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 8 Life Outside Ambridge Beach Chairs
Surely we've ALL felt like this on a few occasions....
ReplyDeleteOh
DeleteYup !
ReplyDeleteIsn't that Joe Grundy?
ReplyDelete😄
ReplyDeleteGary you put such a lot of effort in finding these blog intros...I think you've really clicked into us bloggers sense of humour..well done..you're a star🌟🌟🌟
ReplyDeleteOh maybe that should be ..we bloggers...well you all know what I mean anyway😁
DeleteWhen I first saw this, without the caption, I thought it was Oliver sitting, bemused, by smashed crockery with a rather small Tracy prancing around....the reality is much h more convincing ! Another hit, Gary 😊
ReplyDeleteWell done again Gary!
ReplyDeleteAgree 👏
Delete✔✔✔
DeleteHarrison sounds like a young Leonard.
ReplyDeleteThat hammer 🔨 looks very useful. I wouldn’t have attacked the radio, it is innocent and doesn’t deserve to be killed off.
ReplyDeleteThere are some characters who would definitely benefit from such an implement.
Joe has already gone.⚰️
Who should be next?⚒
Provocative question ! I nominate Russ Jones, Hannah next in line. Fairly predictable...
DeleteOn the other hand, grit in the oyster makes the pearl, TA being the resultant dramatic pearl.
DeleteShould we make a real TA murder mystery?
DeleteI guess that’s the popular image of TA listeners!
ReplyDeleteWell, I have just managed to binge-listen to 3 Omnibuses on the trot, so am back on track with all the episode I missed whilst away.
ReplyDeleteThe things that stood out for me during 3 and 3/4 hours listening were:
Alf’s gone, hooray. 😃
The Grundys seem to be back to their usual schemes. 🎅🏼 🎄
Jill and Bella both said ‘No’. 😢
Russ is as irritating and pretentious as usual. 😤
Ruth and David have indulged their little girl AGAIN. 🙄
Justin seems to be up to his old tricks AGAIN. 🧐
Can’t wait for tonight, and being back to my familiar listening regime.
carolyn.9.59am.
ReplyDeleteMurder at Lower Loxley.
Borchester chronicle.
The body of Curator and artist 👩🎨 Mr Russ Jones was found in the art gallery with a nasty hammer close to his head.
Sargent Harrison is investing.
.....at first, so she claimed to the Sarge, Lily Pargetter thought it was one of Jones' installations, if of an alarmingly gruesome nature, but the stench alerted her. She is being treated for shock, but meanwhile Burns is checking alibis, whilst awaiting forensic estimation of time of death. He is not convinced by Ms Pargetter's histrionics, nor Mrs Pargetter's vagueness about her movements between 10pm the previous night & 11 this morning when the body was discovered. Also, an elderly gentleman is often seen wandering in the upper storeys of LL, muttering to himself. It is understood he is a relative, who used to manage the small art gallery, & still lives in one of the mansion's suites. Rumour has it that he is far from happy with the new curator's work...
DeleteThis is very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteMay we have more ?
carolyn .17 pm.
ReplyDeleteBorchester Chronicle.
News from your criminal reporter.
Sensational developments at Lower Loxley
Sargent Burns, in a public announcement stated that the stench was the due to the amount of blood coming from the Curator’s head. It is believed that Mr Jones was preparing for a Christmas art show that included setting up stage scenery for the telling of ghost stories.
Mrs Elizabeth Pargetter, in a press release said, “we are all devastated about the incident in the gallery, and believe this to be a very sad end of a talented artist”.
Mr Jone’s wife was distraught at the news of her husbands death, “ he was determined to enhance the many art works! and needed to live at lower Loxley to complete making the gallery a national treasure”.
The forensic scientists are combing the gallery for clues and Sargent Harrison will be interviewing all who knew The Artist.
More details to follow.
The police have not held a press conference yet, just the usual, 'Round the clock investigations have commenced, further reports will follow as appropriate' The Borchester Chronicle will have to wait, as will the national news agencies. Meantime, back in Ambridge & it's environs, talk & rumour abound, whilst the police continue their interviews. It is well known that Russ Jones was the lover of Ms L.Pargetter, yet opinions are divided. Kenton Archer, her uncle, & joint manager of the local watering hole, The Bull, volunteered, 'Not to speak I'll of the dead, but the man wasn't well liked round here. My neice was still a student at the college where Mr Jones was Deputy Principal,when the affair started. He is some 20 years older than her, though apparently separated from his wife. I'm surprised, to say the least, that my sister, the neice's mother, employs him. I say no more, customers call !'
ReplyDeleteKeep working on the rapport with Justin, Rex, and you could find yourself swapping pigs at Hollowtree for pigs at Berrow.and the lovely Hannah....
ReplyDelete.
So much for the Borchester Chronicle. Such a long time since we heard from the Ambridge Observer. Much missed.
ReplyDeleteWe did our best last night ! 😉
DeleteWhat a dreadful episode. Sounded more like an Enid Blyton famous 5-2=3 1950 ‘Three go Bewildering in Ambridge’.
