Archers thread #147: Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder how old Ambridge is. Discuss The Archers here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Many thanks to @PseudoBadger for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

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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.)

Title comes from this poem, with which I drive my family to distraction at this time of year.

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz
I wonder where the birdies is.
The bird is on the wing.
But that’s absurd, the wing is on the bird.
Or so I’ve heard.

Ogden Nash

Apologies to @TeenDivided for ignoring her good ideas for the thread title. Here they are to kickstart our ruminations:
'window on the world of cheesemaking'
'how long until the intercom is fatal'
'will Brian settle in new pastures'
'Springing towards Easter with Widowers, Windows, and wails'

Over to you!

Hopping on with a gentle reminder to hit report if any comments or users are causing concern. Threads can get somewhat derailed otherwise. Ta.

I'm trying hard to think of anyone I'd marry and Alistair is the only likely candidate but ... can you count Robert? He's nice.

On a completely different tack. What was the point of Sykesy? Was there one/

I find that astonishing! I would marry Tony, Justin and even Vince Casey above Lee. Probably not Kenton. Horses for courses though…

This game has gone awry. It was not ‘who would you like to marry’ it was ‘who would you like to marry above Lee’. Now it just looks like I have terrible taste in men…For the record, neither Justin nor Vince really set my heart a-flutter. Now Tony on the other hand…

I wonder if it was the same paper @FallonsNewCoat, with imaginatively captioned wedding pics. One caption caught our eyes “Mother made dress” with bride looking awkward in said homemade dress and NHS specs (known to be rich family). Poor bride has since had an awful life caused by her now ex-husband spectacularly falling from grace.

Lee is creepy beyond belief.

I would marry Kenton for his voice

I don't think there is a single Ambridge man without a serious personality flaw? Maybe Robert is a nice man? The rest all have significant flaws

Tony is a miserly mean spirited selfish man with a harridan of a wife. He is a total wimp (assuming no DV which I haven't ruled out from the horrid Pat)

Id marry Leonard even though his a bit older than me. He is so nice.

But you see - he is with Jill and she is a very flawed person as well.

Can a nice man be with an unpleasant woman? The whole archers debate?

Only a few men have wives/partners that are unpleasant when they might be nice. David, Neil and Leonard ?

I'm trying hard to think of anyone I'd marry and Alistair is the only likely candidate but…

I like Alistair a lot but I would really worry about his gambling past. We might marry and set up home and then, on the turn of a card, end up homeless and have to move into Jim’s spare room. With no Webster or Jazzer to take the edge off classical references over breakfast. That will never do.

I probably wouldn’t marry Jazzer, by the way.

The only one I'd consider would be Jakob. He may be a little reserved, but at least he'd be tidy around the house.

No! He has action figures, ha!

Hmm I'd marry Freddy.

Freddie need a mother not a wife.
You would feel like you were nappy changing

But I'd have a lovely home and maybe have an affair with Alastair.

Just shows we are all different.

Justin?!?!?!?!

I think I'd choose Ian. Even if it meant pretending to be a man.

I’d marry a composite man. I’ll take Justin’s money, Alistair’s profession, Neil’s kind, calm and no fuss personality, Chris’ physique (all those hours pounding an anvil must yield strength and, ahem, stamina) and Ian’s culinary skills.

I'd marry Robin Fairbrother, I think. If he's in the wine trade he probably goes on some great working holidays.

Did I hear them mention Robert Snell's 80th birthday in last night's episode? It seems odd to mention people who won't be returning but not characters who have retired (or maybe they will).

Robin Fairbrother is not a very nice man, but he does of course sound just like Anthony Head, so that's a huge plus, like the Swiss flag.

It would have to be Jim for me, I think. Brian is my favourite male character but we wouldn't be compatible. There must be about 3.5 billion men I'd rank higher than Tom.

Brian might be a slightly better option than he used to be - I mean, at least he's learning to cook.

I think Justin sounds fat portly.

In my imaginings: his bantering, grumpy rapport with Ben will deepen into a mutually-respectful friendship.

Sort of like that between Jim and Jazzer.

Neither patronising the other and instead bringing out their best qualities. Confidants.

Ben relieved that Sykesey is unaware of his MH struggles/Chelsea pregnancy and termination (unlike a lot of Ambridge).

And hopefully will flourish, regaining self-confidence and a sense of purpose. Along with keeping his caring skill set honed, should he return to the nursing degree.

Sykesy, in turn, will relish having a youthful sidekick who appreciates his brusque humour, widens his horizons and sneaks him out for cheeky pints at The Bull...

Or

Sykesey might just have been a passing character, never to be heard of again!
(Which would be a shame. A lot of potential, there).

@Madcats
Did I hear them mention Robert Snell's 80th birthday in last night's episode? It seems odd to mention people who won't be returning but not characters who have retired (or maybe they will).

Yes, Justin and Lilian had called in for birthday drinks.

Knowing what we know about Graham Blockey, I must admit I got a lump in my throat on hearing Robert referenced. No more 'Lindy', in his lovely voice.