Like Archerphile, I wanted to hear about Lower Loxley on Christmas Day. I guess it was Rob who stood in for Jill as it were, and cooked the clan’s lunch.
Gosh! I’m first - that’s a first! Looking forward to tonight’s fallout from yesterday’s faux pas by Tom - stupid boy! And to hearing how Jill got on with Leonard’s son.
Well, I was first when typing but Maryellen beat me to it! Which reminds me Maryellen - I’m too late to wish you merry Christmas, but would like to wish you and any other bloggers who do not read the ‘other’ blog a very happy, prosperous, peaceful and exciting New Year. Over on t’other blog, we have all been sending each other good wishes, but as you don’t contribute to that blog I think you may have missed out, which is a great shame. So hear’s to another year of friendly blogging about TA and speculating what exciting storylines the S/Ws will dream up! 😃
I enjoyed last night’s episode. Although it was a little clumsy at times and stretched credulity, it seemed to me like the Archers attempt to stage a pantomime, and more enjoyable to me than traditional pantomimes. - oh yes they are carrying on with each other, oh no they aren’t...and I liked Helen and Lee laughing after remaining silent during the debacle, almost like an audience aside. As for Oliver, perhaps he can’t quite bring himself to sell Grange Farm or live in it without Caroline. At least he knows the Grundies have an emotional attachment to the place, and Oliver has always supported Ed, and Caroline was Will’s godmother.
It will also pave the way for Will to rent the Green again, which could be useful income now he’s given up game keeping and/or for Ed and Emma to live there when they get back together.
Has the fact that Bella wants to leave The Bull anything to do with the fact that Josh has some explaining to do to the Police when he returns to Ambridge ? Perhaps she has a brother who was the one to whom Josh lent the digger or whatever it was
Also, do people like that ridiculous Angus actually exist?
Lanjan, 7.23 p.m. Yes, pretentious twerps like that really do exist. I was with one earlier today, (the son of a friend). I would rather spend time with Joy, and that's saying something, pet. I have lived in the north-east for 32 years, and don't knoe anyone who routinely uses this affectation. Perhaps all the 'pets' moved to Ambridge. Happy Boxing Day....
On dear! Poor old Eccles R.I.P. He has been around the Bull for years. I think he first appeared when Sid was married to Kathy and that’s a very long time ago. As for the pretentious Angus, I’m surprised Lilian can be taken in by such an idiot. I sincerely hope Kenton and Jolene manage to resist any right-on ideas he may suggest for modernising the pub. It’s strange that Lilian has recently started to interfere with their running of the place after being a virtually silent partner for so many years.
I’m just going to have to boast ...... I have just done the Archers 2019 quiz and scored 14 out of 15 answers right! The one I got wrong was about what Dance Jazzer was trying to teach Tony on New Years Eve. You can find the quiz on the BBC official Archers website.
I've enjoyed both the Christmas Day and today's episodes. Tom was ridiculous and I agree it was nice to hear Helen and Lee genuinely laughing. Nice to hear Joy being included, grudingly at first, but then all present having fun together. Poor old Eccles. At least it was instant death and, of course, Kenton should tell the truth.
In case you were wondering - The post from "joo" was an advert for a cleaning company in Saudi Arabia & the post from "Important" was an ad for an Indonesian university!
Gary, thank you for keeping the blog tidy, Apparently peacocks have a life span of 10-25 years, I’m sure Eccles has been around longer than that, unless we have had several generations.
And Joy seems to be the life and soul of the party. Pat and Tony were really enjoying her company until well...you know. Then Kirsty and Philip. I think from now on she'll be on most people's guest list and no longer persona non grata. ( did I sound like Jim there?) 😄😄😄 Why is Kenton freaking out ..it was an accident for Pete's sake.
Gosh, yes, can hear it now, the voice WAS like Freddie's, putting on a yuppie act ! What came out of his mouth was a caricature of Russ ! Russ is marginally more subtle than Angus, but there's the same assumption of esoteric artistic knowledge. Both hollow men, of course, self deluded. Real creative people don't talk like that.
So now we have Josh & Freddy in the frame as “Angus” but I have just remembered that as today is Friday - hard to recall the days this week a cast for the week available on Radio Sounds and the character is named and the actor Leo Wan.... Josh funnily enough is played by an Angus - Celia Imries son and I gather he is 25 yrs old
The actor Leo Wan. is in the RSC’s current touring company with minor roles in The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It. He is ‘putting on’ Angus’s voice.
Will somebody enlighten me please. From where is Gavin going to get 50 guests to travel to Bali for his wedding? Sorry if I offend anyone but I have always thought that people who expect their friends to spend money on travel and hotel bills in addition to buying wedding presents for either weddings or Stag and Hen Parties abroad are completely selfish and unrealistic. Well it is simple for Phil. He just says “No” . He should match what the bride’s mother is giving. Is this where Gavin comes out with the fact he knows his dad made money out of the Ed business that P tbY and I had a bet on about? Didn’t I reckon Gavin was Mr Big? Can’t remember now.
Wow ! Gavin's got a nerve. Am somewhat jaundiced on this, as a friend of ours got caught for 23k for his daughter's wedding. They separated in a couple of years, one child later. He's not bitter, admirably philosophical about it actually, though he's not a wealthy man, & it seems such a sad waste, all that input for one day, or maybe a week, if people are travelling that far, for a marriage that was doomed from the outset. Philip, I suppose, will struggle to meet his only child's dream , & perhaps it is a coupling destined to last, but it's the sheer materialism that grates on me; they could have a lovely celebration, surrounded by friends & family all routing for them, much more modestly without being cheapskate. Just takes some thought, care & imagination.
Well! I thought that sounded like a passive aggressive threat at the end to his dad. Yes Lanjan, you thought Gavin was Mr Big and I thought Welsh Phil was. Time may tell yet. I now think big weddings are a waste of money. As Carolyn said earlier about a wedding, many only last a few years. I’m gonna encourage my son to elope!!!
Philip should decline to chip in that much!! Destination weddings are unnecessary. You can still have a lovely celebration without a 19 hour flight!! Does Gavin have some sort of hold over his dad, other than being his only child? He repeated how well the business was doing but why expect so much money for a wedding?
Hit publish before I had finished. Gavin did not mention any sum of money he and his intended have saved towards their Bali wedding what is it with the residents of Ambridge and their (grown up) offspring they always seem to need / expect family to do everything for them. When Gavin said “look at this place you’ve got” Philip should have said “quite we have a mortgage and bills to pay” Grrr I could go on. Pip’s back to her old self, and Kenton will be in even more hot water than if he had just come clean about his accident with Eccles!
Philip should refer Gavin to their Welsh compatriot Natasha. She of the nifty moving credit cards. When last heard giving financial advice to Emma, she recommended having many credit cards and only pay off what was required. I believe Natasha had already accrued a debt of £15,000, ‘no big deal’. Are the S/Ws giving the impression that the Welsh are spendthrifts. Extravagant and irresponsible with money.
But I do agree with PtbY....there was something threatening in his last statement ..is he holding something over Philip's head..are we building up for the new year cliffhanger..will Rosie eat the chocolate log all in one go...will Pip be able to complete a sentence?..will roast peacock be on the menu at the Bull this week....stay tuned listeners.. all will be revealed. Contributions welcome😊😊😊
What a preposterous episode. Not surprised by Kenton's stupid behaviour -- par for the course! Why can't Paul just tell the impudent demanding Gavin to rearrange the words off and bugger into a well known phrase or saying? As for Phoebe perhaps she might realise that her unacceptable behaviour has made her persona non grata and leave Ambridge to get a real job, comensurate with her much hyped degree. With any luck she would stay away or, when she does return, she may be played by another actress with some trace of acting talent. She was so bad as to make me feel for once that Pip's behaviour was acceptable.
Now for something completely different: the next year is a leap one, as someone already said. Who will propose on 29th February? Kirsty, Helen , Kate, Lily or Tracy? Only two months to find out.
Can hardly believe it will be Nigel’s 9th anniversary this January- which celebrated (?) TA 60th year so I guess the plot for January 2021 will soon be under discussion re the programmes 70th! Which is incredible really - suggestions? Just in case the SW pop in here from time to time 🤗
I for one would like it to be a happy episode for once. Remember when Dan, Doris & family were together on NewYears Eve for instance laughing and joking then with glasses charged and the church bells ringing best wishes were exchanged all round. Ups and downs to follow no doubt but happiness was allowed as well.
Still think killing Nigel was a big mistake! Yes, a happy start to the year would be good!
Philip said at the beginning that he would contribute to the wedding and he should do just that deciding on the amount but in no way providing the full shortfall. If they want this expensive wedding they should fill the gap themselves! Friends of ours funded a big wedding for eldest daughter and she was divorced 4 years later. What a waste of money!!
Only just managed to get connected to son’s Wi-fi here in Dubai and able to listen to Friday nights episode. Most of my feelings about Gavin and Phoebe have already been expressed by others, so I won’t repeat, but I was mostly annoyed by Phoebe’s behaviour. (Gavin was just preposterous !)
I remember Phoebe being very unempathetic to Pip’s need to see to Rosie when she first broached her scheme at the Rosie’s birthday party. Pip made it clear it was an inconvenient and inappropriate time and to wait until later but Phoebe insisted on discussing it then because it was *so* important. The same thing happened on Friday - Pip made it clear she was busy and didn’t have time to talk but, once again, Phoebe pushed her was in and was soon wheedling and trying to guilt-trip Pip into not giving up on the scheme. What an unpleasant, selfish, young woman she has become. I really hope Pip is not persuaded to carry on, nor Rex for that matter, and that Phoebe is left to carry the can and sort it out for herself.
I’d just like to put in my two penn’oth about weddings aboard because Mr A and I were affected when our son decided to get married in South Africa and we couldn’t go. The decision was made because our son was marrying a French girl and it was proving impossible to arrange the wedding in England (lots of French relatives couldn’t afford to travel and stay in England, or France (vice-versa). Also a French citizen (then) had to marry in their family town which meant everyone returning to Nantes from Toulouse and arranging hotels for all their lot and all the English contingent was very difficult. After months of discussions, wrangling and disappointments my dear daughter (half joking) said ‘why don’t you just escape and get married abroad’ - so that’s just what they did! We could just about have afforded to fly down there but our daughter, s.i.l. and 3 children couldn’t so we thought it kinder to not go. I cried my eyes out on the day, especially when they phone to say they were now Mr and Mrs .... But we did arrange a garden party reception at home for all the English relatives and friends when the newly weds returned (with a typical British 3- tiered wedding cake). The following week a similar garden party event was held in France for the French family and friends with a croque-em-bouche as the French wedding cake, so everyone celebrated in the end!
Archerfile I understand, and you have my deep sympathy over, the crying. My son phoned me up from the Philippines July 2018 and said : Hi Mum I 've got some news. What's that Dan? I got married yesterday. Stunned silence, followed by outrage on my part because none of us were there. Followed by: But Mum I thought you would be pleased for me!
It had been a very quiet wedding without even her own mother being there, and only one of her seven siblings and four friends present, mainly because they had offended her family by moving in together before marriage. Now of course they have mellowed because my son is helping support the family financially.
