Archives for November 2011

Should Susan take Neil's advice and leave Bert and Gary to fend for themselves? Is Ambridge becoming overrun with Horrobins? There's been a huge amount of debate about Pat's quest to find out if Rich is her grandson. Should she leave him be? Could you if you were in her shoes? Helen's childcare plans and Jim's relationship with Christine have been discussed - and has it really been 30 years since Eddie and Clarrie tied the knot?

In Ambridge Extra, Alistair's inner thoughts have disturbed some and what will Shula say about those text messages from Erin? And finally, there are congratulations for Ryan Kelly (Jazzer) on his AMI award.

Here's my pick of listener discussions on The Archers message board, Twitter and Facebook between 17-23 November 2011.

With Bert and Gary Horrobin relying on Susan to look after them, "poor Susan" has elicited some sympathy. But is she bringing this all on herself? Would she be better off leaving her dad and brother to fend for themselves?

Oh poor Susan (never thought I'd say that) #TheArchers (@MsAlliance on Twitter)

Are there really grown men who are as useless as Gary Horrobin? It's appalling. (Auntie Molly)

People who behave like Susan are very irritating. Pointless martyrdom for a couple of feckless grown men who are quite capable of fending for themselves.

Only the women in their lives have run around picking up after them for years. (TuffTanya)

Join the debate on the message board

Never mind Susan's feelings, after Tracy appeared on Susan's doorstep on Wednesday, some message board folk complained of being "all Horrobinned out". But not everyone has had enough

All too soapy for me - Tracy landing on Susan and poor Neil out of the blue like that. Do we really need more characters and SLs at the moment? (siriol)

Tracy probably has enough on her plate without taking on two more children - Bert & Gary... It could be she has tried to bring the children up decently and exposing them to the everyday behaviour of Bert & Gary - unconstrained by Ivy is too awful to contemplate.... If she stays, of course, Susan will tremble every time the doorbell rings. Is it Clive? Oh, no; it's only Den! (HtoHe)

Well - I've just come home and LA and Tracey's appearance at the end of the epi cheered me up no end after a rather gloomy week. Bring on the Horrobins! (TheRealSportyGirl)

Really looking forward to Christmas now! Will the Bull get trashed on Boxing Day?.....

(Jacks Parakeet)

Read more on the No thread about Tracy thread.

The biggest topic of conversation on the message board has been Pat's speculation about Sharon's son Rich. Is he really John's son? Listeners have debated whether this storyline is about Pat's state of mind, or John's paternity - or both?

What's wrong with a simple phone call, Sharon could tell her where to go, but she might not. All these "don't be ridiculous" and "just let it go" comments are idiotic, Pat might have a grandson, the son of her dead son how is she supposed to just forget about it and why should she. (Jillyflower)

If Helen can deprive Henry's paternal relatives of any rights to know him I don't see how Pat can complain if Sharon does the same to her. After all Henry's father could be dead and his family devastated by his loss too. Look to your own actions, Pat. Not very honourable are they? (anna kist)

What (apart from throw his mother Sharon out a couple of times, and regard her as unworthy of Her Son John, and blame her for John's death) has Pat ever done for Rich? Anything to earn one half-minute of consideration? (Chris Ghoti)

You know that Pat #thearchers isn't going to keep quiet and there will be war when it all comes out (@munstermaid on Twitter)

Read all about it in the Why doesn't she just ask? and Just leave it alone Pat! threads on the message board.

It seems that everyone thought Pat make a huge mistake in telling Susan "Radio" Carter about her suspicions about Rich

Famous last words from Susan "I won't breathe a word" - will be round the village by tea time #thearchers (@sheilmcn on Twitter)

About as likely as Brine saying "I'll never look at another woman but you, Jenny". Or Tom saying "Let's face it, I'm a really lousy businessman". (NotsoTinyTim)

Last time Neil told Susan not to spread something around (about Nic not wanting another baby I think) she 'just' told Emma. (JustJanie - Fairweather Jogger)

Join the discussion in the "I won't breathe a word" thread

Helen's childcare plans have raised some eyebrows. Will she cope looking after two children for three days a week?

