The Archers Addicts Forum
Archers Plotlines

• The Ambridge Badgers

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 05/02/2012 14:02:37 by phoebe
  My heroes are the Ambridge Badgers - especially now they have tackled the slurry pit.
  Once they are vaccinated agaist TB they will surely become a race of super badgers.
  Hopefully they will take up occupancy of the 'green graveyard' snack on the occupants and generally cause mayhem.

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• High-handed? Surely not!

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 04/02/2012 15:32:16 by joeybettany
  Jennifer really made me laugh. 'Oh darling,..no of course you're not, we-ell, perhaps you are just a little...yes you ARE high-handed' etc etc.

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• Dead Wrong

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 30/01/2012 22:08:34 by CaptainSwing
  Memo to the under-employed researchers:
  And just how exactly is Joe going to fit 6 foot coffins on to a governess cart?

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• Major plumbing by Neil

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 25/01/2012 15:43:52 by Tony
  Neil seems to be carrying out major renovation work at the Horrobin's house. But I believe this is a local authority property, so surely he would only be able to do this after the landlords written agreement and then only after quotations by other builders. Or have I missed a point somewhere? Or is a future plotline budding?

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• Mole Hunt

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 09/01/2012 19:42:37 by CaptainSwing
  Just a thought appropos the identity of the leaker. Although most gazes will be glancing in thne direction of Andrew or Adam, did David and Ruth perhaps mention the BL scheme within the hearing of the Green Gauleiter Pip?

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• Kylie's brother

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 11/11/2011 19:34:55 by TinaHackett
  John Archer died in 1998. I seem to remember Sharon had already left by then. If Kylie's brother is 13.... is he John's? If so, he would inherit the farm rather than Helen's Henry. (Thanks to my friend Hilary who put the idea into my head!)

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• Shot In The Foot

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 04/11/2011 11:29:10 by CaptainSwing
  Delays at the Cattle Market may be the least of Brian's troubles. Under Sec21 Firearms Act 1968 a person who has served a jail term of between 3 months and 3 years (i.e. Matt Crawford) is prohibited from possessing shotguns for a period of five years from the date of their release.By taking part in the shoot, Matt was committing an offence, as was Brian in lending him a shotgun and allowing him to take part.

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• Jim'n'Chris

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 23/10/2011 18:13:53 by missamaryllis
  I find this twosome totally unlikely!
  
  Surely the erudite Prof Lloyd would prefer the company of some fascinating female academic?
  
  Christine Barford, IMHO, has never yet said anything particularly interesting.
  
  In fact, apart from an account of the Clive Event, her conversation teeters on the brink of the utterly banal. I may be wrong. Perhaps, as he peruses The Times every morning, and she becomes stimulated by his comments on current events, say, or if he reads her Ovid's Amores (in the original) over bedtime cocoa,she may blossom into a Fascinating Female?
  
  It's never too late, Christine. Listen and learn!

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• "You're getting a bit wheezy Joe"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 07/10/2011 10:59:00 by sylvia2910
  Clarrie ~ "You're getting a bit wheezy Joe"... Fateful words? Come New Year I reckon we'll be in mourning again..

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• Apple Varieties - Pitmaston Pineapple

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 26/09/2011 22:32:59 by osprey
  Well, you learn something every day!
  I'd never heard of Pitmaston Pineapple Apples until tonight's episode!
  I googled the name and they are very small, yellow apples and apparently taste not unlike pineapples!!
  My grandchildren go to Pitmaston School, so I'll ask them if they've heard of them!
  Now I know why they're the "apple of my eye"!!!

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• Clarrie signing on

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 20/09/2011 15:05:28 by denid
  I have never heard a more ridiculous plot line in recent days than this one, remind me, it was Joe who recently turned 90? Surely Clarrie's attitude about living on the state is well out of date for a woman not yet near pension age? Doesn't she need to sign on when unemployed to ensure her contributions are up to date? This was the reason I first signed on back in the 1980s. Or maybe she isn't going to claim a state pension either, as most of the other elderly residents in Ambridge don't seem to bother, they all still work at 90 or have a nice comfortable private income.

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• Elizabeth and David

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 14/08/2011 03:10:19 by sylvia2910
  If it turns out that Nigel wasn't so squeaky clean it could lead to a reconciliation between Elizabeth and David. The best I can come up with is an affair with Jessica the Falconer. This could explain why even though he knew the falconry was not paying its way she was kept on... hmmmm...!
  

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• Themes? Character led or issue led?

