← The Archers Omnibus
The Archers Omnibus
22/06/2025
01:51:24
Brian finds himself on the spot, and the pressure is on for Stella.
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Emma Freud
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk. You're not at your house, you're at a lavish seaside estate. You're not walking the dog, you're hunting for clues in an Agatha Christie mystery. See it differently with Britbox. Stream an endlessly entertaining collection of British tv, including new original series Ludwig, starring David Mitchell. Bit awkward, really. I think I might just have solved a murder. And outrageous. A scandalous true story. Seems there's a political extremist in every family these days. See it differently when you stream the best of British TV with Britbox. Hello, I'm Emma Freud, host of the Archers Podcast, which celebrates everything about the Archers, from interviews with the cast and creators, digging into the issues behind the stories and delving into the riches of the archive. Do stay on after this week's Archers Omnibus to hear our latest episode exploring this week in Ambridge. And if you enjoy it, we'd love you to subscribe to the Archers podcast, only available on BBC Sounds. BBC Sounds Music Radio podcasts. You're listening to the archers omnibus from BBC Radio 4. Good Lord, it's busy in here today. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea. Well, we're here now, aren't we? We could try somewhere else. No, no, no. It's Father's Day. I'm sure it'll be the same everywhere. Yeah, that's true. Listen, while I remember, have you seen Justin at all recently? Justin? No. But as a rule, I try to avoid him. What? Well, I have this nagging feeling that he's up to something. Something like what? I don't know. He seems awfully pleased with himself lately. That sounds like standard Justin to me. I think it's more than that. I think he's plotting. If he is, then he's hardly likely to tell me. Well, you know the way he likes to show off and drop heavy hints about his brilliant business acumen. Yes. I think he specifically likes to show off to you. Look at me. I'm so clever and alpha and marvelous. You gave me up. Sort of thing. Who's sorry now? I've never really thought of it like that. Haven't you? I have. I think you might be right, actually. Oh, back again, Brian. Sorry. You were in here last night, weren't you? Were you, if memory serves. Oh, yes, yes. Sorry. Yes, I was, briefly. Really not for the whole evening. I just had a quick pint with Martin Gibson anyway. Yes. You haven't got time for chit chat, Kenton. No, no, I do not. What can I get you both, Miranda? Gin and tonic for Me, please. G and T. Right you are. Do you want to go and grab a table in the garden? Sure. I'll bring the drinks out in a sec. How about you, Brian? Pint of showers, please. Pint of showers coming up. Oh, it is even up there. Well, that's good, isn't it? Have I just smudged mascara all over my eyes? No, you look fine. Oh, I'm running around so much. It's that hot. Is table 17 nearly ready? This is 17. I'm tishing it up right now. Oh, great. Oh, you are a lovely Fallon. What for plating up table 17? Yeah. Because they've asked me twice already if it's on his way. They sound a bit bulshy. You gonna be all right without me this week? Of course we will. Now we got Tara. She seems great, but she is still learning the ropes. I'm just glad that you and Arison are getting some time away together. Yeah, we need it, don't we? Because he didn't make it to his 40th, did he? Oh, I know. Such a shame. And now you're gonna be 40 and old. Ah, it sounds so old. It ain't old, it's nothing. Don't be daft. Right, there's the order for 17. Chicken and mush, new potato steak and ale with chips. Do you know what? What? I never thought we'd sell so much pie in June. Here we are. One gin and tonic for the lady. Thanks. Have you ever been to Albania? Sorry? Kate's keen to try it. Oh, right. You know, for this family holiday jamboree that Peggy's forcing us all to go on. Oh, yes, from the grave. It's impressive, really. But anyway. You've never been to Albania? No. Well, I'd absolutely love it if you wanted to join us. I know it's a big ask, but might be fun. You know I need someone on my side. Brian. Yes? This is difficult. Oh, it's all right. It's fine. I didn't mean to make it difficult at all. I didn't expect you to say yes. Of course I didn't. Not an idiot. I'm afraid things might have run their course. Sorry. And I'd rather quit while we're ahead. Quit what? Our so called relationship. Were you joking? No, I wouldn't joke about something like that. But I thought things were going rather marvellously. Really? Yes. And I foolishly thought you felt the same way. But Brian, I'm not. I'm afraid I'm not, Jennifer. I wouldn't expect you to be. Jennifer. Ever? I mean, when have I ever even vaguely suggested. I don't mean personality. I don't mean anything other than the fact that she was prepared to put up with your shenanigans. Shenanigans? Last night you said you were at home with a book. What? But apparently you were out drinking for a swift pipe in Martin Gibson. But you told me you were at home. I was. By 9 o' clock I was. Look, am I supposed to give you a blow by blow account of everything I've done in a single day? There was a woman. Sorry? You were seen here last night with a woman. What woman? There was no woman. What are you talking about? I asked Jolene just a moment ago if you were with anyone else besides Martin. You were checking up on me? With Jolene? Yes. Miranda, I'm gobsmacked, really, because, Brian, you do have form and Rory is living, breathing evidence. That's hardly fair. That's a perfectly reasonable point. My affair with Siobhan was more than 20 years ago and a leopard doesn't necessarily change its spots. I think it does, actually. By the time the leopard is 81. Oh, terrific. You're saying you would have an affair if only were a bit younger? That is not what I said. That's the inference. Listen, listen. The woman I was chatting to for all of 5 seconds was Martin Gibson's date. He's joined this dating app since his wife left him. I was just being supportive, in fact. By flirting with his date? Don't believe this. I was not flirting with anyone. I was being friendly while Martin went to the gents. Good Lord. I mean, did Jolene actually say I was flirting? No, of course not. She wouldn't say that, would she? But only because she's too discreet. She's a professional landlady, isn't she? She must have seen it all. She's too bizarre. I feel like I've walked from a pub garden into the Twilight Zone. Look, it's not just about last night. I've been ignoring this nagging feeling for weeks now. A bit like you with Justin. What are you talking about? Whatever it is you think he's up to. Oh, yes, that. Well, he is up to something. You've twice cancelled seeing me in the last fortnight when we already had plans. You've taken phone calls where you've left the room. And last night, when you were supposedly at home reading a book, you were apparently in here chatting to some mystery woman. I've got to go. I'm sorry, darling, but I'm right in the Middle of lunch and it's so busy. I know, I know, but I didn't want to ignore you. Sounds amazing. It sounds lovely. I can't wait. Oh, I love you, too. All right. Bye. Bye. Sorry, Mum. Oh, that's all right. No need to apologize. Harrison sounds so happy and excited. Great. Well, that's as it should be. Apparently, he's got some big surprise planned. Has he now? Do you know what it is? I'm saying? Nothing. Except three more pie orders for table 23. Oh, okay, okay, I give up. You want the truth? Yes, I want the truth. The trouble is, the truth is slightly ridiculous and you probably won't believe me. Try me. I've been learning how to play bridge. What? Martin Gibson has been teaching me how to play bridge, and that's who I've been secretly seeing. You're right, that's ridiculous. Well, I was so embarrassed about my poor performance at that last game, I thought, right, this can't carry on. I'm going to fix it. Aha. Well, if you don't believe me, then call Martin Gibson. All right, I will. Well, you're calling him now? Right now. Well, I can't wait till later, can I? Why can't you? Because then you'll have a chance to warn him, get your story straight. Do you really think I'm that duplicitous? I don't know, Brian. Right now, the jury's out. You know, if you're having me on, this isn't funny. He's not answering. Probably eating lunch. Hopefully he'll ring me back. Honestly, Miranda, please, please believe me. Calling Martin to check up on me, I mean, it's incredibly embarrassing. Well, that's just your chickens coming home to roost, I'm afraid. Oh, brilliant. Hello, Martin. Oh, thank you so much for returning my call. Yeah, I just wanted to ask you something. Oh, I can't believe it. What's wrong? Tara. What? She's just texted me and she's got jury service. When? Starting tomorrow. Tomorrow? She says she forgot to tell us at the interview. No, that's what she says. Well, who on earth forgets they've got jury service? No one I've ever met. Well, she must be lying, don't you think? Probably. In which case, she ain't a keeper, is she? Oh, for goodness sake. I thought we found someone really good. We'll have to get someone in from an agency. Oh, no, no. That's gonna cost us a fortune. It can't be helped, can it? And they can't always find us anyone either. Well, let's see. I'll speak to them first thing tomorrow. We could always. What? Ask Fallon to stay? No. No way. It's her 40th birthday. I know. I know it is. And she hasn't seen Harrison for five weeks. Is it that long? I mean, not good for married life, is it? Well, he spent a flipping fortune booking them into a five star hotel. And they've been through so much, they really need a bit of fun. Okay, yeah, sorry. Forget I said that. I mean, they say absence makes the heart grow fonder. But they also say out of sight, out of mind. So it can go either way, can it? Yeah, I suppose it can. And I really, really don't want it to go the wrong way for them. Yeah. All right. Well, thank you, Martin. Thank you so much for your time. Yeah. I hope your lunch isn't cold now. Oh, I see. Yes. Well, you should be all right with a ham salad, shouldn't you? Yes. Yes. See you soon. You too, Martin. Thank you. Thanks. Bye. Happy now? Well, your story checks out. Of course it does. Why would I make something like that up? Desperation. Can I just say one thing? Jenny was never, ever prepared to put up with my shenanigans, as you call them. I nearly lost her more than once. Well, I'm sorry I said that. I was lashing out. I didn't mean to lash out at her. So. So is that it? Are you reassured? Can we order some lunch? Maha, I tell you what. There's a bridge tournament on Wednesday evening that we could enter, you and I. It'll be very competitive. If we win, then it's all fine and dandy between us. If we lose. Hang on, hang on. Look, I'm not sure I'm ready to play at that kind of level. Miranda. I still have a way to go. Of course you do. People spend a lifetime learning. That's why it's such a great game. But if you've been occupying your time in the way that you claim, then you should have improved enormously on your last effort. Well, I would hope so, but you know, there are no guarantees in this world. Well, Brian, you'd better hope Lady Luck is on your side. Stella. Oh, hey. Sorry, I'm a bit later than I said. That's fine. Should we go? I really need to get out of this office. Is everything okay? There's some stuff going on with Justin at the moment and it's making things a bit awkward with Brian. Why? What's going on? Just been trying to work out whether I should tell you. Well, you should definitely Tell me. Why wouldn't you? Well, it's sort of confidential. Okay. But, I mean, it'd be great to get your perspective. Well, tell me then. I'm not gonna tell anyone else. Shall we get walking? Yeah. And then you can get talking. Okay. Oh, hang on. That's funny. What? It's Rosie's school. Why are they calling me at half five? I don't know. I mean, Rosie's with Toby right now. Answer it. Yeah, sorry. Hang on, hang on. Hello? Hi, dad. I'm making us a lovely dinner. Oh, okay. You better be hungry. Well, I'm quite peckish. Good, because I'm even cooking meat. That's how much I love you. I'm honored. You should be. Obviously, I'm not going to actually eat it. No dead animal carcass for me. I've got tofu. Oh, lucky you. And Jakob's coming over in a bit and it's going to be a kind of belated Father's Day celebration. Oh, you didn't have to do that. I wanted to. I was feeling really bad. We kept seeing all these families out and about yesterday and I thought, oh, my lovely dad, we should be spoiling him. I was all right. I was fine. Do you want a beer? Why not? Oh, I just heard a minute ago that Father Crispin is out of hospital and he's