Archives for January 2011

Brookfield's coughing calves raised the fear of viral pneumonia. As vet Oli Hodgkinson writes, this can be a serious worry for livestock farmers.

Pneumonia is estimated to cost the UK cattle industry around £60 million yearly. Affected cattle will show varying degrees of symptoms depending on the severity of the illness. Some will simply have a cough, but as the disease progresses the animals have pus running down their nose and breathing becomes more laboured. Eventually they stop eating, collapse and if left untreated will die.

The majority of outbreaks occur within one month of being housed for winter. This is because it is a very stressful time for cattle. They go from being out in a field to being under one roof with lots of other cattle, often with a mixing of age groups. As in any disease situation the younger animals have a poorer immune system than the older animals and so they are more prone to illness.

There are three common causes of viral pneumonia but none of these will infect humans.

Control of the disease is best achieved by attention to general husbandry:

• Ventilation of buildings should be improved, allowing the muggy infected air to escape being replaced by clean fresh air.
• There are many vaccines which can be administered which will help prevent pneumonia. These should be administered prior to a stressful period such as housing or weaning.
• Reducing the amount of cattle under the same roof will help minimise disease.
• Keeping the younger animals away from the adults.
• Keeping the bedding clean and dry will reduce the amount of moisture in the air and so reduce pneumonia.

Pneumonia is treated by a variety of antibiotics as well as pain killers. If left too long then there is damage to the lungs and the animal will not recover 100% and always have stunted growth. As vets we point out to the farmer that prevention is better than cure.

Oli Hodgkinson BVSc, Cert SH&P, MRCVS works at Trefaldwyn Vets, Montgomery, Powys.

• Pictures, provided by Trefaldwyn Vets, show a bullock with pus coming from the nose, and overstocking in a cattle shed.

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This Sunday (23 Jan), the bells of St Stephen's Ambridge will ring a 'quarter peal' in memory of departed bell ringer Nigel Pargetter.

Quarter peals are rung for many reasons: special events, birthdays, weddings or in remembrance of someone, as today. Some churches who are able to muster the requisite number of ringers may ring quarters for the normal Sunday services. But whether for normal services, or for something special, a quarter peal gives each ringer the chance to confirm their knowledge of a particular method, thereby extending their ability and enjoying a sense of achievement.

The method

To explain what a quarter peal is, one needs to know a bit about 'method ringing'. Method ringing is a form of 'change ringing' - which is the practice of ringing a series of mathematical permutations on tuned bells, rather than a melody.

In method ringing the ringers are guided through each set of changes by following a specific pattern (or order), called a method. The practice originated in England and is still popular for both church bell ringing and handbells.

Let's take the eight bells hanging in the church at St Stephen's in Ambridge. The highest in pitch is known as the treble and the lowest the tenor. The bells are referred to by number, with the treble being number 1 and the tenor being number 8.

The most simple way of using the bells is to ring in 'rounds,' which means ringing the bells in sequence from treble to tenor - ie 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. This sounds like a descending scale. The order of the eight can 'change' to a different permutation, depending on the method being rung.

Eg:

12345678

21436578

24163758

42617358

46271538 - five permutations (changes)

This is probably the origin for the phrase 'ringing the changes'.

There are hundreds of different methods. Each one has a different mathematical pattern and a different name, some of them being linked to the person who devised the method eg Stedman Triples, or named after places eg Yorkshire or Rutland.

Whether ringing a peal or quarter peal, the ringers must start the method in rounds. The conductor will then call out the method to be rung. A full peal on eight bells must last at least 5000 different changes. A performance of 1250 changes on 8 bells makes a quarter peal. A peal might take about three hours to ring, and a quarter peal 45 minutes.

Ringing is great fun. If you are interested in learning how to do it, do contact your local church. They probably have a keen band of ringers who would welcome you with open arms.

Rosemary Watts is a producer on The Archers - and a keen bell ringer.

• The picture shows church bells being rung and is supplied by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers
• For further information on bellringing, contact the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers
• Bell ringing technique and history

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Brenda Tucker is celebrating her 30th birthday today, in a room strewn with memories collected by step-mum Vicky.

They probably don't include the time Brenda clashed with Matt Crawford over a housing development, and very nearly lost her job as a local radio reporter:

In March 2001, Matt Crawford revealed a plan to the board of Borchester Land. He intended the company to take advantages of proposed changes to the Ambridge 'village envelope'. They would build a housing estate on land they owned opposite Ambridge Farm: 30 four- and five-bedroomed houses and eight low-cost homes.

Perturbed about the impact this would have on the village, Borchester Land board member Brian Aldridge mentioned his worries to his wife Jennifer, who unwisely shared her concerns with her mother Peggy Woolley. Through Peggy's husband Jack it was discussed on the parish council and soon became common knowledge, to Matt's fury.

Parish councillor Siobhan Hathaway rang the Wayne Foley show on Radio Borsetshire to publicise the issue. Wayne visited the village to find that most were against it, the exceptions being local businesses who could use the extra trade, and young people who despaired of finding a home in the village of their birth.

At this time, Brenda was working as a junior reporter for Radio Borsetshire. Intrigued by a big story on her home turf, she investigated further. She was soon quizzing Brian on her findings. Andrew Eagleton, a board director of Borchester Land, owned a Jaguar dealership in London. Stephen Chalkman, a member of the district council planning committee, had been seen lunching with him and recently obtained a new Jag from Eagleton's dealership. Brian smoothly warned Brenda about chasing stories of non-existent corruption.

