🐠 Archers thread #135: An Everyday Story of Fishy Folk. 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 would be delighted to be given a goldfish named after your ex, 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/4197199--The-Archers-spoilers-thread-6-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.)

Apologies for ignoring the various title suggestions on the last thread. However, here they are, plus a couple of other pithy observations, to kickstart the new thread. I think it's fair to say nobody is looking on this as a Golden Era! Goldfish Era, though ...

@Roysnewshirt: Everyone wants more! Chris wants more Amy; Jazzer wants more Tracey; Alice wants more time with Martha and Amy wants more space… Very true. And now we know Kirsty wants more farming expertise in the rewilding project, but not Pip (thank the lord) so does that mean approaching Adam? Currently under-employed.

@LillianGish: I tune in to hear birdsong and bleating in the English countryside not hammy acting and suggestive grunting.

@stilldumdedumming: Archers is good at the dynamics of family, farming, what it means to have your job, your home and your inheritance so closely aligned etc etc not this nonsense!

@DoctorTwo: Like fuck would Pheobe buy her parents a goldfish each. The Ambridge character transplant fairy has been working overtime this past few weeks, it's been absolutely fucking appalling bar a couple of exceptions.

Can't disagree with any of that. I want to hear more about the pigs and any other effects of Brexit. A topical insert about the war in Ukraine must surely be on the way.

Any happy listeners out there? Any disgruntled listeners with even more grumbles? Over to you!

My memories of Kathy are her being quite serious and humourless. Odd choice of character to bring a spot of anonymous Easter joy to the village. My money was on, well, Joy.

I think it was Heidi Nicklaus because I recognised Kathy as soon as she spoke - even from the muffled depths of the bunny costume. Not sure I follow the logic - except for the hilarity of the pay-off line about keeping schtumm - when would she have the time and why would she bother? I’m trying to work out why I find it so irritating - I think it’s because although she’s been silenced, she’s not truly a silent character in the manner of Frieda Fry or Mrs P back in the day.

Kathy was 43 when she had Jamie. I can't remember how old Jamie is but he's younger than Josh and older than Ben. I remember because Jamie is Jamie Benjamin Perks, and I think it was Ruth who suggested the middle name

Can I just say...Freddie's whinging! Is he actually 7? (I have a sensitive 21 year old I don't consider completely grown but that was next level from Freddie

Jamie was born on 20th July 1995, according to a quick google. If Kathy was 43, that makes her 69 or 70 now.

She was definitely in her 40s. He was conceived in Tahiti

I'm positive it's Hedli Niklaus. She must at one time have had a very close working relationship with the BBC/Archers production team, as she ran Archers Addicts. I wonder if that all went west when Vanessa Whitburn retired.

I'm still not over the Archers calendar not being produced for 2022. I've not taken down my 2021 calendar, as some of weird and totally pointless protest.

I thought she (Hedli/Kathy) was one of the ones who disappeared with SO'C, and then her husband was ill, and then too much of the Am had flowed under the bridge for her to want to come back.

@TottersBlankly
Previous Wuthering Ambridge thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/2212843-Robbieeeee-Its-meee-its-Jessieeee-Ive-come-home-Im-so-cold-Let-me-in-a-your-window-The-Archers-pay-homage-to-Wuthering-Heights

Was inspired by moi [coy smirk], although tbh had forgotten about it

@Madcats
She did mention that the current set up had promised Kathy a proper "farewell". I'm not sure that dressing up as an Easter bunny was what she had in mind!

That's interesting! Looks like Kaffee's back for her swansong then.

Well, that was a trip …

Can’t believe you managed to find it, BoreOfWhabylon! Definitely a GOAT.

But I’m really, really perturbed at the amount of time I’ve spent on this thread over the years …

I know Totters. And before MN, I spent inordinate amounts of time on the BBC Archers messageboard too!

And before MN, I spent inordinate amounts of time on the BBC Archers messageboard too!

I first joined when my father was still alive, and the boards were blue. So it's been over 20 years...

I lurked occasionally on the blue boards but didn't join until a bit later, so around 15 - 16 years for me.

Ok Alice isn't completely awful.

The Ruari storyline is however absurd.

I was on Mustardland, then Sue's Place(?)

None of the ML alternatives appealed to me - too much infighting - and I was already on MN so just hung around here. We didn't have these threads at the time though.

And yes, Ruaruariii SL is indeed the height of absurdity.

Yes that was all very good of Alice.
Wonder how long before the family find out where Ruari's money is really coming from?

The party SL made me realise that surely DJing really isn't a good career for someone with Freddie's record, given that drugs will almost always be circulating.

@Fulmine

The party SL made me realise that surely DJing really isn't a good career for someone with Freddie's record, given that drugs will almost always be circulating.

Needs an enhanced DBS as well for many gigs (children's parties etc)

I know nothing about being a DJ, but for once I feel confident that the production team should know something about this particular storyline - Keri Davies has had (or did have, anyway) a sideline as a DJ for a long time. When he was in charge of the BBC Archers messageboard, he and other 'cool kids' often discussed music.

I spent a lot of time there from around 2001, also when the board was blue (although it became mustard not long afterwards).

So another Aldridge child says the unthinkable while intoxicated and causes hurt. Oh dear.

Poor Roy in his dressing gown.

Do men actually wear dressing gowns nowadays? It all seems to be more about leisure wear as far as I can see…Roy is more likely to have popped over last night in trackie bots and a hoodie.

@Roysnewshirt

Poor Roy in his dressing gown.

Do men actually wear dressing gowns nowadays? It all seems to be more about leisure wear as far as I can see…Roy is more likely to have popped over last night in trackie bots and a hoodie.

My husband does. He doesn't own "trackie bots and a hoodie" (ugh- "leisure wear" is hideous)

Shows has fat TA is from reality
Our local press would have run a story about Freddies Easter events.

Convicted Drug Dealer luring children with sweets

Surely Lower Loxley insurance prevents Freddie from working with children or vulnerable adults?