Oh please, please, let this friend's toddler be the type that opens its mouth to bawl as soon as it opens its eyes in the morning, be a picky eater, generally be a child that refuses to do anything an adult wishes it to and infect (in the sense of influence rather than e-coli) Henry! (Buntysdaughter)

Helen won't have to pay childminding fees, Henry will be fed and nappied and loved for 3 days, at the childminder. Then Childminder's baby will be fed/nappied/loved by Pat and Tony for 3 days (Dinah Shore)

Debate the issues in the So, no childminding cost for Helen then thread

On Monday there were cheers and tears as we celebrated Clarrie and Eddie Grundy's wedding anniversary.

#TheArchers making me cry tonight. Congrats @eddie_grundyand clarrie! (@wonderment on Twitter)

Had a lump in my throat listening to @bbcthearchers surprise anniversary party Sad but true. Long live touching gripping drama from Ambridge (@MrBarnabys on Twitter)

And listeners were cheered by gentleman Jim's blossoming relationship with Christine

I think the storyline rather sweet, well written and a bit moving as well. (jane c)

I like it too. And at the moment neither of them is admitting to either themself or the other that the feelings are growing - which is lovely. (BartlebysBestFriend)

Share your thoughts on the 'Hang on to the key...' thread.

In Ambridge Extra there's been a big debate over whether Alistair is acting appropriately towards Erin (or should that be the other way around?). Some found hearing Alistair's thoughts disturbing, but what they're really wondering is what Shula will say?

He knows the warning bells are ringing, it's just whether he can resist the temptation to daydream a little before it gets out of hand. (ermintrude)

Well, Al might be restrained, but will she? I'm not holding my breath. Cue Daniel walking in on a 'tricky situation'. Cue closing music. (DracsM1)

Err Alistair, I'd delete those text messages if I where you. #ambridgeextra (@Airscraper on Twitter)

Alastair - be careful! Shula's going to do her nut #ambridgeextra #teenagelust (@BeanMatthew on Twitter)

What is the matter with Alastair... he needs to tell Shula double quick! Erin is plainly after him - she is totally out of control... it`ll all end in tears. PS on the plus side, he & Shula may get another room decorated (Sameara Ninnuendo aka nesta)

And many have congratulated Ryan Kelly on (Jazzer) on his AMI award

Long overdue recognition of a brilliant and talented actor who has very much created the character he plays, a character that has improved greatly with the years. We need him to sing more, though! (Mustapha Grumble on the blog)

Congratulations on portraying a very entertaining character. I love the accent and Jazzer's antics! A well deserved award. (Meg Dyer on Facebook)

Always enjoy Jazzer. Still giggle over "As you were pigs" Please pass on congratulations to Ryan - the award is well deserved. (Lilians twin ??)

Add your congrats on the message board

Tayler Cresswell is host of The Archers message board.

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Ryan Kelly (Jazzer) has won an award for his contribution to broadcasting excellence and diversity.

The Ability Media International (AMI) awards were created by Leonard Cheshire Disability. They identify outstanding creative projects that encourage a more inclusive world for disabled people.

Ryan, who is blind, won the inaugural Tyzack Award, which recognises writers, producers and performers who 'transcend the stereotypical'. Judges said that Ryan was 'outstanding in his dramatic range, with immaculate comic timing and talent for harsh realism'.

They praised The Archers' producers for their 'groundbreaking' decision to award Ryan the fully-sighted role.

Ryan writes about the award and working on The Archers

A couple of months ago, when I was informed that I'd won an AMI award for my work in The Archers, I was totally gobsmacked. While I appreciated it more than I can say, I couldn't help thinking that the work is an award in itself.

I know that sounds sycophantic, but its genuinely how I feel.

Joining The Archers

In about March 2000, I was walking to the local nursery to pick up my nephew. My wife Sonia was slightly behind me pushing a push chair containing our daughter Bethany, helped by a very capable lab retriever cross called Flix. I had a golden retriever called Benson.

We'd just got to the edge of a very busy road when my mobile phone started ringing. It was Julie Beckett, one of The Archers producers, asking me if I would like to audition. After agreeing to do it and saying goodbye, I was so flabbergasted that I straightway told my dog to go forward, right into a load of traffic. It was a good job he had his head screwed on.

When it came to the audition, I tried three different accents, but fairly broad Glaswegian won hands down. I found out later, that the Archers people hadn't envisaged that one either but they liked it when they heard it.

When Julie rang to tell me I'd got the job, needless to say I was blown away. However, there was just one snag. How was I going to cope with the scripts? You can't read braille in front of a mic. The sound your fingers make running over it is picked up. To say nothing about having to read it with two hands and having to turn twice as many pages as everyone else.

