🐠 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!

Has anyone else noticed that Vince goes to the toilet every time he appears? Prorate cancer story line on it’s way?

Prostate

Another Archer's storyline that doesn't ring true. Oliver has behaved appallingly. I just don't think any of it rings true.

Wow. I was expecting a sale, but not a year-long closure. Surely there must have been extensive refurbishment following the explosion?

Good to hear a mention of Jamie, but if he's in Hereford that's effectively saying he'll never speak in Ambridge again.

Redundancy for Kathy, Roy, Kirsty, Ian, Tracy, Freddie. Knock on effects for Adam and Jazzer. Borchester Land owns the golf club, IIRC, and I would imagine the closure of GG would affect them too. Might be good news for LL if they pick up some of the wedding and conference bookings.

I can't feel great sympathy for Roy as the SWs he made a conscious choice that he would stay in Ambridge and turn his student job into a career - nominally because of Phoebe and needing family support while she was very young, but really because he lacked ambition. He could have moved on and got experience in several different hotels if he'd been really keen to develop his career.

Praying it's not Hazel, but I thought she actually wasn't very rich. Also, surely her health issues would rule out a huge venture like this?

It just feels like another massive reset. GG which has already been closed for two years for Covid and rebuilt after an explosion is to be closed for another year and rebuilt again. Meanwhile all the staff get large payouts from the Ambridge money fairy. Is it going to go the way of Home Farm (the farmhouse) and be wiped off the Ambridge map forever? Also would Oliver - who is so embedded in the Ambridge community that he actually lives with the Grundies - really behave like the manager of P&O Ferries, gathering his staff in the ballroom (rounded up by a manager who has been missing in action for years and so detached from her role that she has been moonlighting as the Easter Bunny) and sacking them on the spot? This entire farce has been compounded for me by logging onto the MN today to find a sprawling and unrecognisable mess - I think it might be time to give up.

Please don't give up, Lillian! We'd miss you a lot.

Surely there must have been extensive refurbishment following the explosion?

insurance often stipulate like-for-like

He's the buyer's representative.

I agree it could be Hazel. After all,it used to be Daddy's hotel. And she wouldn't care about making everyone redundant. Although unnamed hotel chain is also likely.

Hmmm, lots of potential implications with this one

Tracey/Jazzer - Rural poverty storyline coming? Is her house rented in her Dad's name or is it in hers? Is it social housing? TBH with the way the labour market is at the moment I don't think Jazzer (if Berrow closes) or Tracey would have trouble finding another job it will just be min wage/zero hours and it won't be from the Ambridge jobs fairy. Tracey won't be able to wait around for a year for a Management position

Roy/Kirsty - another two who'll struggle on only Kirsty's part time rewilding wage. Roy owns the house though

Ian - wasn't Ian wittering on about some mobile catering venture last year (or did I dream it?). A generous redundancy might set that up? OR The Orangery will suddenly need a chef and the Ambridge job fairy will leap into action.

Freddie - off to London with DJ stars in his eyes and will stump up on Ruari's doorstep?

Interesting potential compare and contrast in the fortunes of the financially cushioned, Aldridge/Archer connected redundant and the less well off Horrobin/Tucker redundant.

Oliver - with more time on his hands and less connection to Ambridge (where he won't be Mr Popular) will he still want to live at Grange Farm? (Which always seemed like an odd set up to me) What might time that mean for the Grundy's?

Hazel - Dunno, is it her? Would she have the money to buy out, close for 12 months and completely refurbish GG? If she has the money does she have the energy and the will? It would be good having a villain back though.

This does feel like a big shuffling of the pieces

Oooh just thought, Lexi is looking for hotel staff in Plovdiv. With Phoebe gone there is nothing really holding Roy in Ambridge (let's assume Abi will forever remain unmentioned and forgotten at the back of the cereal cupboard)

Would that necessarily be a bad thing if they had ongoing income and could avoid big redundancy payments? It's usually possible to keep the disruption to individual wings or floors, and they could for instance keep the restaurant going. When you see those programmes on TV about luxury hotels they all seem to have been refurbished or upgraded and I haven't heard about the likes of the Ritz, Claridges and the Savoy closing down for months and making everyone redundant.

