The Archers

Ed tells Adam and Ruairi about Bartleby and the difficulty for George, and there’s an awkward moment. Meanwhile Brian’s wondering about the maize harvest. Adam assures him everything’s on schedule. Brian probes Ruairi’s knowledge of the situation, and Ruairi passes the test with flying colours. Brian capitulates; it looks like he has time on his hands. He obediently heads off to read a book. Later they put the idea of a holiday to ...

Justin asks Brian for a chat. Brian thinks there’s no point – Justin’s abandoning Borchester Land, end of story. Justin’s disappointed; he was expecting more fight from Brian. Brian counters he longer cares about Justin’s antics. Justin’s sorry – he doesn’t mind losing touch with the rest of the Board, but he and Brian are family. He proceeds with the reason for the chat: he thinks Brian should have the opportunity to buy Damara’s ...

Ed wonders whether Adam and Ruairi are managing Home Farm permanently now. Adam checks Ruairi’s affirmative response, and Ruairi acknowledges it’s something they’ll have to discuss. When Ed’s gone, Ruairi asserts Brian’s starting to get the message that retirement would be good for him. If Ruairi keeps learning the ropes, Brian might be persuaded to step back. Adam and Ruairi agree they’d be happy to work together. They’ll go for t...

Alistair’s booked lunch at Grey Gables with an old vet school friend. He chats with Ian, who admits to taking a dim view of the hotel’s current job shadowing scheme. Later Ian learns he’ll be shadowing Brad, who’s amused at the prospect. Ian comments drily that he can’t wait to be a porter. Brad inadvertently discloses the courgette poisoning incident last week. Ian can’t believe he didn’t know about it and heads off to tackle Oliv...

Stella phones Pip to tell her the interview went pretty well, the only awkward moment was when she had to explain why she left her previous post. The job looks fantastic though and she’d love to do it, if it’s offered. Later though, Pip’s surprised when Brian turns up at Rickyard rather than Stella. When Stella gets back soon after she tells Pip she’s been offered the job and has bought champagne to celebrate. But then Brian emerge...

Amber wants to talk about George’s party, but Emma is more concerned with Bartleby, whose owner, Meg, reckons he hasn’t got long left. Knowing about Bartleby from George, Amber insists on taking Emma to see him. On the way they discuss how much Bartleby means to George and how hard it was when he had to sell him. Amber’s seen all the videos, while Emma reveals some fond memories too. When they get there Meg explains how much Bartle...

When Brian mentions the objectionable idea of Amber’s homecoming party for George, Alice wonders if that’s why he’s been flipping out recently. But Alice is more worried about Brian taking on too much at Home Farm and wants him to advertise for a new manager. Meanwhile, Ruairi has gone to sound out Stella about taking her old job back, so long as Brian agrees to retire. Stella reckons that’ll never happen though, so it’s a no from ...

When Justin encounters Brian on the Village Green they swap barbs over what happened at the Harvest Festival, before Justin suggests Brian could do some sort of penance. Brian wonders whether Justin’s equally keen to clear his conscience.

At St Stephen’s Leonard asks Alan if he’s recovered from nearly poisoning himself at the Flower and Produce Show. Alan’s just grateful he had qualified doctor Azra with him. Susan then asks Alan ...

In a largely empty marquee Susan and Emma assume most people haven’t bothered entering the Flower & Produce Show again, though Ben’s entered several categories on Jill’s behalf. Azra’s surprised to find Alan judging with her, before Susan apologises to Alan for Brian’s behaviour at the school Harvest Festival. Emma then tells Susan that George’s homecoming party will be held at Will’s house instead of Grange Farm. Susan presume...

Ruairi and Paul wake up in Paul’s bed, before Ruairi gets a call from Brian and panics – he should be at work. Brian has in fact come to see Alice and is outside in the Stables Yard. Alice is still angry with Brian, refusing to accept his apology. Ruairi then creeps out of the house, kissing Paul goodbye, only for Ben to interrupt and tell Ruairi he’s just missed Brian. Later, Ben finds Ruairi at Home Farm where they chat about Pau...

Late arrivals Justin and Lilian have to squeeze in next to Alice and Brian at the Harvest Festival, with Justin sitting right next to Brian. Lilian warns them both that discussing BL is off-limits. But Brian can’t help himself and suggests that Justin takes the words of Alan’s sermon about farmers producing an abundance of food to heart. Justin rises to the bait and their discussion becomes heated. When Justin insists he’ll go ahea...

Jim tells Alan how much he’s enjoyed engaging in religious debate with the Shop’s customers, now they’ve relocated to St Stephens. Alan gets a message asking him to be a judge at the Flower & Produce re-run, before Jim asks why Alan became a vicar. Alan hasn’t time to talk to Jim about it now but is happy to another time. Later, under questioning from Jim, Lilian admits she doesn’t believe in God but is happy for others to fol...

When Jazzer turns up with paddleboard, flippers and extra luggage, for his trip to the Lake District with Ed and Fallon, he’s forced to squeeze into the back of the car with everything next to him. Fallon will watch while the others swim, or paddle to commemorate their friend, Ash. Later, Ed and Jazzer reminisce about the high-jinks they got up to in their teens, before Fallon mentions Jazzer nearly dying from an overdose. Jazzer r...

Justin’s confident he can override any dissent when the results of the feasibility study are discussed at this afternoon’s BL Board meeting, while Lilian joins Alice in looking forward to Martha’s first school Harvest Festival service on Thursday. Before the meeting Brian assures Justin the fight isn’t over, no matter what the feasibility study says. Martyn tries to smooth things over but mentions a rumour that Justin could be look...

Lily has been deputed to look after celebrity guest judge, Charlotte Smith, at the Flower & Produce Show at Grey Gables, while Paul is there for a wedding. Azra turns up with the cheesecake she’s entering, before Charlotte arrives with fellow judge, Fallon. Charlotte thinks she’d better avoid fraternising with contestant Azra, though. Azra and Ben assess various entries in the cake section, also admiring the giant vegetables on...

Amber acknowledges it upset her when Brad questioned her about getting her teeth done, but he’s right. She’s a fraud. The teeth are all part of a fake picture she portrays. Brad reckons she doesn’t have to pretend; she can just be who she is. Amber worries George might not like the real her once he’s released and sees her without make up. Brad assures her George is completely in love and a much better person for meeting her. This m...

Stella and Ben explain to Pip that whilst Rosie wasn’t at fault yesterday, both Rosie and Cleo need to learn how to react with each other in a challenging situation. Pip is persuaded that Cleo’s trainable, and agrees she can stay on the condition that if the dog shows any aggression Rosie and Pip won’t come to Stella’s any more.

Azra’s hoping to meet Charlotte Smith at the Flower and Produce on Sunday and wants to make sure she can...

Lynda tries to steer Lily off the topic of the cricket payments and toward the Flower and Produce Show, but after a cursory agreement that Dane’s idea of a Medieval theme is thoroughly naff, Lily swings the conversation back. Why did Lynda do it? People are blaming her and whilst she’s taking responsibility, it wasn’t her idea, it was Lily’s. Lynda explains her hand was forced by Lawrence. Making it public sooner would have been th...