Archers thread #196: Run, Rex, run! 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 marry Pip, 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.)

So now we know who bonked George on the head. Will the stunning revelation lead to anything interesting or credible happening? Answers on a postcard, please!

Will Alice and Rex become an item? Will Amber come to her senses? Has Adam's constant languor and fatigue now removed his ability to speak on air?

Over to you!

Agapornis
"Have we heard of the Borchester Show before"
No I don't think so. It feels like they're introducing lots of storylines as filler.

No, but that might be because Borchester is the local town. The county is called Borsetshire, and we have certainly heard of, and even "been" to, the county show: for instance, Ed showed his Texels there in 2023 and they did very well. That was the county show at which Rob arranged to meet Henry, and George had a nasty awakening about the niceness of Rob.

I think the first time it is mentioned in Lowfield is when Ginger Spice was showed there and won a rosette. Molly the pig was entered at the show by Phil. In 2008 Eddie went on holiday to Torremolinos even though it meant missing the Borsetshire Show, and David got angry about Pip showing too much flesh on a float as a can-can dancer, which was a wind-up by Ruth and didn't happen. Pip entered three lambs in the show in 2011.

I think I remember the show being mentioned when josh was dealing stolen goods with used farm machinery

It probably was; it's been mentioned oodles of times in passing over the years.

I am constantly amazed that a single trailer bought by Josh in good faith and returned to its (putative) owner as soon as the filed-off serial number was discovered has morphed into "he dealt in stolen goods". And yet a piece of equipment he rented to someone was used to steal an ATM and he is not constantly called a bank robber.

I'll accept the show has previously been mentioned.

I don't know when it's meant to be, probably next month... but if they have livestock on the showground, which it sounds like they fo, they need to be sure the ground is not used for any other livestock, grazing etc, for at least 3 months before (rules may have changed.) Plus as mentioned, all the health and safety, provision of water and power, booking and admin of trade stands, booking of judges (which will go through all the relevant groups, be it RHS, WI, BHS, whoever else is involved for crops and livestock, entry forms, publication of catalogues (easier with things being online, to be fair,) booking of main attraction(s), food stslls, fairground stuff, and a million other things.

And I'd be surprised if David is aware of much of that at all.

It's the usual "let's hold the show right here!" bovine ordure that we get every year about the panto or whatever takes its place. No Christmas panto in the entire world sorts out casting in mid-to-late November and has its first rehearsal at the start of December.

I think we're all rooting for Chels but are also being boringly practical. I have little doubt the glamvan will be a success.

I too was wondering if Tracey will join Susan in the dairy.

There are two parts to the horse box sl

there is wanting the character of Chelsea to do well

and there’s the criticism of the sw for coming up with such an odd idea

I’m pretty sure that in ten years time Chelsea will be a successful businesswoman and a real force in the village. (Realistically, if she did well, she would leave for the wider world. But she’s such a great character I’d be sad to see her go.)

would you get a haircut at a festival?
Probably not but I would be tempted to get it cornrowed or plaited in a way that I couldn't do myself.

Chelsea Grooms
Horro Show

Didn’t I say so? She’s going to get masses of support.

Well done Chelsea!

Yet again someone in Ambridge doesn't consult the other person living somewhere before committing their premises for a third party's use.

Oh, d’you think we’re going to have comedy outrage from Justin when he beholds the eyesore in their yard?

I’ve not caught tonight’s, but presumably Chelsea’s horsebox salon is going to be a hugely successful ‘twist’ to the Borchester Show?

Maybe she will pivot into pet grooming and plaiting horses tails. And she will set up at the stables (that’s close to the vets isn’t it) and make a small fortune. Looking at my two lovely groomed dogs who I spend more on than my own haircut!!

Our county show (southwest) is one of the earliest and is mid-May.

Re Helen, why does she not work in the dairy more? Isn't she supposed to be the cheesemaker? She needs to be careful she does not forget what to do and end up requiring a refresher course from Susan!

Yes, it was a total wind up.

Will Justin be ok about Chelsea using his and Lilian's water and electricity?

I suspect he will be angry about the high-handed by Lilian behaviour even before being angry about the cost and the nuisance.

I know this a) is irrelevant and b) makes no sense, but Rex doesn't sound like a man built for the second row of the scrum. I'd imagine him more as being nippy up and down the wing.

I totally agree!

and from the stories I’ve heard he sounds far too sensitive!!

Why is Brian suddenly so interested in Rex? He doesn’t know about the dating Alice thing, does he?

Aha … The other day he was all sentimental over Josh. Poor Brian has received a metaphorical bottle to the back of the head and is overcome with trying to discover how other adult sons are managing their lives while his son has gone so badly wrong.

This must be awfully painful for him …

Rex is something like a fly-half in my head.

Thought the same about Rex, definitely don't picture him as a rugby player. Sporty yes but he sounds too delicate for rugby!

Would be surprised if Brian knew about their date. Seemed like the SW just wanted to remind us who Rex is and at the same time, Rex gets Brian's approval because, despite current circumstances, he's from the right sort of stock. That way when Brian finds out Alice and Rex are dating, he won't be "oh no, not the taxi driver who lives on a boat!", it'll be "oh wonderful! That jolly nice ex professional rugby player with the businessman father, invite him to dinner!"

Why can’t Chelsea’s horse box go in the pub car park, like Mick’s van did? I thought that was what Lilian would offer.

also, has the actress playing Tracy changed? Her voice has become really annoying and over exaggerated.

i found the ‘this is Rex. He played rugby and then became a farmer’ recap for benefit of new listeners irritating but I keep going on about that. What percentage of future episodes is going to be wasted by these diversions? They were never necessary before?