I was startled when Phoebe announced to Pip that she had secured the rest of the land they needed to release the Trust’s first payment - just like that! After all the agonising, it was that simple. All by herself. How, where, what.....???
And all this time I thought Enid Blyton had died years ago...obviously not she seems to be moonlighting as a script writer for the The Archers...tally ho!
Autumnleaves, my thoughts exactly. Phoebe has been sounding like a famous five character particularly since last week. I am feeling bereft for the lovely young sixth-former she was - as already mentioned, not a good advert for Oxford.
It isn’t the correct blog and I am probably on my own here (maybe P Tb Y may agree with me though) but I would not have minded two hoots had my son decided to elope.. It was a very long day and I had the honour of collecting my mother in law and her lovely friend who lived 40 miles away in the opposite direction to where the wedding was taking place ,which was another 60 or so miles away from where we lived. The day was very long. I think that the amount spent on weddings can be obscene. I always said even when I was happy to travel long distances that should either of my Canadian grandsons get married I would happily give them the price of two tickets to visit England for the honeymoon rather than go to the wedding. Therefore I say hats off to Archerphile junior and Janice junior for doing the sensible thing.
I'm afraid that for Gavin and his other half, and many many others unfortunately, it's a case of oneupmanship. All for the sake of social media and very little to do with the actual sentiment of the day.
For Gavin and his ilk it is just another party, especially if someone else is paying.
Basia 28th 12.25pm. I think you are spot on, a leap year, too enticing for the S/Ws to ignore. But who will take the leap, let’s guess! There are a number of single women including Hannah, Elizabeth, Shula and not forgetting the lovely Joy. Who is the most likely to be foolhardy and impetuous, I’m going for Lily. Tally Ho.
Stasia - I only listed the ones who are already involved with someone but with the ones above it makes it nine plus Pip who by her own admission had chosen the wrong brother and Phoebe.
Seasider - someone on the BBC blog said it was unbelievable that an Oxford undergraduate said she mustn't touch anything in an STD clinic.
Lanjan - I really like the idea of people getting married with chance witnesses brought from the building or the street outside and once on PM somebody told it as their real life story and after the ceremony they drove off with their dog.
To add to the Destination Wedding debate. In the past it was to do with residence. Soon after we were married husband went to Paris for his best friends wedding to a French girl. I stayed at home as heavily pregnant. I never wanted to walk down any aisle in a white dress nor ever push a pram. Got married in my off white beany hat and matching dress and coat at Kensington Registry Office with a reception in a house in Richmond, and with as least fuss as I was able to get away with. My eldest paid for her own lavish do with flowers, makeup and catering from the top class London crews, and a Jazz band at the reception in a Georgian Mansion. I did pay for her dress ! My youngest and partner did what her mum would have preferred if she had to do it at all. Went off to Brighton Registry Office, with the toddler and got hitched with a couple of strangers off the street as witnesses. Then took the toddler to the children's playground on the front. We were told of the event but with clear instructions that nobody was to attend. I went down to Brighton once I was given the date and ordered flowers for daughter and a posy for my granddaughter, to be delivered to the Registry on the morning. Unfortunately they were not given them until after the ceremony, however the thought was much appreciated. In recent years both daughters have been invited to a cousins wedding in Madeira ( pay your own fare plus present please ). Both declined.
I hate weddings. My sisters being the worst day of my life, mine being the second worse. Even at my eldests wedding I was usurped by my husbands second wife and had to sit at the end of the first row in order to keep my mother from falling off the very narrow pew. All I saw of my daughter at the alter were the heels of her shoes.
As I did, and liked it. An authentic ans traditional Ambridge Character, is sadly no more. Times change though, so must go with "the flow" Where are Bert + Jill - neither are very prevalent to date.
Like you Mrs P I kept my wedding as low key as possible. I had a long cream dress with a wide brimmed hat - it was the 70’s! The dress I wore many times afterwards. We had 12 guests and a buffet meal at my parents’. I wouldn’t have changed a thing and we were married for 43 years. The wedding is of no importance compared to the marriage.
I really enjoy weddings ! At least, the four I've attended this century have been very very joyous. I do agree about excessive cost, there's something rather disgusting about that.
Run, Pip, run ! This BL deal stinks. Why can't Rex see that ?
Barry Farrimond (Edward) what a lovely caring chap bless him he was so sad at losing Edward Kelsey as a friend and radio grandad to his own child. Also Trevor Harrison (Eddie) very moved too. I enjoyed the tribute programme enormously, strange how some of the actors use their own voice while others sound slightly like their character and finally like Edward nothing like them at all! The comment from Edward re locking the door of GF for the last time when they had to move to MR and the resulting just sitting as actors taking it all in and being supplied with a bottle of wine just shows how much they care- wonderful.
It outshone tonight’s episode for me :- Thank you Edward 🌹
Autumnleaves 5.58 pm and Miriam 9.03 pm - I SO agree with you and would love Jazzer to find love in the New Year. I'd also like Johnnie to find some happiness too.
I was busy commenting on last nights episode and the lovely tribute to ‘Joe’ afterwards and then my iPad battery ran out, so it didn’t get published ! I can’t remember all my comments but I did say ‘Don’t do it Pip!’ having heard that Rex was apparently mollified by Phoebe’s wheedling. I really, really hope Pip will hold out against Little Miss Me-Me-Me and drop out of the scheme to concentrate on Rosie and her work at Brookfield.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tribute to Edward Kelsey and all the little stories about him from other cast members. It was interesting to hear cast members natural voices for once and I especially enjoyed Barry Farrimond’s contribution. He sounds like a really caring and decent young man.
It didn't even cross my mind that Pip might leave the scheme but perhaps she will and not donate the land. Where would it leave Rex, he's also about to fall out with Josh. What about the trust rules?
The rewilding story is becoming tedious and silly. Have these three twits even knocked up some sort agreement between them regarding roles and responsibilities, and how the money is going to be spent? Phoebe has come down from Oxford as some sort of Greta Thunberg and no real job. Rex has two jobs and Pip has a full time job, and a pass the parcel baby. Where are they going to find the time to rewild 300 acres of non contiguous land with the bulk in the hands of BL, and wrapped up legally In a document written in legalese speak? A contract the dimwits haven’t even read. Even the , I went to Oxford, Phoebe would struggle to understand legal speak. Try reading some of the contracts companies expect people to sign! Unless Phoebe changed courses and took up law a degree PPE wouldn’t be much help. Philip sounds extremely stressed, but that another drama waiting in the wings.
Very confused about this re wilding business. If the land is just going to be left to revert to what it used to be then once the land has been bought and paid for, surely that is that. End of story. The Three Twits as Stasia calls them (I agree with the name) presumably have done their job.
As for the Phillip and Kirsty story...... There is no way Kirsty would have allowed Phillip to make their home into a miniature Blackpool sea front. I don’t think he has been entirely honest with her over several things . She didn’t exactly go into the relationship with her eyes open. I think she thought he was her last chance . They are not suited It is still the “honeymoon period” It won’t last.
I agree that the treatment of the re wilding story is a mess and a muddle, but it is raising awareness of the subject. Along with the current objectives of organisations such as Extinction Rebellion, other methods of mitigating Global Warming are in danger of being dismissed as irrelevant. The focus on this subject in TA is allowing knowledge of this method to at the very least enter the subconscious of all listeners. And even if it goes no further than that, that in itself is worth something. It is of course also possible that the TA team are making a muddle'n'mess in order to illustrate the importance of forethought and planning, and showing what might happen without these strategies.
The thing about rewilding is that it still has to be managed. The right balance of livestock has to be supervised and they still need to be bred and sent to market. The land has to be gently engineered and helped to get back to a natural balance again (wetland areas etc), and indigenous vegetation has to be encouraged so that the insects, birds and butterflies are able to flourish again. The whole idea is to get back to the original natural annual lifecycle of the land that is being rewilded. The various plots also would need to be contiguous (one of the reasons that Phoebe was so keen to get an agreement with B.L. as I believe that it abutted onto the land they have from Brookfield). If not, corridors would have to be created so that animals could move safely from one plot to another. And the whole lot would need to be strongly fenced, and that would require some constant maintenance and attention.
Suz, thanks for that, you write with knowledge & authority. I thought it couldn't be as simple as just leaving everything to grow 'wild', but it seems there's a fair bit of management & monitoring involved. The three never talk about afterwards, so it is hard to see whether they know anything at all about such a project, just hot air from Pheobe, no ideas from the other two.
Aren’t they also supposed to be making a financial profit ( of which BL takes its share)? I seem to recall Phoebe saying something about educational trips for schoolchildren, when asked about this way back. Is it going to be Open Farm Sunday all year round?
I suggest that to understand where the rewilding storyline comes from google Knepp Wildland. It is part of an ancestral estate consisting of 3,500 acres of fenced in land that is managed by using grazing animals to develop an ecosystem. It is imo just a money making themed park using rewilding as an enticement to bring in visitors. They offer camping 🏕 glamping and safaris and meat from the grazing animals and other produce. A clever method of bringing in money by jumping on the eco band wagon and preserving the ancestral pile. The S/Ws have virtually take the words from their advertising blurb. Justin Elliot will have done his home work and if the Knepp place makes a lot of money he is definitely quids in with a rake of 75% of the profit. The only one of the three with any knowledge of grazing animals is Pip, but she is playing hard to get. She should to milking cows.
As we now go into the new year, I feel I must mourn the latest Ambridge passing - Eccles. Lot's of S/L's are now starting to build up for 2020, which is a new decade. I wonder what is in store, for us ardent Archers listeners + addicts. Can I call us that?? It will be great to continue to discuss here.
My first wish, is Pheobe and Pip, start to work together, and become friends, again.
Due to WiFi coverage here I now have to listen to each episode the following day, so my comments will be a bit behind everyone else’s. Re rewilding and the excellent information from Suz and Stasia - just who is going to do all the day to day maintenance required? Is this going to be Phoebe’s post-graduation career or will it be down to Pip and Rex to fit it in around their other jobs. Or perhaps they are planning to employ someone, using part of Peggy’s money? There has been no word about the nitty gritty of running such a scheme. I thought Phoebe sounded as if she was entering the lion’s den when she accepted that lift from Justin and it’s clear he expects far more from her than she seems able to give. I felt he almost sounded menacing when giving her business ‘advice’.
I thoroughly enjoyed the chats between Lee and Tony. I think Lee sounded a really caring guy, assuring Tony he was not another Rob, and then, later, Tony admitting he had failed to protect his daughter and still regretted it. I think they understand each other perfectly and that a rosy future lies ahead for Helen and Lee. Perhaps their Wedding will be the highlight of 2020, or even the 70th anniversary in 2021.
Ah yes Archerphile I was asking recently for thoughts regarding the 70th Anniversary and as the 60th was dire losing dear Nigel let’s hope for something happy for once - that in itself would have a shock impact 😂
There's a lot of gastric flu about, will Jim be up to it tomorrow? I've listened to the two stories so far, atmospheric but not too scary. At least we didn't have to follow Helen, she took up with Rob, again, on New year's Eve.
