Archers thread #178: Ambridge or Scambridge? 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 fancy Mucky Mick, 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.)

The scars from Scambridge week will take some healing. Most of us felt we were the ones scammed - where was The Archers we know and (very occasionally) love?

Anyway, onwards and - almost certainly not - upwards. Will it be the best Christmas ever in Ambridge? Do we still care? Over to you!

Spoiler alert! Next week:
Lynda: Reveals she was once a stripper in Blackpool
Alan: Isn’t really a vicar. Never passed his final exam and has been winging it all this time
Kate: Has American citizenship and nipped back in November to vote for Trump

…well why not?! They are all as equally plausible as Neils back story

I wouldn't go near those. It's a soap thing, and I wouldn't be surprised if they did.
Susan would be pleased

I Was Right!

I’m so pleased!

I really didn’t need to hear Henry and all the PSA. And him being so unbelievable. He’s the only bridge farm archer I feel is badly drawn.

so glad Lee is moving - he deserves better!!! Helen is very dismissive of Henry’s feelings.

I heard Joy as being overbearing and wonder if she was like that bringing her up

I only listened tonight because I had a sleeping puppy on my lap!!!

You can't post that without paying the tax 🐕

Here’s the little chap

Aw he's lovely.

I wish my older dog agreed!!

The Bridge Farm Archers were awful about Lee. Helen dismissing any suggestion he should stay for tea and Tony blaming Lee for telling Henry he was going to LA.

He's gorgeous!!! Thanks @Bruisername ,
I ❤the 🐕

He's so cute. The little waggely tail.

They’re not planning to release an alien species

Sure - but it’s controlled release for a reason

Me too. I choked on my coffee. It's about as likely as the rest of the story!

Oh, he’s lovely! He’s the image of my first and favourite soft toy (who at nearly 75 is a little threadbare)

But what reason? Is it an ecological reason or is it DEFRA living up to its popular name (Doing Everything Farmers’ Representatives Ask)?

I would have thought they are controlled for their own protection to ensure the site is suitable and they have enough space etc and they don’t have a weird eco lady trying to shove them into inappropriate places because she hasn’t got experts involved

You know when there is a series of films that are brilliant,eg Toy Story 1,2,&3, and they don't know when to go out on a high, and make TS4 (dire and repetitive), or Star Wars with sequels and prequels? And they don't tie up properly with the originals? That's what TA is beginning to feel like to me now. It's like the glory days have gone and it's just marking time for the sake of it.

I know someone has suggested this in the past, but is Joy anxious about Rex asking Rochelle out because Rochelle is a transwoman? I may have misheard but I think Rochelle's partner is called Bernie. We have all assumed that means the partner is male but it could be short for Bernadette and Rochelle could have been the female partner before transitioning.

I doubt this is going to be the case because I imagine the BBC would regard it as too controversial, but I am finding it difficult to imagine why else Joy is warning Rex off Rochelle. Drugs/alcohol/mental health issues? A tendency to murder her partners?

Either way I am going to lose interest if we don't find out soon. I am not sufficiently invested in Joy as a character to have patience with this dance of the seven veils business.

Also, can we take it that Joy's migraine was not genuine given Mick seemed to have forgotten all about it?

The puppy is adorable btw!

@Godesstobe Her partner was called Benny

Godesstobe
I may have misheard but I think Rochelle's partner is called Bernie.

I heard it as Benny on both the occasions I noticed it, and thought "been a long time since I heard of one of those, shades of Benny Hill".

Godesstobe
Rochelle could have been the female partner before transitioning

I think she is being female now, isn't she?

Sorry - yes, Rochelle could have been the male partner before transitioning !!!! Shouldn't have texted while trying to watch The Traitors.

The licence requirement seems to date from the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Understanding of ecology was not as advanced then. Reading throught the .gove/Natural England/Environment Agency stuff it seems the licensing is motivated by desire to "avoid conflict with other land users" rather than any concern that the site should be suitable for the beavers' needs.

On Christmas Day I wished my bear, Edward, a happy birthday and gave him a hug. He was 73. He is a faithful chap (mostly bald, but kept warm with a hand-knitted jumper, trousers, hat and tie) and has somehow managed to follow me round the world without getting lost.