But Brenda couldn't resist the chance of a live interview with Chalkman to insinuate that he was taking backhanders. The results were explosive. Matt warned Brian to contain the problem. Brenda's bosses threatened her with the sack and downgraded her role to reporting on flower shows and other non-controversial topics. The station carried an on-air apology and Brenda apologised herself to Brian.

But Brian was sufficiently concerned about the whiff of corruption to ask her for more details. Brenda had been tipped off that Councillor Chalkman and Andrew Eagleton used to be directors of the same company. There were three directors: Eagleton, Chalkman and Chalkman's wife under her maiden name of Meredid Calder.

Brian discovered that Meredid Calder was on the board of one of Borchester Land's parent companies, an interest which Chalkman had not declared. This gave Brian the ammunition he needed to force Matt to reduce his grand plans. After a not-too-subtle attempt to bribe Brian, Matt took action. In June 2001, Meredid resigned from the parent company and Stephen Chalkman gave up his post as a councillor. Chalkman later joined the board of Borchester Land, and became Matt's partner in the fraudulent Crawford Chalkman Capital Partners Ltd - but that's another story.

Borchester Land submitted a reduced plan, which was reduced still further in negotiation with the council. By March 2004 offers had been accepted for the 12 executive homes and six low-cost dwellings of Grange Spinney.

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer.

• Picture shows Amy Shindler (Brenda Tucker)
• Discover more past Archers storylines with our Timeline
• ...or our Diamond Decades blog posts
• See Amy Shindler and Tom Graham talk about Tom and Brenda's estrangement (video from April 2009)

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On 2 January, our sister station Radio 7 featured a series of classic Archers episodes, interspersed with interviews by cast members, with Radio 7's Ben Motley.

If you missed the interviews, here is a selection. They give a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into the working lives of Archers actors.

Charles Collingwood and Angela Piper on Brian and Jennifer's relationship:

Carole Boyd on making Lynda Snell rather irritating:

Alison Dowling and Richard Attlee (Elizabeth and Kenton) on family relationships and playing angry:

Charlotte Martin on Susan Carter's time in the national spotlight:

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer.

• The picture shows Charles Collingwood (Brian Aldridge) recording in the Archers studio. It was taken by Steve Bowbrick for the Archers week on the BBC Radio 4 blog
• BBC Radio 7 presents the best of classic BBC radio programmes
• Share your memories of listening to The Archers
• Browse through 60 years of storylines big and small

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To mark the funeral of Nigel Pargetter, we'll be running a live blog today from 4-8pm. We'll be publishing your memories and tributes of his life to create a permanent record on the site.

We'll only be publishing memories about Nigel in this live blog - if you'd like to post a message about the 60th anniversary or anything else relating to The Archers, you can do this on the messageboard or on other features on this blog.

This livechat is moderated according to BBC House Rules. Please note that due to the number of contributions, we may not be able to publish every comment we receive.

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It's been an eventful week on the message board which has been thoroughly shaken to the core by The Archers' 60th anniversary. On Twitter, new characters have popped up - namely two little Henry's, a Lizzie, Nigel's Ghost, Radio Ambridge and Borchester Police among them.

There has been a lot of praise for the acting and scriptwriting in the wake of Sunday's episode. Elizabeth's grief, David's guilt, even Pip have moved many to tears. The quiet continuation of life in Ambridge was appreciated, although quite a few suspect that Brian may have an ulterior motive in offering to help Ruth out on the farm.

The message board is still heaving with responses to the anniversary episode with plenty of people signing up to register their disquiet.

Many on the message board say they've decided to switch off and some that they're considering it. Others say that they're just reading the synopses or the message board for the time being.

So - that's it. I've stopped listening, at least for now. I suppose I might come back in a year or two when the dust has settled, but we'll see. On the other hand, I think I will keep logging in here occasionally - can't give up everything, after all... (nomorelurking)

I'm sad you've given up on The Archers, because the last few days have been excellent and you've missed an absolute gem of a scene between Susan and Vicky. I think we're going to see some cracking storylines and writing over the next few weeks. (Morganish)

....it's like a drug....I just...can't...stop....listening....just can't stop....aaaghhh.... As no rehab centre available, will continue with this filthy habit and hope that things improve.... (Ginger Wine)

It's worse than coming off the fags....it really is. (Doodlysquat)





Helen's newfound happiness and "hairshirt Tony" have riled many - some want the old Helen back! Others are cross that Pat is still pussy-footing around her daughter. There have been many questions about the details around Helen's pre-eclampsia. After all Helen's research, why didn't she recognise the signs? Why has no one asked how much the baby weighs? Would her symptoms have been more severe in real life?

Still crossing my fingers and reading the synopsis to see if they please will let this develop well. I had to switch off hairshirt Tony... it was awful (although actually in character for him). I am a firm believer that in real life people don't get 'their comeuppance' (helen) but really......... surely someone would have told Tony he was an ok dad? (Ruralsnowflakebliss)

Don't worry, it's only temporary, as soon as someone puts a wet glass down without a coaster you snap right out of it. (Vicky S)

The experience of having to care for a baby (and put it first) could transform Helen's outlook on life over a period of time. (Mike)

Nice Helen is scary! (Chris Vickery on Facebook)



Read the What's with Helen? Facebook discussion

They're taking bets on whether or not Helen will be "a reformed character, wonderful daughter, sister, friend and mother - end of story" within the next four months. Most think she will, but hope she won't! There were a few naysayers:

I think Helen will continue to have problems managing her state of mind and relating to others, especially when her Henry passes the completely helpless stage and begins to assert his own identity. Poor Henry. I feel sorry for him. Keeping his mummy sane - what a lot of responsibility for such a little person. (FagAshLil)

Place your bets on the Fancy a bet? thread.