ReplyDelete🤣🤣🤣
Delete✔️ 📚😄
DeleteI said I'm not bothered about the logistics but shouldn't they receive a formal offer from BL, so far fiction has imitated life in that the best deals are done on a golf course and at a bar but even then there follows a written agreement.
ReplyDeleteI thought Justin said he would get the paperwork done ASAP but could have misheard.
DeleteIf he did then that's fine but they can only have any proper discussion once they see it in black and white, so far Justin's made a few phone calls and outlined the deal at a bar counter. I'm with Pip on taking her time.
Delete=
ReplyDeleteAm unable to move the keyboard
ReplyDeleteIt is at the top and hiding other comments
Oh, that sounds very frustrating Lanjan. In the guise of a computer expert, have you tried switching your device off, waiting a few minutes, them turning on again?
DeleteArcherphile. Very good advice. That’s my technical approach. Failing that I know a man.
DeleteAs carolyn knows, a nice hammer can cure anything. Gary’s picture tells it all.⚒😇
Can't believe I was actually waiting for Lee's reply even though knowing that he would.
ReplyDeleteNow, can someone please enlighten me as to how sending Christmas cards online is environmentally friendly. Yes, I do get all these reminders, save the trees etc but I'm not convinced.
First the hardware has to to produced and the software installed. Then there's electricity to power the devices and finally the air pollution, it doesn't all just dissolve, not to mention all the extra support network, I just don't buy it.
👍 with you all the way Basia.
DeletePat is just being tight and lazy .
ReplyDeleteI hope she realises that not everybody has a computer.
Talking of which my problem with this IPad righted itself .
I usually do turn off and on when things go wrong but today I just put it away and when I returned it had decided to behave !
Thanks though Archerphile I would have tried that method had I needed to.
Surely common sense would tell Phoebe and co. to wait till they got the papers in their hot little hands and then high tail it down to a lawyers office to read it through for any surprises etc. from Dick Dastardly.
ReplyDeleteBut common sense seems to be a scarce commodity in Ambridge!
They should have had a lawyer cast an eye over their proposal before submitting it to Peggy. The BL legal team will no doubt find loopholes which Justin Dastardly will exploit to his own end.
DeleteHe made it clear that farming was part of the reweeding and the only experienced farmer is Pip and she only knows about cows and herbal keys. The other two are clueless, and now we know Phoebe is prone to childish tantrums if she isn’t in control. What a mess.
Someone needs to recognise that if He is not taken to see a child psychologist soon, Henry will become a vicious criminal. All Helen’s interactions are negative. Don’t do that, this, throw, hit , push, kick and so on. He is not a nice child.
ReplyDeleteBasia (7.25pm last night) Completely echo your first statement. Yes, Helen, you are behaving like a teenager, far more than Johnny in the appropriate age group, is, actually, & Kirstie, don't you get heartily bored with propping up your wet friend ? Ok, we all know how 'vulnerable'Helen is, but, seems to me, she was pretty needy before ever Titchener turned up - in fact, it was that character trait which encouraged his pursuit of her.
ReplyDeleteAs for Henry, inclined to agree with Stasia. Most 8(?) yr. olds don't require that much correction. Whenever he appears, he seems to be doing something anti social, whether he speaks or not. Poor Lee - trouble ahead !
Or, as Rob put it, why do I attract needy women - referring also to his first wife, Jess.
DeleteHenry responded well to Lee in the past so perhaps he is just what or who Henry needs in his life. I hope so as I don’t think I could face a protracted story about Henry’s psychological problems, albeit realistic after what he’s been through.
ReplyDeleteJim and Lizzie loved the idea of Victorian Ghost Stories being told in the LL attics. It was, well in my thoughts, meant to be just that, story telling in a suitable location.
ReplyDeleteFeel for Jim, as now he seems to need a producer, when actually he doesn't.
The original concept was right, so why now spoil it?
There were many of them and much happening. Lynda has replaced Susan at Ambridge gossip shop. Brian said exactly what Janice put forward at the start, Justin will only get involved if there's something in it for him. There won't be many Grundys at Christmas table this year.
ReplyDeleteHeartening to hear Will has overcome his paranoia, & managed to arrive at a friendly understanding with Andrew. The bereavement group seems to work for everyone - adult & child. Can't overestimate the value of talking about feelings with others who are going through bereavement.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a welcome change for the Grundy parents to have a break from some of their family over Christmas ! Also, occurs to me, a chance for a reconciliation between Ed
& Emma ? I can .imagine a morose Ed sitting down to the turkey with mum & dad, when Emma pops in to say hello....( George & Keira are with Susan & Neil, unless they pop in with Emma)
Yes, Carolyn, I also thought Ed should be with Emma and their children for Christmas. Mightn’t they want their Dad with them on Christmas Day? Clarrie and Eddie could have a quiet day together.
ReplyDeleteI always knew Will would come good in the end, after all the trauma he’s been through since Nic died.
ReplyDeleteReally good to hear him sounding happier and getting on so well with his extended family.
And Phoebe will be very stupid to ignore Brian’s advice regarding Justin’s offer. She needs to open her eyes. I just hope Rex and/or Pip can understand the potential pitfalls and not fall for Justin’s poisoned apple!
