The Archers

Joy’s curious to see what Tony’s concocting in his workshop for the tractor run. She’s worried some people aren’t sticking to the Christmassy brief. She’s open to a broad interpretation, but she’d imagined something generally festive. Tony declares his theme is sea creatures – but he can definitely incorporate Christmas. Joy’s anxious; she doesn’t want it all to look random. But Tony thinks it’ll be fun to have some variation. He s...

Susan calls at Honeysuckle Cottage. Ian’s offered her the pizza van for shop deliveries. There aren’t many but she’s hoping word will spread – she doesn’t want people to forget about the shop. Adam assures her that won’t happen, everyone’s missing it. He confirms Ian’s looking forward to accompanying Susan so he can catch up with village gossip. Susan’s hoping the same thing – with the shop closed she’s never been so out of the loo...

Joy’s keen for information from Hannah on Berrow’s entry for the Christmas tractor run. Hannah tells her Martyn wants them to have a strong presence. She doesn’t share Joy’s enthusiasm at this news – it’s just more for her to do when she’s already busy. Joy offers to help, and turns up later at the Berrow workshop. Hannah reckons she’ll be fine; she’s had a brilliant idea for their entry. Joy’s excited, but Hannah wants to keep it ...

Eddie’s concerned about Clarrie, whose hands are swollen and sore. With turkey plucking day fast approaching it leaves them with a problem. Clarrie shouldn’t be doing it, but she sees little alternative. Everyone she’s tried for help is busy. Eddie ponders; there must be something they can do. Later Clarrie’s horrified to find Eddie’s taken the back off the washing machine. He’s had an idea that might make her life a bit easier. Cl...

Amber checks in with George at the Pole Barn to see how Ed is doing. She reckons falling down the stairs could’ve led to a far worse injury, before heading off to a nail appointment. While taking Brad to Felpersham for a dating app date Rex recounts his own mixed experiences of online dating, most of which didn’t work out as he’s still single. Rex still hopes to meet somebody one day, though preferably not through an app. Brad ask...

George is in a filthy mood because of Amber’s accusation, but Brad thinks he’s got the wrong end of the stick. Ed then offers George a lift to Grange Farm and they have a similar conversation, before George shuts the conversation down. Later, when Ed drops in on George at No. 1, The Green, George despairs about his life as a known criminal - even Amber thinks he’s a thief. Ed confesses he knew about her suspicions, but he never bel...

While feeding the turkeys with George Eddie mentions Amber helping him look for the missing money the other night – he still can’t think where it’s got to. George then offers to go into Borchester with Eddie, wanting to surprise Amber at Farm Supplies on the way. When they have lunch together though, Amber worries about money, wondering how George could afford to buy her ring. As she pushes him George realises that Amber thinks he ...

Joy finds Tony in low spirits at Bridge Farm, dreading the thought of Christmas and what would have been John’s fiftieth birthday on New Year’s Eve. He tells Joy they had a row shortly before Tony’s vintage tractor overturned and killed John. After Tony goes to see the beavers being released at Rewilding Ambridge, Joy tells Ruth and Pip they should cancel her idea for a Christmas village event. It would feel heartless after what To...

Ruth and Pip chat about how relentless things are at Brookfield, before Ruth reveals what Leonard said about his and Jill’s open relationship. Pip doesn’t believe it and when they confront Leonard he admits it was a wind-up, before he and Ruth apologise to each other. Leonard expounds on his frustration at David and Ruth checking up on him and Jill all the time, for which Pip apologises too. Leonard then explains Connie’s an old fr...

Leonard is still being spiky with Ruth about perceived insinuations of infirmity due to his age, and when Ruth probes about his mystery rendezvous at the Farm Supplies café she gets nowhere. Leonard has been making Christmas puddings for Stir-up Sunday, under Jill’s supervision, admitting he loves it despite never baking much before. He tells Ruth he’s nipping out again, but when he returns later Ruth waylays him in the yard and pu...

While driving back Lilian tells Tony how miffed she is that Justin had a better time than her this week. She slept through the only exciting things to happen! Though she did spot a frisson between Helen and Finlay, which Tony missed. Tony reckons transformed Leonie might leave James and Lilian promises to think about challenging him on his behaviour.

Kate and Phoebe are doting on baby Peggy before Lilian and Tony arrive. Justin has ...

It’s 5.00am and Kate wakes Tony with the news that Phoebe’s in labour, but still in Blackpool. Kate insists on taking the car to be with Phoebe, potentially leaving everyone else stranded at the castle. Helen and Tony, accompanied by Leonie, then have to go and rescue Finlay’s sheep, which have got out through some loose fencing while Finlay’s still at the fire station. They do the best they can in the dark to return the sheep to t...

Kirsty helps fractious Tom and Henry at Bridge Farm, getting Henry to talk about his difficulties at school. Tom worries he’s become self-obsessed and boring, getting upset when Kirsty makes light of his concerns. She finds Tom later, who admits having vivid dreams about their stillborn son, Wren, supposing they’d still be together if he’d survived. Kirsty disagrees, but gives distressed Tom a hug, which suspicious Henry sees. Kirs...

Jakob, Alice, Justin and Natasha are eating breakfast at their B&B, still waiting for a replacement vehicle. Justin and Natasha got happily drunk last night, while Alice likes the views and being so close to the sea. Jakob though is grumpy that they’re still in Blackpool, until Natasha promises to find him a decent cup of coffee. Alice goes upstairs to see Phoebe, who’s fretting over Kate insisting on being with her for the bir...

Lilian’s upset that the other people-carrier, driven by Jakob, was left behind at the Services and has now broken down. Tony and Helen assume they’ll catch up later, while Kate and Ruairi are sleeping in the back. Then Justin phones, explaining they’re being towed to Blackpool before a replacement is found. The others: Alice, Natasha, Phoebe and Jakob, seem okay with this, he tells Lilian, though he’ll catch a train home. But as Li...

Tom gives Tony copious instructions about what needs doing while he and Natasha are away in Scotland on Peggy’s family holiday. At the Dower House Jakob is packing the people carriers with luggage, before Lilian heads to Bridge Farm, where she finds Tony complaining about Tom’s excessive notes. If Tom’s so worried about letting go, Lilian suggests, then he should stay and let Tony go to Scotland instead. As Peggy’s only son Tony sh...

Rex and Phoebe watch while the Adviser inspects the beaver enclosure. When Kate messages that she wants to join them Phoebe admits she’s finding it hard dealing with Kate, before the Adviser beckons Rex over. Later, Rex tells Phoebe and Kate that the underwater grilles need reinforcement before getting approval. It’ll put the release back several weeks, meaning Phoebe will miss it. Kate’s surprised by how upset Phoebe is, wondering...

At the Rewilding Phoebe tells Rex about the regime of walks and yoga Kate is subjecting her to. Rex is excited about the imminent arrival of the beavers, so long as their enclosure is given the seal of approval tomorrow. Rex gives Phoebe a tour of the enclosure, explaining what went into its construction. Phoebe tries to tease out of Rex the details of Peggy’s art installation, before Kate arrives with a bobble hat she’s knitted fo...

Pip’s happy to hear that Ruth and Leonard have made up. Despite her denials though, it’s clear Ruth’s still suspicious Leonard’s up to something behind Jill’s back. Ruth then tells Joy and Susan she liked how convenient it was when they were doing deliveries. Alan has asked to speak to Susan however, which sounds a bit ominous. Later, Susan reports back that Alan told her the shop needs to move on from St Stephens, after the spate ...