this post is closed
Life in Ambridge
Life in Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Popular posts from this blog
Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Lady R - your suggestion that Alistair contact one of the helplines to ask how HE should proceed in regards to Jim is the best idea I have read yet.
ReplyDeleteYes. I also wrote that Alistair needs advice on how he might begin to help the situation.
DeleteIf the abuser hadn't suddenly appeared, Jim would gone to his grave eventually, not unhappy, having led an interesting & fulfilling life. Yes, emotional damage, yet it seems he had a good marriage, &, fortunately, both of his children were robust enough to overcome his lack of engagement with them when they were children, &, in turn, found fulfillment in many aspects of their adult lives.
However, the man did reappear, why, we can only speculate, & this has had a devestating effect on his former victim. He really can't bear the memories, buried so long, & there has to be a way to bring him back to the man he's been for so many years. Some way to retrieve self respect & confidence & to relegate the past. Reliving the horror, he's now done that, no sense in prolonging the horror, but a kind of re entry into the present, more clear & free than he's ever been.
I agree with you both over the need to proceed cautiously, and with good advice, as regards helping Jim. To state the obvious - what a great pity that Jim's abuser felt he should attend the party.
DeleteI also dread the outcome of Ed's involvement with shady Tim and his cohorts. It cannot be good for him or his little family.
The Natasha S/L rather bores me. Too much about business and money. Tom is a weak person and I am not sure about Natasha but have plenty of suspicions.
Ed’s exchange with Tim showed just how weak Ed is, with his pathetic bluster follwed by an equally pathetic caving in to Tim’s skilful manipulation. Reading between Tim’s lines, it seems the operation is in difficulties, and I suspect Tim will save himself but not Ed. I hope I’m wrong, but also think Ed has brought it on himself. I can’t condone his behaviour but am sorry his family will suffer.
DeleteI hope Jim is not 'coerced' into doing anything he doesn't want to, he seemed more himself last night. I am more interested in 'the proper Archers' storylines: the dreaded (by me) outcome of Ed's involvement with Tim, 'the Natasha' effect on Bridge Farm and the village as well as the progress of the Ambridge Conservation Trust.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Basia, I’m not with you - what and why is a ‘proper Archers storyline’? True, Jim isn’t an Archer, but neither is Ed Grundy?
DeleteThe Archers as a programme. The storylines which I personally am interested in following which are not issue driven, as I see it.
DeleteI feel,the sexual abuse storyline throws more light on Jim as a character (and is therefore potentially more interesting) than the ludicrous bunting prank, for instance I think that’s the point of exposing characters to wider forces, they develop as characters in a way they otherwise wouldn’t, and so become more interesting. The alternative is static characters who risk becoming caricatures of themselves. I won’t name current examples.
DeleteI think the writers of The Archers create issue-driven plots exceptionally well, far better, I'd argue, than the way such topics are handled on TV soaps where things can descend into melodrama. For one thing, the SLs on The Archers are well-paced, unfolding in what appears to be real time, and they don't appear on the programme so thick and fast that there's a desensitizing effect (as there arguably is on some TV soaps.) Greg's depression and suicide, Kathy's rape, the Rob/Helen coercive control SL, Nic Grundy's death were all superbly handled and had real impact, as far as I'm concerned, because somehow it all seemed so real. And now this--poor Jim, one of my favourite characters, so brilliantly acted by John Rowe...All very upsetting, but I don't want my Archers to be pure escapism and never tackle any serious subjects.
DeleteGary - I love that collection of slightly naive art pictures of Ambridge and it’s buildings.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will use more of them for future blogs.
Your wish is my command Archerphile - I have discovered about 30 of them...
DeleteThe result of the intervention of the party into his life has shaken Jim to his core.
ReplyDeleteBut the aftermath has brought Alistair closer to his father, if not father to son, yet.
We do not know the SWs intention with this SL, but it might be to have brought father and son to a better understanding of each other, as well as signalling another social issue.
However I do not have confidence that my scenario might be so. I only hope so.
But I would like the loose end of why Harold ? chose to attend the party he was not invited to. This could be Jazzers contribution to the affair by making enquiries of Jims former neighbours.
To be perfectly honest I am not really enjoying any of the stories at the moment but I just keep tuning in because I can’t bear not knowing what happens. The Jim and Ed stories are pretty disturbing to me, and I agree with the comments on the previous blog related to the journalist’s article. Some of us have been saying this for some time and it isn’t getting any better. Consequently the characters I used to enjoy seem to me to be less attractive.
ReplyDeleteI have found Tom’s character irritating for years and had every sympathy with Brenda when she split up with him. So he is a character I don’t find changed despite the change of actor.
Me too, Seasider, though I much preferred original Tom’s voice and delivery.
Delete✔️ I agree AP and with your comments seasider. Life’s not perfect and TA has always had rouges and drama but a while back this was mixed in with good times where things went well and left us happy and uplifted - as happens in real life thankfully otherwise where would we be!
DeleteSo come on SW mix it up don’t fall into tv soap drama trap. I heard during the week that Eastenders audience figs are at the lowest ever yet around 85 + million pounds has just been spent on a new set! Guess that’s why they need our licence fee once again 🤔
I notice the Ambridge Observer has been quiet for a while. Maybe the writer is busy but it seems to me the current story lines just don’t lend themselves to this treatment. I look forward to when they do once more.
