Thread #105: Curtains for Emma, Hilda - Joe? Red carpet for June Spencer on her 100th birthday, we hope! Discuss the rich tapestry of Ambridge life here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads and @DadDadDad for being our resident statistician and keeping the ball rolling when Pseudo stepped back a bit.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed. We don't all agree on all points and most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you'd like to be Susan's best friend or other unusual views.

Spoilers: not on this thread, please. We don't wait for the omnibus to discuss the weeknight episodes, but we do try our best to avoid cross-contamination from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3439443-keep-it-to-yourself-the-archers-spoilers-thread-4, where spoilers are positively welcomed!

For newer listeners, lurkers or those who just have no idea what we're talking about, DadDadDad has created this useful thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3557323-For-Archers-fans-a-guide-to-acronyms-on-the-long-running-discussion-threads-and-any-other-meta-thread-questions-you-may-have BOOP point for him! (See thread for explanation.)

Thanks to LillianGish and BuckingFrolics for ideas for this thread title. I went with the less Rabelaisian of LG's ideas!

On 14th June it will be the 100th birthday of June Spencer, who has played Peggy Woolley since 1951. I hope the BBC has a lot of special tributes lined up to celebrate this remarkable achievement.

I don't think Fiona's lined up for anyone. She was just brought in for the party for reminiscing purposes. I doubt we'll hear from her again for a few more years.

Just caught up listening to the omnibus. Tim's supposedly menacing voice when he threatened Ed was comical.

It doesn't make sense that the hardened criminals Ed delivered the chemicals to would want him to continue if they are worried he is a weak link, blabbing to his brother and possibly his wife etc. Surely they would tell Tim to get someone more reliable and maybe lay in wait for Ed somewhere to give him a gentle 'reminder' that he mustn't talk to anyone else.

Re. driving: I've never heard Emma reference a car or driving anywhere (but that is true of a lot of characters). Presumably with 2 kids, school runs, picking up/dropping George to activities and an evening job she must drive. But I can't imagine how E&E could afford to run 2 cars in real life.

Emma has mentioned a car. She had one when they lived at Rickyard.

What a weird episode tonight...

What a weird episode tonight..

Smacked of filler to me.

Although Peggy in the fancy car is obvious - she, Jill and Leonard are obviously forming a menage a trois so he needed a bigger car.

What a weird episode tonight..
Yeah, but I'm pleased that they are lining up a story for June on her centenary this Friday.

Frankly I have no idea what on earth is going on with the Archers ATM. It feels as if a scriptwriter/editor is throwing stray threads into the breeze to be retrieved or discarded.

Can any of you remember when there was a flurry of reviews for Lower Loxley on Tripadvisor? www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186402-d7295523-Reviews-Grey_Gables_Hotel-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.html
I can't help wondering whether somebody might be posting on AIBU here for ideas?

Meanwhile the flashing ads next to my post have switched from tea to strange, Kate/yurty, sandals!

But nice to hear Lillian (and Brian) - I'm sure we've not heard them for ages. Lillian's cackle of a laugh always makes me smile.

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned the use of "mansplaining" by Ruth. Mansplaining describes the situation where a man explains something to a woman (without first checking whether she is already familiar with the topic), accompanied by a tone of condescension (which means being patronising, if you find that word easier to understand).

Fiona and Shula might get together.
Just leaving that one there.

Oh my goodness I thought that chatnick! She’s too good for her though...

Fiona will have a life. There's no reason for her to move to Ambridge.

I hate the Jimposium story line. It was so obviously set up and hugely implausible. It's also very cruel since whatever the reason for Jim's flight was he is going to have this hanging over him for ever more.

I hope that whatever it is that freaked Jim out isn’t going to change his character or diminish him in any way. The fact that he is still hiding in his room suggests it was more than just a desire to avoid one of his guests, who have presumably all left by now. It’s also clearly a deep, dark secret since despite there being a roomful of everyone he had ever known, no one could shed light on his disappearance. I’m also a bit disappointed that Bridge Farm OFS has yet to be revisited after such a big build up. I can’t think of any reason why Peggy would be swanning round in a big car - certainly nothing has been hinted at, she hasn’t been mentioned for ages. Was there some suggestion of family being summoned to some kind of meeting on Friday? Maybe she’s decided she needs her own bucket list, inspired by Ian and Adam.

DDD,

chatnicknameyousuggested

I suspect many of us had that thought, shuddered, gouged out our brains and swore never to speak of it. We are trying to move on with our lives ...

Not unaware that such a thing has, or is rumoured to have happened in rl. But, much as I enjoyed Fiona’s appearance in Ambridge, joining her to Shula would be too high a price to pay for her continued presence.

Peggy with a bucket list is a superb idea Lil’G! Just imagine her insta-posts: a hammock and her brightly painted toenails against a scene of waves and the setting sun “living my best life” ...

Can’t respond to D3’s drollery until I locate the pitchfork emoji.

June Spencer interview on Today right now!

It can't be a financial discussion surely as Alice Kate etc haven't been invited have they?

Aha! Peggy has hired a chauffeur to drive her around in style for her remaining time on earth! (When she’s not blogging her travels.)

That’s why Brian was wittering on yesterday about spending his life driving her around. He and the rest of her family will be relieved of this duty.

I enjoyed June Spencer on Today. The listener's letter she read out was so funny.

Just had a thought.

I reckon Elizabeth should invite Alex Polizzi to come in and rejuvenate the (f)ailing fortunes of Lower Loxley.

I know LL isn't an hotel, but it is a hospitality venue - and something definitely needs to be done if the business is to survive.

I'd really enjoy hearing AP sorting Elizabeth and Co out with a very firm hand!

Didn’t Jack W used to have a chauffeur? Or have I imagined that?

Higgs.
I hate myself for knowing that and I hope i’m wrong.

Higgs drove Jack Wooley's Bentley.

When The Archers do villains it is always funny.

I remember Ryan the gambler nicking a few video players and the ensuing emergency police callout with sirens and flashing lights. I think Ryan may have said 'fair cop Guv, you got me bang to rights'. But I might have imagined that.

Higgs!

Yes.

I guess the new one comes complete with the fancy car Peggy was seen in? And does this mean they’ve had someone rifling through the archives to find material they can reference for a bucket list?

The BBC are really trailing her 100th birthday heavily. There was one earlier for The Archers itself - which is always slightly alarming.