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/08/2011 12:24:42 by Ricksher
  At the moment and for the last couple of years, I've been more and more upset about the plot lines in "The Archers". In the past very serious plots (Elizabeth and Cameron Fraser for instance) have cropped up, provided some fine drama and then life has appeared to be more or less that of a normal community with a little dramatic licence.
  There seems to be a belief that it all has to be serious, "relevant" to the new concerned , young audience that may or may not have materialised. Every plot is an issue, it's like "Eastenders" or some otheir ghastly modern soap. Just look at the "Issues", family feuds, David , Elizabeth, the Grundy brothers, artificial insemination, and general mayhem. I want the old slow pace of a dated and unreal community which I've loved for almost fifty years. I don't want, murder, mayhem, surely paedophilia or incest will be tackled soon? May I suggest the script writers and editors consider their present audience's demography, rather than seeking to attract an audience that I don't think exists for this programme.

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• E-coli

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 18/07/2011 19:35:12 by ambridgewanderer
  As the Radio 4 continuity announcer said at the end of this evenings episode, this story will run and run.
  
  E-coli at Bridge Farm if confirmed will be a major story line which will affect the whole village affecting the operation of Bridge Farm and the lives of Tony and Pat and the whole family and also Clarrie and Susan whose jobs could be at risk.
  
  It looks as if Clarrie's recent stomach upset during Wimbledon fortnight could be key to this story. She thought she had eaten some of Eddie's "dodgy burgers" but where did Eddie get the contents of the burgers from? Who else in Ambridge has been/will be affected by the bug?

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• I can't stand it!

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 14/07/2011 20:56:58 by ihill
  Firstly the scriptwriters seem to assume we are listening to Ambridge Extra so know the new characters and what they are agonising about! I don't and haven't a clue and don't find them interesting!
  
  Secondly it looks like we are in for a cot death next week and more agonising fromHelen. I like my Archers cosier than this. If I want agonising I could watch Eastenders or Corrie, which I don't. PLEASE ask the scriptwriters to go back to normal!

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• The Christening

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 07/07/2011 08:47:06 by Cymraes
  I think that Caroline was right not to be a godmother, but I don't understand why Ed and Emma are having the baby christened, we've never heard that they go to church!

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• A plot line!

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 05/06/2011 11:07:28 by WalterGabriel
  I think Linda Snell should develop an (unrequited) crush for Jazzer!
  
  Walter

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• David finally Breaks

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 19/05/2011 19:30:07 by joeybettany
  Oh my goodness! What a picnic! I thought that this episode was brilliant; the tension unbearable, as we all knew what David was feeling while Elizabeth was praising him to the skies. Poor David, poor Elizabeth. Just when they had started to move on they are back to square one. Jill will be devasted at this family rift which may never heal. Should/could David have remained silent?
  
  Chalet School Girl

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• Archers at war

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 17/05/2011 15:36:18 by Michael
  Does anyone remember tha Christmas Special when the BBC broadcast a special about the war 1st or 2nd I'm not sure. If so can I get a recording?

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• Vicky the cultural gardener?

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 25/04/2011 08:18:10 by CameronFraser
  Call me a sad old pedant that ought to get out more but during the Gardeners Question Time episode, Vicky was in the village shop & recognised the GQT presenter Eric Robson, Now I'm an avid listener of said gardening prog but I wouldn't have a clue what he looks like. Vicky doesn't really strike me as your average Radio 4 fan or a gardener so I think engaging her in this storyline was rather ill thought out. Whilst I'm on the subject, I thought the whole GQT thing was rather pointless, particularly coming so soon after Camilla's cameo appearance.
  However, credit where credit's due - this new forum thingy has improved immensely!

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• Linda's election to parish council.

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 20/04/2011 07:55:43 by mary
  I hope Linda remembers to put who published and printed her flyer for the election. Failure to do so will have her reported to the Standards Committee and if found guilty will be fined or imprisoned. Now, there's a plot line !
  
  Also, can nothing be done about her dreadful voice. Surely, having lived in Ambridge for such a long time her 'Sunningdale' accent would have been toned down by now.

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• Kenton and Jolene

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 04/04/2011 19:31:34 by joeybettany
  Oh, dear, the Archers really don't like the idea of having Jolene in the family do they? (well perhaps Elizabeth was ok)
  I am afraid that the Archers ARE snobs. As for worrying about Kathy's feelings - well they should know that she really DROVE Kenton away.
  
  Chalet School Girl

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• Mother's Day

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 17/03/2011 15:24:07 by rupertsmum
  Let us hope that Mother's Day will bring some cheerful sounds to the Archers, but not too much of those children please!
  
  Why do these children all sound so young?

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• ROY TO THE RESCUE?

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 15/03/2011 13:25:21 by JENIG
  Did anyone else notice how good Roy was when helping Elizabeth with that conference a few weeks ago?
  
