- They still can’t find 200 metres of cable
- Image problem with the Super Dairy? PR it!
- Tony is cold and irritable
- Our Pat’s back
- Thankful for Elona and Darrell
They still can’t find 200 metres of cable
200 metres was a lot of cable to steal, but surely it can’t be that hard for the powers that be to find more?
But it would seem so.
There’s still no internet or phones.
So everyone is having to travel to Felpersham (or Lower Loxley) to get online. They’re also furious that the thieves were so brazen in kicking off this blackout.
[Annabelle] “Apparently, the thieves posed as workmen, took their time”
Image problem with the Super Dairy? PR it!
[Brian] “Everyone’s in PR these days … can’t afford not to”
Annabelle and Brian are calling on the dark arts of a chap called Rufus, of Moynahan and Parker.
They explain their slight … problem …
[Brian] “It’s become a very ... What you might call, emotive issue in Ambridge”
[Rufus] “Big is instantly equated with bad, I imagine”
Rufus advises Brian not to call a community meeting. Brian thinks it would dispel myths, but Rufus reckons it would turn into a lecture than help Brian to “engage” with the villagers. He reckons they need to “communicate … on own terms”.
So, Rufus asks Brian and Annabelle to come up with bullet points about what’s positive about the Super Dairy:
- Good for jobs
- Good for the economy, local and national
- High welfare standards … happy cows
But Brian can’t keep to sound bites for very long.
[Brian] “It’ll have very green credentials; slurry into energy and fertiliser … local residents won’t be inconvenienced in any way shape or form”
After a bit of brainstorming, Rufus decides that giving leaflets to individuals are the way forward.
(did he do the same marketing course as Brenda?)
[Rufus] “So we can dispel the imagine of some sort of Frankenstein monster squatting on their doorstep”
Annabelle reckons they can use recent research from the Farms Animal Welfare Council on the leaflet – saying that they’re aren’t disadvantages to keeping cows in large herds as long husbandry and stock and such are of high standards.
Rufus shifts up a gear.
He wants to build a website. It’ll address the truth, allay fears, and stop misunderstandings. And also
use the bullet points in a newspaper advert.
Rufus also tried to convince Brian that it’s nothing personal, on either side of the argument (or the press).
[Rufus] “Never try to drown them out with a lot of noise … after all, when all's said and done, it’s a business scheme”
Brian and Annabelle are certainly impressed by Rufus’ chat. They’ve bought his ideas, his approach, his hourly rate …
So the plan of attack is now to begin:
[Annabelle] “Waging an informal, personal campaign in the village”
Part of which will be be sponsoring local societies and events. Like the village hall. Or the church …
[Brian] “If listening to local people’s concerns is what it takes Annabelle, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do”
Aye, I think you missed the point there, Brian. Buying your way through is not “listening”.
I don’t suppose he gives a hoot, as ;long as it gets the job done.
Tony is cold and irritable
The wind is cutting right through him, even with his clothes of many layers.
And he’s irritated.
With Tom.
Where Pat sees and loves Tom’s enthusiasm, Tony just sees Tom not pulling his weight on the proper work. He just wants Tom to do his fair share on the farm, rather than making up recipes for pork ready meals.
Our Pat’s back
Pat is sounding chirpier and chirpier every day.
She’s even decided to do the speech at the brand launch.
[Pat] “ …not a chore, would like to do it …”
Which seems to make everyone else very pleased indeed.
Did I miss something? Why is Pat making the speech such a big deal?
Something to do with Pat as the head of the family, finally reclaiming her throne (her voice)?!?
Anyhoo – Pat reckons it was her birthday that “really bucked” her up and stopped her “dithering”.
[Pat] “I suddenly wanted to be the Pat I saw in the photos again. I know I can’t look like her, but I wanted to her enthusiasm for things”
Hurrah! Pat’s back!
While she does want to do the speech at the launch, she’s also adamant that everyone is aware of all the hard work and commitment that she and Tony put into getting their business (their family) to this point. (some would argue that it was Pat and Tony that also nearly ruined Bridge Farm … but it was theirs to ruin in the first place, I reckon).
Thankful for Elona and Darrell
I can’t remember who said – but someone had a good point today in saying that Elona and Darrell are indeed good for Peggy. Them helping her out has given her back her independence.
(remember when Lilian was doing Peggy’s ironing … *shudder*)
Maybe I shouldn’t be suspicious of them after all?
2 comments:
Although the phone lines were down, Mobile phones were still working so people could have bought a pay-as-you-go dongle and used the mobile phone network for internet access. It's not rocket science; I've done it myself
Aye you're right. Common sense doesn't always make it to Ambridge (let alone technology!)
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