The Archers at 65 - Behind The Scenes

Following much speculation about what would happen in The Archers' 65th Anniversary episode, Editor Sean O'Connor takes us behind the scenes and shares his thoughts about the enduring success of The Archers.

Listen to this special interview with Sean, featuring clips from the anniversary episode and moments with the cast in the studio.

Graham Harvey is The Archers' Agricultural Advisor and wrote the 65th anniversary episode. He told us:

"As a farming journalist I've spent many years talking to farmers around the country. Farmers are incredibly resourceful people and hungry for information - Ruth has immersed herself in a different farming culture and has come home full of ideas.

It’s quite a lonely occupation. Over time, the social interaction has been greatly reduced.

I’ve heard a lot of stories. The future of family farms is a big issue - there have been lots of examples where a son or daughter has left the farm to take up a job in the City for instance. But a problem at home causes them to come back and take over. Often when they come home after time away, they have new ideas. There’s a real need for that now – everything’s changing in the world of farming. 

It’s a very exciting time for agriculture and we do our best to reflect that in The Archers...

Thoughts on the Anniversary storyline?:

"It was a joy to write, focusing the action on the major issue of family farming and the future. I hope listeners will enjoy the sense of new enthusiasm that crosses generations at Brookfield. This is a time for the Archer family to work as a team, all pulling together – a sense of Brookfield against the world!

The same challenges that apply to Brookfield apply to others, of course – all farming sectors face similar challenges in the future.

So what is Ruth's plan?

"Rather than producing more milk, it’s about better selling. For years at Brookfield they’ve been producing high yields of milk. Ruth has come home with the idea to become much more self-sufficient, feeding cows on grass and cutting costs. Hundreds, maybe thousands of dairy farmers have gone down this route over the last few years."

As the very first episode was about to go out on air, Editor and Archers creator Godfrey Baseley told the Radio Times:

“Part of the job of Agricultural Producers of the BBC is to meet people who get their living from the land, and as time went on it became more and more evident that there was a fascinating story – not only for the farming community, but for listeners generally – in the latest scientific developments and the use practical farmers are making of them…

He added:

“This picture of the countryside must be accurate, and to make sure that every detail of the programme shall be as acceptable to the countryman as it is entertaining to the townsman we are keeping records of the daily happenings on an actual farm. Behind us a team of experts will be always ready to keep us up to date with the latest developments.

Last, but perhaps strangest of all, Edward J.Mason and Geoffrey Webb, who write Dick Barton, will be responsible for the script.”

And history was made…