The Pargetter inheritance is being debated on the message board as some start to wonder at the impact of Nigel's death

I only know one family who live somewhere comparable to Lower Loxley, and the eldest son will get the lot. Tisn't necessarily anything within the parents control either, property may well be in trust. (Moonflower)

I would be very surprised if Lower Loxley had not been entailed... If Freddie did not exist, Lower Loxley would pass to Nigel's brother, if he had one, failing that an uncle, male cousin or more remote male line relation... Expect lengthy and messy litigation! (Wallasey)

Read more in the Male succession? Really? thread.

Making plans for Nigel...

The preparations for Nigel's funeral continue apace in the Now is the hour thread on the message board - they're making sure Nigel gets a good send off.

(Thanks to Cheshire-Cat for the illustration of their plans posted at the top of this blog post.)

Twitter's Borsetshire Police are making "enquiries" into the circumstances around Nigel's death, asking for witnesses to come forward.

Post-mortem results prove inconclusive. Investigation continues. Observational stake-out of funeral planned for Thursday. #thearchers #sattc (@borsetpolice)

And on the message board, in Fantasy Archers, PC Dave Barry (Kathy Perks' ex) has been sniffing around:

Dear Mrs Pargetter

I have been back in Borchester for less than a month and it is with great sadness that I have learned of your husband's tragic accident. Nigel was very kind to me when I was at Borchester CID twenty years ago and he will be sorely missed in Ambridge. I remember several hilarious encounters with him, when we had to lock him up, drunk and disorderly in a gorilla outfit, so it is with a heavy heart that I will attend St Stephen's on Thursday to pay my last respects to Nigel.

With deepest sympathy

Yours sincerely

Detective Chief Superintendent David Barry

Read the unfolding story in the Fantasy Archers thread, Dave Barry's Week.

Radio Ambridge has been playing requests on Twitter using blip.fm to provide the music.

We'd like some to play some cheerful songs as our antidote to the funereal tone around Ambridge. What do you suggest? #thearchers

@beechenhillfarm Thanks for your request. We'll look for Up on the Roof. We like Carole King too. #thearchers

Plus Community Radio station StroudFM spent Sunday evening dedicating songs to Nigel, with Ryan Adams' Hard Way to Fall, Eilidh Patterson's Falling Hard & Fast and Stephen Stills' Bound to Fall. The station later posted the following tweet about Sunday night's DJ @SandrineFranceB:

Sandrine would like to apologise to anyone who isn't as obsessed with #thearchers as she is!!! (@StroudFM)

Tayler Cresswell is the host of The Archers message board.

• Join the conversation on the message board
• Or chat about #thearchers on Twitter or Facebook

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We're very aware of what the character of Nigel Pargetter meant to many listeners, and how much they will miss him.

Between 4pm and 8pm tomorrow (13 Jan), we'll be running an online event here on The Archers blog. This will coincide with the episode featuring Nigel's funeral. We'll be sharing moments from the character's history, and inviting listeners to contribute their own memories and tributes.

It will be a sort of online Book of Condolences, a permanent tribute to this much-loved character and to Graham Seed, the actor who played him.

It will take a similar form to the live online coverage of the 60th anniversary day, during which Radio 7 broadcast classic episodes, and interviews with current cast and production staff.

Do please join us as we say goodbye to Nigel.

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer.

• Picture shows Jack Firth (Freddie), Graham Seed (Nigel) and Georgie Feller (Lily)
• The Archers 60th anniversary live

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Liz Koole of the child bereavement charity Winston's Wish, writes on the challenges facing Lily, Freddie and Elizabeth, now that they have lost Nigel

The death of a parent is one of the most fundamental losses a child will ever face. Studies show that if childhood grief is not dealt with appropriately it can have a deep and lasting effect on a child's emotional well-being.

It's important to remember that Nigel's death will have come completely out of the blue for Lily and Freddie, and everybody, both children and adults, will be in a state of shock and disbelief. Both children were at home at the time and they will have been aware of what happened. Although they didn't see Nigel's body after the fall, they may know that Elizabeth did. They may want to avoid all discussion with her about this because they think it is too painful for her.

Elizabeth too may want to avoid talking directly with them about their dad's death, for similar reasons. She may feel that she is protecting them from the distressing detail. This will be difficult for the children, as they will not have participated in anything which will help them believe or make sense of what has happened. The difficulty is that Elizabeth and the children will find themselves in different places emotionally.

The challenges for Elizabeth will be to find room for her own grief while also supporting her children. This is difficult, as children grieve differently from adults, leading parents to worry about whether their children are grieving appropriately. Supporting children is difficult when you are not feeling very strong yourself, so it will be important for Elizabeth and those around her to find support for her as an adult, while also seeking to understand how the children may be feeling and how they may be affected.

