The Archers Feed

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).

Bonfire Night Quiz

2015-11-03T16:15:00+00:00

Sparkler

If you're heading to a bonfire night or fireworks display this November, be safe and have fun - and why not test your knowledge of Ambridge Bonfire Nights past with our multiple choice quiz...

Questions below - we'll publish the answers on our website, Facebook and Twitter soon!

Q1: What is Kenton doing this year to buck tradition (and risk the chagrin of local busybodies)?

A: Performing a ritualistic dance

B: Making a nude Calendar Girls-inspired guy on which to toast his marshmallows

C: Building a huge bonfire on the village green

Q2:

Hilary Noakes question

Q3: In 2007, Will decided that he and George weren’t going – but why?

A: Will felt that Clarrie didn’t like Nic

B: He didn’t want to see Ed and Emma

C: George had a tantrum.

Q4:

Neil Carter (Brian Hewlett)

Q5: In 2002, Mike and Eddie talked about putting on a Christmas Fayre – but what did they originally decide to call it?

A: Grundyworld

B: Tuckerland

C: Dairy Christmas

Q6:

Walter Gabriel (Chris Gittens)

Q7: In June 2014, David Archer was accused of burning an effigy of a certain influential figure - but who?

A: Theatre director and critic Tristram Hawkshaw

B: Borchester Echo Editor Liam

C: Business big-wig Justin Elliot

Guy Fawkes: Why do bonfires still burn 400 years on? - a BBC iWonder Guide.

What is Bonfire Night? - from the BBC

Firework safety - a guide from the BBC.

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Joanna Van Kampen on Fallon Rogers

2015-06-18T18:13:00+00:00

Joanna Van Kampen (Fallon) - Michael Wharley Photography

On the eve of Fallon's 30th birthday, actor Joanna Van Kampen shares a few thoughts about her time in Ambridge....

Jo, what are your first memories of working in Ambridge?

I remember being really nervous and not daring to go into the green room until a few minutes before the read-through started. I used to be quite shy. Buffy Davis took me under her wing straight away. She came round to my flat in Chiswick and told me all about the job. She’s always been amazing - my first scene was with her.

I remember thinking I won’t be around in Ambridge very long. But now, 15 years later, I’m so happy to still be here. I remember celebrating in the Park with my boyfriend and a bottle of champagne!

How has Fallon changed over the years?

I remember starting out she was this narky teenager, and I was told she’ll probably get pregnant or into trouble soon. From being rebellious and difficult I think the character has changed and matured into someone different.

Are you and Fallon very different?

When you play a character for so long, you do bring a lot of yourself into it. We’re quite similar in temperament. But I really don’t have a business head at all. I’m better at being told what to do! She’s very creative and makes things happen – I’m learning to be more like that.

I sort of based Fallon on a friend of mine - a fiery, staunchly Welsh girl called Malley. She’s really bolshy, but also playful and fun. She’s also emotionally intelligent and quite sensitive.

Can you recall any particularly controversial or challenging storylines?

I guess Fallon taking ecstacy was quite controversial. I also had some emotional scenes when Sid died. For me just playing the everyday is more challenging, though. Perhaps Fallon needs a bit more controversy.

Which characters and storylines are you grabbed by at the moment?

The storyline between Rob and Helen is so subtle. I also loved the build up to the flood – little clues, things that were going wrong. And now the fall out, with the blocked culvert.

Jennifer and Susan are brilliant and so funny. They’re both snobs in their different ways, such rich comic characters. Joe Grundy as well – the way he mutters is so cleverly done.

Can you tell us a bit more about your own life and passions?

Music and singing are a big part of my life. My dad, who died when I was 20, was a cellist and my mum is a violinist. It’s something I’ve always been around. Music has always been a part of Fallon, as it comes from Jolene. Maybe Fallon’s business could become a performance venue – I’d like to see her take to the mic herself.

I have two children. They used to complain but have recently got really into The Archers. They ask things like “why is Rob like that?” They sing happily along to the theme tune. Now that they’re such fans, we listen together in the evenings. I’m very into it.

Can you tell us about some of your more unusual experiences on The Archers?

Recording at Glastonbury in 2003 was pretty unusual – being interviewed by John Peel was amazing. I remember for one hungover scene I didn’t have to get out of my tent. I woke up a bit worse for wear myself to the site of Julie (Beckett, producer) sticking a microphone in to record with. Recording with Bradley Wiggins was another highlight. Most recently, I really enjoyed Blithe Spirit for Radio 4. It was a real treat, getting to work with Julian Rhind-Tutt, and also watching Eleanor Bron and Michael Cochrane being so brilliantly comic. We were encouraged to not try to be our Archers characters playing Noel Coward's characters, so I enjoyed doing the character work on Elvira.

Would you like to share any funny/ embarrassing moments from recording or ‘backstage’?

