👩‍🌾 The Archers spoilers thread #5: Can't wait for 7.02pm? Join us here!

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Spoiler thread for The Archers. Please keep all spoiler-related discussion in this thread and do not spill the beans on the main Archers Thread. Last thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3439443-keep-it-to-yourself-the-archers-spoilers-thread-4

I assume it's the initials that matter?

Ahh I did wonder Pursuing after realising you knew I'd returned. My brain's turned mushy recently.

sanctimonious Shula wondering if she is cut out for a life of God-bothering
ask

Tonight, I assume. Will have to brace myself and remove anything that would cause damage if thrown.

Thanks, Asking!

Welcome back ppeat!

Thanks Bore After Tuesday's (poor Neill being trolled, though would he and Susan really take much notice? they're not the generation to care) I was wondering whether the uncalled for extra misery in my life is worth it!

I haven't heard yesterday's yet btw.

Next week is rolling round again:

BBC One-Liners
15 Feb Tony reaches the end of his tether and Lynda has a cunning plan.
16 Feb Lilian attempts to keep the peace and Rex offers a solution.
17 Feb Lynda tries a new tactic and Eddie has the rug pulled from underneath him.
18 Feb There’s an emotional goodbye for Kirsty, and Lee fears the worst.

Credits
Writers: Caroline Harrington & Sarah Hehir
Director: Gwenda Hughes
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Helen Archer: Louiza Patikas
Tom Archer: William Troughton
Tony Archer: David Troughton
Lee Bryce: Ryan Early
Rex Fairbrother: Nick Barber
Alan Franks: John Telfer
Clarrie Grundy: Heather Bell
Eddie Grundy: Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy: Emerald O’Hanrahan
Mia Grundy: Molly Pipe
Kirsty Miller: Annabelle Dowler
Gavin Moss: Gareth Pierce
Lynda Snell: Carole Boyd
Peggy Woolley: June Spencer

Radio Times Ambridge Diary 15th - 18th February 2021
The past year was something of a horror show for Lynda, who suffered awful injuries in the blast at Grey Gables. But revitalised by her MBE, she’s now launching plans for a show to end all shows. Unfortunately, her number two is reluctant to take part. Will the strident Mrs Snell take no for an answer?
Plans are also continuing for Tony’s 70th birthday, but Tom is struggling with the burden of what he heard last week and decides to tell his dad. Cue Tony going on the warpath and Lilian attempting to salvage the situation.
Elsewhere, Kirsty deals with an emotional farewell, while one member of the Grundy clan makes a surprise admission.

#####################################################################

Before anyone gets optimistic, Kirsty isn't leaving; she is in the following week's cast.

Philip or Gavin, perhaps? They're not in the cast list, but maybe that's the Radio Times being coy.

What did Tom hear last week?

Are you new Nith?

Thanks Asking

No, not new

ILoveShula
What did Tom hear last week? Peggy's horrible birthday video for Tony, at a guess.

There must be something wrong with me as I didn't think it was horrible?

Thanks Asking.

@ILoveShula - it basically said: you lacked ambition, were stubborn, were like your alcoholic father and I never liked you ( or wanted you).

Well, "You were an unexpected mistake, unwanted, and when you were a child I thought you were less worthwhile than your sisters" seemed to me to be something a bloke doesn't need to be told by his mother on his seventieth birthday, on the whole. Possibly I am over-sensitive.

Isn't that how parents speak to their children?

In my experience as both child and parent, no.

A parent might say "You were unexpected. And we only lived in a tiny flat. But you were such a delight and we all adored you, so it was fun being all squeezed together."

Or they might say "You were so stubborn - but we all admired the way you stood your ground, even as a tiny child."

Or "You do seem aimless at the moment, Tony. Now, what can we do together to perk you up a bit?"

Parents can and do say negative things to their children, but nice parents counter that with something positive. And they don't set down the negatives, all on their own, for posterity!

Meanwhile, next week again:

Daily Mail Weekend Magazine Archers Update 15th - 18th February 2021
The children of Ambridge have much to contend with. Often begotten under curious circumstances, they’ve seen many a parent disappear into that misty world beyond the Am. A bit of a run-around in the local playground helps to keep them on an even keel - or what passes in Ambridge for an even keel.
Now, a shadow hangs over the swings; the roundabouts stand idle and the see saws are empty. Gangmaster Phil got his press-ganged team to repair the equipment, and shame-faced villagers scuttle past, eyes averted and dragging wailing toddlers behind them. Emma tries to mop away the guilt, but the task seems too much for her - until help comes from an unexpected source, bringing a gleam of hope to troubled Ambridgers.

Thanks, Asking! I see Mia's in the cast list so I wonder if she's the unexpected source of help.

Peggy belongs to the generation which blamed the child for it's personality\behaviour defects.

They were were also inclined to scapegoat one child in the family. (I know it happens now too) but at least there is help for the 'victim' .

..the generation which blamed the child for it's personality\behaviour defects.

They were were also inclined to scapegoat one child in the family...

I think mine did too. Or one of my parents did.

I was often told what a disappointment it had been to have no son to pass on the family name (quite an ordinary one). I did suggest that I could have an illegitimate child if they were that bothered.

When asked, in front of me, if they were disappointed not to have a son, would answer 'Yes, GP suggested we adopt a son, but it wouldn't be the same'. It's incredible that people could be that nosy, but I definitely heard it several times.

Same GP told me that DF had said when I was born that 'She should have been a boy, we didn't want another girl'.

I was told things like I was odd, unpopular, that I brought shame on the family, and was useless. I don't remember much praise, and any I had would be for things I didn't particularly want praise for.

Peggy sounds quite a loving parent in comparison.

I'm so sorry, @ILoveShula. That sounds grim. Your parents and grandparents really let you down.

Thanks Gasp. I did wonder if I should post it.

I let them down.

It wasn't grim in general. Mostly it was a good childhood.

The saying I was odd was a case of giving a dog a bad name.

Telling me I was unpopular - is it any wonder I'm a people-pleaser?
My father was a bully. I'd be threatened with a good hiding,until when I was in my mid-thirties and fit, I turned round and said 'Go on then'. Didn't hear it again.

My mother is nice but had scans been around when she was pregnant, I'm pretty sure I would not have been born. She never told me about periods or bought me a bra or anything like that. I remember being about 13 and thought I'd probably start menstruating before long so went to Boots and bought myself some tampons.

GP was great. Def a bit of a Peggy.

Another factor that DSibling would repeat thing my parents had said about me to me. If only I'd known about shooting the messenger.
DSibling and I had a Will and Ed type relationship although -major difference- I don't like her DH. DParents seemed to find it amusing that we didn't get on.
DF didn't get on with his DB so he probably thought it was normal.

They never showed much interest in me. When I was about 30, DM said 'Friendsname said you were a Jobtitle, I didn't know'. She tells people I'm a Profession, as 'it sounds better'.

It probably isn't normal. Blood's thicker than water and all that.

www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48419/this-be-the-verse

They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.

Aww Shula You made me cry. Though of course it's not about me, sorry. If it's any consolation those type of parents were probably bought up in a worse way.

The lack of mothering (esp. about periods and puberty ) is very much of that time. They were soo embarrassed and frightened of their own bodies and their parents reactions they would never talk to them about THAT sort to thing so, I suppose, didn't have the words or actions to use. I can't remember where I read that an only girl in a large family of boys literally never saw any of them naked the whole time she lived with them in a tiny house!!!

Thank goodness that has, mostly, all changed now with (and I never thought I'd be thankful for some adverts ! ) the 'no holds barred' TV advertising.