The Archers Feed

Huw Kennair-Jones steps down as editor of The Archers

2017-10-04T08:30:00+00:00

It has been announced today that Huw Kennair-Jones will step down as editor of The Archers. He leaves the world’s longest-running soap to join ITV as a drama commissioner.

"I’m delighted to be joining the ITV drama team at such an exciting time. ITV has always been at the forefront of TV drama and I’m thrilled to be getting the chance to work on Coronation Street and Emmerdale, two of the UK’s most iconic programmes. And though I’ll be away from Borsetshire, the fantastic cast and crew of The Archers in Birmingham will always have a special place in my heart and I’ll be listening as avidly as I ever have. I’ve loved being part of such a brilliant programme.”

Kennair-Jones joined The Archers in September 2016, having previously worked as a producer, commissioning editor and commissioning executive for independent production companies, Sky Drama, and the BBC.

Recruitment for Kennair-Jones’ replacement will begin shortly.

Gwyneth Williams, controller of BBC Radio 4 said:

“Huw Kennair-Jones has done a great job in Ambridge. It has been an eventful year in the village – Rob Titchener left for Minnesota, the cricket team admitted women for the first time, Jill Archer celebrated 60 years in Ambridge and Matt Crawford has returned to upset the apple cart. I would like to thank Huw and wish him well in his new role at ITV.”

Dame Eileen Atkins, Nigel Havers and Catherine Tate to deliberate over Helen Titchener’s fate

2016-09-09T16:50:51+00:00

Eight actors were cast specially to play members of the jury in Helen's trial.

“There were three things I wanted to do as an actor… Play Max de Winter in Rebecca…Tick. Be in Coronation Street... Tick. Do an episode of The Archers... Big tick!!” (Nigel Havers)

An acclaimed cast including Dame Eileen Atkins, Nigel Havers, Graham Seed, Catherine Tate, Rakhee Thakrar as well as Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Tam Williams and Cerith Flinn will deliberate over Helen Titchener’s fate as jurors in a special, extended episode of The Archers.

The much anticipated verdict of Helen's trial on Sunday night will come at the end of an hour-long Jury Special edition of the radio soap, allow time for the deliberation of the jurors at Borchester Crown Court. We will hear from eight of the jurors, the other three were not cast. The twelfth juror was dismissed during the trial for contempt of court.

Sean O’Connor, outgoing editor of The Archers, says: “To make up the jury, we assembled a fantastic cross section of British acting talent from radio, TV, stage and film led by Dame Eileen Atkins, Nigel Havers and Catherine Tate.

"It was a particular delight for me to ask Graham Seed to take part. I know many Archers listeners still miss Nigel Pargetter and it seemed fitting that in my last ever episode of The Archers as Director and Editor, I could offer Graham an appearance in the programme - without him actually turning up in the shower like Bobby Ewing in Dallas.”

Graham Seed, who played Nigel Pargetter for 27 years, says: "How lovely to be asked back to be in this special episode. An honour! A very different character to play of course, and the challenge was not to sound like lovely old Nigel Pargetter. We had a busy day in the studio with a script hot off the press. And what a great cast of actors to work with."

The full jury cast includes:
• Dame Eileen Atkins (Creator of Upstairs Downstairs, writer of Mrs Dalloway, Vita and Virginia)
• Catherine Tate (Dr Who, Catherine Tate Show)
• Nigel Havers (A Passage to India, Chariots of Fire, The Charmer)
• Graham Seed (Nigel Pargetter in The Archers, Brideshead Revisited)
• Rakhee Thakrar (Shabnam in EastEnders)
• Aimee Ffion Edwards (Skins, Peaky Blinders)
• Tam Williams (Stage and TV actor. Played Nigel Havers' role in the recent stage version of Chariots of Fire)
• Cerith Flinn (Wolfblood, Strike Back)

The Archers Trial Week has been a rollercoaster of revelations and cliffhangers: Key witnesses have included Helen’s five-year-old son Henry, who was present when she stabbed Rob; Helen’s best friend Kirsty, who roused cheers from the court room for speaking her mind about Rob while called as a witness; Rob’s mother Ursula who fiercely defended her son; and Jess, Rob’s ex-wife, who was a surprise late addition to the Defence’s case, offering valuable corroboration for Helen's account of Rob's abusive behaviour.