ReplyDeleteGood point ! I hadn’t noticed we’d not been getting them for a while. I’ll check out Christine Michael’s website and see if I can find out anything.
DeleteI would like to know how anybody can recognise a person who he or she is not expecting to meet after 70 years,especially when that person is across the room in a wheelchair.
ReplyDeleteHe must have made such a deep and lasting impression on Jim that he could just sense that his abuser was in the room. A sense, so deeply ingrained that it surfaced again even after so many years. The very thought of that makes me shiver.
DeleteAm sure that's so. Think I said before that a victim could never forget what their abuser looked like, never mind the ageing or disability &, yes, very chilling.
DeleteIt is possible of course that Jim has been in contact with some old friends, perhaps the former neighbours, who might have kept him apprised of others such as Harold, and Harolds decline into a wheelchair, without Jim ever giving a hint that he would prefer not to know about Harold.
DeleteThis is not a new thought. It occurred to me on the occasion of the party, when I wondered how he could have known, and my imagination came up with this possible conclusion.
Have just checked Christine Michaels Ambridge Observer page on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteHer last entry was on 24th May when she said the AO would be takin a break for a while as she is very busy with a house move and various other things which would make it difficult “to pay full enough attention to the job of reporter “ for the moment.
She is hoping to be back fairly soon and just keep watching out for the AO.
Only caught up with last night later today, & found the Ed/Tim scene dramatically rather compelling. Poor Ed - damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Surely it should dawn on him, if he weren't so panicked, that his best option would be to go to the police ? Of course he'd be in trouble for what he's already done, but less damaging than a) the thugs getting to him & his family b) being caught anyway, stashing away dangerous chemicals.
ReplyDeleteToo easy Carolyn, too too easy for the S W s !
DeleteExactly. Ed was rattled by the road rage which was probably random and he could have said get this stuff off my land but even so he might have got caught, otherwise what's the point of this storyline.
DeleteBasia, I think the point is purely to stop Emma moving into her long-awaited home.
DeleteI agree with you about the Tim / Ed encounter,Carolyn.
DeleteI even wondered if Tim was also wishing he had never got involved with the thugs.
I think Ed will have to go to the police ((we haven’t heard from Harrison for a while so he must be due back soon - possibly in the next couple of weeks)
Might Oliver become involved and put in a word for Ed since it was he who introduced him to Tim?
Sorry Emma but a lot of this is your fault.
You should not have pushed Ed to carry on with doing work which you must have thought was not legitimate.
You need to know that some people can live quite happily without owning an upcycled coffee table.
Lanjan. Ed is up to his neck in Tim’s dubious criminal activity. As Ed’s body ends with his neck he is relying on Emma to think for him. Emma’s acquisitiveness is the driving force in this relationship.
DeleteI don’t believe there is a gang. Tim is the gang master and is applying the usual threats and reassurances to manipulate brainless Ed.
Basia. I also think the car incident was random, and it has worked to Tim’s advantage.
When Tim said something like "then I can move on" I too made the leap in thinking that he was behind it all. I took it literally. He moves around the country doing whatever it is he does, and leaves a trail of Eds behind him. He would never get someone like Oliver involved - Oliver's type unwittingly introduce younger, naïve & in need "country bumpkins" to him and Bob's your uncle...
DeleteEmma has never known the truth about Ed’s criminal involvement and its possible repercussions. so by definition has never “pushed” him into it. He is still lying to her, both actually and by default. If he tries the ‘I only did it for you’
Deleteline when the truth eventually comes out, I shall truly despise him.
I despise people like Emma who use other people to get what they want. She knows it's
Deleteillegal and she doesn't give a damn - as long as Ed hands over money to her so she can go shopping she's happy not to know. Hands clean, no questions asked, no guilty conscience.
She didn't bat an eyelid when she thought it was VAT fraud - where the hell does she think the government gets the money to give to local councils to provide affordable housing? Emma is nothing more than a hypocritical, grasping, inverted snob. Rant over....😄
Exactly,Gary.
DeleteHear hear Gary.
DeleteOh yes stasia another possibility 🤭
ReplyDeleteIf it is found to be so GG and Ed is in real trouble will Oliver feel so guilty he will step in house-wise in some way to save the day?
ReplyDeleteGary, you say Tim 'moves around the country doing whatever it is he does' - putting up fences, we always hear him hammering and it makes me laugh! Emma sounded a tiny bit suspicious when Tim said he was looking for hay for a guinea pig and I hoped she'd question Ed but no chance. What I really disliked about Tim was when he told Emma: Ed said you were a stunner, I'd have spat in his face.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile - but I do long for Emma to have her buttercup kitchen as much as she does, I don't want to see the Grundys grounded yet again. We were told after Nic's death that they gave it to them because they are there for 'entertainment' and now there's Joe's imminent death, please help!
You don’t think do you that Joe might have had a stash of money secreted away somewhere?
ReplyDeleteNo ,I thought not.
I don’t think so either.
Joe gave Ed a thousand pounds which he was saving for his funeral, when Ed was buying cows, can't remember which time, so it's been used up.