I agree with others that Phoebe should definitely get a lawyer to look over the terms of the contract. She sounds rather headstrong at the moment so I hope she doesn't 'overlook' telling the others of the warning Brian has given her.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear Will getting along with Andrew and agreeing to Christmas at their place.
Just what did Phoebe learn during her very expensive time at one of the world’s top Universities?
ReplyDeleteWe assume (or perhaps have actually heard) that she achieved a degree in something or other but appears to have no intention of looking for a job.
Family seem to be expected to provide! She is turning into a junior version of her mother Kate.
She is becoming a very unlikable character for me and I am almost hoping she is brought down to earth with a bump!
Sorry, Phoebe aficionados!
Phoebe seems to have developed tunnel vision where the rewilding project is concerned. You could be forgiven for thinking she is seeing a project manager’s salary for her at the end of the tunnel. She must realise she can’t exist on handouts from Roy indefinitely.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see a business mentoring scheme in action here - which can be very helpful to young people starting up - but I guess maybe Borsetshire doesn't have one and the young person does have to be prepared to take advice. I suppose a Justin taking advantage makes for better drama. 😣 I wonder if Oliver has ever thought of joining a mentoring scheme, he has the personality for it, and in fact has helped Ed a lot.
ReplyDeleteI’m not normally someone who gloats, but I did suggest that Justin would use the rewilding to support his house building plan.
ReplyDeleteI shall also gloat when the avaricious Phoebe gets her comeuppance. What a hypocrite she has turned out to be, she has no principles. Justin is prepared to destroy a woodland and use ‘her’ proposal to get his way with the planning dept, and that is okay! What sort of associates did she have whilst at Oxford! Greedy, materialistic get rich quick Bullingdon types?
She dismissed Brian as thought he didn’t know what he was talking about, he who is just as underhand as Justin is in business.
Phoebe is planning her future and I for one hope she falls flat on face.
But, will she share Brian’s ‘this is between us’ with the other two?
I also hope she gets a salutary lesson. She is full of her own importance. As I have said before I am surprised that Oxford University has not sued the SWs for bringing their institution into disrepute.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Pierre!
DeleteThe Three Muddler(teer)s.
ReplyDeleteThe Three Stooges.
DeleteIt felt like two pantomime sets tonight. Robert trying to win Lynda round and getting more than he bargained for and she couldn't resist helping out the fellow man and woman.
ReplyDeletePip stated all the valid reasons for not trusting Justin but was swayed by Toby to follow her heart. Phoebe in the typical Ambridge fashion was on the brink of spilling the beans, but they haven't signed anything, yet.
I sincerely hope that when my grandchildren graduate from whichever institution they attend in due course ( should they do so ) they retain not only their ideals, but also their moral courage and, most importantly, their values.
ReplyDeleteAlong with honesty.
What an appalling set of young individuals live in Ambridge
I agree..but with the exception of Johnny. I'd hate him to be tarred by the same brush as the rest of them.
DeleteHe's in a different league.
Phoebe was just about to spill the beans about Brian's advice when Pip arrives and declares 'we should take the offer'. Phoebe doesn't sound sure about it and there's still time to change their minds.
ReplyDeleteI would have thought they needed to provide some evidence of availability of land for their scheme when presenting it to Peggy’s experts. Phoebe sounded so insecure and hopeless in front of Justin and cohorts and why weren’t the other two present? If they are to get the half million surely the project should come first. The whole thing is so unlikely!
ReplyDeletecarolyn 7.17pm
ReplyDeleteI like the name, The Three Muddler(teens).
In the beginning Rex recommends Toby asks Bert to baby sit Rosie, this child has become the village pass the parcel, and who was doing the baby sitting when Pip was out TTM meeting? Ben in his bedroom?
A plea to all you English teachers. I only have an English o’level, can someone please explain what a frontal adverbial means?
Guesswork here, Stasia ! 'Slowly, he opened the door...' More commonly, the adverb comes after the verb, but for effect, as in Jim's ghost stories, it might be written like that - adverb placed initially.
DeleteCertainly never heard the grammatical term as such. Possibly a Jim affectation, but could be proved wrong !
Google has lots of references to it.
DeleteCarolyn, you’re spot on! I had to ask Mr Google though, as I had not heard of it. Fronted adverbial is its name, apparently.
ReplyDeleteDoes Peggy have any responsibility in any of this? Is she happy to hand over half a million without knowing how it will be spent?
Sorry Maryellen, we were obviously typing at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOf course my comments about Peggy refer to the rewilding team and what legal terms they have to agree with her in order to release the money.
carolyn. “ By Grand central station I sat down and wept”. Self indulgent twaddle.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to ask the ' adverbial ' question too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for answers.
Well done Stasia.
Why doesn't Philip have 12 Christmas jumpers?
ReplyDeleteGood one Basia!
DeleteCan anybody tell me where The Grundy World of Christmas is actually based?
ReplyDeleteFrom where are all the tombola prizes coming ?
How can Clarrie afford to buy the ingredients for the hundreds of mince pies she is planning to make?
Is this happening on one actual day ?
It seems so vague.