On Tuesday evening Helen revealed, for the first time, that Rob had raped her. While earlier in proceedings, Rob put on an Oscar-worthy performance of a broken man suggesting that he is, in fact, the victim in their marriage. The verdict now lies in the hands of the jury.

Sean O’Connor adds: “I have done jury service three times and found the process fascinating. Twelve randomly selected strangers have the power to make or break another individual’s life. The reality, for me, was an extraordinary insight into who the British public are. On the one hand I met some amazing people who exhibited a depth of humanity and care about people they had never met, which I found deeply moving. At the same time, I also experienced the ugly, iron face of British prejudice; it was a real eye-opener.

“The stakes are enormously high for Helen. We know her and have been with her every step of her painful story. But how might it seem to an objective group who have not had that privilege? In many court cases the debate comes down to one person’s word against another. I wanted to explore that process in The Archers, so a special episode focusing on the secret world of the jury room seemed a wonderful opportunity to do so.”

This is the first time in The Archers' 65-year history that a single episode of the programme has been extended to a whole hour.

Settle back for a momentous night of drama.

Rob and Helen: The full story

Full details of Helen Titchener's Trial

Helen's defence explained

'When it mattered most, Helen was the bravest she has ever had to be.'

The RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch

2016-01-26T19:15:00+00:00

This weekend over half a million people, including a number of Ambridge residents, will be settling down by their windows for an hour to take part in the UK's biggest nature survey. The Big Garden Birdwatch, which has been run by the RSPB for 37 years, helps to build up a picture of how our garden birds are faring.

Find out how to give nature a home in your garden.

Cold weather makes it harder to find food in the wider countryside, where the ground is frozen and the berries have vanished from the bushes. But our gardens are oases for hungry birds. There tends to be plenty of plant cover, a ready food supply and, often, fresh water. So, many birds have adapted to garden feeding. Among these are a host of familiar species: blue tit, robin, blackbird, house sparrow. But Big Garden Birdwatch can bring a few surprises, for example winter migrants like bramblings.

The survey results always make interesting reading. In last year's top ten, the birds at number one (house sparrow) and two (starling), are both on the UK Red List. This means that their populations have fallen so much in recent years that conservationists are seriously concerned about them. Indeed, since 1979, when the Big Garden Birdwatch began, numbers of starlings visiting gardens have dropped by 80%. But it seems that gardens are providing a lifeline to both species. Through careful planning and planting, and provision of supplementary food when times are hard, gardeners can help to support these birds.

Blackbird - RSPB (Grahame Madge)

And it isn't all bad news. At number three last year was the blackbird, which was seen in over 90% of gardens. In recent years Blackcaps, smart looking Little Warblers, have began visiting gardens in winter more frequently. Historically they'd overwinter in Africa but, perhaps due to milder conditions and plentiful food in gardens, many from central Europe spend the colder months in the UK.

The Big Garden Birdwatch is also a great way to get younger family members interested in nature. Homemade bird cake or bird feeders fashioned from pinecones or old plastic bottles are great fun to make. You can find tips on creating feeders on our website.

House Sparrow - RSPB (Ray Kennedy)

Most of us, even dedicated birdwatchers, rarely spend an entire hour watching the garden. So Big Garden Birdwatch can reveal interesting insights into what's happening outside your back door. The behaviour of the birds can be just as fascinating as the list of species you might find. For example, who is top of the 'pecking order' on your bird feeders? The bossy great tit? The sharp-billed nuthatch? Or does the great spotted woodpecker swoop in and send them all flying?

And which Ambridge dwellers do the garden birds remind you of? Are the chattery, gossiping sparrows: the Susan Carters of the bird table? Is Jean Harvey a jay, bursting in and stealing the limelight?

So why not join the Ambridge villagers in counting garden birds?..

Enjoy our gallery of Ambridge-inspired birds.

Find out how to give nature a home in your garden.

Archers Gossip sparrow ('gasser domesticus')

Archers lazy pheasant ('semper supinus')

BBC Audio Drama Awards 2016

2016-01-07T14:45:00+00:00

Eleanor Tomlinson, actor

Congratulations and "fingers crossed!" to Eleanor Tomlinson, who has been nominated for an Audio Drama Award.

The BBC Audio Drama Awards 2016 shortlist was recently announced. Eleanor, who also stars as Demelza Carne in BBC One's Poldark, is nominated in the category Best Debut Performance In An Audio Drama, for her sterling work as Ysanne Churchman and Grace Archer in the Radio 4 drama Dead Girls Tell No Tales, which is based on the behind the scenes story of the controversial death of Grace in The Archers in 1955.

