We love Charlie. But we want Adam and Ian to get married. What will happen in Ambridge in the pre-Christmas thread?

[PseudoBadger]

Just listened to Friday - we are 2 weeks from Christmas and David didn't even ask whether Ruth will be back by then?

Yeah, because there are going to be loads of spare flights available right after Christmas, in the middle of the NZ summer hols.

In any case, if she's going to be back by Christmas, she needs to be getting on a plane about now.

Shula had an affair with Richard in the past though, didn't she? I thought Lilian was going for Julian a bit blatantly, too.

I'm with Joe on the names, actually. Girls I was at school with, I still think of them with the surnames they had then, rather than the ones they have now. Don't most familes have conversations about "Sarah Smith-as-was" and the like? Just us? Oh well.

Don't worry Dad3 I'll start a new one on Thursday whatever

The title is one that I noted from a great suggestion a few threads back

In the spirit of thread-filling

I vaguely recall that ancient Grundy-lore has it that, way back when, the Archers and the Grundies were equals (both tenant farmers?) but that, somehow, the Archers made the leap to becoming land owners, with hints that the Grundies were done up like kippers in the process.

Or I may have dreamed it all.

And yes to some Lil and Justin shenanigans on the horizon.

Perhaps Tiger will return in the nick of time.

Lil and Justin is a bit too history repeating surely?

I occasionally still sign things in my maiden name by mistake so can't really blame joe for not keeping up with others names changes!

You should put out a plea to lurkers - that'll soon fill up the thread! We could all state 3 things by way of introducing ourselves!

Mine are
I really like Charlie and would be more than happy for Adam to shack up with him.
Lillian has always been my favourite and it is great to hear her getting her spark back. (Still hacked off with Matt's exit though)
I am emotionally very resilient but can only cope with the HellInKnob storyline for another 9 days before it all becomes too much.

Thank you so much for this thread - I love it and often check my own reactions to an episode against the chat here! I nearly always find it very reassuring.

Other lurkers - please come and join in with your 3 things!!

I post occasionally but here are my 3:

• I don't want anything horrid to happen to Joe
• Stop the Rob/Helen grimfest soon
• I am not dead, I have a bar on a tropical island. MNers get free drinks.

Did anyone else see David on University Challenge this evening?

He didn't get to say much, but I expect a broken arm is a hindrance.

What is making me shout at the radio at the moment: all this David-drama about milk prices and having to sell the herd - suddenly now. Surely milk prices have been low all year, and only a few months ago he was happily employing an agency milker, which must cost thousands per month. It's the financial stuff that irritates me most I've noticed! Like the Grundys move back to Grange Farm, and all they say is that it's nice to be back, no-one mentions the phenomenal difference it will make to their finances to not be paying any rent at all for six months.

Also, have Ruth and Carol Trewhatsit eloped??

I'm a long term listener and newby threadhanger.
I am annoyed by just about all of the Archers Grundys Hebdens and Pargeters.
I like Roy, Neil and Phoebe.
I don't know why I am a compulsive listener. I think maybe they are my family!

OLIVIA! Surely Justine would be interested in some MN product placement. Imagine the scene if you will.

Helen, locked in her bedroom with only her generic smartphone and dodgy 3G access.
She stumbles upon the UK's number one parenting website and discovers the lovely Talk section.
She posts a couple of threads in pregnancy, and maybe baby names. Then she tentitively posts in Relationships. LTBs abound!

And she does. MN saves the day!

Omg Pat is beyond ridiculous now, it's like he's drugged her or something!
And where is Tom!?

Did I detect a bit of flirting with Justin and Lillian, oh dear please don't let it get horribly cringey!

How are we all feeling about calendar girls - the play version on the radio I mean. I rather enjoyed Blythe Spirit last year though I realise I'm probably in the minirity

Can't wait for TAs version of 'Calendar Girls'. I heard a promo on the radio tonight. It sounded fun.

I'm quite surprised that the calendar hasn't appeared in the shops. Complete with carefully placed silver stars on the October page.

I think it's going to be rather good!

I'm looking forward to it, have never listened to an Ambridge Production, have they been doing this every year or is it a new thing?

I was mildly horrified when it was announced; too much opportunity for slapstick and general ridiculousness. And also rather disappointed that we weren't going to get something beautiful and Christmassy. So I shrugged my shoulders and determined to let it wash over me.

I don't believe any sane human beings would agree to appear as characters so close to their "real" selves. Not in a small community, as amateurs.

What's jarring now, after hearing the Ambridge rehearsals and the RL trailers, is that the fictional acting is far, far too good. If Elizabeth really could switch accent with so little training or preparation she'd be wasted at LL.

If Lilian succeeds at what she does best (filching rich men from their wives) she might at least humanize Justin a little. And a non-speaking wife is definitely disposable.

BrendaandEddie appears to have caused a bit of a stir in Chat

I suppose the acting in the play needs to be unrealistically good to draw in a bigger crowd. Otherwise the non archers listeners will be thinking BBC are really scraping the barrel!

True - but it's a mite discombobulating.

I saw David on University Challenge. I'm afraid his team bombed.

Perhaps he's distracted by milk prices which have been falling for months and months. I read that it's largely due to EU sanctions on exports to Russia. Big consumers of cheese, the Russians.

Which thread in chat?

I think Joe says Aaarrrcher all the time becase he just likes rolling it around his mouth. He always says David Aaarcher too but I canmot remember if he gives Kenton his full name or not.