As I'd learned the lines for the audition, it was decided that I could do the same for the episodes.

When I first went into The Archers green room, I was dumb struck with hero worship. I've listened since I was 11 years old and so for me it was, and still is, a job that I dreamed of.

Since I started ten years ago, the way I learn my lines has changed so much. When I began, a friend used to read them on to a dictaphone. Now, thanks to email, my lines can be learned via synthetic speech. The great advantage of this is that you can't copy the delivery in any way. If you did, you'd sound like something out of Doctor Who.

Quality banter

When it comes to recording, I mostly have a great time. The banter between scenes is of the highest quality. For example, I can't see the green light that starts a scene, so if I have the first line, the studio manager substitutes "green light coming" with "a smack on the head coming". Or some other violent action. Thankfully, it's really just a tap on the shoulder.

And when scripts rustle during scenes, I always apologise as a matter of course, even though I don't have one.

I'd like to touch for a moment on the atmosphere in the green room. It reminds me of a family living room. We've even got a ticking clock. The people I work with are never anything less than exemplary to me. I always get at least one laugh per episode. Once, after the read through someone said to me "Ryan, you did those lines so well one might almost think you'd learned them."

Since Jazzer has been in The Archers, he has got up to all sorts. Car thief, drug addict and ladykiller; to mention but a few. He has his good side though. He's even been a peacemaker. He seems to have settled down a bit in his older age, with one exception. He canny keep his mind or his hands off the lasses. All in all, he's a great character to play and although I think he's a bit of an idiot, I can't help liking him a lot.

In conclusion, I'd like to thank The Archers for giving me something to do and my marvellous family for giving me someone to do it for.



Keri Davies is an Archers (and Ambridge Extra) scriptwriter and web producer.

• More about the AMI awards
• Read a summary of Jazzer's colourful love life
• Remember Jazzer's unfortunate brush with ketamine (which is more than he does)
• Discover more about Ryan in an interview with the BBC's 'Ouch' team
• Pictures shows Ryan Kelly (Jazzer) and Dame Maggie Smith, who presented the award

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Ivy's funeral was deemed "bloody good" and "EastEnders" on Thursday. Listeners wonder why Susan is spending so much time looking after her dad and Gary.

Others are doing their sums to work out if Rich could really be John Archer's son - what would it mean for Helen, Tom and Henry? And what do you think of Lynda's Christmas Show or Will and Nic's wedding plans?

Over in Ambridge Extra, it's all getting steamy... phew!

Here's my pick of listener discussions on The Archers message board, Twitter and Facebook between Thurs 10 and Weds 16 November 2011.

Thursday's "Horrobin-fest" delighted many although a few wondered whether they'd stumbled into EastEnders rather than Ivy's funeral. Kylie and Susan were applauded for giving Clive his marching orders...

Before the funeral started, one "Rev Alan Franks" posted on Twitter: Ah the bike is locked up and the silver is secure. A special day for a special family @CliveHorrobin #archers #thearchers

You can say what you like about the Horrobins, but they throw a bloody entertaining funeral. #archers #thearchers (@feexby on Twitter)

Wot no punch up? We woz robbed. Not a bad funeral though all in all, the row was worth waiting for but a punch up would have put it up there at the top of the chart... I just hope that Clive has a massive bootprint on his arse as he leaves Ambridge. (La Sharpissima)

@BBCTheArchers am I listening to Enders by mistake? (@franjangle on Twitter)

Difficult to do simmering pent-up sibling resentment looking daggers over the vast expanse of vol-au-vents and drained pint glasses on radio, but they did a good job here. (A Mankwold Sioux)

Susan, I'd recommend keeping a bucket of water by your front door tonight. Just in case, eh? #thearchers #horrobin #firestarter (@Wimblebear on Twitter)

Follow the action on the Wot no punch up? thread on the message board.

Poor put-upon Susan, cooking and cleaning for Bert and Gary. But at least one listener wonders if it's not just their welfare she's looking out for...

Susan's life is sorted for the foreseeable, cook clean, cook clean work, cook clean, work....... #thearchers (@Airscraper on Twitter)

Do you not think she is showing so much interest because she fears Clive getting his hooks in? Doing all that cooking and clothes washing means she can keep a surreptitious eye on them .. (JustPresidentBunnikins_Socialist)

Either that or she is taking on the mantle of matriarch and she is going to knock those Horrobins into shape seeing as how they are now related to Aldridges. (Pahnda)

Read more on the message board

Talk of Kylie's half-brother, Rich, has had listeners comparing dates and wondering if he could possibly be John Archer's son? And if their suspicions are correct, what will Helen and Tom make of it all?

