Archers thread #199: Kaboom! The Aldridges are self-destructing, and it's GLORIOUS. 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 drop everything to help Helen create a new cheese on national minimum wage, 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.)

If you haven't heard last night's episode (Friday 22nd May) you really must. It's episodes like that that keep me addicted. Funny how often they involve the Aldridges, the most dysfunctional and also by far the most interesting family in Ambridge. Also very well acted on the whole. How lovely to hear Tamsin Greig in TA, but I wonder if we ever will again.

Some cracking posts towards the end of the last thread, which is here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/5518503-archers-thread-198-josh-sent-to-patagonia-pip-stays-put-wrong-way-round-discuss-the-archers-here

Over to you!

Depends on your family. I still have family farming out in Kenya, and Dad spent a couple of years there pre or post ag coll, so it was mentioned a fair bit in our family. I remember being quite confused age around 8 when I first heard Kenya rather than Keenya, which would have been 1979/80.

I don't remember it particularly being mentioned either way on TA, but though it was always on, I think I don't really remember any storylines till Dan was with Elizabeth when he died on Lakey Hill. I recognised all the voices though.

I hope so - I actually rather enjoy their ease with each other.

They are also showing Rex as someone who is prepared to step up and not shy away from responsibility.

He was that way around Pip and child too.

I really don't like him and Alice.

Does anyone notice that Alice always gets a bit shitty in relationships? They consistently bring out the worst in her.

With DF I collected stamps and I can't remember it being pronounced Kenya at least until my mid-teens, so late 1970s. I still think of it as Keenya.

I only remember it as Ken-ya. I'm about the same age as Adam.
I'd hear 'keen-ya' occasionally from people much older than me or who had lived there. I think Marjorie Antrobus said 'keen-ya' too.

I remember it being Kenya as opposed to Keenya when I was in a group of children greeting a group of visiting dignitaries from there in 1965 or 6. We were rehearsed to say it correctly so it must have been a new thing but in the event I was struck dumb when they got out of the car in their colourful robes and couldn't say a word. I was about 10.

And there it is.

Creative team all set to offload the venture that introduced Natasha to Tom (and the village).

That’s proper EastEnders; arrive in a pinstriped suit, end up selling lettuces from a market stall.

Like Justin! 😁

So Tom and Natasha go from struggling for cash, after Helen moves out, to seriously considering private education for twins? They'll have to flog a lot of old clothes to manage that. And why is Tom buying a greenhouse for the business? I bet Helen hasn't had to fork out for the new cows.

Yep and if you're really strapped for cash you don't go out for coffeeband cake when working out how to save money.

I used to be mildly surprised by the number of people who complain about being strapped for cash while casually spending £10+ a day on takeaway coffee alone. But apparently this is the new normal.

I thought Martin sounded like a caricature on Wallace and Gromit.

Martin always sounds like a caricature ... though I do enjoy his bizarre (and not at all creepy, oh no!) attempts to get down with the kids. Bring back his interactions with Chelsea and Zainab!

also paving the way for Alice to get back with Chris

Please. please spare Chris that!

well he will only have himself to blame....

I've always wondered this about TA - the endless lunches out. I know the characters have to meet somewhere, but still.

And while I'm here, hasn't Ian only been in his new job for five minutes?

.

Yes. But Martin will turn him into the best General Manager ever.

Nice to hear Pat.

I dont understand Natasha and Tom. No money, she selling clothes no rent from Helen, then wanting to send the starry twins to private school and also buying a new green house, which will blow away in a strong wind. Why not buy a solid greenhouse instead of these plastic stuff. Surely that would be better use of cash that they haven't got.
I just think he thinks if Helen is expanding why cant he. He is just a I want I want, infact so is Natasha. Im sure Pat and Tony despair at their kids. I know I would.

I thought that was deliberate to show they're unrealistic about money.

The idea that it’s reception year that is key is laughable - as long as they have a positive home life and are encouraged to read and learn and be sociable and polite they’ll be fine! If you must go private save it for the later years of senior school.

Natasha only wants the best for her special girls….

If only Peggy was still alive….

I foresee another ethically questionable opportunity being embraced in order to fund the private education, and a huge bust up at Bridge Farm.

Maybe pressurising Pat and Tone to move out of the farmhouse and into the leaky old polytunnels.

I thought that Natasha's idea might be connected to the poor quality but well-sited cate by the river, although of course that wouldn't exactly be a new venture.

For a moment there I thought her idea in relation to Seren might be to get her an EHCP so that that could cover the private school fees. Must admit, the prospect of Natasha up against some obstructive local authority caseworkers I've come across is really rather tempting..

I hope this is the start of the storyline about Natasha’s spending finally beginning to get some traction. Maybe the orchard business wont be worth a fraction of what she claimed it to be? Maybe they’ll have to go cap in hand to Pat and Tony? We should definitely find out that the twins bank account has been emptied..

The new Greenhouse will be bought through the business though. And as Helen is buying cows Tom wants to spend as well. He and Gnasher are so childish with money. And the suggestion of splitting the twins seems very wrong to me.