As another voice actor does a bunk in the night, is he watching them all with the eyeeeeeee .... of the TIGER? Bring back Matt unadulterated to The Archers NOW.

[PseudoBadger]

This is too much for me now. I need to meditate.

Matt was barred from being a Director so he was barred from managing and making decisions. He couldn't sign Important Stuff.
But you can't bar people from owning assets!
Was Amside a 50/50 or did he own it all with her as the (puppet) Director?

I thought things were in her name to stop people going after him. And after the Russia fiasco she would have been pretty dim to let him have total access. And Lillian is not a love struck teen who would act that dim!!!!

Ooh enoch - that would be v machiavellian!

And yes Lilian, it does sound like the Archers. Isn't it fabulous? :)

I couldn't resist the BLzebub reference. I wonder if he is the inspiration for JE's character.

www.scotsman.com/news/uk/a-self-imagined-devil-an-emissary-of-beelzebub-1-613785ce!

Speaking of "difficult" tenants who refuse to be bought out: "There are other ways of making them go - from taking the roof off or making sure they have a nasty accident going along the road."

Actually some of van Hoogstaten's sayings would suit Rob but I don't think that link above will work anymore.

It was lovely to hear Hayley. So wise and balanced. Just what Feebs needs.

Lillian doesn't sound as though she fears immediate total destitution so I'm hoping the Dower House is hers to sell.
Has Justin put down a deposit on Brookfield? If he has and withdraws from the purchase to buy the Dower House then David & Ruth get to keep it, don't they?
Then they can afford to buy out the siblings' shares, rent out the bit that will perhaps be across the other side of Route B to Ed so Ed'n'Em can move back into their old cottage. They then re-start the milk round with Ed's milk and a sideline in bottled water from the new spring. (I did wonder how they would manage to settle two or three of their offspring in farming when David retires but diversifying could be the way forward.)

That way Dave & Ruth can stay on in Ambridge without being hated because if the road etc. is stopped then Susan et al will blame Jennifer, Jim & Linda who think David has betrayed the cause anyway. If the road goes ahead then D & R have a viable business still and compensation money.

As for Lillian's housing needs? I'm still waiting for Peggy to change her will but it might be a good story if she moves into the Bull for a while. I think that happened before and Jolene couldn't wait for her to go.

I wonder if Bartleby can pull a milk cart!

Goodness enoch - you've done all their work for them.

I looked up Mary Cutler, who wrote this week's episodes, because I wanted to know who on earth had decided to drag "van" Hoogstaten into TA - and found this. It's her blog statement from the 60th anniversary week + accompanying howls of outrage in the comments.

Nothing changes.

I'm working on the theory that SOC is trying to pull back from the brink and maybe needs a little help, Zero, - though Mary C has done an excellent job this week.

Stop worrying Araminta. As Mimsy has indicated Brookfield cows will be going cheap pretty soon. Just buy one and have someone milk it for you.

More than "a little" help enoch ...

I'm not sure Ed n Emma would want to move back into their old home. It was tiny wasn't it? Though I suppose if they owned the land they could expand it.

Gosh, that Hoogstraten chappie has had a colourful life. I knew the name was vaguely familiar but had forgotten the details. A staple of Private Eye for many years, IIRC.

'More than "a little" help enoch ... '

OK. I'll shut up! But in my defence I was also trying to work in a brighter future for Ed if he didn't have to rent from the estate.

I meant that they need more than a little help!

In my heart of hearts I knew that's what you meant!

Actually I think they're getting there - but that's perhaps because we've been treated to quite a good week of episodes.

It's good to see familiar characters re-emerging in the face of the SOC-imposed drama school Borg.

My suspicision is that SOC will re-introduce "something lost" that appeals to the long-established listeners just before his Feedback appearance to provide a "look how responsive we are" counter-argument.

Though BYOS Lilian's record of being reasonable about men is not good remember Paul and all that ridiculous emoting over a psycho?

Yeah the Paul thing was weird. Can't even blame soc for that bit of nonsense!!

Zero - thanks so much for linking to that blog from Mary C. Reading the comments is much like this thread :o

nauticant That fits with my theory that someone on high has stomped on SOC after his refusal to appear on Feedback last month. I understood that he had a no-interference clause in his contract but perhaps the high- profile criticism lately has caused a jitter.

Thought JD's comments about always wanting to live in the Midlands was strange - the Cotswolds or Borsetshire maybe, but the Midlands??

Really lovely to hear Hayley again and her sound advice to Feebs.

A no-interference clause !!!!!!!!! Fuck off (not you enoch, the loonies in charge of the beeb) are they completely mad ????? Sorry about the rant and the swearing but really!!!!!!

Going back to Ms Cutler - I'm sure she said they made an effort to avoid piling up too many similar SLs. But atm we have three weddings in prospect. Helen and Rob (won't happen hopefully,) Ed n Emma and now Adam and Ian. It's not ideal. Is nobody in charge of this sort of thing?

And I'm a bit puzzled about Neil's position. I thought he was employed by Tony Bridge Farm to manage the pig enterprise. But Susan has said twice now that he's "in partnership" with BF re the pigs. Have I misunderstood or has she?

Another reference to knocking down Brokefailed? Reallyknocking down a listed building is an easy thing to do? I can remember, irl,someone solving the problem by setting fire to theirs, so do we have a bonfire to rival that one on Lakey Hill years back when all the beacons were lighted for some unremembered occasion, to look forward to?

A no-interference clause !!!!!!!!! are they completely mad ???

I can believe it. Remember back then there was a big hoohaa about suits running the BBC and it should be given back to the creatives? But you'd think that the suits would have a reciprocal clause: we promise not to interfere if you promise not to throw much loved characters off the roof relocate the First Family.

Neil and pigs: it's to do with Bridge Farm finances. Of course it makes no sense and is as clear as mud

Am liking Rumbelow's idea of revenge fire.