When Fallon and Harry the milkman had their first kiss, as actors we hadn’t discussed it. Michael (Shelford (aka Harry)) seemed a bit odd in the studio - he wasn’t looking at me. It came to the kiss and I went in. He didn’t offer his face and I ended up snogging his cheek. When we came out of the studio, it turned out that he’d been ill and had spent the whole recording desperately trying not to be sick.

There are lots of conversations and tomfoolery from the green room that I could tell you about, but it’s probably too rude. All I’d better say is that Paddy Greene (Jill Archer) is very good value!

How would you like to celebrate your next birthday?

I have this fantasy of going to a top jazz club, like Ronnie Scotts, and having a little table with a lamp.

And maybe getting up to sing?

Yes, that as well!

Find Fallon in our Who’s Who.

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Borsetshire Folk Songs

2015-05-13T17:00:00+00:00

Joe and Eddie Grundy - The Archers.

Keri Davies explains the genesis of the ‘authentic’ Borsetshire folk songs which Eddie and Joe Grundy plan to sing at Ed and Emma’s wedding. The full lyrics are below.

Music has always played a large part in my life. As a drummer and percussionist, I’ve played in orchestras and bands, and I’m currently singing in a pop choir. Like many people, I enjoy a wide variety of music, but in my late teens and twenties I was very keen on folk music. I was a loyal member of, and occasional performer at, the Village Pump Folk Club in my then home town of Trowbridge in Wiltshire.

So when Archers editor Sean O’Connor wanted Joe and Eddie to perform at Ed and Emma’s wedding, I thought rather than use existing folk songs, it would be fun to create some ‘authentic’ Borsetshire ones. (I’ve got form for this sort of thing, having once written A Pint Of Shires for the album The World of Eddie Grundy by Trevor Harrison...)

I didn’t want them to be some sort of Rambling Sid Rumpo pastiche, but to have the feel of songs that could have been collected from real Borsetshire sources, with appropriate local references. I came up with two titles: a tragic ballad called The Fair Maid of Edgeley, and a comic song, The Borsetshire Cobbler. Then I hunted round for some traditional tunes to fit new lyrics to.

The folk club favourite Pleasant and Delightful lent itself to the fair maid. Listen to a version of the original performed by Show of Hands. And once I came across the song Ramble Away, I knew I could adapt the refrain for comic effect. I used Norma Waterson’s version, which I can’t find online but here is a Shirley Collins’ version.

And so Joe and Eddie were able to treat Ed to a rendition of both songs last week. Constraints of time meant we could only hear a short extract from both. But here are the full lyrics. I hope you enjoy them.

Here's a clip of Eddie and Joe trying out The Fair Maid of Edgeley on unsuspecting Ed...

Joe and Eddie Grundy singing folksong.

Maybe you’d like to write some verses of your own? After all, they are folk songs...

THE FAIR MAID OF EDGELEY

There once was a maiden in fine Borsetshire

So pure and so fragrant, in her seventeenth year

The swains of the county upon her would call

But the fair maid of Edgeley would have none at all

For up at the big house, there lived this girl’s love

A man of high standing whose heart would not move

The son of the squire, who saw not her worth

For he loved another, a girl of high birth

The fair maid of Edgeley waxed wan and forlorn

For the couple were to marry on Midsummer’s morn

As the village prepared for the gay wedding day

The maiden declined and would wither away

Bright dawned the day of the nuptials there

Bright were the eyes of the happy young pair

Bright was the bunting and ribbons a-twirl

But dark was the heart of the dolorous girl

The parson united the couple for life

But what a shock waited for husband and wife

For there at the lych-gate, the ivy above

The fair maid of Edgeley had died of pure love

Come all you fine fellows both high-born and low

Come all you fair maidens whose love you would show

If you love another who will not love you

Don’t wither and pine - here is what you must do

Stow your possessions and stride forth from home

Spurn unrequited love, widely to roam

Seek a new beau by the Am or the Perch

And end not your life at the door of the church

THE BORCHESTER COBBLER

A man went a-walking to Borchester Fair

His feet full of pain and his face full of care

For the cobbler who fashioned his polished new shoon

Was the worst leather worker by sun or by moon

Sun or by moon, sun or by moon

Was the worst leather worker by sun or by moon

Rupert de Pargetyr fought a crusade

Many an enemy died by his blade

But ‘twas not a halberd which brought this knight down

‘Twas slippers supplied by the cobbler in town

Cobbler in town, cobbler in town

‘Twas slippers supplied by the cobbler in town

Squire Lawson-Hope went to purchase new boots

Needed for dancing and other pursuits

But the minuet left him collapsed on the floor

He took seven steps and could take not one more

Take not one more, take not one more

He took seven steps and could take not one more

So if you are seeking some boots or some shoes

Be guided by me on which cobbler to choose

Seek not in Borchester, for you will pay

I guarantee you will hobble away

Hobble away, hobble away

I guarantee you will hobble away

Pleasant and Delightful, performed by Show of Hands.

