The Archers - What’s your poison? Alice is legless, the fish are lifeless and Pip is clueless (Discussion #85)

[DadDadDad]

Even if you don't have a leg(?), a life or a clue, Welcome to the first ever 85th Archers thread!

Wild speculation and sensible questions always welcome - especially any newcomers.

A little game for the weekend, inspired by Timetogetup0630 and Gruach on the last thread:

Invent an explanation for how your username was the inspiration for an Archers storyline, character, etc - be creative!

My username is telling the story of Toby, Adam and Ian, although it probably needs some punctuation: Dad! Dad/Dad?

dairyfarmerswife - bit too easy for you, but as professional country folk maybe you could judge the winner?

Credit to MrsGrindah for the clever thread title

I'm not sure they can be unlimited kefir perks, what with there not be in that many goats...

Whilst I'm pleased Neil's fortunes are rising, my heart sinks at the thought of intensive pig farming.

Notice Justin also slipped in a mention of Brexit reducing the pool of workers, meaning more opportunities for local people with the right skills.

Neil will end up unhappy because he doesn't like the way the pigs are treated

The trouble with Susan getting a promotion is that she's going to crow over Clarrie. I do hope Lynda will let slip whose idea the goats' milk kefir/ health drink really was.

Carters' Unstoppable Wage Machine brilliant!

Tom will be swapping working with Neil (pigs) to working with Susan (kefir) - I’m sure he’ll be delighted.

They'll surely be needing a billy goat soon if they're going to keep up milk production.

Goat meat in the farm shop. Get your recipe book out, Ian!

I started listening to the Archers when on maternity leave with DC1 in 1983. One of the main attractions was baby Pip, just enough older than DC1 to give me an idea of what to expect. I don't remember Ruth finding it hard. I do remember Phil being a doting grandfather.

Phil, David and Ruth were all out in the fields farming, while Jill was mainly in the kitchen. Now David, Ruth and Pip are in the fields whilst Jill is still in the kitchen. The difference now is that Jill is 87. Pip must realise that someone is going to have to look after the baby, and that someone can't be in their late 80s.

What happens if Jill goes from caring to needing care? A broken arm or hip, for example?

Plus, there was a second set of grandparents. Are Toby's parents going to be involved?

Well, his dad seems keen - which might cause some perturbation in the village if the SWs dare to write him in.

Can’t recall what his mother said.

(Although I hope they make a better job of these in-laws than they did with Rob’s cartoon parents.)

And just who does Justin have in mind for Commercial Manager???

Puremince Pip was born in Feb 1993 as I was due at the same time as Ruth but had mine prematurely in Nov 1992.

D'uh! I meant 1993! DC1 is 24.

It's a very peculiar company set-up if the Chief Executive is making individual hiring and firing decisions without bothering to advertise and go through a proper recruitment process.

It sounded like he had already interviewed some people though.

Susan!!.... Oh god!.... When will she get her comeuppance!!??

I'm confused. Again.

Brian is chairman of BL. He is getting it in the neck from fellow-director Martyn Gibson about the Pig Development.
Justin has just employed Neil as Pig Manager.
Who's in charge: Brian or Justin? Or is BL building it but Demara running it (or v.v.)?

Can someone explain.

I don't think I've heard Helen laugh before.

I was so pleased to hear Helen give Pip advice. She is such a good role model.

Justin said the pig manager job was with Damara, I think. £55k is going to be a life changing amount for Neil and Susan. Or if it isn't, then their money worries previously have been greatly exaggerated.

Pig stockman jobs are paying around £19k according to what's being advertised on line at the moment. Pig Unit manager jobs are all being very cagey about salary. I wonder if the Damara salary is a London bubble view of what salary should be. A belief that no-one however poor could be tempted by a salary of less than £50k?

Or am I just talking rubbish?

snurk
Did self-absorbed Pip even realise her faux pas with her moan to Helen about "what sort of man will look at a single mother".

No mention of Nic today. Is her arm ok?

I haven't quite got past Susan's declaration about the pony.

Could Susan and Neil give the pig business to Ed and Emma - might be better for Keira than an expensive pony in a field.