Has Eric Idle become a script writer foTA? There have been quite a few episodes lately where it has been, " nudge nudge,wink wink, know what I mean? Say no more". Latest - Helen's non subtle invitation to Lee this evening.
Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy and peaceful 2020. I wonder if there will be fireworks in Ambridge tonight. We are going to light some up in the field later and because we are up the hill they will have a good view of them down in the village. Travel safe everyone through 2020.
My full new year greetings to all our friends is on the other blog, but to those who don’t read that one - May you all have a wonderful 2020 , with everything you wish for, good health and happiness. And more intriguing stories in TA for us all to enjoy!
I thought Lynda was a better bet than Robert (his voice is not suitable, higher than hers), but Jim wouldn't have the limelight stolen from him. I think The Monkey's Paw is a moral story about be careful what you wish for, so I didn't listen. Hopefully Eccles will now rest in peace.
Would Robert really have been so pathetic? I think not. I thought Maryellen was going to be correct and Russ was going to take over. The ridiculous story about Eccles is not worth commenting on.
I'm glad that Jim felt well enough to perform. I thought it was a rather strange ending to the last Archers of the year to have him say 'I think I'm going to be sick again'. Not exactly a fitting ending to an eventful year in Ambridge IMHO.
I agree Anneveggie - a very downbeat and unpleasant sentence to end the year on, something I would have expected to be spoken by Jazzer or one of the young men in Ambridge! My visual interpretation of Jim’s plight was very disturbing. 🤮
Last night’s episode was torture! For Kenton, although he deserved to be harangued and put through the ropes. But for Robert it was totally unnecessary to subject the poor man to harassment and torment by his wife and Elizabeth. I half expected the Inquisition, in the shape of Monty Python to coming charging into Ambridge shouting!
Have already missed 2 Archers episodes, as too busy doing other things. Have just love reading, all your comments - which will make sense, when I finally catch up.
Anneveggie and Archerphile, I agree, a very odd way to end the year but look at it this way, Jim refused any professional help during his tormented year, so perhaps it was a time of cleansing for him. I'm probably reading too much into it, a very unpleasant image for us to share.
As most anticipated, Gavin seems to be a pretty unpleasant character. Very nasty to Kirsty, but it was probably a mistake on her part to intervene on behalf of Philip. She probably doesn't know the half of it !
Yes, Gavin is very unpleasant and his attitude of entitlement is so prevalent nowadays. Katy finds this with some of her sixth formers who think they will get a job or career without working for it as it will just jump into their lap. Gavin is taking advantage of his father’s generosity and has obviously always felt entitled to it and taken it for granted. A spoilt child still and nasty with it. Philip has not done him any favours bringing him up like this.
I feel for Kirsty. Don’t worry, she is not going to let Gavin get away with that. I think ,however ,Phillip is going to have to admit to her how short of cash he actually is. Why on earth did he spend money on all the rubbish he bought at Christmas?
I found it interesting that Kirsty has eventually come to realise her contribution to tthe debacle of er wedding day, and she has gone up in my estimation as a result. I couldn’t help feeling, though, that Gavin’s meant-
(Cont.from above) to-hurt words held a truth. I don’t see how relations between him and Kirsty can continue on a friendly basis which will add to Philip’s stress.
I hope the Jim actor is now going to take a well-deserved holiday!
I have just had to search the medicine cupboard for antiemetic solutions! Is Lee old enough to be having sex with the black widow. All that gushing squelchy nonsense and his teenage adulation and neediness for attention is upsetting the gastric juices.
Phoebe also sounds as young as Henry perhaps she should be given a Lego of Rewilding Ambridge for her birthday so she can practice until she is old enough to do the real thing.
As for Kirsty! Should have followed the advice of, don’t interfere with other people’s children/ adults. Gavin is closer to her age and and his smutty remark about meeting up should have been a warning to stay clear.
That was me, Basia. I've been very interested lately in an organisation that is promoting the idea of creating corridors for hedgehogs (small openings in fences, a bit like a cat flap but smaller and no flap) to help hedgehogs access suburban gardens without having to take the riskier route across a road. Same sort of idea, but on a smaller scale.
I am delighted that Kirsty spoke to Gavin. Someone needed to and his weak father hasn’t. I thought she behaved very well. When he implied that since it was he who was getting married he should say where the wedding was to be held,Kirsty could have said(as I would) that it would be fine as long as he he was going to pay for it and for the airfare and hotel for anyone who wanted to attend .
Call him “Gavin”, Kirsty not “Gav”. He is the sort to say “I am only Gav to my friends” If his father gives into him, chuck Phillip. He is not good enough for you anyway. Go back and live at Roy’s for the time being.
I think Kirsty made a big mistake. This is between Philip and his son and if he's kowtowed to his son all his life he's not going to change now and Gav isn't going to expect anything less. Kirsty came across exactly as Gavin said as a freeloader living in a nice house with no other prospects. She really walked into that one and there's no going back now, I'm afraid😦
Roy’s right Kirsty. Tell Phillip what happened between you and Gavin. You will then see where the land lies. He should support you so if he doesn’t,get shot of him and take up Roy’s suggestion and move back to his house.
Why does Jim need to know? Does he care? Just as Jazzer said that he is over the worst but of course he'll tell him and make him relive it. Kirsty will tell Philip and it will break up their relationship, so she'll go back to living at Roy's. Philip came from nowhere and now they live in a nice big house, very odd.
Thought I'd posted a comment, but no, & haven't the energy to try it all again, so, a stab : Gavin is utterly vile, no, Kirsty should never have followed her silly, loved up friend's advice in confronting such a poisonous character, &, yes, she should follow Roy's & speak to Philip, whatever the fall out. Jiim should be told, as well about the death of his abuser. It can be very hard for someone to hear, resurrecting the past without proper closure, but they have the right to know, & it will, in the end, inevitably, close the chapter.
I agree with others that Kirsty should tell Philip everything that Gavin said to her. Depending on his reaction to this information, she can decide what to do but, if he doesn't support her, he's not worth her time. I do hope that Jim can carry on as he is and not let the news of his abuser's death upset him and set him back.
I too agree with the sentiments of others, but wonder if Kirsty will tell Philip courtesy of the SWs. It will make a far better SL for them if she does not. I also believe that Jim should be told. He needs to process this information in his own way. However I think it should be Alistair who tells him, or perhaps even Shula, but not Jazzer, who is far too emotionally involved.
Who is Kathy, where is she, Do we seek her here, Do they seek her there, Is she kind and is she fair, Does she utter a tut, to him or her, As Upon her managerial chair she sits, And in silence does she watch the woes As in the staffing room the fists do fly, And Oliver shouts and Roy doth moan, So Kathy in silence will write the words, Beware, a warning you must have, I don’t need a voice to make it so. Apologies to Shakespeare.
Kirsty seems so content with Philip, and I hope it lasts. Gavin, though, is like so many these day, in that expect parents (of my generation) to help/pay for house deposits and/or weddings. I just hope Kirsty can tell Philip, that he should only help, but not pay, for Gavins wedding. Kirsty is loving her relationship with Philip, in their new home. Why should Gavin, spoil it with his "demands"?
Should add - Love Kirsty + Philip being so neighbourly to Joy. She needs their friendship and they seem to have fun together (at times). This could be another friendship destroyed... Time will Tell.
Kirsty moves in with Roy. Phillip moves in with Joy Ed wins the jackpot on the lottery Phillip sells his house to Ed and Emma. Phillip gives Gavin the £20,000 he wants . Sorted.
My feelings too Autumnleaves. I nearly said as much in my last post, but am not comfortable with making predictions, so didn't. So thank you for saying so.
Yes, I think that would be lovely too, Kirsty and Roy. But will probably be a long time a’coming, with many dramas, arguments and crises along the way. So how about a Kirsty & Roy Wedding for 2021? 💕
Kirsty doesn't come from my "neck of the woods". You must be confusing me with someone else. As to Tom, she nearly married him, was then pregnant by him (with a sad loss of baby). Yes he"s married, but anything might + could happen. Why Roy??
Sorry Miriam.. I must have got that wrong. Kirsty is from the Wirral I believe. Why Roy? Why not.? He is the right age ,unmarried ,unattached, pleasant,kind and a far better prospect for Kirsty than a weak man who thinks that making his house look like Blackpool illuminations is the way to Kirsty’s heart. I believe he has money problems too. I rest my case.
Would that be the same pleasant, kind Roy who was so roundly condemned when he strayed with Elizabeth and didn't know how to prevent Hayley from leaving? I wonder how that compares with the Blackpool illuminations on the graduated scale of perceived male weakness. Not judging, just curious.
Any mileage in thinking Kirsty& Philip could still work it out between them ?! Couples do sometimes manage to get through the difficult times all on their own....
Completely forgot it was Saturday last night and wondered why I couldn’t tune in to the Archers at 11pm. So I listened to Jim’s three ghost stories instead. Didn’t find them very frightening but they were read beautifully by John Rowe. Very strange here because it’s Sunday and my grandsons are back to school after the Christmas hols and son and d.i.l. are off to work. The weekend out here is Friday and Saturday, takes a bit of getting used to!
Yes, Roy has a past and so has Philip, do we know why he and his wife separated? I said that Philip and Kirsty would break up and she'd go back to living at Roy's, I'm sticking to this for the time being.
Basia, I think and hope you are right. For no real reason that I can put my finger on ,I have never liked Phillip. (I don’t think he speaks very highly of me either though!)
Yes, I stress living *at* Roy's, not with him as a couple. Gary had some strong words about Roy's racism and adultery. Also, I always remember Foso's wise words: life does not invalidate anything. I would argue that racial prejudice can be worked upon but adultery once committed remains. Faced with a choice as a newcomer to the programme I'd go for Roy.
Personally I’m waiting for Roy and Tracy to ‘find each,other,’ have a mult-million Lottery win, buy Grey Gables from Oliver and manage the business in tande. They complement each other perfectly. Let’s leave Kirsty and Philip to enjoy their loving relationship whatever the storms it has to weather.
I'm taking it that all this sexual musical chairs chat is the usual wkend phenomona of idling away the gap, when nothing much left to say about TA.
Like some others, I'm getting a little tired of hearing from Helen & Lee; ok. already, we've got the point - after dodgy relationships, they've found 'The Other'. It works, they're very happy, now please just enjoy it in privacy. Pity they had to turn him into a drip, he wasn't before, in order to emphasise the point, but I think it is just that, &, in time, he will emerge as an interesting personality again.
Oh, sad to hear Kirstie berate herself about her own non wedding - for heaven's sake, it was just a local affair & many women can become obsessed over dress & other details - it's their special day & they get over it.
Kirsty does not know the details of Philip’s financial circumstances, and is worried that he can’t afford to bankroll his son. More importantly in my book she doesn’t know that he was profiting from some very dodgy dealing with the illegal chemicals he had Ed transporting. I think she would be appalled and exit the house and relationship pretty smartish. Roy would take her as a housemate and in time I think they could get together, I think she’d get on better with Phoebe than Gavin.
Hang on a minute there KP - some, maybe many, believed that he was behind the dodgy chemicals business, but we don't know that Philip was the unknown ' boss' it's pure speculation without any basis. 'Fake News ' might be a good description.