I may be alone in this but I am sick and tired of hearing about how they will all miss Joe.
I never liked him.
What was there to like?
He was an very old man and very old men die.
I am also sick and tired of Clarrie moaning on.
Bring back Susan Carter and her sister Tracy .
I think it's more a tribute to the actor who played him rather than the character he played.
DeleteIn Grundy’s Field over 2-3 weeks. I don’t know about the finances.
DeleteI'm sure they miss his ferrets, his toe-nails and his cheery disposition; even the most negative personal traits leave a hole once they're gone. Some people in the village might now be in danger of forgetting their surnames!
DeleteI agree with Autumnleaves and I think there'll be many references to Joe until the move to No1 The Green. Also, when people die I find it tiresome to hear how they were the best that ever existed.
ReplyDeleteKind of like childbirth. .you erase all the bad parts
DeleteI am hoping that Josh gets detained in SE Asia - one way or another!
ReplyDeleteAt least he's not such a pain in the butt as Freddie, or perhaps you think he is, Gary ?!
DeleteHe's made something of his farm machinery business & he doesn't whine or gossip.
Oh, I think he's ghastly carolyn!
DeleteWholeheartedly concur, Gary.
DeleteCan't Helen ever bring herself to pay attention to the worries & sorrows of others ? Why, she showed more engagement with the trivia about Philip's Christmas jumpers than she did with how Clarrie was feeling, trying to rise above all Grundy woes.
ReplyDeleteI always get the distinct impression that Helen views Clarrie as staff. Nothing more. "Keep the staff at arm's length" and all that.
DeleteRight again Gary. Ghastly female!
DeleteI find it unbelievable that Josh has managed to arrange a major trip to far away places in such a short time.
ReplyDeleteAt least he’ll get away from his annoying sister for a while.
I wonder if the actor is going off to do another role for a few weeks.
Unlike Gary and Pierre I shall miss Josh and hope is does come back. I have admired his resourcefulness and determination to make his own career after being told there would be no job for him a Brookfield. Like most people he has his negative traits but generally I think he is a good young guy - definitely preferable to Freddie and Ruairi, anyway.
O.K. Archerphile I agree he is preferable to both Freddie and Ruairi but that is not difficult.
DeleteLanjan 7.24pm
ReplyDeleteThis listener agrees with your point of view. 👏
What would Joe want as he looks down on Eddie and Clarrie from wherever they think he is?
Will they ever stop mentioning the old GOAT? The legacy he leaves is not endearing for an old man of 98 Years. But as with all who die they suddenly have a personality as white as the driven snow.
Clarrie should be joyous as his demise has relieved her of many burdens, feeding, washing his clothes, cutting his toenails, cleaning his room and all those other little tasks she undertook in looking after him. Oh, and I nearly forgot making them homeless.
They Grundys is getting on my nerves.
Archerphile, Josh's departure is just as sudden as was Ruth's trip to New Zealand, the after Heather effect. Ruth thought she upset him over Bella, taking it too far.
ReplyDeleteI suppose now that Ruth will have to prepare Christmas lunch she is envious of Jill escaping this chore. The whole idea of a family meal, to me, is to see everybody, with the children playing on the floor and everybody spreading out on the sofas afterwards.
Sitting at a table for a seven course meal sounds like an endurance test.
This may be a way of retiring Jill, so I hope she enjoys herself.
I do agree with your last sentence Basia - it really is time Jill was looked after rather than being taken for granted as the head cook and bottle washer at Brookfield.
DeleteIf I were Ruth, I should be ashamed to be relying on pmy 80+ mother- in-law to do so much cooking, baby-sitting etc etc.
Time the younger Archers fended for themselves.
I chuckled at your description of Helen as ghastly female,Pierre .
ReplyDeleteI always use dreadful woman(man) when talking about someone I can’t stand but I like your description more.
As for Jill getting through 7Courses ..........
The only thing is that at these fancy places where one spends an arm and a leg on a meal ,the food seems to consist of a bit in the middle of a large plate with “jus’ plastered round the plate.
There may be eight choices of pudding but one can only eat one.
It wouldn’t suit me.
No comment.
ReplyDeleteI hope Tom and Johnny had a good time.
I wonder what Pat bought for Tony after 45 years.
Well weren’t we all expecting that?
ReplyDeleteYes, why didn’t it occur to H and K?
DeleteHelen is in desperate need of (more?) counseling of some kind. Maybe she could see the one that worked such amazing miracles with Elizabeth! The way therapy seems to work in Ambridge, about 45 minutes should see her right as rain...
ReplyDeleteJust as she lied to him about another man, perhaps Leanne isn't real either... actually, she probably is, but it sounded like an affair on the rebound - describing her as 'sweet', well, more how one would talk about the new cat in one's life.
ReplyDeleteOh, that annoying dramatic cliche of stopping a person saying what needs to be said, & they're struggling to say ! Helen was slow enough, but she was on the verge of stammering out something about why it was 'all her fault'. He's been wheeled back for a reason, it won't end there.
Nice to see Tom give some empathy & booze to Johnny.
Helen really can be the most infuriating character.
