Ruth came on a work placement as a student (a bit like Mathew the relief milker), Alan was the new vicar, Alistair the vet, Rob came to be dairy manager at Berrow, Jolene was on the country and western scene with Eddie. The Fairbrethren appeared out of nowhere to set up a Goose farm despite having no land and no experience of farming and no particular reason to be in Ambridge except for a rather spurious family link (spurious in that their existence had never before being hinted at but their arrival conveniently coincided with the anniversary of Grace Fairbrother's death) that's what I mean by parachuted in. Nothing against new characters, but like to believe in them. Sorry BOOP - happy to BOOP any number of plots and characters, but draw the line at the Fairbrethren especially when their appearance seems to be at the expense of other storylines - Johnny, Tom, Tony (new actor, but then never heard from again), Alistair and Shula - what is happening with those two? Alan and Usha (at least she has been allowed to speak to Ruth) - I would have thought Alan's midwife daughter might find a role with Helen pregnant, Lillian's lost fortune and business dealings ....