Pondering The Archers: martin gibson

As the debate gets going, Gerry says he’s worried about the impact the Super Dairy would have on all future BL projects.

Martin wonders whether they could scale down the Super Dairy. Though I think he’s completely missed the point …

[Gerry] “And still have the bunny huggers on our backs!”

Brian tries to reason with them that the entire point about the profitability of the Super Dairy hasn’t changed. So the reason they voted it in all those months ago hasn’t changed.

[Brian] “If we give up now we lose profit and reputation for nothing … if we cave in over this we’ll put everything we want in the future at risk … knuckles at the first sign of opposition … is that the signal of weaknesses we want to send out to our opponents”

Brian was starting to sound a bit Winston Churchill for my liking … but did it sway the board?

Pat and Tony have panicked the family

Seems when Pat called Jennifer to call them round for a family gathering, she wouldn’t say what it was about.

So now Jennifer is worried. She thinks it’s bad news about Tony.

[Brian] “Maybe the long term prognosis isn’t as good as we’d hoped”

Schubert week on BBC Radio 3

Of which Robert wants to listen to as much as possible.

Funny that he doesn’t realise he’s being broadcast live only one channel over.

Robert is not young mountain goat

So he claims.

Lynda wants the gutters cleaned.

And she wants them cleaned right now. No matter what else Robert has planned.

(why she couldn’t just do it herself, I don’t know)

[Lynda] “We don’t want them looking unsightly, do we?”

[Robert] “Lyndee, they’re flying over with a friend, not the guttering Police”

[Lynda] “We’d never forgive ourselves if there were any blemishes when our little home gets it portrait taken”

While he’s up there, Lynda also asks if he’ll clean off the moss.

[Lynda] “I know it’s picturesque but there’s s fine line between character and decrepitude”

[Robert] “Will you stop confusing me with a young mountain goat!”

But before Lynda answers, she gets a call from Jamie about the peregrines and leaves Robert up there without a watcher.

Has she forgotten about Nigel already?

The Peregrines have eggs

As spotted by Jamie.

Seems he looks up at church every time he passes it, after Lynda accosted him to look at the Peregrines last year.

They’ve got two eggs, though Lynda reckons they normally start off with four.

Lynda will be guarding them with her life … and also probably Jamie’s.

Youth cricket is a goer

So Jamie says to Lynda.

He was about to say he’d started it off to not have to spend all their time with the auld yins, but Lynda understands:

[Lynda] “Hang around with the more chronologically challenged …”

The current line-up is Jamie, Marty Josh and two of the Button cousins.

The bloke they mentioned from Westbury will be coaching them.

Nickname Nifty Ifti – actual name Iftikhar.

[Lynda] “Nifty bowler and quite as a whippet in the field!”

Sounds fun.

Did Brian win?

Course he did.

Though he was feeling a bit beaten up by the end of the meeting.

And despite his, Annabelle’s and the secret microphones attempts to make us initially think he’d lost the vote.

[Annabelle] “The more you spoke, the more trenchant Gerry’s opposition became”

Brian felt Andrew had made a good case, and even got him doubting himself!

But Martin eventually sided with Brian.

As did Barbara:

[Brian] “the wild card … After I’d sweated blood for her support!”

But Brian seems very far from his usual, boorish, jubilant self:

[Brian] “I’m glad to have squeaked through, although at what cost … I haven’t let myself anywhere to hide … if anything goes wrong, my neck’s right on the chopping block”

Uh-oh.

The Super Dairy will be an especially rough ride if even Brian himself isn’t 100% confident.

Darrell likes cats 27.03.12

The Archers Tuesday 27th March 2012

All go at Brookfield
Martin Gibson is quite odd
Darrell is nice to Peggy
Kamikaze sheep
Brian harasses Martin

All go at Brookfield

Seems it’s going to cost twice as much for the Brookfield new silage tank than they’d first thought.

David’s despondent (again), Ruth’s being positive (of course). She reckons the repayments won’t be so bad over 5 years. Though it will be tight times.

And they also have to get planning permission.

But, in a rare fit of positivity himself, David calls the planning department. They say they can’t see any problems with getting permission, as the tank is away from housing and not on the skyline.

[David] “I think, let’s go for it Ruth … we’ve been dealing in theories for so long, let’s just crack on and do something”

Thank goodness for that! Only been 4 months since the badgers did the deed …

Martin Gibson is quite odd

When Brian telephones him, Martin reckons he is “peachy”. Though his PA wants to resign. He can’t get the car he wants for 3 months. And his wife reckons she is fat.

[Brian] “Good lord. A young do is trying to kick a hare”

[Martin] “What sort of pub are you calling from?”

Hmmm.

Not much of a sense of humour, then.

Darrell is nice to Peggy

And Bill and Ben.

Which I’m very glad about, as I was worried Darrell and Elona were going to try and rip her off.

