Elves have needs too - will there be a pheasants' revolt? Discuss The Archers here

[PseudoBadger]

I've just browsed Lowfield for the first time - they really don't like Pat do they!

Amazing project, Gasp0de. I read about it this morning and wondered why I'd never thought about disabled people having the right and opportunity before now. Made me feel quite ashamed.

Elfin If my Granny had heard on TA the phrase My Gideon she would have replied 'My giddy aunt' . No idea why I just know she would have.

Pseudo

That's a really interesting article, Gasp0de - thanks for sharing it.

Without mentioning the custard, bridge F could be doing so much to offset the indoctrination of Henry. Just talking about Helen in a positive way would be a start. Instead of this Victorian melodramatic grief stuff of never mentioning her name again. The real GPs could take it upon themselves to expalin that she sin't on a long holiday without him. he's nearly 6 so must realise she left his life on the night of the long knives. So he could work some of it out himself. They could just build up his memory bank - of positive memories - and remind him sometimes Daddy wasn't very nice, bladdy bla. Presumably at some time Anna will interview Henry with a responsible adult.

BTW Sid wasn't that great. Apart from the adultery, he was homophobic and racist. He did have an identifiable voice though. And it was a local-ish one too.

I do like baby g. Also interesting article on Ed's actor. I knew he were a good lad!!

Presumably at some time Anna will interview Henry with a responsible adult.

Does she get to interview prosecution witnesses?

Maybe not? I thought so - though my knowledge of the English legal system comes mainly from Kavanagh QC and Crown Court! and my brain is tired. I'm just worried that Henry will be thoroughly brainwashed by the time of the trial. and I can't understand why that hasn't crossed any character's mind .

Sid was an old jail bird too. Took part in a robbery - armed? - as a youf and got banged up right and proper.

Now doubting self. Does Anna only get t x- examine in court? How does that work with a minor on tape? i.e. a witness who won't actually be in court.

Do defence lawyers teally not get to.ask PWs questions? Surely that would be open to the prosecution naming witnesses just to obstruct the defence investigation? I thought defence was supposed to have priority over prosecution.

How can the defence know ehat to ask awitness in court if they have had no chance to find out what they might know that would be important? Do the police ask witnesses questions that might be useful to defence?

I honestly don't know. Someone will though, thankfully! I do know both sides get full disclosure of all statements though - so they can prepare defence/prosecution.

I have absolutely no idea, to be honest, but just the way they're all forbidden from seeing each other. I dunno.

There must be someone here who has the knowledge to explain, though.

A little part of me feels I ought to understand how it all works, just in case I ever needed to know. I am not sure that following this storyline would be the best way to learn, though.

Say for example the defence were trading through witness statements and therewas something ambiguous or omitted that was potentially relevant because the police hadn't thought to ask it. If that piece of evidence would then lead to e.g. further witnesses being questioned surely this cannot all be done in x examination?

Can the defence ask the witness or can they ask the police to ask the witness?

Pseudo

I enjoyed the drama of Peggy visiting Rob and Ursula, but it was slightly unrealistic for Peggy on the one hand to know that she was the first person to even show Rob a picture of his son, yet be surprised he didn't already know the baby's name. I don't recall if she told him the surname was Archer and not Titchener either? Regardless of whether or not she did, surely she'd have anticipated that he would be none to happy about that?

All the "sit down you're always welcome here Peggy" was weird too- why does Peggy get exempted from the "awful family" jibes? Money I suppose.

She said John Anthony Archer and, to be fair to Rob (how it pains me to write that!), I can understand him being angry that MyGideon hasn't got his surname.

Yes she did mention he was archer! That's weird too - in a traditional farming community it would be considered odd for a baby in a marriage to be given his mother's surname, even if the parents were separated. And nobody asks Helen why she chose archer? Peggy doesn't anticipate that Rob might have thoughts about that?

Good on yer, Barry Farrimond.

That photo of Alan Devereux is all wrong. I imagined Sid to look more like Al Murray. In my mind he was definitely bald and a bit rotund, despite those hours at the gym.

Yy it was a very good scene.
Excellent that she registered birth first.

But implausible that Peggy wasn't more reticent anout his surname.. anyone would realise that would be a touchy topic.

Also odd that Rob made no effort to tell anyone his name choice least of all the baby'S mother. Did he think she was just calling him "robsson". Tbh I think someone like Rob would have made his choice of name clear months before the birth.

Maybe they had done separate lists and were due to compare them that night

I've found at least some answers to the witness questions here. Relevant points:

Whether or not a witness has been interviewed or called as a witness by the other side, the prosecution and defence:

may interview each other's witnesses or prospective witnesses;
may take statements from those witnesses; and
must ensure that no attempt is made to persuade the witness to change his/her story.

Where it is intended to interview a witness for the other side, who has given evidence or who it is known will be giving evidence, it is wise to give notice to the other side stating:

that the interview is required;
the reasons for it; and
that a representative from the other side should be present.

A witness does not have to be interviewed; it is a matter for the witness, who can refuse. A witness may agree to be interviewed only at a police station, in which case this facility should be made available.

So Helen's legal representatives could interview Henry. I wonder whether Knob would try to insist on being the "responsible adult"?

Apart from the single, brief phone call to Women's Aid it has been a lesson in what not to do - rather than getting out while you can stay and confront your partner and stab him with a kitchen knife if he hands you one then refuse to say anything in your own defence when questioned. Also don't expect anyone to remember any of your partners behaviour beforehand or say anything in your defence whatsoever. If this had really been intended to help women like Hellin surely we should have had Women's Aid giving her advice on what to do (and what not to do) - even if she had subsequently ignored that advice at least other women in her situation could have been made aware of what help is out there and what their options are. For me this fails both as a convincing storyline and as a public information service. Badly done SOC, badly done

My feelings exactly. Makes me feel quite angry at SOC, who has purported to represent these situations then used them for his own gratification.

I would have thought that Archer was a middle name rather than the surname if I was told Jack/Gideon's name. I failed to turn off the radio in time yesterday so heard the episode.

Don't forget that Peggy still has no reason to suppose Rob anything but an innocent victim. With the knowledge she has it would seem that Ursula and Rob are being very gracious to be prepared to let the grandmother of the woman who nearly killed Rob in an unprovoked attack sit in the living room and drink coffee. It's actually pretty bloody brave of her to go there at all.