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Life in Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
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*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteArcherphile - May 8, 2020 at 10:59 PM
Spicy: 10.20
Just an addendum to the Hollowtree question -
I have now looked at my three maps of Ambridge (all different editions) and none of them show a Hollowtree Farmhouse. The Hollowtree land and farm buildings are shown (and little pigs running around) but no Farmhouse.
All other buildings are shown, even Arkwright Hall, and Nightingale Farm, now rarely mentioned, but no Farmhouse at Hollowtree.
So it is a bit of a mystery to know what happened to it.
Sorry I cannot be if more help.
Lady R - May 9, 2020 at 10:02 AM
Have rechecked Sunday pm TA Miriam & yes 8pm. Special PM prog at 7pm - Boris to outline his road map regarding lockdown exit. Very slowly I would imagine.
Oh look.... Archers !
ReplyDeleteI got it this time.
Ha!
DeleteBut have you noticed that the past couple of heading images have been of OLD archers....?
I would love to try archery, but that would then make me -
Deletean OLD archer.
Hollowtree has been often been referred to, as Hollowtree Farm. Surely the name indicates, that it was once a farm, but when?
ReplyDelete...and how + why, did it become part of Brookfield?
DeleteI think this is history, never to be known.
DeleteAs I said in an earlier post Miriam : Hollowtree
was originally called Allards Farm. Brookfield bought it for Phil & Jill to live in when they married & Jill changed the name to Hollowtree. When P&J inherited Brookfield on the death of Dan &Doris Hollowtree was sold. But Phill subsequently bought back the farmland & farm buildings (but not the farmhouse) to use for his pig herd. This is the land and buildings rented out to Rex &Toby.
You can read my full description on the last blog.
Archerphile - Thank you for your information. There was a farmhouse there once as, according to my Archers' Encyclopedia it was farmed by Jim Allard who had two sons. (Can't remember the names and the book is on my bed upstairs!) Jim Allard joined some sort of dairy co-operative with Phil and another farm, way, way back but when Jim died his sons didn't want to continue with the farm and that was when Brookfield bought it. The remaining family (sons and widow) then left Ambridge.
DeleteMiriam - You mentioned once that you wished you had a copy of the book. It is being sold on Amazon for about £3.00. I think I paid £3.84 a couple of years ago. It is a bit dated having been published in 2001 so hasn't the youngest and newest residents' information but gives good background information. It was written by Joanna Toye and Adrian Flynn, both scriptwriters for the Archers who had access to the famous "Archive cards"
It is a hardback book and I'm certain it was a new copy, not second hand. Probably 'remaindered' due to age since publication?
Perhaps the farmhouse is still there in the form of flats but separate from the farmland and outbuildings. I know that the house at Heligan was made into flats, still occupied, and is quite separate from the lost gardens.
DeleteYes I think you have got it in one!
DeleteI listened to this evening’s episode.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I will bother again.
Quite honestly I think the actress playing Jill has got better with age.
Can understand that feeling, Lanjan. Must admit, if I miss a few a few over these next weeks, probably won't bother to catch up.
DeleteHadn't resumed listening back in 2001, so was struck by how much younger everyone sounded, especially Jill & Shula. Goodness, dear old Bert did ramble on & on, didn't he ?
Actually found Jill much better vocally than now, but what a dreary, bland script she had to invest
with some life ! At least her character has a tad more colour these days.
Anyone remember what year Phil died ? Was certainly listening then.
Lanjan I almost agree re Jill. Better?She could hardly have got worse.
DeletePleased to see you are posting again Pierre .
ReplyDeleteAs for Bert,Carolyn,I think he would only have been about 60 when that episode was made.
Had I’d been Freda I would have either left him or strangled him.
Has he always been such a boring man?
(Yes all you Bert fans he is lovely and kind but to some extent he reminds me of Gabriel Oak in “Far from the Madding Crowd” -only without the looks of Alan Bates.)
Oh, I do agree about Bert, Lanjan. Though if I were Freda, I might have appreciated all the fruit and veg he grew so expertly.
DeleteI noted that in the episode about Joe’s funeral last week, Clarrie was quite critical of Bert’s poem about Joe, accusing him of cheating at the F&P Shows.
I suppose he is just a typical, old-fashioned country labourer type, set in his ways and opinions and able to bore for England!
Gary. Just a point about the picture, Elegant Ladies At an Archery Meeting.
ReplyDeleteThe practice target is behind them, and they are facing us.
Bows and arrows at the ready!!
Glad I didn’t listen to last nights episode.
Maybe they had got fed up with the artist.
ReplyDeleteI actually found last night’s episode quite interesting with the details about the farm lockdown and how the restrictions for the farmers were the same as now. Bert was staying on the farm to work and missing his Freda, who couldn’t visit him. Ruth having to attend her cancer follow up appointment alone because of the risk of cross infection. Shula visiting at the farm gate. Talking about the effect on her business at the stables. Interesting parallels.
ReplyDeleteGary, I hadn’t realised they are OLD Archers!👏🏻👏🏻
Didn’t bother with the “wake “ last week as it was so recent.