DeleteI think I’ve always known Emma was the village beauty. There have been various hints from various people over the years. I’d like her to get her buttercup kitchen too, and the future she wants for her family.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a well known fact, Josh had a crush on Emma when she lived at Rickyard.
DeleteIt's just that Tim's comment sounded cheap *to me*.
Stasia ( 9.30 today), there's interesting ! I don't think Tim, nasty character certainly, is the the gang leader, though up to his neck in the crime, nor do I think the car incident was random, but I could be falling for what we are expected to assume & you might well be spot on.....even more do I want to know the truth of it all ( even with egg left on face)
ReplyDeleteEmma does know something below the legal radar is going on, but not anything like the seriousness of it. I can't see her as a greedy materialist at all - it's perfectly natural to be excited about a change for the better in circumstances.She's been longing for a home of her own for ages, & shopping is fun ! It's not just an ego trip - it's all for the happiness of her immediate family, & a lovely change from all the drudgery. The chicken factory must be ghastly, & working for Peggy no fun either.
carolyn. I also hope Emma gets her cheery little buttercup kitchen. Her drive to Obtain her bijou residence has made her more materialistic, and as a result she can’t, or doesn’t want to see the consequences of encouraging Ed to be reckless.
DeleteThere will be trouble ahead, and someone will have to eventually face the music and dance towards the justice system. I hope it will be Tim tip toeing all the way to prison.
Sorry about that I just couldn’t stop myself
Tim will be booted into prison, not tip toeing in...if I had my way.
DeleteI am not posting a discussion.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear from Oliver again.
I hope Joe's demise, is done soon and in a gentle + sensitive manner, with close family members all around (unlike Phil, Nic, Nigel, Mark H. John, Freda Fry..etc).
I think Joe has some monies stashed away, not known by any-one, and he left a will.
Eddie wanted to see Tom when he found out about the orchard project but he talked to Natasha instead about a makeover, as Clarrie said, what is he up to.
ReplyDeleteI am delighted with what Jim had to say
ReplyDeleteWe cannot change the past so there is no point in dwelling on it .
He can now look forward to the future.
I think Alastair has been great and hasn’t pushed Jim and Jim seems to have put it behind him.
The only thing I think that should have happened is that Alastair should have apologised for giving Jim the party he so obviously didn’t want.
However I will settle for what happened this evening.
I really don't think Alistair had anything to apologize for, but otherwise agree with you, Lanjan. Jim is talking just as I was hoping he might, appreciating the present & looking to the future in Ambridge where he has settled well, & made friends. He's right to feel he needs to say 'sorry' to some people ( but did he mention Lynda ? If so, I didn't catch it). It will be awkward, as he isn't going to say what really unsettled him - I suppose he'll just have to say something about a most unwelcome guest(s) which upset him.
DeleteSo Poppy has learnt a.mature approach - Mia's influence lingering? Can't imagine Will giving a reasoned, child appropriate explanation about Peppa pig, especially as Ed was moaning about his brother reacting badly to the inevitable departure of the animal...
Not sure about a Will ,Miriam.
DeleteJoe would never have paid out to make a Will and is unlikely to have gone to Borchester or Felpersham to see a Solicitor
It would be nice to know that he has left a bob or two for Clarrie and Eddie though so I hope you are right.
Clarrie and Emma talked about how to prepare Poppy for P. Pig’s departure so I expect her sensible attitude is the result of their intervention. Good for them!
DeleteI loved the talk between Jim and Alistair tonight. Jim's becoming his old self again and it's so good to hear it. I didn't understand why Alistair thought that Jim need not apologize. I think it's a decent thing to do and will make Jim feel better. He can surely come up with some excuse for his behaviour without telling the whole ghastly story.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that if Emma doesn't enjoy her chicken factory job, it's not a whole lot of fun for the poor chickens either.
Yes, it’s interesting that the ethics of meat-eating have never been discussed on The Archers (as far as I can remember) though as most of the clan are making their living from exploiting animals, including raising them to eat, it’s a relevant issue. Tony evidently gets a lot more pleasure from his part in the process than Emma gets from hers, lucky man to be a chooser not a beggar.
DeleteI would like to hear this issue being explored on the Archers, particularly the dichotomy between caring for,and even becoming fond of, animals and then sending them for slaughter. My daughter tells me frequently that it is hypocritical to eat meat if one is not prepared to kill, or witness the killing of an animal oneself. She ,unlike her brother, does eat meat but does go fishing and gathering mussels from the beach for food, and in Colombia did kill a chicken herself for Sunday dinner, and did watch the slaughter of a Bullock ( which was first fed feed with opiates in to help lessen the suffering) Out there in the mountain plateau area they ate meat as a treat though, not on the scale we do in the West. I wonder if Kirsty would be an appropriate character to become vegetarian and cover this issue. Philip might not like it though.
Delete
DeleteThe whole original ethos of The Archers was to help farmers farm better and more efficiently and the livelihoods of many of the characters rely on farming and the production of food. That Includes meat, poultry, eggs and milk as well as cereals, fruit and vegetables.