Pat's just gone back to the shop to double check! Bet Tony finds the calculator on the desk when he gets back. (May_Contain_Nuts)

Perhaps the lad should be sent a warning!! (Gillian Berg on Facebook)

Have just checked and John died on 25/2/1998 - I was sure it was earlier than that! So 13 would work, I guess. (Claribel)

Helen thought by producing the perfect 1st grandchild she'd staked her claim to the farm. Presumably Peggy will pop Rich in her Will if he is her great-grandchild & the SWs aren't toying with us. (fieldplace)

Anyone feel sorry for Henry... at all? (Ϯ Lady MacbethϮ - 42)

Follow the speculation on the How is Pat going to find out if Rich is John's son? and A teenager? threads.

Christmas is coming... will you be buying a ticket to Lynda's Christmas show?

What could be worse than a Christmas Concert? A Christmas Concert with home made 'food from around the world' served cold on a paper plate whilst your hearing is assaulted by some caterwauling locals. (Borrowed Time)

I thought it sounded quite nice. As long as it's wine/booze from round the world to dull the pain, I'd far rather go to that than a concert. (Rachael2001)

Will it work? Tell Lynda what you think on the message board

Will and Nic's wedding - with a honeymoon in Cape Verde and a wedding list at Underwoods, are they being a little too adventurous?

Wedding present list in Underwoods? Isn't that a bit OTT? (Diamontelil)

It's better than the village shop. Why not? A time-honoured Borsetshire tradition, I daresay. (ermintrude)

I would have loved it to be in the village shop! that has made me laugh. I might have lashed out for a pair of american tan tights myself, if it had been. (Irene)

Have your say on message board

Is Brian's mega dairy proposal coming unstuck? Most listeners seem to hope so

Anyone catch the Archers tonight. Ruth in meltdown about large scale dairy idea. Suspect this one will run and run. (@FarmersWeely on Twitter)

Rather liked Ruth's reaction. Glad not everyone is dropping their drawers for Bri. Of course they're going to go up poo creek without a financial paddle and be Sorely Tempted but I sort of hope Ruth and David will stick to their guns. (Basia)

Should Brian get his way? Or are you with Ruth and Not keen?

It's getting heated over in Ambridge Extra! Erin and Dan... (or should that be Alistair!) have dominated discussions . Tuesday's episode was labelled both "disgusting" and "hot stuff"!

I thought this was the best (i.e. most believable) Ambridge sex scene since John and Sharon on top of the hay wagon. (mike)

I switched it off. Bad enough to hear the tonsillar exchanges without Dan's neurotic musings. Bleurgh. (soobeehere)

I'm glad that wasn't on TA, I'm not sure my mother would have approved....... But the bit where she stopped Daniel mid-grope to take a text from his father was a classic...... (ermintrude)

Is it just me or may there be trouble ahead for the vet and his son's friend or should I wash my mouth out. #beauty&thebeast. (@robertolopezuk on Twitter)

Discuss Ambridge Extra on the message board.

And I'll leave you with a few new house names for Ambridge residents, suggested on the message board

DunHorrobin (Purple_Hay)

Stilmoanin - Rickyard Cottage renamed (Auntie Molly)

Jimus (or Auntie C) Done Roman (typewright)

Bovine Mega-Unit View' - HF farmhouse, renamed and NOT Bridge Farm (Torch_Brookfield)

Tayler Cresswell is host of The Archers message board.

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Ruth is keen to improve hard-pressed Brookfield's milk contract arrangements. The Archers agricultural advisor Steve Peacock explains the background - and why the supposed holy grail of a direct contract might have its drawbacks.

Beef has done well for David and Ruth Archer this year. So have the sheep. But they, like many British dairy farmers, are finding it a struggle to make a profit from milking cows.

You'll often hear dairy farmers complaining that milk costs less in the shops than bottled water. They say the price they get for milk is often less than it costs to produce it. Certainly, the average price British farmers get has been bumping along the bottom of the European league table for a while now.

