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!

Thank you. So 23 years at Home Farm, 13 in Africa, 3 (or 4) in college, 2 in Canada, before that at Boarding school.

So about half his post-puberty life based in Ambridge, the rest elsewhere. Not that I'm excusing Brian, but I understand the disconnect between his little stepson and the man. Old dog/young dog always gets a bit fraught which is why succession planning, including comfortable paid retirement for farmers over 70 is so important.

Like Helen's voice, Debbie's always sounds patronising to some extent. And I thought the Tracy actor had been changed. Adam is an odious gobshite and she is Olympic standard smug. I hope she stays in Hungary from now on.

I'll never forgive Adam for getting Lexi to carry a child, then give it to him (yes, I know they used a donor egg) but she is Xander's mother.

I’m Team Brian too . A minute ago they were all convinced he had dementia yet didnt show an ounce of concern at the meeting. Nor did they try to get to the bottom of the issue when he admitted he’d been wrestling with an important matter. It was all about their entitlement.

As far as they know Brian could have dementia and still have other problems too. Saying nasty things could be a sign of dementia. I know we listeners know thats not the case but Debbie and Adam don’t know that.

Ive said “know” too many times.

Adam does know.

(Strangely, I can’t actually recall whether he told Debbie about Ruairi!)

@JoelenesParrot Harking back to thread 198, and the Gwen John Strange Beauties exhibition, we're getting it in Edinburgh at Modern 2, August 2026 - January 2027, so there's time for you to catch it in UK.

The Dean Gallery, as was?

God, if I could marry a building it would be that one. I swear it’s brought me more bliss than any man.

Good excuse for a long train journey.

I forgot that Adam knows! Now Im even more cross

Ruairi told Adam, didn't he? Idiot child!

Are schools open in borcestershire , not in half termo

What did I tell you??

Cathedral School here we come!

(Does it have a pre-prep?)

My goodness, that was sooo boring. I couldn't believe all that midwifery stuff.

Cathedral School, unless there is somewhere more expensive available; fees payable up-front (obviously), no refunds under any circumstances; twins expelled for atrocious behaviour within two weeks. I know this is highly improbable, but if I ask the SWs nicely ... Please?

I thought she was going to suggest home schooling them

I’m intrigued - my associations are of inservice days there, which weren’t entirely blissful! Grounds are lovely though, restful for the breaks.

As they are girls, St Margaret's may be an option if it still exists and the SWs remember it. Alice went there until GCSEs. I think she was there, if not from 4 or 5, from well before secondary age. Not sure if any of the Aldridges went to Loxley Barratt at all.

Well spotted. I can't believe there's a school in the whole of England that isn't on half-term at the moment. Nobody would be answering the phone there this week, let alone ringing back.

and seconded, hear hear @LillianGish(for post on page 8)

Me too!

Same. It has always really annoyed me.

Helen is the absolute worse for stuttering delivery.Closely followed by Pip.

How Gnasher to phone up the HT without having read the OFSTED report.

Lilian for me!

@LadyAddle not sure I can put it into words. (Well, I tried, but it was far too personal so I deleted!) Just, every aspect of being there was a delight. I could spend half a day sitting on the wall overlooking the allotments and every room inside made me feel glad to be alive.