I very much dislike and take exception to talk of farmers ‘exploiting’ animals as though it is a wicked thing to do. Not all farmers treat animals cruelly, keep battery chickens or pigs tied into crates.
Our pigs, very intelligent animals by the way, were treated very well and we cared for them almost as if they were family pets but we were always aware that they would eventually be going to market. We never used battery methods for our chickens because we were producing fertile eggs and the cockerels had to run around with the hens. They were watched over almost 24hrs a day and feed and water supplies constantly monitored to ensure the hens were happy and healthy. Consequently our children grew up knowing that our animals were being produced for food and although they would eventually be going to the abattoir, they had the right to be treated as humanely as possible whilst we were taking care of them.
Consequently, were never overly sentimental about pets, knowing that they had shorter lives than us and we should appreciate the time we had to love and look after them.
I hope we do not have stories of vegans marching through Ambridge with banners saying all farmers are murderers, (as has been seen outside butchers shops recently) or breaking into one of the farms to release Rex’s chickens into the countryside where they would probably perish. Ambridge is a farming community, leave it alone to get on with its job.
I shall now get down from my soapbox!
Archerphile - if you check ‘exploit’,in a dictionary, you will find it means to use or benefit from, which is how I was using it. Any wickedness was inferred not imputed! As a meat-eater I am part of the same process as Tony and Emma, but the pleasure Tony gets from his hobby herd or me from a shepherd’s pie do not equate with Emma’s dismal hours at the chicken factory. I wouldn’t like to try and compare the relative suffering of the livestock involved in the meat production and supply business. I could change my mind and would like to hear the arguments presented via The Archers
DeletePS. I don’t think Kirsty is the right person, she wasn’t impressive during the factory farming debate.
Thank you to those who have responded to my thoughts about the chicken factory. I do not doubt that there are farmers who try to treat their animals humanely but that does not excuse the widespread abuses which happen in the production of meat. I have sometimes wondered what the employees in a slaughterhouse feel about their jobs. What qualities did they need to possess to become employed there and do they enjoy their jobs?
DeleteBTW I believe Alan's daughter is a vegetarian but I think she lives in Birmingham so we never hear her.
I have always eaten meat and have never been afraid to say so nor ever felt guilty about doing so.
DeleteHowever I also believe that if one eats meat one should be prepared to ring its neck if it's a chicken or slauter if a larger beast.
As a result of my philosophy I took my daughters to the abattoir regularly so that they fully understood where animals came from and the process that produced the meat on the plate.
I have never eaten huge amounts of meat and I am aware that neither of my daughters, although both meat eaters do not consume it on a daily basis.
And I too wish that this subject would be aired through the Archers.
Like others I was very pleased to hear Jim s return to his normal and sensible self this evening. And I am not surprised that he intends to apologise to his friends whom he realises he has hurt by his recent actions.
ReplyDeleteJim is after all a gentleman.
Yes he did mention Linda I think.
The Orchard Village Idiots Project. Ambridge covered in 🍏 🍎 apple trees, “everywhere”.
ReplyDeleteWell done Jim, a period of reflection always helps. Look to the future, the past doesn’t change. If apologising means a return to the status quo in your day to day life in Ambridge, as you might say, “so be it”. Let’s hope Alistair and Jazzer accept Jim’s decision.
I am wondering if Eddie is hoping to come to some arrangement with Natasha and Tom to harvest these future apples, in order to make more cider to sell. He will probably word it as him doing them a favour, but I expect Natasha will want the apples for her own fruit juice enterprise. I'd like to hear them plan to plant some old varieties of apples (Borsetshire Beauty perhaps) because some of the old varieties (e.g. the Cornish Pendragon) have greater nutritional value than many of the modern varieties.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts too Janice.
DeleteEddie is always very quick on the uptake in seeing any enterprise by another as having possibilities for himself to piggyback on.
And as you say, will always give the spin, ' I can help you there' !
And I agree about the old varieties of apples.
We had a small orchard in our garden in Malmesbury and were told that one of the trees was a ' Beauty of Bath '
I often wonder if that little orchard has ever been looked after and brought back into production.
In our five years there it wasn't our priority, but had we been able to stay, I would have liked it to have become so.
Can you still get Russett apples? They have a wonderful flavour. I remember when we joined "the common market' and the shops were flooded with French Golden & Delicious which were neither!
DeleteIn the early days of our marriage I bought French Golden delicious apples and the first one was so tasteless, I took the other three back! Money was tight and couldn’t be wasted! Have never bought French apples ever since! My husband loved russets but you don’t see them as much now notably in small greengrocers of which there are few! Will let you know if I spot any in supermarkets.
Delete' a nice russet ' was my mother's favourite apple.
DeleteYes I still eat them, love them, and do sometimes find them in Waitrose.
But most recently bought them at our Friday market.
I eat a russet with cheese.
Agree about Golden Delicious, like Ev bought them once, never again.
Although I like the idea of Ambridge as a Fruit Tree Village, I do have a concern -
ReplyDeleteThis is simply trees grow!!
Surely this could cause problems in the future, with tree roots raising pavements, roads, growing into drain + sewage pipes etc. Also there will be problems with leaves and blocking light into some properties. Also is it worth £0.5mill, to produce + then maintain this scheme?