The winners will be announced on 31st January.

Find out more about the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2016.

Writer Opportunity: Birmingham Writer In Residence Scheme

2015-12-02T14:00:00+00:00

BBC Writersroom - Birmingham Writer In Residence Scheme 2015/16

BBC Writersroom is sponsoring a six month part time residency for a produced Birmingham writer, sharing their time between BBC Television Drama, BBC Radio Drama, and Birmingham Repertory Theatre (The REP).

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to work on major dramas The Archers, Home Front and Doctors, as well as with Birmingham REP on their attachment scheme.

Find full details of the scheme, including eligibility and how to apply - from the BBC Writersroom.

IN A NUTSHELL...

You could spend quality time with The REP, as well as:

THE ARCHERS: Shadow the team, observe the recording studio, work with a producer and develop your own story pitch.

HOME FRONT: Work with a lead writer, the producer and editor, pitch and develop your own episode and observe in the studio.

DOCTORS: Shadow the filming and production process, working closely with the series’ producers. Contribute to several episodes of the serial, pitch and write an episode outline and receive feedback.

KEY DATES...

Opening date for submissions: Wednesday 2nd December 2015
Closing date for submissions: Wednesday 6th January 2016 at 5pm
Shortlisted writers notified: 25th - 27th January 2016
Selected writers notified: Mid-February 2016
Residency begins: Feb/March 2016 - TBC

Writers who are resident in Birmingham throughout 2016 should apply by submitting a script for stage, radio or screen, a CV and evidence of production (at any level) to The REP by 4th January 2016.

The Archers Join Radio 4's Christmas Appeal 2015

2015-12-01T18:00:00+00:00

Felicity Finch and Tim Bentinck, The Archers

The Archers is proud to support Radio 4's Christmas Appeal 2015, in association with St Martin-in-the-Fields...

There's lots of information about what's going on, including a special Archers-related music project:

Go behind the scenes feature on the making of this year's appeal song, "I See You", written by The Archers' John Telfer (Rev Alan Franks) - presented by our very own Felicity Finch (Ruth).

Watch a performance of the song, featuring John Telfer, members of the cast and a choir of friends and supporters.

Find out more about the 2015 Radio 4 Christmas Appeal.

A performance by a choir of friends and supporters of the Radio 4 Christmas Appeal.

You can also find out about the Christmas Starts Here! campaign from St Martin In The Fields, which encourages everyone to get dressed up for Christmas on Friday 4th December - with full details of how to get involved and donate to the Radio 4 Christmas Appeal.

Tim Bentinck and Felicity Finch - The Archers

To get you into the Christmas spirit, here's a behind the scenes gallery, featuring some festive polaroids - sent with love from the Archers cast to you!...

Follow The Archers on Facebook and Twitter.

Calendar Girls on BBC Radio 4

2015-11-25T20:00:00+00:00

Calendar Girls cast in the studio

Listen to Calendar Girls on BBC iPlayer.

Christmas, 2015: Ambridge Drama Queen Lynda Snell gave us Tim Firth’s much loved comedy drama, Calendar Girls. As with 2014's Blithe Spirit, Calendar Girls is a fully produced Radio 4 drama that can be enjoyed by fans of radio drama and Archers listeners alike...

This version of Calendar Girls is the radio premiere of the story that took the world by storm as a successful film and a hugely successful play.

A group of friends from a Yorkshire WI join together to raise money by posing naked for a charity calendar. In doing so, they test their friendships and the boundaries they each have set themselves.

Cheeky, tear-jerking and hilarious, Calendar Girls is a heart-warming seasonal treat!...

Calendar Girls was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 27th December at 7:15pm, and again on Monday 28th December at 2:15pm.

Sian Phillips starred in the production and shared her delight:

“Had I been asked to name a most wonderful, surprising Christmas gift never could I have conjured up an invitation to spend Christmas in Ambridge. When I heard those words I cried an immediate and joyful ‘Yes!’ After all I'm at home in Borsetshire... What a gift!”

Archers Editor and director of Calendar Girls, Sean O’Connor, shared his thoughts:

“There were so many parallels between this story and our characters’ lives in Ambridge - the 100th anniversary of the WI, Lynda’s annual Christmas play - and the fact that Calendar Girls is one of the most popular plays with amateur drama groups in the UK - it seemed like an extraordinarily good fit.”