  I think he might become the new manager of Lower Loxley while Elizabeth recovers or maybe permanently.

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• so fed up with this

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 02/03/2011 23:35:52 by Debs
  THE ARCHERS WORLD HAS GONE MAD
  
  First Sid dies.
  Then Kenton and Cathy break up
  Then they MURDER our dear Nigel
  NOW
  kenton and joleen, NO WAY
  
  i just cant believe my ears
  
  i am getting totally fed up with this after listening for over 30 years i am about to give it up
  
  SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIRE THE LOT OF THEM AND GET BACK TO BASICS!!!

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• Wouldn't it be Funny if...........?

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 01/03/2011 17:08:01 by joeybettany
  Freddie passed the entrance exam for The Cathedral School and Lily didn't? I do hope she's not going to turn into 'a little madam' - Ambridge has had enough of those!
  
  Chalet School Girl

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• Stoped listening

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 27/02/2011 11:36:55 by Timg345
  I was so disappointed by the Nigel storyline regarding his death and how it seemed to be more like an East Enders plot line that I stoped listening.
  
  I thought the whole build up was stupid and unrealistic.
  
  I have listened for around 35 - 40 years and miss it but I am finding it difficult to forgive.
  
  If I want East Enders type rubbish I will watch that. The Archers for me was sophisticated and a pleasure to listen to. Spoilt by some silly script writer... thanks a bunch!!

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• The Plot Lines They Don't Want You To See

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 23/02/2011 22:22:00 by mikko
  They keep missing opportunities to cut out the dead wood in the plot lines: Brian's dodgy plane could have crashed, Helen's father could have dropped Henry on his head while he was boozing up in the pub and Ruth could have filed for divorce from David on the grounds that he abandoned her as his wife along with the children, the family home and their farming business; she could also claim in court that he is having an incestuous relationship with his sister under the pretence of doing endless paperwork late at night.
  
  Phoebe travels to South Africa and is promptly kidnapped by Jo'burg hoodlums who torture her and demand the entire Ambridge family fortune for her release. They receive the money but still sell Phoebe into white slavery and she disappears forever. Kate is greatly relieved as now she only has one dysfunctional family left to deal with (for the moment...)
  
  Lilian, Brian and the rest of the board are charged with aiding and abetting Matt's money laundering scam as he brings his hidden cash back to the UK from overseas numbered bank accounts. All face 8 years in jail except Brian who has gone missing since his plane crashed on its way back from Paris.
  
  Then we discover that Nigel didn't fall but was pushed - the only witnesses being Elizabeth and David (who did her dirty work for her to ensure she got the Archer dynasty's greedy fingers firmly on the money and the estate). But eventually a third witness steps forward. He turns out to be Susan's criminal brother Clive Horrobin who had been hiding in the bushes while casing the joint and planning something unpleasant for Elizabeth. Hell bent on revenge against Ambridge and the Archers he tells police what really happened and the evil brother and sister are jailed for life. Clive now knows that Nigel's old home is empty and stuffed with riches and so he does the place over. One dark night he packs everything into a removal van and flits to Eastern Europe where he pawns the lot and lives a long life of luxury. As Ruth would say, "oh no".
  
  The local shop is finally closed down by Trading Standards who discover that the old timers who are volunteering to run it are selling home made food items in imperial measurements in contravention of European law. Peggy is prosecuted for turning a blind eye to the multiple abuses of the law that have been taking place in her property and the WI is raided after Environmental Health officers are tipped off about commercial scale jam and fairy cake production in non-certified domestic kitchens.
  
  The village yoghurt factory poisons most of Borchester with ecoli because Vicky forgets to wash her hands after petting yet another sweet little calf and Linda is found hanging from the stage curtain after a freak but fatal accident as she was planning a new amateur production of Mary Poppins.
  
  Peggy, now penniless after the fines and legal bills incurred when her property was seized due to the shop volunteers' multiple abuses of the law, is helped by Usher. Usher tries to persuade her to take Jack to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland so that Peggy could get hold of his money sooner rather than later but the Law Society finds out and disbars the errant lawyer. Usher's parents have no choice but to force her to split from the vicar and fly to Pakistan to be forced into a lucrative arranged marriage. She is never seen again. The vicar joins a monastery and is also never seen again.
  
  Pip wants to pursue her dream of international travel (in particular - Thailand) but needs serious cash so she gets Matt to front her some dosh to set herself up as Ambridge's top coke dealer. She quickly figures that her new set of wheels is just the job for delivering drugs door to door (she conveniently forgets her "eco warrior" principles and claims that the poppies growing in Afghanistan more than offset the CO2 that her car produces on the drug runs). This enrages Jazza who had been using his milk round to get the spliffs and coke to the "village massive". He takes a sledge hammer to Pip's car and then, in a pang of guilt, suffers fatal toxic shock after downing four bottles of whisky and ten pints of beer.
  
