👑 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 see what posters are saying about there being lots of emotional support and handed down clothes and probably some financial gifts etc likely available.

However surely the real cost of a baby is the room it will need after a few years, the larger car to accommodate car seats, or extra bus fares, the extra costs for school trips, the extra food every week, etc etc?

Realistically the costs are huge and very difficult for Chelsea and Tracy. And at some point Chelsea will want total independence from her mum.

You have got to be long term realistic.

I've had enough of Tracy. Not having the gumption to claim benefits she's entitled to or find a job(s) in a time when employers are desperate for staff. She just wants to be a granny and is encouraging Chelsea to follow her path of bad choices.

I don’t disagree at all, JanglyBeads - no one could say adding a baby to the household would be a good idea in real life.

But Ambridge is … erm … different. My musings are based on what might make entertaining drama going forward. As LillianGish indicates, the baby appears to have done its work already and is no longer central to the plot - but there would be persuasive reasons for bringing a (father unnamed) baby to the Horribins.

Just think what a social hub their house would become! Unlike Tom and Natasha, who want for nothing, everyone knows Tracy’s family is in need. Oliver would probably camp outside. Jim wouldn’t be far behind. Fondness for the baby and Chelsea might be what draws Blake back.

And if anything, it might make Chelsea all the more determined to succeed in her chosen career.

Although - Brad. With his A’ Levels … Wonder who he’d move in with à la Ruairi during his exams. Probably Jim and Alistair - though perhaps he’d have a girlfriend by then …

<Wastes entire day moving pieces around the chess board.>

The "it takes a village" is hopelessly unrealistic.

I can't believe that Tracey hasn't insisted on a pregnancy test or a visit to the GP, or demanded to know who the father is, or pointed out that being a single mother is no picnic esp. with a father not paying maintenance, that Chelsea's career options might not be as flexible, that a baby is for life ...

My guess is that the father is going to be someone we know, i.e. an Archer of some kind.

She's just terrified of scaring her off again isn't she?

Isn't Brad lovely?

I howled when Russ said something about Lily's response not being the mature choice. Erm maybe don't groom six formers if you want a mature relationship.

Dave and Kenton in the Bull and Leonard's cricket covering is much more what I want from Ambridge tbh. Annoyingly it's the drama I don't want that seems to get me typing and audience engagement is considered a key metric of success these days.

the baby appears to have done its work

So Chelsea has been sacrificed to give brat Lily a break. Awful story line
**

I'm not sure there's any evidence that Tracey wants to be a granny @SaltyCrisp - I think she's trying really hard to treat Chelsea as someone who needs to make this decision for herself. I haven't heard her encouraging either way, really, although I agree that a dose of "a baby will really, really change your life" wouldn't go amiss. Also agree that although she would no doubt be swamped with kindness and generosity in the early months and years children are dependents for a long time and only get more expensive as they get older.

I think it's very true to character for Chelsea to feel sad about an abortion though even if it's the 'right' thing for her. She's a teenager full of all sorts of emotions, not a mature woman who knows her mind and has the confidence of her convictions (or even knows what her convictions are).

In my experience (youth work rather than health services), NHS GPs and abortion providers will talk through your options with you in as factual a way as they can, they won't provide counselling or a reality check about how tough it would be. Chelsea knows what the choice is, what she needs is someone to lay out the long-term consequences and listen to her hopes and fears, she won't get that from a GP unless she gets lucky and has an exceptionally good one (who also has the time to spare!).

I wouldn’t expect a GP to do anything more than begin the conversation and refer her to … wherever.

But Chelsea and her mother are acting as if there is no health service in this country. (Wise?)

I need a new kettle. Does anyone actually have one with three speeds? Is that the way I should be going?

Yes, I do!

Yep, me too.

Er, me three! 😬

Oh my! I really wasn’t expecting that! I must look into this more closely…A like-for-like replacement of my (pretty basic) eight-year-old Morphy Richards clearly just won’t cut it…

I suppose Justin and Lilian now have a Quooker…

Actually I think mine's technically 5 speed.

Are we really supposed to believe that all these days have passed and still nobody has asked Chelsea who the father is? It beggars belief.

I've had a few expensive kettles that did different temperatures but they always seemed to break quite quickly so I've gone back to a basic one, at least then when it breaks I haven't spent loads. I've had the same £5 one in my office for 12 years and it's still going strong.

5-speeds! Russ would LOVE that!

Mine's actually a 4 speed. It's been going for several years. It's a Bosch & the logo is wearing off due to age & usage.

I'm not sure what speed my kettle is and not at home at the moment. I think it can be set to 80 and increased by 5 degree increments.

Tracey has been wittering on about how Chelsea will be a great mum.

I think it's very true to character for Chelsea to feel sad about an abortion though even if it's the 'right' thing for her.

Why is it true to character? The only person I know who had an abortion as a teenager said it was just an enormous relief.

Some women find the decision and the aftermath difficult and traumatic; others don't and are just grateful and relieved. Why do they have to go down the "difficult and traumatic" route.

This. It’s just bizarre. Tracey has completely lost interest in who the father might be since finding out it isn’t Russ which doesn’t make any sense at all. Her daughter is 17 years old for goodness sake.

I thought her “you’d make a brilliant mum” line was definitely an attempt to persuade Chelsea to have the baby and really irresponsible. After ending up in a succession of dead end jobs with no prospects and a life of grinding poverty, living hand to mouth, you’d think Tracey would want more for her daughter. In her shoes I would direct Chelsea to the nearest abortion clinic without a moments hesitation. It’s actually quite selfish to bring a child into that household.

I have to ask, how many people acquitted their multi kettles after Russ?

I confess I browsed and definitely considered

I imagine Tracy is not that bothered, now Chelsea has insisted it was consensual and it wasn't a creepy older man. She is probably assuming another teenager- what difference does it make?
'directing her to the nearest abortion clinic' would be unethical and unlikely to achieve the desired outcome. Whereas assuring her that either choice is OK leaves her free to make a choice. I agree she needs to look at the medium and long term impacts- but that needs to be someone else, not her mum.