Archers thread #193: Christmas in Ambridge! Don't expect any wise men (or women). 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 love a couple of acquaintances to clean and tidy your house without your permission, 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/5457344-the-archers-spoilers-thread-11-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.)

What do we think - best Christmas ever followed by a nice quiet New Year? No, me neither. We have the tractor run to look forward to , and then whatever they've got lined up for the 75th anniversary of the first ever episode - New Year's Day 1951. I can't imagine that anybody involved with the programme then expected it would still be on the air 75 years later. I wonder what they would make of the current direction. The lack of farming content would be a surprise, given that was the whole reason for devising the programme in the first place.

Over to you!

Merry New Year!

Don't think he was holding a bottle. The bottle was the weapon. He'd left The Bull after they wouldn't serve him, already very drunk. Listening back it does sound like he was walking along a quiet lane rather than still in the main village. Has someone followed him? He's not liked but hated enough for someone to try and kill him??

Ah well, HNY all! Here's hoping for less Joy in 2026!

I genuinely feel betrayed by TA. Might have to write to Feedback.

It's tomorrow (technically today) we're getting all the drama, isn't it?

Happy New Year to you all.

Yes, there's a lot to come, judging by today's schedule as helpfully provided by others earlier in the thread. Happy New Year to one and all, and Happy 75th Archersversary!

I wonder if they will be on Spotify? Such a nuisance not to get Sounds any more.

Happy New Year everyone🍾

Hahahahaha, that’s a good one. Unless you are seriously suggesting Helen is ‘a good person’.

When they made a point of saying David had set up the fireworks, I wondered if the George storyline was a massive red herring and the big anniversary drama was actually going to be an accident linked to David again!

I'm a long time lurker on this thread, I often enjoy reading more than listening to the programme. This piece is a good reminder that it hasn't always been about lambing, lemon drizzle and the biggest marrow. There's always been melodrama! www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jan/01/75-years-the-archers-radio-soap-ambridge?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Maybe Keira has been hit by that speeding car
i think george has just stumbled into a ditch

Bit low on 'rampage' front

I'm slightly worried about Keira, though her absence may just mean that she's gone off to spend New Year with her friends (whoever they may be) without telling Em'n'Ed. However, if she has hit George over the head with a bottle, then good for her! .

Happy New Year to all!

And Happy 75 Anniversary listening. Saw this yesterday - the research only covers children up to 17 but perhaps the creative team had been looking at some similar findings:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/31/violent-crimes-against-parents-by-children-up-60-since-2015-shows-london-data

That speeding car is definitely a worry …

Tim Bentinck and Felicity Finch on Today right now. (Started at 7.45.)

Perhaps it will be Rex’s taxi?

I’m not sure that I heard anything worthy of a police crime number, let alone a NYD Special episode with a visiting police detective. Perhaps I need to listen again.

Today programme had an interview with David and Ruth at 7:40ish and Womens’ Hour is going to look at Women in the Archers.

Here is the write up in the Torygraph….

The Archers, review: Ghastly George Grundy gets his comeuppance
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/2943efdb90062963

They have created quite a list of suspects, I wondered if the speeding car was anything to do with Marky (or whoever it was with the dogs)

Can anyone please tell me when and why Ed was homeless please?

Have you deleted and reinstalled Sounds? It works for me

That Telegraph article ends with "...will George see in the New Year in the hospital, or in the morgue? And who, if anyone, will care that he is there?"

Surely they can manage both!

Many thanks for your suggestion. I am in NZ and the BBC have blocked overseas listeners. I have tried various ways around but but with no success. It does seem bizarre as the episodes are on Spotify, which I can use for free.

@FiveSheltiesI’m also in forrin parts but reinstalling monthly works for me. Bloody nuisance, isn’t it!

It was in the love triangle years. Jazzer also ended up overdosing on ketamine

Oh thank you. I will try again. It is definitely a pain.😁

That was disappointing.

Not sure if it even makes sense. I mean why would Keira run away after George had been thrown out of the family ?