DeleteSeasider, you summed up very well what I'd have said, the parallels with the current situation. I'm glad we didn't hear Phil, I miss him. I didn't bother with the wake for the same reason. The rest this week sounds miserable to me, I might even miss the comments.
DeleteWomen's voices deepen with age, probably due to the menopause until they become childlike again in the old age. I'm a Jill fan, so don't find much fault with her. After listening to an old clip she was the first one to admit that the dialogue was very stilted.
I didn't bother to listen last night either, but will probably do so in the next few minutes, if only to keep up to date.
ReplyDeleteI rather like that picture at the top.
And I've also always wanted to do archery.
I did archery as a child with the home made bow and arrows by parents(?)
DeleteI am a Sagittarius.
I did an 6 week archery course a couple of years ago & loved it.
DeleteI had a home made bow and arrow as a kid, my brother made it for me as we had a yew tree in garden. It shot a surprisingly long way, the arrows were split bamboo weighted with wire and whittled to a very sharp point, fortunately I never shot anyone.
ReplyDeleteI went along to archery on a Saturday morning at the stand de tir, with les copines, always wanted to do it, loved it shoulder op put paid to it. Really miss it.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to tonight's episode.
ReplyDeleteI cannot remember it at all.
It will be a lovely revelation... in more ways, than one.
I disagree, marital betrayal and a child with a mistress.
DeleteI so enjoyed listening to Joe's Wake, yet again.
ReplyDeleteIt was only a short while ago, but it was still lovely.
What I took from this episode is:-
Emma + Clarrie - looking at the stars, with two stars so closely together
Jim - playing the piano in The Bull.
Lovely, touching scenes, in remberance of Joe (Edward Kelsey)
PS I heard Edward Kelsey, in a Father Brown episode on R4ex today. He sounded just like Joe.
Who was Simon?
ReplyDeleteI have a "blank" at the moment.
I listened to tonight's episode but was interrupted during Jennifer's tirade. ( gas man exploring a leak )
ReplyDeleteWill have to listen again later to enjoy an episode I had no memory of.
But then don't I always say that it all washes over me ?
Proved by my lack of any memory !
Simon was married to Debbie. I think it ended when he had an affair. He was a lecturer, probably when Debbie was at university. Shades of Lilly and Revolting Russ perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI've just been on Debbie's character page to check my facts. Apparently she later had a relationship in Hungary with Marshall Latham.
'But it didn't last. Brian was suspicious of Marshall anyway. He made cakes.'
Why was Bert so garrulous?
ReplyDeleteIsn't it obvious? He was enjoying the chance to speak. At home with Freda he could never get a word in edgeways ; )
I thought Brian sounded totally pathetic tonight in that repeated episode. Of course I remember all the shenanigans with Siobhan but I don’t actually recall that episode and I was disappointed at Brian’s weak performance.
ReplyDeleteI’m just amazed that Jenny agreed to stay with him at all, considering how flaky he had been for much of their marriage.
I shouldn’t have blamed her for walking out on him!
Well that was a grim listen! Wish I hadn't.
ReplyDeleteTo add just a little to ' who was Simon'
ReplyDeleteHe was also Canadian.
Can anyone remember what happened to him.
Did he do a runner ?
In great envy of all the archers on this forum.
ReplyDeleteSome of these repeated archive episodes seem to be going down like a damp squib - at least on this blog! So few comments compared with normal times. Are very few of us listening or can we just not be bothered to comment on events of years ago?
ReplyDeleteI realise that most of us know the history of these events, and I usually pride myself on a good working knowledge of TA history ( it would be my specialist subject on Mastermind!) but I have learnt a few things and picked up on little nuances, that I missed before.
And I am enjoying it!
Simon had an affair with a student and Debbie found out and divorced him. It was history repeating itself because Debbie had a relationship with him when she was a student and he was a lecturer at her university. I can’t remember which university but it was in England, I think. He may have gone back to Canada but I can’t remember. I don’t know if he was married before Debbie but I believe he was quite a bit older than her and Brian objected strongly to this and refused to go to her wedding.
ReplyDeleteRe Jennifer last night, she get very close to leaving Brian.
I enjoyed the last two nights episodes. I wasn’t listening when they were originally on.
ReplyDeleteI love Bert! I don’t know why really.
Oh if only Jenny had turned round and given Brian a good slap.
Yep, I was quite glad to tune into last night's angst, not having heard it before, only 5 yrs. later, when heavy, shameless, emotional blackmail ensured Jennifer's acceptance of motherless Ruairi. Both times she could have decided differently - leaving Brian, playing no part in Ruairi's fate, but who could possibly judge her, whichever way she jumped ?
ReplyDeleteIt's a 'sliding doors' thing. As it turned out, she & Brian are strong as a couple now, & I suppose Ruairi has flourished, but the alternatives might not have been disastrous for any of them - just very different.
Pointless to speculate, I know, but events going back 10-20 years do encourage such thoughts !
Let's not forget that Jenny also has a record in the adultery game.
ReplyDeleteI always find her snobbery distasteful and always thought that the outcome depended on the size of Brian's bank balance.
In this circumstance though I wouldn't have minded if Jenny had, as PtbY's wish, given B a good slap.