Understanding

The challenges for Lily and Freddie will be to gradually understand what has happened. To do this, they may want to know details of the accident so they can piece the story together so it makes sense when they remember it in the future. They will also need people to help them sort out their feelings about what has happened, and to know that it is all right to have a whole variety of feelings. So people may expect them to feel sad, but they may also feel angry towards their dad for climbing on the roof and not being careful enough. They may also feel anger towards other family members who, in different ways, may have played a part in the sequence of events - Kenton, for suggesting the banner on the roof; David for encouraging Nigel to take it down that evening.

Then they will feel guilty for being angry and confused as to what they do or should feel. Adults don't find it easy to talk about feelings. Children also find it difficult, so it is likely that they will express their feelings in their behaviour. Difficult behaviour is hard for a bereaved parent, but it's good to try and understand what it might be saying. It will be important for Elizabeth to allow the children space to talk about how they feel, and to know that it is okay if their feelings are different from hers.

Expectations

All of us respond to the death of someone we love in different ways, but there are certain expectations in society as to how someone who is bereaved should feel or behave, so Elizabeth may find that the way she outwardly expresses her feelings is very different to the way she feels in herself. Bereaved people often say they are okay, even though they really feel terrible, because they know it is difficult for others to hear how they really feel.

Children often want to assume a more adult role when a parent dies. Indeed, in Freddie's position continuing the Pargetter name and reputation may lead him and others to assume he is now 'the man of the house'. Family and friends need to recognise that he and Lily need to grieve as children.

Children also worry about forgetting someone, so it's important for Elizabeth to find ways to help Lily and Freddie remember their dad. Children nearly always want to talk about someone who has died, so finding room to include their dad in everyday family conversations will be important. Having things to keep that belonged to their dad which have meaning for each of them will also be important.

Affected

The bigger picture will be for Elizabeth to know that, although the children will be deeply affected by their dad's death, they will also just want to get on with the business of growing up. So it can sometimes seem that they have forgotten what happened.

For her the task, together with those who are supporting her, will be to lay good foundations for the children to grow up with. Children revisit the death of someone important throughout their childhood, as the person who has died 'grows up' with them. With good information, things that help them remember, and knowing that how they feel is okay, Lily and Freddie will hopefully grow into adults who understand what happened to their dad and what he meant to them (and their mum).

When children are bereaved we cannot - and should not - take away their grief. But by helping them to engage with it, express it and share it, we can help them live with it, through it and beyond it, enabling them to face the future with confidence and hope.

Liz Koole is family services manager for Winston's Wish.

• Picture supplied by Winston's Wish, which offers practical support and guidance to families, professionals and anyone concerned about a grieving child
• The Child Bereavement Charity supports families and educates professionals both when a child dies and when a child is bereaved
• The Way Foundation supports young widowed men and women in the UK
• The Dying Matters Coalition promotes public awareness of dying, death and bereavement

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A week on from marking our 60th anniversary, and it's clear it's not just the residents of Ambridge who are talking about recent events in Borsetshire.

I have a two inch high pile of press cuttings before me. Many celebrate the amazing achievement of a drama having reached its diamond jubilee, making it currently the longest running soap in the world. Others look back at the storylines that have gripped Archers fans over the last 60 years. Beside that, a report showing hundreds of listener comments about the anniversary episode. And then one of the team pops in to tell me that during the anniversary episode on 2 January, The Archers and 'SATTC' was the most discussed subject on Twitter in the world.

Who would have thought that SATTC - Shaking Ambridge to the Core - a line coined as part of an obscure BBC policy document in May - would capture the imagination of so many.

I was editor for the 50th anniversary too, but it was nothing like the 60th. Yes, as with the 50th, I took part in a handful of interviews but unlike ten years ago, this time many more Archers fans got to join in the conversation through Twitter, forums and message boards. And so it was after the SATTC line was picked up by an Archers fan, on-line conversations began, building over months to what some called a frenzy reported widely in the press in the lead-up to the anniversary. Speculation was rife and grew exponentially, perhaps fuelled by the fact that despite being constantly asked, I wasn't about to reveal what happened before 2 Jan.

I read comments from some listeners who said they didn't feel 'shaken' by the anniversary episode and others who definitely did. But in the drama we can already see, I believe, how it is shaking Ambridge and the Archer family particularly to the core. It will continue to do so as time goes on. I also believe the anniversary episode was well balanced; relief that Helen and the baby survived their ordeal, a hugely emotional reunion between Tony and Helen set against the high drama of Nigel's fall. For each episode we strive to get the balance right in keeping with the 'everyday story of country folk' where our roots began all those years ago. Importantly though we have a modern outlook in recognition of how the rural community and the wider Archers audience has changed since 1951.

Reading the listener comments, I sense almost a mourning, an outpouring of grief for Nigel. For some it was highly emotional - 'I was moved to tears' said one listener. And dramatic - 'I felt exhausted afterwards' said another. What followed in the episodes this week has provided the chance for Archers listeners to empathise and share with Lizzie's loss, as they did with Peggy as Jack succumbed to Alzheimer's. But each comment, be it complimentary or critical, strikes me with the heartfelt passion with which it is written. A passion for Ambridge and its characters. A passion I share.

I've been Archers editor for twenty years and worked as a producer and director on the show before that. Throughout, for me and the Archers scriptwriting team, characters come first. They drive the story; what they do has to be truthful and believable. 'David would never have gone on the roof, he's too sensible', I read in one listener comment. I argue he would! A busy farmer wouldn't want to take time out the next day to come back to Lower Loxley to do that. And David's a bear of a man, used to physical exertion. I suggest he wouldn't feel fearful of a climb on to what was essentially a steady roof. But the wind gets up suddenly and of course poor Nigel gets caught up in the banner and is blown over the edge.

