Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Radio/podcast addicts

Discuss your favourite podcast, radio show or The Archers episode.

Archers thread #184: It’s a shambles! And we don’t mean Casey Meats. Discuss The Archers here.

992 replies

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/04/2025 12:03

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

Archers 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're looking forward to Morris dancing on the radio, or other unusual views. Grin

Archers 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!

Archers 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.)

Right, to business. I can't say I'm delighted that the focus is on Rochelle and Casey Meats at the moment, because I'm not. All far too peripheral to Ambridge and too new. As I say ad nauseam, more farming storylines please, and where are all the long-standing members of the cast? The discussion about inheritance tax in The Bull the other night was a bit clunky, but what a refreshing change to hear two familiar voices, both farmers, talking about farming-related stuff, even if BBC balance meant they had to be challenged by two non-farmers, and even if it is months after the Budget introduced these changes. Ah well.

I was tempted to put one of my Dad's terrible jokes into the thread title as an oblique reference to George's coffin-making idea, but it wouldn't have made sense to anyone else. He loved referring to the cemetery as the Dead Centre of the island, so I was pondering something about Grange Farm becoming the Dead Centre of Ambridge. It could happen yet. Emma and Ed could provide willow branches and Clarrie could sit in the kitchen weaving them. Surely it must be similar to knitting?

Finally, if the SWs are lurking and looking for new storylines, it's been very dry recently and there have been lots of wildfires in rural areas. There was a bad one on Gaspmother Island a few days ago. Many farmers are very worried about this at the moment, as reported on Farming Today last week. But what am I thinking! This is a story that only works in a rural setting, so in the current incarnation of TA, it's not soapy enough. Hmm

Over to you!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 20/04/2025 20:17

Tbh, I'm far more interested in Rochelle's storyline. Will she go through with it? Or 'fess up?

Pa Malik is pointless unless he shapes up as the village Lothario and sets Helen and Kirsty at odds. Khalil Doolittle is welcome to have a fatal relapse any time it can be fitted in.

Bruisername · 20/04/2025 20:30

I am very hopeful that pa malik will become the village lothario

OverArmourer · 20/04/2025 21:46

Godesstobe · 18/04/2025 14:00

I'd assumed Rochelle was kicked out because of her horrible whiny voice and ghastly personality. Could you live in a commune with her? I certainly couldn't.

I think it’s because she called everyone pet, and they don’t ethically agree with pets.

TottersBlithely · 20/04/2025 23:34

Dear SWs,

Please don’t let anything bad happen to Khalil. All the other characters have been allowed to get over their childhood illnesses and go on to full and generally pretty healthy lives.

And he’s so vivid to me; I couldn’t bear it.

Leave him alone. (But feed Rochelle to Rex’s pigs.)

Thank you,

A Concerned Listener

EBearhug · 20/04/2025 23:42

YFC used to be up to age 26, and you can probably Google to find out if it still is. (I can't be bothered.) Can't remember what age it starts - maybe 10? I was certainly a member then,so it might be earlier.

So that would include Ben, possibly Josh (can't remember his age,) Possibly the Buttons. George would be the right age, but I don't think he's much of a joiner-in, and would probably think if Young Farmers as for the posh types, i.e. various branches of Archers/Aldridges. Ruari if he were still around. Lily & Freddie for a few more months. Paul.

BeatriceBatchelor · 21/04/2025 05:15

why on earth does Helen think it’s reasonable to move in with tomtash

Because she's fiercely independent so doesn't want to stay living with mum and dad, she'd rather spoil her brother's enjoyment of moving into his first (purchased) home with his family. It's stupid, Natasha should take her to one side and give her a talking to.

I too don't want Khalil to relapse/die. Too sad. Good idea to pal Zainab up with Chelsea.

Bruisername · 21/04/2025 07:17

Henry would definitely join the junior farmers

Brefugee · 21/04/2025 09:19

On thing that stood out to me was that Pat didn't seem to know that Helen and the boys are moving in with her brother, wife and 2 children. How dodens't she know that?

Performative Scottishness is annoying. OTOH i am very keen on people preserving traditions so meh.

I went to a Very Posh All Girls School. In the UVI we had ballroom dancing to be ready for all the coming out parties we would be going to. (I did go to some there was no ballroom dancing). Bonkers because, even though it wasn't A Thing then we were heavily pushed to STEM subjects. Very heavily.