  Falon goes to Jazza's funeral and realises that she was mean to spurn all his advances towards her so she decides to leave Ambridge and join a nunnery. Her vow of silence prevents her from protecting the Bull from Matt's evil intention to develop it into luxury flats and a lap dancing bar. Jolene, simple as ever, accepts £200,000 for her share from Matt because he offers to pay her in cash. Sadly for her it turns out to be laundered money and she is prosecuted for aiding and abetting a convicted criminal, laundering money and defrauding HM Revenue. She is sent down for ten years. The Bull is seized by the Crown, demolished and sold to a well known national car park company which promptly sells a large plot to a major supermarket chain thereby wiping out what little is left of the small village businesses. Well known fast food chicken and burgher chains also take up plots next to the supermarket and blow the remaining local eateries out of the water.
  
  Meanwhile Nelson never died - after all no body was ever discovered. He has been living in Columbia where he befriended several drug barons. In return for helping them to identify the best antiques to steal, they have offered to send their best lieutenants to "have a little chat with Kenton" who is never seen again, save for a few of his teeth which got left behind on the village green.
  
  Helen finally succumbs to post natal depression and is admitted to a mental hospital where she befriends another female patient and sets up a whole new plot line dealing with a severely brain damaged and paralysed baby (remember Henry was dropped on his head on the pub floor) with two mentally ill lesbian mothers.
  
  The two Grundy brothers finally have it out with each other. Unfortunately both use shotguns and armed police are called in. After a three day stand-off the police hear shots, storm the barn the boys are holed up in and both are shot dead. Clarrie is distraught and tops herself leaving a devastated Eddie who sells up his few possessions and flies to Las Vegas where he becomes a successful Country and Western singer.
  
  Joe Grundy and Peggy Archer are left living in shock as Ambridge has become a virtual ghost village. Both now penniless, they move into a 24th floor council flat in a Birmingham estate and plan a new series called The Grungehers.

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• Plot prediction.

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 12/02/2011 19:04:29 by Soapsud
  I reckon that Joleen and Kenton will get together and run Jacks and Kathy will return to the Bull with Jamie and then, once he's back in his own home he will turn into the model son. If Joleen and Kenton don't get together she may well help Elizabeth but I think that is a little unlikely. There could well be a big falling out if Kathy sees Kenton and Joleen get together especially if she remains alone and has to cope with both her men being snaffled by the Dolly Parton of Ambridge (well she is a country singer or was, was she not)! I wonder, too, where Ted's gone? I'm sure he and Peggy will get together after Jack's demise. Now there could have been an interesting plot - Both of them falling in love while their spouses were alive and the moral dilemma that would have posed for them. As part of the older generation who may well still find "till death do us part" a binding rule and who don't perhaps find it as easy to be on with the new and off with the old this could have been tastefully explored as a difficult and heartbreaking problem for people who need comfort and moral support while dealing with spouses who no longer realise who they are. How touching and lovely it would be to see two people, nearing the end of their lives, finding love again when all hope seemed lost and gone for ever. Now wouldn't that be a cheery story for Ambridge this year?

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• Children and laughter.

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 12/02/2011 11:37:34 by Soapsud
  I can't understand anyone objecting to the use of the word "children" to describe Lily and Freddie. Kids are young goats and although we use that term it is probably not going to be thought appropriate for an event so unexpected as Nigel's funeral was. There would probably be a combination of "children" and "Lily and Freddie" in the dialogue. As for laughter at a time like that, though grief follows certain patterns - Anger after numbness and denial, disbelief and eventualy an acceptance of the loss, laughter is a release mechanism. It happens when someone is embarrassed or doesn't know what other reaction to show or if the person who has died was a funny character as Nigel was. I remember a radio play once about a boarding school and a young girl who had been bullied missed her swimming lesson. There was an unexploded mine left over from the war and it blew up, killing ten of the swimmers. One of her compatriots came back to the school and heard her shouting for food from the sick bay (she had been ill with flu). The girl, on the edge of hysterical laughter, told the girl there was nobody to answer her call as all the nursig staff had gone to the casualties of the accident. She said, outright: "I know I am laughing but I can't help it". She explained she did not think it was funny but she couldn't stop it. Others experiencing grief do odd things. A very upright neighbour I once had, took milk from other people's doorsteps after losing her husband. She was an elderly lady who was a church going Christian who was as kind as it's possible to be and who was very moral and yet she still stole while in the throes of extreme grief. The brain and mind are complex things and Kenton and Shula were close to Nigel. Also laughter and tears, like love and hate, are very close together.

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