🌟 ⭐ Archers thread #138: Two new stars on the Ambridge firmament, but will Peggy’s retirement leave a black hole? 🕳️ Join us here for a window on The Archers.

[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 commissioning a stained glass window for two of your great-grandchildren and nothing for all the others is a sensible thing to do, 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.)

Thanks to @LillianGish and @MuddlerInLaw for title ideas, which I have played around with a bit. I'm sad to have heard the last of Peggy. An era starts to draw to a close.

What a relief to be out of the Steph Casey phase, which I hope was an unfortunate blip, not to be repeated. [Triumph of hope over experience there ... ]

@BoreofWhabylon has asked the 🔮 about Adil and it predicts that he is actually the Mysterious New Owner of Grey Gables but won't be revealed as such until he has won Kirsty's heart (or some similar Mills & Boon level tosh - apols to the 🔮 but it does seem to have a mushy side). I still cling to the idea that the mysterious silent and invisible Gills who now own Home Farm may have some role at GG, but why not name them?

No mention of the heatwave in Ambridge, but budget constraints probably severely limit their scope for topical inserts these days. IRL I believe this has been a tricky time for farmers. Perhaps the SWs will catch up with this over the winter and start putting in some farming chat about diversification away from oats to olives, or similar. We already have at least one vineyard in the Ambridge area, at LL. (I understand there was another, in the heart of the village, decades ago, but the SWs have now forgotten all about it, sadly.)

Over to you!

Well done PPs who saw that coming. What an annoying SL. I really don't want it to be Ben. I don't want it to be Russ for Chelsea's sake, though I do want Lily to be free. They're the only two who can't remember anything. I'm hoping for Josh, though not convinced it will be.

So pleased Tracey is happy in her new work. Working in a local pub surrounded by friends and regulars can be such a joy, but why was that written as though Tracey had never pulled a pint before. If they wanted to show she was nervous she should have struggled with the till. I suppose then we wouldn't have had an excuse for hammered Dave but honestly.

You don't throw away a perfectly serviceable pint for having too much head, you just keep filling it up and run the head over. Also cask ales don't have a head. Give me strength.

I may not be able to scrutinise the appalling legal knowledge in the LSW department, but I can definitely tell none of them have pulled a pint.

I don't want it to be Russ as he's one of the most interesting characters.

Chelsea being pregnant is so over-egging the pudding.

Oh I'd love it to be Russ's just for the joy of people FINALLY realising what a creep he is!

I want that girl to be down the docs tomorrow booking in for an abortion. She does not want a baby at all!!

Did Phoebe have an abortion after a fling with a fruit picker? I can't remember.

I'm feeling really sad for Chelsea this morning. It's so unnecessary for her to be pregnant (although I'll enjoy the downfall of Russ if that's what it leads to).

Hope she feels able to make a positive decision either way. I'm sure Tracy will be supportive once she's got over the shock. What a mess.

I can't remember the specifics of Phoebe's pregnancy test now. Was it even hers? Wasn't she helping someone else who did a pregnancy test? Then they lied when it was found and said it was Lexi's (this was pre-Roy-and-Lexi) I'm sure there was no abortion, it was a negative test in the end but for the life of me I can't remember who was actually worried. Was it Lily???

I'm feeling really sad for Chelsea this morning. It's so unnecessary for her to be pregnant (although I'll enjoy the downfall of Russ if that's what it leads to)

👆Same

For the SL to run and run it will have to be an Archer grandchild. Shame, as I too would enjoy it better if it was Russ. Could it possibly be Freddie? Chelsea’s child as the heir to LL could be interesting and F has been surprisingly indulgent allowing her to keep her job inspire of her rudeness.

I hope it's Ben's as that will see off Bethly Bore for good.

If it were Russ' it would be enjoyable seeing Lily wailing and moaning but not at expense of losing Russ.

An abortion is presumably out of the question as it will cue "but if you'd had an abortion I wouldn't be here" arguments from Chelsea so Tracey can't point out Tracey Iis wasting her life.

I was trying to recall that too, but think it got muddled in my mind with Pip going to an abortion clinic before deciding to keep Fat Fairchild. I don't know why that whole bit is such a fog but it is.

I agree with @Roysnewshirt , wasn't Freddy at the rave? Chelsea as lady of the manor might be amusing!

Did we all wake up thinking about Chelsea?

My first difficulty is not remembering exactly how long ago the rave was - and whether number of weeks narrows her options in any way. I know soaps like to make teenagers either unaware of or secretive about a pregnancy until it’s too late to do anything but deliver the child to a gasping audience on the floor of the local cafe or in a stolen car or whatever. (And haven’t we just had Martha midwifed by Jazzer at the side of the road??)

In reality, surely, someone almost eighteen would know they’re pregnant early enough to have relatively trouble free options. But I’m sure TA will manage to make a huge song and dance over it. 🧼

It was right at the very beginning of July, Muddler:

01 Jul Is Russ a raver at heart? Josh can be a gent sometimes

What did Josh do that was gentlemanly? I can't remember.

can't remember the specifics of Phoebe's pregnancy test now. Was it even hers? Wasn't she helping someone else who did a pregnancy test? Then they lied when it was found and said it was Lexi's (this was pre-Roy-and-Lexi) I'm sure there was no abortion, it was a negative test in the end but for the life of me I can't remember who was actually worried. Was it Lily???

Phoebe had a one off fling with one of the Polish pickers and lied to Roy that the test was Lexi's

Phoebe took either a MAP and it made her sick so Lexi made her take a second one. Or something like that. It was definitely Phoebe.

Thank you @TheLassWiADelicateAir - I bow to your superior powers of recollection

I can’t totally remember what gentlemanly thing Josh did either, but I have some vague recollection of him helping somebody with something, rather out of character. If I could be bothered I’d go back and listen….

Ahhh of course the picker parties where they were gambling and what not. Thanks for the superior memory help.

Oooh I would LOVE Chelsea to be lady of manor. Although Freddie is her boss so that's not great.

I recall that Ben was heartbroken and in a very bad way. Josh had thought he was in luck with a girl but decided to look after his brother instead.

Yes, you’ve got it, Beardie, well remembered.

Just coming on to say well done to whoever predicted this - I didn't see it coming until last night after all the hints on here. I'm thinking Russ is the father - behaving according to type and finally opening everyone's eyes to what a creep he is - but I'd love it to be Freddie. Subtly done whatever so hats off to the SW for that after some truly atrocious plotting recently - just hoping there's no way it could be the appalling George.

It was just that there was no reason for the rave, Lil’G - and then the odd comment dropped in here and there about events forgotten. And other hints I now don’t recall. Spidey senses.

Jazzer will no doubt stick his oar in to dissuade Chelsea from considering an abortion

"Ye cannae murdererrrr a bairn" (or possibly "a wean")

(I can't stand him either)

Wasn't there a wardrobe malfunction at the rave? Did Chelsea have to change clothes? Could be none of the known cast but a grim spiking storyline. Although I think if that were the case Chelsea would be rightly freaking out

In reality, surely, someone almost eighteen would know they’re pregnant early enough to have relatively trouble free options. My midwife cousin managed to not know about/deny her pregnancy until she was such a size that the whole village knew about it. The means of determining a pregnancy may be there, but the mind is very powerful.