Exactly! I think all the talk of Phil being Mr Big was pure speculation - and mainly on here, may I say, and not on other sites I was reading at the time. There was absolutely no evidence that Phil was a big time criminal, just some people’s dislike of the character going over the top. I remain to be proved wrong of course, but I think whatever ‘hold’ Gavin has over his Dad it is not to do with fertiliser!
I am not saying Philip was “Mr Big” but he was involved at some level, and must have been making some profit from which he paid Ed cash in hand. I don’t think Kirsty will be pleased to hear he was involved in this sort of activity full stop.
It wasn't Philip that employed Ed, KP. Forgotten his name now, but someone that Oliver recommended to Ed as maybe having some casual work for him. Nothing to do with Philip - apart from the speculation on here.
Having listened to the TA Omnibus this morning.... Kirsty does not know Philips finances, but neither is she seems to be "sponging" of him. Surely, all she is doing is trying to protect the man she loves, from making a big mistake. Kirsty + Phil, seem a couple in a warm + loving relationship. Why should "Gav" now spoil it??
KP(5.50pm), looking back it was Oliver who introduced Ed to Vince, as someone who might have some work for him. So he did, fencing innocently enough, until it changed as we all know. Philip never featured in that SL at all, as far as I'm aware, apart from in listener speculation.
No. No. No. No. NO! They can’t change the name of The Bull! It’s sacrosanct to The Archers. Whatever is Lilian thinking of? Probably wants to call it The Slug and Lettuce or something equally stupid. 😡
They have a Slug & Lettuce in Farnham Archerphile and I’ve been in one in London not far from Waterloo prior to an appointment at St Thomas hospital about 3 yrs ago. Check up on the op they did for me to repair a detached retina. Not a particularly inviting name I agree 😂
I must hand it to Philip, he sorted Gavin out in no time, for now. They brought Harold back into Jim's life, so they might as well tell him he's dead but he won't rejoice. Alana will go much better with the new image of the Bull, for now, I agree with Kenton, bonkers.
Animal names aren't popular any more ! What B***s*** ! Any ideas about freshening up the interior ? I wonder..... Glad that Philip was mmediately outraged on Kirsty's behalf, but it all feels very ominous. I bet this 'apology' will be accompanied with a threat.
The middle man Ed had dealings with was called Tim, who cleared the remains of the stuff when he disappeared. Vince is involved with the abattoirs and sounds like a crook but there's no proof that he is.
I'm not at all reassured that Philip has fixed it with Gavin. I imagine he has done what my son in law and his best mate did when ' having a talk ' about the house that both wives wanted to buy, when they were all emigrating from London to Bath. The result was the loss of a good friendship since university days. Men don't talk to each other, they share some euphemistic phrases and believe they have ' sorted' it.
Watch out for repercussions Kirsty.
I can't see ' The Bull ' ever changing its name. Apart from all the publicity around the ' original Bull ' and the photographic evidence, I imagine the regulars of all generations in Ambridge would make such a fuss of a name change, not to mention Peggy's reaction, that Lillian would have to back down.
I think Gavin is just appeasing his father. He meant every word of what he said to Kirsty because he’s nasty. Agree Phil might have promised the money. More fool him!
Good luck with the name change idea Lilian, some years back Vintage Inns took over The White Hart pub at Pirbright (named as such since the 1800’s) and renamed it The Moorhen - well all hell broke loose and it returned to The White Hart! Very nearby is The Cricketers- family owned all of my life until now. Closed and refurbished and now called The Cricketers on The Green which it is) so they learnt the lesson of adding rather than changing name wise. Apparently it has been refurbished to reflect the villagers of today many being London commuters and in many ways the village is as unlike my young days as you can get! My mum was born there but her family moved to Knaphill when she was 2yrs old but I had two aunts and uncles that lived there the aunts my mums sisters married two brothers...both of whom were gardeners and had glorious gardens themselves all their lives 🌺🌸🌼🌻🌷 For many a year one of the couples had a tied cottage at a big gated property there my uncle was one of two gardeners (flowers and fruit and veg) and aunt helped in the house. We used to visit and as we went in the gates all the dogs would appear and I was terrified 😂 I also remember the the fruit trees and just picking an apple to eat wonderful taste!They also had a swimming pool which I never used but one of my sisters stayed at times and when the owners were away she was allowed to use it. Ahh memories and all because in Ambridge changing the name of The Bull is in the balance.
(I think some traditions still continue in Pirbright flower show etc 🤞and some 🏏 )
The latest refurbishment is by Grosvenor pubs so a different company but research will have uncovered the blunder of The white Hart name change no doubt. Pretty sure the village still has flower show etc though - hope so 🤞
What a daft idea. The Bull should and, I believe, will remain The Bull. I would like the job to go to Emma even though I'm not her biggest fan. The other young lady sounds more like eye candy to lure youngsters in.
So the compromise solution could be The Bull on the Green ot The Bull Revived - and people will still call it The Bull, which is what happened to one of my locals, which changed its centuries-old name a few years ago, then bowed to the inevitable and changed back again.
I reckon that Peggy, as former owner/custodian will put her foot down, very firmly, against any change whatsoever. It’s unthinkable that Ambridge should not have The Bull, but it will make a good story with lots of arguments before the matter is decided (or so thinks the Editor!)
One of our, very ancient, coaching inns on the main road has always been called The Sun. Now it’s been turned into a gastro-pub with a celebrity chef, the inside gutted and replaced with a big, open-plan room, all hardwoods and uncomfortable perch-on stools and very high prices but it’s still called The Sun. However, the lovely old sign of a rising sun over golden wheat fields has been replaced by a horrid black and white symbol that looks more like an asterisk than a Sun. 🙄
I am with you all the way ,AnneVeggie 1:00am especially about employing Emma and with everyone else who thinks that it is a daft idea to change the name of the pub. If I were Kenton I would suggest that Jolene should go on another Road Trip. I am not sure that she is a asset to him regarding the Pub Business.
What's more, Lil is setting my teeth on edge every time her voice is heard, usually interrupting whatever else is going on, & always with rubbish to spout. How can she set any store by Justin's taste ? He has none, only an eye to the economic benefits of any project. Evidently, she has no taste either, or she would be deaf to the ideas of trend slave Angus, who sounds like a joke. As for Jolene ? Softening of the brain ? .
Sorry that was me, Janet, just now. I seemed to have taken over my son's profile who was staying over the hol. I listen and read but haven't commented for a while.
Like Archerphile, I wanted to hear about Lower Loxley on Christmas Day. I guess it was Rob who stood in for Jill as it were, and cooked the clan’s lunch.
ReplyDeleteCan't remember his name, ah, you meant Russ?
DeleteYes,I meant Russ! Silly me, too much Christmas cheer....
DeleteGosh! I’m first - that’s a first!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to tonight’s fallout from yesterday’s faux pas by Tom - stupid boy!
And to hearing how Jill got on with Leonard’s son.
Well, I was first when typing but Maryellen beat me to it!
DeleteWhich reminds me Maryellen -
I’m too late to wish you merry Christmas, but would like to wish you and any other bloggers who do not read the ‘other’ blog a very happy, prosperous, peaceful and exciting New Year.
Over on t’other blog, we have all been sending each other good wishes, but as you don’t contribute to that blog I think you may have missed out, which is a great shame.
So hear’s to another year of friendly blogging about TA and speculating what exciting storylines the S/Ws will dream up! 😃
And all good wishes for the year ahead to you too, Archerphile and to fellow bloggers!
DeleteI enjoyed last night’s episode. Although it was a little clumsy at times and stretched credulity, it seemed to me like the Archers attempt to stage a pantomime, and more enjoyable to me than traditional pantomimes. - oh yes they are carrying on with each other, oh no they aren’t...and I liked Helen and Lee laughing after remaining silent during the debacle, almost like an audience aside. As for Oliver, perhaps he can’t quite bring himself to sell Grange Farm or live in it without Caroline. At least he knows the Grundies have an emotional attachment to the place, and Oliver has always supported Ed, and Caroline was Will’s godmother.
ReplyDeleteIt will also pave the way for Will to rent the Green again, which could be useful income now he’s given up game keeping and/or for Ed and Emma to live there when they get back together.
PS Season’s Greetings to bloggers on this blog!
DeleteI think the best outcome would be for Ed and Emma to live in No 1 The Green.
ReplyDeletePerhaps they can eventually buy it from Will
.
What's all this about, people have done much worse when reversing. When did we first hear of Eccles?
ReplyDeleteHas the fact that Bella wants to leave The Bull anything to do with the fact that Josh has some explaining to do to the Police when he returns to Ambridge ?
ReplyDeletePerhaps she has a brother who was the one to whom Josh lent the digger or whatever it was
Also, do people like that ridiculous Angus actually exist?
The actor sounded like Josh to me - as only a few lines spoken maybe the same actor?
DeleteLanjan, 7.23 p.m.
ReplyDeleteYes, pretentious twerps like that really do exist. I was with one earlier today, (the son of a friend). I would rather spend time with Joy, and that's saying something, pet.
I have lived in the north-east for 32 years, and don't knoe anyone who routinely uses this affectation. Perhaps all the 'pets' moved to Ambridge.
Happy Boxing Day....
On dear! Poor old Eccles R.I.P.
ReplyDeleteHe has been around the Bull for years. I think he first appeared when Sid was married to Kathy and that’s a very long time ago.
As for the pretentious Angus, I’m surprised Lilian can be taken in by such an idiot. I sincerely hope Kenton and Jolene manage to resist any right-on ideas he may suggest for modernising the pub. It’s strange that Lilian has recently started to interfere with their running of the place after being a virtually silent partner for so many years.
I’m just going to have to boast ......
ReplyDeleteI have just done the Archers 2019 quiz and scored 14 out of 15 answers right!
The one I got wrong was about what Dance Jazzer was trying to teach Tony on New Years Eve.
You can find the quiz on the BBC official Archers website.
Vera calls everybody 'pet' but she's only acting.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed both the Christmas Day and today's episodes. Tom was ridiculous and I agree it was nice to hear Helen and Lee genuinely laughing.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear Joy being included, grudingly at first, but then all present having fun together.
Poor old Eccles. At least it was instant death and, of course, Kenton should tell the truth.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGary - the above?????
ReplyDeletePosts from people trying to tempt us with their wares Archerphile!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIn case you were wondering - The post from "joo" was an advert for a cleaning company in Saudi Arabia & the post from "Important" was an ad for an Indonesian university!
ReplyDeleteGary, thank you for keeping the blog tidy,
ReplyDeleteApparently peacocks have a life span of 10-25 years, I’m sure Eccles has been around longer than that, unless we have had several generations.
I think Angus sounds like Freddy. 😣
ReplyDeleteAnd Joy seems to be the life and soul of the party. Pat and Tony were really enjoying her company until well...you know.
Then Kirsty and Philip. I think from now on she'll be on most people's guest list and no longer persona non grata. ( did I sound like Jim there?) 😄😄😄
Why is Kenton freaking out ..it was an accident for Pete's sake.