doing okay. Oh, excellent. I'm so relieved. Well, you probably saved his life, you know. Well, I don't know about that. But I am glad he's all right. Oh, this beer is beautifully cold. Oh, good. I was thinking that we should have a meeting about this holiday, like, sooner rather than later. Right? I mean, there's at least 27 people involved, including Phoebe's baby. Ah, yes, of course. I've barely slept since she told me she was pregnant. I'm so excited. Well, it's wonderful news. It's just what I needed, dad, after losing Gran, of course. But someone has to take the lead on this holiday or it'll never happen. Would that be so bad? It would be awful. I mean, I am a tad nervous about it all going horribly wrong. That's why it needs careful planning. Yeah, I think if we get it right, it could be fabulous. The holiday of a lifetime. And a brilliant way for the family to bond. Or simply never speak to each other again. Stop it. I need you on board and I need you to be positive. So what are you doing on Wednesday night? This Wednesday? Yes. I've got a bridge tournament. A bridge tournament? Miranda has entered us as a team. Oh, wow. Yeah. Didn't you do really badly last time? Yes. Thanks for the reminder. I wasn't trying to be mean. I'm just surprised she wants to repeat the experience. Hopefully I'll do better this time. Well, what about Friday night instead? That's the BL board meeting. What time's that? Six. But you're not going to be at the board meeting all evening, surely? Well, that's true. I suppose if you made the holiday meeting at 7:30ish, I could come along when we're done. OK. Brilliant. Well, I'll try and get everyone to the ball for Friday night. Or at least as many of us as possible. Ok. And I'm going to set up a group chat now to kick things off. Terrific. Another group. I know how you love them, but it makes sense. And then we can all pool our ideas, can't we? Especially Sipo and Olitando. I mean, it'd be wonderful if they could make it. And if we can get them invested at this stage, then they might be tempted, mightn't they? You're still thinking about Albania? Yes, because it looks amazing and you get so much bang for your buck. But I appreciate that everyone will have different ideas. Which is why I think we need a meeting asap. Now, the big question is, do you want me to include Miranda in this group chat or not? Best not. I think that was such an awful conversation. Oh, no. What did they say? Apparently Rosie and this other girl in the class fell out at lunchtime in the playground and Rosie swore at this other kit. But the mum has just rung the school really upset because the other girl doesn't want to go into school tomorrow. Oh, dear. But the thing is, I just don't believe it. Which bit? The whole thing. I mean, Rosie doesn't even know this word and we never ever speak like that around her. No, of course we don't. But she could have picked it up at school, couldn't she? Or anywhere. Yeah, suppose she could. But even then there were no witnesses. Like no one heard Rosie say it. So it's just this girl's word against Rosie. Hang on, I've just got to go home in Toby. I'm sorry, Stella. Okay. Right, dinner's going to be about half an hour or so, so you can both just kick back, relax and chat. Are you sure you don't want a hand? No, Jacob, it's all sorted. You just have to sit here and chat to my father. Yes, sorry about that. But now I'd like to propose a toast. It's a bit formal For a Monday. Well, you know me, dad. Always standing on ceremony. Well, I wouldn't exactly describe you as. It was a joke, Jakob. Oh, sorry. To Phoebe's baby. Oh, yes. Although you are currently about the size of a peach or a large plum. And your star sign will remain a mystery for months to come. Although, actually, I'd prefer you to be a Sagittarius rather than a Scorpio. I promise I will adore you, whoever you turn out to be. Because actually, I adore you. Door. You already? Is that it? Yes. Well, that was plenty, wasn't it? Oh, yeah. So, Phoebe's baby. To Phoebe's baby. My first great grandchild. It was a nice speech. Thank you. But what's so bad about Scorpio? I'm a Scorpio. Yes, dad, you are. What's wrong with me? Lots of things. Thanks a bunch. I thought this was supposed to be a Father's Day celebration. Oh, I was only joking. So. So I really need to decide what I want to be called. I'd stick with Kate if I were you. Very funny. I mean, you haven't got that many options anyway, have you? There's Gran, Nan, Granny. Well, Gran doesn't sit right with me, I don't think. Because Gran is Peggy. Ah, isn't there something nice about that? And Jakob, I imagine you'll want to be either Grandad or Grandpa, which is fine. Grandpa might be quite nice, mightn't it? Or even Grandpop. No, no, not Grandpop. Oh, your face. Jakob. Maybe Jakob should choose what he's called. I haven't really thought about it. Well, I'm just looking something up. What about the Swedish name for Grandpa? Really? Oh, this is interesting. This is what it says. If you're the paternal grandfather, you're called Farfar. Farfar? Farfa. Yes. But wait, hang on. If you're the maternal grandfather, you'd be more Far. And you are the maternal grandfather, Jakob, In a way. Because it's Phoebe. Although obviously Phoebe has Roy. But Roy isn't going to want a Swedish name, is he? I very much doubt it. Can't I just be Jakob? It's a bit of a mouthful. Is it Grandpa Jakob? Yes. No, just Jakob. Oh, well, I think that would be a bit strange, don't you, Dad? I don't think it'd be nearly so strange as Morphar. Forgive me, Yakov. Nothing to forgive. What's strange about Morphar? Okay, so Toby's gonna talk to Rosie and call me back. What did he think? Well, he's as freaked out As I am. Oh, I really wish she was with me this week. Yeah? Yeah. The school made me feel awful. Did they? Yeah. You know what teachers are like, the way they talk to you. I don't know if I've talked to a teacher since I left school. Right. It's like you're five again. I don't actually like Rosie's teacher much and I'm really not keen on the mum. Is this the girl's mum? Yeah. She's not friendly. She's not warm. Well, maybe she's not friendly because Rosie and her kid don't get on. No, I don't think that's what it is. She's just one of those people she just kind of looks through you at drop off even if you smile at her. Okay. I mean, you don't have this. The school gates thing. It's all universe. You don't have to get involved in. Yeah, well. Yeah. Oh, I feel really freaked out. I'm sorry. Like I don't want to have to go into her school tomorrow. And poor Rosie, you know, it's horrible being accused of something you haven't done. But what if she has done it? Well, I don't think she has. But you don't know, do you? Well, I need to hear what she said to Toby. But she's not a mean kid, you know? No, I'm not saying she's a mean kid, but if the other girl was really upset. But that doesn't mean it's true. Well, I guess so. It doesn't. No, Dad, I didn't say did. Actually, you know what? I think I'm just gonna drive over there now and talk to Rosie myself. Really? Yeah, yeah. I just. I just need to see her. Okay. Sorry. We'll have to do the picnic another time. Right. Dinner should be ready. I'll be right back. Can we come and help bring things out? No, no, it's fine. Brian. Yes? I need help. What's wrong? I'm not ready to be a grandfather. Oh, I see. Well, you've got several months before the baby's even born. No, no, but this is the thing. I've never even been a father, let alone a grandfather. I have no experience with children whatsoever. Well, that doesn't matter, does it? I've hardly ever held a baby. You'll be fine. You'll be great. Look, you're very practical and you're wonderful with animals. But babies aren't animals. Well, that's true, but only up to a point. Kate seems desperate to get me involved and I Don't want to disappoint her, but she's basically talk non stop about the baby. Ever since Peggy's funeral, she's got so many ideas about what we're gonna do, where we're gonna go. But I. I never pictured myself being so hands on. Well, that's your call, Jakob. No one's gonna force you to spend hours at Soft Play. Are you sure about that? I mean, Soft Play probably won't be Kate sort of thing anyway, will it? She's more baby yoga. Honestly, I think you'll be fine. There'll be so many people queuing up to take care of this child, you'll hardly get a look in. And it's not like Phoebe lives next door, is it? No, no, that's. Don't worry. It'll be fine. Okay. Okay. So there's. There's one other thing, but it sounds bad. Go on. The word itself. Grandpa. It sounds like an old man in a fairy tale. Oh, yes. And I'm not ready to be that old. Well, then stick to your guns. You're Jakob, not Grandpa. And you're a spring chicken as far as I'm concerned. Okay. But I'm sure you'll find your level, Jacob. The level of involvement you'd like. And you know, you might actually be surprised. I've. I've loved being a grandparent. And you get all the fun of the fair and none of the backbreaking soul supping mundanity. Have fun. And then you hand them back again. You'll be brilliant. Honestly, I really think you will. Hi. Sorry. It turns out I do need a bit of help carrying things out. I'll go. You sure? Of course. Thanks. Thanks, Mo Far. She cannot start calling me that. Oh, I can't believe it. What? The agency? And even answering the phone. Now then, how hard can it be to find cover for a fortnight? Quite hard, apparently. What are you looking for? Oh, I've got loads of things. Like what? I think we might be missing an entire order. Oh, surely not. There's just too many things I can't find. And you know what Fallon's like. She's a dance site. More organized than Wayne ever was. That's true. Will there be a lunchtime special? You know. Oh, we ain't sure yet. I honestly think it hasn't turned up. What hasn't turned up? One of our wholesale orders. Oh, really? I can't think where else to look. Well, how much is missing? Could I try the village shop? No, I doubt they'll have the kind of Quantities we need. You never know. And Tracy can hold the fort at the bar for 10 minutes. Look, write me a list of everything you're missing and I'll run over there right now. Yeah, okay. Thanks, Lillian. Yeah. Jacob. Oh, Kate. Hi. What are you doing here? Well, Paul said you were free for a minute. Is everything all right? You're being weird. What? You're being weird and I want to know why. I'm not being weird at all. Last night you were really quiet. When? When we got home. Well, that's completely normal. I'm a quiet person. Especially compared to you. Just tell me what's wrong, Jakob. Nothing. There's nothing wrong. I'm fine now, honestly. Oh, you're fine now? Yes. So when weren't you fine? I was. I was feeling a bit thrown by the idea of being a grandparent. I freaked you out, didn't I? By talking about what the baby should call you. Well, I mean, it wasn't that so much. Although I really don't want to be called Mo Far. Okay, Mo Far is off the table. Although I do think it would have been very cute. Mo Far Far. Presumably in a Scottish accent too. Sorry, go on. It was just the list of things you had planned for us to do together with the baby, and I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by that. But it's all good. I'm fine now. Are you? Why? Well, I had this really nice chat with your dad. When? Last night, when you were doing stuff in the kitchen. So what did he say? Joy. Joy, I'm wondering if you can save my life. Oh, well, of course I will if I can. Everything's going belly up at the ball this morning. Right. Talon's away, our new kitchen assistant, Tara's on jewelry service, and the catering agency was supposed to send someone this morning, only no one's turned up. And now we've discovered there's a missing food order. Dear. That does sound like a challenge. I've left Tracey on her own in the bar and it's so lovely today that we're already getting busy and it's not even midday. So. No time to lose then. Have you got a list? I have. Right, let's do a supermarket sweep, shall we? Oh, I'm so pleased you had that chat with dad. That's brilliant. Yeah, he was great. He is a star, isn't he? Sometimes. Well, lots of times, actually. Anyway, now I'm quite looking forward to being a grandfather type figure. You don't have to say that. No, no, I. I am. I really am. But. But I want to be Jakob and Jakob only. Okay. I guess you should be allowed to decide that. Thank you. And sorry if I've been a bit too full on about it all. It's. It's fine. It's. It's. It's totally understandable. Oh. Oh. This morning I set up a bank account for the baby. A bank account? A savings account. It had to be in my name because the baby doesn't have a name yet, obviously, because the baby is a fetus right now. But I just wanted to demonstrate my commitment to our grandchild. That's amazing. Oh, Jakob. And you said our grandchild. I did. You are so lovely. Well, I'm glad you think so. I do. And now I better get on with some work. Oh, yes, good point. You're at work. Sorry, but one other thing. Quickly. What? You haven't replied to the group chat yet. What group chat? Can you make it to the ball this Friday or not? To talk about the holiday? Yeah, the Peggy holiday. Yes. I thought you put me on that chat by mistake. No, of course not. We need your input, Jakob. Well, even if I'm not coming. Not coming on the family holiday because it's for family. But you are family. But. But I'm not a Peggy descendant, am I? That's what I meant. You're my partner, Jakob. You have to come. You just have to. Well, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, but I cannot go on holiday with 27 people. This is fantastic, Joy. Do you know, I think Susan Carter might actually be a genius. Oh, please don't tell her that because we'll never hear the end of it. All right. Can you manage to carry it all? Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine. Absolutely fine. Okay. I'll get the door for you. Oh, thanks, Joy. See you later. See you later. Morning, Jim. Hello, Lillian. Oh, hiya, Jim. Are you coming in? Well, yes, I was planning to. Come on, then. How are you? How was your trip? Oh, it was. It was very nice, thank you. Goodness. What on earth has happened to the shop? Ah, well, yes, there's been some big changes. I can see that. I can explain everything. When did we start selling wool and fishing nets? It's all part of Susan's drive to compete with the shop. At the charging station there's a whole hardware section. Oh, that's been ever so popular, especially with akram buckets and spades. Children like taking them down to the river, but the place is chock a block. I agree. It is quite full. Yes. How can we afford this much stock? Well, it is a gamble, of course, but it does seem to be paying off so far. Really? Honestly. But when did the committee agree to this? Well, they didn't. Susan said she was making an executive decision on account of it being an emergency. An emergency? Well, she was afraid we were losing all the customers. You see, we'll lose the shop itself if we go bankrupt. Oh, I. I don't think there's any risk of that, Jim. Well, we got through it. We did. It wasn't too bad in the end. At one point, I thought the stacks of dirty plates were going to just topple over and smash. We haven't been that busy on a weekday lunchtime for ages. It's the weather, isn't it? Usually I'd be pleased as hunch, but by the end, I was thinking, please don't let anyone else turn up. Oh, well done, love. Oh, and well done both of us. Thank the Lord for the village shop, eh? I know. I mean, what would we have done? Well, canceled lunch, probably. Yeah, and that's how you lose your customers for good. Oh, we won't bother driving to the Bull because they canceled their lunch menu last week. Right, you can. Gonna try the agency again? Yeah, when we finish clearing the kitchen. Hello, Auntie Lillian. Oh, how are you, darling? Oh, I'm so annoyed with Jakob right now. Oh, dear. He says he's not coming on holiday. What holiday? The big amazing holiday next year. Oh, yeah, that holiday. Honestly, he thinks he can just duck out of it. Well, I suppose he can. I'm very disappointed in him. And I back Gran's disappointed in him too. I'm sure she'd understand that. He's not much of a joiner. Don't say that to Jakob. Anyway, I didn't actually come in to complain about him. I came in to ask if Friday's any good. Friday? For the meeting. Everyone else has replied on the group chat except you. Oh, sorry, darling. I haven't had a chance to even look at my phone for the last few hours. We've been rushed off our feet here. It's all calmed down now, but, oh, lunchtime is chaos. Well, I think we need to get our skates on and get something agreed and booked, especially if we want a good deal. And you know what it's like trying to organize something with this many people. It'll be like herding cats. That's true. We need to be proactive and organized. And we need a leader. Oh, I don't think I can lead on this, Kate. I'm sorry. I've got Enough on my plate right now. No, not you, Auntie Lillian. Me. I'm the ideal person to call. Coordinate everything. Just tell me whether you can do Friday or not. Yeah, yeah, I think so. Brilliant. That's brilliant. That's all I need to know right now. But make sure you read all the messages on the group chat because there's already loads on there. Yeah, okay, sure. Right. And I better run now. I'm running a mindfulness class in 20 minutes. Okay, darling. Lillian. Oh, hello, Joy. Oh, and Jim. Hello again. Can you you do me a favour and explain to Jim how useful the village shop was today? Well, you know, this really isn't necessary, Joy. Oh, it is. It is. Because you're so worried, Jim. Well, I'm just concerned, Lillian, that we're overstocked and overstretched. I love our village shop and I want it to survive. It'll do more than survive, Jim. I think it'll survive and thrive. Do you know we would have had to cancel lunch at the ball today without the shop so close by and so well stocked? Really? Absolutely. That's interesting. That's very interesting. You see? Yes. Well, no. Well, perhaps I'm starting to. In fact, you can both have a drink on the house as a way of thanking the village shop. Oh, no, Lillian, please. We didn't come in to beg for freebies. Oh, but since you're offering, I think it would be churlish to refuse. Oh, that's the spirit. Now, what can I get you? A tequila slammer, please. I'm just kidding. I love a tonic water, Lillian. And what about you, Jim? Oh, I'll have an orange juice, thank you. Why don't you go and sit in the garden, Jim, and I'll bring them out? Are you sure? Absolutely. Okay. Lovely. Thank you, Joy. Oh, Liam. Got a problem? No, not another one. I just had a message off Linda. Hamburger meant to be playing away next Sunday. Right. But there's somewhat wrong with Frances pitch. So now Ambridge are hosting and Linda's promised them tea. Just have to say no. That's impossible. Do you want ice and slice, Joy? Oh, yes, please, Lillian. Thanks. Oh, but Fallon's worked so hard to win back, like, the job. And then Miniature Pies were a massive hit. We can't do everything, can we? We're not superhuman. The thing is, if we could just get some extra help, I reckon we could manage it. Well, I could always lend you a hand if you're desperate. Really? I mean, it's been a while since I worked in a kitchen, but I've got me food hygiene certificate, if that's any help. Oh, it is, it is. It's fantastic. Oh, joy. You are a diamond. You've saved us again twice in one day. You're not at your house, you're at a lavish seaside estate. You're not walking the dog, you're hunting for clues in an Agatha Christie mystery. See it differently with Britbox. Stream an endlessly entertaining collection of British tv, including new original series Ludwig, starring David Mitchell. Bit awkward, really. I think I might just have solved a murder. And outrageous. A scandalous true story. Seems there's a political extremist in every family these days. See it differently when you stream the best of British TV with BritBox. Have you ever played croquet? Yes, but not for ages. How about you? Yes, I'm pretty good, actually. Of course you will. Sorry? Oh, don't apologise. You're basically better than me at everything. Well, only bridge and croquet. Is that a swimming pool over there? It is. Croquet, lawn tennis courts. Phew. Not a bad pile of bricks, is it? It's very nice. I had no idea it would be this wish. Well, don't let that put you off your game. Is that a joke? Well, not a joke exactly. Good Lord. Whose idea was this? Yours. I don't think it was. Well, it was apparently your idea to get secret bridge lessons from Martin Gibson. Yes, but I didn't expect the stakes of my next game to be my entire relationship with you. Well, that's not exactly what's going on, is it? I don't know. Frankly, I'm a bit confused about what's going on. All I know is I'm incredibly nervous. Feeling pretty damn self conscious about having to prove my fidelity to you via a card game. Well, if everything you've said is true, then you've got nothing to worry about. Everything I've said is true, but apparently our opposing team are regional champions. Well, you'd better concentrate then, hadn't you? Oh, you're a cold, hard woman, Miranda. Well, best you find out sooner rather than later, eh? I suppose so. Oh, Martin Gibson's just. That should cheer you up. Why would that cheer me up? Because he can give you some last minute pointers. But if our opposition are regional champions, I don't think last minute pointers will be any help. You never know. Chin up. Oh, good Lord. Evening, all. Hello, Martin. Martin. Amazing house, isn't it? It certainly is. Brian, you're not. You're not playing tonight, are you? Yes, he is. I mean, this is A serious tournament. I'm aware it's. Thank you, Martin. Brian's really looking forward to the challenge, aren't you? Oh, excuse me, gentlemen. I'll be back in a moment. Are you sure about this? Not at all. Then what are you doing? Miranda doesn't believe me. But I explained. I told her when she called me on Sunday. Yes, but she thinks you could be lying on my behalf. And there's nothing I can do to convince her that I'm telling the truth. Except play the game of my life. Miranda. Lillian, have you. Have you seen Justin? No, but just because I haven't seen him doesn't mean he isn't here. Yeah, I know. It's quite palatial here, isn't it? We could have a little wander around together and look for him. Well, yes, we could do that, I suppose. But let's get ourselves a glass of champagne first. Why not? Twist my rubber arm. There you go. Thank you. I've come straight from the ball. I've been there all day. Fallon's away and our new kitchen help is doing jewelry service. We can't get any agency staff because apparently no one wants to work in a country pub anymore. And we're so desperate for help, we rope Joy Horville in to do the cricket tea with us on Sunday. Ah. I feel quite ragged from it all. And in no fit state to be in such a glamorous setting. Well, you look lovely. You wear it well. In the words of Rod Stewart. Thank you. That's kind. And I love that song. So do I. Oh, that's very nice, Champers. Not bad, is it? Honestly, you know, ever since Mum funeral, it's been all hands on deck. But perhaps that's fitting, because of course, she used to run the place back in the day. Did she really? Yes, yes. My mother and the ball go way back. Oh, I didn't realize. How wonderful that the place is still in the family. Yeah. It is a lovely connection to have with her. I don't know if I've said how sorry I am for Mum. Yes, thank you. I hear the funeral went very well. Yes. Yeah. Yes, it did. It well. It was very moving. And you had a tremendous turnout. Yes, we did. People said such lovely but truthful, honest things, you know. Good evening, gentlemen. Hello, Justin. Justin, have either of you seen Lillian? No. I hope she's not still at work. Didn't you arrive together? No, no, she came by cab. What about Miranda? She's here somewhere. I hear you're playing tonight. That's right. You do realize you Might be opposite the regional champions, don't you? So everyone keeps reminding me. Brian's feeling the pressure. I'm amazed he agreed to do this. Well, he only agreed because Miranda is convinced that Brian is cheating on her. What? Martin, for goodness sake. What? Well, you don't need to go around telling. Only telling Justin. But you really think I want him to know? Sorry. Let us open. Are you. Are you cheating on Miranda? Of course not. Good grief. Well, you have got previous. That was a very long time ago. But not forgotten. Clearly. You've been no saint in that respect. That. This isn't about me, Brian. No. Isn't it? What's that supposed to mean? If Miranda has a deep distrust of men in general, then you're probably more to blame than anyone. Oh, I see. Distract and deflect. That might serve you well when you're playing tonight. Perhaps we should talk about something else. Oh, no, no. This is far too interesting. So why does she think you're cheating on her if you're not? It's actually quite a funny story. It really isn't. Well, not quite so funny for you, Brian. Admittedly, Martin has been teaching me to play bridge in secret, so. Does she think that brave Brian's having an affair with you? Martin? Uh, no. I think whatever age you lose your mother, it's a huge event in one's life. Yeah. Yes, you're right. Of course. My mother died when I was 19. Miranda. I'm sorry. Cancer. Oh, I'm so sorry. Well, it was such a long time ago, but cancer feel painful. You were so young. But I wasn't a child. Almost. My father remarried about four months later. Oh, goodness. I think she was already lined up. You know, really, I think