Pierre. Are you confident it is the size of his bank balance that is the only desirable aspect of Brian?💗
DeleteYou may well have a point there Stasia. I can't possibly comment!
DeleteAll a woman needs to forgive adulatory is a spanking new, expensive kitchen and an extra child.
ReplyDeleteSilly Jenifer should have taken him to the cleaners and emptied out the bank balance.
Now she is living in tiny semi detached minus new anything and still with extra child.
DeleteI agree Pierre. I really dislike Jennifer. She is the most awful snob, pretending to be of the county set yet being descended from yeoman farmers and a publican. She has had adulterous affairs although doubt remains as to whether she actually did the deed with John Tregorran. She most certainly did with her first husband whilst married to her second.
ReplyDeleteWhat has always annoyed me is that she always sided with her children against Brian whenever there was an argument, whether it was behaviour or more important financial matters. Time and time again she undermined Brian's authority when dealing with the delinquent Kate and has always put Adam above everyone else when it comes to Home Farm.
It has just occurred to me that the 'mothering' gene that Jennifer carries might be so strong that she has eventually put aside how Rhuairi came into her life. It was only a few months ago I remember that she confessed to someone (Lilian/Peggy?) that 'I do love Rhuairi!'
Jennifer threatened to divorce Brian when he wanted to leave his part of the farm (?) to Ruairi. It can be called standing up to Brian or putting her children first. I don't judge her, they deserve/suit one another.
DeleteBasia, to you, Spicycushion and Stasia - "SNAP".
DeleteYes Basia.
ReplyDeleteThey would spoil another couple.
I actually think that Jennifer thinks “What is best for Jennifer?
Brian just doesn’t think.
I think that just about sums it up, Lanjan !
DeleteLanjan, I was tempted to add, as Lanjan says...but you supplied it yourself:-)
DeleteLet's take it from here, Jennifer cares about herself and why not, and appearances, her first question was, who knows and then concern for Debbie, how awful for you.
ReplyDeleteThe only description I agree with about last night is *grim*, so I didn't listen but am trying to get it out out of my system all the same. Nothing remotely similar has happened to me but I've seen many aspects of betrayal during my life and over the years my judgements have become harsher towards others and myself.
Simon turned up out of the blue, as lecturer, again in Debbie's life and this time they married, she called him the sexiest man alive? He took Brenda out and they discussed books at the same place where Brian and Siobhan happened to be, Brian said did you see how Brenda was dressed, he won't say anything but Debbie confronted him about Brenda and he did say what about your father and Siobhan Hathaway, then quickly added forget what I said. That's why Debbie had a flashback. Also Alice once turned up with a picture of herself as a baby and she made the connection that Ruairi looked like Alice. Alice was Jennifer's last attempt to give Brian a son but it fell to another and "was delivered courtesy of British Airways". After the Brenda episode Simon said other women were history and next he was on the phone to Jeannette saying they'd have to put things on hold. She was his head of department's wife and later Debbie walked in on them, she told a solicitor: he was kissing her, he was all over her. End of marriage and Jennifer said how she must have felt *betrayed*. After Brian's revelation she asked him to make a choice, he already had. She told Peggy she wanted to save her marriage. Previously when Brian had an affair with Caroline Granny P told her: this is what they do, when questioned by Jennifer she replied, I didn't say it was all right, I said this is what they do, and in most cases women accept.
When Siobhan made a come back Elizabeth said that Brian could never leave Jennifer and Nigel replied, we know that but does Siobhan? Well, she was about to find out and it made her cause an accident. They belong together.
It's all disjointed and please add/correct, I'll come back if I remember more.
Goodness Basia, I am impressed !
DeleteDo you take notes ?
Having read what you have written above, I remember much of it, but I could not possibly have remembered it all by myself.
Truly impressive.
Basia - Unfortunately I have had experience of betrayal and humiliation in my life so that's why I called the episode 'grim'. It's the apt description to describe a time when a long marriage is destroyed as mine was.
DeleteI have not experienced it at first hand but was left with the consequences three times, all inflicted by the same perpetrator.
DeleteWell MrsP, there's more. I'm probably at the stage of my life where I remember more from the past rather than what I came into the room for, but do in the end. As I said before, all part of our collective memory bank. I also make a distinction between didn't listen - living abroad - and wasn't listening ie paying attention. For example: at the time of Xander's birth I thought they got the zodiac signs wrong and then you explained that Jennifer simply meant that if it takes much longer it'll be a Scorpio. Anyway, on with the story.
ReplyDeleteSiobhan's and Tim's marriage took a knock when she lost the baby. She started a dalliance with a philandering Brian while by pure coincidence Tim the local GP found solace in the arms of the local vicar Janet and later they left Ambridge together. Tim once jumped out of the car and punched Brian, giving him a black eye, he told Jennifer that he mishandled some machinery. Later, at a F&P show (?), Jennifer insisted that Tim had a look at Brian's eye who asked him how it'd happened and he repeated through the gritted teeth what he'd told Jennifer.
There was another occasion when Kate, Lucas and Nolly showed up on a surprise visit after Brian's meeting and he was with Siobhan who promptly left. Kate later raised her doubts about them but Lucas wasn't convinced, so she was not surprised later.