Gosh, yes, can hear it now, the voice WAS like Freddie's, putting on a yuppie act !
ReplyDeleteWhat came out of his mouth was a caricature of Russ ! Russ is marginally more subtle than Angus, but there's the same assumption of esoteric
artistic knowledge. Both hollow men, of course, self deluded.
Real creative people don't talk like that.
OMG Carolyn you don't think Freddy and Russ have morphed into Angus, do you?
DeleteSounds more horrific than one of Jim's ghost stories😱😱
So now we have Josh & Freddy in the frame as “Angus” but I have just remembered that as today is Friday - hard to recall the days this week a cast for the week available on Radio Sounds and the character is named and the actor Leo Wan....
ReplyDeleteJosh funnily enough is played by an Angus - Celia Imries son and I gather he is 25 yrs old
The actor Leo Wan. is in the RSC’s current touring company with minor roles in The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It. He is ‘putting on’ Angus’s voice.
DeleteThat figures. The actor seemed to be enjoying himself, too.
DeleteThe continuity announcer stole my line, I wanted to suggest Brookfield and then the two of them could have the honeymoon in Bali.
ReplyDeleteWill somebody enlighten me please.
ReplyDeleteFrom where is Gavin going to get 50 guests to travel to Bali for his wedding?
Sorry if I offend anyone but I have always thought that people who expect their friends to spend money on travel and hotel bills in addition to buying wedding presents for either weddings or Stag and Hen Parties abroad are completely selfish and unrealistic.
Well it is simple for Phil.
He just says “No” .
He should match what the bride’s mother is giving.
Is this where Gavin comes out with the fact he knows his dad made money out of the Ed business that P tbY and I had a bet on about?
Didn’t I reckon Gavin was Mr Big?
Can’t remember now.
Wow ! Gavin's got a nerve. Am somewhat jaundiced on this, as a friend of ours got caught for 23k for his daughter's wedding. They separated in a couple of years, one child later. He's not bitter, admirably philosophical about it actually, though he's not a wealthy man, & it seems such a sad waste, all that input for one day, or maybe a week, if people are travelling that far, for a marriage that was doomed from the outset.
ReplyDeletePhilip, I suppose, will struggle to meet his only child's dream , & perhaps it is a coupling destined to last, but it's the sheer materialism that grates on me; they could have a lovely celebration, surrounded by friends & family all routing for them, much more modestly without being cheapskate. Just takes some thought, care & imagination.
Some couples seem to spend more time, effort and money on the wedding than they do on the marriage.
DeleteWell! I thought that sounded like a passive aggressive threat at the end to his dad.
ReplyDeleteYes Lanjan, you thought Gavin was Mr Big and I thought Welsh Phil was. Time may tell yet.
I now think big weddings are a waste of money. As Carolyn said earlier about a wedding, many only last a few years.
I’m gonna encourage my son to elope!!!
To Gretna Green? I just re-read Pride & Prejudice, money talks.
DeletePhilip should decline to chip in that much!! Destination weddings are unnecessary. You can still have a lovely celebration without a 19 hour flight!! Does Gavin have some sort of hold over his dad, other than being his only child? He repeated how well the business was doing but why expect so much money for a wedding?
ReplyDeleteHave you ever had a pleasant meal in a Greek tavern ruined by the behaviour of an English stag party? Yuk! We cancelled our order and left.
ReplyDeleteThere was one ruined in the Archers by plate smashing, paid by Oliver?
DeleteWell after a request / demand like that Philip I hope you consider not donating so much as a penny piece! I am fuming 😡
ReplyDeleteHit publish before I had finished. Gavin did not mention any sum of money he and his intended have saved towards their Bali wedding what is it with the residents of Ambridge and their (grown up) offspring they always seem to need / expect family to do everything for them.
ReplyDeleteWhen Gavin said “look at this place you’ve got” Philip should have said “quite we have a mortgage and bills to pay” Grrr I could go on.
Pip’s back to her old self, and Kenton will be in even more hot water than if he had just come clean about his accident with Eccles!
Will Kenton be arrested by the RSPCA together with Alistair for perverting the course of justice?
DeleteTwo unpleasant characters, Phoebe and Gavin, trying to wheedle and manipulate.
ReplyDeleteThe archers take on calendar girls has come up on my sounds list this morning.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure if you put it in search it’ll come up if anyone can’t find it.
Gavin said 20k excluding the flights, who is supposed to pay for those, please don't bother.
ReplyDeletePhilip should refer Gavin to their Welsh compatriot Natasha. She of the nifty moving credit cards.
ReplyDeleteWhen last heard giving financial advice to Emma, she recommended having many credit cards and only pay off what was required. I believe Natasha had already accrued a debt of £15,000, ‘no big deal’.
Are the S/Ws giving the impression that the Welsh are spendthrifts. Extravagant and irresponsible with money.
As Jazzer would say.."aye Gav, oan yer bike pal"
ReplyDeleteBut I do agree with PtbY....there was something threatening in his last statement ..is he holding something over Philip's head..are we building up for the new year cliffhanger..will Rosie eat the chocolate log all in one go...will Pip be able to complete a sentence?..will roast peacock be on the menu at the Bull this week....stay tuned listeners.. all will be revealed.
Contributions welcome😊😊😊
What a preposterous episode. Not surprised by Kenton's stupid behaviour -- par for the course!
ReplyDeleteWhy can't Paul just tell the impudent demanding Gavin to rearrange the words off and bugger into a well known phrase or saying?
As for Phoebe perhaps she might realise that her unacceptable behaviour has made her persona non grata and leave Ambridge to get a real job, comensurate with her much hyped degree. With any luck she would stay away or, when she does return, she may be played by another actress with some trace of acting talent. She was so bad as to make me feel for once that Pip's behaviour was acceptable.
Now for something completely different: the next year is a leap one, as someone already said. Who will propose on 29th February? Kirsty, Helen , Kate, Lily or Tracy? Only two months to find out.
ReplyDeleteCan hardly believe it will be Nigel’s 9th anniversary this January- which celebrated (?) TA 60th year so I guess the plot for January 2021 will soon be under discussion re the programmes 70th!
ReplyDeleteWhich is incredible really - suggestions? Just in case the SW pop in here from time to time 🤗
I for one would like it to be a happy episode for once. Remember when Dan, Doris & family were together on NewYears Eve for instance laughing and joking then with glasses charged and the church bells ringing best wishes were exchanged all round. Ups and downs to follow no doubt but happiness was allowed as well.
Still think killing Nigel was a big mistake! Yes, a happy start to the year would be good!
ReplyDeletePhilip said at the beginning that he would contribute to the wedding and he should do just that deciding on the amount but in no way providing the full shortfall. If they want this expensive wedding they should fill the gap themselves! Friends of ours funded a big wedding for eldest daughter and she was divorced 4 years later. What a waste of money!!
Only just managed to get connected to son’s Wi-fi here in Dubai and able to listen to Friday nights episode.
ReplyDeleteMost of my feelings about Gavin and Phoebe have already been expressed by others, so I won’t repeat, but I was mostly annoyed by Phoebe’s behaviour. (Gavin was just preposterous !)
I remember Phoebe being very unempathetic to Pip’s need to see to Rosie when she first broached her scheme at the Rosie’s birthday party. Pip made it clear it was an inconvenient and inappropriate time and to wait until later but Phoebe insisted on discussing it then because it was *so* important.
The same thing happened on Friday - Pip made it clear she was busy and didn’t have time to talk but, once again, Phoebe pushed her was in and was soon wheedling and trying to guilt-trip Pip into not giving up on the scheme. What an unpleasant, selfish, young woman she has become.
I really hope Pip is not persuaded to carry on, nor Rex for that matter, and that Phoebe is left to carry the can and sort it out for herself.
I’d just like to put in my two penn’oth about weddings aboard because Mr A and I were affected when our son decided to get married in South Africa and we couldn’t go.
ReplyDeleteThe decision was made because our son was marrying a French girl and it was proving impossible to arrange the wedding in England (lots of French relatives couldn’t afford to travel and stay in England, or France (vice-versa). Also a French citizen (then) had to marry in their family town which meant everyone returning to Nantes from Toulouse and arranging hotels for all their lot and all the English contingent was very difficult.
After months of discussions, wrangling and disappointments my dear daughter (half joking) said ‘why don’t you just escape and get married abroad’ - so that’s just what they did! We could just about have afforded to fly down there but our daughter, s.i.l. and 3 children couldn’t so we thought it kinder to not go. I cried my eyes out on the day, especially when they phone to say they were now Mr and Mrs ....
But we did arrange a garden party reception at home for all the English relatives and friends when the newly weds returned (with a typical British 3- tiered wedding cake). The following week a similar garden party event was held in France for the French family and friends with a croque-em-bouche as the French wedding cake, so everyone celebrated in the end!
Archerfile I understand, and you have my deep sympathy over, the crying. My son phoned me up from the Philippines July 2018 and said :
DeleteHi Mum I 've got some news.
What's that Dan?
I got married yesterday.
Stunned silence, followed by outrage on my part because none of us were there.
Followed by:
But Mum I thought you would be pleased for me!
It had been a very quiet wedding without even her own mother being there, and only one of her seven siblings and four friends present, mainly because they had offended her family by moving in together before marriage. Now of course they have mellowed because my son is helping support the family financially.
I was startled when Phoebe announced to Pip that she had secured the rest of the land they needed to release the Trust’s first payment - just like that! After all the agonising, it was that simple. All by herself. How, where, what.....???
ReplyDeleteYes Maryellen, me too !
ReplyDeleteAnd all this time I thought Enid Blyton had died years ago...obviously not she seems to be moonlighting as a script writer for the The Archers...tally ho!
ReplyDeleteAutumnleaves, my thoughts exactly. Phoebe has been sounding like a famous five character particularly since last week. I am feeling bereft for the lovely young sixth-former she was - as already mentioned, not a good advert for Oxford.
ReplyDeleteIt isn’t the correct blog and I am probably on my own here (maybe P Tb Y may agree with me though) but I would not have minded two hoots had my son decided to elope..
ReplyDeleteIt was a very long day and I had the honour of collecting my mother in law and her lovely friend who lived 40 miles away in the opposite direction to where the wedding was taking place ,which was another 60 or so miles away from where we lived.
The day was very long.
I think that the amount spent on weddings can be obscene.
I always said even when I was happy to travel long distances that should either of my Canadian grandsons get married I would happily give them the price of two tickets to visit England for the honeymoon rather than go to the wedding.
Therefore I say hats off to Archerphile junior and Janice junior for doing the sensible thing.
I'm afraid that for Gavin and his other half, and many many others unfortunately, it's a case of oneupmanship. All for the sake of social media and very little to do with the actual sentiment of the day.
ReplyDeleteFor Gavin and his ilk it is just another party, especially if someone else is paying.
ReplyDeleteBasia 28th 12.25pm.
I think you are spot on, a leap year, too enticing for the S/Ws to ignore. But who will take the leap, let’s guess! There are a number of single women including Hannah, Elizabeth, Shula and not forgetting the lovely Joy.
Who is the most likely to be foolhardy and impetuous,
I’m going for Lily.
Tally Ho.