Was it sensationalist to kill off Nigel? I don't believe it was. People in real life - and so our characters - are killed in surprising and shocking circumstances. Granted, in Ambridge that is not very often and anybody who knows the Archers well would not expect anything melodramatic or sensationalist. Instead sometimes startling singular events, like a sharp pebble thrown into a pond, send ripples reverberating through storylines well into the future.

Remember when Mark was killed? Caroline was fearful that her friendship with Shula would be shattered because it had been her horse that bolted and helped to make Mark crash. Then a week after his death, Shula discovered she was pregnant with Mark's child, the child he would never see. We saw Shula grieve, taking comfort slowly from the birth of her son Daniel and gradually recovering to meet and then marry Alistair, opening up further stories as Alistair struggled to forge his relationship with Daniel.

Or young John's death under the tractor? Hugely upsetting at the time of course. But recall the impact this had on his parents. The father who found him there at the scene. The mother who succumbed to but overcame depression. A sister who has struggled with anorexia and control freakery since, perhaps at least in part to the trauma of losing her brother in such a traumatic way.

And so many months before the anniversary, I sat down with the Archers script team to discuss what we might do for our 60th year. It is such a significant milestone to have reached, we felt compelled to mark it with a storyline that would have impact. When I say impact what do I mean? We wanted an event. Not a cataclysmic one - no tram crashes - but one where the ramifications would be felt far and wide throughout Ambridge for the decade that followed. We felt that the event had to be deeply traumatic. And so we arrived at a death. But who? Again after much debate and thinking how each one would impact on Ambridge life. We arrived at Nigel.

Nigel - liked by all in Ambridge, loved by Lizzie and the twins - of course his death would be painful for them. But not just that. How will Lizzie cope running Lower Loxley. She's got a good business head on her shoulders but she's physically weak with a congenital heart defect. David, as we saw in the episode after the anniversary, is completely distraught and guilty that he didn't prevent it somehow. The scenes so movingly acted by Tim Bentinck lit up the message board again, with listeners saying how emotional they had found it. We heard how David rushed to Lizzie's aid at Lower Loxley, leaving Ruth to run the farm. Their marriage has hit rough patches in the past, could this pressure unpick a scab? Well the list goes on and on as to what may happen, and the Archers discussion forums will pulsate as ever as fans enjoy trying to second guess which way it will turn.

And I couldn't write this without paying tribute to Graham Seed, the actor whom I cast as Nigel in 1983; who left for a short period in 1986 but whom I thankfully managed to persuade to come back into the show and after working together for many years, directed in his last scene. A talented actor, Graham made Nigel his own with a subtle and spirited performance that will go down in soap opera history. And befittingly we have given Nigel a grand exit that listeners will talk about for years to come.

Some have suggested that I told Graham that his part was being written out in a quick and careless phone call just before the studio. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact I spoke to Graham on the phone several weeks before the studio and we had a long and as Graham put it on breakfast television this week, 'courteous' conversation. I do not mean to suggest by this that Graham was happy about the news, nor that I enjoyed having to tell him. Such conversations are never easy but they come, occasionally, with the territory of being the Editor. I spoke on the phone because Graham does not live in Birmingham and, like all our freelance actors, was only ever in the studio for a day or so each month and sometimes not even that . Graham is a working actor living in London. I saw him in studio after that call and it was a privilege to direct him in his last studio.

We have started the chain of events that will shake Ambridge to the core as only The Archers can and should shake Ambridge, which is profoundly and deeply. There will be very hard times as a result of what happened on that roof and very touching and supportive times too. And the repercussions will burn slowly, sometimes painfully, sometimes brightly, like the torch young Freddie, our aristocrat in the making, carries for his father.

Vanessa Whitburn is editor of The Archers.

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Archers scriptwriter Mary Cutler offers a postscript to her previous blog post.

For many years the Archers Omnibus was only sixty minutes, which mean that every nightly episode had to contain one scene which could be cut for the Omnibus. The challenge for the writer was to write a scene that was good enough to broadcast at night, but wouldn't be missed if it wasn't in the Omnibus.

Basically this meant it couldn't have any plot not repeated elsewhere. We used to go for humour and charm and character in those scenes which made us rather sad when they were cut. There was also the technical problem that cutting one scene meant two scenes were next to each other that hadn't been before, so you had to be careful they didn't have the same people in them, in case they seemed to have got from one end of the village to the other at the speed of light.

You had to be extra careful about this - and this is still true - when thinking about Monday's last scene being next to Tuesdays first scene in the Omnibus (or second scene, if it happened that your first scene was the 'omnicut'). It was a relief when we got both a Sunday episode and an Omnibus long enough to fit them all in.

I needed to do it again when we had the extra quarter of an hour for the Anniversary episode. But, as I have indicated, I think the omnicut scenes contain some good stuff. So if you want to listen to an uncut Omnibus of this week, the full 90 minute version will here on The Archers website.

Mary Cutler is the longest serving Archers scriptwriter. She wrote the 60th anniversary episode, and the subsequent week's episodes.

