Equally, she could be genuine - not nearly as clear as it was with Titchener ( he showed his true colours as soon as we heard him speak to his wife, Jess, if not before) but this is different.
DeleteQuite a clever, intriguing SL....
Interesting that she said last night that "I will be running 'Bridge Fresh'" then quickly changed to "We will, Tom and me."
DeleteTonight she will 'consult' with Helen and Johnny about what to do on Farm Sunday! I just hope that Pat keeps her suspicions going because she's not going to get any help from either Tom or his equally besotted father!
It's all about materialism with Natasha isn't it? She's going to take advantage of evryone and everything at Bridge Farm, (nest of idiots! BNFI as it is referred to elsewhere!)
Strange that Jill should be so sniffy about Josh having a girl stay over when all she could do about Pip was to giggle and nudge, nudge with Ruth when first Matthew then Toby stayed the night. Perhaps it was because Pip was in a separate building across the farm yard? Still Jill needs to remember that the house is now Ruth and David's domain.
Interesting contrast between Natasha’s fired up approach to Bridge Farm”s Open Farm Sunday and Brookfield’s lackadaisical one. I hope her promotion succeeds.
DeleteWell if I am correct I reckon we will have almost 5weeks of Natasha.
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds so false to me .
What about Josh then?
I would have thought it would be good manners to inform one’s parents that a guest is coming for a stay over.
Ruth didn’t bat an eyelid.
Must admit it would have been polite. I just got the impression that Jill was disapproving about a girl staying the night but Ruth about his lack of manners. Still if they got in late last night it wouldn't have been possible for Josh to wake his parents to ask permission.
DeleteI wonder how Jill, Ruth + David would have reacted, if they all had been woken up, knowing that thier alarms are set for morning milking, to be asked, can a friend stay the night??
DeleteEh up she’s starting her pincer movement. “ oh pat/tony....I’d love to run farm Sunday for you”. ( before I take over every other little thing you’ve got......imagine evil cackle😈
ReplyDeleteThe BBC have been doing a lot to promote mental health awareness week haven’t they?
ReplyDeleteAfter tonight’s performance from Natasha I am seriously wondering if she might have undiagnosed Bi-polar syndrome.
The bouts of excessive spending followed by periods of non-communication and running away; now the desire to be excessively busy organising everything, being the centre of attention and craving praise for being so helpful,
The ups and downs of mood and inexplicable behaviour.
It all reminds me of Stephen Fry’ dilemma some years ago and, more personally, of a friend who behaved in a very similar way before being diagnosed.
Spending masses of money on unnecessary goods, being hyper one day and hiding away the next with deep depression.
Maybe Natasha is supposed to be doing her bit for mental health awareness, just as Nic did for Sepsis?
That's an interesting idea Archerphile and you may well be right. Natasha does seem to be exhibiting highs and lows. Time will tell as the S/L spins out.
ReplyDelete