ReplyDeleteSpit it out woman! Tell him the truth, for goodness sake, and see what happens.
Maybe the friendship with the nurse is not that serious and he’d be happy to try with you again if only he knew the truth!
22 characters listed on the Sounds app for this weeks cast but Lee is not amongst them - so one of the other actors playing the part?
ReplyDeleteHelen it seems you still need (more?) counselling before you can subject yourself or any new partner to a relationship. Should it begin to work out with Lee I guess that’s when some contact will be made by Rob wanting to know his son - or did the courts ban him for life regarding this?
Agree Archerphile, why didn’t she push ahead and say “please let me speak first this is important and I don’t want to lose my courage” but of course SL is king and a way to go yet I presume at least to Christmas or New Year at the earliest!
GG when I wrote my comments I had only read Archerphile’s post then went backwards and I see we both made the same counselling statement even down to the (more?) in brackets! 😄
ReplyDeleteWe are both insightful geniuses obviously Lady R! 😁
DeleteToo much meddling from Kirsty, social engineering isn’t her strong point, she means well but doesn’t have the skill. Nice to know she is so happy with Philip, but want I’d really like to hear about is her new job.
ReplyDeletePat has absolutely no idea about people.
ReplyDeleteA cuckoo clock for the ‘most beautiful woman in the village???
Pat has absolutely no taste buds.
Borchester Blue in Mussaka???
I dread to think what she has bought Tony?
The gift for Tony is what he's always wanted when they went to celebrate on Lakey Hill, she knows him well enough by know, so it'll be all right: a telescope?
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd like to know more about Kirsty's job and not Philip's festive gear.
Helen had a chance to say that it was someone from her past when Lee turned up at the shop.
Don't mind hearing about Philip's way of heralding Christmas, just glad Kirsty managed to squeeze in something about her own life, before giving full attention to her damaged friend's dithering, & eventually throwing her out of the car......
ReplyDeleteRegardless of whether Lee is seriously involved with Leanne the Nurse or not, Helen does owe him an explanation, however difficult it is for her to do this, rather than let the man continue to live with a mystery. It's not right or fair.
If Helen is that desperate to explain to Lee, why doesn’t she write to him, email or postal she knows where he lives. Is he that interested, anyway? He agreed to meet her, presumably after mentioning it to Leanne, in order to clarify his own role in the affair, and having got his own feelings off his chest. Now that’s done, he’s gone back to Leanne with whom I hope he will be very happy.
ReplyDeleteI agree , Maryellen.
ReplyDeleteThe less we hear of Helen and Henry the better It will be as far as I am concerned so I hope that Lee having told her of his situation means that we won’t be hearing any more from her for the time being.
Oh, they're so going to end up together! And when they do, all Helen's troubles will be over in an instant - no more physical or mental health issues. As sure as eggs is eggs!
ReplyDeleteOf course, yes, Gary 😊 No point in Lee reappearing otherwise, as I wrote earlier. The story will drag on for years, though, as he will become involved with a) Henry's trauma, obvious to any listener, if not the boy's family b) Helen's resistance to anything that might help her or Henry, such as counselling c) Return of Titchener & his attempts to get hold of Jack d) before any of that, finding out how both boys came to be born.
ReplyDeleteAdd to all that, he has his own daughters.
More I think about it, the worse the deal is for Lee - maybe Leanne the Nurse, presuming she doesn't have any heavy baggage, is much the better option !
Most girls would be amuch better option!
DeleteHe doesn’t deserve it,Gary.
ReplyDeleteThat Helen's got more baggage than Imelda Marcos leaving a shoe sale!
ReplyDeleteFrom time to time someone will predict the return of Titchenor. May I point out ,for the severalth time, that when he fled he was described as being of interest to the police. Should he show up he should be immediately arrested. ( Slight snag, Harrison is the local Bobby)
ReplyDeleteI don't think that is forgotten for a moment, Pierre, but you know the ingenuity ( or sloppness, take your pick) of these SWs, & I bet they'll find a way round it ( heavy disguise, name change, a legal battle from abroad) they'll come up with something 😉
DeleteRob will ‘return’ in the person of his son, is my prediction!
DeleteThe signs of Henry’s “trauma” aren’t obvious to me now - what am I missing? We hear nothing about Rob’s son Jack’s development- does he look like his father, what personality traits are emerging, etc. I’d be interested to know more about him.
ReplyDeleteAgree, it's not that obvious, except that he still speaks like a younger child, & something negative always happens when he's around, either he's complaining or has to be told off for anti social behaviour. Add to that, what happened a few years ago was disturbing, & no one has ever explained to him Why Daddy Left. I think that = unresolved trauma.
DeleteAs for Jack, a nature/nurture debate for the future ? He's also a bit too young as yet to be asking awkward questions.
That negative behaviour description fits a lot of children Henry’s age or older encountered in Waitrose on a regular basis!!
DeleteDoesn’t happen in Lidl,Maryellen.
DeleteIt does in Sainsbury's as well, Maryellen. As I posted above, we only hear Henry at home. He might well be completely different at school where his acquired behaviour doesn't produce the same desired result as at home. Happens a lot. Sometimes at parents' evenings I used to feel as if we weren't discussing the same child!
