Game of Farms: The 4 Houses of Ambridge. Bleak House, Boring House, Sitcom House and About to Breach the Terms of Their Tenancy House.

[PseudoBadger]

Never mind the yoghurt - who is making the Sterling Gold?!

Happy birthday Sticker's DD!

I was also thinking whether it really will turn out to be a girl, given how much has been banged on about boys.

(Hello EBear - with so many "invalid message" notices I didn't get round to thanking you for reassuring me about The Bull. I'd been worrying about it on the train. )

So we saw a violin virtuoso perform the other day and she made her professional debut at 4 so must have been playing at about 2. I looked at my kids and thought 'how the heck did the parents get a two year old to hold a violin let alone practice enough to be so good'. And then I realised. My kids just didn't know about obedience. Sigh.

I wouldn't answer anyone else's phone unless expressly asked to. Even my husband's.

Just told DH about the Archers conference and he couldn't believe it was for real. He is a recent convert and I am v. ashamed to say rather loving the heightened drama of the current story line/general SOC 'vibe'.

Another non-phone answerer here, unless I'm standing next to my husband's and he, for example, is washing up. Sorry if I misunderstood the role of SOC in the storylines - no creative background so no knowledge.

then I realised. My kids just didn't know about obedience

You see, all the parents' fault. Just listen to Rob. He knows best.

It was quite a revelation to me as an older child who struggled with a full-size violin (all that was available at our school,) to discover you could get 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 size violins to learn on. Not that the knowledge actually helped me in any practical way.

Dd had an eighth when she had lessons at 4 and her teacher kept trying to get me to sign her up for auditions at weekend music schools. Dd decided she would rather play the piano. I so should have used 'obedience' on her

Sorry if this is upthread

SOC is leaving!!!

Just came looking for comments!

On R4 in a moment - Eddie just mentioned it. Have to admit, I cheered a little bit...

I like Steve Lamacq's ideas

Who is Ruth Jones and why does she think a mere 25 years of listenership qualifies her to decide what happens next?

Obviously I missed the main part of the story...

Yes is odd she answered her phone. Not sure if it rings alarm bells for me or not. Maybe Ursula just thinks she is being helpful as has been instructed by Knob to let Helen rest, although she doesn't strike me as the type of mother to be bossed about by her son.... I think the key factor will be whether she passes on the message to Helen.

SmallLegs -it has been mentioned once or twice today

I just came on to say the same thing! Going to Eastenders, I'm sure they'll be very happy together.

Maybe I'll be able to start listening again.

Isn't Ruth Jones the writer of Gavin & Stacey? Very funny woman.

Ruth Jones is Gavin & Stacey writer? So she knows a bit about it.

Haven't heard her contribution yet though

We need someone who likes the old characters and isn't so keen on the new!

No idea about Gavin & Stacey, so none the wiser!
I'm not sure if this link will work, it is Helen Burrows's paper presented yesterday at the Archers conference: Using The Archers in Social Work Education

I think Ursula sounds like Carol Tregorran.

Ruth Jones from Wikipedia. According to Wikipedia she is currently in ads for Tesco with Ben Miller, if that prompts any memories & was in Fat Friends.

I agree selsigfach but with shite false teeth in to make her sound less Carolly.

If we can have oldTom and Matt please can we have OldPip? I miss her squealing self obsession so much.

Thanks Eastpoint, she looks nice from the Wikipedia reference. Have been out of the country for nearly a quarter of a century now, so haven't really been keeping up with much except Radio 4 and "The Archers" - oh, and NB-S in the Grauniad.

New pip is boyfriend obsessed

I prefer old pip and old Tom

BBC Blog - 5 Important Points About The Archers from the Academic Archers Conference

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thearchers/entries/4040a47c-1d4b-4bcc-98d8-01a628f28230