The amount of money on offer, must reflect, IMO, a long-term innovative ecological idea, costly to set up, but will have many benefits to Ambridge as a village in what, 10yrs or even 20yrs, with its running costs covered by the award.
This is how I perceive, Peggy's Prize.
DeleteMrs P - I have picked many-a bushel of 'Beauty of Bath' in my youth! One of the 'eating' apples grown on the farm where my Dad worked. (there were 'eating' apples and 'cookers!')
ReplyDeleteThe other dessert apples I remember were 'Charles Ross,' 'Worcester Pearmain,' (but just usually Worcesters,) and Spartans. The two types of 'cookers' were Derbys and the supreme cooker Bramleys. Any of the 'tiddlers' which were left after sorting, went to the cider factories!
Archerphile - I totally agree with your comments about animal welfare. I was brought up on farms, mainly arable but they did have pigs and sheep running in the orchards. I love animals and am very aware of their needs and wants but I do not regard myself as being sentimental over them. I am pretty sure if I were really starving I could kill and cook an animal or bird.
I heard a Radio 4 'Food Programme' broadcast from an abbatoir and listening to the manager and presenter discussing the process there, I just thought' I don't want to share in this anymore' and became a vegetarian on the spot! I was 40 years old.
I do cook with meat for others as I won't force my views onto anyone, and due to my eldest son's nagging do have fish occasionally so am now not a 'vegetarian' really.
We all make fun (on other boards at least) of the fact when invited to lunch in Ambridge it is always 'Just soup I'm afraid!' If you listen carefully the soup is *always* a vegetarian variety whether it's Brookfield, Bridge Farm or the Stables! I always thought Pat, Helen or Kirsty were vegetarian but only Kate owns up and of course she has to be extreme - vegan. Apart from Jill's casseroles most other home meals when mentioned are vegetarian. (Now tonight they will have Game Pie - you bet!)
I love soup, and although I am a meat + 3/4 veg lover, my soups are always healthy vegetarian ones. This is just my preference + taste.
DeleteAlso from the health option, I nearly always eat a veggie lunch.
Oops - this should have been on "off topic" blog - Sorry.😣
DeleteSo both Lillian and Natasha have been 'snookered'. There was something the way Eddie said last night that Clarrie mustn't know that didn't fit, but she does now. Toby was his usual charming self.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of Eddie suffering the indignity of having a face mask in order to try and pump Natasha about her apple trees scheme is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI should have loved to have seen Clarrie’s face when she walked in!
It was one of the most ludicrous episodes ever, from start to finish. Only T❤️O❤️B❤️Y emerged from it unfazed and acting like a credible person!
ReplyDeletemaryellen. All Toby did was wander about with a tray, handing out his own gin to a extremely shouty, sloshed Lillian.
DeleteStasia, T❤️O❤️B❤️Y was maga-professional in the way he fielded an extremely sloshed, shouty customer (Lilian) while keeping an eye on, and attending to the rest. Which involved meeting the demand for The Bull’s very popular locally produced gin. The charm is an extra to what you’d normally get from a good barman.
DeleteMiriam. I concur with your assessment of the, “they will be planted everywhere” fruit trees project. Private individuals may agree to plant some trees, but a number of other agencies might have a different point of view. Public land/ common land may prohibit planting trees. We have common land here but farmers have rights for grazing cows and sheep, who effectively manage the habitat.
ReplyDeleteWe do have community orchards owned by the council but managed by groups of locals. The locals are entitled to the fruit. Highways will also have to be consulted especially if fallen rotten fruit becomes a hazard.
Dumb and Dumber will, as Eddie pointed out, have to do their homework.
Anyhow, what is so unusual about a man having a facial. My brother and male friends moisturise after shaving. Also how could Natasha not know about Eddie when she knows Emma and Clarrie and didn’t the entire village go to the Cuban party?
Whilst I’m having a rant, do the S/Ws decide, after weeks of angst provoking historical sex abuse, think it’s time to give us listeners some relief with the likes of scheming Eddie and drunken 🥴 Lillian? Two clowns in one episode.
ReplyDeleteTom and Natasha’s little lovey dovey chats should come with a hazard warning. 🛑🧻
Only listen if sick bowl is at hand.
Must say Stasia, I completely endorse your final para.
DeleteMy feelings precisely.
😂😂😂
DeleteTom and Natasha were more a great deal more listenable-to than their unedifying elders, tiddly, cackly Lilian, gate-crashing, disingenuous Peggy, and the ever so predictably wily peasant, Eddie. I certainly prefer the young couples’ affectionate exchanges to Jim dragging his esoteric knowledge into the conversation to the bafflement of his listeners.
DeleteI'm afraid I hear almost nothing when Tom & Natasha talk maryellen - just bland, vaguely-aspirational nothingness. They are both pretty much the aural equivalent of beige...
DeleteFarrow and Ball Dove Tale?
Delete😀
DeleteI have never been a huge Lilian fan, at least not since she reappeared as a widow from the Channel Islands some years ago, with her awful son in tow.
ReplyDeleteI can’t stand her cackle, which has got worse over the years or her nudge, nudge, wink, wink utterances (so unlike her sister Jenny as to be ludicrous)
But last night really was the limit.
