Archers addicts 3!

I am enjoying the analyses on this thread almost as much as the Archers itself but as a little bugger who survived boarding school Merlot can't agree with you that Henry would be better off there!

So did I, Lazigirl but if Rob and Ursula go back to the boarding school plan at least he will be removed from further abuse at BHC

Anyway, seeing as TA is a drama and not a documentary with paid actors pretending to be the characters I will continue to make the odd flippant remark.

This is such a well written article that I thought some might like to share it. I did like the idea of President Obama arriving her with a poster saying "Free the Blossom Hill one" although I am not sure if that would have caused less or more controversy .

not "your" forum it is "our" forum.

Precisely!

But no one had criticised you merlogran you have criticised others. I don't really understand what axe you are grinding.

Shysal It just dawned on me on Monday when someone was talking about George Grundy having saved his pocket money and bought a posh watch.
It looks like he took the money, or Alf went halves if George showed him where it was kept.

I blame the automatic parental responsibilty of a step parent on marriage legislation, which I think started in about 2006.
Before that putative fathers with name on birth certificate or not had no automatic rights over the mum's children.
So many single mums with dodgy partners were able to bar the resident male from any automatic PR.
Yes I am being a bit cynical about that.

It would be interesting to hear from Miranda ( Justin's wife). Good to hear new characters + get Lilians reaction

Didn't Tony once call Helen 'A fully paid up member of the awkward squad?'

Well, he got that right!

In Helen and Rob's case Nellie I got the impression they had got the PR by agreement (Helen's) He certainly propelled her very quickly towards it but they both went to court so I had assumed he needed her to say OK. Are there different sorts? Could a new husband could acquire it without the mothers consent?

I do remember him being very pleased that he would not have to go through the background checks that would be necessary if he were to adopt Henry but I am hoping that was because he has something to hide and it gets uncovered very soon

Where is Kathy? Shouldn't she at least be bringing a casserole over for Pat. Pat was such a good friend to her in her hour of need.

Gracesgran. - thank you for the link.
Iam - I'm happy to be informed and don't feel patronised or lectured in the least.
Lazigirl - I think I enjoy this thread at least as much as TA at present. The jolly signature tune now brings me to the edge of my seat with my heart in my mouth! Lilian is certainly light relief, testing beds with Justin must have been quite a sight

I wasn’t going to write another The Archers blog but….

I know that background information isn't for everyone but I found this really fascinating. The author says it is "about the anguish we feel for women like Helen who find themselves caught in an abusive relationship trap. And my wish to make sense of this gripping story in both literary and psychological terms"

I must admit I shuddered when I read the comment about Ruth Ellis but found the whole article worth reading.

Thanks for that link Gracesgran. A good article and I liked the links to literature. I listened to most of the BBC reading of Jane Ayre recently. As a teenager I could never see the attraction of Mr Rochester, a relationship with a 'my master' type of man never appealed .
38 years ago, as part of my training, I researched the treatment of women in the criminal justice system. The conclusion that women are treated more harshly than men, especially if their offence is one that, to put it simply, is considered un feminine, has been consistent over that period of time.

Yes, where is Kirsty? Where is Cathy when Pat needs her. Cathy has some experience of abuse hasn't she.

I tried to tell myself Cathy might have popped in and out while we weren't listening but Kirsty does feel MIA doesn't she.

For goodness sake Helen, get a grip. You need to tell all if you stand any chance.
Rob taking your car keys, monitoring your phone, almost confining you to the house, unexplained incidents especially Henry and the hot bath, taking over at the shop, the violence and verbal abuse and threatening Henry. It won't do you any good crying about Henry and saying you don't remember.
After being undermined for years and eventually my ex leaving me in a large house with no money, the other end of the country from my family and friends and an 18th month old to look after; this a month after a miscarriage; I pulled myself together and fought for a good life for myself and baby son, which we have had for the last 38 years.

Have to ask too. Where is the vicar? It's a village. He'd have been round even to non- churchgoers. Where is Usha? Blossom Hill Cottage belongs to her. Wouldn't she want to see the damage + have some say in whose living there now?

I wonder what sort of welcome Peggy would get if she went round to BHC to check on Henry?

Good point AyjayF

Don't you think Usha might want to stay out of it at the moment AyjayF? She is a solicitor and they tend to be cautious. She could end or not renew the tenancy but I think that is more what I (and you presumably) would want her to do than what the character would do . After all he has just come out of hospital having been knifed - and the rent is still coming in presumably.

I agree the Vicar might have been round but I live in a village and I doubt our Vicar would call unless he was asked these days - Pat and Tony have not been overt Christians have they? If the shop was open it would be easier as he could drop in. I agree it would be nice to play this off other characters a little though. Even when terrible things have happened life tends to go on around you. I think they would attempt to get the shop open in the next few weeks or so and that will give us more comings and goings.

(Note to Bridge Farm Archers: stop paying Helen's salary )

Maybe they will stop paying now that Henry is being "cared for" by Cursulla.

Rob was never an employee. He just muscled in on Helen's role as partner. Pat and Tony have every right, as owners, to entrust all decision making to Tom. Rob doesn't even live in a Bridge Farm property.

They don't even have to continue paying Helen's salary.

They are so preoccupied but eventually they will do it. Will Kirsty come to run the shop do you think?

It would make sense for Kirsty to run the shop because that would place her at Bridge Farm where all the action is. They could do with the dosh and without Rob screwing everything up it might even start to make some money!

I seem to remember that Rob asked for Helen's salary to be paid into their joint (probably loosely) account rather than Helen's own and that gave Tom a quizzical look (well the Tom in my head) - he wasn't happy. I hope that is added to the list when they start to put things together.

The BFA's solicitor made such a good argument - I can see the problems the PR has made that you alluded to Nellie.