Archers thread #115: Johnny's in the gym, Josh is in a jam, Rex is riled, Kate's with child - discuss The Archers here

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

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 share a camomile tea with Kate, 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 for the excellent Bert Fry tribute title!

I don't think this thread will get us to Easter, but we should be well into Lent before we need a new title. I wonder if St Stephen's will have a new oh-so-interesting Lent initiative this year. When did we last hear from Alan?

Forever Young" always reduces me to tears

Oh thanks BoreofWhabylon. Obviously I recognised it was Dylan but had no idea of the song. Keri Davies loves to play some significant music in the background but I hardly ever recognise it. Now for once I am not left mystified.

Most of the children on the Archers DO stay forever young. Xander will be sounding about 3 until he's at least 10.

The bit at the end was the only bit I liked. I agree it's all been too neat but I enjoy Jim's relationship with Shula.

I do hope Tracey finds out about Roamin' Roman sooner rather than later.

nettie434 The Joan Baez version is my favourite.

And this one

The bit at the end was the only bit I liked. I agree it's all been too neat but I enjoy Jim's relationship with Shula

Same here.

And Kate as "guide parent" fgs.

Yeah, Kate didn't "guide" her own children very well.

Talking of Roamin' Roman, what happened about his possible criminal side? Remember when he disappeared to the toilet on hearing the Gill's place was empty with a skip outside, and we speculated he was up to no good? Another line just left hanging.

Oh my goodness BoreofWhabylon, that is so emotional 😭😭 I’d never heard of the documentary it came from either but it looks really interesting. Thank you!

I saw the documentary years ago nettie. Think it was on Channel 4. Very moving.

Anyway, to get back to The Archers - what is needed is an Ambridge Choir s/l. Lead up of will they/won't they be good enough for the Grand Christmas Concert? Little Gareth Malone can have a guest spot.

"Dear MN, I have a new BF, is it too soon to introduce him to my DC? I have done this before and it's worked out badly."
On MN the usual wisdom is a year.
Full credit to Tracey for being a responsible mother - however the SW will reduce it to her being ashamed of her messy house / unruly kids.
The working class are just on TA as an amusing rustic chorus

Too much Shula (whom I do not like at all) not enough Brian. He was on top grumpy form though. I wish Shula’s Bishop’s interview weekend was a Bishop’s year with all communication banned. Why can’t she just become a nun in a silent order, in another country? (Probably because even in a convent she’d be too holier than thou to bear.) Or she could be eaten by starving Arab horses. Nice to hear Debbie at least mentioned.

Was Jennydarling at the naming ceremony?

Nice to hear Debbie at least mentioned.

Palpable holding of breath across the nation ... And then - disappointment.

I’m sure Jenny was there. Very poor planning not to have made it possible for her to be heard.

Was Brian reading from Desiderata? It sounded very familiar from many years ago, and he read it in a suitably disdainful manner.

I really enjoyed hearing Brian again last night, for what seemed like the first time for ages. It made me think, though (in a conclusion to which all you wise thread participants will already have come) that we are currently seeing the Changing of the Ambridge Guard, where the "younger" (for some value of younger) generation is coming into its own and the oldies are taking a back seat. I remember when Phil and Jill were taking over from Dan and Doris, and then when David and Ruth took over from Phil and Jill - in the past, if I recall correctly, there was a definite reshuffle and reshaping of the village hierarchy (if you can reshape a hierarchy?). Whilst it used to definitely be that the Archers clan were the most important family in Ambridge, it's looking as if the new generation is allowing for "incomers", as it were. Shame the Gills are not taking part of this, though.
Oh, and I was thinking maybe Angela Piper is unwell, or just can't be bothered any more - I think she's heading into her eighties, isn't she?
I was most disappointed not to hear Debbie, too - too much Hellbent there for my liking! (I think I may start a MUM trend of my own, with regular mention of the fact that I've hated Helen ever since she was so nasty to Hayley after John died, and I wouldn't have cared a jot if Rob had done her in. So there.)

Inspired by Chatnicknameyousuggested:

‘Fellow MNers, me and my two DC live with my DF and DB. I met someone through work and things have been going well. I’m thinking of introducing him to my DC. There’s another woman in a similar position in my village. I wouldn’t call her a friend but I’ve known her for years. I know she’s met her boyfriend’s children - my DSis knows everything that’s happening locally - so yesterday I asked her if she had any pointers for me. She really blew me out, making it clear she thinks she is a cut above me.

Now this is my AIBU. Why does she think she is better than me? She also lives with her parents - and gets lots of free child care for her two DC. Her DB has only recently moved out of the family home. She can only make tuna pasta bake and buys shop bought custard. I’d mention her job but it would be too outing (think smelly dairy produce).

Is she a CF and a snob or should I suck up and accept my place in the village hierarchy?‘

nettie I hope you’ve duplicated this in the correct place ...

Although I thought Helen was unusually welcoming and understanding, for her. She doesn’t usually give anyone except Kirsty the time of day ...

I remember when Phil and Jill were taking over from Dan and Doris, and then when David and Ruth took over from Phil and Jill - in the past, if I recall correctly, there was a definite reshuffle and reshaping of the village hierarchy

God, yes - seismic disruptions. I can still feel the bewilderment and resentment and ... pushing during both those periods.

I wonder if the change we’re seeing now - the broadening of focus and following of non-Archer connected characters - is a genuine reflection of /response to a perceived democratisation of Britain (ha ha ha ) or simply a result of newer writers not understanding the mythic nature of the thing they’re supposed to be writing.

Changing of the Ambridge Guard, where the "younger" (for some value of younger) generation is coming into its own and the oldies are taking a back seat
I don't want Brian to take a back seat. Brian is a million times more interesting than Adam.
How can the "younger" (Adam etc) generation take over (from Brian etc) when the even older generation (Peggy etc) are still around!?

CaptainMyCaptain Brian was reading from Khalil Gibran On Children. Not a particularly original choice, but excellent sentiments for all parents to ponder. I particularly like "...their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday..." which I try to remember if I am ever tempted to suggest to them that things were better in my day

Thanks @LillianGish I knew I recognised it from somewhere.

Just seen the episode of Shakespeare and Hathaway with Daisy Badger in. Instant recognition as she was using exactly the same intonations as she does for Pip - therefore, I'm afraid, instant dislike.

Dear Adam,

Kate as a guide parent? Really??

Yours,
Disgruntled of disgruntleland

I have never heard of a guide parent either.

Although I've never been to a humanist Christening. Although have been to a couple of funerals.

Oh Keri Davies said on Twitter that he couldn't give Jennifer voice as he'd already used his actor quota for the week.