The Archers

Writer: Liz John Director: Pip Swallow Editor: Jeremy Howe Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood Ben Archer…. Ben Norris David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams Amber Gordon…. Charlotte Jordan Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan Will Grundy…. Philip Malloy Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane Dane…. Stavros Demetraki

Susan confesses to Oliver that his magazine has been found at Ambridge View; Martha was about to snip bits out of it. All magazines will be stored at Greenacres from now on. Oliver’s concerned that Susan’s not comfortable visiting Grange Farm. Susan admits it feels awkward after all the business over Ivy’s engagement ring. It’s still on Neil’s mind. She’s not sure they’ll ever get to know Amber now. She comments that Ambridge View’s bursting at the seams with stock from the shop – there’s a lot of money tied up in the stored alcohol but she can’t sell it without a licence. Oliver suggests she sells some at the fete, offering to work out the logistics with Dane. Susan’s grateful; it’s a wonderful idea. As they pause the harvest for refreshments Stella observes the yield yesterday was surprisingly good. Ruth loves the sounds, scents and rhythms of the harvest. Having listened to excerpts from the Farmwatch campaign on Radio Borsetshire Ruth reckons Stella should set up a camera in her cab. Stella sets her phone to record, and combine cam is born. Brad brings Emma a birthday present from Tracy. Emma’s looking at plans for the teddy zipwire at the fete, which she’ll be setting up with Ed. She’s determined to enjoy her birthday this year after last year’s surprise party disaster. Amber brings flowers from her and George, and also a voucher for teeth whitening. Nonplussed Emma doesn’t think there’s much wrong with her teeth – and Amber’s are beautiful. But Amber’s planning to have the perfect smile on her wedding day.

Emma and Will meet Amber at a café near to where she works, Will maintaining it’ll help them get to know her if she’s in her own environment. He suggests to Emma that they pay for some elements of the wedding; they could cut costs on a car or maybe the flowers. But when Amber arrives she assures them she has everything they mention covered. Instead perhaps they can contribute towards the venue? Will says they’d be delighted, and suggests Lower Loxley. Amber resolves to put it on her list. When she’s gone Emma wonders what Will’s playing at. Lower Loxley will be extortionate – it’s popular and beautiful. Precisely, says Will, so it’ll be booked out and the wedding will be delayed, just as Emma wants. Emma thinks this is a risky strategy. Lily’s on to Ben straight away when he asks where the Grey Gables tug of war practice is taking place. She teases him about spying for the village. Ben admits he doesn’t care about the tug of war, it’s his dad who’s stressing. Ben’s more concerned with filling in nursing applications. Lily’s looking forward to quality downtime – there’s a whole wide world out there she wants to see. Ruth assures Stella she’s fine to help with the harvest. She knows how difficult Brian can be, and what she’s getting into. Stella intends to start today if the moisture readings are suitable. Perfect reading established and combine ready to go, they set to work on harvesting the wheat.

Kate gives Kirsty the news that that Chris won’t require Rookery Cottage back after all, so Jakob can stay put. Kirsty asserts that’s absolutely fine with her. She’ll keep looking for a tenant. Later Kate laments there’s no sign Brian will change his mind about the harvest. He and Justin are as bad as each other. Kirsty counters that Justin’s capable of changing his mind in the blink of an eye – just take the beaver scheme for example. Kate suddenly wrongfoots Kirsty by suggesting she becomes Kirsty’s tenant. It would get her out of her dad’s hair. It’s the perfect solution; they’ll have so much fun! Oliver’s trying to track down his shooting magazine. Susan struggles to remember where it’s being stored; everyone’s magazines seem to be somewhere different. She tries Tracy’s house. Dane’s confident Leroy’s fete tug of war team will be victorious. Oliver declares Dane’s done a wonderful job. Oliver looks ahead to their autumn wedding fayre. He’s surprised to learn Dane’s advertising for a coordinator when he has Lily right there. Dane says he’ll make sure Lily applies. Later when Lily and Brad try to share some tug of war tactics with Dane he shuts them down. Lily’s unimpressed. She tells Brad she’s not applying for the wedding coordinator post, it’s not for her. She confides later that she liked Dane to start with, but he’s too keen on work – he never talks to her about anything else. She thinks they should bypass Dane and talk to Leroy directly about tactics. This way she guarantees they’ll win.

Kate informs Stella that Brian’s gone away with Miranda for the week. Stella didn’t know this, but acknowledged it was unlikely she’d have changed his mind about the stand he was taking against the harvest anyway. Jakob takes a dim view of having to view Willow Farm as a rental option, but goes along with it. He presents what at first appears to be a negative impression, with Kate attempting valiantly to turn all his downsides into positives. Relieved Kirsty’s fine with the potential outcome, but Jakob stops her in her tracks by declaring the room ideal. He’ll take it. Kate assures nonplussed Kirsty that Jakob won’t hide away in his room, but will spend lots of his time downstairs socialising. Isn’t it wonderful? Kirsty agrees that it is. It's the final week of Ben’s nursing course and he’s struggling to find a job. David asserts he can always come back to farming, but when Ben gets a soaking from a dirty water pipe he’s not impressed. David gives him an admin task instead, and asks him to gather information on the Grey Gables tug of war team when he goes to the Health Club on Wednesday. Stella arrives to enlist their support with a plan. With Brian away she intends to get the BL harvest in without his knowledge. Will David help her? David has to refuse; Brian is family and he can’t go against his wishes. Ben wonders if Stella might ask Ruth instead.