After Siobhan moved to B or F her garden flat was burgled and two vases were stolen which were then sold to Eddie for his market stall and Brian bought them, saying they were for Jennifer. She found out, so he bought another set for her. Eddie by coincidence visited the house and told Clarrie that they were not the same ones. When she questioned why would Brian do that he replied: that' a very good question Clarrie.
Thank you Esscee but my Brenda knowledge is somewhat scattered, so others will fill in the gaps. She went out with James, Lilian's son and it ended badly. Then was with Tom but they fell out, made up when she was threatened by Chalky, Matt's shady partner, because she overheard their conversation when working for Lilian, and became engaged. She eventually walked out on him, moved to London and became engaged to someone else. She turned up briefly, looking very well, before Tom's and Kirsty's upcoming wedding. She went to Russia at some point?
ReplyDeleteBrenda went to Russia with Matt but that was all on Archers Extra. I think it was the only Extra I listened to though.
ReplyDeleteBasia your brilliant.
Quick change of subject - I have just been listening to an old episode of Father Brown on Sounds. Father Brown is played by the late Andrew Sachs, and in this episode, set in Cornwall, a rapscallion Cornish landowner I’d played by our late Edward Kelsey. And he sounds exactly like Joe Grundy, same accent even though he’s supposed to be Cornish!
ReplyDeleteI heard that also. He was Joe..
DeleteAnother piece of human misery tonight, so no need to repeat. What stood out for me at the time was when Eddie asked Clarrie for some disinfectant, because someone had been sick inside the wardrobe, left on the landing at Meadow Rise, what an ironic name. Then Joe killing off his ferrets.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this I must have read in the RT, that after the recording the whole cast and crew were overwhelmed and sat around talking about it.
I have been unable to listen to TA tonight on Sounds - the recording just isn’t there!
ReplyDeleteBut having read from Basia that it’s THAT awful and upsetting episode I think I am glad to have missed it.
Don’t the producers of TA that we are going through enough misery at the moment? We need some cheerful amusing interludes to remember and cheer us up not wall to wall despair.
It wasn't wall to wall despair tonight and the Grundys didn't actually get to Meadow Rise.
ReplyDeleteIt was Clarrie and Eddy, with Joe saying goodby to the farm, with Will being helpful and understanding for once.
The most moving though was the dog, taken by Will to Brookfield, who managed to return just as they were getting in the van to leave.
I just hoped in those last few seconds that PtbY was not listening tonight.
That whimpering was pitiful.
This episode was also about Pat and Tony visiting the shop that they were about to take on.
Mrs P- from Basia’s description I thought it was the awful episode where Joe killed his ferrets!
DeleteBut my reference to ‘wall to wall despair’ was really referring to having three miserable episodes presented to us /
Kirsty’s non-wedding
Jennie’s anguish over Brian
and now the Grundy’s having to leave Grange Farm.
I suppose it could be argued that these were key episodes where something ‘big’ happened in Ambridge. But I am not finding them very uplifting at the moment.
Though it was also a very big story in the Archers Archives I sincerely hope we are going to be presented with an upsetting Rob / Helen episode as well.
Haven’t heard tonight’s and can’t get it on sounds app yet.
ReplyDeleteI won’t listen after reading your post Mrs P. Thank you.
I wasn’t listening when the Grundys had to leave Grange farm and now it is not listed in the daily episodes.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile
ReplyDeleteThat's why I described it, because I thought you had thought of the ' ferret ' episode. That broke me at the time too. Tears in my eyes and a tight throat as I write this now. It was awful, and for Joe, it broke him too. It was after that that he went walkabout I seem to remember.
I think these episodes this week are about key moments, moments that changed family dynamics in Ambridge families, and the Grundys leaving Grange Farm was certainly a key moment in that family and in Ambridge.
I found last nights episode rather touching.
Stasia will have to listen on Sunday then !
Thanks Mrs P. I will see if it is on Sounds now and listen. There have been one or two problems with episodes not appearing on Sounds recently. It’s very annoying!
DeleteThe common theme for this week is supposed to be there's no place like home, the moments that tested each of the family farms. Yes, Brookfield going into lockdown. An earth-shattering confession - how does it fall into this category? Then sad farewells last night. Two more to come which we can judge later.
ReplyDeleteBasia -
DeleteI think the Brian and Jennifer scenario does link into the theme.
At the end Brian did choose home, at Home Farm with Jennifer.
In effect he abandoned Siobhan when she said " it doesn't matter Brian, why don't you just come over now " and his answer was that although he would love to do so, he couldn't possibly leave Jenny as she was right now.
Siobhan put the phone down on him.
She knew then ( well I would have known ! ) that she would remain in the role of the other womam for ever.
Yes, you're right MrsP, Brian knew deep down where he belonged but it didn't prevent Siobhan from trying again.
DeleteI noticed he called both women 'darling' !
DeleteI think Siobhan was a very selfish woman. She cared not a jot about Brian’s state of mind or Jenny’s reaction to her and Brian’s antics. Her only reaction was to try to get him round to her house. Potentially she could have broken up a marriage but had no conscience about it. Brian strayed once too far but as far as I can recall never did it again. He knew which side his bread was buttered!
