🌟 ⭐ 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!

Another who was fuming at Tracey being all you’ll be an amazing mum/you’re the loves of my life. She should have absolutely been saying how it’s not all cute, snuggly newborns but relentless stress, expense, boredom, saying goodbye to college friends and your future - and that there was no room for another person in the house so where would Chelsea live and how would she fund it? Not that that is all entirely true but bloody hell life with a much-wanted baby in a committed relationship and secure financial position is hard enough, never mind the one Chelsea is in.

Yes, that didn't seem a particularly balanced opinion from Tracey.

She made it sound like she wants Chelsea to keep the baby. Which is fine in itself but she shouldn't let Chelsea know what.

Poor Chelsea.

It's a soap. Happily married couples do not conceive easily or there will be complications during the pregnancy.

Agree completely with @BeardieWeirdie

I don't think Tracy wants Chelsea to keep the baby, but she doesn't want her to feel pressured into getting rid of it and wants to be sure the decision is hers (so she can't turn round at some point in the future and say you made me do it). I was going to suggest the new thread title features the phrase: Will Chelsea keep mum about dad? (my money is now very much on Freddie in which case @MuddlerInLaw's crown would definitely be appropriate).

It's not ideal for Chelsea to keep the baby but being pressured into having an abortion could also lead to longterm problems of a different kind.

The rave is a red herring- not sure if it was deliberately written to be one or if we've turned it into one.

It's just a stand-alone episode. The only significance was
(a) potential re-igniting of Sol /Lily.
(b) wailing and gnashing of teeth and rending of garments by Ben over Bethly Bore.
(c ) making fun of Russ.

I don't think Freddy is the father. There's not been the slightest indication of anything between them or that Chelsea likes him.

I also don't think it's Ben. My money is on random, previously unheard of local lad.

There's not been the slightest indication of anything between them or that Chelsea likes him or between Chelsea and anyone for that matter.

My money is on random, previously unheard of local lad

This would be soo disappointing- and such a missed opportunity. Initially I thought it was Freddie but now I am convinced it is Josh, following the spilt beer/jacket subplot at the rave.

Also, he is played by an actor with a glittering career ahead and so being the father would allow maximum disruption, a reason for him to first leave Ambridge and his egg business behind - and then return further down the line.

The rave has turned out to be a useful device! Have Chelsea and Josh had much, er, interaction in the past? Was Josh at the awful Steph Casey party?

Who did Chelsea go out with but then it turned out to not be a date? The vegan teen’s brother…the one whose exams revision was a huge storyline and then they forgot to tell us her results…MIA! What is her brother’s name? Could he be the father? He’s the only person we’ve had a hint of romance with.

I hope it isn’t something ridiculous like Beth’s sister’s ex who she had sex with as ‘revenge’ after Steph was rude to her.

Jake. Jake the Rake

I’m sure Jake is the only male who has had any romantic link to Chelsea - so he is the most likely person to be the father as a total random wouldn’t be in keeping with the ‘soap’ style.

Perhaps Chelsea got together with him after the rave? I can’t remember him being there and I agree it seems to have been THE night all the young people were out and therefore the event we should be assuming conception occurred at.

I wish Tracey had caveated her advice with “and you would also be a great mum in five/ten years time”. Chelsea is so young and being a parent is a huge sacrifice to make when you still have a lot of growing up to do yourself.

New thread here. www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/4632741-archers-thread-139-whos-the-daddy-no-ceremonial-required-to-join-us-discuss-the-archers-here

A bit early, but I am (a) still struggling with the Aw, Snap! nonsense at the end of very long threads, and (b) probably going to Scotland very soon as explained on new thread, so wanted to get this done while I could.

Completely agree.

Chelsea's life will be ruined.

And how the heck do the Horrobins think they can afford a baby.

SaffyRosie, people have migrated to the new thread linked in Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g’s post just above yours.