Saturday 10 March 2012

Ambridge Organics/Tom Archer’s launch part deux 09.03.12

The Archers Friday 9th March 2012

  • The cheese is loaded and ready to go
  • Jim sucks up to Shula
  • The launch is a success
  • Lily was bell ringing again
  • Seeds for Britain in Bloom
  • The difference between flattery and a compliment
  • Anyone else thought Tony had done a Phil?


The cheese is loaded and ready to go

Steady on Helen!

Tom’s already at the café, Helen and Pat are more or less ready to go (dropping Henry off at Nic’s on the way), so they’re just waiting on Tony.

But Tony appears in his dressing gown.

[Tony] “I didn’t have such a good night. Didn’t sleep too well … I feel fine otherwise, just a bit washed out. So maybe you were right. I’d be better to stay at home and have a quiet day”


Jim sucks up to Shula

He didn’t seem to have a purpose in going round to see Shula, as she was getting ready to head out with Topper. Who is being a bit frisky today (Topper, not Jim. Well, maybe Jim as well, but he didn’t mention it).

[Shula] “He’s young. Full of the joys”

[Jim] “He seems to know who is boss!”

They chat about Shula making the decision to buy Topper, despite Alistair’s protests.

[Jim] “Alistair should have known better than to argue … after all, you ... you … when it comes to horses, you know what’s best … I’m sure your judgement is second to none”

Shula was a bit spooked …


The launch is a success

It sounds packed, with people travelling from all over. There is even “cheese people” from Derbyshire,

[Pat] “They’re all being so positive, Saying such nice things”

[Tom] “That chef from that Birmingham caterers said my pork stir fry was, quote, delicious”

[Helen] “High fives all round then!”


Lily was bell ringing again

Yesterday. Seems she really likes it.



Seeds for Britain in Bloom

Alan’s been buying them in, so he tells Shula.

(again – did I miss the big reconciliation between Alan and Shula?)

Lynda has also printed off a leaflet called The Art of seed Propagation to help when planting.

[Shula] “Is there an art to using a propagator?”

[Alan] “And she’s been trying to bulk buy scarlet geraniums”

Complete hedonism!


The difference between flattery and a compliment

Shula happened to mention to Alan that Jim had paid her a compliment.

Aha! Compliment! That’s what Jim was up to.

[Jim] “Alan, when I make a resolution, I kept it … as from today, Shula is my first success … that’s one satisfied customer”

[Alan] “Little surprised, maybe”

[Jim] “Well, Shula and I, well, you know, it’s not always easy being a father in law … still once I decided, there was no messing about. Straight in at the deep end. Though I have to say it was quite a tricky one to hit the rights notes you know, I had to out in some careful thought”

[Alan] “And I assume when you said it you meant it …”

[Jim] “Alan! Of course I meant it. If I’d been at all insincere it would have been flattery, not a compliment!”

Seems Jim’s plan is to give compliments as and when the chance arises. “Discreet opportunism” he calls it.

But Jim will be keeping a strict record, including who, where, when, what and a witness.

That’s a bit over the top.



Anyone else thought Tony had done a Phil?

I think that’s what the folks who place the secret microphones wanted us to think.

Tony’s left home alone.

Pat got a missed call from David, who’d been helping out at Home Farm. Pat, Tom and Helen are a bit worried.

Turns out David was just calling to say everything was fine.

[Helen] “I wish he’d just texted you!”

When they later get home, they can hear the TV is on.

Uh oh … just like Phil being left alone, for Jill to get back with Christine to the sound of a record and Phil very much departed …

But not to worry.

We could hear Tony breathing. He was just having a nap.

Cheeky secret microphone placing people.

4 comments:

Lewisham Gardens said...

When commenting on how tidy the yard was looking and how lovely the photos were, Pat didnt say anything to Tom about the pressure he put on his father.

Tom's tone still had a 'I had to do it all myself' quality to it.

Awful man.

caroline_venezia said...

I agree - a*se is the only word for Tom. And Peggy thinks the sun shines out of it - oh dear.

I also missed St Shula going back to St Stephen's. When? Was this to support Jill after Phil died, maybe?

We were also with you, Inga, on 'has Tony done a Phil?'. The writer was definitely playing with us there! The only thing was, we thought surely it would be too similar, with the music and all? Phew, anyway! Although he moans (and nowadays justifiably) Tony is one of the better people, isn't he? Mind you (apropos of nothing), I got a shock when I made the mistake of checking to see what he looks like now... :-(

I'm confused now about this cafe for the Ambridge Organics launch. Does their shop have a cafe part too and I've just totally missed that? Or was it just a random cafe they hired for the event? Didn't the big launch happen in January in the shop? Thinks - where is the shop anyway - is it in Felpersham - or Ambridge? Borchester? Questions, questions!

Inga McVicar said...

Yup LG - Tom is just an utter and total a*se.

Inga McVicar said...

Hello Caroline!

Aye - I think Shula did go back to St Stephen's once or twice after Phil. She also was at least on speaking terms with Usha just after Nigel died. But considering the fuss her fallout with Alan/Usha/Ste Stephen's caused, it's a bit odd her return has been so subtle.

Agree that Tony's one of the good 'uns, moaning aside. Though can;t talk about writers or actors photos ... The Archers Are Real, There is No Cast! :)

The most recent launch was just in a random Felpersham cafe. It was mainly to sell the ready meals Tom has been boring us about, and also the new Ambridge Organics spring flavours (plus Helen's cheese, as per).

Hopefully Tom can concentrate on doing some milking now! Well, suppose he's got no choice (tee-hee!)