It is a complex business with a seemingly endless variety of contracts, but a glance at the league table published on the industry's DairyCo website shows that some of the best deals are "direct supply" contracts, where the farmer is contracted by a milk processing company to supply one of the main supermarket chains.

According to the latest Defra figures, the average farmgate price for liquid milk stands at just over 28 pence per litre (an improvement of nearly 3 pence on the same time last year). But there's a big gap between the best and worst prices - as low as 25.75 and as high as 31.29 pence per litre.

It's not hard to see, then, why Ruth Archer is currently so keen to get Brookfield on a direct supply contract and it may well make sense for her and David to pursue this option. They are good farmers with the sort of mixed family farm that would delight any inspector - high standards of welfare and hygiene, reliable supply, good quality product, a good story to tell.

In recent years they have worked hard to improve standards on the farm, improve their grazing and cut down reliance on expensive concentrated feedstuffs. Their main problem in securing a deal that pays them over the odds is that plenty of farmers have got there first. They'll find it hard to break into the magic circle populated by farmers who are happy to comply with any strings attached to earning a premium price for their milk.

If they don't, they'll be able to take comfort from the fact that many others regard direct supply deals as a lot more trouble than they are worth. They see the strings - conditions attached to the contracts - as onerous. They are designed to give supermarkets - and so us, the consumers - assurances that we're getting a quality product, produced to high standards.

Disillusioned farmers will tell you they're being made to jump through hoops by people who don't properly understand the business or, worse, being set up to fail so they can be dropped at will. And there are, of course, other ways to make a profit.

Whichever way it goes, the Archers of Brookfield Farm will need good luck as well as good farming standards as they continue their search for profit in a hard-pressed sector.

Steve Peacock is The Archers agricultural advisor.

• Compare milk prices on the DairyCo website
• Steve writes about another approach - Debbie's proposed mega-dairy
• Picture shows Steve Peacock

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Plans for Ivy's funeral and the seating plan for Peggy's lunch - bets are on for which will host a "full on punch up" - the Archers or the Horrobins?

Memories of Sharon Richards, her undies, and her relationship with John Archer have surfaced - bringing with them some speculation.

Elona's arrival in Ambridge has started a debate about why listeners do and don't like her. In Ambridge Extra, Neil is hailed a hero after his confrontation with Clive, and on Twitter, one "@DanielAmbridge" insists he's "NOT CREEPY!"

Here's my pick of listener discussions on The Archers message board, Twitter and Facebook between 4-9 November 2011.

As plans for Ivy's funeral come together, some wonder if the Horrobins will cause problems in The Bull as Tony predicted on Wednesday...

Lock up your silver Alan , Clive's coming. #thearchers (@Airscraper on Twitter)

Cloive will have the brass off the casket before it goes through the curtains in any event. (Feral_Ralph)

Horrobins "like half a dozen ferrets in a sack"...don't go blaming Eddie, Tony! #thearchers #archers (@DustySubstances on Twitter)

Tony was almost universally lambasted on Friday after his row with Jennifer ... will his disparaging remark about the Horrobins' come back to haunt him if everyone ends up at loggerheads at Peggy's birthday lunch?

Oh for god's sake Tony GIVE IT A REST!!!! #thearchers (@pboropixie on Twitter)

#TheArchers Well i for one am enjoying Tony's passive aggression. Plus, a classic "Byeeeee" tonight i thought. (@ThatJoelFella on Twitter)

So Tony doesn't want to sit by Jenny - Brian will not want to sit by Matt, Tom will not want to be next to Tony or Helen... I suggest they have a Buffet ! (fabsupergran)

If it were me I'd put Tone next to JennyDahhhling, Brine next to mAdam, Kenton next to Jill or possibly St Shugs, light the blue touch-paper and retire to a safe distance (100 yards)! (mountetna2)

Will Kenny Boy be invited alone or with his latest bit of stuff? (MsMumbo-Jumbo)

Add your suggestion for the seating plans in the Oh put a sock in it Tony thread.

And get exasperated in the Tony - what a twit! thread.

Bless Tom Archer - his offer to Helen and his parents of "a share in my success" had some listeners laughing out loud

I'm offering you a share in my success. Oh thank you, thank you SWs! A real laugh out loud moment, the SLT at his very best. (loveinamist)

Come now, Lovers - have some respec'. Tarm has sold another 10 packs this week alone. At PREMIUM prices, for a PREMIUM product remember: that's at least another £36 in turnover. (RS Acre)

Is he also offering a share of what he owes Peggy? (JacksParakeet)

Can't believe I'm saying this but: Team Helen. #thearchers (@stevenperkins on Twitter)

Read all about it on the message board.