ETA: one of the best weddings i ever went to (80s) was a barn dance. Brilliant fun.

Bruisername · 21/04/2025 09:21

I think she did know that had been the plan pre sewage but had, sensibly, assumed she would stay with them now she’s there because it’s very weird!!

so is it a 4 bed house? I assume Helen is going to expect to keep the master suite!!!

ExitPursuedByABare · 21/04/2025 09:38

Ah the memories of English Country Dancing during wet games lessons.

WitcheryDivine · 21/04/2025 10:16

@Poppins2016 yes I think we’re both on team babies aren’t we?

I only listen to Today live - everything else on Sounds (even though it is a terrible app 🤪)

Young Farmers were the biggest shaggers around, I do think TASW are just SO WEIRD about relationships I know I’ve said this before, people go for one drink and are suddenly together in a very serious way. I thought Jazzer and Tracey having a bit of a fling and then realising they liked each other was more realistic.

Brefugee · 21/04/2025 10:21

ExitPursuedByABare · 21/04/2025 09:38

Ah the memories of English Country Dancing during wet games lessons.

we did games during wet games lessons. I quite liked sloshing around the hockey pitch getting muddy.

LillianGish · 21/04/2025 10:47

Now that Helen and the boys are living in the farmhouse it seems quite ridiculous to move back to Beechwood while they look for somewhere else. Especially with Henry getting more and more involved on the farm. I'm in favour of anything that gives us more goat sounds and animal noises in general. Also how many bedrooms does Beechwood have? The boys are going to share a room, the twins will presumably be sharing, Tom and Natasha will have their own room which leaves Helen (as the only single occupant) in the smallest bedroom? Why would you do it when you've already moved your stuff out and you're planning to move on anyway?

BeatriceBatchelor · 21/04/2025 12:21

I don't think Helen is planning on finding her own place anytime soon.

Bruisername · 21/04/2025 12:25

She’s been looking really hard so far…

this feels like a terrible device to have discord at beechwood

Bruisername · 21/04/2025 12:26

Shows how awful Pat is with he as well. Why can’t she point out to her darling daughter that she’s being incredibly selfish

ETA after the first issue Pat will no doubt suggest to Tom that he and family should move to the farm until Helen finds somewhere

FizzingAda · 21/04/2025 13:46

Helen won't be able to stop herself interfering with the twin's upbringing. There will be Trouble ahead!

Choccyp1g · 21/04/2025 13:49

Bruisername · 21/04/2025 12:26

Shows how awful Pat is with he as well. Why can’t she point out to her darling daughter that she’s being incredibly selfish

ETA after the first issue Pat will no doubt suggest to Tom that he and family should move to the farm until Helen finds somewhere

Edited

But that's exactly the opposite of what Helen really wants, which is Bridge Farmhouse all to herself and the boys

Bruisername · 21/04/2025 13:54

Maybe Pat should try reverse psychology on her!!

TottersBlithely · 21/04/2025 14:40

Today’s ’Conversations from a Long Marriage’ is really very excellent. The couple go to look after an old friend with Alzheimer’s. It’s so accurate.

OverArmourer · 21/04/2025 15:30

I can’t imagine anything more infuriating than your SIL moving back into your new home, that she didn’t want buy, when there’s room elsewhere.

Also. She just made someone redundant because her business is failing. Wouldn’t paying no rent have saved quite a bit if money 🤔

Bruisername · 21/04/2025 15:38

Oh yes - will Helen pay any rent or contribute to bills!!

I'm going to assume the boys are going to get fed up of the twins pretty quickly and Henry will want to be back at the farm so he’s close the the goats. Although it does seem that people can teleport around the village so I guess that’s not much of a problem

Madcats · 21/04/2025 17:40

I do hope we have a few weeks of baby goats.

Tom/Tash’s house in Beechwood must be blooming massive if Helen is planning to fit Gideon and teen Henry in the 3rd or 4th bedroom.

she’s had 5 or 6 months (it feels like a decade) to find a property (which presumably needs to be fairly close to the dairy if she’s down to one other member of staff who also runs the Post Office). I hope Henry insists on being near the goats!!!!

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 21/04/2025 19:18

Well that was a load of rubbish.

Bruisername · 21/04/2025 19:24

Not worth listening on catch up then!

Swipe left for the next trending thread