there was some crossover and she was the absolute cliche of the wicked stepmother. Kicked me out of the house. But 19. Said I was old enough to fend for myself and I could get lost. I. No idea. Well, why would you? Does Justin know this? Well, he did. Although he's probably forgotten it all now. You know what he's like. I'm sorry. Oh, I didn't mean to get into all this. No, but why not get into all this? Well, I don't know. Because it's not bridge tournament chat. Well, I prefer this to bridge tournament chat any day and. Oh, I'm very sorry you went through something so awful at that age. Well, I'm all right now. And I survived. Because you're a survivor. So are you. Yes, possibly. Probably. Although, you know, when people say that, I think, what does it really Mean? Well, I suppose that you get on with it, make the best of things and play the cards you're dealt. No pun intended. But I must admit I'm surprised that you wanted Brian on your bridge to him again after last time. Well, apparently he's been having secret coaching from Martin Gibson. Has he really? So he says. Well that's rather lovely that he's making the effort. It's. It's funny, isn't it? How things work out. I mean, I never imagined my brother in law getting together with my partner's ex wife. It's strange for all of us. But it must, must be particularly strange for you. Yes. Yes it is. It's. Well, it's like being in a parallel universe in a way. Actually that's rather a brilliant way of describing it. But you do seem like such a good fit, you two, that I. Well, I almost find it comforting in a way. Comforting? Well, you know, if we're living in a parallel universe, then perhaps Jenny is alive and married to an alternative husband. Some. Oh, now there's an idea. Who would that be? Well, I'm not sure. I'll have to think about it and get back to you. Definitely not Martin Gibbs. Oh no, definitely not. Look, this might be a big joke to you, but I happen to care about Miranda a great deal. Well, that's because you don't actually know her very well. I know well enough. I wonder if we should go and take our seats at the table. No, Brian, you only think you know her. She's basically pulled the wool over your eyes. But at some point that wool is going to unravel. Well then I'll knit a jumper. Well, I hope your knitting is better than your bridge. I actually think it might be time to start playing. What I'd really like to know, Justin, is what exactly you're hiding these days. Me? You've been wandering around lately like a cat who's got the cream. The cat who's got the cream. That's true, actually. Oh, you noticed too, Martin? Now you come to mention it. See, I'm just very happy these days. Happy because the sun is shining. Happy because the bees are buzzing and the days are long. Oh, do shut up. Oh look. Miranda and Lillian. Thank goodness. Hello. We were wondering where you got to. Well, I know she didn't come looking for us. Well, we were just about to. I don't believe you. Neither do I. We should probably go into the house, shouldn't we? Not a bad part of it, Bricks, is it, Anne? That's exactly what Brian said Ah, well, maybe we're more alike than you first thought. Oh, I do so much hope that you're not. Haha. I wasn't joking. Justin. Shall we go in? How are you feeling, Brian? Nauseous. I feel physically nauseous. Well, it'll all be over in a few hours. That's what I'm afraid of. Oh, poor Brian. I do wish you all the best of luck, darling. Yes, yes, come along. Best of luck, old boy. Actually, Brian, can I have a quick word before the game begins? With me? Yes, you. I've been thinking. What? You don't stand a chance of beating your opponents unless you can find a way to cheat. That's not much of a pep talk. Do you want to know how to win this thing or not? I do. I do. Yeah, of course I do. All right then, just tell me quickly. Quickly as you can. Well, there are several possibilities and they all carry different risks. Well. Well, I'm sorry I did so badly again. You didn't, actually. Oh, I think I did. Well, you played a hell of a lot better than you did on that previous occasion. Really? Yes, absolutely. Don't you know that? Not really. I mean, I. I was basically in a kind of blind panic for the entire evening and now it's all a blur. I am sorry for putting you through it. Perhaps I deserved it. Well, you didn't. Not really. Because it's very clear you were telling the truth all along. So does that mean yes? Yes, I believe your ridiculous story. Because actually, I mean, if you think about it, if I was going to lie, I'd have honestly made a fool something more believable. Yes, you should have made that argument days ago. I really should. Do you know, I was actually so worried tonight that I nearly cheated. But in my defence, it was Martin Gibson's suggestion. But in the end, you decided not to. Well, I didn't want to prove I wasn't a cheat. By cheating just seemed a dangerous road to go down. Not sure I could have pulled it off anyway. No, but I. I just want to say, Miranda. Well, you mean a lot to me. I feel the same. Do you? I really do. I mean, I. I actually think I'm. I might love you. Properly love you. Well, I think I might properly love you too. That's good. That's great. That's fantastic. You know what? What? This evening has turned out so much better than I was expecting. Ah, hi, Stella. Oh, Justin. Now, have you got a minute? Yeah. I mean, but only a minute. I was just packing up to go. No, I just Wanted to let you know where I'm at with the rewiring of bl. Really? No, no, no, I know, I know you're not keen. That's putting it mildly. No, but bear with me because I've been doing a lot more research and I really think I'm on to something. Yeah, I know you do, but that doesn't mean. Just listen, please. Okay. Goodbye. Look, the more I look into it, the more sense it makes. And there are exciting sources of income to tap into, such as selling carbon capture to large businesses. And then there's eco tourism. Ecotourism in Ambridge? Absolutely. I put some figures together and I'd like you to take a look. I really haven't got time right now. No, no, just a quick look. It will take a moment. This is a much bigger conversation and I'm supposed to be meeting Pip. I was literally just tidying up and then leaving. No, no, no, Pip can wait five minutes, surely. I feel like you're trying to rush this through in classic Justin Elliot St. Not at all, not at all. I'm just energized. I'm inspired. And I'm trying to inspire you too. Well, I'm not feeling inspired, Justin. I feel stressed and under pressure and I'm very concerned that Home Farm stands to lose their contract if you rewild half of the BL estate. But Stella, you have to see the bigger picture. Soil protection, biodiversity, long term food security. We have to think ahead. Well ahead. It's not about us anymore, Stella. Tell Brian that. Not yet. Absolutely not yet. This is just between you and me for now. Understood? Justin, I can't keep your insane idea quiet much longer. It's not insane. Not at all. Just take a look at these two eco lodges built on rewilded land. They're incredibly beautiful and people are paying the earth to go and stay in them. We could do that here. And so the whole British Wildlife experience. Why go to the Serengeti when you could come to Ambridge instead? Well, we don't have any lions or zebras to start us. No, but picture it, Stella. If we can encourage increased biodiversity, we don't need lions or zebras. I agree. We need biodiversity, of course, it's crucial. But we need food a hell of a lot more than we need ecotourism. Well, I'm afraid my mind is made up and I'm going to announce my decision tomorrow night. Hey, dad. Oh, Alice. How are you doing? Yeah, good, thanks. How did the bridge tournament go? Yes, yeah, very well. Even though we lost. Oh, I'M sorry you lost. Oh, it didn't matter. It was a good evening. It was great, actually. Aw. What? Why are you awing? Because you look very happy. Well, I am pretty happy, actually. So it's going well, then, with Miranda? Is that. Is that okay? Of course it is. I didn't think it was going to become something substantial or significant. But it has. Well, yes, I think so, yes. That's brilliant, dad. Really, honestly. Yeah. I like Miranda. If she makes you happy, then I like her a whole lot more. Yeah. It must be. Must be very odd for you. Well, I don't know. It was at first. But Mum isn't here, is she? And we have to live without her, which still feels impossible sometimes. But mainly it's okay. Mainly it's doable? Just about. Good. Anyway, look, I've got a present for you. Really? I meant to drop it round on Father, but I didn't get a chance and now it's Thursday. It seems horribly late. Oh, you didn't need to get me anything. Honestly, darling, I don't expect it. I know you don't. Well, shall I open it? Yes, please. It's quite tatty, I'm afraid, because I found it in a charity shop. I was very pleased with it. Oh, Dick Francis. Yeah. And it's signed, dad. See? Oh, that's really lovely. It's perfect, honestly. Thank you. You've read the ecology reports, Teller. You know how bad things are. We have to take action and we have to take it now. It's the right thing to do. But I don't think in this specific scenario it's that simple. All that clear? Well, I think that's just bias, I'm afraid. You're damn right it's bias. If you go ahead with this, then Home Farms stands to lose a huge amount of its income. Yeah, but what's that when so much else is at stake? Oh, well, I'll just tell Brian to get over it then, shall I? Yes, because this issue is greater than Brian Aldrich. He's my boss, Justin. I know he's your boss, but he has to face the truth. Well, the truth in this instance is pretty subjective. But how can you say that after reading the report? Ok, look, we're just going round in circles now. If you're seriously going ahead with this decision tomorrow night, then I need to go and talk to Brian right now. What about your picnic? Well, I have to postpone the picnic, won't I? Which will be the second time this week. Who'd have thought it would be so damn Difficult to just go on a picnic. No, no. Okay, okay, okay. Hang on a second. What? Well, I. I suppose I have rather sprung this on you. Yes, you have. I just thought you might be all for it, you see. Why on earth would you think that? Because you've always been so progressive. You've pushed Brian Aldridge kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Well, brine is. Can be very reasonable. He's not stupid. And he's a damn good farmer. Oh, for sure. I've never doubted his farming credentials. And he does actually care about the environment, Justin. Apart from the time he poisoned the am. There is that. No, nobody's perfect, eh? Exactly. All right, all right. No, no, I'll step back, really. I still believe it's the right thing to do, but I'll hold off saying anything at the meeting. And perhaps we should dedicate some time next week, you and I and possibly Kirsty and Rex, to really get into the detail. That would be good. That would be great. Ok. All right, it's agreed. We can talk about all of this next week when there's more time. Oh, this is lovely. So, how are you doing? Yeah, okay. I'm fine, yeah. Really? Yeah. Why? I don't know. You seem a little bit preoccupied, I suppose, and possibly a little forlorn. Forlorn? Yes. Good word, dad. Thanks. I am a bit worried. Well, really worried, actually. About Martha. Why? Why? What's happening? Dad, please, you mustn't tell anyone, not even family. All right, darling, but what is it? The nursery have expressed some concern about her development. Really? I mean, Chris doesn't think it's anything, I'm afraid. I've been feeling a bit haunted ever since they talked to us. What did they say? Apparently she has trouble settling down to a task. Well, that's it. That's all? Well, it's a few things. She's a bit behind her peers in a few different ways. Well, I'm surprised by that. She seems bright as a button to me. I don't know what to think, dad. Honestly. I just. I just live with this terror that I've harmed her by drinking. Yes. Oh, darling. Doesn't go away. Just doesn't go away. Hi. Sorry. Sorry I'm late. It's okay, it's fine. I just got caught by Justin as I was about to leave the office and then I couldn't really say. Can you just shut up? Because I've got a picnic to go to. I mean, I did actually end up saying that in the end. Did you? Yeah, sort of. Well, Listen, Stella, I've been feeling really bad because you were trying to talk to me when I got that phone call from the school and then I just ran off to deal with it and I didn't kind of forget. Got you in the middle of your own crisis. Oh, I wouldn't call it a crisis. No, but you know what I mean. Yeah. No, look, it's okay. You were really stressed. Yeah, but you actually really stressed too. Yeah, I know, but Rosie comes first. I mean, she has to