I agree you'd need a TONNE of money to a) pay everyone off b) close for a year c) fund a rebuild???

I wonder what they're planning to make it into.

I actually did agree with Oliver that telling everyone at once probably is the best way, and he's not exactly doing a P&O and telling them them all to get out now. What I don't agree with is him signing off on everyone being laid off, ending the continuity of the business just seems mad - what about all your loyal customers who come back year after year and who know the staff/the staff know them? You might as well just buy some land and build a new hotel if you're going to do this.

I actually did agree with Oliver that telling everyone at once probably is the best way - that's not what happened though is it. Oliver seemed forced into making an announcement after Kathy winkled Adil out of the Royal Garden suite. She then just rounded up whoever she could - Kirsty for instance was unable to leave the health club. It didn't feel remotely planned yet it so easily could have been. Totally unbelievable.

Thank you @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g - it appears I actually can't keep away

I think it might be time to give up.

At least wait and see if it is Hazel!

Tracey/Jazzer - Rural poverty storyline coming?

But they did that with Ed and Emma about five minutes ago … Isn’t it more likely Adil will hire her as Project Manager for the renovations? (I know she has no experience but this is TA …)

Roy/Kirsty - another two who'll struggle on only Kirsty's part time rewilding wage.

They’re not a couple! Their finances aren’t tied together. And - I’ve just realised - now Phoebe has gone, Roy has lost his symbolic proximity to the First Family. He’s out.

I’m expecting Oliver to depart from Ambridge and be a mostly silent partner from now on.

I too thought Hazel had fallen on harder times - but perhaps I transposed her Long Covid enfeeblement to her finances. It would be incredibly soapy to bring back an irredeemably evil character as a power in the village - so I hope they won’t.

@LillianGish

It just feels like another massive reset. GG which has already been closed for two years for Covid and rebuilt after an explosion is to be closed for another year and rebuilt again. Meanwhile all the staff get large payouts from the Ambridge money fairy. Is it going to go the way of Home Farm (the farmhouse) and be wiped off the Ambridge map forever? Also would Oliver - who is so embedded in the Ambridge community that he actually lives with the Grundies - really behave like the manager of P&O Ferries, gathering his staff in the ballroom (rounded up by a manager who has been missing in action for years and so detached from her role that she has been moonlighting as the Easter Bunny) and sacking them on the spot? This entire farce has been compounded for me by logging onto the MN today to find a sprawling and unrecognisable mess - I think it might be time to give up.

I have to agree with everything you've written, very eloquently.

Gah!

I see the MN issues with quoting persist (since new platform mess).

My post should have said that I agreed fully with @LillianGish really eloquent post (on Archer's and MN matters)

yes, this.

Toss up whether MN or The Archers SW are more amateurish just now.

It's Hazel, that's why they didn't tell us /them yesterday.

Her whole visit a few months ago was a front for this. There was no long Covid.

Peggy is going to have to handle this very carefully. It could literally be the death of her.... 😞

It could literally be the death of her …

If it is Hazel then surely the story purpose is to restore the connection between Second Jack and Grey Gables because Peggy’s demise will erase it. (Actually even as I write that it doesn’t sound very convincing.)

If it’s just to install her as Chief Villain - that would be crap.

A year closed for refurbishment isn't unrealistic. I can think of 2 very similar country house hotels I go to where this happened.

Kirsty and Roy aren't a couple but in the short term they just need a roof over their heads and food and utilities paid. Roy provides the roof and Kirsty will get rent from Helen and Lee. With redundancy payout they'll be ok for a while.

Goodness knows if Roy is financially supporting the child he had with Hayley, whose name I can't remember. I assume he is but am also assuming Hayley is financially independent now in her own right.

Abigail. And I’m sure Roy is punctilious in providing everything he should!

I think Hayley has re-married?

My husband still wears a dressing gown.

So does my 23 year old DS!

Ha! my 21 yo DS never wears anything but a dressing gown, unless he is going out.

Maybe a grey gables employees buy out on the way