Archers thread #141: The nights are drawing in. Can we turn the clocks back to a time when The Archers was fun? Cackle or carp about 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, although we do mostly try to be civil about it. Most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you're hoping Ambridge has a pantomime again this year, 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/4636789-the-archers-spoilers-thread-7-cant-wait-for-702pm-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.)

Many thanks to @TottersBlankly and @GoldenCupidon for the title suggestions.

Too much to hope, I suppose, that by the time we get to the end of this thread Chelsea's pregnancy is a distant memory and the Horrobins can gear up for a cheap and cheerful Christmas. I really, really hope she doesn't change her mind about the termination. It's a horrible and unrealistic storyline, as most of us have agreed over the past few weeks, but now I just want it to end and be forgotten about.

I do like the idea of Lilian taking on the role of witch in the woods. Much more fun to listen to than Mia sabotaging the Hunt Ball, which is surely bound to go horribly wrong, or the odd wrangling over the stained glass window which we know Peggy won't be contributing to on air , given June Spencer's retirement.

Not a peep out of anybody in Ambridge about all the recent political shenanigans, but that's hardly surprising. Nobody fretting about fuel bills or rampant inflation either.

Also, where's Jenny? I hope Angela Piper's OK.

Over to you!

How far is (Birmingham?) airport from Ambridge?
Thinking about it, it is quite likely that his car had been left at LL. We'll take that explanation I guess.

Nigel had loads of girlfriends when younger didn't he? But none serious.

I ship Beth and Ben 4eva.

I am intrigued by the thought of how Freddie and a decent partner could alter the dynamic at LL re: him and Lil. She's used to being the capable one.

Thinking about it, I also like that Ben didn’t answer the door. Seems like the most realistic part of recent events tbh.

I'm glad Beth & Elizabeth called out that horrible dismay of toxic masculinity.

Didn't really buy into the idea that Vince would want to eat breakfast at the airport after a 13 hour flight. Most people would want to head straight home.

I was surprised to discover that TA had doubled up on Bethanoys.

I kind of assumed Freddie is asexual. I’ve never heard him express any romantic interest in anyone at all. I don’t think Lily has ever quizzed or teased him about his love life either which is unusual.

A few years ago he and Johnny went to a festival - Glasto perhaps? - and getting off with girls in tents was an explicit objective. Johnny was certainly pushing this but I’m pretty sure they were both looking to get some ‘action’.

That was when Freddy was about 17 or 18 though I guess - so I guess 4 or 5 years ago?

Didn't he get off with a girl at a festival? Maybe that was Johnny.

Snap, @CaptainMyCaptain !

Wasn't it the Isle of Wight? Freddie came back without his virginity having gained an eyebrow piercing.

Now that the entire village (except midwife Amy who has a knack of disappearing at times when she could help villagers) knows that Chelsea had a very late abortion and Ben was involved, I can't imagine that they can both stay in Ambridge.

Vince's reaction is entirely predictable/true to character.

What a mess.

My brother used to live in a small Ambridge-like village (lots of families went back generations). You could pretty much guarantee that an inter-family feud/dispute would kick off on bonfire night after a few pints had been downed.

Yes! You’re right

Aren't there some who knew about the pregnancy but not who the father was: Alistair for instance?

Most people wouldn't know it was a late abortion though, although if they think it was first-trimester then that would imply that Ben had been unfaithful to Beth.

Does anyone know who doesn't have a family connection to Ben, Chelsea or Beth?

Tracey, Jazzer, Brad- yes
Natasha, Tom, Tony, Helen, Lee- no
Susan-yes
Neil, Emma, Ed, Will, Clarrie, Mia- no
Elizabeth, Vince, David, Ruth, Josh, pip- yes
Lily, Freddie- no
Rex- no
Kenton, Jolene, Fallon- no
Harrison- yes (?)
Alistair- yes
Jim- no
Alice, Adam, Brian, Jenny, Ruari- no

Actually Susan will undoubtedly have told Neil.

Chris- no
Roy, Kirsty- no
Lynda, Robert- no

My point being that if only people with personal connections know, they are not likely to gossip about it.

A lot of those No's are Archers/Aldridges so are related to Ben.
e.g. Kenton is Ben's uncle.

Oh sorry, you mean who knows, not who is related.

Yes, exactly.

Honestly I doubt most people will have overinvested in when Ben/Beth were/weren't together and be counting the weeks like we were. Outside of their immediate families I mean.

I feel like Freddie would be one of those guys trying to impress girls with props e.g. closeup magic, and failing miserably.

Natasha knows. Chelsea told her and she was surprisingly sympathetic. She might have told others as she was quite happy to do this when she thought it was Tracey.

I realised earlier that before the Vince tantrum last night he was talking to Elizabeth about some government scheme to get workers (?butchers or general staff to work in his abattoir - not sure what job titles apply) over here from the Philippines. Is that right? To start with I thought he was expanding his empire overseas but later he said something about because it was a govt scheme the visas shouldn't be a problem?

That might be interesting. Replacing the European pickers at Home Farm with people from Manila? I wonder what impact that will have on the village and what the SWs have lined up for us.

Yes, just remembered that when tonight's episode started!