Listeners should have been warned before the episode to have ear defenders at hand for her worst excesses and, I may sound pro-faced, but I didn’t find it funny listening to an drunken 72yr old making a fool of herself. The overacting, shouting and cackling was dreadful.
Congratulations to Toby for putting up with her behaviour and using the party to promote Scruff Gin.....but maybe he could have tried to curb her drinking a little?
Again, you have said it for me AP.
DeleteMe too .
DeleteThere is nothing natural about Lilian
As you say Archerphile her unnatural cackle has got worse..
I think the acting has too
She sounds so “common” as we northerners might say.
I think that Jolene does as well.
Not surprised they are pals..
If Lilian wasn’t inviting family who was invited to the party.
I would rather listen to an hour of a drunken Lillian than one minute of any of the dull boy-men that populate Ambridge!
ReplyDeleteWith you there, Gary ! The woman knows how to enjoy herself, good for her. I hope she is firm with the matriarch & does not take the dreary role on offer, but she probably will. It's only Tony who really stands up to Peggy.
DeletePerhaps this is daft of me, Eddie is Eddie after all, but he could actually be speaking from knowledge, & not just pulling a fast one ? Would Tom know better about micro climates & apple trees ? I doubt it.
After all Eddie has been a king amongst cider makers for many a year 🤣 so knows his apples 🍏🍎
DeletePeggy at over 90yrs popping out at night to gate crash a non family party! Just who was there.....
Lilian was put out at Tony's relief to be spared from her party. I remember the gatecrashing-she's- behind-you Peggy flirting with her then suitor Godfrey in the Bull, making Tony cringe. Like mother, like daughter, old habits die hard.
ReplyDeleteAs for Tom/Natasha set up I can't take them seriously: from the way they got together, married and carried on since.
As to "Peggy's Prize" and Emma's wild jealousy - if my cleaner tried to tell me what I should be doing with MY money, they would be looking for another job within a hot minute. Emma should be careful when running furiously about the village telling everyone she meets how "unfair" it all is.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Gary about Peggy’s money.
DeleteI think the whole idea is ridiculous but it is her money do with as she wishes..
I am assuming that each of Natasha’s trees will cost no more than£50 to buy and plant so if I am correct in my thinking we are talking about 10,000 trees.
ReplyDeleteSurely that can’t be right.
Who planted the Millenium Wood, Brian I think, it seems now it can't be seen for the trees.
ReplyDeleteWasn't it Mike? That springs to mind.
DeleteAs I have said before, now Mike has left, who maintains the Millenium Wood + also the Green Burial site (where Nic is buried)?
These are never mentioned, unless some-one can tell me..
Didn't Brian + Jennifer just donate the land only? Admit I can't really recall.
DeleteI would love to hear from those with "books" who can look this up.
I enjoyed Lilian's Birthday Party. She did what she wanted to do at The Bull (in which she has a financial interest) and isn't this what matters.
ReplyDeleteAt least she enjoyed her planned birthday celebration, unlike Jim. I thought that the comparison was obvious, subtle + well done.
Miriam. Lillian’s party subtle! I think if Toby had blended his gin with PS, otherwise known as MS, his new botanical Lillian would have pleaded, ‘give me the bottle Dahling’. She is naughty, but I do like her.
DeleteMum was getting her own back.
Check mate, dahling.
Subtle was perhaps not the right word. I think I meant that there was no hype in the build up to the party.
DeleteApologies, apologies...
ReplyDeleteJazzer was out of order, but he certainly had a point ! Adam was heavy handed ( & very much master giving the serf a dressing down - distinctly unappealing)
ReplyDeleteJazzer needs to be careful of letting his concerns and anger about Jim’s past come to the fore.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope Adam doesn’t take his outburst as a reason for dismissal.
But really, I couldn’t blame him for being angry at Alice’s whining on about her presentation.
She is so self-obsessed that she thinks everyone wants to hear about her problems (are they really problems?) and makes a huge fuss about her precious job.
It’s al me, me, me, with Alice with little concern for anyone else.
I wonder how Jazzer would have reacted if Alice had read that exact same riot act to HIM when he was whining about his job with Tom's pigs. I wouldn't have blamed anyone if they had - he was so self obsessed that he thought that everyone wanted to hear about his problems (were they really problems?) and made a huge fuss about his precious job....😉
DeleteTouché Gary! We’ll have to agree to differ about who is the most self-obsessed and whining.
DeleteTrue, GG - Jazzer IS self-centred - even his inappropriate reaction to Jim’s story was tinged with ‘self’ (no one gets away with doing that to MY friend). I wish his current dominantion of our airwaves would stop!
DeleteI don’t understand exactly what Alice’s job entails, but if her presentation is so crucial to the organisation why is she relying on Adam’s stats? Two hours before the presentation!!
ReplyDeleteThe content of Jazzer’s outburst was spot on, the tone of delivery was inappropriate. He should apologise, without caveats, otherwise Jim’s past will become his future.
That is what I like about Gin soaked Lillian, she has the ability to be sensitive and caring. Her little chat with Jim, done without pushing for information, was a indication that despite all the shouty cackling she is a kind person.
