Tasters 29th January – 3rd February 2012
You know what they say: you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family, unfortunately for Adam…
While the Archers of Bridge Farm pull together to make their launch a roaring success and Pat waxes lyrical on the family enterprise, the Aldridges remain divided at Home Farm. Mind you, Tony’s no saint, avoiding Jennifer at all costs, and of course Elizabeth has yet to resolve her feud with David. The Archers take holding a grudge to a whole new level – it’s obviously a talent that runs in the family!
Family Matters
Over at Home Farm, Jennifer offers a few home truths, but is Brian listening? It’s hard to grab his attention has he’s so busy trying to win friends and influence people. Bribing punters at The Bull with drink doesn’t get him very far – the folk of Ambridge can spot a fair-weather friend a mile off. Business is driving a wedge at Brookfield too, where David seems to be turning his back on his family. While Pip focuses on improving the family profits, Ruth does a bit of spying and can’t believe what she finds. Elsewhere, Bert finds a new friend, Susan does Pat a favour, Mike and Jim are thick as thieves, and Neil gets a little help from his friends. They’re all your friends too… It’s The Archers!
Head to The Bull Upstairs for a friendly pint on Monday and don’t miss the launch on Thursday!
Sunday: Brian gives back
Monday: Joe’s in trouble
Tuesday: Bert gets busy
Wednesday: David dissents
Thursday: Pat does them proud
Friday: Ruth has a row
Friends: Mike & Jim, David & Oliver, Joe & Bert
Foes: Adam & Brian, Tony & Jennifer, David & Elizabeth
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Tasters 22st-27th January 2012
The community of Ambridge is divided this week, while problems proliferate for Brian…
Home Farm is still split down the middle, with Brian and Debbie champing at the bit while loner Adam threatens to widen the gulf between them. Jennifer is left moping in the middle, but can she build a bridge? It better be a biggun’! Meanwhile, Brian attempts to reach out to the entire community, only to discover they are a long way away. A free drink ought to do it, or will it take more than that to persuade Ambridge folk to join him on the dark side of dairy? As time ticks on, Brian’s troubles multiply and the rift expands as the megadairy threatens to diminish his standing in the village.
Divide and rule
Meanwhile, Tony soldiers on sans Tom. Going it alone is taking its toll as Tony confirms less is definitely more: less help = more work. Tony feels like half the man he used to be, but can Pat perk him up with some positive news? Chance’d be a fine thing. Meanwhile, Tom’s plans burgeon in line with his ambition, but will the sums add up? Neil’s counting the days ‘til Tracy’s departure, Pip plans to increase profits at Brookfield, and Jim just can’t get the cider club hours to add up… 7:02pm + G’n’T = The Archers!
Pip has a brainwave on Monday, Tracy has a crisis on Tuesday and the pitchforks are out on Wednesday!
Sunday: Trouble for Tony
Monday: Pip makes plans
Tuesday: Susan speaks up
Wednesday: Brian braves The Bull
Thursday: Points for Pat
Friday: Debbie crosses the divide
Making it count: Pip
Keeping a tally: Jim
Calculating the odds: Brian
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Tasters 14-20th January 2012
The people of Ambridge are in danger of getting their wires crossed this week…
Communication is not an easy affair at the best of times, but it can be especially tricky out in the sticks. Tom’s doing his best to promote the business, spreading the word to all and sundry, but communication with his father is terse at best. Tony has a word in Tom’s ear but, truculent as his father, it’s not clear who’ll have the last word. Meanwhile, although Tom and Brenda can’t agree on when to have children, they can agree on their favourite pork-based dinners – it’s a bond beyond words!
As good as his word
Brian is busy thinking of the best way to communicate his ideals with the folk of Ambridge. He’s rarely lost for words, but news of the megadairy is spreading fast by word of mouth and he knows all to well that a word once spoken is past recalling. He’s also hard pressed to keep it out of the press. Brian is full of buzz words and bullet points but, a word to the wise, he should proceed with caution before entering a war of words with the likes of Jim and Jill who are rarely lost for words. Brian hopes that actions speak louder than words, but the wise folk of Ambridge know that fine words butter no parsnips. We hang on their every word… It’s The Archers!
Caroline is plunged into chaos on Monday and Brian covets favour on Thursday…
Sunday: Pip shows promise
Monday: Caroline loses control
Tuesday: Christopher calls
Wednesday: Pat perks up
Thursday: Brian tries a bribe
Friday: Tony throws a tantrum
Cross words: Tom and Tony
Not mincing his words: Adam
Lost for words: Caroline
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Tasters 8-13th January 2012
As Mike considers planting a tree to mark a special occasion, we’re reminded that mighty oaks from little acorns grow…
A seed of an idea is planted in Tom’s mind at his mother’s party. Could this be the beginning of a whole new enterprise at Bridge Farm? Perhaps, but priorities lie with the big re-launch as the Archers get ready to grow a brand new brand. Pat’s getting stronger every day, but Tony seems hampered by growing pains. Still, as Joe would say, ‘as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined’; not a lot stops Tony from moaning.
Can’t see the wood for the trees
Stuck up a gum tree, David and Ruth face an expensive problem at Brookfield. As a sneaky suspicion they may have been barking up the wrong tree takes root, they consider which aspects of the business to cultivate and which to prune, all the while wishing money did grow on trees! Meanwhile, just as Brian’s plans to expand propel him up towards the top of the tree, public opinion may yet send him crashing down for, as his detractors remind themselves, ‘little strokes fell great oaks’. Nic and Will enjoy a wander in the woods, so much so they decide to stay there indefinitely… It’s The Archers!
Did Lilian invite you? It’s Pat’s party on Tuesday!
Sunday: Bad news for Brian
Monday: David delves deep
Tuesday: Party time for Pat
Wednesday: Tom finds food for thought
Thursday: Alan makes a promise
Friday: Ruth remains resolute
Branching out: Brian
In need of an olive branch: Tracy
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Tasters 1st -6th January 2012
The times they are a changing in Ambridge this week as it’s out with the old and in with the new…
David and Ruth are forced to consider major change at Brookfield as they struggle to make traditional methods of farming pay. Will Ruth change her tune and reconsider Brian’s proposal? Beggars can’t be choosers and, with mega dairies like his on the horizon, Brookfield may be in danger of getting left behind… Meanwhile, Debbie is champing at the bit for change, while Adam holds on to his old resentments and concerns about the Dairy Unit – he likes things just the way they are.
A change is as good as a rest
While the Aldridges make plans for the future, the Pargetter family recalls happier times gone by. They’ve done well to adapt to their change in circumstances, but can Elizabeth embrace the New Year and forgive and forget her feud with David? If we know Elizabeth, not likely – they say a leopard can’t change its spots!
Helen positively embraces change, as her little Henry grows up fast. Similarly, Tom seems to be fast making plans for 2012, but are he and Brenda on the same page? It finally looks as though Pat may have moved on, focusing on the grandson she has, rather than the one out of reach. Has she really had a change of heart and let go of the past? Only time will tell … It’s The Archers!
Forget your headache and head to Grey Gables for Nic and Will’s big day on Sunday!
Sunday: New beginnings
Monday: A step in the right direction
Tuesday: Burying the hatchett
Wednesday: Pastures new?
Thursday: Facing the board
Friday: The art of persuasion
Change is in the air: Home Farm, No. 1 The Green and Ambridge View
Sticking to their guns: Ruth, Brenda and Neil
