Sunday 24 June 2012

The Diamond Jubilee 03.06.12

The Archers Sunday 3rd June 2012
  • Clarrie and the Cake team
  • It’s raining
  • Joe had a free pint for the Coronation
  • Bob Pullen isn’t wearing a suit
  • “Icing against the clock”
  • The maypole was a success
  • Bob and Joe both have their moment


Clarrie and the Cake team

[Clarrie] “Look at this one … honestly, make you wanna cry. Didn’t we make it clear enough in the guidelines … not for Elaine Brooks, obviously! … And what about the round ones?”

I have no idea what Elaine Brooks did to her sponge, but it certainly wasn’t on spec.

Clarrie’s flapping, but she has a very calm Nic by her side. Who made suggestions like they can simply square off the round sponges … (!).

[Clarrie] “Eddie suggested we use a builder’s trowel … I think he were being rude about my butter icing”

Just as Clarrie was starting to panic (again), the ever dependable Jill comes in, gets a pinny on, and gets stuck in.

Jill also made a monumental save when Clarrie bemoaned that they were four cakes short of 60. That 60 obviously being a key number of cakes. Jill just happened to have baked an extra half dozen!

[Clarrie] “Oh Jill, I could kiss you!”


It’s raining

But that doesn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. That wouldn’t be very British.


Joe had a free pint for the Coronation

And tried his luck on Rhys for the Jubilee.

Not a chance. Rhys was more interested in tempting Joe into a Jubilee themed cocktail. Joe was not impressed:

[Joe] “I raised a pint of shires on Coronation day. And I’m very happy to do so on the jubilee too”

Joe recalls that for the Coronation, they watched in it on a 10” Ferguson telly “Mrs P” owned, but sited in Walter Gabriel’s sitting room (Mrs P, Mrs Perkins, was Peggy’s mum. For whatever bizarre reason, she was somewhat attracted to Walter). The telly wasn’t up to much:

[Joe] “Looked like her Majesty’s coach was passing through a snow storm … she ain’t done a bad job over these 60 years, I must say.”

I’m sure the Queen would be delighted to hear that.


Bob Pullen isn’t wearing a suit

But Joe is. And it sounded like Bob was in The Bull for quite a few hours before Joe …

[Joe] “Some folks round here look like they’re on a day out in Blackpool.”


“Icing against the clock”

30 minutes, in fact. The pressure is really on Clarrie, Nic and Jill.

Lynda had been harassing the cake team to get it finished in time, but when she went to check at the final minute:

[Lynda] “Oh, my word, it lovely. How on earth did you …?”

[Jill] “On a wing and a prayer!”

[Nic] “I don’t know why, but it feels like we should have someone playing the bagpipes”

Though it sounded like they had a wee wobble, they did manage to carry it out safely to the centre of the Jubilee celebrations.

That must have been some sight – 60 cakes made into one, with icing and lovely piping by Clarrie (not of the bagpipe variety!).


The maypole was a success


Well done Lynda, and the village kids.

[Ruth] “The whole thing was a triumph, despite the weather.”

Though they had to move the maypole (due to flooding?), Brad behaved himself.

[Ruth] “I heard about his little friend”

[Lynda] “Fortunately he didn’t put an appearance in today.”

(they’re referring to Brad’s rat, just in case you’re thinking anything appropriate was a foot)


Bob and Joe both have their moment

Bob was momentarily late for the cake cutting (which got Joe excited). When he did arrive, he had to be helped by Rhys (Joe was despondent). Bob had spent one moment to many in the pub …

[Lynda] “Three cheers for her majesty. And on this special occasion, I’d like to ask Mr Joe Grundy to lead us …”

[Clarrie] “Oh, well done Lynda!”

[David, getting a bit sentimental] “All this, the whole village together”

[Ruth] “Look at Joe, chuffed to bits.”

[Joe] “All I can say is, thank you very much ma’am, you do us proud!”

Cake, pub and maypoles. I think Ambridge did us proud too.

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