I might hold off with my vote till Valentine's Day.
DeleteYes but he has to get his divorce first!
ReplyDeleteStasia - I only listed the ones who are already involved with someone but with the ones above it makes it nine plus Pip who by her own admission had chosen the wrong brother and Phoebe.
ReplyDeleteSeasider - someone on the BBC blog said it was unbelievable that an Oxford undergraduate said she mustn't touch anything in an STD clinic.
Lanjan - I really like the idea of people getting married with chance witnesses brought from the building or the street outside and once on PM somebody told it as their real life story and after the ceremony they drove off with their dog.
To add to the Destination Wedding debate.
ReplyDeleteIn the past it was to do with residence.
Soon after we were married husband went to Paris for his best friends wedding to a French girl. I stayed at home as heavily pregnant.
I never wanted to walk down any aisle in a white dress nor ever push a pram.
Got married in my off white beany hat and matching dress and coat at Kensington Registry Office with a reception in a house in Richmond, and with as least fuss as I was able to get away with.
My eldest paid for her own lavish do with flowers, makeup and catering from the top class London crews, and a Jazz band at the reception in a Georgian Mansion.
I did pay for her dress !
My youngest and partner did what her mum would have preferred if she had to do it at all.
Went off to Brighton Registry Office, with the toddler and got hitched with a couple of strangers off the street as witnesses. Then took the toddler to the children's playground on the front.
We were told of the event but with clear instructions that nobody was to attend.
I went down to Brighton once I was given the date and ordered flowers for daughter and a posy for my granddaughter, to be delivered to the Registry on the morning.
Unfortunately they were not given them until after the ceremony, however the thought was much appreciated.
In recent years both daughters have been invited to a cousins wedding in Madeira ( pay your own fare plus present please ).
Both declined.
I hate weddings.
My sisters being the worst day of my life, mine being the second worse. Even at my eldests wedding I was usurped by my husbands second wife and had to sit at the end of the first row in order to keep my mother from falling off the very narrow pew. All I saw of my daughter at the alter were the heels of her shoes.
Bah Humbug !
I would love to see Jazzer find someone who makes him happy in 2020.
ReplyDeleteP.s. this is not his mum!
So Agree. Love Jazzer, and it is about time, he finds his one true love - 2020 🤞🤞😍😍
DeleteBarry Farrimond's daughter is called Keira, I listened to The Voice of Joe Grundy.
ReplyDeleteAs I did, and liked it.
DeleteAn authentic ans traditional Ambridge Character, is sadly no more. Times change though, so must go with "the flow"
Where are Bert + Jill - neither are very prevalent to date.
Yes I enjoyed listening too.
DeleteVery clear that the Archers cast held Edward Kelsey in great affection.
Like you Mrs P I kept my wedding as low key as possible. I had a long cream dress with a wide brimmed hat - it was the 70’s! The dress I wore many times afterwards. We had 12 guests and a buffet meal at my parents’. I wouldn’t have changed a thing and we were married for 43 years. The wedding is of no importance compared to the marriage.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy weddings ! At least, the four I've attended this century have been very
ReplyDeletevery joyous.
I do agree about excessive cost, there's something rather disgusting about that.
Run, Pip, run ! This BL deal stinks. Why can't Rex see that ?
Barry Farrimond (Edward) what a lovely caring chap bless him he was so sad at losing Edward Kelsey as a friend and radio grandad to his own child. Also Trevor Harrison (Eddie) very moved too.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the tribute programme enormously, strange how some of the actors use their own voice while others sound slightly like their character and finally like Edward nothing like them at all!
The comment from Edward re locking the door of GF for the last time when they had to move to MR and the resulting just sitting as actors taking it all in and being supplied with a bottle of wine just shows how much they care- wonderful.
It outshone tonight’s episode for me :- Thank you Edward 🌹
Autumnleaves 5.58 pm and Miriam 9.03 pm - I SO agree with you and would love Jazzer to find love in the New Year. I'd also like Johnnie to find some happiness too.
ReplyDeleteYes let’s have some happy relationships that can last throughout the good 🤗 and bad 😥 times.....
DeleteI was busy commenting on last nights episode and the lovely tribute to ‘Joe’ afterwards and then my iPad battery ran out, so it didn’t get published !
ReplyDeleteI can’t remember all my comments but I did say ‘Don’t do it Pip!’ having heard that Rex was apparently mollified by Phoebe’s wheedling.
I really, really hope Pip will hold out against Little Miss Me-Me-Me and drop out of the scheme to concentrate on Rosie and her work at Brookfield.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tribute to Edward Kelsey and all the little stories about him from other cast members. It was interesting to hear cast members natural voices for once and I especially enjoyed
Barry Farrimond’s contribution. He sounds like a really caring and decent young man.
It didn't even cross my mind that Pip might leave the scheme but perhaps she will and not donate the land. Where would it leave Rex, he's also about to fall out with Josh. What about the trust rules?
ReplyDeleteThe rewilding story is becoming tedious and silly. Have these three twits even knocked up some sort agreement between them regarding roles and responsibilities, and how the money is going to be spent?
ReplyDeletePhoebe has come down from Oxford as some sort of Greta Thunberg and no real job. Rex has two jobs and Pip has a full time job, and a pass the parcel baby.
Where are they going to find the time to rewild 300 acres of non contiguous land with the bulk in the hands of BL, and wrapped up legally In a document written in legalese speak? A contract the dimwits haven’t even read.
Even the , I went to Oxford, Phoebe would struggle to understand legal speak. Try reading some of the contracts companies expect people to sign! Unless Phoebe changed courses and took up law a degree PPE wouldn’t be much help.
Philip sounds extremely stressed, but that another drama waiting in the wings.
Very confused about this re wilding business.
ReplyDeleteIf the land is just going to be left to revert to what it used to be then once the land has been bought and paid for, surely that is that.
End of story.
The Three Twits as Stasia calls them (I agree with the name) presumably have done their job.
As for the Phillip and Kirsty story......
There is no way Kirsty would have allowed Phillip to make their home into a miniature Blackpool sea front.
I don’t think he has been entirely honest with her over several things .
She didn’t exactly go into the relationship with her eyes open.
I think she thought he was her last chance .
They are not suited
It is still the “honeymoon period”
It won’t last.
I agree that the treatment of the re wilding story is a mess and a muddle, but it is raising awareness of the subject.
ReplyDeleteAlong with the current objectives of organisations such as Extinction Rebellion, other methods of mitigating Global Warming are in danger of being dismissed as irrelevant.
The focus on this subject in TA is allowing knowledge of this method to at the very least
enter the subconscious of all listeners. And even if it goes no further than that, that in itself is worth something.
It is of course also possible that the TA team are making a muddle'n'mess in order to illustrate the importance of forethought and planning, and showing what might happen without these strategies.
The thing about rewilding is that it still has to be managed. The right balance of livestock has to be supervised and they still need to be bred and sent to market. The land has to be gently engineered and helped to get back to a natural balance again (wetland areas etc), and indigenous vegetation has to be encouraged so that the insects, birds and butterflies are able to flourish again. The whole idea is to get back to the original natural annual lifecycle of the land that is being rewilded. The various plots also would need to be contiguous (one of the reasons that Phoebe was so keen to get an agreement with B.L. as I believe that it abutted onto the land they have from Brookfield). If not, corridors would have to be created so that animals could move safely from one plot to another. And the whole lot would need to be strongly fenced, and that would require some constant maintenance and attention.
ReplyDeleteSuz, thanks for that, you write with knowledge & authority. I thought it couldn't be as simple as just leaving everything to grow 'wild', but it seems there's a fair bit of management & monitoring involved. The three never talk about afterwards, so it is hard to see whether they know anything at all about such a project, just hot air from Pheobe, no ideas from the other two.
ReplyDeleteAren’t they also supposed to be making a financial profit ( of which BL takes its share)? I seem to recall Phoebe saying something about educational trips for schoolchildren, when asked about this way back. Is it going to be Open Farm Sunday all year round?
DeleteHave just listened to The Voice of Jo Grundy. What a lovely programme, brought a tear to my eye.
ReplyDeleteHear Hear. Loved it, and had to reach for a tissue, to the Grundy Rogue 😘
DeleteI suggest that to understand where the rewilding storyline comes from google Knepp Wildland.
ReplyDeleteIt is part of an ancestral estate consisting of 3,500 acres of fenced in land that is managed by using grazing animals to develop an ecosystem. It is imo just a money making themed park using rewilding as an enticement to bring in visitors. They offer camping 🏕 glamping and safaris and meat from the grazing animals and other produce.
A clever method of bringing in money by jumping on the eco band wagon and preserving the ancestral pile. The S/Ws have virtually take the words from their advertising blurb.
Justin Elliot will have done his home work and if the Knepp place makes a lot of money he is definitely quids in with a rake of 75% of the profit.
The only one of the three with any knowledge of grazing animals is Pip, but she is playing hard to get. She should to milking cows.
Stick.
DeleteStaying a week in one their ⛺️ tents costs £680. A tree house £990. They seem to have dozens of these accommodations.
DeleteAs we now go into the new year, I feel I must mourn the latest Ambridge passing - Eccles.
ReplyDeleteLot's of S/L's are now starting to build up for 2020, which is a new decade.
I wonder what is in store, for us ardent Archers listeners + addicts. Can I call us that??
It will be great to continue to discuss here.
My first wish, is Pheobe and Pip, start to work together, and become friends, again.
Due to WiFi coverage here I now have to listen to each episode the following day, so my comments will be a bit behind everyone else’s.
ReplyDeleteRe rewilding and the excellent information from Suz and Stasia - just who is going to do all the day to day maintenance required? Is this going to be Phoebe’s post-graduation career or will it be down to Pip and Rex to fit it in around their other jobs. Or perhaps they are planning to employ someone, using part of Peggy’s money?
There has been no word about the nitty gritty of running such a scheme.
I thought Phoebe sounded as if she was entering the lion’s den when she accepted that lift from Justin and it’s clear he expects far more from her than she seems able to give. I felt he almost sounded menacing when giving her business ‘advice’.
I thoroughly enjoyed the chats between Lee and Tony. I think Lee sounded a really caring guy, assuring Tony he was not another Rob, and then, later, Tony admitting he had failed to protect his daughter and still regretted it.
I think they understand each other perfectly and that a rosy future lies ahead for Helen and Lee.
Perhaps their Wedding will be the highlight of 2020, or even the 70th anniversary in 2021.
We've got the funding....we've got the land..now what😕😕
DeleteAh yes Archerphile I was asking recently for thoughts regarding the 70th Anniversary and as the 60th was dire losing dear Nigel let’s hope for something happy for once - that in itself would have a shock impact 😂
DeleteHappy New Year! Hoping that everyone has the 2020 that they need...xx
ReplyDeleteAnd happy new year to you Gary. Best wishes for 2020. 🍾🌈🎉💕
DeleteWishing all our bloggers (especially Gary) a healthy (🤞) peaceful and happy New Decade 🎊 🍷
ReplyDeleteThe D & D of Cambridge have taken their cue from Peggy and the Archers.
ReplyDeleteRead that Basia.
DeleteKing Canute came to mind.