Ramble Away, performed by Shirley Collins

The World of Eddie Grundy by Trevor Harrison (tracklisting and artwork)

My perfect vegan Easter on a plate - with Kate Madikane

2015-03-31T18:15:00+00:00

Broccoli

There really is nothing like a hearty, home cooked meal. This Easter, yours truly will be feeding her family a range of vegan treats.

Easter is a time for reinvention. So I’m planning to give a few old classics the Kate Madikane treatment.

So. Excited.

It’s so important for families to be together, bonding over food and conversation. I can’t wait to see Dad’s face as he tucks in. And teaching an experienced cook like Mum a few new dishes will be so rewarding. Sadly my daughter Phoebe is elsewhere for the weekend… but I know she’ll be thinking of me and feeling proud of her (natural) mother.

Combining motherhood with studies can be physically and emotionally draining so it’s essential to keep body and mind nourished. Whether I’m hard-talking International development issues with my fellow students in Felpersham - or debating bang-on-trend bands with Phoebe – I always need to be at the top of my game.

So, here’s a plan for my perfect vegan Easter on a plate:

(I haven’t decided on what I’ll actually cook. I’m thinking something with lentils and celeriac. In the meantime, I’m taking inspiration from BBC Food. They have loads of ideas for all you doubters.)

7am: Wake up. Purified water. Yoga to revive body and mind. (I need to work on ideas and arguments for my sustainable farming module. My half brother Adam makes some good points, but needs a bit of educating)

7:30am: Maybe a run. It’s so refreshing to feel the morning air on my face, as I dash past the fields that next week I’ll be standing in planting strawberries!

8:00am: Shower. Breakfast. Smoothie.

It could be a long day – with the possibility of initial lunch protests from staunch carnivores Dad and Ruairi - so I’ll probably start off with a bowl of granola topped with banana for energy.

I admit, I’ll probably also benefit from a strong coffee. Not sure what the weekend holds yet, but if Steph insists on another ‘lunch’ who am I to refuse?! It’s not like I’ll get to see much of Phoebe this weekend.

Sunday morning offers a great opportunity to sit down with Dad and look at the papers. Although lately he’s been obsessing over the Jobs section for some reason.

12:00pm: I’ll be all set, in charge of the kitchen! Mum’ll probably give me ‘that’ look as I wave her into the living room with a nice sparkling cocktail to start her off.

1pm: We’ll sit down together – me, Mum, Dad and Ruairi. I’m so happy to be surrounded by my family. Will spare a thought for Roy (Phoebe’s father) – sad, alone, probably working all through the weekend.

3:30pm – Green or peppermint tea. Will likely despair as Ruairi sneaks a left over sausage, complaining “I’m still hungry”. Honestly, there’s no pleasing some (note to self: hide any leftovers from the boys)

5:00pm – Maybe text Steph. Ask how her ‘lunch’ was. She won’t be going to nearly so much effort. Maybe I’ll text one of the other students, see what they’re up to. Will obvs try Phoebe too – although if her little sister’s had too many chocolate eggs she’ll probably have her hands full. I do hope Phoebe's other 'mum' Hayley enjoys herself.

Happy Easter everyone!

Find out more about me

Get some vegan inspiration from BBC Food

Blithe Spirit - a special message from Dame Angela Lansbury

2014-12-24T09:36:52+00:00

Angela Lansbury sends good luck to another 'Madame Arcati' - Lynda Snell

Dame Angela Lansbury - who has starred as Madame Arcati in Broadway and West End productions of Blithe Spirit and won a Tony award for it - has sent a special message to Lynda Snell and her cast to wish them all the best as Ambridge prepares to stage Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit.

In a special treat for Archers and BBC Radio 4 listeners, a 90-minute radio drama production of Blithe Spirit will be broadcast on Boxing Day at 2:15pm. Guest starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as Charles Condomine (or is that Douglas Herrington?!), Blithe Spirit on BBC Radio 4 also features Archers stars Carole Boyd (Lynda Snell), Louiza Patikas (Helen Archer), Joanna Van Kampen (Fallon Rogers), Eleanor Bron (Carol Tregorran), Michael Cochrane (Oliver Sterling) and Charlotte Martin (Edith).

Here's a festive photo of some of the cast, taken shortly after the radio drama recording:

The cast of Blithe Spirit (l to r - Joanna Van Kampen, Carole Boyd, Charlotte Martin, Louiza Patikas, Julian Rhind-Tutt)

Blithe Spirit will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 2:15 pm on Boxing Day

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Pet Shop Boys save Loxfest!

2014-08-22T16:14:20+00:00

The Pet Shop Boys with Archers actors Ian Pepperell, Alison Dowling and Carole Boyd

Pop legends Pet Shop Boys have saved the day for the residents of Ambridge by stepping in at the last minute to headline our inaugural music spectacular, Loxfest.

