Continuing culvert conspiracies in Ambridge - discuss The Archers here

[PseudoBadger]

Won't someone please give Kenton a kick in the FA Cup Finals, and a link to Money Saving Expert?

They do vary. Reports of Heather's progress (so far) correspond almost exactly to what I've seen. Although I gather the prognosis is less good if the stroke victim lost consciousness at any point - which I think someone (David?) said happened here.

I cringed through what Kate said. There was some truth in it, but being Kate it felt a bit like that the truth was lost in her own desire to come out with great sound bites rather than challenging it with real facts.

Helen was a fraud to have gone along with it, but her whole relationship with Rob doesn't make sense!

Zero fully agree with your death analysis down thread. The thing about John, Mark and Betty is that their deaths were so unexpected - not hinted at and not flagged up beforehand (as with Nigel's death where we were told to expect some calamitous event and had to try to work out who). Freda's death would have been sadder if it hadn't taken place within the un characteristically melodramatic setting of the flood. I feel with Heatherpet Sock isn't quite sure what do with her - she can't look after herself (hence the ludicrous moving story) so now the Dopeys are not moving she has to go. We are just waiting to see how. I think it's been handled really badly in so many ways - not least by bringing in a comedy northerner to play the part to replace the original actress.
Big BOOP for Kate with Helen. Someone needed to say that - maybe she'll be the one to point out a few home truths about Knob.

I can't really see what was wrong with what Kate said She was expressing her opinion - it wasn't a personal attack was it? I may have to LA. I can see how Adam would think it was unprofessional but he's in the same field (!) as Berrow (am I kate? Someone tell me I'm not)

And Helen needs the reality check. Really- the her doing it/Charlie letting her do it is up there with the bizarre story story lines there's been!

I thought you lot would appreciate this (from haharchers)

'And so to the Young Farmers’ Treasure Hunt. All week, Pip has been gently flirting with Toby Fairbrother but, on the day of the Hunt, Toby is nabbed by Kate and Pip‘s partner is Rex. Pip and Rex are doing quite well, with Rex impressed by her local knowledge. Kate, on the other hand, is woeful and suggests to Toby that they duck out and go back to Home Farm, where there is a BBQ and drink and “Did I mention we had a pool?” There is much suggestive talk about how Kate’s yoga keeps her supple. “I can get my body into all sorts of positions” she says, as we reach for the sick bag.” I wouldn’t mind seeing that” (Toby). “I’m sure it could be arranged” (Kate) and we realise that one sick bag won’t be enough. I wouldn’t say that Kate was easy, but her nickname is ‘Open Goal’ and she wears a mattress strapped to her back in case she meets anyone she knows while she’s out.'

(It adds that Toby has the raddle powder???)

Perhaps Charlie will make a play for Helen, just to screw Rob up.

Just hoping Toby doesn't make a play for Phoebe next - surely she's much too sensible.

I think it reflects sad reality that once elderly people have a stroke they're very likely to have more - often a series of mini ones but sometimes 'massive'.

Absolutely, which is why a TIA is usually taken pretty seriously with investigations into whether anything like, for instance, irregular heart rhythm caused the stroke (in which case medication will be prescribed), and also the prescription of blood thinning medication to reduce the likelihood of a subsequent stroke. Obviously it is impossible to guarantee that a subsequent stroke won't happen, and I'm not seriously suggesting that this is a negligence storyline - more likely a matter of the SWs not necessarily doing full research.

I liked what Kate said to Helen. However I don't like too much of Kate.
She could be really useful as the silly fool who has real insight into some situations.

I'm not so keen on all the dumb yokels falling for the big business with only the local crazy lady (Kate) seeing the truth! Will kate team up with auntie pat?

Is it so the fall can be even greater when they bear culpability for bad flood damage (evil robs culvert and all the blocked ditches)?

Toby going for phoebe would be grim - she is way too young for him!!