DeleteTo be objective, Brian, weak as he is, hadn't told Siobhan that he wouldn't leave Jennifer. He may have given her a false hope and she sounded surprised when he said he wanted to be just with her and their baby after he was born, telling Jennifer it was difficult to explain. When challenged by J to make a choice there was no doubt in his mind. Siobhan's goading: you don't have to lie anymore, may have strengthened his resolve.
DeleteAll I can say is, that I am loving listening to these episodes again.
ReplyDelete🌟✔✔🔊
Hmmm, I'm not.
ReplyDelete'Fraid I'm not either. Might well give the flood a miss - too recent. Mind you, if it's got something about Titchener & the culvert, I could regret that.
DeleteI've listened, being aware that I wasn't listening properly the first time round.
ReplyDeleteNo Titchener at the culvert, but he was most unpleasant to Alan Franks and bullying to Chris. Shula told him to stop bullying aunty Chris, then managed to persuade her herself.
I think the culvert business happened a day or so previously.
He was pretty nasty to Harrison too.
DeleteI was trying to remember if Rob was still 'nice' at this stage. We certainly got a taste of things to come in this episode. Everyone else was pulling together and trying to help out. Rob had to deride others and then ensure that he was cast as hero. (Yes, going to rescue Shula and co was brave - or foolhardy - but he made sure he made a big show of it first.)
I wonder if he'd realised early on his dodgy culvert management was to blame and was trying to divert attention? Probably not, I doubt his farming expertise extended to the role pokey little ditches play in managing the flow of rivers.
Poor Freda - silent for countless years, she finally gets a speaking part! The shock is to great for her and all she can do is whimper.
ReplyDeleteI did listen last night. Had forgotten Titchener might be in it and hated hearing his nasty bullying voice again. But at least he was not abusing Helen, which I really don’t want to hear again.
ReplyDeleteThen, the rains came, and lifted the Am, from the depths, of the culvert to a raging, torrent.
ReplyDeleteThe good people of Ambridge, (Saints Shula and Allan) raised their eyes to the heavens, and cried, ‘oh great one‘, save us from this plight. They reeled and staggered, and where, at their wits end, to save Aunty Chris. Oh the drama, will she, won’t she, and lo they were delivered, from their distress. A voice was raised, in fury, Robgod saved them, from their watery death, and they were brought safely to dry land.
The serpent, ( Rob) did set a test, and Old Freda went to the depths. But He said, I am a righteous man, and all will see me as their saviour.
The end.
That's EXACTLY how I remember that week too stasia!
DeletePs. The acting was as bad then as it is today. Jill certainly didn’t sound any different.
ReplyDeleteAnother one I didn't listen to again. I remembered Rob was in it and he bore the scar of his fight against the flow forever more.
ReplyDeleteI found the flood episode quite tense. There was a strong sense of community among the village folk. Didn't much like the Grundy episode.
ReplyDeleteI think Auntie Chris was a liability! I never was keen on her character as she seems so perfect! Quite glad she is a silent character now!
ReplyDeleteI have some gaps in the Brian & Siobhan story. I listened when she died with Brian and Elizabeth in Ireland. What I'd like to know from those who remember and are willing to write are the following:
ReplyDeleteJennifer went to see Siobhan before she died, how did that go? Was it within hearing?
Did Jennifer find out or guess that the woman who called for help after Brian's car accident was Siobhan?
How did Brian persuade Jennifer to take on Ruairi?
Thank you.
You have got me thinking, also.
DeleteI too, would love to hear the answers to your very sensible questions.
I am sure others, who have a much better knowledge + memories, can tell all.
Forgotten all of that Basia.
ReplyDeleteSo I shall be interested in any answers too.
How lovely to hear Carolyn Jones, as Ursula, again tonight (now sadly departed).
ReplyDeleteIs Carole T. played by Eleanor Bron, still in Ambridge?
If so...when did she last, have a vocal part?
I listened to a clip of the exchange between Pat and Ursula and that was more than enough for me. I don't like any voices from the past, especially of the actors now deceased.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten just how wilfully blind Ursula was: 'You haven't put a foot wrong.' Presumably all those times Helen said he raped her were pure fiction. And didn't Jess finally give evidence at Helen's trial too? (But then, if as I suspect she endured similar treatment from Rob's father, perhaps wilfully denying the truth is the only way she has managed to survive all these years.)
ReplyDeleteWhere is Rob? It has been nearly 4 years since he vanished. I didn't think he'd stay away from Myson for so long. Whatever revenge he's planning, when it blows up it will be BIG.
BTW, just checking the character pages - Jack will be 4 next Thursday. Should we have a lockdown party for him? : )
Rob was declared as a person of interest by the police and it was stated that he would be arrested should he reappear.
DeleteYes, Jess turned up at court in a pure drama fashion and testified.
DeleteHarrison told Helen that Rob was last registered in Minnesota?