be your priority. She does, but I didn't mean to just abandon you. Well, I'm a big girl. No, but seriously, I am really sorry and I want to know everything. What's going on? Do you know what? It's okay. No, no, no, no, no, don't do that. I'm not. Honestly, I promise. Look, listen. Justin and me, we just had this big conversation and I think we did get somewhere. Okay? He wasn't listening to me and then suddenly he was right. So I don't feel the same need to talk about it, but I want to know. I'm here to support you. I know you are. Was only the call from the school. It really threw me. I know. The thing is, I don't actually want to talk about about it anymore. It's a gorgeous evening and I just want to hang out with you and not worry about Justin. Elliot. Okay, if you're sure. I'm sure. Thank you though, really. Right. Well, at least this time I brought a decent picnic. No half open pots of himis? No. I'm relieved to hear it. The thing is that whoever your children turn out to be, they always need your support. Because they're yours and because they're human beings. And none of us are perfect, are we? It's nearly four years since you drove me to rehab. Yes, I suppose it must be. I ran away at the motorway services then. I've given you so much to worry about. Well, I wouldn't say that. You wouldn't say that? I wouldn't, Dad. I mean, it was one of the worst days of my life, but I'd do it all again. I love you. I love you so much. Well, I love you too, darling. You know, about Martha, you might never know what made her who she is, but the point is, you couldn't love her more. No, I don't think I could. And you probably wouldn't change her even if you could change her. I mean, she is who she is, Alice. She's wonderful. She's certainly that. Try not to worry, darling. You're A lovely mum. And you're doing your best and it's enough. Do you know who that reminds me of? Who? Mum. Jenny. Honestly. Honestly, it's like you're channeling her or something. Well, I take that as a huge compliment. You should. God, I miss her. I miss her too. So I've been feeling bad too, actually. About what? Well, when you were freaking out about the school stuff, I feel like I said the wrong thing about Rosie. I can't remember what you said now. Oh, I don't want to remind you. Then what was it? I think I suggested that Rosie might not have been completely innocent in the fallout with the other girl. Oh, yeah? Yeah. Do you remember now? Well, I mean, I don't think she was completely innocent because, you know, I'm sure they both said mean things to each other and that's all I was saying. I don't believe that Rosie started it. And now we know she hasn't a clue what that word even means. So the idea that she was the one in the doghouse with the school, I mean, it's just not fair. The teacher totally overreacted. And I don't like this girl's mother. I don't. I don't trust her. And I don't want the school taking sides with them over us. And are they? I mean, apparently the girls have made up and the other kid is fine now and Rosie seems fine too. Well, that's good. But I still don't know where Rosie heard the word and she won't tell me. I don't think the school should have made such a big deal of it. But, hey, what can you do? It's over now, hopefully. Yeah. Yeah, hopefully. Everything we're worried about is now completely sorted. Wouldn't that be nice? Yeah, it would. It really would. Hi. Hi. Hi. Alice. Was it just us three? No, no, there's other people coming. They're just late, which is annoying. And Jakob shouldn't even be here because he's refusing to come on the holiday. Oh, but you're the one who said I should come for a drink. Yes, because it's the end of the week and I want to see you. But I didn't intend you to stay for the meeting. I wasn't planning on staying for the meeting. That's all right, then. Everything okay with you two? I'm not sure. What do you mean, you're not sure? We're fine. Everything's fine. You seem annoyed again. No, I'm not annoyed. I'm disappointed. But I've made my peace with your decision? This sounds like it. Sorry, Apple. I didn't mean to be bolty. I do wish you'd come on the holiday, but at the same time, I know you'd hate it. I can't go away with 27 people. I just. I just can't. Is it really 27 people? Yeah, something like that, if everyone comes. But it's hard enough to get people to an initial meeting, so I don't know how I'm expected to get everyone on an actual plane. So who's meant to be here then? Well, dad isn't going to make it for at least an hour because he's got the board meeting. Exactly. And I wanted to make this meeting later, but Natasha wanted both her and Tom here, so she asked if we could bake at 6:30. Auntie Lillian's behind the bar. She's just going to join us whenever she can. What about Helen? Oh, Helen can't make it because she's got another date. With Dane? Who else? Oh, well, Adam should be here by now. Tony and Pat are coming. Rory can't make it, or Debbie, obviously, but I've asked them to put any ideas on the group chat. And I'm hoping that Sipo and Lolitando can come on holiday, but we'll see. And then there's Phoebe and Brody and the baby. Oh, of course, she'll be a granny by then. Well, I haven't decided if I want to be Granny or Gran. Or maybe something more spiritual, more alternative. Okay, I'm going to leave you to it. Oh, Jakob. Aren't you tempted to stay? I'm afraid not. We're going to come up with something so brilliant that you'll be jealous and you'll be begging us. Oh, please, please let me come on holiday with you all. But it'll be too late and you'll just have to weep in the rain. Why would I be weeping in the rain? Because you'll be stuck here with the British weather and we'll be somewhere gorgeous and sunny. I do love this time of year. It's the best. The grains ripening, the combines revving up, harvest just around the corner. You should try a poem about it, Brian. I don't go in for writing poetry, Stella, believe it or not. Evening, everyone. Hi, Martin. Sorry you lost so badly the other night. Oh, that's all right. That's quite all right. Guess I'm not the best of teachers. Well, I don't think that's true, actually. Miranda said my playing demonstrated a remarkable improvement. You must have been really Bad before. All right, everyone looking forward to this? I wouldn't know that. Hi, Justin. Justin. Okay, come on, let's get this meeting over with and go to the park. I'll second that. Oh, honestly. What message From Natasha. Oh, what'd she say? They can't make it. One of the twins has got a temperature. Oh, no. But I don't see why one of them can't get themselves here. Oh, you know what it's like, Kate, when they're poorly. Need the moral support. You have to do it all on your own all the time. And so did I when Phoebe was little. Yeah, and it's really hard. It's not that hard. You've just forgotten because it was so long ago. My point is that they can be a bit, you know, wet blankety, can't they? I wouldn't call Natasha a wet blanket. That's true. It's Tom who's the wet blanket. Oh, well, hang on, I've got another message. Oh, from Adam? No, Natasha again. Are Adam and Alice willing to take Xander and Martha out of school? No. No way. Because otherwise the prices are going to be insane. She's not even the one paying. There's no way I'm taking Martha out of school. She's only little. It doesn't matter. Yes, it does. I'm just not doing it. Oh, another message. Natasha, I'm just thinking if. If we go out of school holidays, maybe we could afford somewhere fabulous like Mauritius. We don't even know what the budget is, do we? I'm assuming it's half decent. From what I gather, it's enough to take the whole family to a villa in France. She's got a point. We could get an amazing deal. Yeah, but I don't care about an amazing deal. Martha is not falling any more behind just because Natasha wants to go to Mauritius. Who said Martha was falling behind? The nursery. I didn't know that. Yeah, no, it's fine. It's probably nothing to worry about. But what did they say? I just want her to have the best chance, you know? Of course you do. Sorry, darling. Sorry. Oh, it's hopelessly busy in there already. I'm not sure this meeting's gonna work for me. No, that's all right, Auntie Lynn. Don't worry. Tom and Natasha aren't going to make it anyway. Oh, really? One of the twins is poorly. Oh, dear. And Helen was never coming anyway because she's got another date with Dave. Oh, is he the one at Grey Gable? Yeah, that's him. Well, who can blame her for choosing him over us. What message from Pat. They've mixed up their dates and they're babysitting Jack because Helen's out with Day. Honestly, they're all hopeless. Maybe we should reschedule. Well, we might have to. I've been thinking some more about it. Is there any chance we could go on a cruise? Oh, good God, a cruise. Well, I know it sounds a bit old fogey, but you'd be surprised how brilliant they are for children these days. No, because they're awful for the environment, Auntie Lillian. They can't all be awful, can they? Those giant ships using up thousands of gallons of fuel and ruining Venice. Well, I mean, we don't have to go to Venice. I just wanted to chip in my two pennies. Worth it. It's good. It's good to hear what everyone wants. Yes, but we don't want to cruise. You don't, but Auntie Lillian does. Look, I am. I might need to get back to the bar in a minute. Oh, you can't be a people pleaser about this one, Alice. I wasn't. I'm sorry, darlings. I'm feeling ever so guilty sitting here in the sunshine while Tracy's on her own behind the bar. Don't worry. Go, go. We can catch you up. Okay. Who is this now? Natasha? Adam. Is he coming? No, no he's not. He's too tired. Honestly, that's the worst excuse of the lot. So are we all here now? Yeah, I think so. Well, I think in that case, Estella, would you like to tell us some of the highlights of the ecology report? Yeah, sure. The good, the bad and the ugly. Okay. Yeah, I'm not sure which is the ugly part, but the good news is that the wildflower margins on the arable fields have great numbers of pollinators and seeds. And the soil on the herbal lays is looking good, great, terrific. The not so good is fewer butterflies and moths. We should have hundreds of different species, but our numbers are in the tens. And our farmland birds are struggling because we've lost our insects and it means there's not enough food for warblers. Well, what about the soil? Yeah, yeah, no, I was just getting to that. The soil on some of our poorer grade land is pretty scrappy. There's not much life there, very few worms or dung beetles. Carbon levels are low. And the watercourses, unfortunately our field ditches have high levels of nitrate and phosphate and that's stifling the aquatic plants. That is pretty gloomy stuff. It is. Sorry. It is A fact that the UK is now one of the most nature depleted countries on earth. Says who? The important thing is for BL to take action. Oh, I agree. I agree wholeheartedly. But that is what we're doing. We're putting so many of the right things in place. Nature friendly farming, no till arable production. It's all a step in the right direction. And given time, it will all make a difference. But is it enough? Enough steps? Perhaps we need to take great galumphing strides now. What great glumphing strides do you to take, Justin? Ah, well, I'm glad you asked, Brian, because there is something I'd like to raise this evening, Justin, and I'm afraid you especially might not like it. Hi. Oh. What are you doing here? I'm giving up organizing this holiday because they're all a nightmare. What happened? Only Alice and Auntie Lillian turned up. And even poor Auntie Lillian had to keep dashing between us and the bar. Not that I blame her for that. Oh, and the thing is, I was willing to do all the running around, you know, put in all the legwork and organize everyone. The holiday of a lifetime. But if they can't even turn up to a meeting, what am I supposed to do? I don't know. Natasha was sending me all these annoying messages. Ugh, she still is. I might have to turn off the group chat for a few days. I honestly think you had the right idea, Jakob. Well, I hate to say it. Instead of all this faffing about, you know what I really want to do? What? I'd like to go up to Scotland and visit Phoebe and the baby with you. That sounds good. We could stay somewhere really beautiful. Scotland is gorgeous, you know, Especially the Highlands. Or what about Arran or Skye? Have you ever been? I haven't. I might start looking up places right now. All I can say to you, Justin, is over my dead body. Well, if it comes to that, thanks. Thanks a lot. I was joking. You're hilarious. Look, I realize it's a radical idea rewilding half of these. What the hell has happened to you? I've seen the light, Martin. You've become a tree hugging beaver lover who's completely