As I was listening My partner groaned out loudly at Jim’s French pronouncing of En Plein Air. Not sure if I got the spelling right. Am not a linguist or a purist. But then Jim is a purist and is very happy correct others when they get something wrong. 👨🎓🙀
DeleteI didn’t hear anything wrong at all with Jim’s pronunciation.
DeleteBut Lynda, when she tries to pronounce foreign words, is just ludicrous!
I agree Archerphile on both counts.
DeleteAlice VJazzer?
ReplyDeleteNo contest
Jazzer for me any day of the week.
He was out of order but cares about his pal the Prof.
Gary will know better than I do whether Jazzer’s accent is genuine but when I hear Alice speak in that dreadful Sloaney way I could scream ,especially when she mentions a woman and calls her “har” sic).
I mentioned weak Ambridge men the other day.
By far and away the worst is Chris.
How he puts up with that poor little rich girl I just don’t understand.
Lanjan, sadly, Jazzer's accent is all too genuine.
DeleteI am so in agreement with maryellen on the Jazzer front. As he would no doubt say -"Gonnae geez a brek big man!..." 😁
It's all relative, isn't it. Of course Alice would be nervous about a work presentation, of course what happened to Jim was far, far more serious. Don't think Alice was whining & wasn't to know she touched a raw nerve with Jazzer
ReplyDeleteIt's just one of those things but what I object to is Adam's heavy hand.
Jazzer is a highly emotional & very loyal guy, - pro e to be inappropriate in many situations.
I don't see that he over reacted over his dismissal from Bridge Farm. It was a severe blow, & humiliating to boot.
When Jazzer described his new job to Jim and Jim said "So it's just like the new role that Tom had offered you?" and Jazzer replied hesitantly "Erm, aye.", I smiled....
DeleteAnd surely Adam had every right to tell off his employee for shouting at a visitor to his place of business? (And it was his sister who was being harangued to boot - Jazzer is not the only loyal person in the village!) Mr McCreary approaches all his places of employment AND employers like he is a child at a play group. Witness how he he acted at the tearoom. He seems to have no real concept of the fact that he is there to do a job professionally and that he is a grown up - with all that that entails!
A wasted chance (rarely done by PC BBC) to promote women engineering. When Alice astounded her mother by saying she was taking an engineering degree it was a good advert for women getting out of the Arts and getting into the Sciences (and different from pathology, pharmacy and medicine.) Now it seems all Alice does is be a salesperson and is trying to sell something that she didn't even design.
ReplyDeleteThe whole Jazzer, Alice and Adam scene was stupid last night. Alice having to do a presentation but needing Adam's 'stats' with just two hours to go before her audience, whining and being over-dramatic; Ian being precious and needing to speak to Adam because someone said his cheese souffles were poor; and Jazzer getting steamed up over something that had happened to someone else, and was told to drop and get on with life as Jim intended to do, or get back to getting on with his life, which he had done until the unexpected encounter with his abuser.
I read from a poster somewhere that a well-regarded Radio Correspondent had bemoaned the fact that TA had become bogged down in 'issue' led storylines. If it was here I apologise for the repetition but just to say it would be nice to have a storyline which wasn't an 'issue' or can anything be made into one these days?
It was me Spicy quoted from an article in last Saturday’s Daily Mail!
DeleteAdam was in ‘older brother defending younger sister’ mode when he asked Jazzer to apologise to her for his unwarranted attack on her, not ‘employer ticking off employee’. The fact that Jazzer was venting his frustration at not being able to go for Harold Jayston by using her as a substitute. wasn’t obvious of course. Jazzer has never shown any concern for the general plight of mankind that I recall, only the plight of J. Macreary.. I don’t think he has even shown much concern for his local community - he doesn’t contribute to it, unless running the half marathon counts.
ReplyDeleteGoing by the above posts, that's my views well & truly binned 😉!
ReplyDeleteI just like it when the characters behave like regular human beings, warts & all, not always doing the right/sensible things, often ruled by heart rather than head, How dreary it would be if they always conformed to how bloggers imagine a situation should be handled.
I thought I was agreeing with you Carolyn. I much preferJazzer to the entitled Macy/Aldridge clan!😃 I also thought Alice was giving as good as she got until Adam came in sounding like a 'squire talking to his serf.' I wonder if Jazzer will be invited to continue at Home Farm?
DeleteAdam’s droning voice annoys me as much as his sister’s “nasally Sloane” one 😡
DeleteWhich will it be Jazzer sacked orJazzer walking....🤔
Sorry, Spicy, can't have read your comment...
DeleteWhat a quoteworthy last sentence, Carolyn!! I will remember it for fitre use and reuse, - many times, I expect.
ReplyDeleteAh,. MUCH better to be quotable than agreed with - ''ta !😄
DeleteJim told Lilian that he used to have his coffee at the tea-room, most probably he won't be able to enter it any more, just as well there's the Bull.
ReplyDeleteListening again to last nights episode, I am astonished at how much was packed in to 13 minutes on this occasion.
ReplyDelete✔️ Agreed
DeleteI agree with much of what has been said about Jazzer in the past.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have said before, and repeat now, Jazzer as a character has been well developed over the years.
He is no longer the layabout young man stealing horse medication from the local vet.
