The Archers

I think Helen should be the one to build a house or bungalow on the farm. This would be much cheaper than buying in the village. When the farmhouse becomes too much for Pat and Tony to manage they can do a swap.

She needs to pay for the plot of land though so she will own the property outright. That way it won’t count towards inheritance tax when Pat and Tony die and Tom and Natasha will have no claim on it.

I think the SWs are just marking time waiting for Peggy’s demise though

I don’t understand why Helen and boys aren’t squashing into the farm. Four children three adults in an ordinary modern house is a recipe for disaster. I expect that’s where the story is heading .
Henry and Jack need a peaceful uneventful time 🙈

No Rochelle next week, but the Pip/Stella saga reappears as well as Elizabeth and the twins. Haven't heard from them for a time. Read an article that the BBC is cost cutting so the main Archers family characters are being "rested".
Peggy's funeral and the fallout needs to happen soon as well - perhaps her residual money left after Rewilding Ambridge might help out homeless Helen?

Yes indeed - another Archers slow burn

Yes. And it probably will!

I’m not convinced we know enough to conclude Rochelle’s worrying behaviour is ‘all Joy’s fault”. The Archers discussion groups on line are debating this, with many posters identifying with Rochelle, because they claim to have neglectful, controlling mothers.
It’s an interesting story line, one we’ve been asking about since anxious over friendly Joy arrived, with her endless references to ‘my Rochelle’.
This story can run and run.

Rochelle seems to have been left to fend for herself as a youngster...

But, whatever it is, I hope Joy won't shut Mick out and will tell him all about it. He's obviously feeling very rejected and hurt by her refusal to talk about it and, however hurt/guilty/ashamed she feels, I think he will understand and help her come to terms with her past life and go forward.
I really like these two characters and don't want to see either of them with a broken heart.

I think Joy maybe "gave Rochelle up" - social care or wider family (after her husband left her, maybe) years ago. I think she is afraid this will come into general knowledge.

I’m wondering what’s brewing between Tom and Natasha and next-door neighbours Joy and Mick, with Tom exhibiting a sudden character change (no noise after 7ish).

I don't think she's going to cause trouble for Kirsty.
Thete is something else going on here I think.
She has maybe lost custody of her children?

merlotgran

I think Rochelle will be a serious stalker and become very jealous of Kirsty.

Ohhh, poor Kirsty! How many misfortunes can one character be expected to endure? She's been dumped at the altar; terminated a pregnancy; married to a slave master .... and now with commendable positivity, she's trying to buy a house and get her life on track.
But enter the green-eyed Geordie obsessive and she might have to suffer some horrific consequence of simply being Rex's business partner?
As Ruth would surely say, Aww naww!

I think Rochelle will be a serious stalker and become very jealous of Kirsty.

Am I alone in not knowing about Neil? And am I the only one who wishes Rochelle goes back home☹️

Ooh what a relief! I was on the edge of my seat there, wondering if Leonard was going to stay or go!

I thought this week's programme carried the everyday story very well while nodding appropriately the Christmas in an English Village and giving us the odd Christmas suprise.

I really liked the nod to history (1645 when the Church banned all carols except While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night before Christmas Day). Playing Oh Little Town of Bethlehem to the Archers theme wouldn't have been allowed. It still isn't in many churches as it's a carol not an advent carol. But those 17th Century church goers played While Shepherds Watched to every local folk tune they could find. It was even played to the tune which later became on "On Ilkley Moor Bar t'at! Ambrige would have undoubtedly done the same!

Well maybe it will happen at New Year?

Me, too, Farzanah.

I thought Brian had turned uncharacteristically sentimental and a lover of knitted ferrets as a build up to a fatal heart attack at Christmas 🤔

I always thought Rochelle was a myth……..and the yurt meal turned out very well after all.

What the heck? Brian liking knitted ferrets!

The lull before the next big drama is always mind numbingly boring. I just tune in spasmodically so missed the trouser button incident…….damn!

Christmas lunch in a yurt?😗

Obviously Clive!

I wonder who might possibly been visiting George in prison. Hmmm….. let me think🤔

No! Surely not Clive! 😱