Basia, re Siobhan, I remember Brian going out to Ireland alone and Jennifer joining him later. I think she refused to go at first but I can’t remember all the details, or why she decided to go. I seem to remember her meeting Rhuari and feeling so upset that he was a little boy losing his mother that she relented for his sake, and I think she made that clear to Brian at the time. Hopefully someone else will be able to remember more.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t fancy listening to the Grundy episode after the comments here and I didn’t want to hear Rob again so didn’t listen last night or tonight either. I did wonder about the culvert. I also didn’t fancy hearing Pip at Brookfield although I am sure she did a Stirling job.
sterling job.
DeleteThank you Esscee and Seasider. Yes, I do remember the "British Airways" handkerchief according to Brian but Debbie also saw a clear resemblance between Ruairi an Alice when she was a baby. Having just been cheated by an unfaithful husband herself, she saw the signs.
ReplyDeleteIt was Debbie who said that J went to see S but it might not have been in our hearing.
Brian had the bench made after Ruairi buried a bee. Jennifer retorted that on entering Ruairi's room each morning she sees a photograph of his beloved mistress!
Having heard in advance what was going to be in last nights episode I decided not to listen. Only the second time in my life I have deliberately missed an episode.
ReplyDeleteI just couldn’t bear to hear the awful Ursula’s voice again, or that of her son.
How Miriam can say it was lovely to hear her again I don’t know. The actress playing her may have been brilliant but the character, and what she had to say, was appalling.
I do hope next weeks episode will be a bit lighter, and a bit of comedy would be very welcome.
You were very wise ,Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteI switched the radio on at 7pm yesterday but soon switched it off again .
I too avoided listening. I started watching Macbeth from The Globe instead then watched the latest episode of Pride and Prejudice on BBC 4.
ReplyDeleteMmm......Hilary, I'd have thought that Macbeth was a good deal more harrowing than Ursula, that spiteful bully of a woman !
DeleteStill, P & P, a civilized antidote to both.....
Gosh, the gruesome Titchener parents ! Far more rude & arrogant than Darcy at his worst, & even the ghastly Lady Catherine de Burgh, but at least she got her come uppance in the end, whereas the Titcheners never did, not directly; I always longed for Pat or Tony to confront them & drive them into a trembling, stammering retreat....
So far, I've listened to Ian's & Adam's CP which after some initial prejudice was heart warming and it was the first time for me.
ReplyDeleteAlice & Christopher was pure fun and I wanted to hear it again.
Brookfield in lockdown I didn't remember but it was poignant at this time.
I haven't yet looked at what's on offer for the last week of reminiscences.
Urusula was a
ReplyDeleteUrsula was an awful character, I know, and whom I named "Cruella".
ReplyDeleteI did though, admire how she was portrayed.
Perhaps my thoughts, were not for the character, but the actress who played her (sadly departed) and did so brilliantly.
The evening TA episode, is now a repeat, which we all know, and which I am enjoying.
ReplyDeleteWhy is there not now a Friday, 7.00pm episode?
Probably because there won't be a Friday evening episode once we start getting the new recordings.
DeleteHaving got used to Archer-free Friday, it would be confusing to get them back for four weeks only to lose them again. (At least, Bears of Little Brain like me would get confused, I've only just taught myself not to tune in on a Friday!)
Someone (sorry can't remember who it was) said that we need some happier old episodes to listen to and I heartily agree. The Jennifer/Brian/Siobhan episode was horrible and we need some cheerier stuff.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed revisiting previous critical TA times, in spite of not always easy listening.
ReplyDeleteMe too Parsley !
ReplyDeleteI think it's good to look back and reflect on the events that changed the dynamics within a family, or within the community. And we don't usually have any opportunity to do that.
👍
DeleteHopefully next weeks repeats will be a little less fraught - I see the theme is to be about regular Village Events......such as The Flower & Produce Show, The Hunt Ball etc.
ReplyDeleteThough thinking back, they had their moments of intrigue and argument too.
But I hope they will be more fun that last weeks selection.
I don't like listening to the voices of those who have been written out, died or both.
ReplyDeleteI've been living with my own past for the last 15 years, so can do without it. I actually catch myself thinking, I wonder how's Lynda getting on and then telling myself, not now stupid, you have to wait.
Lynda will have made a complete recovery and will be preparing to run a marathon as soon as lockdown is over.
DeleteBlake's back is also fully healed. The lads/horses have built a mini Mount Everest in the flat and he is climbing up and down it hundreds of time to match the total height of the original.
And Philip has been recommended for fast-track canonisation.
I understand Basia's comment re listening to those who have sadly died (but not perhaps written out).
ReplyDeleteI feel different - in that I can hear these wonderful people, who were such a major part of TA, once again.
Lost, but not forgotten...
It is no different to watching a film, a TV repeat or similar, such as "Dads Army" or "Porridge". In many, so many cast members are no longer.
It is sad, but doesn't stop me watching or listening to these persons.
I haven't looked at what next week's TA episodes will be, except that, I just know I will enjoy them.
I very much enjoy listening to voices from the past.
DeleteFrom childhood I was a passionate listener of ' Letter from America ' fascinated by the subject and in love with the voice.
I'm still listening, dipping into the past at least once a week courtesy of the BBC.
