Lies and subterfuge in Ambridge - from a policeman? That's just not cricket! Discuss The Archers here.

[PseudoBadger]

Thank you R4 for the title.

I don't think Usha is meant to be 69 though is she? I was thinking late 50s at oldest.

Usha is 54, she'll be 55 in June. Just a young thing, really!

Affrontedness dropped R4. 😉. There's no way I would play cricket, it means someone bowling a v. hard ball at you. I might get bruised.

Mootsie - it is going to be dragged out until Easter. I'm betting that Ed will eventually spill because it becomes obvious that Pip hasn't, and then David explodes, trashing Easter. Hurray! I really hope that Pip then fucks off to NZ or decides to get a job in Brazil/Hungary (latter day transportation solution for balls-achingly irritating characters) to escape the heat. Perhaps Ben can then come out of his bedroom and Ruth and David can assess whether, somehow, they have managed to produce one nice specimen between them. Have a horrible feeling, however, that Jill (another pet hate of mine) will turn on full quavery cooing pigeon voice and talk everyone down. And we will condemned to awful Pip forever.

Has anyone ever asked the editors, via the various means available, about the Grundy finances? Because I agree, with five incomes, plus maintenance and shared costs on George, no childcare, below market rent, they should be able to afford a nice birthday treat for the kids. Hilarious judgemental stuff on the BBC blog from various listeners finger-wagging at Emma's desire to give her children some (really not wildly OTT) treats. I think she's come up with a good plan. And yes, can't see why Eddie is not also doing extra shifts in the chicken factory.

Cricket can be dangerous if the person playing doesn't know what they are doing (eg letting go of the bat a la Molly button).

It may well be ageist but ultimately soneone in their fifties is unlikely to improve in the same way as someone in their late teens. And wrt the men in their fifties - they aren't novices.

Usha is doing a good job of showing the men why they should have kept it men only tbh. Not a great sl at all

I'm 55 and went to a cricket playing school, and cricket had been played there since the year dot, so no reason why Usha actress isn't into the ghastly game. However one thing I would say is that every year on Speech Day there was a girls vs fathers match and every year the very able girls' team was absolutely smashed by the fathers all who were well into their 50s. I'm therefore not convinced that a few novice women on the Ambridge team will save it from defeat at the hands of Darrington.

With regard to the Grundy finances, what losses have they had? Would their income cover everything, including rent and birthdays, if Ed and Eddie didn't keep having losses?

The Texel rams investment hasn't paid off (yet)
The stolen cows weren't insured
The Elfworld merchandise was ruined; how much did they invest in that?
Did Eddie end up making a loss on Lynda's shepherd hut?
Any others?

Clattering back in after an absence of weeks.

I think the Grundy's financial mess is all down to Eddie's little schemes making a loss. The B&B has probably made a loss so far if they factor in buying new bedding/towels etc, plus whatever they loose by Clarrie/Emma not doing their jobs so they can look after the guests.

I'm also a bit puzzled about how they do their accounts (assuming that they do do self-assessment, though am I right in thinking this is different for farmers?) If they are making a loss year after year the IR will have something to say about it in the end, because they think you're avoiding tax.

I can see Ed virtuously sitting down and sorting out his accounts by the deadline, but I can't see Eddie every doing the same, and as far as I remember, there's no frantic January deadline panic in Ambridge. But am prepared to be told I have completely forgotten that there in fact is.

Does anyone else get really irritated by Clarrie so rarely putting her foot down with Eddie?

Mootsie - I am hoping it is not dragged out until the summer holidays, or longer

Not sure I'm really buying Justin atm

And every time he says Rhodesia it sets dh's teeth on edge!!

AAAAAAAARGH

Matt!!!!!!!

Excellent! Hugh has outdone himself

Different actor?

Well that was a surprise...

Did not expect that!

I just had to pull the car over to post OMG!!!!

I haven't listened for weeks & who turns up????

WOW, some of you have been polishing your crystal balls.

Matt!!!! Yessss!!!

YES!!!!!!!

(New Matt?)

Same actor surely?

Gosh that was a shock. I agree @TheAntiBoop, he didn't sound quite the same

Haha. MysticBore's (or whoever it was that was holding it) crystal strikes again. This will be interesting.

OMG!!!! I've just listened for the first time in weeks- what a time to tune in!!!!
New Matt?