DeleteI’ll be transferring my custom forthwith! 😀
DeleteIn my experience it isn’t the negative behaviour of the child we should worry about. It is the negative behaviour of the parents, and in TA the primary concern should be Helen and her negative interactions with Henry.
ReplyDeleteWhen I’m shopping 🛒 (I use all the shops for different things) I tend to observe the behaviour and language of the parent when a child is being disruptive.
Last week I went to a market stall and whilst waiting to purchase some nuts two children began to fiddle with a punnet of raspberries. The mother was looking at some other fruit and noticed the boy fingering the fruit, she told him to stop, making absolutely no eye contact so he promptly helped himself and his little sister followed his example. She then realised what they had done and immediately grabbed him and disappeared into the crowd. I think she should have bought the punnet, but the stall holder left them sitting there.
Helen is that mother.
I know this isn’t directly linked to TA, but I want to say that I find the behaviour of some parents to their offspring when out shopping acutely distressing.
ReplyDeleteI quite often see a crying toddler stuck in the child seat of a trolly being shouted at by an angry mother (or, occasionally, father). They are probably overworked, tired and frustrated, but shouting at an already distressed child is not going to help and breaks my heart.
I am often tempted to intervene but dare not. Dealing with an outright tantrum is difficult but the way some mothers react to their child when shopping just increases the tension, upsets the child (and me) even further.
I'm surprised, AP, not having noticed that in more recent years, though plenty of it years ago; I had assumed it was because of the nanny state, & the fear of being hauled over for child abuse !
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, with you on your analysis, Stasia, seen plenty of parental ineptitude this century.( BTW, not condoning screaming at toddlers in supermarkets !) Two (former!)friends were proud of the way both their children didn't like the word 'no'. They were keen on positive affirmation, fine, but useless on boundaries. I had to keep gritting my teeth & saying to self that it wasn't the children who were intrinsically obnoxious, but the parents' attitude towards them.
Now I'm actually beginning to feel sorry for Helen....she's so bad at being a daughter, mother, life partner of anyone, friend, employer in some respects, being an independent adult. What's left ? We..ell, she's making a passable cheese at last, &, um, she's quite nice to Ian, Tom & Natasha.
ReplyDeleteHelen..the ice queen❄❄❄
DeleteIncapable of love and being loved
Archerphile,
ReplyDeleteWrong blog I know but I did intervene on a crowded train recently where a child of about 8 yeasts old was having a tantrum.
The mother was very embarrassed and I told the child I had magic powers and with his mother’s consent I would give him something which would be good for him.
I showed the mother a boiled sweet ,she said yes and the child sucked it and was quiet.
Interaction Lanjan..you were engaging the child, paying attention to it.
DeleteI don't think I've ever heard Helen get "down and dirty " with Jack and Henry having fun altogether or
a bloody good laugh.
She is so detached from them she probably spends more quality time with the Mont whatever they're called.
Nice one, Lanjan - I like a bit of bribery & corruption ! 😉
DeleteWhat I can't stand is telling a child that they can't have something, then giving in because they are making an almighty fuss. What are they supposed to learn from that ? Raging & shouting gets you what you want ? Manipulation pays ? Lanjan's distraction is much better.
I'm sure we all, from a very early age, want our own way, a survival thing, natural, so it's learning to see what is & isn't important +, later on, that others have needs & desires too, that count.
Oh, dear, this is way off TA, & beginning to sound like a lecture. I'll shut up.
Best sentence in this morning’s omnibus;
ReplyDeleteLynda : I can’t let an ego maniac like Jim ruin the Chtistmas Performance.
It takes one to know one!
😂😂
DeleteMy thought too Carolyn.
DeleteYes wrong blog again....
ReplyDeleteBut I intervened yesterday on the common.
I heard a father call, not shout, but to traduce a girl who was having fun rolling down a hill in one of the old quarry workings. I looked over the edge and could see, as father had done, that she had missed a small piece of rock by a couple of inches. And dad was right, the rock was about two inches from where her head had landed.
She looked around twelve, and she and her sister close by looked utterly dejected. Dad was way over the other side of the pit, they were close to me.
I spoke and said, ' your dad is angry because he could see the danger you had put yourself into and is concerned for you, but don't let it stop your fun, just make sure that any loose rocks are moved out of the way before you roll down again.'
She nodded and understood I think.
Often parents fear for their child's safety is paramount and the fear overrides kindness in explanation.
And it seems clear to me that this is overwhelmingly Helen's problem with her children and indeed herself.
Helen is a constant bundle of fear on two legs
Yes, and she missed the boat with Lee. It could have worked out but maybe too soon after her trauma with Rob. She hasn’t had much luck with the men in her life.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry but I can’t agree with these harsh assessments of Helen as an unloving individual and mother. I have always heard about woman who loves both her children and is fully committed to them, admittedly relying on support willingly supplied by her family as happens in many real life families with working mums. I think she is just as loving and committed to her children as Emma, for example, and the previous generation of Ambridge mothers, whose devotion has never been questioned. Helen’s tragedy is not that she is “ice cold” but that she isn’t.
