Archers thread #157: How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless clan! Discuss The Grundys here. Bicker about The Archers as well if you like.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed, and of course we are always delighted to welcome back former or occasional listeners/posters. 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, 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.)

Thanks to @OverArmour for the idea of making it clear in the title many of us are inveterate bickerers!

Now over to you, as we are about to eat and I won't hear tonight's offering till later ....

Yes, that was odd. My sense of the geography of the place is very poor, so I thought that maybe they were all flapping about because these party fireworks were a lot closer than the usual ones. Otherwise Alice flapping like that makes no sense, since she has years of experience of at least observing how these situations are dealt with. Lillian flapping didn't surprise me as much, because she generally seems like more of a flapper to me, although my impression is that the flapping is more on the surface, with a pragmatic core underneath?

Oh, I hope not! I'd like for her to have a nice calm time for a while!

Maybe she just didn't fit his mental image.. maybe he was assuming a 20yo girl? Does anyone know, did she do her BHS Stages when she was younger, or PC tests, or any horsey qualifications? I know she doesn't actually need them to be a YM, but it would look better to some clients, especially the non-horsey ones.

And why did he assume Alice wasn’t the yard manager?

Because he’d met Lillian the day before, so naturally assumed the manager would be another unfuckable elderly lady.

(Oh dear - I can see I’m going to talk myself out of fighting Alice for him!)

agree with that.
when living in germany (famous for loud banging fireworks at nye) the local yard and most private owners had their horses in fields as far away from hot spots as possible.
horses are safer if they can run in a small secure area. also there is the risk of hay fires with fireworks near stables.

My aunt said that during the war they were told to turn horses out during bombing raids, as they were in far more danger panicking in a stable. Perhaps then most fields were enclosed with hedges rather than post and rails, the latter being more unforgiving if landed on by a scared horse.

I would add re. the safety outside; given the times of year, they might have rugs on, which are nowadays ripstop (nylon therefore) fabric. As we know, the Chinese lanterns have landed on horses rugs and caused deaths - so there is a (remote, but enough for me) possibility of fireworks/sparks etc doing the same.

I have never known one to damage themselves in their own stable (familiar space) through panic over noise. Other reasons, yes.

Alwaysdieting
how do people in thatch roof homes manage,it must be a nightmare around Nov-Dec.?

Summer can be just as bad, though the unfortunate craze for what I think were called "Chinese Lanterns" seems to be mercifully fading a bit. Those things are a great deal worse than fireworks for inadvertent arson: thatch, standing crops, small copses all suffer, and on one notable occasion that I can't find on the internet a fire was started in an open-topped car (must have been absolutely terrifying). The incident I did find is as bad except for nobody being there and at risk: https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/chinese-lantern-ban-call-after-8549861

At least in November there is a fair chance that the thatch will be soaked and less willing to catch light than it is in July.

Anyone who sets off Chinese Lanterns should have their hands chopped off to prevent a repeat event. They cause fires and the metal cages that hold the burning material get stuck in animals’ feet etc.

The bloody things should be banned.

https://www.countrysideonline.co.uk/articles/join-our-campaign-to-ban-sky-lanterns/

A lot of councils have banned them from being used on council owned land which would include parks and public spaces. Council estates? Scroll down if you want to see the list. It is completely banned in Wales.

Ah now, the actor who plays Rob looks like the Rob in my head. I googled this Adam fella and he is how I saw Miles.

I do sometimes brave the photos but very few fit my vision. David and Ruth are how I imagine, Helen and Rob too. Everyone else, I have a different picture in my mind.

Same

Good point re the date/ day @iratepirate

Monday was Peggy's 99th birthday, which Kate doesn't seem to have thought important enough to mention as a reason for Peggy's family to be happy.

Well the land sale has certainly created some conversation fodder. But why would Ben know anything about it? Is Lillian just asking every one she comes across?

they need to stop the actors trying to impersonate Paddington bear. The constant ‘ers’ and hesitation grate.

I like Jacob challenging Kate and manipulating her back. The community will turn on the archers and save the church.

Quelle surprise that no one else is wearing fancy dress. Why could they not just nip home and change?

Bruisername
Why could they not just nip home and change?

Yes, it isn't exactly a long drive from either Jakob's rented cottage or Peggy's The Lodge to Brookfield barn. About half a mile from either of them.

Alice is really out of practice. I suppose she has just got used to being a non-drinking, recently-bereaved single mum. Time to get back on the horse Ms Carter…

Incidentally, how is baby Martha? She must be about 3 already!

Martha was born on 9th March, 2021.

Is Ruairi in his third year of uni?

(Because there would have been zero chance of my undergraduate nephew travelling back home for his 21st, mid-week, mid-term …)

What a miserable 21st - a cut price barn in mid-week winter. I think Ruairi would have a semi-swish (one Michelin star) meal out in Birmingham (or London if they’d travel) with family and maybe Ben. Where would all his uni mates stay if he’d had a party? No room at Brian’s rental and we know the local hotel and b and b are either not built, not open or full!

Ruairi’s 21st - the least convincing scenario ever. The birthday boy himself didn’t even seem to be there.

Though when I heard Harry, I first thought it was Ruari.

Anyway, with the words "don't have to marry him" - next summer, then?

Yes, it isn't exactly a long drive from either Jakob's rented cottage or Peggy's The Lodge to Brookfield barn. About half a mile from either of them.

Didn't Kate move in with Jakob? Or did I make that up?

Thank you! I was just searching for the cast list as I knew I recognised his voice!

Speaking of voices, I'm enjoying listening to a younger Jim Lloyd on 4X playing Inspector Purbright.