• The full 90 minute Omnibus will be available via The Archers homepage from 11.15am on Sunday 9 January

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There have been thousands of posts on The Archers message board, on this blog, Twitter and Facebook following last Sunday's anniversary episode. This post is my attempt to sum up the range of posts, views and opinions about it.

So did the episode shake Ambridge to the core? The majority of posts thought not and opinions ranged from "damp squib" and "OK", to "brilliant". Some think that 60 years of The Archers should have been celebrated with a happier storyline than the death of a much-loved character.

There have been questions over whether "sensible" David Archer would have goaded Nigel out on to the roof; why Helen didn't recognise her pre-eclampsia and why no-one asked what the baby's weight was; why there was so much "hype" around the episode; and dismay at the loss of Nigel Pargetter.

Many worry that the storyline brings us another grieving widow so soon after Sid Perks' and Phil Archer's deaths last year and argue that it's becoming too depressing to listen to. This coupled with the fact that Nigel was one of the more light-hearted, happy characters is making for a sombre outlook for The Archers. Here's a taste of some of the reaction on the message board:

Nigel was a genuinely sweet character, if not perhaps the sharpest knife in the drawer, and getting rid of him just seems wilful. I know it's ridiculous to feel sad about a fictional character dying, and I've never felt that way before when a TA character has popped their clogs, but in this case I do feel regretful because it seemed so unnecessary. (Soozi_quattro)

To lose a happy, positive and amusing character at Christmas is deliberately disturbing.

And the storylines to follow? A 3rd grieving widow in the last year? What misery do we have to look forward to. I'm afraid that after 20years I do not enjoy your programme anymore. The characters like Nigel and Linda were the ones that made me smile. (Katisha321)

I would like to add my voice to those who can't bear the thought of listening to all that sorrow, but the thing is I will. I assume I'm in the majority. There are 6 million of us after all. I'm really not looking forward to my glass of wine tonight, which is what TA is to me 6 days a week. (Basia)

Like many others here, TA has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was listening before I could talk. I grew up partly in Yorkshire and partly in Ambridge, knowing the characters as well as I knew my family, neither Mum nor I ever missed and episode if we could possibly avoid it... My daily quiet 15 minutes alone with TA has been an important part of my life - my escape, my me-time, my relaxation. And yes, I'm not ashamed to say my obsession. Mum just phoned and asked if I'd be listening tonight. I told her the truth, that I probably will but that I don't know why. That I have a sick feeling in my stomach instead of my usual quiet anticipation. (Shy)

The only brightish spot was the return of Shula and quality of the acting in yesterday's eppie, which did bring a big lump to my throat. I have enough real grief and aggro in my life not to need or want more angst when it is time to wind down after a day at the salt mines... I shall be listening until the funeral but after that - really not sure. (E Yore)

I've been a listener to TA from way back and, yes, there have been tragedies before but I hated the way Nigel's death was just something to push up the viewing figures, unlike the 'death' of Betty Tucker, which was due to the actress wanting to leave the series. (Imnoangel)

On the run-up to the anniversary episode you invited various celebrities to pour out their love of The Archers for its organic storytelling and character development, as well as its avoidance of cynical sensationalism. I wonder how many of those famous fans feel the same way now? Why on earth did you think that the best way to 'celebrate' this sixty-year legacy was to defile it? To give two months' notice to an actor who has delighted us for thirty years, and to cast away a beloved character in this pointless way, all for the sake of a publicity stunt? What an act of mindless vandalism... You wanted to put cosy Lower Loxley in turmoil? Fine. You could have left Nigel terribly injured. You could have allowed the show to explore the long-term implications of disability. You could have really put Nigel's character to the test, as well as his marriage and the compassion of the community at large. But instead of letting the show expand and explore new ground, you chose to leave it diminished, and demeaned your listeners in the process. (M J Thomas)

I don't think this sensational way is really appropriate to The Archers. I also think that after the very moving events surrounding the death of Phil Archer, the listeners are longing for at least some positive stories to uplift them, especially at a time of hardship for so many people. I do not look forward to the days and weeks to come, with characters feeling guilt and grief. What a start to 2011. (LilianFred)

TA has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I realise I am in the minority but I thought tonight's episode was brilliant. Tony was magnificent and so believable. Even Nigel's demise was good...what a twit! I would like to congratulate everyone involved in tonight's episode. Can't wait for the next 60 years. (orlapends)

They could have killed Nigel by having him trip down the stairs or have a sudden stroke. But no, they set up an utterly ridiculous but typically Nigel way to go and they kept us on the edge of our seats till the final 'Aaaagh'. No one will ever forget the night Nigel fell off the roof. It's as iconic as Grace in the fire. It's a bit camp, it's a bit silly, but it's unforgettable. That's the important bit. The 60th episode will go down in history as Nigel's plunge. Job done, now let ordinary service recommence. (Morganish)

There was a call for a rewrite of Sunday's episode in a thread started by fanofthearchers with ideas ranging from Nigel's ghostly form haunting the halls of Lower Loxley or perhaps reappearing after David Archer awoke from a bad dream about being out on the roof in the dark...

Read more on the Rewrite Sunday's epiode thread

Looking at Twitter, comments tagged with #thearchers hashtag revealed a fairly muted reaction to the anniversary episode "is that it?" but plenty admitting to shedding tears in the subsequent episodes.

