Archers thread #144: Window pains again! Light relief or dark times ahead for Ambridge in 2023? 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, 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’d love to volunteer in the shop with Susan, 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.)

New year, new thread. Many thanks to @LillianGish for the window pains pun! Hoping to hear a lot less from the Caseys this year and a good deal more about farming and how Ambridge is coping with Brexit, cost of living crisis, ageing population and all sorts of credible character-based storylines. Yes, I know, but one can only hope.

Over to you!

@FallonsNewCoat all WHS do that! The staff daren't not, in case you are the mystery shopper.

You’re all making me very nostalgic for Oxford now. I would go by train for preference - perfectly central enough for the city centre which is where I imagine Ben met Paige for a pizza. It does rather sound as if Jenny could have have zipped up to take Phoebe out for lunch from time to time and had she done so I think she would have gone by train. I wonder if there is parking at Hollerton Junction or would she have needed to cadge a lift?

Brian was very attentive again when Jenny called…something definitely not quite right…

Has Stella not heard of what’s known as a business plan? £150k sounds quite a lot for Brian to rustle up to fund the new digger/drill/whatever. His reaction was not unreasonable. She may well be right that it’s just what they need but as a manager she should have handled her pitch for such a large chunk of cash far more effectively.

It’s odd that Brian and Stella’s clashing always seems to be linked, in the script, to Brian being extra attentive to off-stage Jenny. And I think they’ve made Stella say “I’m your farm manager …” a few too many times. I wonder if, as the dominoes fall, she’s going to be toppled off the board?

If, for instance, the edible forest could be Adams’s swan song at Bridge Farm and he’s about to return to the fold? Brian’s dissatisfaction with Stella might not be just something and nothing, it might be the SWs writing her out.

You’re all making me very nostalgic for Oxford now

Me too, it is years since I left but I used to love wandering around the city centre and having a glass of wine at The Randolph.

I was lucky enough to be at Oxford as an undergraduate. The most beautiful city. The dreaming spires....

I still love to re-read Waugh's opening verses of Brideshead Revisited describing 1920s Oxford... "Oxford, in those days, was still a city of aquatint....." Bigger and busier than Cambridge, which I also love having got to know it well when I had a girlfriend there.

As it happens Oxford is where I was introduced to TA (by my now wife). Have been listening ever since.

Another ex Oxford Tube user here. I liked it as you didn’t have to go to either Oxford station or Paddington, I used to get off & on in Notting Hill. The Park & Ride is a pain but I used to feel very worthy using it rather than driving into central Oxford.

Another one not enjoying the shop storyline here. And I suddenly wondered last night whether the SWs are replacing Robert with Justin as Jim's peer 😢. I'm very much not a fan of that as I loved Robert and Jim birdwatching together and I don't like anything about Justin - not his voice or his character. Hoping this is a minor incursion and he can go back to being quiet pretty soon.

I think we did hear that Lee's girls were at BF over Christmas, but although on paper I'm sympathetic to his current situation I think I'd be more on his side if we'd heard more mention of them in the last few years. I guess there must be some kind of regular contact but you'd never guess it from listening. I know the SWs can't cover everything but if this is going to be a big storyline we really needed to hear occasional mentions of activities with the girls, tensions with Henry/Jack when they come to stay, considering their bedroom in Lee and Helen's joint house etc etc. Given that they plan SLs months and years in advance I'm surprised there hasn't been more 'involved father' action going on.

I think its funny that Stella is saying all the same stuff as Adam did over the years.

Oh dear- another issue-led plot line looms on the horizon - child removal to another country/abduction…bound to include poor or patchy legal advice from a robotic family lawyer…

I remember Simon Williams from Upstairs Downstairs, back in the dark ages. His voice was unattractive then and hasn't improved with age. It makes me want to put my hands over my ears and shout "Blah Blah Blah!" to block it out.

I look forward to Usha dealing with an international custody dispute. I expect she has a friend who is an "expert" who will be able to clear it up in a 5-minute phone call. I quite like Usha-the-actress, though the character's a bit dull except when being patronising to the vicar.

I've done that walk from Cambridge station into town plenty of times, it's alright! Not with loads of bags though.

I remember him in UD, but don't find his voice unattractive. Might the pushy sales technique make Susan reconsider Joy as a volunteer?

As regards Brad, I hope that they don't make him and Geowurge into incels.

Word is surely going to get around that you can't go to the shop without being leant on to spend at least £30, isn't it? I can see quite a few customers deciding to bin that off and patronise the nearest big supermarket.

It's making me think a bot about 'Open All Hours'

I know Simon Williams can’t help it, but I can’t listen to him without wishing he’d just clear his throat 🥴

All credit to pedantic Jim for not sniggering at Justin's massacred French pronunciation.

"Sheneen" Really? Suave man of the world cover blown.

Claiming Chenin Blanc to be "One of Lilian's favourites", too.
My arse is it.
Juniper is her botanical of choice

@BerylBillings , I got laughed at once for saying shar donnay. Not sure if it's worse than shahdon-AY

Lynda is the one for overpronouncing words.

It's the village shop. Is Susan really so into buying fine wines that they will be that well-stocked?

Oxford and Cambridge city centres are both walkable from their respective stations, but I'd say Cambridge is a bit further.

Sorry I was thinking of one night stands/flings/short lived stuff

Poor Brad, but it's for the best since he and Mia are destined to be together anyway.

oh please NO! Mia is just awful

God, it’s so slooooow tonight.

Falling asleep!

Lunchtime listener here, so apologies for being 24 hours behind. How old are Lee's girls?

In my mind they were teens when Lee started dating Helen (though I might be remembering Greg's daughter)?

Lee should go, I’m sure physios are in high demand. I doubt there’s much call for someone with a GNVQ in cheesemaking and time served, mind. Not that Helen would countenance leaving the free babysitting behind.

@MetaDaughter many thanks for the heads up. Will be listening later on iplayer. It sounds like what DW and I call "a filler episode".