BitOut - regarding Bert, I'd say there's a difference between non-essential slave labour gardening for Carol and something as precise and regular as milking. Not sure he'd really be up to it. Poor man.

I thought Helen sounded quite uncomfortable delivering her 'lecture'. Maybe Kate's words will strike home.

Kate isn't an ignoramus (eg she probably did know a bit about the use of drones) - so her tactlessness (entirely consistent with her egocentricity) could lead to her speaking a few uncomfortable truths.

I think Phoebe has a lot more sense than her mother, and as she presumably saw and was deeply embarrassed by the pool frolics she is unlikely to touch Toby with a bargepole.

I'm not saying he would do it regularly but while Ruth is away - to tide them over. And I would've thought he'd leap at the chance. He likes to keep busy doesn't he. He would certainly have been there for Open Farm Sunday. But not even a mention of him. It's so shoddy isn't it - the way they just seem to forget characters

I would have thought bert would be up for helping out for open farm Sunday too. Isn't he still living at Brookfield?

Agree with pp that Helen doing the talk for her boyfriend was totally unrealistic. I can just see my boss' face if I said my dh was doing my presentation for me.

I'm surprised we haven't heard anything from Phoebe about her mother's antics. She was one of the organisers of the treasure hunt, she must have been there.

I'm afraid to say I think Bert would be too old for milking (though actually I don't know how old he is...). It's surprisingly physical work, constant standing, lifting and reaching. Don't get me wrong, there will be men of his age milking out there but it will be small numbers of cows. FIL, who is almost 70, finds it hard going these days and only helps out on occasion. Things have changed so much since his prime that he would be unlikely to do it on his own.

Phoebe is probably still sobbing as she rocks back and forth on a dark corner trying to her over the trauma of Kate being her mum

..not to mention Roy as her dad!

Josh and Bert will be down with the sheep at Marney's .. So said David on Sunday morning!

(Listening again as too lazy to change station.)

No way would Charlie only be checking on Helen's competence on the very day. He'd have rushed her off for some expensive public speaking crash course last week.

So, Toby's a dirty stop-out. Dirty, purple boy. Will Kate try her hand with Charlie to try to incite some jealousy?

Will Kate's rant against Hellin (which - let's face it - could have been said word for word by H herself in the past) bring her to her senses or give Knob more additions to his "Reasons I hate Your Family" list?

When is Justin Elliot going to buy the Dower House and turn it into Southfork and buy The Bull and turn it into quite a decent little gastropub actually?

I don't think Kate was unprofessional - wasn't it three cousins having a chat? If anything it was pretty mild - if I was Kate I would be asking whether Helen's had a personality transplant. The whole thing is bizarre. How on earth would Helen justify it to Pat? More Tammy Wynette bobbins? Rob is so stressed?

Gaspode Manor Court is not mentioned in Ambridge locations. but manorfield close is- it contains '12 old people's homes' by which i presume they mean sheltered housing rather than residential care homes- hwich would go against Christine saying there is nothing like that in Ambridge.

I'd have thought sheltered housing could be precisely what Christine is looking for, especially if it's the sort of arrangement where they have regular socials, talks etc and possibly also offers lunches.

Yes, I do feel sorry for Phoebe. Having both parents unable to prevent their genitals from overruling their brains must be horrendous.

Well actually I don't think it was really Rob's idea to ask Helen. I know thats what he said in talking to Helen. But Charlie said something to David about Justin really wanting to have "locals" involved in Berrow Farm's open day. I bet Charlie asked Rob to ask Helen to do it - especially as a lot of people in the local area would know her or recognise her from Ambridge Organics in Borchester.
It was a bit of a coup getting one of the "Organic Archers" to describe and support their solar energy project, and say how green it is going to be. A bit like getting Jonathan Porrit along to support your new, slightly controversial scheme.

Was definitely Rob's idea - we heard his lightbulb moment when Charlie said Rob couldn't do it himself.