lost the plot. Martin, there are other people who share my view, you know. Like who? Well, Annabelle for one. She didn't say a word in the meeting. Well, because everyone just started yelling. And can you blame them? Marty. What? Go and ask Annabelle right now what she really thinks. She's just over there getting into her car. Go and speak to her. And she'll tell you. Fine, I will. And I'm quite sure what she'll say. And what about food security? There is no food security if the soil collapses. Oh, spare me the piety, Justin. This is real. This isn't piety, Brian. Hand on heart. Oh, goodness sake. What heart? And where's Stella? She was talking to Annabelle, I think. Did she know anything about this? Oh, well, we'd had a couple of conversations. Have you? Have you really? Stella. Stella. What? You knew? No, I didn't. Well, Justin says he talked to you. Well, we've talked you through a few times. You are unbelievable, Justin. And you didn't think to say a dicky bird to me about it? No, it wasn't like that. I'm as shocked as you are. Well, you can't be, can you? You can't be if he'd already run the whole idea past you. Look, Brian, can we just go to the pub and talk? What's there to talk about? You stabbed me in the back, now you want to buy me a pint? Well, I don't think so. I really don't. I mean, I expect this kind of duplicitous nonsense from Justin, but not from you. Honestly, I. I've never been so disappointed in an employee in my entire life. Brian. Brian, this is a disaster. Oh, well, let's face it, was always going to be a bumpy ride. Sorry? Well, progress is never easy, never smooth. Yesterday you told me you weren't going to say anything at the meeting. Remember that? Does that ring any bells? Yes. Yes, that's true, of course. So what the hell happened? Well, I thought about it last night and I thought about it this morning and I decided that I had to be strong. Had to be brave. Strong and brave. What are you about talking? In that meeting, all you were was a duplicitous snake. Well, look, Stella, at the end of the day, I needed the element of surprise because I had to make an impact. You had to make an impact? Yes. There were people sitting around that table who were persuadable people I want to win round. I could see it in their eyes. If Brian had got there first, what chance would I have stood? You are mendacious, Justin. You really are mendacious. For trying to save the planet? No, for not lying and not even apologising and probably ruining my relationship with my boss, possibly threatening my job and not even seeming to give a damn about it. Hello. Thank you for joining us. It's been a summery week in Ambridge. Word of the Week award went to six year old Rosy potty mouthed Archer, who swore so badly at school that even her mum couldn't repeat what she said. Kate told Jakob that he'll be her grandchild's grandfather and should be called mofar, which went down about as well as Justin's rewilding plan. Kate also called a meeting for the 27 person holiday from hell to which Peggy is subjecting her family. Only two people turned up for the meeting, a move which is called a collective hint. And Miranda made Brian prove he wasn't a cheat by playing a game of bridge. He lost, but somehow now they're closer than ever and Miranda's probably got to go on the dreaded family jamboree. I'm Emma Freud and this is the Archers Podcast. We recently had an email in our inbox at the Archers Podcast at BBC Co UK from listener Jo about Pip. She said, I was the same age as Pip when I began to question my sexuality. My wife and I have now been married for 14 years. I'd love to hear an LGBTQ history of Ambridge with Pip and Stella as guests. So this week we're looking at the history of homosexuality in the Archers. I'm joined by farming's poster girl, Pip Archer, played by Daisy Badger. Daisy, what was the rude word that Rosie said? Oh, no, I can't repeat it. Well, say like the G word or the Z word or. I would say that it was. Well, let's go with the T word. Tw word. I was going to go with the tw word. I'm still not. Oh, twat word. I was going to go with that one. Interesting. Oh, sorry. Also. Also with us is Stella, Pip's ballsy partner, now taking on the old guard at Home Farm, known to us as Lucy Speed. Lucy, this week you've been juggling Justin and Brian, who is the trickiest? Oh, well, I think she. Brian, because he's kind of. He throws his toys out the pram and she has to manage him. And because she, she, he is her birthday, centrally. And she also understands that Justin similarly is a little bit, you know, duplicitous. Justin. Yeah. We have fourth generation farmer, LGBTQ advocate, and last year's brilliant Bake off contestant, Mike Wilkins. Mike, you're entering the Ambridge Flour and Produce Show. What's your showstopper? Well, so I entered our Village Flour and Produce show last year after we'd filmed Bake off, but before it had been announced, so no one knew. And so I entered the chocolate cake recipe that I made for my week one. Showstopper. But I only came third. What? So in the village show. Yeah. So I, you know, I got a. I got a ribbon, but I only came third. So I'm going to enter again this year and see if the Bake off momentum helps me. We're also going to discuss the imminent changes in Ambridge's environmental prospects with the preeminent rewilding adviser to the Archers, Alistair Driver. Alistair, the Peggy Holiday group chat. Are you in or would you have muted it? I would have. I would have opted out of that. Yeah, yeah. It's not a good way to go if you're going to have a family discussion. My experience. I'm completely with you on that. My scene of the week is one of Justin and Stella's rewilding rouse. I chose it because it became increasingly clear during it that Justin's green dream for the land he's in charge of was actually all about Justin. I'm just energised. I'm inspired and I'm trying to inspire you too. Well, I'm not feeling inspired, Justin. I feel stressed and under pressure and I'm very concerned that Home Farm stands to lose their contract if you rewild half of the BL estate. But Stella, you have to see the bigger picture. Soil protection, biodiversity, long term food security. We have to think ahead. Well ahead. It's not about us anymore, Stella. Tell Brian that. Not yet. Absolutely not yet. This is just between you and me for now. Understood? Justin, I can't keep your insane idea quiet much longer. It's not insane. Not at all. Just take a look at these two eco lodges built on rewilded land. They're incredibly beautiful and people are paying the earth to go and stay in them. We could do that here. Here. And so the whole British wildlife experience. Why, why go to the Serengeti when you could come to Ambridge instead? It's not about us anymore. It's all about him. He's. He's using environmentalism as a tool to make a personal impact, isn't he? There's always a chance that it's to dig the knife into Brian or to just. Just to make things difficult. But yeah, I think, I think it is a genuine sort of epiphany type moment. But again, it doesn't. It. He's not thinking about how it affects anyone else and indeed how wise it is. I mean, food security wise, it's not generally really very wise. And I think what Stella's been trying to do is to deliver food security alongside environmental care and responsibility. So he's just sort of ploughing all over that, as it were, churning it all up. Yeah. But she's very concerned because she's bought this no till seed drill, which has cost a fortune and it needs to be used. So for her, it jeopardises her position. Do you think he's trying to soften his dodgy legacy and do a Peggy and getting it wrong in the process? I think he's doing it in a very Justin way. It was really lovely to see him see the light of trying to be a better person. And in the Scrooge Week. In the Scrooge week and also with Kirsty and Rex and the renewing of their contract. And it was lovely to sort of see him soften and see a positive. And you sort of thought, oh, maybe there's a future for Justin as a nice character that people can like. And then he's trying to do what he sees as a nice thing and he's doing it in the most Justin way. And it's kind. I mean, it's brilliant to listen to because it just embodies Justin. But it's so frustrating because you just think, oh, no, he's not actually changed his ways. The leopard hasn't changed his spots. It's a clever plot device, though, isn't it? I mean, Alastair as a rewilder with the subject of rewilding, no one's right or wrong. It's about values and vision and trust, which really makes great drama because it's not black and white. Yeah, absolutely. I'm really glad that you are running with this theme because it's real world stuff. I'm dealing with hundreds of landowners across the country all the time that are rewilding at scale. And actually, 500 acres is a very small for a rewinding project because it's all about scale. But the key thing is that two things really. One, you've got to be looking at the productivity of the land and if that's a productive farm, then it's not necessarily a good idea to go completely the other way into the rewilding spectrum. And the other thing is, you can't steamroll that kind of thing through a community without some form of upfront consultation. Daisy, you joined the Archers over 10 years ago, taking on the role of Pip Archer, the eldest of Ruth and David's children. Pip had a string of boyfriends and then a sketchy relationship with Toby Fairbrother, resulting in the birth of your daughter Rosie in 2018. Potty mouth, Rosie. Potty Mouth. Yes. T word. Rosie, what did you find more surprising? Finding out that you were having a baby with the awful Toby or finding out that you were going to be in a relationship with the gorgeous Stella? Can I, can I offer a third option as well? That, that Rex wasn't involved at all. I know that's like. That was probably my. I found most surprising. Oh, great. Oh, there we are. There we are. Brilliant. She's found someone perfect for her. That is neither of those two boys that were milling around. Was it, was it a surprise though, when you found out that you were going to have a long standing gay relationship? You know what, I would have said it was surprising if it hadn't been for the fact that Stella showed up and there was a sketchy start between her and Pip because Stella was Ruth's mate first and then there was something about a crow in an attic. Classic meet cute. And then. And perhaps it was something about the way myself and Luce were in studio as well. It just. When Jeremy got in touch to talk about taking on Pip and Stella as a relationship, I didn't find it surprising at all. Were you pleased? Oh, hell yeah. Hey, for all of the. For everything that that means, you know, because it's, it's quite something to be involved in because am I right in thinking it's the first. First two girls to be in a relationship on the arches and I just think that's pretty cool to be involved in. So you became the first lesbian couple in Ambridge. Does that feel like a pressure or like a privilege? Privilege, yeah, absolutely. I always find there's lots and lots of gay stories, but there's very few lesbian stories and I feel like that needs to be represented along with everything that needs to be represented. Well, let's have a listen to the moment when Pip and Stella first got together over a bottle of camping. Stella had just had to put down her dog, Weaver, which somehow seemed to add to the romance. I can't really talk about it, to be honest. I still can't really believe he's gone. And, you know, I know he was only a dog. Not only a dog, but he was such a good dog, Such a great little dog. Oh, it's okay. Come here. Hey. Oh, I'm sorry. You've got nothing to be sorry for, honestly. I bet you wish you'd gone in with Rosie now. No. No, I don't. What? You've got some marshmallow on your cheek. Oh, have I? Yeah. I'll get it. I'm so sorry. I don't know Why I did that. It's fine. No, it's not fine. Oh, God. Spilled your wine all over you. No, it doesn't matter. Sorry. Please stop apologising. Pip, sit down, will you? Actually, I think I better go and check on Rosie. It was either the first lesbian kiss on the arches or you were actually licking the marshmallow on her cheek. Yeah, we didn't actually discuss that. It may be a bit of both. What I loved about it is it was. There wasn't really a big fanfare about it. It was tonally completely in keeping with the Archers. Mike, what's your take on Pip and Stella? Do they feel like an authentic gay farming couple? Completely. That's the thing that I think is so absolutely brilliant about your relationship. And I was so happy listening to that the first time around to start with, because it came about, it felt so natural. And I think, especially if you take a character who has previously been in straight relationships