Here's a photo of the cast in studio rehearsing a bit of singing - and responding to one of the lighter notes from Sean.

Calendar Girls cast in studio (2015)

Find out more about how Lynda secured permission to stage Calendar Girls.

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Desert Island Discs with Patricia Greene (Jill Archer)

2015-11-25T13:30:00+00:00

Patricia Greene (Jill) - The Archers

On 27th December, ahead of The Archers' 65th Anniversary, Patricia Greene (aka Jill Archer) will be appearing on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.

Patricia is one of a select group of Archers actors to appear on the programme. In 2010 June Spencer (Peggy Woolley) chose her eight records. And in 2001, Norman Painting (aka Phil Archer) also made an appearance. The Archers' original Editor and creator, Godfrey Baseley, also took part in 1969 - and here you can listen to his music choices.

Our Editor, Sean O’Connor, told the Daily Telegraph that Patricia’s portrayal of Jill was:

“not just one of the central voices in The Archers; I’d say that it’s key to Radio 4 and the wider BBC – a maternal force of love, care and continuity”.

June Spencer

Norman Painting

Godfrey Baseley, 1969

Listen again to June Spencer's Desert Island Discs (2010).

Listen again to Norman Painting's Desert Island Discs (2001).

Analysing The Archers

2015-10-13T13:00:00+00:00

The Archers - research paper mock-up

Academics from Brighton, Liverpool and Stirling have put out a call for papers on the subject of The Archers in Fact and Fiction.

The deadline for submissions is 16th November 2015, and a seminar will take place in London on 17th February 2016.

To spark your imagination, they've offered a few possible topics, including:

The statistical probability of no Ambridge residents listening to Radio 4 at 2:00pm or 7:00pm
A cultural analysis of Archers fandom
A sociological analysis of class dynamics in rural Britain through the lives of Archers

Find out more from Cara Courage

And also from Peter Matthews

Seven things you might not know about The Archers - from The Radio Times

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Joanna Toye on writing Dead Girls Tell No Tales

2015-09-17T15:30:00+00:00

Joanna Toye - writer

With more than 30 years experience writing for The Archers, and with it a wealth of knowledge about Ambridge, Joanna Toye has scripted Dead Girls Tell No Tales - a 60-minute drama which delves behind the scenes of one of The Archers' most controversial storylines...

Dead Girls Tell No Tales is broadcast on BBC Radio 4, on Saturday 19th Sept at 2:30pm. It will also be available to download as Radio 4's Drama of The Week.

How did the idea for ‘Dead Girls…’ come about?

Sean (O'Connor, Archers Editor) and I had talked for a long time about doing something to mark the 60th anniversary of the death of Grace Archer. We thought at first it might be a book, and then it occurred that the idea would be much better done as a play, because there were such fascinating characters to bring out.

How involved were you in the casting and production process?

Sean did an amazing job in bringing the cast together - I can’t claim any credit in suggesting people for roles. I was just responding to emails with ‘amazing’, ‘wonderful’ when I saw the names involved.

I went to the first day of recording and sat in on the read-through and some of the recording. I was fortunate enough to be there for some of the scenes which recreate the 1955 episode, and they were just as moving to hear re-made as it is when you hear the original.

You must have worked with a lot of archive material during the writing process…

I’m used to doing a lot of research for the several books I’ve written about The Archers, so a lot of the story was very familiar to me: I’ve novelised the Phil and Grace romance and her death, and I’ve worked with BBC Archives in Caversham.

How did you cope with the challenge of dramatizing real events and people?

It’s always quite difficult when you’re dealing with things that have really happened but you weren’t there for. So some of what is in the play is known to have happened and in other cases I have had to imagine. So in a sense it’s a drama based on fact.

For me, it was particularly interesting to find out about BBC Management and the Archers production office. I had great sympathy for the writers, as you can imagine. There were only two of them then and they were working under even more pressure than the current writing team does in terms of deadlines.

The programme wasn’t ‘pre-recorded’ at that time but done, as it were, ‘live’. It had to be done at a run and if the cast made any mistakes they had to go back to the beginning. They had endless rehearsal but when they did a take that was for real. Similarly with the writing, they only really got one shot at it. The particular week of Grace’s death was exceptional anyway because Godfrey Baseley - the quite extraordinary and inspirational editor at the time – had told the cast, and indeed the Press, that the Archers was going to be made in London that week , to show that it was relevant and because, of course, he knew that something was going to happen. The writers were writing the scripts on the day – the point of that week was that it featured topical references – and that was the excuse for doing it in London.

