While no one’s quite sure of Bartleby’s exact age, we can glean other facts about him from his time in Ambridge.
Bartleby first clip-clopped his way into the village in 2002. But, in fine Grundy fashion of putting the cart before the horse, Joe sourced a trap before securing a pony to pull it.
Doris Archer’s old trap was languishing at the Stables when Joe said he could take it off Shula’s hands. It took pride of place on the lawn at Keeper’s Cottage which didn’t go down well with Clarrie. Joe restored the trap and repainted it racing green with touches of red along the edges.
Bartleby came from a farmer called Mr Hazeldene who was happy for Joe to have the grey pony on an extended loan. Now, 14 years on, Bartleby is a familiar Ambridge name and for Joe, it’s impossible to imagine life without him.
As Bartleby is yet to show any sign of stepping into the shoes of Mr. Ed, we’re unable to know his thoughts and feelings. Thankfully, there's The Archers' archive which holds these gems:
Bartleby doesn’t like to be curry-combed too vigorously.
While he didn’t mind being smartened up for Ed and Emma’s wedding, he didn’t take kindly to Joe’s attempts to make him one of the attractions at Elf-World.
Bartleby’s first home in Ambridge was on Lynda’s land where he had a friend called Baby Spice, Will’s rosette-winning cow.
Joe and Bartleby’s first guest in the trap was Lynda. During her ride, Bartleby was spooked by a loose dog and gave Lynda the fright of her life!
When Bartleby helped himself to the fruit bowl in the kitchen of April Cottage, he interrupted an awkward moment between Sid and Kathy - Sid had just realised that Kathy was now with Kenton.
