Archers thread #202: How are you finding your visits to Ambridge? Fill in your feedback forms 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 think working as a hotel receptionist is a perfectly reasonable career choice for a graduate from a family with a stately home, 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-12-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.)

Over to you!

I also think that with an arranged marriage( which I assume Azra had), as parents of an educated intelligent woman, her parents would not have married her off to a plumber/farm worker.

1. do we know it was an arranged marriage?
2. I think you are imposing UK class assumptions on a Pakistani family. Akram's family, it seems are landowners- so more akin to the Aldridges than the Grundys. He is a business owner. And as we all know, a plumber can earn v well in this country

He doesn't sound like Rex or Tom! The Archers - 27/04/2026 - BBC Sounds about 6 mins in.

The Harrison - Lily unlikely romance has brought be back to this thread after a long time away.

Do I recall correctly that Lily was at Oxford? Or was that a different character? In any case what on earth does she see in PC Plod ...

We failed.

🙄

😹

Lily was at Manchester. Weighed down by Scumbag Ross she dropped out.

Then went to Felpersham Uni. Did well.

It was Phoebe who went to Oxford.

University of Manchester. It was Phoebe who went to Oxford not Lily. @NetZeroZealot

Cross posted.

I might have missed it but did Lily explain in what way Harrison was not like Russ/Ross ?

Is it a dangerous Lilison or Pargetburns?

Thank you for the clarification @Every1ElseInKnowsley @TottersBlankly

It's coming back to me now. Quite different though - at least Russ had a few brain cells.

At least Russ wasn't boring. Lily is throwing herself at Harrison who's on the rebound. I expect we're lumbered with the pairing for some time.

Phoebe went to Oxford. Lily went to Manchester (?) and took Russ with her. She didn't finish the course.

Another ridiculous episode. Why didn't Carol just ring the bat group?

because, despite what she says, she wants her daughter's time and attention

I fast forwarded through the bat stuff. I don’t care about either of the characters involved. I actually quite like the Lily and Harrison story.

It’s affair cop.

I assumed she was referring to the power imbalance of Russ being her tutor.

I think Harrison is a bit of a wet lettuce but am really enjoying this storyline, it's quite funny and I can't wait for the fallout. Is the Pirate going to throw Harrison out in a fit of rage?

What is the age difference between Lily and Russ, anyway, and how does it compare with the age difference (15y?) between Lily and Harrison?

I can't remember how old Russ was but Lily was only 18 and still at school. There's no comparison between that relationship and the one she might have with Harrison.

One of my sisters was a similar age to Lily when she met her husband who is 14 years older. 30+ years later they are still very happy and enjoying an active retirement.

If Jolene throws a fit, I hope Harrison says to Fallon "luv, you're going to have to move in with your mum. I'm paying the mortgage and need Woodbine for me and Lily. We're planning a baby."

Brilliant - sounds like a new thread title!

Definitely!

It was interesting that Harrison raised the subject of Russ, was that just a device to remind any listeners who might have forgotten/might not know that Lily has form for this? Or was it because Harrison felt a bit uneasy about "cradle snatching" himself? What is the age difference between the pair of them? Lily clearly feels embarrassed now by that liaison with her head of sixth form, but whatever the power imbalance at the start of that relationship, by the end it was Russ who had left his job and was living and working at Lily's family home, putting her very much in the driving seat. Harrison would be well advised to think on (as they say in his native Yorkshire) - he has more to lose than Lily who will be forever cushioned by her position of privilege. I also thought his reaction to Lily's question about whether he'd always secretly fancied her was quite telling. I genuinely don't think it had crossed his mind. He's flattered by her interest, a bit lonely and basically it's on offer so he's not going to turn it down. He can't believe his luck, but he's too dim to foresee the eventual fall-out which will not go well for him.

This week’s episodes must have been stonkers; I nip up to town for a couple of days and now I’m nearly 100 posts behind!

I doubt that Harrison has a multi-temp Gooseneck kettle. He strikes me as being more of a Poundland mug and cheapest teabags sort of bloke.

If Jolene throws a fit, I hope Harrison says to Fallon "luv, you're going to have to move in with your mum. I'm paying the mortgage and need Woodbine for me and Lily. We're planning a baby."

God. I hadn’t thought of this angle, but it’d be one way for SW to bring in more tension. However, I’d find that a bit tedious. All a bit manly and virile I’ve fathered a child if bloody Lily gets pregnant and wants to keep the baby.

A humble but proud Harrison rubbing it in Fallon’s face that she’s a lesser woman for wanting to stay child free would be irritating beyond belief. He and Lily would have to leave the village.

Just as Harrison went up in my estimation during the ‘who fancied who’ conversation, I’d be surprised if he didn’t think less of Lily after her question to him.