What did the Archers team look like in 1955?

It was enormous fun to imagine the script meeting at which Grace’s death was planned – I’ve attended hundreds of script meetings in my time, but this was a much smaller affair. The team then was tiny: it consisted of Godfrey Baseley the Editor; Tony Shryane the Producer; Valerie Hodgetts who was a production assistant/ continuity girl (she had the brilliant idea of starting the Archers archive); and the two writers. The bosses (the ’hierarchy’, as Godfrey called them) would join the meeting for lunch and rubber-stamp the stories. Fascinating.

Was it a mistake to kill off Grace Archer?

I think that for Phil, Jill has been the better wife. Grace, the character, was very headstrong, and quite spoilt. Whether she would have made an adequate farmer’s wife for Phil, down the years, I think is a very moot point…

What are your thoughts on the original Archers Editor, Godfrey Baseley?

Godfrey Baseley was an extraordinary man. I sadly didn’t ever meet him. He was a very big man, I understand, both in terms of personality and stature. The Archers got on-air entirely, really, through Godfrey’s sheer force of personality, and his determination that The Archers had a story to tell. The Archers owes everything to Godfrey Baseley.

What was it like to meet and work with Ysanne Churchman (the actor who played Grace Archer and who can be heard as herself in 'Dead Girls Tell No Tales')?

I think Ysanne was delighted to be involved in the programme. It’s her story that we’re telling. She saw the script before it went into studio and she’s heard the programme as recorded, and I’m happy to say is thrilled with it. When we took the microphone to her flat she absolutely rose to the occasion. It’ll be really amazing to hear her speak again, I think…

Listen to a clip: Joanna Toye shares her thoughts on Godfrey Baseley, Ysanne Churchman and the repercussions of Grace’s death for the nation…

Jo Toye on Godfrey Baseley and Grace Archer

Pip and the NSA (National Sheep Association)

2015-09-02T12:42:07+00:00

Daisy Badger (Pip Archer)

Pip Archer has had a brainwave (yes, another!) - not only could she make some much needed cash, but also do wonders for the earth. Her next port of call, The National Sheep Association, supports Pip's idea that sheep can improve soil fertility.

We spoke to NSA Communications Manager Joanne Briggs, who told us:

“Pip's idea to grow stubble turnips and over-winter sheep at Brookfield will potentially be a nice little money-maker for the family and great way for Pip to take on some extra responsibility.

It's often said that agriculture struggles to attract young people and new entrants, but we don’t find this so much in the sheep sector, as it's a low input industry that doesn't need the expensive sheds and equipment in the same way as, for example, dairy and pigs. I'm sure Pip's passion for sheep will be rewarded if she follows through on this new enterprise.”

Grass growth in the UK stalls during the winter months so stubble turnips and other fodder crops are a firm favourite for sheep producers who want to feed their sheep outdoors for as much of the year as possible. Listeners to the Archers may have even seen sheep kept in this way during the winter months. They sometimes look a little grubbier than sheep grazing on grass, as they pick up soil on their fleeces, but the forage crops provide a great source of nutrition and sheep love it...

National Sheep Association/ Sheep

“Sheep farming in the UK is very seasonal, with lambing time occurring in the spring and lambs growing through the summer months and into the winter,” explains Mrs Briggs. “When the grass goes into hibernation in the winter, forage crops are a great way to ensure sheep still get the nutrition they need. This is particularly true of lambs, as stubble turnips and other forage crops ensure they keep growing over the winter. This might be ewe lambs (young females) which are growing into breeding animals that can rear their own lambs when the time comes, or it might be prime lambs that need a little more flesh on them before they are ready to go into the food chain as delicious, sustainably-produced British lamb.”

The benefit of this approach for Pip is that, as well as being able to charge a ‘rent’ for grazing stubble turnips sheep at Brookfield, the soil will benefit no end...

“All livestock produce nitrogen-rich manure. Any gardener or horticultural enthusiast knows the benefit a good dose of horse muck can make to vegetable growing, and the concept here is exactly the same, just on a larger scale. The sheep will spend the winter eating the stubble turnips and the muck they produce every day will all be incorporated into the ground and provide wonderful nutrients for the soil. It is a sustainable fertiliser and will save Brookfield having to balance the requirements of the soil with artificial inputs the following spring, which are expensive and have to be managed very carefully to ensure all the chemicals actually go into the ground.”