With the re-appearance of Sharon Richards and her daughter Kylie, there's been a huge amount of speculation about where this storyline is heading. Most were delighted to hear that Kylie had made it to University.

How wonderful to hear from Sharon and (at one remove) from Kylie, it takes me back to the days of the caravan, let's hope there's a fight at the funeral. (Crispin Taylor)

So, another child answered the phone. IT'S JOHN ARCHERS, ISN'T IT? (BTW, We all cheered when we heard Kylie was at university didn't we?) (JoLean)

I REALLY want a little FitzArcher to stir up the village and put Henry's nose out of joint. With any luck he'll look just like his dad. (dean volcape)

I'd love this to be John's child. As he was so involved with Hayley at the time of his death, it would have been sensible of Sharon to sneak off and have a baby elsewhere, rather than create further distress for Pat and Tony. But it would be great if Henry could be upstaged by another grandchild! (shulascat)

The rightful heir to the sausage empire? (Nelson_G)

Get the gossip in the Sharon, kylie & John's child thread on the message board.

As Elona and her family move into Ambridge's No 3 The Green, listeners debate her good and not-so-good points...

Well I suppose it's not my husband she's taking care of. Peggoi believes every word she says. Peggoi must love it, because she does nothing but grovel. (binocular)

I think she has a sinister side, perhaps to be revealed later. She certainly knows how to manipulate (ANDROMEDAKRAKEN)

I think she is great. Her personality really fits with her profession, she is sweet and kind. I'm actually already starting to loathe Darryl before we even meet him because he sounds like an idiot who is just making this nice woman's life so much harder than it has to be... Now that she is in the village, I can imagine her really coming into her own...

(statesidefan)

Add your thoughts to the Why do I not like Elona? thread.

In Ambridge Extra, listeners are giving Neil a well deserved pat on the back after his run in with Clive on Tuesday. And "Daniel" on Twitter insists he's "NOT CREEPY!"

I AM NOT CREEPY! At least I don't listen in on other people's private thoughts. #AmbridgeExtra (@DanielAmbridge on Twitter)

Lots of testosterone flying round AmEx this afternoon. Well done chaps but watch your backs all the same (Janluke)

I have always liked Neil but recently he has been a really great. Standing up to the horrible Clive, doing Ed's job in telling him to leave Emma and the kids alone, supporting Susan so well in her grief, having insight into how Emma resents not being the centre of attention and even giving Tony great common sense advice in a sensitive manner. He really is an unsung hero IMO. (Dailyfix)

Isn't he great! Such an example for Daniel, too. Good for them both. (Bette)

Neil and Clive, photos and bin bags, just how real life is. The actor playing Neil conveys his resentment/anger with Clive very realistically... looking forward to the next episode. (AustralianJulie)

Join the Ambridge Extra conversation on the message board.

And one listener (@jamspangle) has set up an Archers' bird watch (or rather, 'listen') on Twitter using the #TAbirdlist hashtag.

#TAbirdlist I'm sure I heard the strangled cry of a godwit in the background as Susan was droning on. #thearchers (@BarwickGreenon Twitter)

Tayler Cresswell is host of The Archers message board.

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This week, The Archers' listeners remember Ivy Horrobin - "The village will be a poorer and quieter place without her." Brenda's place in the family has been debated after Tony excluded her from the Bridge Farm meeting, and Tom's successful pig video is upsetting some.

There's more on Will and Nic's wedding preparations and a Radio 4 Continuity Announcer drops by.

Over in Ambridge Extra, hopes for Clive's rehabilitation are fading fast, and who has Erin set her sights on?

Here's my pick of listener discussions on The Archers message board, Twitter and Facebook between 28 October and 3 November 2011.

It's "slippery Brian" v Adam - when it comes to the Battle for Home Farm, who will win? Has Brian ever really cared for his stepson? And will Adam soon be leaving Home Farm?

Brian is just so slippery, he handled the whole thing appallingly and Adam should say no on principle. (Donna Savery on Facebook)

Adam appears to me to be arguing purely from a "You never consult me so I won't support you" point, not any logic about the farm... (RobinAFromSway)

I don't know why Brian puts up with him. Don't like Debbie or Adam since they tried to push Ruari out of his inheritance. Brian owes them what exactly? (sunnysakasredux)

Take sides in the I've gone right off Brian thread.