ReplyDeleteMaybe my radio is a deferent model to Helen’s detractors’, but that is what I’ve heard. (Call me FOSO the Second!)
Thank you, Maryellen.
DeleteI don't think anyone said that Helen didn't love her children. She clearly does, having deliberately chosen to conceive Henry, &, whilst initially finding it hard to bond with Jack, because of the way he was conceived, she very soon moved past those feelings. I expect the mothers who lose their rag in the supermarkets, & the ones who won't say 'no' likewise love their children.
DeleteLove does not always ensure thoughtful parental, alas. No one is perfect, of course, but there are degrees of imperfection.
Helen comes across as clueless, in respect of Henry.
Yes, love is not enough to make a perfect parent, tjat’s well recognised, but it’s a pretty good start. I don’t think Helen is clueless as regards Henry, she certainly recognised the early post-Rob symptoms, which no longer seem to apply. Her everyday handling of Henry sounds to me much like Emma’s everyday handling of Keira. The important thing is that both Henry and Kiera love and trust their mothers.
DeleteWoman to woman I'd like Helen to be happy. Perhaps if Lee had seen the highlights in her hair the effort would not have gone to waste. They could bond over their decomposed families.
ReplyDeleteI would also like a reconciliation for Ed and Emma over the coffee table.
To change the subject slightly..I have been a regular listener for about 14 years and off and on for a great deal more, but i can't for the life of me ever remember hearing of the Grundy World of Christmas. Did I doze off or was I so wrapped up in Linda's panto that I didn't pay any attention.
ReplyDeleteSince when did this become an Ambridge tradition. .
Last week?
ReplyDeleteThought so 😂😂😂😂
DeleteOnce again, Google has the answer: 2002.
ReplyDeleteCertainly Grundy World of Christmas has been around for a number of years.
ReplyDeleteIf 2002. Then you've been asleep for seventeen Christmas's Autumnleaves.
Shall we rename you .......
Sleeping Beauty ?
Thanks at least for the beauty part Mrs P😴😴😴😉😉😉
DeleteI remember hearing about the Grundy WoC before. Didn't they also have Elfworld, or was that part of the same thing?
ReplyDeleteI’m coming to the conclusion that Helen is a right snob.
ReplyDeleteNot only has she been denigrating the inhabitants of the new estate - built on Bridge Farmland, to her great benefit.
But did you hear her lacklustre response to Clarrie about taking the boys to The Grundy World of Christmas? She obviously doesn’t think it is good enough for Henry and Jack.
She’s not snobby about Lee, though.
DeleteAnd, come to think of it, she wasn’t snobby about Kaz.
Delete......except it doesn't appear she kept up the friendship. There's been no reference to Kaz since her visit to Bridge Farm shortly after Heldn's release. She was very supportive to Helen during their incarceration, now she doesn't need her any more.
DeleteI think it was Kaz not Helen (who was very supportive to Kaz after the self-harming incident) who didn’t want to continue. their post-prison friendship.
Deletewho
Well, well two reconciliations for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a feel good episode tonight, pleasant, undemanding listening, fine by me in this somewhat fraught pre-election week.
ReplyDeletePoor Leanne.
ReplyDeleteYes, LanJan, Lee is going to have to do some explaining himself....
DeleteSo Lee is a bit of a rotter - just right for Helen then!
ReplyDeleteIn the best tradition of TA, what Helen wants Helen gets.
I'm already looking forward to the episode where Lee dumps Helen because someone better comes along....
ReplyDeleteGood job FOSO doesn’t still contribute to this blog - he’d be telling us all off for being nasty about Helen!
ReplyDeleteHis view was that it told us more about the people being nasty than it did about Helen - anyone who criticised her was a misogynist. But it was okay by him to criticise some of the other women in Ambridge.
DeleteThe irony was that he was a closet misogynist ! Such was my adding up.
DeleteCalling All Archer Listeners.
ReplyDeleteThere is a questionnaire on Surveymonkey.com about Archers listeners participation in fan groups (such as this one). It is being conducted by Claire Astbury for a paper she is going to present at the Archers Academics conference in the Spring.
If you can find it, either via Facebook, or from Surveymonkey, it is interesting to fill in. Mostly questions like how long you have been listening, which groups or blogs etc you participate in. Etc.
There was an interesting question asking if you recognised various nicknames and euphemisms you had come across and if you knew what they meant, E.g. They Dopeys (Brookfield Archers, very unkind, I think) and ‘taking someone up Lakey Hil’. I was surprised to recognised very few!
Just to add, I mentioned this fan blog and the reason we had to set it up. So the results of the survey, when given at the conference, should complement Gary’s contribution and possibly encourage a few more members.
DeleteThanks for the heads up, AP - sounds interesting. Great thinking about the conference !
DeleteI’ve just completed the survey, Archerphile - I didn’t know most of the acronyms etc, either. I guessed ‘taking someone up Lakey Hill’ meant sex al fresco but could well be wrong!
DeleteYes, that’s what I guessed too! I should be interested to find out what the various initials stood for.
