🐴 Archers thread 124: And they're off! Pip on a high horse, Kirsty champing at the bit to find the lost ‘horses’, Alice on the wagon (or is she riding for a fall?). 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 think Shula would make a brilliant vicar, 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/3853783--The-Archers-spoilers-thread-5-Cant-wait-for-7-02pm-Join-us-here, 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 @PoulePouletteEternellement for the equine theme to the new thread title. I wanted to work in Rex being a dark horse and lots of others too, but (you may feel fortunately) there's a character limit for the title.

I wonder if this thread will see us through to the end of February. The last one filled up in under a month, which was like old times. All depends on what delights are in store for us in the coming weeks, I suppose. I'm hoping that Gavin has spilled the beans on Victoria, she's also arrested, and the lads are found. Having said that, I'm not confident that in the real world they would get the support and care they need to turn their lives around and get proper jobs. It was good to hear on the last thread from @Trickyboy, who has professional experience of investigating this vile crime. Any comments on how things turn out in the long run for those rescued?

You’re an absolute marvel @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g! Thank you!

I didn't get why Philip has suddenly been locked up. Normally that would only happen if there'd been a breach of bail conditions, and surely he's bright enough to avoid that?

I think he was on police bail before while police investigated further, but once he was charged he appeared before Mags and they chose not to bail him and remanded him in custody. It’s an indictable offence so will be tried at Crown and though he can appeal against Mags decision to put him on remand, I don’t think he will get very far.

Great title - and well done Gaspode for putting us on a new track just before the final furlong of the old thread.

Fabulous, Gasp0de! Impressively organic.

Lil'G.

Think it was Arobase who speculated at the end of the last thread that Reviewgate will explode the Conservation Trust triumvirate. I do hope so ...

Thanks Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g
The last thread galloped along, didn't it.

I still can't stand Pip.

This outlines the HMRC view on accommodation provided for employees.
It could be that the Caravans at Home farm are considered to be part of Travel and Subsidence for the overseas workers - so don't have to be Taxed and Midnight paid.

In Philip's case he should have been paying the lads at the National Minimum wage allowing for the accommodation offset rate which is £8.20 per day or £57.40. That is he can only deduct £57.40 per week from their wages for the accommodation.

That is the difference to a set up like Home Farm and the fruit pickers. They got paid - that's why they came, and it was hard work but earnt them a decent amount to take back home.

I agree with whoever was saying on the last thread about hoping this is the start of Shula abandoning the ministry. I hope she remembers how she wanted to go travelling back when she was still with alistair and cracks on with that as soon as possible. That would actually be quite plausible (as well as a blessing and a mercy), i expect lots of people are beginning to dream about going travelling, even if they’ve never particularly had the urge before. And shula can be quite contrary, it would be just like her to want to do something she’s not allowed to. Remember how she was so bored and fed up with alistair and couldn’t wait to be shot of him, then completely affronted when he shagged someone else?

Thank you for the new thread, Gaspode.

Is anybody else getting a bit bored with the Ambridge guilt? It will be months/years before there is a trial.

Thanks for the new thread gasp.

Nice new name PPE 😊

Thanks Gasp0de

Is anybody else getting a bit bored with the Ambridge guilt? It will be months/years before there is a trial
Definitely. And were everything not shut, I would be tempted to seek out a particularly bargainous nailbar as a change from being beaten over the head with the current Issue. And I fear that Shula has barely yet begun with the guilt and making it all about her precious conscience.

Dare I say that IRL le tout Ambridge wouldn't be half as "hairshirts all round" as they are being portrayed - but presumably the editorial team feel that then the thick listeners might not appreciate that Philip is a Very Bad Man and slavery is Dreadful.

But as I said, at the moment I'm mainly bothered about the unhappy alpaca.

I'm glad Gav's okay and can give evidence.

Weird to hear Philip using the same argument to Shula that Kirsty used to Helen: "I helped you when you were down, and now you won't help me."

(Shhhsh, Therapist! But no one else will guess! )

Pip really is an insufferable little toad. Can't agree with this. Toads are my favourite amphibian.

They were always throwing moles into harbours, which I never understood. LOL!
We did Georgics IV which I loved. As good as Christopher Lloyd.

I noticed the little hurt whimper that came into her voice when Alistair went off to the alpaca. She cleared wanted to "unload" her feelings about her decision over Philip. Tough, Shula. You can't offload a husband because they're "boring", and expect them still to be there for emotional unloading. "Right Alistair, you're boring, so I want a divorce so I can go to art classes, but all the stuff which comes with marriage - being there when I want to vent, being "there for me" when I'm unhappy, listening to me when I want to talk through decisions - I still want all that".

Re Philip - there's a "presumption in favour of bail" which means the Court starts by assuming that the accused will be released on bail, and has to decide whether there's an exception to the right to bail. Exceptions include being likely to abscond. I think it also includes being likely to intimidate witnesses, so maybe that's why they're refusing bail?

This place pays Minimum wage for fruit pickers (unusual - I thought most were on piece work) and deducts for accommodation as MollyButton describes. Workers are expected to end the week with "a few aches and pains". But are assured this will improve as they get fitter. Accommodation is in shared dormitories in what appear to be shipping containers "just bring your own sleeping bag".

www.broadwaterfarm.biz/the-accommodation/

Shula’s going to go and see Phillip isn’t she?

Is it usually difficult for an equestrian/farm vet (and livery stable owner) to tell whether a horse has kissing spine or a gastric ulcer?

I've stayed in a portacabin at the Eden Project YHA (en suite with aircon). I don't think I'd fancy sharing with 5 others over a summer.

I seem to remember jenny/Alice 'getting the caravans ready for the pickers' washing curtains etc - in my mind hf's are simmalar inside to the kent ones - ive paid £20-30 a night to stay in alot grottier hostal than that (though in london)

Oh, FFS, Pip! Wind your neck in.

Your Dad's made his peace with Rex, so why do you need to go round shouting the odds?

Just button it!

Yes, TherapistInATabard, of course she is!

@TherapistInATabard

Shula’s going to go and see Phillip isn’t she?

Absolutely.

Are we actually allowed to say 'it doesnt matter it's just a radio programme' on this thread

I was so shocked when I saw this I fainted and by the time I'd recovered a new thread had started.

Pip really is an insufferable little toad. Can't agree with this. Toads are my favourite amphibian

How do you feel about swapping out toad for "snivelling little shit"?
Actually my prediction is that Vince gives David sound advice in how to deal with the situation and tris to help (and possibly that David stubbornly ignores him)

Yes I can see that happening - if Vince is going. to be a regular he will need to be likeable whilst pinching peoples' lunch money (rather as Brian has become).

Shula’s going to go and see Phillip isn’t she?

But not before we have a week's worth of her angsting about it to every person in Ambridge. Then followed by a week of hand wringing to the same people about why she simply had to do it but isn't sure if she did the right thing.

I was so shocked when I saw this I fainted and by the time I'd recovered a new thread had started.

My favourite amphibian is the newt. We have a pond and they put in an appearance there from time to time. Always a red letter day.