🐴 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?

I agree that Oliver and Tracy together could be a formidable team. (Though it didn't sound yesterday as if he has the energy for GG any more ...)

I was wondering if Tracey is being lined up for some management training - maybe starting with a smaller part of the business and then taking over from Kirsty when she officially becomes a rewilder.

He's only threatening to turn to Jade out of spite

Jazzer is almost middle aged now, isn't he? I hate the way they portray him as an idiot, competing with someone barely out of their teens for female attention, and being bounced around by sheer childish emotion.

I don’t think Kirsty is a manager is she @C8H10N4O2? She just works in the health club - I thought mainly on reception and folding towels. It’s Kathy who is the general manager (allegedly)

Oh no! GG is about to go under. Who can save it at the last minute and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat? ... A job for Lynda if ever there was one.
Alternatively, Justin is divesting himself of the barn conversions so has some money sloshing around. The office-barns won't raised that much but they can throw in businessy words like "leverage" and that will do the trick. Lilian would love revamping GG and running her own spa destination.
Or the alternative alternative. Casey sets himself up as a rival to Lizzie. He hasn't been wooing her, he's been getting behind-the-scenes info on how to run a country house estate. David was right all along (please, no) and he is a weasel!!

Vince could go in with Freddie ... I'd quite like that.

Oh.

Lily.

Don't know how - but she'd be perfect.

(Sorry - work avoidance.)

What does Ambridge need? If a country house hotel is no longer necessary. What sort of institution might perform the same role in the community (as regards listener involvement)?

What does Ambridge need? If a country house hotel is no longer necessary. What sort of institution might perform the same role in the community (as regards listener involvement)?
Could Cranfield, Academic Archers et al set up some Research Institute? There are all sorts of local nerds and specialists that it could employ!

The Conservation Trust /Rewilding Shambles should surely be actively engaged in research. But it's not exactly a powerhouse of thrumming activity.

Had a good chuckle at the Archers Conference web page

I don’t think Kirsty is a manager is she

Can't remember tbh. I thought she took Kathy's job managing the health club for Kathy when Kathy moved up to Caroline's job.

Although presumably the place is shut at the moment.

I thought Kirsty was running the health club at one point, but went PT to also work at the Wildlife Trust. Kathy is the general manager of the hotel, who is never mentioned...

@PursuingProxemicExactitude

He's only threatening to turn to Jade out of spite

Jazzer is almost middle aged now, isn't he? I hate the way they portray him as an idiot, competing with someone barely out of their teens for female attention, and being bounced around by sheer childish emotion.

I suppose he is but I always think if him as young. Probably because I am so old I think 40 is young.

Think Kirsty is (was?) Deputy Manager of the Health Club but as it's so small that role often involves pretty mediocre tasks.

I agree IRL Tracey would have texted Jazzer and told him she'd be late.

Or just turned text notifications off or gone into silent mode, given that it was bothering Oliver so much.

What is Kirsty living off these days? It's not as if she was supposed to be earning megabucks before, so it doesn't seem likely that she'd have built up a nest egg.

IIRC when Helen was urging her to speak to Oliver about her job, Kirsty said she was fine as she had some savings.

Dunno. I guess Philip paid the bulk of the Beechwood expenses, and Roy can't be charging her much. But I'd have thought she would have spent every penny she had on doing up the new house.

@PursuingProxemicExactitude

IIRC when Helen was urging her to speak to Oliver about her job, Kirsty said she was fine as she had some savings.

Dunno. I guess Philip paid the bulk of the Beechwood expenses, and Roy can't be charging her much. But I'd have thought she would have spent every penny she had on doing up the new house.

No, the slaves did that! I imagine that Kirsty would be very canny where money is concerned and would always have an escape fund! Philip bought the house and persuaded her to take the poorly paying job of her dreams, so I would guess she has actually paid for very little. Still not sure ,- is half the house hers, or will it be seized as the proceeds from crime,?

I don't think the house is hers, but I got the impression she had bought furniture and so on.

Maybe the invisible Gills will buy GG and establish a new Ambridge dynasty?

The Gills ...

Hmm ... Interesting thought.

Are we supposed to forget how they got together or are we supposed to think that such relationships can work out and Elizabeth did the right thing all along by not interfering?

Well President and Mme Macron appear to have made it work.

Maybe the invisible Gills will buy GG and establish a new Ambridge dynasty?

I'm hoping that Brian being made Chair of BL will signal a change in the Aldridges' fortunes and they will return to Home Farm when the Gills realise country living isn't for them.

Tom putting his foot down!

Harrison has cottoned on to the potential for intimidating witnesses! At last.

Tom dobbing Kirsty in to the police.