#thearchers episode was really clunky, undramatic, unthrilling and overhyped - tho' scream was spinechilling (@PippaSandford)

#thearchers #sattc oh my, eyes welling up listening to the archers - can see how this may reverberate for 10 years (@Fearlessguider)

There have been plenty of messages of thanks to Graham Seed, which he has been reading and has thanked his fans on the message board. And as is tradition in "Mustardland" (the name given to the message board by posters), some have lent a helping hand with preparations for Nigel's funeral in order to give him a fitting send off. In a thread started by Country Squire, there are plans for Pip to play a recital and an invite for Nigel's old friend Tim Beecham...

Cranford Crystal will draw the bier to St Stephens and then on to the place of burial....next to Uncle Rupert's gazebo would be good. (Polly Tunnel)

The Paper Plate People would like to tender for the disposables. (villageschoolmaam)

Where are the radio Borsetshire outside broadcast trucks going? Assume Wayne Foley is going to do a solemn live broadcast on the funeral cortege plus a travel update. (Feral_Ralph)

Read more on the Now is the hour... thread

Tayler Cresswell is the host of The Archers message board.

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Archers scriptwriter Mary Cutler writes:

It is exciting but frightening to look at the schedule for the year and discover that you are writing the week of one of our big anniversaries. And in this case, because of the way the schedule worked out, the following week, too. Of course we are all aware that the programme will get even more attention than usual round such times and expectations will be high. And some people will be disappointed - I think every big story The Archers has ever done has been greeted by some people as too shocking/not shocking enough. But this is not our focus.

So what is our focus? I'm a Brummie, and Birmingham is a city that constantly reinvents itself, so I have lived all my life with the phenomenon that is the ever-changing Birmingham skyline. Mourning as a beloved building falls, and then being fascinated by the beauty of the landscape behind - the new perspective and fascinating possibilities.

This is what we try to do with our big stories. We want something from which the ripples will spread outwards not just for weeks and months but for years, because that is what we can do on The Archers. Of course we mourn Nigel. I have felt writing the week after the accident, and next week including the funeral, as one often does after a bereavement - possessed by his spirit.

My own father died when I was seven so writing for Elizabeth and the children has been particularly painful and moving. What will it do them? To David? To the whole Archer family? To the ecology of the village? The great, and I think unique, thing about The Archers is that we shall find out, properly, in real time. This is not just a headline grabbing two week wonder.

The advantage - one of many - to writing The Archers for such a long time (32 years this April and counting) is that I know the power of these stories, and I know once this initial shock has worn off, their infinite possibilities will start to work through.

We killed Mark Hebden leaving poor Shula a widow and subsequently a single mother, splitting up, in collateral damage, Caroline and then Vicar Robin Stokes. It seemed a terrible thing to do to Shula, and The Archers. But eventually it led, among other things, to Shula being torn between two lovers and feuding with Usha and all the hours of fun we've had from that. And if she hadn't met Alistair we should never have met Jim - the ramifications are endless.

Many of the big stories got mixed reactions. Susan Carter going to prison, Kathy being raped, all the triangles - David and Ruth and Sam, Jennifer and Brian and Siobhan... Mixed reactions among the script writers here with a sizeable minority wanting the guilty couple to run away to Hungary and start a new life.

New characters similarly often have a rough ride. Marjorie Antrobus and Lynda Snell may well have ended up as national treasures but that certainly wasn't what some of the audience thought to start with. So there is hope for Helen yet, and indeed the traumatic circumstances of Henry's birth and her absolute joy in motherhood will change her profoundly. Watch, or rather listen, to this space.

So why do our big stories provoke such strong reactions? I have two ideas. One is that it is the result of having such an intelligent and creative listenership. I mean that quite sincerely. I have lost count of the number times over the years that friends of mine speculating over current plotlines lines have come up with brilliant suggestions. Playing alternative Archers is a great game. Indeed there are still conspiracy theories circulating as to who was driving the car that frightened the horse that Mark Hebden swerved to avoid.

But it is a game, and writing - and running - The Archers is work. Very enviable work, but like all work it is constrained by realities: which actors are available, when and for how long, financial implications, the impact of events in the real world and maybe most importantly how much life and drama you can credibly squeeze into an hour and a quarter a week.

But I think there is something else our audience have in common. They are attracted to The Archers because it describes the enduring beauty of the English countryside and celebrates the never-ending joys and sorrows of life in a community. It's not that nothing dreadful happens - of course it does - but the trials and tribulations will be met with courage and love and humour and friendship - those eternal truths.

Which is a long way round to say that if you're an Archers listener it's possible you don't like change much. I don't myself, and I'm a listener, too - for even longer, if that's imaginable, than I've been a writer. Much longer; I was six when Phil Archer's wife Grace famously died in a fire, and I remember it distinctly. They can't do that! I thought indignantly. But what if they hadn't? No Jill. No Shula Kenton David Elizabeth. No Daniel Meriel Pip Josh Ben Freddie Lily. In fact - no Archers.

So keep listening, and bear with us. It will all come right in another sixty years.

Mary Cutler is the longest serving Archers scriptwriter.

• Picture shows Archers scriptwriter Mary Cutler
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A slightly random selection of notes and links following our 60th anniversary...

Mary Cutler

Following the huge audience reaction to the anniversary episode, this week's scriptwriter Mary Cutler will write on this blog soon, explaining the thinking that went into the storyline, and the implications for the future.