Having sacked troubled Quaintance Smith, Elizabeth Pargetter was left wondering “what have I done to deserve this?” But now resourceful Roy Tucker has turned Loxfest “Electric” by securing the iconic Pet Shop Boys pop duo for the main stage on closing night.

Neil Tenant and Chris Lowe – both long-term Archers fans - said: “It's a thrill for us to enter the world of The Archers, the UK's most famous radio drama.”

Their special guest appearance, which was recorded at the illustrious Maida Vale Studios in July, will air on Monday 25th August at 7:02pm.

What will Neil and Chris make of Ambridge? Will Loxfest be a success – or a sin?... Listen to find out!

Listen to the moment Roy gave Elizabeth the news:

Roy has lined up an iconic pop duo to headline the final night of Loxfest.

Archers Editor Sean O’Connor said: “Loxfest is the first time The Archers has mounted a summer music festival on this scale, so we’re completely thrilled to have secured an iconic British act- Pet Shop Boys- to headline for us. It’s been great fun putting the whole line up together with help from Steve Lamacq at 6 Music.

There really is something for everybody this Bank Holiday Weekend in Ambridge with appearances by the local favourites The Midnight Walkers, Slow Club and Luke Sital-Singh. We even have a troupe of chanting Tibetan monks and a chap that plays the digeridoo. Who could ask for anything more?"

The Tashi Lhunpo Monks, appearing at the fictional Loxfest - The Archers on BBC Radio 4

The monks in question are from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery – several groups and organisations have contacted the Archers team offering to take part at Loxfest. We couldn’t accommodate them all, but the monks definitely offer something a bit different (we’re sure Lynda Snell will enjoy them!)

The 6 Music effect…

Loxfest has been attracting star names to the village with a little help from our friends at BBC Radio 6 Music. Not least, presenter and Archers super-fan Steve Lamacq, who told us:

“Loxfest is The Archers storyline we’ve been waiting for. As someone who spends a lot of time covering festivals for the BBC, it was one we really wanted to be involved with. So when we first heard the rumours about the festival at the start of the year we offered up our services, helping to suggest bands that might fit the bill. I’d have probably have gone down and helped them put up the security fencing if they’d asked!

BBC Radio 6 Music Presenter Steve Lamacq

“I’ve been a fan of The Archers off and on for more than a decade, but got hooked again about three years ago. You’d be surprised how many Archers fans there are in the music industry. Even the former Stage Manager at Reading Festival would come up to me and ask to borrow my pocket radio when The Archers Omnibus came on.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the Festival goes. It’s not as easy as some people think launching a festival these days, but despite a few hitches and bad press in the run up, I’ve got high hopes for it.”

In the run up to Loxfest, Steve (aka 'Lammo') invited a few Archers stars on to BBC Radio 6 Music’s Roundtable: The Archers Special to discuss some fresh music tracks as well as their own musical tastes. Steve also had plenty of questions about their Archers characters Fallon Rogers, Ed Grundy and PC Harrison Burns, which he put to the actors who play them (Joanna Van Kampen, Barry Farrimond and James Cartwright – pictured with Lammo, who's seen here proudly holding his own Loxfest ticket):

6 Music presenter Steve Lamacq with Archers cast members

Loxfest runs from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th August (played on Friday 22nd, Sunday 24th and Monday 25th August on air).

Don’t miss the special Pet Shop Boys appearance on Monday 25th August at 7:02pm.

Read the full BBC press release: Pet Shop Boys to headline Loxfest
Listen to the Archers stars on Roundtable: The Archers Special

Follow The Archers on Facebook
Follow The Archers on Twitter – #Loxfest

Andrew Smith is an Archers production co-ordinator (and does not recommend attempting to jump the fence at Loxfest)

Burn, Baby Burn!

2014-07-04T16:03:37+00:00

Ambridge residents took to the hills last week (24 June), in opposition to the Route B option of the proposed Borchester to Hollerton relief road.

A community bonfire and barbecue on popular beauty spot Lakey Hill developed near-pagan overtones, in scenes reminiscent of the 1970s cult film The Wicker Man.

Photo: “It’s ‘guy, guy’ Route B”, hopes Ben Archer (12) of Brookfield Farm, as he holds an effigy said to represent the aggressive developers behind the new road scheme.

Villagers chanted as the figure of a man – supposedly the spirit of the business interests connected with the road plans – was consumed by the fire. Placards brandished by locals reinforced the message, bearing slogans such as “No to Route B” and “Save the Am Vale Environment”.

Attendance at the event was estimated at over 100, although one resident claimed that a further five million were “listening in”.

Photo: The effigy goes up in flames to the echo of angry chanting.

Page 14: “...This beautiful jewel must be preserved...” Local author Jennifer Aldridge extols the delights of Ambridge, the village threatened by business interests with links right to the heart of Borsetshire.