Ivy's death on Monday spawned a splendidly tongue-in-cheek thread about this former silent character. Those listening to Ambridge Extra, however, are pleased that she's got over her terrible cough!

I'm going to miss Ivy. Her witty jokes. Her devastating put downs. Her double entendres. Her words of wisdom. The way she was always at the centre of astute political discussion in the Bull. Her mesmerising story telling skills. Her knowledge of folk lore and traditional songs . Her encyclopaedic recall of bloodstock lines. The village will be a poorer and quieter place without her. (Vicky S)

Some folk say a ghostly hacking cough can sometimes be heard on the village green... (Froginasock)

Read more in the I'm going to miss Ivy thread on the message board.



Some suspect Clive of having a hand in his mother's death...

#archers #thearchers Tragic about Ivy.....where was Clive at the time of death I wonder (@ ChirpsEstonia on Twitter)

Supportive Neil Carter has come in for much praise

He really does love his wife. And shows the patience of a Saint when she gets in a snit. (beligerent_londoner101)

A man of few words but they all count as opposed to the likes of Lynda and JD [Jenny Darling]. (Purple_Hay)

Give Neil a pat on the back in the aptly named Neil thread.

Over at Bridge Farm, some were despondent at news of the success of Tom's footballing pigs video - and there was much debate over Tony's comment that Brenda be excluded from the "family" meeting.

A viral success for piggy football. I suspect that I am not the only one who is just a little disappointed at this wholly unexpected turn of events? (Dr Toad Leg)

I'd happily give Tom and Brenda 23,000 hits. #thearchers (@stevenperkins on Twitter)

I did think that Brenda had helped with Bridge Farm marketing in the past, if so it seems a bit petty to exclude her now. (Auntie Molly)

It's not take our girlfriends to work week as far as I know. Just because she lives with and claims to be going to marry Tom she's not a partner or employee of the enterprise. And as to whining 'when I think that all I've done for them, it's really hurtful', I nearly threw the radio through the window (A Frend)

Have your say in the Is Brenda a member of the family? thread.

With Will and Nic's wedding preparations well underway - Roy as best man, 'e-Clarrie' making the cake and advising on the bride's dress, and the Shania Twain soundtrack - what could possibly go wrong?

Clarie's making the wedding cake! Entire cast felled! #thearchers (@felixrandal on Twitter)

I've a bad feeling about this one. If it's Clarrie advising on the wedding dress, Nic is in danger of ending up in something sensible in crimplene with a warm cardie that doesn't quite match. (Hot Cross Nun)

Why doesn't Will ask his brother to be his best man? (Graham42 _Soon Be Autumn_)

I know for a fact most registrars would gladly kill Shania Twain. #thearchers (@jamspangle on Twitter)

Read all about it in the Poor Nic's mum and Roy as best man threads.

And Radio 4 Continuity Announcer, Alan Smith (or 1eggor2 as he's known on the message board), popped in on Thursday night to join Mustardlanders listening to The Archers...

Hello everyone - it's your Eggy CA here, a lovely mug of Columbian at my side, ready to listen along with you... I have the vicar in my sights this evening! (1eggor2)

Grab a coffee and join the Good evening from the bunker! thread.

In Ambridge Extra, listeners are coming to the conclusion that Clive hasn't changed. Does Matt really have a plan for dealing with Clive?

How low can Clive sink lying about his mums rings?! Quite a way yet I wager! @BBCRadio4extra @BBCTheArchers #thearchers (@ruggerlad on Twitter)

The Matt / Clive combination has been a brilliant pairing since the first episode - the two of them work perfectly. Adding PussCat to the mix whilst hearing Clive's internal commentary made for a great few minutes. (Mustafa Grumble)

Read all about it on the Excellent Episode thread on the message board.

Has Erin set her sights on Alistair? And is it just work experience she's after?

Now *this* IS a good story. Poor old shy, slightly strange Daniel when his father ends up boffing the girl he fancies. (JoLean)

I suppose that Alistair could fall for her, without anything actually happening, though having both Daniel and Alistair having lustful thoughts about her would be hard for me to listen to ... (Lakey_Hill)

Check out the gossip in the Alistair & Erin thread.

Tayler Cresswell is host of The Archers message board.

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