Archers thread #184: It’s a shambles! And we don’t mean Casey Meats. 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're looking forward to Morris dancing on the radio, 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.)

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.

Over to you!

If the SW are thinking long term (unlikely) it could be interesting if Freddie died 'without issue' so who would inherit. Lily would be the obvious one though unless it has to go to a male. She could die first of course.

I very much like this idea! A lot of potential for decent drama...

Meanwhile, in a parallel universe, David and Brian are having a quiet pint in The Bull and talking about how their crops are getting on. David could talk about lambing (assuming Brookfield still has sheep, which it might not have) and calfing. Brian could say how he doesn't miss long nights in the lambing shed. Ed could join them and talk about his livestock hopes and how the tree surgery business is getting on. We could have a nod to the wider world with a brief reference of how the war in Ukraine has thrown grain markets into chaos and now there's all the uncertainty of Trump's tariffs. Once Ed's moved on, Brian could confide in David all his thoughts about his new will. Change of scene to the pig unit and Neil, Hannah and Jazzer could have a chat about pigs. Change of scene to the village shop and Susan could tell everyone who comes in what a shock it is that Joy has so suddenly packed up and left the village with Mick and Rochelle.

The Parallel universe sounds lovely.

Yes! That’s what we are missing- normality

Not every conversation has to be a PSA or dripping with drama

That’s because it’s actually a Black Country thing bab. Hear it all the time there.

Cultural appropriation!

Agreed, Bab is black country, not generic Brummie. I never hear it despite being in Birmingham.

I haven’t heard the episode with Vince’s mom so no idea if she’s supposed to be a Brummie or from the Black Country. Undoubtedly she’ll have been played by someone who’s never even been to either. I have no idea why casting directors do that. Cillian Murphy I’m looking at you.

I have a feeling that Mrs Casey was played by Frances Barber, who is a yamyam. I also think she was the old friend who called our Lilian 'Lighthouse Lil'. Recollections may vary.

No, Susan Jameson, born in Bromsgrove.

Made me feel so nostalgic for how it used to be.

So neither Brum or Black Country.

To be fair, I don't know where she grew up. I was amazed to learn she was from the West Midlands, as she is married to James Bolam and I knew her from When The Boat Comes In decades ago, so thought she was from the North-East.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g also in fairness she might have done a cracking job with the accent. I’ve not even heard it so my high horse is entirely baseless 😂

Are the joy and Rochelle actresses from the right area?

Same here, with the surname suggesting some Scottish blood.
Had a feeling I was wrong about Mrs Casey's actor.

Why aye, pet

My mum's family were Black Country people - they were publicans - though we don't have any links there anymore. It's changed a lot, I think since mum was a girl. Do you hear "yampy" said very often? "Yampy", its a great word.

Yampbridge? @MissMarplesNiece

seems more like Tynebridge these days

Jackie Lye, who plays Joy, was born and raised in Newcastle and is a very proud Geordie, according to her character page on the BBC website.

Rochelle doesn't (yet, hopefully never) have one of those, but her actor, Rosie Stancliffe, is described as "a Geordie actor and voice coach based in Newcastle upon Tyne" and comes from Tyne and Wear, according to the website you are pointed to if you search for her.

Not just a Geordie but a cause of Geordie in others?

Not so much. I’m afraid to say that even though the accent remains, a lot of the dialect is dying out.

I hear yampy, often describe students as a bit yampy in school.

I'm a long time lurker on this thread. I read it for endless entertainment value, as am the only TA listener in the house... But lately (since scambridge/panto decacles) I'm hugely reassured that I'm not the only listener to have smoke pouring out of my ears during most episodes.

I would second Yardbird's suggestion (if that's allowed as a newbie):

**would anyone be interested in a group complaint to the BBC? Im kind of joking but also not - I’m a vaguely-active member of this thread plus I look at other forums across other social media platforms now and again and I genuinely think there are enough people who might co sign a heartfelt note to the SW/ed team that might be more effective than independent complaints. I’m one of the late 30s crew and recognise a certain amount of nostalgia for my grandmothers generation in my listening habits, so would be so sad if TA failed for that reason in itself - but I also genuinely enjoy(ed) it! Surely this thread in itself is enough of a proof that all listeners across age and demographics are losing the will to live with it?
Unless that’s the point - and we’re just watching a calculated decline until it can be retired with ‘cause’ **

PS am in late 60s and name says it all!

As predicted…Helen!

Gnasher is getting worse. Truly horrible. I don't know why anyone would do business with her, she's so unpleasant. I was hoping Lynda would ask Fallon.