and try and play with their sexuality in a narrative, if done badly, it can feel like you're shoehorning something in which doesn't fit the character. And I don't feel that that's what happened here at all. And to bring a same sex female couple into the Archers without needing to bring in two completely new characters to have it build and grow within the village, within the community. And I completely agree with your point that female same sex relationships and sexuality in general are so underrepresented across media, across all media. And it is often male gay relationships that get talked about. When people say gay, that's what you think? Yes. And I also think that, you know, generally what I liked about this storyline is it's not always easy for everyone to come out. And it wasn't about that Pip had suddenly gone, oh, I'm, I'm suddenly gay, or because Stella is gay. It was very much a process and a process that they talk through. And Stella used her maturity to try and, you know, talk about the pitfalls or hope, you know, they then they kind of like they, like you say they did it in a very subtle way alongside having to run farms. Well, this was a little, but I think iconic Archer's moment. As we heard, Pip had kissed Stella on their romantic camping trip, then got cold feet, slept with Toby, regretted it and was now totally smitten with Stella. Here's the moment. Pip told her dad, David about the love triangle and it became a very tender coming out scene between a girl in a romance pickle and a dad in a. I have to say the right thing Now, Pickle, does this other bloke know how you feel? How you really feel? He's a she, dad. Oh. I told you I was confused. Oh. Oh. I had no idea that you. You had feelings for women in that way. I mean, I didn't know you were gay. I. I don't know what I am. Sorry, that came out wrong. I mean, it's okay. That just took me a bit by surprise, that's all. I told you, I'm all over the place. Yeah, well, I shouldn't have told you like that. I'm glad you did everything wrong, aren't I? Oh, love not doing anything wrong. Oh, it feels like I. But you're not. Am I what? Doing anything wrong, dad. So she doesn't know that you have feelings for her? No, no, no. I don't know. I know. So maybe the first thing is to tell her how you feel. That was a fabulous kind of non event, wasn't it? Become such a nice sort of dad like figure to Stella as well. He's just. What I feel was significant about this is because we've known Pip since birth, as you say. She wasn't brought in to be the first lesbian in the village. She's not a symbol, she's someone we've grown up with. And that makes a huge difference, doesn't it? Yeah, but it's nice. The evolution is just a lovely thing and like the delicate dance into this lesbian relationship that she's in. I don't think I ever once said had the word lesbian in any of the scripts or. There was no announcement. The thing I love about it is the best form of representation. And I, as a queer farmer working in the industry and have been fortunate to be able to talk about this a lot and through agrospect and the whole kind of point I always want to try and get across is that I'm just a normal farmer. I'm just a farmer. The fact that I happen to be now married to a man is completely irrelevant. And there's a lot of people in the industry. That conversation between Pip and David, I've had forms of that conversation so many times when I talk about my partner and people say, oh, what she do? And then I have to say, and it's so. It feels like a mini coming out, which is completely. Shouldn't have to happen. And actually I'm so happy that I'm now married because I can tell people my husband and there's no misunderstanding. I want to have a look at the history of gay relationships in the Archers and just to remind ourselves of how things used to be, let's start with Godfrey Baisley, the remarkable man who invented the Archers and ran the show from 1950 till 1967. Much later in his life, in his 90s, he said this about homosexuality. It's disgusting and it's distasteful, because being gay is such a minority interest. Country folk don't do that kind of thing. They have sex in the proper way and people in the Arches have the example of nature to follow all around them. They wouldn't get mixed up like this. Goodness gracious. It's so interesting, that quote, because it's a horrible fact of reality that if you read the comments section on various farming blogs and posts on Facebook, people still make the that same argument. Now, thankfully, the Archers did tell those stories, and let's have a look at how those stories and those people came to Ambridge. So the first chronicle of the word gay in the Archers archive was in 1992, when Caroline mistook vicar Robin's sexuality. 1992, as late as that. The first gay storyline was in 96, and it was Sean Myerson, who was the partner of Peter, who was the landlord of the infamous Cat and Fiddle in book. In 2004, we had the first gay kiss, which was Adam and Ian in the polytunnel. Great graphic, but behind the curve, because Brookside had done it in 1985. The first civil partnership was in 2006, and it was between Adam and Ian. They married in 2015 when the law changed. And then in recent years, we've had the vet nurse, Paul, we've had Rory, we've had Anna Tregoren, Jim's daughter Fiona, and the vet boss, Don and Doug. Good cop, bad cop. But why do you think it's taken so long for the Archers to reflect gay characters and stories? Is that a rural thing? Is that a class thing? Is that fear? What's going on? I think it's just that the Archers have so many storylines happening and it. And generally it's not always about the relationships, as in romantic relationships. I think they are just generally kind of a smaller part of the whole tranche of storylines that they've got going. I think that actually, I don't think it was intentional. I think they just went, oh. There is even still now a perception within rural communities that queer relationships are more uncommon. Yeah. And I don't think it would have been an intentional decision within the Archers, but. But just, you know, the fact that the community itself, I think, would undersee the representation. The Archers. I think it just reflected that and it's that rural communities are definitely slower at advancing. I feel that from the places that I work and live and let's go back then and look at that first gay storyline because it's relevant to this. Sean Myerson was co landlord of the Bull's rival pub in Borchester, the Cat and Fiddle. He began playing cricket for Ambridge and rubbed shoulders with Sid, who was the landlord of the Ball and a closet homophobe. At first everyone mistook Sid's coldness for competitive instincts. But in 1996 he showed his true colours to his wife Kathy. Lovely. Mustn't let this business with the Cat and Fiddle get to you. It hasn't. Oh look, Sids, this all started when you didn't want Shaun in the team. Can't you forget his connection with the PUP and just accept him as a cricketer? No, I can't. We're in competition with him. So what? No, no, no, that's got nothing to do with it. Then what? Oh, leave it, Kathy, can't you. No, not until you tell me. All right, if you, you must know, I don't want anything to do with blokes like them, all right? Like who? Sean and what's his name? Peter. What do you mean you. No, you don't mean. Because they. Look, there's folks waiting in the bar. It's quite heartbreaking, isn't it, to hear and it's also, you know, the Bull is the heart of the community and I think having that attitude in the center of a village, what does that do to a place? If I can chip in here, I think that's very much a generational thing and we are, you know, okay, there's still some of that ilk around but I, you know, in my community, you know, the Village pub is the heart and soul, also called the Bull. And, and you know, you, you, I, I've never in, in the last 20 or 30 years heard those kind of comments. That is very much 80s and 90s speak for me. It's interesting because that was in 1996 I think, and it was a gay story, but that story and Peter, the gay landlord of the Cat and Fiddle was a silent. Shane, who was the tantrum throwing camp barman was also silent. The stories were there but they were all off air. They weren't. You didn't hear them, you just heard about them. The years passed. Sean moved away and Sid didn't talk about the only gay in the village anymore until Adam and Ian began their long and loving relations. At which point Sid's homophobia escalated. Until one day, he actually punched Adam. It wasn't only Sid that Adam and Ian had to contend with. When Adam announced they were getting a civil partnership, there was backlash from within his own family. I wish them well, but I don't want to attend the ceremony. I don't know why they couldn't just slip into Borchester Register Office and do the deed without telling anyone. Oh, you'd love that. You know, you're as bigoted as Ian's father in your own smug way. I resent that. I want Adam to be happy and come and support him. No, Jenny, no. I'm sorry. I'd be thoroughly uncomfortable. It's not about you, all right? You ducked out of Debby's wedding as well. Yeah, and I was right about that, too. Jenny, as you well know. I've nothing against him personally. He's a very nice chap. But when he's officially in the family, it'll throw up a lot of questions about the future of the business. Oh, face it, Brian. You're never going to trust any man who marries into this family. You're. You're like a medieval patriarch. Lucas is all right. Oh, that's because he's not interested in the farm. Precisely. Well, neither is Ian. He's marrying Adam for love. Oh, come on, don't be nice. Naive Adam wants to make sure Ian's taken care of if anything happens to him, so that's only natural. Not the word I'd have chosen. Well, I think you're being incredibly selfish, letting Adam down on the day. It's simple, Jenny. I don't want to be there. Besides, I'd rather not watch my stepson kiss another man in public. Thank you. Oh, Brian. Sorry, Jenny. I'm sorry. I'm just being honest. I'm not going. And I'm afraid that's final. When homophobia comes from a much loved character, it lands differently, doesn't it? So we're hearing those words come from a voice that we hear every week. But that's the powerful thing about the Archers, is that that character still exists today and you can hear. And he hasn't batted an eyelid at Stella. He hasn't. But the best like hearing him, then the way in which he talks. His attitude is very similar to how he would approach a situation that he didn't like now. Yeah. So the character hasn't changed, but the. The change in his perception, his opinions, his experience of the people around him have changed. But also on A dramatic level in the way that it was. It was all the silent characters who were allowed to be gay in the 90s. In the noughties, with Adam and Ian getting all the grief from Peggy and Brian, the storylines were more about coming out and other people's reactions in the tens. In the 2010s, when it settled down, we got their lives in full color, and Pip and Stella, now in the 20s, are able to have a fully colorful relationship in their own way, albeit heteronormative, but it's a very. We are seeing their relationship relationship rather than other people's reactions to it. So that's an amazing line of growth. Definitely. Speaking of which, Oriole emailed us@the Archerspodcastbc.co.uk to say, my fantasy is that quite soon Stella will surprise Pip and get down on one knee, but I'm probably projecting dreams about my own life in which I've sadly been single for a long time. Stella. It could happen. It could happen. I can see seller Stella doing that. Can you imagine how well Brookfield would be farmed if that was the case? It's true, isn't it, Mike? Absolutely. I mean, I want Stella to come and help me with my farm. Moving forward to 2021, Rory Donovan came, not out, out to Adam. And it showed how times have changed in the 17 years since Adam's homophobic experiences in Ambridge. I think I get what this is about. Listen, you've heard me talking to Troy, haven't you? Well, Adam's not trying to embarrass you, Rory. Oh, I'm not embarrassed. Good, because you needn't be. Embarrassment shouldn't come into it. Or. Or shame. And it's so easy to feel those things when you're gay. To be made to feel those things. I know I have. It makes you want to hide. And I did. Ian, too. Just felt there was no other way. So we hid that part of ourselves for so long, scared would be rejected. We didn't want to lose the people we loved, only we were losing ourselves in the process. That's right. I only started to let go of the shame once I came out. Look, I really appreciate you two sharing this. We want to. We think it's important. The thing is, I'm not actually gay. Listen, I