“Is Ed Grundy cursed?” – The Archers listener discussions to 6 August 2014

Listeners admitted sobbing after Monday’s touching service at St Stephen’s commemorating the First World War.

Charlie Thomas has been the subject of much speculation this week – who threw the brick? And is there a murder afoot?

It’s not been Ed Grundy’s week and many think it’s high time he got a break.

And – hooray! Susan’s invited to Jennifer’s party – listeners are busy choosing what to wear...

Here’s my pick of listener discussions between 31 July and 6 August 2014.

Listeners found Monday’s service commemorating WW1 at St Stephens, and Jill’s reading of Wilfred Owen’s poem ‘Futility’, particularly moving.

This episode was one of the most moving epitaphs that day - I listened to it in a room lit only by one candle in the window. (Neil Vinall on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

Goosebumps #thearchers (@gowergirl on Twitter)

Especially poignant - I listened to it twice. (Joyce N Church on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

“@BBCTheArchers: “We will remember them” #thearchers” very moving, didn't expect to cry quite so much. I'll be lighting my candle at 10pm. (@weasel_gnome on Twitter)

Just caught last night's WW1 tribute on #thearchers Poignant, beautiful and totally believable. Heck of a church choir too (@ThereSheRides on Twitter)

Today I've been moved, reminded or surprised by the history of #WW1 But I hadn't cried till I heard Patricia Greene in #thearchers (@AnnieAtJali on Twitter)

I was very moved by this episode. Thank you BBC for going the extra mile to commemorate WW1, the Archers way. (Eizabeth Hedgley on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

@BBCTheArchers Among those silver voices you could almost hear the faint footsteps of the Soldiers. RIP. (@Margaretdeniso on Twitter)

Hear a clip: Patricia Green as Jill Archer reading Wilfred Owen’s Futility

Whodunnit? Tuesday’s episode fuelled speculation about who threw the brick at Charlie Thomas.

At first I thought Charlie had tripped up on a cable or his own ego. Brick throwing seems very un Ambridge!(Chris Walmsley on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

Bet it was Ben with the brick #thearchers (@Felix_keeps_on on Twitter)

*sigh* It'll be Ed who lobbed the brickl, or at least who'll get blamed for it. #thearchers (@Firehorse_on_SL on Twitter)

I think Charlie staged the event to illicit sympathy, hence a 1/2 brick, near miss. #thearchers (@LadyDanni1 on Twitter)

Perhaps it was mistaken identity, and Jess was lying in wait expecting Rob to come out! (Alison Kay on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

@BBCTheArchers - missed him by inches - is this an indictment of the demise of high quality PE in schools? Should have got him! (@Anni3H4rris on Twitter)

After Freddie Pargetter was unmasked as the culprit, many wonder if Elizabeth will cope…

Oh dear, Freddie is a juvenile delinquent. This'll give Lizzie an attack of the vapours. #thearchers (@ginandcrumpets on Twitter)

Lizzie will blame Freddie's behaviour on her unfortunate liaison with Roy. Cue lots of hand-wringing and navel-gazing on her part, while at the same time complete obtuseness about the seat of the problem (as usual). (Deb Yuill on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

Freddie needs a father figure. (Roderick Cromar on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

Yep, Nigel would have sharpened his aim up! (Ben Szulc on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

Is it time Ed Grundy got a break? Many think so after a week in which he put the combine out of action and had a run-in with Charlie Thomas.