Listeners to the Archers may also be familiar with the concept of crop rotation. It is what they do at Brookfield and Bridge Farm to ensure soil does not get ‘tired’ by growing the same crop every year. Adding sheep and grass/forage crops into a crop rotation is a great addition, for the reasons explained above, and is a key message from NSA.

“We are perhaps more familiar with sheep on the hills and upland areas of the UK. Sheep play an essential role in these areas and are responsible for shaping the iconic British landscape that we know and love. But sheep in lowland areas have an equally important role to play, and that is why NSA is so supportive of Pip putting more sheep on at Brookfield this autumn and winter.”

Pip would plan to contact the NSA to ask if the organisation knows anyone who has some sheep that want to graze her stubble turnips over the winter. This is a service that NSA offers to members, creating a network of sheep farmers and ‘match-making’ different business ventures. Sometimes this is matching one farmer with sheep with another farmer with feed, but increasingly it is also matching farmers reaching the end of their careers with new entrants who want to take on a business with a mentor to help them learn the trade.

“Matching making is a very satisfying part of my role with NSA, as we can help businesses by ensuring our network of members are a thriving community that is well connected with what is going on and opportunities that are available. A phone call from someone like Pip, who is starting in her own farming career, would receive particular attention from us as we are dedicated to supporting young people through the NSA Next Generation project. As well as sharing opportunities, work experience placements and jobs for young people, we also offer business training and personal development to specially selected sheep ‘Ambassadors’ each year. It’s just one of the services we offer to members to ensure the sheep sector has a thriving future.”

NSA is a membership organisation for sheep farmers that provides technical advice to members while also ensuring the voice of the sheep sector is heard by the Government and non-Government bodies.

Find out more at www.nationalsheep.org.uk and www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk

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This external content is available at its source: Adam's Farm - Countryfile (2012)

NEC Livestock Event - an Archers Writer's take

2015-07-08T18:30:00+00:00

Milking demo

My first impressions were pretty overwhelming: high tech gadgetry, expensive machinery and big industry. Over the course of a few hours I met some inspirational women, caught a persuasive demo of robotic milking and took away plenty of information.

Livestock Event sign, NEC Birmingham

Four things I learned at the NEC Livestock event:

1 - Even cows need a Pedicure!

At the Healthy Feet zone I was treated to a fascinating demonstration involving a cow flipped on its side in an electronically controlled crush, having her hooves trimmed by what looked like an industrial sand blaster and being told about the dangers of white-line disease (a condition rather than an actual disease, apparently). It looked brutal, but the cow walked out happily enough at the end and so I moved on…

2 - Farmers get useful leaflets at shows too:

I stocked up on leaflets that might come in handy when writing future episodes, and picked up several on paddock and grassland weed control - plus innovations in livestock housing and milking parlour technology…

3 - Women Farmers Rock (well, I knew this already of course):

I went along to the launch of an initiative called ‘Women In Dairy’ – just the sort of thing Pip and Ruth would be interested in becoming part of, one suspects. Their aim is to support women involved in dairy to achieve and celebrate success, raising awareness of the huge role women play in the industry and promoting their future involvement with a raised profile.

A key element of this is increasing awareness of how critical resolving inheritance issues can be to the continued survival and success of family-owned dairy farms – something the Archer family knows only too well.

The passion and commitment shown by Sarah, Becky and the others about the role of women in dairy farming (and in the Archers too!) was truly inspirational.

Here's a clip from an interview we gave for The Archers:

4 - Cows kind of have their own beauty pageant:
Cuddly Charolais, gorgeous Guernseys and heavenly Herefords in the livestock show section – they were all there. Beautiful, and another reason why I come to these shows to see such magnificent animals.

Livestock at the NEC, 2015

Open Farm Sunday - get involved!

2015-06-05T18:12:00+00:00

Open Farm Sunday 2015

Experience all the Ambridge Open Farm Sunday action at your local farm!

Open Farm Sunday is managed nationally by the charity LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming). Around 1.25 million visitors have attended OFS events since the first in June 2006. Over the years it has grown to become the farming and food industry’s annual open day.