Omnibus

The anniversary episode was double length, at 30 minutes long. But the broadcast version of this Sunday's omnibus edition is the standard length: 75 minutes. Because of this, Mary wrote some scenes (for the episodes later in the week) with the intention that they be cut in the omnibus. These so-called "omnicut" scenes used to be a regular feature in the days before the 75-minute omnibus was introduced, along with six slightly shorter episodes every week.

However, if you want to hear all the events in Ambridge this week, the complete 90 minute omnibus will be available to listen here on The Archers website.

YouTube

Archers editor Vanessa Whitburn and the actor Graham Seed were interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme in connection with The Archers 60th anniversary. Both interviews are available on YouTube

• Vanessa Whitburn
• Graham Seed

YouTube also has a range of clips featuring famous Archers listeners talking about the place of the programme in their lives.

Blogs

The BBC's head of audio and music, Tim Davie, writes about the anniversary.

'...The reaction has spanned many emotions: listeners are angry, supportive, underwhelmed, overwhelmed, shocked, sad and enthralled. Above all, what is clear is that they care, deeply, about what happens in Ambridge...'

There's an interesting analysis of the online activity surrounding the episode from blogger John Fox.

'...It was, indeed, absolutely riveting. Whether that's from the perspective of the unfolding plot or simply the level of interest in the programme and its general storyline, or the sheer fascination of the speculation as to what would happen...'

BBC History

Find out more about the history of The Archers with The BBC Story.

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer.

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As you might expect, there's been strong press and media reaction to our 60th anniversary storyline. Here is a selection:

BBC News

Report Including a video tour of The Archers studio.

Daily Express

Report and review by Simon Edge

'...after an emergency caesarean section, mother and baby turned out fine. A nation wept...'

Daily Mail

Including a review by A N Wilson

'...The half-hour extended episode of the world's longest-running soap opera was a masterpiece of suspense...'

The Guardian

Article by Elizabeth Mahoney

'...it did include storylines that will slow-burn marvellously through village life...'

Report about reaction on Twitter

The Telegraph

The Telegraph had several stories:

Listener reaction

Profile of Nigel Pargetter

Review by Gillian Reynolds

Most shocking Archers storylines

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer

• Picture shows the story from today's Guardian newspaper
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Dear Archers listeners,



I'd like to share with you all my official statement that has been released today:



'It is with huge sadness that I leave The Archers after 27 years. Nigel Pargetter was a joy and a privilege to play, from 'Mr Snowy' to proud father. His enthusiasm, charm and love of life helped make Ambridge a happier place.

'On a personal note, I will sorely miss working with so many old friends and colleagues, especially Alison Dowling who plays Nigel's Lizzie.

'May I take this opportunity to thank all those listeners who endlessly communicated their loyalty, appreciation and affection towards Nigel and me. I'll miss him!'



It would be wrong of me to pretend that I was other than shocked when Vanessa [Whitburn, Archers editor] phoned with the news on a damp November 5th. Fireworks night - rather apt I thought! The hardest thing has been to keep it under wraps, not just from friends and family, but colleagues too. Now at least all is out in the open...

It's too soon to highlight memories. They go back to heady days in the 80s. William Smethurst created a wonderfully affectionate, vulnerable over-privileged young man causing havoc to the Archer household in scenes that were such fun to play.

Scenes of course with Jack May (Nelson) and Mary Wimbush (Julia), laterly with Richard Atlee (Kenton). But always Ali...

There was something of the Peter Pan in Nigel. He never really grew up.

To play my death scene? Very odd, but much harder for everyone else, I think. I've never noticed those behind the scenes so emotionally charged before. I just concentrated on what I had to do and did it to the best of my ability, as I have always done.



But I am a working actor and life must go on.

Except for a short break when the part was played by Nigel Carrington, Graham Seed played Nigel Pargetter from the arrival of the character in 1983 to his death on 2 January 2011.

• Picture shows Graham Seed (Nigel Pargetter)
• Graham and Alison Dowling will be interviewed on BBC Breakfast tomorrow morning (Tuesday 4 Jan)
• Graham appears in Accolade, at The Finborough Theatre, London, 1 to 26 February

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If you can bear to hear it again, here is that awful moment when Nigel fell from the roof.

Discussion on The Archers Message Board and Twitter ran rife. There were over 10,000 tweets during the half hour episode, collected by our special graphic. While a team in London ran that, Archers editor Vanessa Whitburn and I tried to keep abreast of the flood and send the odd tweet ourselves.

Of course, we don't actually know what was the outcome of Nigel's fall, or how little Henry - or Helen - will progress after the dramatic birth. As ever with The Archers, the only way to find out is to keep listening.

The original version of this blog post incorrectly named the baby as Harry. Please accept my apologies for any confusion.



Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer.

• The picture shows an early design for the graphic which monitored activity on Twitter during the episode
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Spend the big day with us here on the Archers Blog. We'll be publishing your tweets and comments about the big anniversary storylines and sharing pictures and stories from the history of the drama all day until the end of this evening's special double episode. We'll also keep you up-to-date with the schedule of archive programmes on Radio 7 all day.

• The picture is from The Archers Archive. The caption reads: "Bill Payne and Ned Larkin, Bob Arnold as Tom Forrest, Hilary Newcombe as Polly Perks, Denis Folwell as Jack Archer, Chris Gittins as Walter Gabriel and Alan Devereux as Sid Perks. The Bull, Ambridge, a game of crib watched by the Landlord and Polly."

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