Archers Addicts 2

NfkDumpling et al, not listening to The Archers has been a liberating and life enhancing experience since I decided to give up (it's been nearly a month) because the Rob/Helen thing had just got too relentlessly depressing. I'm not ashamed to say I listened for entertainment not for social awareness education. I can keep up with plot developments on this excellent forum and twitter without screaming at the radio every time Rob says 'there's a good girl' and 'I've had an idea.' So in theory I'll be ready to retune when the programme moves on, but I'm not sure I'll bother.

Salem House, Dotheboys Hall... the sort of school that made Rob the man he is today.

I find it bizarre that Ursula's farmer husband is prepared to pay for the education of a child without a drop of Titchener blood. And what would Rob's brother make of his inheritance being frittered away?

And I thought they all hated eachother, grumppa

I can't not listen herisson, I'm in too deep! Hooked! I have to know what's happening!

Good for Kirsty she has started the end game!

Fingers crossed. Not there yet.

The thing that will flip Helen into action is the boarding school plot.

The s**t will hit the proverbial when Helen hears Henry say he wants to go to boarding school so he can be just like Daddy!

Asking a five year old to keep a secret like that?

Rob only said, 'Don't tell mummy'

... and Henry is spending a day at the farm ... with no Rob, who thinks it will be nice for Helen and him to have time together.

Oh please let it keep unwinding.

Spoiler alert: the Radio Times listings for next week state that "Henry causes a crisis at Ursula's leaving party", and Bruce is listed on the cast list ( apparently the actor playing him is well known for playing baddies, so maybe he's another psychopathic member of the family).

I'm wondering - would Ursula, whose only been in Ambridge 5 minutes, really have a leaving party?
How many parties go on in Ambridge?
Maybe the sh1t is really hitting the fan over the Easter weekend?
Anyway, I can't wait .

As I understand it, Pat suggested hosting a family tea "party" to thank Ursula for her "help" and I did wonder if that might be a flashpoint. It would be good if this bombshell was dropped when Helen has her family for moral support.
But is life that straightforward?

I bet Rob cancels the teaparty and Helen doesn't even get it know about it.

It annoys me that if you disagree with the folk that say the Helen/Rob situation is just highlighting what really happens and we should be aware of this type of domestic violence. Fair enough argument if the SW were really being realistic, but sending a 5 year old to boarding school, where in England would this be? What head teacher would believe Rob and Ursula and take him not having seen the mother, that would be worrying if there are really places like that. Have the SW done their research and found such a place? Of course we should be aware of domestic violence and if the BBC want to highlight it so be it but I do not feel the Archers should be that place. A lot of us have listened for many years and do not want these terrible scenes in our living rooms. How many listeners has it lost?

pink, I think they will have gained more listeners than they have lost. About the boarding school: up-thread somebody said that Mumsnetters have found boarding schools for 5 yr olds. It is interesting that they have a thread too. I wouldn't have thought there would be many listeners in that age bracket before the current story line.

Over the years, even when I was a child, we used to look out for the 'lesson of the week' on the Archers. These sorts of topic are often covered.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/2595801-Will-it-be-porridge-or-curtains-for-Knob-Await-a-sensible-and-sensitive-ending-to-That-Storyline-on-The-Archers-thread?pg=8

I often look in on the Mumsnet Archers thread. It's funny, lively, witty and moves along at a cracking pace.

As entertaining as the programme itself I think.

Bruce is Rob's dad btw.

I agree that I do not think boarding schools would be able to take a child of 5 as a boarder. He may be able to attend as a day boy transitioning to boarding, weekly boarding or flexible boarding at 7 but 5 seems very unlikely.

I do feel that the boarding school idea is the game changer.

I wonder why they're bringing Bruce in just as we're hoping the storyline will end?

Maybe he's just found out about Henry's school fees?

There is a wonderful Midwives meets Archers clip on mumsnet. Not sure how to post it here so will leave it to someone cleverer than me. Not easy on kindle.

It must have been Rob who set fire to the henhouse mustn't it?

I don't have the technical skills to share a post I came across on Facebook.
It's a photograph of the Queen being followed by Bond (Daniel Craig) as they left the palace so the Queen could parachute into the olympics. Bond to Queen - 'what about Rob titchner madam"
Queen replies "make it look like a farm accident Bond"

Yey!

I completely agree, Ayjay - I'm sure it was him. He obviously underestimates the Fairbrother boys...

You know, I just can NOT listen to the Rob/Helen bits - I actually hit the mute when they start having one of their "conversations." Surely noone is that malleable - I mean I could see if she was 'weakened' before Rob started in on her - but she never struck me as 'weak.' I just can't take it! Someone will have to tell me when Rob gets it and they split up. I can't wait to hear Helen say, 'I can't believe I've been so stupid' (I'm hoping during Rob's funeral.)

Here you are Iam64

Lovely - I had no idea how to do this! Thank you.

Please do the Midwives deliver Helen's baby for us Marmight....worth a giggle.it was on the mumsnet link given by Midlothian.