Follow OFS on Twitter @OpenFarmSunday / #OFS15
Like us on Facebook.
Watch a short animation about Open Farm Sunday

Many of you will have followed Open Farm Sunday over the past few years as a number of farms in Ambridge have opened to the public. We’re delighted that Brookfield and Berrow Farm are both opening their farm gates this year. Open Farm Sunday is a great opportunity for these two hugely contrasting farm businesses to showcase the work they do, not only producing food but also managing the countryside for wildlife.

These events are actually part of a real life national initiative which this year is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Around 400 farms are opening on 7th June from Land’s End to Orkney. Why not go along to you own local Open Farm Sunday event and find out what farming is all about on your local farm.

Every year hundreds of farms open to the public, supported by friends, family, fellow farmers and industry partners, who all work together to ensure visitors not only have a great day out but that they have a unique insight into what modern day British farming is all about. Many farms are at the heart of their local community, just as Brookfield Farm is in Ambridge, and Open Farm Sunday is the ideal time for everyone to come together and celebrate British farming and food – as well as discovering more about what happens beyond the farm gate!

Open Farm Sunday guided events

British farms are unique and produce a huge variety of foods – from meat and dairy through to cereals, fruit and vegetables. Open Farm Sunday events are organised by the host farmer so every event is different. Smaller events might offer a farm walk - with the farmer as a guide, who will explain how and why they care for the countryside, share how they grow crops or care for their animals. Some larger events include tractor and trailer rides, others include a chance to see cows being milked or sheep being sheared. A few events have grown to become mini county shows with market stalls selling local produce, craft activities for children and more.

Farmers put a huge effort into ensuring the Open Farm Sunday offers something for the whole family – from displaying the impressive range of farm equipment and technology they use every day, to activities such as pond dipping, nature trails and tractor and trailer rides.

So as well as listening to all the Open Farm Sunday action in Ambridge – visit your local farm and experience all the fun for yourself! To find an event near you visit www.farmsunday.org. You can also follow us on Twitter @OpenFarmSunday / #OFS15 or like us on Facebook. But whatever you do make a date for this Sunday 7th June and join us in celebrating British farming and food.

Berrow Farm and Brookfield are going head-to-head for Open Farm Sunday this year

Archers editor Sean O'Connor interviewed

2014-10-20T09:05:08+00:00

Sean O'Connor

Just over a year since Sean O'Connor took over as Archers editor, he has been interviewed by The Telegraph. In a wide-ranging piece, Sean remembers his previous role as an Archers producer and explains his desire to refresh the show by looking at its history.

"...it is such a special thing, and so important to Radio 4’s identity and the BBC’s identity and perhaps even to Britain’s identity..."

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer

Read the article

The Archers tops the podcast charts

2014-10-16T12:15:14+00:00

The Archers is the BBC's most popular daily podcast.

The figures were released by the BBC to mark ten years of podcasting. In just one month - August 2014 - The Archers was downloaded 1,873,191 times - over 2.2 million times if you count the omnibus as well.

The next nearest daily podcast was BBC Radio 1's Scott Mills Daily, with 940,552 downloads in August.

Since its launch in October 2007, The Archers podcast has been downloaded 63,398,512 times.

The Telegraph charted peak podcast listening to key storylines, including Lilian and Paul's affair, Jack Woolley's death, and Tom and Kirsty's abandoned wedding.

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer

Ten years of BBC podcasts

Archers fans 'not put off by racy storylines' - from The Telegraph

The Archers Feed

Huw Kennair-Jones steps down as editor of The Archers

It has been announced today that Huw Kennair-Jones will step down as editor of The Archers. He leaves the world’s longest-running soap to join ITV as a drama commissioner.

Gwyneth Williams, controller of BBC Radio 4 said:

Dame Eileen Atkins, Nigel Havers and Catherine Tate to deliberate over Helen Titchener’s fate

“There were three things I wanted to do as an actor… Play Max de Winter in Rebecca…Tick. Be in Coronation Street... Tick. Do an episode of The Archers... Big tick!!” (Nigel Havers)

The RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch

And which Ambridge dwellers do the garden birds remind you of? Are the chattery, gossiping sparrows: the Susan Carters of the bird table? Is Jean Harvey a jay, bursting in and stealing the limelight?

So why not join the Ambridge villagers in counting garden birds?..

Enjoy our gallery of Ambridge-inspired birds.

BBC Audio Drama Awards 2016

Congratulations and "fingers crossed!" to Eleanor Tomlinson, who has been nominated for an Audio Drama Award.