Ambridge in the decade of love

2014-06-30T08:24:09+00:00

This week on BBC Radio 4 Extra, there’s a rare chance to hear how The Archers coped with the 1960s. In two 30-minute programmes, Ambridge in the Decade of Love presents some gems from a stash of 2,670 episodes of The Archers which had remained forgotten for over 20 years.

Presented by Richard Stilgoe, Ambridge in the Decade of Love was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003. At the time, producer Simon Elmes wrote a fascinating article for The Guardian about the find, how it plugged a huge gap in our archive, and what he learned about this period of Archers history:

“...Ambridge slowly embraces change: coffee bars and jukeboxes, cellar youth clubs, motor scooters, overspill housing, comprehensive schools and the burgeoning leisure industry all feature, not to mention innumerable new farming methods...”

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer

Ambridge in the Decade of Love is available on BBC iPlayer for seven days, and on BBC Radio 4 Extra as follows:

Episode 1: Today (Monday 30 June) 13:30, 20:30. (Tuesday 1 July) 02:30
Episode 2: Tomorrow (Tuesday 1 July) 06:30, 13:30, 20:30

Read Simon Elmes’ article in full

Jim Lloyd’s ‘insulting’ article about Brian Aldridge

2014-06-27T13:10:43+00:00

Charles Collingwood (Brian Aldridge)

Last year, Jennifer Aldridge spent several weeks not talking to Jim Lloyd, because of the profile of Brian which Jim wrote for Borsetshire Life magazine.

We heard snippets from the piece on air at the time. But we thought you’d like to read the article in full...

The Squire of Ambridge
by Jim Lloyd

As I arrive at Home Farm, I catch sight of a well-manicured outdoor swimming pool, recently unveiled from its winter slumber. Such a mark of conspicuous consumption takes a deal of wealth to support. What is it about my host, Brian Aldridge, that makes him one of the richest men in Ambridge?

Brian is the pinnacle and epicentre of a farm business empire that dominates the local scene and stretches all the way to the broad plains of Hungary. As he pours me an aromatic coffee from a gleaming silver machine, my eye takes in the lavishly-appointed kitchen. Artful touches of rusticity are counterpointed by immaculate contemporary style. Even the cake, cooling on a rack near the range cooker, has the air of a prop in a photo shoot.

Brian is equally carefully turned out, and with an equal sense of contrasting style. The well-cut tweed jacket is perhaps to be expected of a comfortable gentleman farmer. But the silk handkerchief, exuberantly erupting from the breast pocket, and the shirt – a striking blue with a violet stripe – hint at a rakish undercurrent not unknown in older, powerful men, from Peter Stringfellow to Silvio Berlusconi. You get the feeling that, despite being within hailing distance of his eighth decade, this is still a man who hopes he can charm a smile from a pretty girl.

‘...I’m not really that deep...’

Indeed, Brian does have the easy charm of the former public schoolboy. He attended Sherborne, although a subsequent university education was apparently considered unnecessary. As we settle down for our chat, he freely admits ‘I’m really not that deep. What you see is what you get.’ A fair self-assessment, as there is not much evidence of a ‘life of the mind’. He claims his main interests are shooting and fishing – activities he’s made sure to provide for on his doorstep. However, although he may enjoy bending unwitting fauna to his recreational will, I get the impression that his main hobby is, in reality, business.

‘...The trouble with a lot of people is they simply don’t have vision...’

Brian arrived on the Ambridge scene in 1975, and made a considerable and immediate impact. With a substantial inheritance from his parents, who tragically died when he was not yet 30, he bought 1500 acres and a fine Georgian farmhouse from the still near-feudal Berrow Estate. He rapidly made his mark as a large-scale farmer, with the biggest and latest machinery. Local feathers were undoubtedly ruffled. Was Brian uncomfortable at antagonising his neighbours? Not a whit, it would seem. As he says: ‘The trouble with a lot of people is they simply don’t have vision. They seem to be incapable of seeing the big picture. That’s what you have to focus on. I like to think it’s the keystone of all my work.’

Home Farm now boasts an array of enterprises. Nearly 300 sheep and 110 deer graze the lush grass, although of course that lushness is only created by constant applications of herbicides and chemical fertilisers. And any walker ascending the historic slopes of nearby Lakey Hill cannot fail to notice the four acres of polytunnels. In these bulbous extrusions, strawberries and other soft fruit is grown, pandering to the modern consumer’s demand for comestibles regardless of their traditional season. As they glisten in the Spring sunshine, they are eerily evocative of a giant spacecraft, arrived from another planet to colonise our rural domain.

‘...People usually come round to my way of thinking...’