I think they must listen to the Archers, just like his great aunt!
DeleteThere's a lot of gastric flu about, will Jim be up to it tomorrow? I've listened to the two stories so far, atmospheric but not too scary. At least we didn't have to follow Helen, she took up with Rob, again, on New year's Eve.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to Ambridge and everyone here.
ReplyDeleteHas Eric Idle become a script writer foTA? There have been quite a few episodes lately where it has been, " nudge nudge,wink wink, know what I mean? Say no more". Latest - Helen's non subtle invitation to Lee this evening.
ReplyDeleteJim will be off sick tomorrow and Russ will step in at the last minute and save the day.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2020, everyone! It trips off the tongue than 2019 did!
Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy and peaceful 2020. I wonder if there will be fireworks in Ambridge tonight. We are going to light some up in the field later and because we are up the hill they will have a good view of them down in the village. Travel safe everyone through 2020.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteMy full new year greetings to all our friends is on the other blog, but to those who don’t read that one - May you all have a wonderful 2020 , with everything you wish for, good health and happiness.
ReplyDeleteAnd more intriguing stories in TA for us all to enjoy!
Helen as a Black Widow?
ReplyDeleteMessage to Lee, BE AFRAID! BE VERY AFRAID 😦.
Ha! Stopped in her tracks!
ReplyDeleteGood old Jim came good in the end and prevented Lynda from ruining his cycle of Ghost stories. Good.
I thought Lynda was a better bet than Robert (his voice is not suitable, higher than hers), but Jim wouldn't have the limelight stolen from him.
ReplyDeleteI think The Monkey's Paw is a moral story about be careful what you wish for, so I didn't listen.
Hopefully Eccles will now rest in peace.
Would Robert really have been so pathetic?
ReplyDeleteI think not.
I thought Maryellen was going to be correct and Russ was going to take over.
The ridiculous story about Eccles is not worth commenting on.
I'm glad that Jim felt well enough to perform. I thought it was a rather strange ending to the last Archers of the year to have him say 'I think I'm going to be sick again'. Not exactly a fitting ending to an eventful year in Ambridge IMHO.
ReplyDeleteI agree Anneveggie - a very downbeat and unpleasant sentence to end the year on, something I would have expected to be spoken by Jazzer or one of the young men in Ambridge!
DeleteMy visual interpretation of Jim’s plight was very disturbing. 🤮
Last night’s episode was torture!
ReplyDeleteFor Kenton, although he deserved to be harangued and put through the ropes.
But for Robert it was totally unnecessary to subject the poor man to harassment and torment by his wife and Elizabeth. I half expected the Inquisition, in the shape of Monty Python to coming charging into Ambridge shouting!
Have already missed 2 Archers episodes, as too busy doing other things.
ReplyDeleteHave just love reading, all your comments - which will make sense, when I finally catch up.
Anneveggie and Archerphile, I agree, a very odd way to end the year but look at it this way, Jim refused any professional help during his tormented year, so perhaps it was a time of cleansing for him. I'm probably reading too much into it, a very unpleasant image for us to share.
ReplyDeleteKirsty's messed up, Phoebe's sorting out her mess and Helen's on top of the world...etc...
ReplyDeleteAs most anticipated, Gavin seems to be a pretty unpleasant character.
ReplyDeleteVery nasty to Kirsty, but it was probably a mistake on her part to intervene on behalf of Philip.
She probably doesn't know the half of it !
We must expect more I suppose.
Yes, Gavin is very unpleasant and his attitude of entitlement is so prevalent nowadays. Katy finds this with some of her sixth formers who think they will get a job or career without working for it as it will just jump into their lap. Gavin is taking advantage of his father’s generosity and has obviously always felt entitled to it and taken it for granted. A spoilt child still and nasty with it. Philip has not done him any favours bringing him up like this.
ReplyDeleteI feel for Kirsty.
ReplyDeleteDon’t worry, she is not going to let Gavin get away with that.
I think ,however ,Phillip is going to have to admit to her how short of cash he actually is.
Why on earth did he spend money on all the rubbish he bought at Christmas?
I found it interesting that Kirsty has eventually come to realise her contribution to tthe debacle of er wedding day, and she has gone up in my estimation as a result. I couldn’t help feeling, though, that Gavin’s meant-
ReplyDelete(Cont.from above) to-hurt words held a truth. I don’t see how relations between him and Kirsty can continue on a friendly basis which will add to Philip’s stress.
DeleteI hope the Jim actor is now going to take a well-deserved holiday!
Sean O'Connor that he wanted to draw attention to people getting so wrapped up in the packaging that they forget about the contents.
DeleteI have just had to search the medicine cupboard for antiemetic solutions!
ReplyDeleteIs Lee old enough to be having sex with the black widow. All that gushing squelchy nonsense and his teenage adulation and neediness for attention is upsetting the gastric juices.
Phoebe also sounds as young as Henry perhaps she should be given a Lego of Rewilding Ambridge for her birthday so she can practice until she is old enough to do the real thing.
As for Kirsty! Should have followed the advice of, don’t interfere with other people’s children/ adults. Gavin is closer to her age and and his smutty remark about meeting up should have been a warning to stay clear.
Lego Rewilding, brilliant! She did mention corridors, as someone said, perhaps you Stasia, all this land has to be joined up.
DeleteThat was me, Basia. I've been very interested lately in an organisation that is promoting the idea of creating corridors for hedgehogs (small openings in fences, a bit like a cat flap but smaller and no flap) to help hedgehogs access suburban gardens without having to take the riskier route across a road. Same sort of idea, but on a smaller scale.
DeleteThanks, I remember that you wrote a lengthy and well informed piece on the subject.
DeleteI am delighted that Kirsty spoke to Gavin.
ReplyDeleteSomeone needed to and his weak father hasn’t.
I thought she behaved very well.
When he implied that since it was he who was getting married he should say where the wedding was to be held,Kirsty could have said(as I would) that it would be fine as long as he he was going to pay for it and for the airfare and hotel for anyone who wanted to attend .
Call him “Gavin”, Kirsty not “Gav”.
He is the sort to say “I am only Gav to my friends”
If his father gives into him, chuck Phillip.
He is not good enough for you anyway.
Go back and live at Roy’s for the time being.
I think Kirsty made a big mistake. This is between Philip and his son and if he's kowtowed to his son all his life he's not going to change now and Gav isn't going to expect anything less.
DeleteKirsty came across exactly as Gavin said as a freeloader living in a nice house with no other prospects. She really walked into that one and there's no going back now, I'm afraid😦
Roy’s right Kirsty.
ReplyDeleteTell Phillip what happened between you and Gavin.
You will then see where the land lies.
He should support you so if he doesn’t,get shot of him and take up Roy’s suggestion and move back to his house.
✔️👏🏻✔️👏🏻
DeleteWhy does Jim need to know? Does he care? Just as Jazzer said that he is over the worst but of course he'll tell him and make him relive it.
ReplyDeleteKirsty will tell Philip and it will break up their relationship, so she'll go back to living at Roy's.
Philip came from nowhere and now they live in a nice big house, very odd.
We have a neighbour, few doors down, Suz,( 10.55am), who does this, too.
Delete👍👍👍 Well done to them.
DeleteThought I'd posted a comment, but no, & haven't the energy to try it all again, so, a stab : Gavin is utterly vile, no, Kirsty should never have followed her silly, loved up friend's advice in confronting such a poisonous character, &, yes, she should follow Roy's & speak to Philip, whatever the fall out.
ReplyDeleteJiim should be told, as well about the death of his abuser. It can be very hard for someone to hear, resurrecting the past without proper closure, but they have the right to know, & it will, in the end, inevitably, close the chapter.
I agree with others that Kirsty should tell Philip everything that Gavin said to her. Depending on his reaction to this information, she can decide what to do but, if he doesn't support her, he's not worth her time.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that Jim can carry on as he is and not let the news of his abuser's death upset him and set him back.
Agree 100%
ReplyDeleteI too agree with the sentiments of others, but wonder if Kirsty will tell Philip courtesy of the SWs. It will make a far better SL for them if she does not.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that Jim should be told.
He needs to process this information in his own way.
However I think it should be Alistair who tells him, or perhaps even Shula, but not Jazzer, who is far too emotionally involved.
Who is Kathy, where is she,
ReplyDeleteDo we seek her here,
Do they seek her there,
Is she kind and is she fair,
Does she utter a tut, to him or her,
As Upon her managerial chair she sits,
And in silence does she watch the woes
As in the staffing room the fists do fly,
And Oliver shouts and Roy doth moan,
So Kathy in silence will write the words,
Beware, a warning you must have,
I don’t need a voice to make it so.
Apologies to Shakespeare.
Kirsty seems so content with Philip, and I hope it lasts.
ReplyDeleteGavin, though, is like so many these day, in that expect parents (of my generation) to help/pay for house deposits and/or weddings. I just hope Kirsty can tell Philip, that he should only help, but not pay, for Gavins wedding.
Kirsty is loving her relationship with Philip, in their new home.
Why should Gavin, spoil it with his "demands"?
Should add - Love Kirsty + Philip being so neighbourly to Joy. She needs their friendship and they seem to have fun together (at times). This could be another friendship destroyed...
DeleteTime will Tell.
Kirsty moves in with Roy.
ReplyDeletePhillip moves in with Joy
Ed wins the jackpot on the lottery
Phillip sells his house to Ed and Emma.
Phillip gives Gavin the £20,000 he wants .
Sorted.
There will come a day when Kirsty and Roy finally realise that they were meant for each other.
ReplyDeleteMy feelings too Autumnleaves.
ReplyDeleteI nearly said as much in my last post, but am not comfortable with making predictions, so didn't.
So thank you for saying so.
Yes, I think that would be lovely too, Kirsty and Roy. But will probably be a long time a’coming, with many dramas, arguments and crises along the way.
ReplyDeleteSo how about a Kirsty & Roy Wedding for 2021? 💕
No ...has to be Kirsty + Tom.
ReplyDeleteMiriam ,you must be joking.
ReplyDeleteKirsty comes from your neck of the woods.
Why saddle her with a plonker like Tom .
He is married anyway .
Kirsty doesn't come from my "neck of the woods". You must be confusing me with someone else.
DeleteAs to Tom, she nearly married him, was then pregnant by him (with a sad loss of baby).
Yes he"s married, but anything might + could happen.
Why Roy??
Philip said cautiously that he could give a thousand and now he's going to find 20!
ReplyDeleteBesides, there's also Gavin's mother and Kelly's parents.
Gavin said, I think, that Mum was giving £1000.
DeleteSorry Miriam..
ReplyDeleteI must have got that wrong.
Kirsty is from the Wirral I believe.
Why Roy?
Why not.?
He is the right age ,unmarried ,unattached, pleasant,kind and a far better prospect for Kirsty than a weak man who thinks that making his house look like Blackpool illuminations is the way to Kirsty’s heart.
I believe he has money problems too.
I rest my case.
Would that be the same pleasant, kind Roy who was so roundly condemned when he strayed with Elizabeth and didn't know how to prevent Hayley from leaving? I wonder how that compares with the Blackpool illuminations on the graduated scale of perceived male weakness. Not judging, just curious.
