🏏Archers thread #136: Howzat! Oliver’s bowled a googly, Kathy’s out, Grey Gables left with nightwatchman. Tracy knocked for six. Is Ambridge on a sticky wicket? 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 are entranced by new character Adil, 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 if anybody made a thread title suggestion and I missed it. I decided to mark the start of the cricket season in the hope that things will take a turn for the better for poor Tracy.

It feels like months since the last new thread, which was just after Phoebe departed for Scotland. Has she been mentioned since? I can't recall. Not greatly missed, by me, at any rate. Her fish gifts didn't last long.

I can't shake off the feeling that The Archers is going through a long dull patch. I don't feel greatly engaged by anything that's happening at the moment other than Tracy's plight. Such a good actor, which helps, of course.

What's keeping you listening? Habit? Genuinely enjoying it? Over to you!

(PS In the process of starting this thread, I've discovered that our custom-made Archers emoji has gone. You used to get it by typing . Not any more.)

@PlantSpider - I thought the same. Actually I suspected that Russ wouldn't go and so Lily would go on her own and have another thing with, Sol, was it? And then realise how off-track her life has gone.

@AmaryIlis we've heard the decision haven't we? That email was telling them no further action to be taken. Don't think the SW will make another appearance - I'm sure he's got enough to do!

And I thought Alice was worried that if she were judged harshly by the SW then that might impact on the residency order hearing in court, although it's possible they both thought Martha might be removed from their care (although agree that anyone who's read the news would sadly know that the bar for removal of children is far, far higher than many would think acceptable, let alone falling off a slide and arguing a bit).

Children's services do have a uphill battle in being seen as there to help and support rather than to remove. I try to say that I'm 'referring' to social services rather than 'reporting' to them as the latter does sound attritional even if it's not supposed to be.

Oh come on - he wasn't stalking. He dropped Martha off and Alice suggested he come with them. And persuaded him to.

It’s impossible to understand why Lily is still with CMR.

How old exactly is Russ? If his wild days were mid 90s ,( ie he was in his early 20s) he must be in his late 40s!!!??? I had thought the age gap was less! If Lily is 21 and he's 48, that is...surprising.

Not sure, but I always thought that he was closer to Elizabeth's age than Lily's!

I can't understand the commercial logic of having Russ run the art gallery or exhibition or whatever it is. I suspect its contribution to LL's income is minimal, and I strongly doubt whether it covers Russ's salary let alone any other running costs. I'd love Vince or someone to look at the figures and ask Lizzie why the hell she's subsidising this cocklodger.

He must be mid to late 40s. He was deputy head when Lily was doing A-levels, not an NQT, so he must have been pushing 40 when they met.

I would say it's a sign of the quality of what we're having inflicted on us that this thread has been running nearly two months and we have more than a hundred posts left. Never have I wished more that the SWs would remember the sinkhole they invented for Brookfield many years ago and then immediately forgot. The entire Casey clan could fall into it and cheers would heard throughout the land.

Two months?

Cooo ….

It would have made a lot more sense if it were the Casey’s who bought Home Farm.

I reckon Russ is about 46, was around 40ish when he started grooming Lily (which we're supposed to have... forgotten about? I find it highly unlikely that he hasn't been going after any other teen girls since).

He was already quite a lot older than his first wife wasn't he, I remember Lily being surprised when they met.

Yes, agreed re the SW. They seem to know or care so little about how people live, ramping it up to utter distain for working class characters.

Steph is an influencer but is written and voiced as a numbskull.

Since the MN 'improvements', it's become so difficult to post. Lost messages and the thread refreshing at random make it hard, and when I'm just moaning I find I just bother less.

I've had to have three attempts today before posting anything

@DadDadDad

any statistical comments from you?

Oh dear God 🙄

Oh for goodness sake. Can that be the last of the dreary drippy Deth, please

I haven’t been so upset since Nigel. OK, people may feel Ben and Beth-are dreary, but they’re decent people, and they’ve been split up just for the hell of it. So cross.

I'm listening now - it's stupendously dreary.

On the other handy, Kirsty and Adil, - up a tree, etc. etc.

I do not think it was kind for them to put that picture into my mind.

Someone on the writing team is missing their Carry On youth …

And what is the point of all the misery heaped on the Flowerpots? Really could have done without that.

Ooo-er missus. Still, it gave Adil a bit more occasion for vocal range.

Excuse my ignorance, but I don’t understand what the phrase ‘up a tree’, as in The Las’s post above, means. Usually used on this thread about an actual or potential couple. Could someone enlighten me, please?

Lass and Poly in a tree
Kay Eye Ess Ess Eye En Gee …

Quite! While her young and bright daughter sells fffing kitchens!

What is the point of the Ben Beth thing?

Back to French farce…

The Beth/Ben SL must surely be part of an inevitably unsuccessful drive to encourage younger listeners.Someone upthread noted the Hollyoaks vibe and that can be the only possible justification for this poorly-written bollocks.

Did you not here Adil’s final words, about having a lovely evening, his last reservations about Ambridge dispelled, and it all being down to Kirsty?