Archers thread #176: In which Ian puts the I in PTA. 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, 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 you'd like to hear more from Wesley the ashtray collector, 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 https://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 @DeanElderberry for the pithy phrase in the thread title and @CaptainMyCaptain for suggesting it should go in there. At least we've got the spooky disco out of the way for now. Plenty of wooden dialogue in the last few episodes that could go on the village bonfire next week. It's all been too dispiriting to discuss in greater depth. I'll just say that I don't hold out any great hopes that the production team will make a good job of reflecting concern in the farming community about the changes announced in the Budget to inheritance tax for farms. So often they get an expert to talk them through stuff like this but instead of ending up with a realistic storyline they pick out the bits they like the sound of and cobble them together in a totally unrealistic way. Maybe I'll be proved wrong this time. I hope so.

Over to you!

"By the time Justin was whimpering about purple butterflies and people who stood to lose their jobs ("Oh, the people!"), I was wondering if the car's exhaust system was diverting into the car itself and I was off my tits."

😁😁

You can't fool me. There ain't no sanity clause!

eek!

R4 has just announced the death of June Spencer, aged 105.

I hope Peggy has a respectful send off, in a timely manner.

Just heard on the news that June Spencer who played Peggy has died

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wn1zl3q5qo

I just came on to say that! Agreed.

So if Kirsty's mum is supposed to be flakey and nuts (thanks for that suggestion, @BerylBillings ) clearly it's curtains for Kirsty. But there is plenty of unfinished business before that happens.

I thought last night's episode was an improvement on Justin's fever dream. I'm sure it was meant to be a dream but I'd have to listen again to the very beginning of the scene to see if there was a clue. But does this mean we're going to have to endure more of this tripe?

George faking it for his Will and Emma, but showing his nasty side. Why didn't they say something when he demanded the maximum amount, not even asking nicely? That's a lot of money. At least that scene felt more like TA than some of the nonsense we've been having.

As for Kirsty's mum's plot device purse - when is Kirsty going to discover the identy of the nice man who gave the poor old lady a lift?

105! RIP.

As it happens, Peggy is 100 on 13th November. I hope the SWs have remembered this.

Yes - I really hope Peggy’s 100th birthday will be a fitting remembrance for June Spencer.

Extraordinary career.

RIP.

What a career and an interesting character to create and develop over all those years. RIP June Spencer. 'When it suits you, dear' will always be one of my favourite Archers lines

DH just messaged me with the news. Amazing lady. RIP.

I really hope the SW do her proud.

I've been wondering why there has been no mention of Peggy's upcoming 100th birthday - the scriptwriters surely can't have overlooked it.

RIP June Spencer.

Quoting from the BBC News article:

Speaking in 2019 as the show's only original cast member, Spencer said: "I had no idea I'd be ever be 100 for a start, let alone still working! It's been marvellous, I hope I can keep on doing it for a bit, and perhaps set an example to older people who have just given up," she said. Three years later, when she did decide it was time to leave the show, she said: "In 1950 I helped to plant an acorn. It took root and in January 1951 it was planted out and called The Archers." She added that "over the years it has thrived and become a splendid great tree with many branches. But now this old branch, known as Peggy, has become weak and unsafe so I decided it was high time she 'boughed' out, so I have duly lopped her".

Sharp as a pin at 103!

Of course they haven’t. Invitations would have gone out to friends and relatives, and someone would have been flapping around seeing if they needed to do anything to ensure the “telegram” arrived.

RIP June. What a wonderful career.

I still remember her killer line to Kate who was wanging on about being a mother. Peggy retorted, "Only when it suits you, dear".

Yes Jenny would have done it 😞

RIP June.

But fortunately, if you’re known to the authorities (eg you get a state pension) it arrives automatically. With a royal crest the size of a tea cup on the envelope, so there’s no chance you’ll miss it.

They need to cultivate replacements for matriarchs Peggy and Jenny.

Dont shoot me but I believe Natasha has potential. Is there any way the profits from the sale of Summer Orchard could stretch to buying the house at Home Farm?

RIP June Spencer. Her career was an incredible achievement.

Gosh George sounded quite sinister. If he is like this after one month what on earth will he be like when he is released. Will and Emma have not learned their lesson and are still treating him with kid gloves when he is unspeakably rude to them. I was completely unmoved by Emma’s tears at the end. Her weak parenting just annoys me.

Yeah you’re right actually! And I think Alice in her next marriage.

What an amazing life and career June Spencer had. RIP Peggy.

May I respectfully suggest curtains for Kirsty, as mentioned by @WagnersFourthSymphony, should appear somewhere in the next thread title? 😂

Yes surely Peggy's 100th birthday should have been a big storyline with plenty of planning and build up. What a missed opportunity 😞

Aha! Whereas, as I learned a few years ago, telegrams for 60th wedding anniversaries do have to be requested. It was worth the effort, though!

A long time ago Peggy was one of the people organising a jumble sale where refreshments would be available. When they arrived to set up, Peggy, at her most imperious, said 'People must have access to tea at all times!' Words to live by.