Find out more about the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2016.

Writer Opportunity: Birmingham Writer In Residence Scheme

BBC Writersroom is sponsoring a six month part time residency for a produced Birmingham writer, sharing their time between BBC Television Drama, BBC Radio Drama, and Birmingham Repertory Theatre (The REP).

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to work on major dramas The Archers, Home Front and Doctors, as well as with Birmingham REP on their attachment scheme.

Find full details of the scheme, including eligibility and how to apply - from the BBC Writersroom.

IN A NUTSHELL...

You could spend quality time with The REP, as well as:

KEY DATES...

Opening date for submissions: Wednesday 2nd December 2015

Closing date for submissions: Wednesday 6th January 2016 at 5pm

Shortlisted writers notified: 25th - 27th January 2016

Selected writers notified: Mid-February 2016

Residency begins: Feb/March 2016 - TBC

Writers who are resident in Birmingham throughout 2016 should apply by submitting a script for stage, radio or screen, a CV and evidence of production (at any level) to The REP by 4th January 2016.

The Archers Join Radio 4's Christmas Appeal 2015

The Archers is proud to support Radio 4's Christmas Appeal 2015, in association with St Martin-in-the-Fields...

There's lots of information about what's going on, including a special Archers-related music project:

Find out more about the 2015 Radio 4 Christmas Appeal.

You can also find out about the Christmas Starts Here! campaign from St Martin In The Fields, which encourages everyone to get dressed up for Christmas on Friday 4th December - with full details of how to get involved and donate to the Radio 4 Christmas Appeal.

To get you into the Christmas spirit, here's a behind the scenes gallery, featuring some festive polaroids - sent with love from the Archers cast to you!...

Calendar Girls on BBC Radio 4

Listen to Calendar Girls on BBC iPlayer.

Christmas, 2015: Ambridge Drama Queen Lynda Snell gave us Tim Firth’s much loved comedy drama, Calendar Girls. As with 2014's Blithe Spirit, Calendar Girls is a fully produced Radio 4 drama that can be enjoyed by fans of radio drama and Archers listeners alike...

Calendar Girls was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 27th December at 7:15pm, and again on Monday 28th December at 2:15pm.

Sian Phillips starred in the production and shared her delight:

Archers Editor and director of Calendar Girls, Sean O’Connor, shared his thoughts:

Find out more about how Lynda secured permission to stage Calendar Girls.

Desert Island Discs with Patricia Greene (Jill Archer)

On 27th December, ahead of The Archers' 65th Anniversary, Patricia Greene (aka Jill Archer) will be appearing on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.

Analysing The Archers

Academics from Brighton, Liverpool and Stirling have put out a call for papers on the subject of The Archers in Fact and Fiction.

Joanna Toye on writing Dead Girls Tell No Tales

With more than 30 years experience writing for The Archers, and with it a wealth of knowledge about Ambridge, Joanna Toye has scripted Dead Girls Tell No Tales - a 60-minute drama which delves behind the scenes of one of The Archers' most controversial storylines...

Dead Girls Tell No Tales is broadcast on BBC Radio 4, on Saturday 19th Sept at 2:30pm. It will also be available to download as Radio 4's Drama of The Week.

How did the idea for ‘Dead Girls…’ come about?

How involved were you in the casting and production process?

You must have worked with a lot of archive material during the writing process…

How did you cope with the challenge of dramatizing real events and people?

What did the Archers team look like in 1955?

Was it a mistake to kill off Grace Archer?

What are your thoughts on the original Archers Editor, Godfrey Baseley?

What was it like to meet and work with Ysanne Churchman (the actor who played Grace Archer and who can be heard as herself in 'Dead Girls Tell No Tales')?

Listen to a clip: Joanna Toye shares her thoughts on Godfrey Baseley, Ysanne Churchman and the repercussions of Grace’s death for the nation…

Pip and the NSA (National Sheep Association)

Pip Archer has had a brainwave (yes, another!) - not only could she make some much needed cash, but also do wonders for the earth. Her next port of call, The National Sheep Association, supports Pip's idea that sheep can improve soil fertility.

We spoke to NSA Communications Manager Joanne Briggs, who told us:

NEC Livestock Event - an Archers Writer's take

Open Farm Sunday - get involved!

Archers editor Sean O'Connor interviewed

The Archers tops the podcast charts