In my experience faces often fade from the memory, though not the person. But the voice is retained. My mothers voice in particular seems to have a permanent place in my memory.
I listened to the radio programme, "A Tribute to Tim Brooke-Taylor", who sadly died from Covid-19.
DeleteI so enjoyed it, hearing him at his best, plus with the late great - Nicholas Parsons.
Not really Archers related but someone on another Archers site keeps recommending a series called Cabin Pressure, a comedy with Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephanie Cole and Roger Allam , about a private airline. Apparently it’s very funny.
DeleteIt is to be repeated on Sunday evenings immediately after The Archers, so I’m going to give it a try.
Archerphile. It is brilliant. I will be listening to it, for about the 3rd, if not 4th, time around. It does depend on an individuals sense of human, but it suits mine.
DeleteStephanie Cole,
along with Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Allam and the author, (whose name I have just forgot), are brilliant together.
It is worth giving it a try.
It is John Finnemore, also has also been a regular on Just a Minute.
DeleteI have just realised, that this is on the wrong page, as it not TA related.
Sorry.. 😭😭
I can relate this post to TA.
DeleteAnthony Head appears later in the series. He was in TA, as the father of Toby + Rex Fairbrother.
and we know all about Robin Fairbrother...😘
I'm a fan of Cabin Pressure too and flagged up its return on here a couple of weeks ago.
DeleteIt is very corny, but Stephanie Cole is brilliant.
Which reminds me, the lemon has been in play in our sitting room for the last 3 weeks or so. The youngest shoe dweller hid it last and I keep forgetting to look for it ...
Delete(I'm sure at least some Ambridge folk have the sense to listen to Cabin Pressure. I know Lynda listens to JF's Souvenir Programme because she commented at the end of an episode when John had done his Archers spoof.0
I love the lemon game..🍋🍋
DeleteNot Archers related.
ReplyDeleteBut, The Lemon Game ?????
Those of you who listen to BH have heard it. It's a sad story really, Angela's cancer operation due on 25 March was postponed and now it won't go ahead. She is an ardent fan, so the family recorded a spoof episode for her. I must say, the lines and the acting was superb and it got Patricia Green's full approval, she came on the programme to congratulate. It's in the last 5 minutes. Next week Jeremy Howe will be a guest before the Archers' return.
ReplyDeleteStrange that they muddled Eddie and Ed, though. Also Patricia G’s remark that it could be the last episode of The Archers, which flummoxed the interviewer too.
DeleteYes, Paddy O'Connell obviously does not know enough about the Archers and Angela just followed, she might have been confused with being on the radio.
DeleteAs for PG, she might have meant that it was the last of the Archers as we know.
There was also confusion about whose blooms in whose garden, but I didn't point any of that out. I still enjoyed the lines and the acting, I found the *Eddie* and Susan characters true to form.
What is BH?
ReplyDelete"Broadcasting House" on Radio 4.
DeleteThank you! I will listen.
DeleteWell I have totally lost the plot here.
ReplyDeleteWho is Angela?
What has a lemon got to do with anything?
I've heard Angela's story on the news last week, but no idea what the lemon comments are about....
DeleteAngela is a terminal cancer patient who is an Archer's fan and featured on BH.
DeleteLemon game is something to do with hiding a lemon for the next person to find.
Lemons ...
ReplyDeleteCabin Fever is set on an aeroplane. One crew member hides the lemon in the cabin. The other crew members have to spot it and rehide it. Do real flight staff have such games? I've no idea - have we got any pilots lurking here to enlighten us?
The lemon has since gained quite a following - from photos of its European Tour to t-shirts, mugs, etc.
The crew's other game, when not in the plane is 'Yellow Car'. I'm sure I don't need to explain the rule for that one!
(They could play a variant in Ambridge - 'Orange Car')
I asked Mr A, who is a glider pilot, if he had heard of the lemon game. He looked mystified and asked where on earth I thought he could hide a lemon in a tiny glider cockpit! 😂 🍋
DeleteJust read all of the above and I am very confused!! Jeremy Howe, Patricia Greene - when and where were/ are they going to be interviewed about a last episode of the Archers in which someone plays a game with lemons??🤨
ReplyDeleteJohn Finnemore (who is married to Eddie Mair) has hidden a lemon inside Jeremy Howe and Patricia Greene has to find it or she will be written out of The Archers. Simples...
Delete🙃
DeleteActually bothered to listen to TA tonight, but gave up before the end - too much music, couldn't identify all the voices, though got Jill, Ruth, & the sexy goings on between Siobhan & Brian....did it all really bear repetition ?
ReplyDeleteI thought not, Carolyn, having read the synopsis, but under Jack Woolley Archers I found an item:
ReplyDeleteBBC Blogs TA Jack Woolley 1919 - 2014, his life written by Keri Davies.
Loved tonight’s episode!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to hear dear Phil, Nigel and Jack again and then there was the scarlet woman herself - Chevaunne (?)
What a cast at least 12 and I may had missed some???
