Editor's Note: You can listen to Feedback online or download and keep
Oh the privilege of presenting Feedback. This week I put on my anorak and wellington boots - green of course - and set out for Ambridge to meet The Archers’ archivist and a long standing producer and writer.
Unfortunately, the weather was bad, and the roads difficult, so I turned off for Birmingham instead and ended up on the top floor of a shopping mall called the Mailbox, close to the canal and to New Street Station.
This is where Ruth and David and other residents of Borsetshire's stories are recorded. It is a particularly convenient place for Jennifer, since, when Brian is feeling particularly guilty for some misdemeanour, there are lots of luxury shops into which she can take him to buy her a peace-making present. It’s also where Helen bought her lingerie when involved in her recent heart breaking affair, and Lilian has been known to pop in there as well.
MI5 and MI6 could learn something from The Archers’ production team since the latter know what is going to happen for months into the future and always resist the temptation to reveal a particularly juicy story line even after a few drinks on the weekend.
Imagine the temptation. You are on the bus, or at a party, and someone is gossiping about an on- going Ambridge imbroglio. How tempting to drop a little hint about what is about to happen!
And yet they do not.
You can hear my report next week, but here is an extract from our conversations which we ran in this week’s Feedback:
Next week we also hope to be discussing the controversial use of music on Radio 4 with one of its commissioning editors. Do let us know your views.
I’d also like to know what you think of the BBC Director General’s statement that the BBC should do more to promote its case ahead of the debate about the renewal of its Charter. Be less “British” he said.
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