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Things To Do in Ambridge When Rob's Dead. Can The Archers get Home Deliverance for Helen?

968 replies

PseudoBadger · 05/03/2016 12:52

OP posts:
Gruach · 08/03/2016 20:21

If any of the SWs do lurk here it's a pity they haven't paid more attention to the Education board. As if any school would agree to go behind the back of a resident parent with PR. The trouble I've seen on threads where people can't get a non resident parent with PR to agree to a similar school move.

And even in the context of radio drama it makes me dreadfully sad to see the BBC pushing the idea that it's only poor little unwanted children who are "sent away" to boarding school.

Seriously - I may have to write a letter.

Stealthtoast · 08/03/2016 20:22

I'm de-lurking, to join the list of the no longer listening, after listening all my life... Ridiculous. Thanks to all those updating us here!

BertrandRussell · 08/03/2016 20:30

Even the most ardent boarding supporter surely wouldn't support a 5 year old going off to school? Surely?

theresnoonequitelikegrandma · 08/03/2016 20:31

I am no longer an Archers listener and that makes me incredibly sad but I really can't bring myself to listen to the load of unpleasant nonsense that it has become. Unrealistic SL, total character transformations, endless loose ends and finally, the vile and unnecessary abuse of a child.

Thank goodness for this board and Mustardland!

I would like to think that I could return once Knob and Arseula are no more...but I'm not optimistic.

doesthatmakesense · 08/03/2016 20:34

I listened to the lunchtime repeat today, having sussed from here that it was knob-free... I used to listen every day, and to the repeat if the radio was on, and often on Sunday too. I've grown up with the Archers, and used to feel like I knew the characters and village as well as my own family and village. But I only listen once or twice a month now, just can't bear it. Don't know if it is is SOC or general rot, but I do know that they've lost a lifelong listener.

ColdTeaAgain · 08/03/2016 20:38

Is Knob actually intending to send Henry now though? I got the impression he wants to get him on the waiting list so to speak? I have missed some bits though.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 08/03/2016 20:42

I don't think the conversation at the start of tonight's episode could mean anything else, ColdTeaAgain. He said it was good to know that even though Henry was very young, there was a possibility he could board, given that his wife hadn't been coping with things for some time now. Sad

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 08/03/2016 20:44

Worth repeating that Henry was five - five - on 2nd January 2016. Even in the heyday of the boarding prep school, not many little boys boarded from that age. What has got into the scriptwriters? Is there no research any more?

Gruach · 08/03/2016 20:47

"Ardent boarding advocate supports boarding for five year olds" would be a bit of an oxymoron Bert.

That would be night nursery©, not boarding.

Kr1stina · 08/03/2016 20:47

I am delurking to ask - Did Rob change the timer or did Ursula increase the oven temperature ? My money's on Ursula because we had that rather unnecessary explanation of why she took so long

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 08/03/2016 20:48

This is just perfect from Twitter. Grin

Things To Do in Ambridge When Rob's Dead. Can The Archers get Home Deliverance for Helen?
BoreOfWhabylon · 08/03/2016 20:48

Well, I've just found a school that offers boarding from year one - I won't link as it has been criticised on MN before and they are notoriously litigious (named after an anglo-saxon queen).

BoreOfWhabylon · 08/03/2016 20:50

Of course, even if he can't board straight away he can still go to Knob's old prep school and stay with Grandma Arsula.

Gruach · 08/03/2016 20:53

Rob is between a rock and a hard place. Accept his DM's generosity or rip SOK untimely from his nest so he can sell him to pay his hunting expenses. And rent.

Grin
Gruach · 08/03/2016 20:56

Blimmin' 'eck Bore - we'll have the entire thread archive razed!

BoreOfWhabylon · 08/03/2016 20:59

I know Gruach - but I didn't name them so hopefully will get away with it Grin

GruntledOne · 08/03/2016 21:00

It's bollox Gruntled - the "leading" boarding preps don't accept boarders below 8 / yr 4. That's all one needs to know.

Absolutely, though I suppose the SWs would argue that Arsula and husband wouldn't have gone for a leading school and may have discovered the 21st century equivalent of Dotheboys Hall which will take any kid whose parents are prepared to cough up.

Scratch that, who am I kidding, if a boarding school existed that would contemplate taking a 5 year old, we'd have heard of it. Badly done, SWs, badly done.

ColdTeaAgain · 08/03/2016 21:05

Thanks Gasp0de, I missed the start tonight.

What utter bollocks.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 08/03/2016 21:06

This interview with 'Rob' and 'Helen' makes interesting reading two years on.

BoreOfWhabylon · 08/03/2016 21:09

Scratch that, who am I kidding, if a boarding school existed that would contemplate taking a 5 year old, we'd have heard of it.

I found one that does!

BoreOfWhabylon · 08/03/2016 21:10

Oh, sorry - year one. Is that five or six?

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 08/03/2016 21:12

Re TSWMNBN - it had a very, very critical inspection report last June, which included the mindboggling fact that around 700 CCTV cameras were installed around the campus and there were major failings in safeguarding. There's an idea for Rob - CCTV installed in Blossom Hill Cottage. Hmm

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 08/03/2016 21:12

Five at the start of the year, six by the end.

Gruach · 08/03/2016 21:13

I have just realised this must be the first s/l of the new (yet to be revealed) Editor.

But here's a clue: in an episode of Sherlock they visited a boarding school (out of term time); unobjectionable outside shot of grand building then a dormful of bare iron beds with scruffy, colourless walls. It was nothing like a RL dorm.

This proves Moffat will be the new Editor.

(Grin)

BYOSnowman · 08/03/2016 21:15

I hate it when writers allow their prejudices to colour the truthfulness of a story