Archers thread #116: Pandemic fears, markets crash but it's BOOM 💥 time for Ambridge. 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 employ Philip Moss & Son to fix your soil pipe, 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! (New thread likely to be replacing that one very soon, in the current circumstances.)

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 @SurpriseSparDay for the thread title idea, which I tweaked, and @springydaff for the 💥 emoticon, which I hope is in the title! (Can't preview the title). Welcome, lurkers and lapsed listeners, drawn out of the shadows by the current crisis in Ambridge. In the OP of the last thread I said I didn't think we'd get to Easter on that thread. We certainly didn't!

I am very worried indeed about Lynda and concerned about Oliver too. Don't care about Gavin unless it means Kirsty is cheated out of yet another wedding. Freddie's redemption is now assured, though, surely? Roll on the return of the Lower Loxley crew.

It was definitely horses.

And yes, in retrospect the Vince Casey thing was wonderfully clever!

Sorry SurpriseSparDay you’ve lost me.

Was another misdirection of our attention. We were all busy wondering what devilment Casey might be up to - while dull, dependable Philip was running a vast international criminal enterprise right under our noses. (Ok, maybe not quite.)

He mentioned a flat, didn’t he, where they’re presumably holding /accommodating the ‘horses’? Am gleefully anticipating the police raid.

And. I am pretty sure I posited a Shetland / Archers mash-up months ago. I rule.

Ah OK, now I get you. Bizarrely I still hate Vince Casey right now more than I hate Phillip.

I still don't like Lillian. I would be pleased if we found out that she was in trouble because the horses were being stabled in an Amside property.
Also, will Justin get into trouble because of the Berrow workforce (lack of ID checks) or has he managed to sufficiently distance himself (via an agency)? Oh, hang on. Does that mean that Neil is in trouble, too? I hope not.

There was a clue to Philip’s dodginess a couple of months ago, he had a phone conversation with Gav (I think - it was before we had the pleasure of meeting that delightful gent...) where we heard him talk about keeping something secret, also his tone was definitely NOT the nice one we’d heard up until then.

I seem to have stopped listening, but can't resist posting this!


Oops, haven't mastered uploading photos from the app. Here we go!

can't resist posting this!
Can't see it! All I have is a dotted-box with OBJ in the middle. One for i-phones only?

Got it now. Poor Sali.

Oh, hang on. Does that mean that Neil is in trouble, too? I hope not

Hiring contractors for a major building operation isn't remtotely in Neil or Hannah's purview.

At most they would have a say in recommending individual employees to be employed but even there the hiring and checking is their employer's responsibility.

I still don't like Lillian or Justin. I expect Amside property is too upmarket but slaves packed into one of her flats would be a nice touch.

Here’s a new and pretty comprehensive BBC website article WITH PHOTOS detailing Lynda’s Ambridge story. No spoilers apparent.

Isn't "horse trading" or something of the sort slang for keeping modern-day slaves? That would make sense of calling the slaves horses.

This is a horrible storyline, as nasty as the dog-fighting was, and I am very fed up with either having been/being in TA.

Hiring contractors for a major building operation isn't remotely in Neil or Hannah's purview.
Oh, was it the building of Berrow? Phew. I thought they were talking about current employees. Mind you, I'm not sure who Neil manages - there only seems to be him and Hannah there.

R4 Berrow is being converted /expanded to become two separate pig units, one indoor, one outdoor. Philip’s team are doing that work. However I agree that they would not have been hired or overseen by Neil or Hannah.

Berrow is being converted /expanded to become two separate pig units, one indoor, one outdoor.
Oh yeah. Forgotten that bit.

Which of Justin's companies owns Berrow?

In the real world that company has almost certainly failed in its compliance with Modern Day Slavery obligations.

www.mills-reeve.com/services/employment/modern-slavery-act-2015-how-can-businesses-achieve

The failure will lie with the directors/ shareholders.

Martyn Gibson is the Chairman of Borchester Land, which owns Berrow Farm. Justin Elliott is the major shareholder in Borchester Land.

I would love it if they both had the book thrown at them.

Only I am unsure they have a £36million turnover.

I thoroughly enjoyed Pip's 'expertise' being effectively rubbished by Justin

Have I ever mentioned that I don't like Pip?

Poor Kirsty. Unfortunately, I can identify with her. Who would have thought that she would be so unlucky with men.

Philip did say Kenzi and Jordan, didn't he?

For one incredulous moment, it sounded like Kenzi and Joy!

I liked the bit where Feebs said 'Pip's done a spreadsheet!,'. She sounded so proud.

I actually said "WHAT??!!", just like Adam does

Anyone seen Twitter? For the time being #TheArchers will air Sundays to Thursdays. The episode planned for this Friday will be broadcast on Sunday instead. A shorter omnibus will continue to be broadcast on Sundays. #Covid19 #Coronavirus (1/2)