understand if you feel a bit awkward. I'm bisexual. Oh, right. And I'm not in the closet or whatever. People know people at college, Ben. So you're out, then? Honestly, I don't think I've ever really been in. It's a different era, isn't it? That's one of my favourite scenes ever. Why? Because you never get that a coming out between two queer people of two different generations. Yes. Yeah, completely. Because, of course, Adam and Ian's experiences through their childhood and when they were Rory's age. Completely different. But the same with. In any parent, child, elder person, younger person relationship, you're always speaking from one generation to the other with the perception of your generation. And I love how Rory's just looking at them, thinking, what are you talking about? I don't feel any of these things that you're projecting on me. It's so real and human, isn't it? It's like when you speak to your parents about, you know, oh, I wish I had those Nike trainers in the 80s, and they'd go, oh, we didn't even have shoes. We'd strap bacon to our feet with string. And you think, what are you talking about? But now you get to this age and you hear yourself say the same thing to your own children. We haven't seen anyone in Ambridge who's from the trans community. Is that something you'd like to see? I would love to see that represented. Is there trans representation in farming? Yeah, definitely. You know, if you take any single community of people within society, there's the same sort of ratio of representation of all different kinds of minorities across any community. It doesn't matter that you were born on a farm versus born in the city. It doesn't change your predisposition to what your sexuality or gender identity. It is. When we recorded our podcast at the Hay Festival, a point Kerry Davis made really stuck with me. He said the Archers follows the curve when it comes to social issues, but is ahead of the curve when it comes to farming. Alistair, your senior advisor of the Global Rewilding alliance, and you advise the Archers on all the rewilding storylines, Is Ambridge's rewilding journey ahead of the curve? I'd say you're right in the middle of the curve now. I mean, don't forget, this started four or five years ago, didn't it? I'm sure that's when I started talking to your colleagues about this. And, and the thing that I'm noticing is it's. It's going a little slower than some of the projects. I know, and it's interesting now that Justin is wanting to kick start this, but he's not really going about in the right way, in my view. Okay, before we get into what is the right way, can you just give us A little recap on what is rewilding, why we need it and what's the opposition to it. Yeah, boring definition. Yeah. Large scale, very important large scale restaurants. Can't do it in your back garden. Just by you can do it. But if you're going to really do it properly, which means more hands off, letting nature lead the way, you've got to be doing it big scale. Okay. Ideally at least hundreds of acres. So. So large scale restoration of the ecosystem to the point where nature is allowed to take care of itself. So 70 of our land is farmed and on Most of that 70% we are managing it. We are not letting nature take care of itself. Totally. We're doing bits to sort of control it. And the soil needs to be looked after. So benefits. Yeah, so lots of benefits. I mean, wildlife in abundance. If you, if you relax that management. I see that on a daily basis, walking through rewilding fields, just teeming with life that I experienced in the Cotswolds in the 60s when I was a little kid, or even in the Serengeti in the 50s. Or the Serengeti indeed. Yeah. So soil quality, biodiversity, bioabundance, reducing flood risk, improving water quality through reduced runoff, reducing pesticides and chemicals, reducing intensive grazing, removing barriers to animals moving around the landscape. Does rewilding risk food security? That's the popular perception. The fact is, the answer is none. At no impact whatsoever at the moment. It depends how much you rewild. And the stat that I always quote was in a government report on food strategy and that is that 20% of Britain produces 3% of the calories. So one could easily rewild 20% of the country and not have a significant impact. Well, then you have food, then you have a real problem with communication, don't you? Because so many farmers seem to think that it does risk food security. Yeah, it's a real challenge. There are some who still talk about, oh, how are we going to feed the world if you rewild everywhere? But nobody's talking about rewilding everywhere at the moment. There's 0.5% of the country in rewilding. Let's. Let's go back to 2019, then, and the beginnings of rewilding in Ambridge. Peggy, Maggie put up half a million pounds to be given to a sustainable project in Ambridge. Phoebe, Rex and Pip pitched and won with rewilding, beating Brookfield Bridge Farm and a host of others. And Ruth was not happy that her daughter chose to join the enemy. Why are you being so negative? I don't know how you can expect me to be anything else. We've made it absolutely clear from the first time you mentioned it how we feel about rewilding. It's just throwing up your hands and walking away. No, it isn't that at all. I thought you were a farmer, not a park keeper. You are completely missing the point, Mum. This is about the more marginal land that only makes a profit because of subsidies. We can still grow food on the most productive areas. That's very generous of you. I am not talking about converting Brooklyn, Brookfield's most fertile land. You are not listening. Pip found you. You are not having any of Brookfield's land. I can't believe it's six years already. But, but she was talking about reduction in subsidies. Well, now it's happened. What's happened? You know, the basic payment scheme is now pretty much gone. And that was paying farmers to produce food. That's pretty much gone. Now you. They're reliant on stewardship, which is paying them to farm in a more sustained, sustainable way, just like we've been talking about, which has also now, which has also been slashed hard. It's not gone completely, but it's been hit hard. So. So they're going to have to find other ways to, to make money from the land. And there are all sorts of things now starting to crop up. And one factor I give Emma is that I keep the data on the rewilding sites that I visit and advise and they've more than doubled the number of jobs across the country on those sites compared with farming before. So it's not because they found multiple sources of income to help generate socioeconomic gain and, and jobs doing what? What sort of thing? Well, you still need farmers. And this is the important thing. Think of rewilding as a spectrum, you know, and we're only halfway up that spectrum in this country because at the top of the spectrum is the Serengeti in Yellowstone and Eastern Europe with all the apex predators and all the big herbivores. We haven't got that. But you're only in the middle of the spectrum because we're using proxies for those herbivores that we don't have anymore. So we're using rareberry cattle, rare breed pigs to do the herbivory and the disturbance of the land. And they need farming. So every site needs a stockman, but that stockman is often also a nature tour guide and an ecologist. They become multi skilled. So going back to Ambridge, Justin's dream, maybe for his own personal Legacy. But whatever his dream of rewilding 500 acres, what's wrong with that? Nothing wrong with it per se. And I, you know, I still wonder about his motives. You know. Well, all the landowners I, all the private landowners I deal with, they are passionate about wanting to do it for future generations. One, they have seen the decline in nature in their lifetime as I have and they want to do something about it because they're owners of land, they, they feel they've got control of that and they can make a difference and. But I think it thinks because the land is within very, in the crux in the heart of this farming community, I think if it was land that was somewhere that wasn't so easy to farm. Yeah. Built a whole village around it would be entirely different. That's completely the point, the scale and the location of it. Because if you're taking 500 acres out of a thousand for the, the bigger. We can't move a great big seed drill to somebody else's well. And also you need to have even 500 acres as a citary wild is, is really small to make a, a naturalized landscape. It's quite small but it would have to be one ring fence block of that thousand acres. But if they've got, you know, degraded soils in this patch, in this patch, in this patch, you can't have five 100 acre blocks across the thousand acres and rewild them. It needs to be. So it is very definitely a, a vanity project. Alistair, what would you be advising Justin to do? People need to be on board with it. You know, you, you cannot steamroll that through a tight community like this. Ideally, Justin wants to be working with neighbors. They want to find the best, most suitable bits of neighboring land. Justin doesn't do working with. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. I mean this is the. He said he got majority share so he's going to push it through the board. So it's quite difficult. It's not a good way to. Yeah, I need to go and advise him. Well, Alistair, I had half an hour together. You do. And help Stella figure out another plan. Thank you to all my guests, Daisy Badger, Lucy Speed Farmer, Mike Wilkins and Alistair Driver. Next week I'll be joined by Will Grundy who'll be dishing the dirt and filling us in on that errant son of his. In the meantime, please get in touch with your archive requests and questions or like this week's show, an idea for a whole episode. We love hearing from you. You can email us on the Archers podcastbc.co.uk or you can WhatsApp us on 0800-289-4044. And finally, we couldn't have an episode about gay relationships without mentioning these camp Ambridge icons. The fabulously over the top Julia Pargetta was an investor in the wine bar of the first florid Nelson Gabriel, where the barman and chef was the Archer's first ever silent gay character, Shane. Julia felt Shane's menu could do with improving. And it was good to see the Archer's first gay character sticking up for himself, even though he wasn't actually allowed to speak. From me and my producer, Jess Bunch. Have a very good week and may your listening be uninterrupted. What are you doing? Grabbing a bite to eat before we get too busy. What on earth are you eating? Chicken liver salad. One of Shane's experiments. Doesn't sound terribly appetizing. Coffee is delicious. Warm salads are very popular. Oh, really? And the dressing is divine. There's some tarragon vinegar in there, if I'm not mistaken. Have you shown him my proposed menu? Not exactly. What do you mean? I. I broached the subject of the new menu over a coffee and I told him tactfully that you have one or two suggestions to offer. One or two? That was more than enough. What do you mean? I mean that to use the current Argo, he went ballistic. Typical. He simply will not have a menu imposed on him. He pointed out. It would be like telling Joan Collins how to do her hair. What nonsense. It was deadly serious. In fact, he issued an ultimatum. That's outrageous. He can't do that. He told me that if I didn't trust his judgment and he'd resign. Classic. What a quote. Brilliance. Wow, I miss him. And he never even spoke. Hello, it's Freddie here. Now remember, you can only listen to the Arches podcast on BBC Sounds. I know, I know, you'd rather listen to one of my amazing playlists, but what with cricket and packing sausages, I haven't had much time for DJing lately. So do subscribe to the podcast instead and make sure you have push notifications turned on so we can let you know as soon as a new episode is available. We pulled into what felt like an old compound. You think? Wow, this is a very old property. I'm Danny Robbins and Uncanny is back. We have three brand new summer special episodes and things are about to get scary. I could feel something moving up the side of the bed and I can't quite believe what I'm seeing. A trip to a tiny medieval town in central Spain turns into a holiday from hell. I could make out its long matted fur and I am absolutely petrified. Absolutely petrified. This was just pure terror. And we'll investigate more. More spine chilling cases in an episode recorded live at the Hay Festival. Uncanny Hay audience. Who is feeling team believer and who is team Skeptic? Listen now on BBC Sounds. You're not at your house. You're at a lavish seaside estate. You're not walking the dog, you're hunting for clues in an accident. 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