DeleteAny mileage in thinking Kirsty& Philip could still work it out between them ?! Couples do sometimes manage to get through the difficult times all on their own....
ReplyDeleteCompletely forgot it was Saturday last night and wondered why I couldn’t tune in to the Archers at 11pm. So I listened to Jim’s three ghost stories instead. Didn’t find them very frightening but they were read beautifully by John Rowe.
ReplyDeleteVery strange here because it’s Sunday and my grandsons are back to school after the Christmas hols and son and d.i.l. are off to work. The weekend out here is Friday and Saturday, takes a bit of getting used to!
Yes, Roy has a past and so has Philip, do we know why he and his wife separated?
ReplyDeleteI said that Philip and Kirsty would break up and she'd go back to living at Roy's, I'm sticking to this for the time being.
Basia, I think and hope you are right.
ReplyDeleteFor no real reason that I can put my finger on ,I have never liked Phillip.
(I don’t think he speaks very highly of me either though!)
Sarnia ,I take your point but if push came to shove and you had to choose one of them .........
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd stay single!
Delete✓✓✓ 😊 Given such arbitary choices, singledom looks positively inviting.
DeleteYes, I stress living *at* Roy's, not with him as a couple.
ReplyDeleteGary had some strong words about Roy's racism and adultery.
Also, I always remember Foso's wise words: life does not invalidate anything.
I would argue that racial prejudice can be worked upon but adultery once committed remains.
Faced with a choice as a newcomer to the programme I'd go for Roy.
Personally I’m waiting for Roy and Tracy to ‘find each,other,’ have a mult-million Lottery win, buy Grey Gables from Oliver and manage the business in tande. They complement each other perfectly. Let’s leave Kirsty and Philip to enjoy their loving relationship whatever the storms it has to weather.
ReplyDeleteI'm taking it that all this sexual musical chairs chat is the usual wkend phenomona of idling away the gap, when nothing much left to say about TA.
ReplyDeleteLike some others, I'm getting a little tired of hearing from Helen & Lee; ok. already, we've got the point - after dodgy relationships, they've found 'The Other'. It works, they're very happy, now please just enjoy it in privacy. Pity they had to turn him into a drip, he wasn't before, in order to emphasise the point, but I think it is just that, &, in time, he will emerge as an interesting personality again.
Oh, sad to hear Kirstie berate herself about her own non wedding - for heaven's sake, it was just a local affair & many women can become obsessed over dress & other details - it's their special day & they get over it.
Kirsty does not know the details of Philip’s financial circumstances, and is worried that he can’t afford to bankroll his son. More importantly in my book she doesn’t know that he was profiting from some very dodgy dealing with the illegal chemicals he had Ed transporting. I think she would be appalled and exit the house and relationship pretty smartish.
ReplyDeleteRoy would take her as a housemate and in time I think they could get together, I think she’d get on better with Phoebe than Gavin.
Hang on a minute there KP - some, maybe many, believed that he was behind the dodgy chemicals business, but we don't know that Philip was the unknown ' boss' it's pure speculation without any basis.
ReplyDelete'Fake News ' might be a good description.
Exactly! I think all the talk of Phil being Mr Big was pure speculation - and mainly on here, may I say, and not on other sites I was reading at the time.
ReplyDeleteThere was absolutely no evidence that Phil was a big time criminal, just some people’s dislike of the character going over the top.
I remain to be proved wrong of course, but I think whatever ‘hold’ Gavin has over his Dad it is not to do with fertiliser!
I am not saying Philip was “Mr Big” but he was involved at some level, and must have been making some profit from which he paid Ed cash in hand. I don’t think Kirsty will be pleased to hear he was involved in this sort of activity full stop.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't Philip that employed Ed, KP. Forgotten his name now, but someone that Oliver recommended to Ed as maybe having some casual work for him. Nothing to do with Philip - apart from the speculation on here.
DeleteTim
DeleteHaving listened to the TA Omnibus this morning.... Kirsty does not know Philips finances, but neither is she seems to be "sponging" of him.
ReplyDeleteSurely, all she is doing is trying to protect the man she loves, from making a big mistake.
Kirsty + Phil, seem a couple in a warm + loving relationship.
Why should "Gav" now spoil it??
KP(5.50pm), looking back it was Oliver who introduced Ed to Vince, as someone who might have some work for him. So he did, fencing innocently enough, until it changed as we all know. Philip never featured in that SL at all, as far as I'm aware, apart from in listener speculation.
ReplyDeleteWe've replicatedeach other, Suz !
DeleteSorry, my bad, you’re right, Ed never worked for Philip, fake memories on my part.
ReplyDeleteNo. No. No. No. NO!
ReplyDeleteThey can’t change the name of The Bull!
It’s sacrosanct to The Archers. Whatever is Lilian thinking of?
Probably wants to call it The Slug and Lettuce or something equally stupid. 😡
They have a Slug & Lettuce in Farnham Archerphile and I’ve been in one in London not far from Waterloo prior to an appointment at St Thomas hospital about 3 yrs ago. Check up on the op they did for me to repair a detached retina. Not a particularly inviting name I agree 😂
DeleteAnd, has Phil fixed it with Gavin? I don’t think so and I expect there will be more arguments and misunderstandings to come
ReplyDeleteI must hand it to Philip, he sorted Gavin out in no time, for now.
ReplyDeleteThey brought Harold back into Jim's life, so they might as well tell him he's dead but he won't rejoice.
Alana will go much better with the new image of the Bull, for now, I agree with Kenton, bonkers.
Animal names aren't popular any more ! What B***s*** ! Any ideas about freshening up the interior ? I wonder.....
ReplyDeleteGlad that Philip was mmediately outraged on Kirsty's behalf, but it all feels very ominous. I bet this 'apology' will be accompanied with a threat.
The middle man Ed had dealings with was called Tim, who cleared the remains of the stuff when he disappeared.
ReplyDeleteVince is involved with the abattoirs and sounds like a crook but there's no proof that he is.
I'm not at all reassured that Philip has fixed it with Gavin.
ReplyDeleteI imagine he has done what my son in law and his best mate did when ' having a talk ' about the house that both wives wanted to buy, when they were all emigrating from London to Bath.
The result was the loss of a good friendship since university days.
Men don't talk to each other, they share some euphemistic phrases and believe they have ' sorted' it.
Watch out for repercussions Kirsty.
I can't see ' The Bull ' ever changing its name.
Apart from all the publicity around the ' original Bull ' and the photographic evidence, I imagine the regulars of all generations in Ambridge would make such a fuss of a name change, not to mention Peggy's reaction, that Lillian would have to back down.
Ambridge, without "The Bull"" is like London without "Big Ben".
ReplyDeleteMay I be the 1st to sign the petition, whover starts it..
How about The Megabyte? (Haha!)
ReplyDelete😊🤣🤣
DeletePhillip will no doubt have promised Gavin the £20,000 provided he apologises to Kirsty .
ReplyDeleteThere may be trouble ahead.....
I think Gavin is just appeasing his father. He meant every word of what he said to Kirsty because he’s nasty. Agree Phil might have promised the money. More fool him!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the name change idea Lilian, some years back Vintage Inns took over The White Hart pub at Pirbright (named as such since the 1800’s) and renamed it The Moorhen - well all hell broke loose and it returned to The White Hart! Very nearby is The Cricketers- family owned all of my life until now. Closed and refurbished and now called The Cricketers on The Green which it is) so they learnt the lesson of adding rather than changing name wise. Apparently it has been refurbished to reflect the villagers of today many being London commuters and in many ways the village is as unlike my young days as you can get! My mum was born there but her family moved to Knaphill when she was 2yrs old but I had two aunts and uncles that lived there the aunts my mums sisters married two brothers...both of whom were gardeners and had glorious gardens themselves all their lives 🌺🌸🌼🌻🌷
ReplyDeleteFor many a year one of the couples had a tied cottage at a big gated property there my uncle was one of two gardeners (flowers and fruit and veg) and aunt helped in the house. We used to visit and as we went in the gates all the dogs would appear and I was terrified 😂 I also remember the the fruit trees and just picking an apple to eat wonderful taste!They also had a swimming pool which I never used but one of my sisters stayed at times and when the owners were away she was allowed to use it. Ahh memories and all because in Ambridge changing the name of The Bull is in the balance.
(I think some traditions still continue in Pirbright flower show etc 🤞and some 🏏 )
The latest refurbishment is by Grosvenor pubs so a different company but research will have uncovered the blunder of The white Hart name change no doubt. Pretty sure the village still has flower show etc though - hope so 🤞
ReplyDeleteWhat a daft idea. The Bull should and, I believe, will remain The Bull. I would like the job to go to Emma even though I'm not her biggest fan. The other young lady sounds more like eye candy to lure youngsters in.
ReplyDeleteSo the compromise solution could be The Bull on the Green ot The Bull Revived - and people will still call it The Bull, which is what happened to one of my locals, which changed its centuries-old name a few years ago, then bowed to the inevitable and changed back again.
ReplyDeletePS. Five of the six pubs in my street and the two neighbouring ones are named after animals and it doesn’t seem to do them any harm!
DeleteI reckon that Peggy, as former owner/custodian will put her foot down, very firmly, against any change whatsoever. It’s unthinkable that Ambridge should not have The Bull, but it will make a good story with lots of arguments before the matter is decided (or so thinks the Editor!)
DeleteOne of our, very ancient, coaching inns on the main road has always been called The Sun.
ReplyDeleteNow it’s been turned into a gastro-pub with a celebrity chef, the inside gutted and replaced with a big, open-plan room, all hardwoods and uncomfortable perch-on stools and very high prices but it’s still called The Sun.
However, the lovely old sign of a rising sun over golden wheat fields has been replaced by a horrid black and white symbol that looks more like an asterisk than a Sun. 🙄
The pub name reflects the farming nature of the area and as in real life I can’t see the locals warming to a change!
ReplyDeleteI am with you all the way ,AnneVeggie 1:00am especially about employing Emma and with everyone else who thinks that it is a daft idea to change the name of the pub.
ReplyDeleteIf I were Kenton I would suggest that Jolene should go on another Road Trip.
I am not sure that she is a asset to him regarding the Pub Business.
What's more, Lil is setting my teeth on edge every time her voice is heard, usually interrupting whatever else is going on, & always with rubbish to spout. How can she set any store by Justin's taste ? He has none, only an eye to the economic benefits of any project. Evidently, she has no taste either, or she would be deaf to the ideas of trend slave Angus, who sounds like a joke.
ReplyDeleteAs for Jolene ? Softening of the brain ?
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Too many appearances on TV lately, Carolyn. She is forgetting her roots lie in The Bull at Ambridge. 😂
DeleteWhat about renaming the pub as “The Peacocks Cemetery” 🦚⚰️
ReplyDeleteI am joking 🙃 obviously
Until I heard that animal names were banned I thought that 'The Peacock' would be interesting with a statue of the deceased bird in the garden😀
ReplyDeleteSorry that was me, Janet, just now. I seemed to have taken over my son's profile who was staying over the hol. I listen and read but haven't commented for a while.
ReplyDelete