Ed really is a Jonah, isn't he? #TheArchers (@AndromP on Twitter)

To be honest there is no way I'd have let Ed Grundy drive a Ford Fiesta let alone a combine #pillock#thearchers (@DustySubstances on Twitter)

#thearchers - I feel for Ed and Emmur - just as he gets his head a little bit above the poverty line - it gets knocked back down. :( (@CeeeMBeee on Twitter)

"How can I be so stupid" Don't beat yourself up Ed, it's in your genes. #thearchers (@olympians on Twitter)

Is Ed Grundy cursed because he married his brother's ex wife? Henry VIII used it as an excuse to divorce Catherine of Aragon. #thearchers (@MagneticFlea on Twitter)

Most put the blame at Charlie Thomas’s door. And after his he had young Ben Archer and Ed lining up to apologise to him – and then called Ed a “yokel” – some suspect there’s murder in the air…

Charlie is one of those people who imagine that ever-more-cutting barbs constitute helpful management. #TheArchers (@ExeterDormouse on Twitter)

I foresee trouble ahead with his sudden temper flare-ups, caused by his insecurity and anxiety about his boss. (Jean Bell BBC The Archers Facebook page)

As I have previously mentioned, Charlie needs popping in the anaerobic digester. I won't hear a word against Ed. (Phillippa Vereker on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

Does anyone think that TA is gearing up for a 'who shot Charlie' soap-style storyline? There seem to be lots of people being set up with a motive: Adam, Ed, (Ben!?)... (Kirsty Walden on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

Has there ever been a murder in Ambridge? First time for everything Adam... #justsayin#thearchers (@FenFrances on Twitter)

Often bullies like Charlie are bullied themselves - I wonder if Justin is putting a lot of pressure on him? (Trisha Lesley McCarthy on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

SOMEONE needs to get aggressive with Charlie. He's been throwing his weight around unchallenged for too long now. I actually cheered Rob and I can't stand the bloke! (Caroline Andrews on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

Rob Titchener’s popularity ranking rose a few points after he defended Ed. Though some were still suspicious of his motives

Charlie definitely taken over from Rob on the hate stakes #thearchers (@jbjagain on Twitter)

@BBCTheArchers I don't like Charlie - not least cos he's making Rob sound reasonable. (@hellenriebold on Twitter)

Watching Rob’s like watching a Chess Master U cant always work out why he made particular move but u know he always has a plan #thearchers (@Londonworms on Twitter)

So, I'm thinking Rob @BBCTheArchers wasn't so much defending Ed as protecting his own interests. Rob & Charlie are both creeps. #TheArchers (@graciekerr on Twitter)

Many hankered after the Grand Theft Combine game after Charlie made a barbed comment about Ed’s preparation for driving the combine.

Ooh Grand Theft Combine - ideal birthday present for the man in your life #thearchers (@shimmy41a on Twitter)

I wanna play Grand Theft Combine! #thearchers (@MishaGlenny on Twitter)

Please please can the on-line combine harvester game allow you to mow down little Charlie avatars #thearchers (@SmithPeterScott on Twitter)

In other news, there’s been some excitement as the date for Jennifer’s soiree approaches, and Susan *finally* gets her invitation – she says she’ll check her diary…

Check your diary Susan? Will you have to cancel an evening of fuming over not being invited to go? #TheArchers (@Emily_Thomas73 on Twitter)

Susan checking her diary made me laugh at 5.30 this morning (podcast). I'd previously have had that down as an impossible task. (James Lucey on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

Monday - Gossiping, Tuesday - Gossiping , Wednesday - Whinging & Gossiping, Thursday - Gossiping & Whinging, Friday - Whinging, Saturday, Gossiping, Sunday - Church & Gossiping (Graham Wall on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

Hurray! Susan SHALL go to the ball! #thearchers (@elizabeth_snook on Twitter)

But what to wear? Listeners have been discussing the options

What are we all wearing to Jenny's 'do'? I'm going for a Viyella number. (@AnnaEdwa on Twitter) #thearchers

Think I am washing my hair on that day! (Nicola Steans on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

I've been to Underwood's and got some red corduroy slacks, a checked shirt and cravatte #thearchers (@2ndcitysuit on Twitter)

Gold wellies and bikini OK? (Kate Trought on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

Is Neil going in his managerial overalls? (Jane Anderson on on Archers Addicts Facebook page)

Tayler Cresswell is The Archers’ social media host

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