DeleteYou beat me to it Archerphile - just this minute logged on to tell everybody the exact same thing! Would heartily recommend that everyone helps Claire out. And don't forget to mention our good selves!
DeleteI've done the survey.
ReplyDeleteRecognised some of the characteristics but certainly none of the acronyms.
I wrote quite a lot about our blog and how valuable it is. Adding our numerous meet ups.
Just listened to Jill making mince pies. Who was she talking to? A simpleton......boil the kettle, mind that water’s hot! Pleeease. God how to make someone sound patronising.
ReplyDeleteShall take a look at this survey thingy.
I remember that it was Helen who was first to declare her feelings for Rob, telling him of her longing to smell his skin and taste his lips. Jess was with her family after her father's funeral. When she returned Rob called it off and Helen suffered because she loved him and it wasn't just the sex which was mind blowing. When Rob and Jess parted acrimoniously he and Helen rekindled their relationship. She was overjoyed when Jess agreed to a divorce. For making the wrong choice she now deserves all the love there is and the sweet girl Leanne must hop it.
ReplyDeleteIm a bit thick, I don't belong to face book, tried Survey monkey, do I have to sign up does anyone know ? I am rather reluctant to sign up to things
ReplyDeleteI just looked up surveymonkey archers and didn't seem to have to sign up to anything, it just went straight to the survey. I said what an intelligent interesting bunch we all were!😊
ReplyDeleteThanks Janice, now completed
DeleteWell that's going to ruin poor Leanne's Christmas then.
ReplyDeleteSo the S/Ws think it's all wrong for Josh to kiss Bella while she was with Johnnie but okay for Helen to kiss Lee while he was in a relationship with a..... 'sweet girl' was it?
ReplyDeleteHelen back to her stalking again. What Helen wants, Helen gets....., still, apparently.
When Helen arrived on the scene after graduating from Reese Heath or wherever she went I thought her cool, supercilious and self-centred. So I believe she is still true to her character, unlike some story lines.
DeleteLoved Emma arriving at Grange Farm. That was heartwarming. I hoped Ed would come in but I suppose we have to wait for Christmas or midnight on New Year’s Eve for that moment.
Thanks Cowgirl for asking the same question I needed answering about the survey. I will have a look.
I have just done the survey.
ReplyDeleteGoogled Survey Monkey The Archers and it came up straight away .
No signing in.
Very user friendly.
Done survey too
ReplyDeleteYou're right Spicycushion about Helen - 2.41 p.m.. She didn't give a thought to Lee's girlfriend but just went for him. She could have said that she would wait to see if his relationship worked out before jumping straight in.
ReplyDeleteLee should take the lion’s share of the blame where Leanne is concerned - dhe’s HIiS partner! Helen didn’t physically overpower him after he sought her out - he could have walked free, she gave him ample opportunities, but he chose not to.
DeleteI think Helen deserves to be perfectly unhappy for the rest of her life. She appears to have absolutely no problem starting relationships with other people's partners! I don't think I would be introducing her to any of my friends any time soon...
ReplyDeleteNever mind about sweet girl Lianne, we've never met her. Helen needs love and she and Lee are made for each other, that's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteHelen needs help more than she needs love Basia!!!!!
DeleteI’m still trying to work out in what way Helen and Lee are made for each other/good together. Takes more than few mutually enjoyable kisses andthe prospect of a good time in bed! What interests do they have in common, what shared tastes? Do they complement each other in some way? What does Lee bring to the party other than being inoffensive and good with elderlies and children?
DeleteThe only one to benefit from Lee and Helen in a relationship is Henry, who responded well to Lee when he was the Karate teacher. That is if the relationship lasts.
ReplyDeleteI got the impression that Lee’s involvement with Leanne was new and they only meeting for a drink. Work colleagues. Nothing very serious.
I've just done the survey. I see the results will be reported on 29th February - please don't let that date provide an opportunity for Helen to propose to Lee....
ReplyDeleteDid the survey just now. The special phrases & abbrieviations mostly too esoteric for me. I guessed a few. Of course I flagged us !
ReplyDeleteFinal question - the one that has been asked of every new male coming into the enclave, with the possible exception of Rex Fairbrother (so that’s T❤️O❤️B❤️Y, Justin, Russ and Leonard) and now it’s Lee’s turn: is he after her money???
ReplyDeleteI've done the survey, but not sure if it got sent, as there was something about puppies on the end of it which was nothing to do with it.
ReplyDeleteI’ve just monkied about on the survey. I didn’t realise there were so many Archer groups. I added us a number of times.
ReplyDeleteLike Stasia, I got the impression that the Leanne fling might not even have quite flung yet. A mutual attraction, a few dates or meetings only so far. Admittedly, when/if he owns up, it puts him in a negative light - using a woman on a rebound from a recent disappointment. Hopefully, she hasn't become too smitten, & will shrug it off. It was different with Johnny, they had been going out for months, he was smitten & both Josh & Bella knew it.
ReplyDeleteStill, a heartwarming episode last night, especially the scene between Clarrie & Emma.
Can see what is attractive about Lee, professionally dedicated & able, skilled teacher, socially pleasant & easy. Er, what does Helen offer ? Heavy baggage, zilch personality.