🦈 Archers thread #137: See left - have they jumped it? Discuss The Caseys - sorry, 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 Steph Casey is a wonderful addition to the programme, or similar odd 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.)

Too dispirited to add much else. Have we reached a new low?

I suppose the Archer twins will be born before we need a new thread. 👶👶
Any thoughts on names? Patrick and Antonia were suggested before - inspired! Peggy has to be a strong contender.

Over to you!

I do hope that, when Peggy talks to Alan about this, he asks whether she wants some more windows for the other grandchildren.

I can't imagine why anyone wants a church window for their babies anyway. How rich would you have to be to think something like that is important over more practical needs. I have twin grandsons they need two of everything at the same time - school uniforms, school trips, driving lessons and university costs (so far). I would prefer the cash to a church window in Tomtasha's position.

What happened to Joy and Tone?

Aside from Hellin's valid concerns, there's such a Lady Muck/ Lady of the Manor air about this. It's really rubbing the noses in it for people who are struggling financially like Ed and Emma and Tracey.

I'm sure they understand that the wealthier villagers can afford things they can't but there's a world of difference between buying things with an obvious, real life benefit like a car/ house etc and splashing money on this useless vanity project.

I will be disappointed in Alan if he agrees.

I'm just pleased to hear that Hellin's reaction to the window was exactly the same as ours - and much better acted than that simpering, syrupy scene of Piggoi meeting the twins (and yes I know she's 112, but still).
@WhoppingBigBackside you make a good point about the unsympathetic portrayal of Welsh people in TA - seeing it spelled out like that rather brings it home. Jazzer might be a caricature at times, but he's essentially a likeable character. Caitlin is definitely getting on everyone's nerves - including her own daughter's.

Hellin's reaction is completely realistic. And it's not quite the same for the cousins like Alice and Adam is it? This is a sibling and so closer to home. And from that family Johnny, Henry and Jack all born in trickier circumstances and all boys. I'd be hurt (but I'm regularly hurt by much smaller sleights so possibly not the best judge!)

But Hellin would have been fine with Peggy's Lady of The Manor megalomania if Henwee and Jack had a window.

I am only keeping up to date via the thread so the more that's posted the more current I am. Listening regularly is a problem when you share a house with two people who aren't listeners.

It's like they look for the most obvious "welsh" things to include. Strong accent, use of the word cwtsh, welsh cakes, hiraeth (cariad would have made more sense), thieving, speaking Welsh making someone feel excluded. I'm surprised that Caitlin hasn't dug up a pile of potatoes and leeks and made a big cauldron of cawl.

Jazzer is a caricature, but generally he is a kind and much-loved character. Reece, Caitlin, Philip and Gavin were not.

And when people started to love Pat they decided to make her less Welsh!

On the plus side I thought it was great hearing a bit of Welsh chat on the show. I've never really heard it spoken before (except as background when out in Wales but I'm not supposed to be bending an ear to strangers' chat!) - just a shame it had to be the old trope about poor old English-only speakers feeling excluded. If I were Tom I'd have picked up enough by now to at least attempt to join in, I hope.

Yes you'd have to be particularly pig-headed and rude actually, not to have learnt at least basic phrases from your bi- lingual spouse.

I agree about the window. If Peggy wanted to make a practical investment in their future, almost anything would be better. If she'd wanted to commission a piece of art to mark the occasion, almost anything non-public would have been better. If she had wanted a traditional baby present that's a bit old fashioned and expensive and grandparental, she could have got them wooden rocking horses or a set of silver hairbrushes or Peter Rabbit crockery, or a practical present like next-stage car seats. What grated more than the choice of gift, for me, was Tom saying " but these babies are twins, so they're special" and therefore deserving commemoration in stained glass in the parish church alongside saints and squires of the past! Helen's were born in far worst circumstances, as a PP said!

Why can't Oliver just tell Tracey there will be a job for her when GG re-opens?

Poor Ruby and Justin.

Is Ardil really going to turn out to be as nice as he seems to be?

I agree @TheLassWiADelicateAir , if Oliver retains some stake in the place he could put her on an invented retainer along with Ian. I do recall however he tried to help her in a similar way before it closed, highlighting her name to Adil as someone to keep, but he was influenced by her written warning.

Tracey didn't get the voluntary additional redundancy bonus.

Peggy could set up a fund for their education, donate some to church for repairs.

Is the slave labour play ground still there? She could redo that for all of Ambridge's children.

@Hercisback , Seren is SERR-enn not Seh-run. The 'un' sound at the end of words/names doesn't work in Welsh, it's an anglicisation.
The Gwillum pronunciation of Gwilym was also an anglicisation.
The letter Y can sound like 'uh', but not in the last syllable. Dylan is DULL-ann.
but Iestyn is YEST-in.

So it's Ardil the dog-whisperer now. Lillian and Lynda are going to love him forever after this.

It's a bit creepy the way he is winning everyone round. What does he really, really want?

Their souls?

What good egg Ardil is, a good-un (possibly) for Kirsty at last!

Well, he's either Mephistopheles or Filthy Rich But Humble, trying to do good wherever he goes.

Time will tell.

Has anyone ever loved Pat? The most unpleasant of all of The Archers characters.

Adil definitely clocking up the points with Lynda and Justin. And definitely sharp with Oliver for missing the launch.

Did Adil say at the presentation that it would be a hotel without a reception?