Their commander-in-chief unrepentantly insists on their necessity. ‘If that’s what the housewife wants, then it’s my duty as a farmer to provide it.’ And the exotic chemicals distributed nearly daily on Home Farm’s rolling acres? ‘It’s a hungry world out there. Some people would have us sowing seed by hand and ploughing with horses. I’d rather use the best of science to get maximum productivity from my land.’ Even if that doesn’t make him popular? ‘I don’t mind not being popular’, he ripostes. ‘I’d rather be right. People usually come round to my way of thinking in the end.’

‘...Brits nowadays don’t know what hard work is...’

One of the effects of this intensive approach is that, for all its size, you see remarkably few people at Home Farm, which supports only two full-time farm workers under the management of Brian’s step-son Adam Macy. Brian quickly points to the lively platoon of seasonal workers, engaged to pick fruit in the strange luminescence of the polytunnels. But, as we hear from their guttural accents in the village shop and pub, are they not all from Eastern Europe? Brian says he’d be delighted to employ local people. ‘Unfortunately, Brits nowadays don’t know what hard work is. That’s why we have to look further afield.’

Incestuous? ‘Nothing to hide.’

The intensive arable approach extends beyond the boundaries of Home Farm, which is contiguous with the remains of the Berrow Estate. Now owned by the property company Borsetshire Land, the estate employs no agricultural staff, instead contracting out the work to Home Farm. And who is chairman of Borsetshire Land? Why, one B. Aldridge Esq. Surely such an incestuous arrangement raises serious questions of impartiality. ‘No, that’s an outrageous suggestion. We simply put in the best tender. I have nothing to hide on that score at all.’

As chairman, one of Brian’s biggest projects was the development of a new livestock market on the outskirts of Borchester, replacing the historic cattle market in the heart of the town. One may question whether the people of Borchester really needed the ‘superstore’ which has now colonised the old location, but the financial incentives a national chain could offer no doubt made South Borsetshire District Council keen to facilitate the move – despite a certain amount of opposition. Brian is dismissive. ‘That’s my point. There was, but everyone loves it now. They can’t remember what all the fuss was about.’

Were there not times when this enterprise seemed like a folie de grandeur, threatening to spiral out of control? ‘No, not at all. I was always completely in charge.’ He must admit that it experienced a few teething problems, not the least plunging Borsetshire’s farmers into darkness on its opening day in deepest December. Brian’s irritation undermines his smooth façade at the reminder of this embarrassing incident. ‘That’s only to be expected with a big project. I don’t know why people can’t grasp that.’

‘...They just don’t know what they’re talking about...’

However, Brian’s ability at overcoming dissenting views – perhaps dismissing them is a more apposite description – was to be sorely tested by Borchester Land’s next undertaking: his ambitious plan to establish a ‘mega dairy’ on Estate land. He cavils at this term, but it is how the ordinary folk of Ambridge have come to describe the project, which will see 1500 cows kept permanently indoors, in conditions which many would see as alien to nature. However, he has little time for the critics. ‘They just don’t know what they’re talking about. These are going to be the most pampered cows in the county. They’ll have everything they need.’ Everything except sunshine and grass, some would suggest.

Borsetshire Land is no stranger to local controversy. As long ago as the year 2000, it evicted popular local residents the Grundy family from the farm they had worked for generations – unjustly, in the opinion of many. And its reputation as landlords can hardly have been enhanced by events at their remaining tenanted holding, Bridge Farm. After a threat by ‘B.L.’ to convert their packhouse – essential to their organic vegetable business – into housing, Pat and Tony Archer took on the considerable financial burden of buying their freehold.

This must have been all the more awkward for Brian, as Tony Archer is the elder brother of Brian’s wife Jennifer – she the onlie begetter, no doubt, of that picture-perfect cake. One wonders if Brian applies his single-minded approach to all his family and what effect, in turn, that has on them.

His numerous step- and natural offspring are certainly a far-flung bunch. Although now returned, Adam spent many years in Africa. Step-daughter Debbie manages a large farm in Hungary (in which Brian has an interest) and daughter Kate made her home in South Africa. Even youngest daughter Alice recently considered emigrating to Canada. What, we wonder, will be the eventual life choice of his ten-year old son Ruairi?

But for now, the de facto Squire of Ambridge surveys his empire, and finds it good. ‘You don’t make progress without bruising a few egos’, he says. ‘But I’m very satisfied with all I’ve done.’

What do you think? Was Jennifer right to take offence? Or did Jim sum Brian up pretty well?

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer.

Learn more about Jim, Brian, Jennifer, Adam, Tony, Debbie, Kate and Ruairi – and the actors who play them – in our Who’s Who.

World (Cup) Quiz - the answers

2014-06-11T06:12:24+00:00

Last week we published a quiz about the qualifying countries of the World Cup. There's still time to do it (just for fun). But if you already have, here are the answers.