He has settled into life in Ambridge and plays a part in the community. He has grown up and has kept a job for some time, been disappointed at the loss, but has taken advice from his mentor Jim and found another.
He has learned to be loyal to his friends. He was not when younger.
Jazzer has also developed compassion along the way.
I think he has grown up, although there is still room for improvement.
Mrs P - I’d be genuinely interested to know how Jazzer supports his local community, apart from propping up the bar at The Bull. The only community event I can think of, in which he has taken an active part is the half marathon . He may have been in The Canterbury Tales, I can’t remember. Being really picky, he didn’t find himself his present job, Adam found him, though I still can’t fathom why! As he said, ‘Jazzer - what is he like!
DeleteJazzer was there to comfort Kirsty when they watched DVDs but they were not 'pals' before or after. He gave up his room for Alistair but perhaps he shouldn't have been at Jim's in the first place and Alistair is his son. It seems that the sole reason to give him the aquaponics job was to cure Ian of spiders and where is Webster now? In his compassion for Jim he nearly went overboard, so perhaps he can go back to Bridge Farm to take care of that mysterious batch of weaners which ruined Lilian's shoes.
DeleteI was thinking of the community at large rather than personal relationships with the individuals in it.
DeleteI just love Jazzer, a true and a very individual character.
ReplyDeleteAs others have said, he has matured + changed and to me is now a much more sensible Ambridge resident.
I love when he pipes in the Haggis on Burns Night, and loved him being a Brides-man, supporting Fallon at her + Harrison's Wedding (including the clothing problem).
He is (was) loyal to many, such as Fallon, Jim, Tom (who pushed him away), Alistair.
What I love about Jazzer, he simply says what he feels, whilst wearing "his heart on his sleeve", showing his gentler side.
My prediction is that he will return to Bridge Farm, managing pigs, once again.
I think so too. Although I thought the pig side was being wound down so was surprised when another batch of wearers arrived. Is Jazzer still doing his milk round? I think he worked hard at that🤗
DeleteFurther to my previous post, hasn't Bridge Farm planted fruit trees - to have organic pigs sharing the same space?
ReplyDeleteI might have imagined that.
But if so - who will be looking after the pigs welfare?
To add. If Tom wants to keep his organic sausage production going, sourcing a new known + viable organic pork supply, is surely not that cost effective. Also his brand reputation could be put into jeopardy, as to quality and taste, for example. Helen knows with her cheese, how things can change, with different ingredient supplies. Tom should look at this aspect.
DeleteMy opinion only.
Many of the characters are becoming stereotypical and it sometimes reflects poor writing ✍️ And lack of understanding of interpersonal dynamics and human behaviour.
ReplyDeleteJazzer is presented as the tough, rough, ‘don’t cast your eyes at me’ wee Jimmy from Glasgow.
Suddenly Ian is a wimpy, limp wristed , ‘my soufflé didn’t rise’’ Queen.
The Grundys are the hopeless village peasants who always have to know their station in life.
The male teenagers are only interested in cars and girls and getting hold of alcohol.
I could go on, but it would only become boring.
I love your interpretations, but I must hear + think about TA on a different level. I obviously hear it in a much more simplistic + light-hearted way. 😀😀
DeleteNail on the head stasia! I still think that all the staff on the Archers are possibly in a little bubble of white, heterosexual, middle-England, middle-class loveliness and can't really, properly reflect anyone else - but as I've said before, I don't really mind that much! I'm still enjoying listening to it of late. I DO treat The Archers as a pile of tosh on the whole...😀
DeleteI think that when I actually like more characters than I dislike ,it may be the time to stop listening!
DeleteI think that it is all the complaining I do that keeps me going.
Nowt like a bit of grumbling to keep you feeling young.
Agree with you Gary. Despite what I’ve said I look forward to listening even though I groan, moan, and laugh. I possibly look forward more to the intelligent, and clever comments on this blog.
DeleteThanks for your support in keeping us going with new blogs.
Have a glass of imaginary champagne on me.
🥂
I don't do either intelligent, or clever, blogs on this site.
DeleteOh well...I just say what I feel, just like Jazzer.
Off to think....
Miriam. Never underestimate yourself, l love 💗 your comments.
Delete“My opinion only”.
And I love hearing about what you are cooking. When I get bored with cooking the same old things you give me ideas of different things to try. 😊
DeleteGG I congratulate You, whole heartedly, on keeping this blog site, up + running in such a wonderful way. 🤗 😍😘
ReplyDeleteSuch btillisnt TA discussions + differing thoughts, can be viewed and diseccted, resulting in more..
Thank YOU Miriam! It's people like your good self that keep it ticking along nicely...
DeleteWhere was Oliver, to share the Caroline seat with Shula??
ReplyDeleteI had hoped to hear him, on this auspicious day.
All the female characters seemed hysterical tonight, in emotional overdrive. I was unmoved. Jazzer was obnoxioys.oh, & hysterical).
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the more distant past, but no, Shula, Caroline did not always give good advice, & she certainly did tell you what you wanted to hear (keep shtum about Titchener''s at the hunt)
When has Helen ever listened to you, Kirsty ?
✅✅
DeleteYou are right Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteKirsty and Shula are both wearing rose coloured spectacles