👑 Archers thread #139: Who’s the Daddy? No ceremonial required to join us – 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 like the sound of Lilian’s Cinnamon Chicken, 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.)

I'm often struck by the time a thread ends how irrelevant the previous title has become to what's currently going on in The Archers. The Queen's death has only been mentioned very briefly in TA, of course, but I suppose that was to be expected in a time of budget constraints. In a few weeks when this thread fills up I wonder if we will still be thinking that, and about Chelsea and her pregnancy. That depends on what she decides to do, which at the time of writing is still up in the air.

As usual, I asked for title ideas and for various reasons then didn't use them. Sorry. Lillian Gish's was very witty - Will Chelsea stay mum about dad? Muddler made a more controversial one - Horrobins thread #139. As a new Great House of Ambridge emerges, come swear your allegiance here.

That's about all I can face saying about TA at the moment. I am expecting to have to travel north soon as my Dad is in hospital and I have to be with my Mum. (They're the same sort of age as Jill Archer, and up to now have been like her and Peggy, very active, managing very well with no help, but this may all be about to change ). So apologies if I'm more absent than present for a while. Will pop in when I can.

I don't recall her having an affair out there but she was thinking of leaving David I think.

Tbh I care more about the possibility of Eddie's free range and happy turkeys dying of a horrible disease than for Ben.

The NZ story is ridiculously contrived. There was some drama about Roooth spending Christmas in NZ, can't remember the details, but yes, it was tactless.

I didn't think Ruth's near-affair was related to her trip to New Zealand. She had the flutter with Sam the cowman after her mastectomy and while David was flirting with his ex. The New Zealand trip was several years later, after they'd failed to move to be near Ruth's Mum (Heather Pet) and she'd died in the car. I think Ruth was re-evaulating her life after the death, not the affair. Her marriage was still a bit rocky, but she also wanted to explore new farming ideas. I might be wrong though, I don't have any of the Archers factbooks to check.

@Neilsfavouritechilli , I don't recall there being an affair either. Didn't Ruth just disappear for about 6 weeks?
Ambridge children tend to be silent until they are into their teens. IIRC, Kristiffur was in his bedroom until he was 16.
Riairi and Henwee were heard as children.

Riairi and Henwee were heard as children.

I think many Ambridge children have been heard briefly,but it's better that they're nearly all seen* and not heard for nearly all their childhoods.

• Yes, I do know it's a radio programme.

Apologies for misspelling Ruairí. Twas my fat fingers

How did George turn out like that when half of him is a Carter?

Mainly, the children are heard when there's a storyline which concerns them (or there's background noise of vaguely childlike sounds), like Henry being abused and then questioned for the trial, Mia being stressed about having to take on her mother's role (Poppy might also have been heard then?), Ruairi going off to boarding school etc. They tend to then quieten down again until they get older.

George is:

One quarter Grundy
One quarter Larkin (via Clarrie) - good and bad there. Clarrie's uncle or great uncle Bob Larkin was a poacher accidentally shot by Tom Forrest, uncle to Jack, Phil and Christine Archer. Clarrie's dad was a farmhand at Brookfield and led a blameless life.
One quarter Carter, via Neil
One quarter Horrobin, via Susan

Tbh I care more about the possibility of Eddie's free range and happy turkeys dying of a horrible disease than for Ben

I'm worried about the turkeys ... and the dodgy chicks too. Poor wretched creatures 😢

I think many Ambridge children have been heard briefly,but it's better that they're nearly all seen and not heard for nearly all their childhoods*

iirc, all we heard of Henwee for a long time was him piping ‘Awww-wite!’ In reply to any instruction or comment directed his way.

I think this proves my point.

Alan - just say "No". Did Lillian listen to the rubbish she was spouting?

Oh and Kenton's diary can do one too.

Alan just refuse the window on the grounds that you cannot be seen to be showing favouritism and there's not enough windows for any future births !

It was quite refreshing to hear someone in Ambridge talking sense. Alan, please stand your ground.

Lillian and Jolene were unspeakably awful.

And Ben, despite being asked by Chelsea not to tell anyone, has now told Josh and Boring Beth. Please, please, please let that be the last of her.

Straw poll: if you were Beth, would you dump Ben now? And would Chelsea’s decision to terminate/keep the pregnancy hold any sway?

I’d dump him. Who needs this stress when you’re 20/21? There’s no way in a million years I’d want to be playing stepmum in this situation if Chelsea keeps the baby. It’s not like Ben can bribe her with half a farm to hang around, a la Uncle Brian.

I actually think Ben and Beth are going to last.

And Ben, despite being asked by Chelsea not to tell anyone, has now told Josh and Boring Beth. Please, please, please let that be the last of her. He had permission to tell Beth.

I’d dump him. Who needs this stress when you’re 20/21? There’s no way in a million years I’d want to be playing stepmum in this situation if Chelsea keeps the baby. That’s rational. But her reaction was ridiculous. Ben’s well rid of her. I just hope he doesn’t take too long to realise.

Did he? He didn't have consent to tell Josh.

Borrowing the 🔮 …

Simply because it seems so unlikely right now - I wonder if Beth might be the person who helps Chelsea. Beth might actually ask her how long she’s has been pregnant - and Chelsea will persuade Beth not to murder Ben.

(And they’ll all live happily ever after …)

Unfortunately so do I.

Re the straw poll, I think Bore will channel her inner St. Smugula in the making and forgive him and then make him atone for his sin for the rest of his days.

The stained glass window idea was always an appalling act of boastful conspicuous consumption and will even more so if Chelsea keeps the baby.

Yes, he told Chelsea he'd have to tell Beth, and Chelsea agreed.

Ok, but he had to tell Beth he'd made someone pregnant. At this stage there's no reason for Bore to know who. Possibly Bore will keep quiet out of embarrassment.

I would take a dim view if I were Beth. Ben would be toast. Immediately.

Re the straw poll, I think Bore will channel her inner St. Smugula in the making and forgive him and then make him atone for his sin for the rest of his days. I think she’ll go and cry all over Daddy and Vince will point out she can’t expect him to be celibate if she’s dumped him.

I would take a dim view if I were Beth. Ben would be toast. Immediately. Why, as a matter of curiosity?

I'm glad Alan agreed with us that the window was a ridiculous idea. I hope he sticks to his guns.