1. The Atomium is to be found in...?
Belgium

2. Which country was formerly known as the Gold Coast?
Ghana

3. The singer and education activist Shakira comes from...?
Colombia

4. Ayatollah Ali Khameni is the Supreme Leader of...?
Iran

5. Part of former Yugoslavia, which country joined the EU in 2013?
Croatia

6. In which country will you find the Foustanella, a pleated skirt worn by men?
Greece

7. Mount McKinley is the highest peak in which country?
United States

8. Which country is bordered by Colombia, Peru and the Pacific?
Ecuador

9. The Duma is the main legislative body of...?
Russia

10. Which country is known for areas of low-lying land called polders?
Netherlands

11. Which country comprises four main islands, and over 6000 smaller ones?
Japan

12. Caipirinha is the national cocktail of...?
Brazil

13. Which is the only country to have won the Rugby World Cup and the Football World Cup?
England

14. Which country gained its independence from France in 1962?
Algeria

15. Which country borders the south-west shore of Lake Chad?
Cameroon

16. The book and film Under the Volcano is set in...?
Mexico

17. Which country had two capitals between 1949 and 1990?
Germany

18. The Naira is the currency of...?
Nigeria

19. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is the president of...?
Argentina

20. The westernmost country of mainland Europe is...?
Portugal

21. Which country’s football team is nicknamed Les Éléphants?
Ivory Coast

22. Which country was formed by a process of unification called the Risorgimento?
Italy

23. Which country boasts tourist attractions known as the Big Things – including the Big Banana, the Big Guitar and the Big Gumboot?
Australia

24. In which country will you find the towns of Molsheim, Giessen and Colmar?
France

25. Montevideo is the capital of...?
Uruguay

26. Which country has both a Carribbean and a (much smaller) Pacific coastline?
Honduras

27. Sofia is the queen of...?
Spain

28. Which county’s name translates as ‘rich coast’?
Costa Rica

29. Which country spawned the authors Pablo Neruda, Ariel Dorfman and Isabel Allende?
Chile

30. Which country is made up of 26 cantons?
Switzerland

31. Which country is divided from its northern neighbour in the area of the 38^th parallel?
South Korea

32. Sarajevo is the capital of...?
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer (and he does like a quiz).

The Archers World (Cup) Quiz
All you ever wanted to know about the World Cup, from FIFA and Wikipedia

How's your knowledge of The Archers? Try The Archers Quiz

World (Cup) Quiz - almost no sporting knowledge required

2014-06-02T11:39:16+00:00

The Bull is hosting a quiz inspired by the football World Cup. Here’s our version, just for fun. You don’t have to know anything about sport to take part (well, all right, two of the questions have a sporting angle).

The answer to each question is one of the qualifying countries in the competition. If you want to make it a little easier, we’ve listed the countries underneath the questions.

The answers are here

1. The Atomium is to be found in...?
2. Which country was formerly known as the Gold Coast?
3. The singer and education activist Shakira comes from...?
4. Ayatollah Ali Khameni is the Supreme Leader of...?
5. Part of former Yugoslavia, which country joined the EU in 2013?
6. In which country will you find the Foustanella, a pleated skirt worn by men?
7. Mount McKinley is the highest peak in which country?
8. Which country is bordered by Colombia, Peru and the Pacific?

9. The Duma is the main legislative body of...?
10. Which country is known for areas of low-lying land called polders?
11. Which country comprises four main islands, and over 6000 smaller ones?
12. Caipirinha is the national cocktail of...?
13. Which is the only country to have won the Rugby World Cup and the Football World Cup?
14. Which country gained its independence from France in 1962?
15. Which country borders the south-west shore of Lake Chad?
16. The book and film Under the Volcano is set in...?

17. Which country had two capitals between 1949 and 1990?
18. The Naira is the currency of...?
19. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is the president of...?
20. The westernmost country of mainland Europe is...?
21. Which country’s football team is nicknamed Les Éléphants?
22. Which country was formed by a process of unification called the Risorgimento?
23. Which country boasts tourist attractions known as the Big Things – including the Big Banana, the Big Guitar and the Big Gumboot?
24. In which country will you find the towns of Molsheim, Giessen and Colmar?

25. Montevideo is the capital of...?
26. Which country has both a Caribbean and a (much smaller) Pacific coastline?
27. Sofia is the queen of...?
28. Which county’s name translates as ‘rich coast’?
29. Which country spawned the authors Pablo Neruda, Ariel Dorfman and Isabel Allende?
30. Which country is made up of 26 cantons?
31. Which country is divided from its northern neighbour in the area of the 38^th parallel?
32. Sarajevo is the capital of...?

QUALIFYING COUNTRIES

Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil

Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, England

France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Italy, Ivory Coast

Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Russia, South Korea

Spain, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay

Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer (and he does like a quiz).

The answers

All you ever wanted to know about the World Cup, from FIFA and Wikipedia

How's your knowledge of The Archers? Try The Archers Quiz

Character Invasion in Birmingham and on Radio 4

2014-03-06T10:40:49+00:00

The Archers are Invading Birmingham

And we’d like you to come too!