What days 19 yrs ago
🏹 🤗
Oops Siobhan 🙄
ReplyDeleteI thought this episode was more fun than the previous offerings. Could Brian be any more sleazy - yuck! I'd forgotten what he used to be like. As for Siobhan - brazen huzzy!! Poor Jennifer with all that going on right under her nose.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to be reminded what a surly teenager 17 year old Ed was back in the day! He’s certainly matured and changed a lot.
ReplyDeleteBrian was even more oily than I remember and Ruth sounded quite skittish!
Lynda’s voice was
posher in those days too.
Perhaps my hearing isn’t as sharp as it once was but I found it hard to recognise all the voices amidst all that background chattering and music.
I really enjoyed tonight’s episode. Wonderful to hear Nigel again. I wasn’t listening back then so it was an eye opener for me with regards to Brian. Ed was deffo obnoxious back then. I didn’t realise that Peggy wasn’t married to Jack for that long really, in the scheme of things.
ReplyDeleteCabin pressure. I LOVE IT. Roger Allan is fantastic. Thanks for mentioning it because I’d missed it last night. It’s certainly a program to listen to if you want cheering up. Makes me lol.
I have set Cabin Pressure as one of my ‘subscribed’ programmes in My Sounds so that I can listen to any of the episodes at any time.
DeleteDone the same for the Agatha Raisin series with Penelope Keith which also gets a re-run on 4extra this week.
Well, thank you for confirming my decision, I'd have been very sad to hear Phil and Nigel.
ReplyDeleteAs for pure unadulterated fun I'm really enjoying the run of PG Wodehouse on Sunday afternoons.
The cast is stellar, I know how it's going to pan out. It's timeless and priceless, brilliant!
Funnily enough, Nigel's voice reminded me of Bertie Wooster.
DeleteNigel always reminded me of Bertie W.
ReplyDeleteI didn't listen last night but have just listened to that episode and I thought it was awful.
ReplyDeleteSorry.
I thought they all sounded as if there was a prize for who could speak the fastest.
I thought Nigel sounded as if he were Buttons in a pantomime .
It was too noisy..
It did not seem realIstic at all.
I know I have complained about poor acting recently but I now think that the acting now is far better than it was then.
Won't be listening for the rest of the week.
Lanjan, I hope your 'sorry' is not an apology but a regret.
DeleteLast night's episode was first broadcast in 2001, tonight's in 2008, so over ten years ago.
I already listened online, so must have heard it but I'm still wary of any voices from the past. It seems to be a trend now on Radio 4. Just because Tim Brooke-Taylor died recently they broadcast The Clue (I've stopped listening) first with Jeremy Hardy and now with Victoria Wood, I liked them both - who died too young...
All i can say is that, I am
ReplyDeletereally enjoying these Ambridge Revisted episodes.
It is just hearing the characters, who are no more, be they have been written out or the player, sadly passed away.
I seem to be in a minority, but this doesn't worry me.
"Off Topic". I love Penelope Keith as Agatha Raisin. I have the complete set of the books, which I still haven't finished reading.
DeleteEleanor Bron was introduced in TA, as Carole T. Why was it not Penelope Keith?
Enjoyed tonight’s episode, great fun. 😆
ReplyDeleteI agree, KP. I had forgotten about Alice and Chris going to Bestival. Some of the back stories are good to revisit. (Others I prefer to forget).
DeleteI agree too. So nice to hear something light hearted.
DeleteI loved last nights re-visit to the Flower & Produce Show.
ReplyDeleteThat’s The Archers I remember from years ago, typical village event, a little bit of mild controversy, a bit of gossip, Lynda sounding almost too posh to be true, Jenny aghast that her Alice might be consorting with a Carter!
No real rows, no nastiness, no violence, just a typical day in an English village (so like my own!)
Of course, if *all* episodes were like that, current listeners would probably switch off in droves, but to hear it again was lovely and very nostalgic.
Absolutely agree AP 👏🏻
DeleteWell, guess what's on offer tonight...
ReplyDeleteListening again this afternoon it's such a pleasure to be hearing, and remembering how The Archers used to be.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile has described it so well as a typical village event.
Perhaps our newer listeners might like to let us older long term listeners know what they feel about this kind of episode.
Yes Archerphile, truly nostalgic.
I have enjoyed listening to episodes I hadn't heard before, particularly the New Year's Ball as I only started listening to The Archers shortly after Nigel's fall so it was interesting to hear his voice for the first time. He sounded very nice.
ReplyDeleteThese old episodes are giving us newer listeners the opportunity to learn a little more about the characters.
I love Hilary's comment, referring to these old episode 😁. It is lovely that they are so meaningful and interesting, to a younger Archers Addict.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I remember them quite well, from the first time round.
I am so enjoying them again, as to how the characters were then, as compared, to how they are now.
Where has the true fun + frivolity gone. TA today, seems so much fraught. I hadn't realised this change, but it seems far more obvious now.
Well put Miriam 🤗 imo
DeleteAgree.
DeleteUnfortunately it has gone further down the soap route and that means angst. In the early days of Corrie and EE there were comic moments and delights like Hilda’s divine singing voice but now it’s all about the darker side of life. I can’t think of one comic character in TA.😟
DeleteSad, isn't it ?
ReplyDelete