On Saturday 29March 2014 BBC Radio 4 will be experiencing a Character Invasion on air and around the UK.

As part of this special one-day event, we’ll be celebrating characters and stories from The Archers, and inviting you to meet some of the Archers stars, writers and members of the production team.

The Library of Birmingham will play host to an interactive Archers exhibition, full of pictures, stories and opportunities to discover more about the history of the world’s longest running radio drama series.

As well as exploring our exhibition, you can also...

MEET the team - including actors and writers - in Q&A sessions
LISTEN to clips from The Archers - with a few surprises
CREATE your own live sound effects
TEST your knowledge - how much do you really know about The Archers?

Sessions run from 11.30am to 3.30pm. You don't need to book in advance - just turn up.

Click for full details of the events in Birmingham

All events are FREE of charge - so come along and spend the day with us.

If you can't make it to Birmingham, there are events happening nationwide. Or we'll be covering the day on The Archers website, Facebook and Twitter. We'll try to give a taste of all the sessions.

And you can follow #CharacterInvasion on Twitter.

David Archer (Timothy Bentinck)

Not only The Archers....

We'll also tell you about a Brand new WW1 Radio Drama - Home Front - Made in Birmingham...

BBC Birmingham is developing a new daily 12-minute drama set in Britain during the Great War, telling the stories of the 41 million Britons who didn’t go to war, but who pinned their hearts to the five million who did. Scheduled to launch on the 100th anniversary of the first day of WW1, 4 August 2014. Home Front will be set against a backdrop of fact, each episode set a hundred years to the day before broadcast, and the series lasting the length of the war.

Home Front :Nanny Bailey and the Old King

Meanwhile on-air...

The character invasion will also be affecting your broadcasts. Here are just a few of the things you can expect on-air on BBC Radio 4 -

Dawn French will be stepping back into Reverend Geraldine Granger’s shoes and heading out of Dibley to offer her alternative Thought for the Day on the Today programme, written especially for Character Invasion by Richard Curtis, and Chris Packham will be reporting from the streets of New York for Tweet of the Day, hot on the trail of Avis Giganteus - a large, conspicuous and highly vocal species – commonly known as Big Bird. And who knows what Lynda Snell, Marvin the Paranoid Android and Roy of the Rovers will get up to when they storm the studios?....

Lynda Snell (Carole Boyd)

More information about Character Invasion on BBC Radio 4

Character Invasion projects around the UK

Follow The Archers on Facebook

Follow The Archers on Twitter

Find out more about Birmingham Library

The BBC is not responsible for content from external websites

Oliver's sloe gin

2013-11-27T19:16:05+00:00

Sloe gin

Here’s Oliver Sterling’s recipe for sloe gin – the peace offering that worked so effectively on Joe Grundy.

First pick your sloes. These are the fruit of the blackthorn and traditionally one waited until the first frost. But with our weather patterns seemingly getting more and more erratic, this is no longer a good indicator, so just pick them when they are ripe, which is to say when they are not as hard as marbles any more. Be careful of the thorns!

I used to prick each sloe (did you know that technically they are called the drupes of the blackthorn? Odd word, isn’t it.) But a pal of mine gave me a good tip. Just stick them in the freezer overnight and when you defrost them they are nice and split and ready to infuse the gin.

You will need an air-tight jar. Those sorts with the rubber seals and metal clips work well, but I have in the past used a jar from an old-fashioned sweet shop – sadly one of the many things that seem to have passed from the high street. Do make sure you sterilise your jar. Wash thoroughly in warm soapy water and leave to drip dry in the simmering oven of the Aga for 20 minutes. (Caroline says you can also use a conventional oven on a cool setting – 130C/Gas Mark 1)

Pour the sloes in the jar to just under half way up, then add your gin to the top. Don’t go thinking that adding sloes is a way to cover up the taste of poor quality gin. It isn’t. Buy the best gin you can afford, and you will be rewarded with a superior result.

The third ingredient is sugar. My advice here is not to overdo it at the start, as it’s difficult to predict how sweet the finished is product is going to be. It often varies from one year to the next and it’s easy to add some sugar syrup at the end if you want it a bit sweeter. So just add a couple of tablespoons of caster sugar at this stage.

Close the jar and give it a jolly good shake. Then put it away in the dark somewhere. Remember to shake it every other day (or every day won’t hurt) for a week, then once a week for two months.

You can leave it longer than two months for a fuller flavour, although it will get more and more almondy if you do, which I know isn’t to everyone’s taste. But whenever you’re ready, strain the liquid through muslin and decant into a sterilised bottle.

If you’ve picked the fruit in October, it makes a splendid Christmas present.

More about sloe gin from Wikipedia

Learn more about Oliver Sterling in our Who's Who