He’s changing over Peggy’s bathroom taps (they were that old, they had no purchase yet).

Ben keeps coming in and out, Peggy keeps chasing him away, but Darrell likes his interruptions.

A cat man, then.

He was saying that he, Elona and the girls love living at number 3.

[Darrell] “One of the things I like best, and I didn’t think I would, is the bell ringing”

So Peggy encourages him to join up. He’d be Ambridge through and through then.

When he’s finished the work, he’ll also only take money for the cost of the taps. Peggy is a bit horrified that he won’t let her pay him, but he wants to do it as thanks for all her help.

[Darrell] “I enjoyed the company anyway. You can the cats. I’d rather keep busy than kicking my heels at home”

(though he has got work with Lilian and Matt at Amside, and his daughter Rosa has work with Mike at his dairy)

Ah. People being nice to other people. Lovely.

Kamikaze sheep

At Brookfield.

When David and Ruth lugged her back out of whatever she’d got herself embroiled in, she kicked David’s shin “really hard”.

[Ruth] “It means she hasn’t hurt herself!”

And she hadn’t. She was fine, and able to get back to her lambs.

Brian harasses Martin

[Brian] “If we stick to our guns, we can win the argument at every level!”

Martin reckons not so. The cows not being outside on grass has a lot of “traction”.

But Brian reckons he can tell the protestors quite a few proper horror stories.

[Brian] “There’s a couple of brothers in North Borchestershire. Cows on grass, how lovely. Except most of them have foot rot because neither of the old boys know how to use a paring knife properly”

But Martin reckons it doesn’t matter about the substance of the arguments in favour of the Super Dairy. It’s the negative perceptions that count.

[Martin] “Withdraw gracefully, before BLs’ reputation takes too much of a beating … How much bigger do the protests have to get?”

Brian asserts that they just have to hold their nerve and hang on … there will be “kudos” to have once the profits start rolling in.

[Brian] “You watch. There will be one or two red faces on the board then!”

Martins sound unconvinced, so Brian brings out the big guns. That he’ll have to step down if the vote doesn’t go his way.

Not sure what Brian was expecting, but Martin seemed fairly nonplussed about that …

Sunday, 19 February 2012

Brian gets a trip to a garden centre 17.02.12

The Archers Friday 17th February 2012

Pip opened a tin of soup
Brookfield LambWatch
Martin Gibson’s mum has died
Tony really isn’t consumer focused
Brian just wants to feed the world
David chooses Pip over Josh
Debbie’s coming home
Did Pip get an iPhone?

Pip opened a tin of soup

Well done Pip.

A momentous occasion for your 19th birthday indeed.

At least Spencer is taking you out later on, for you have work to do. Because it is:

Brookfield LambWatch

It’s lambing time at Brookfield.

Expect a lot of yawning, coffee and grumpy David.

But Pip has an idea. She reckons they should allow folks to coming along and watch the lambing,

[Pip] “They watch it on television, don’t they, it’s very popular”

(after David initially grunted at her. Wasn’t listening, as per)

[David] “Lambing as a kind of tourist attraction, could be interesting”

It is a good idea. But I can’t help shake the sinking feeling that Pip is just becoming another Tom Archer.

*ugh*

Martin Gibson’s mum has died

Not that we really know that much about Martin, but worth a mention as Brian had gone to the lengths of buying him a sympathy card from the village shop.

Not like Brian to give a hoot. Or to not just send Jennifer.

(actually, I thought she’d be the type of have a stack of cards for every occasion already kept in a drawer at home)

Tony really isn’t consumer focused

Tom’s harassing Tony about tidying up the farm.

[Tom] “It just doesn’t look very inviting”

[Tony] “It’s a farm yard, not a hotel foyer. It’s a working environment”

[Tom] “People want to be comfortable about where their food comes from”

To which I do agree, but Tom is pushing his luck. And why he can’t just take photos of the tidy bits for the moment, I don’t know.

He even wants a wall repainted,

[Tom] “It’s all peeling, it’s like a metaphor, if people see that they might think maybe that we don’t care enough about the food we produce”

[Tony] “Well they can think what they damn well like. If they’re stupid enough to confuse being a painter and decorator with a farmer, then I don’t know why we bother!”

But Tom says to just trust him. He knows what folks want nowadays …

… including that they should change their packaging to emphases British (rather than organic). And that they should extend their poly tunnels.

Will it ever end?

Tom has good ideas, but he doesn't seem to think (or care) about expense and all the extra work involved.

Mind you, why would he?

It’ll be Tony’s (and Pat’s) money, and Tony doing all the extra work.

Insufferable!

Brian just wants to feed the world

Brian hasn’t stepped in dog poo But thinks folks are looking at him like he has.

[Brian] “Looked at me liked I’d just walked dog muck into the place …”

Looks like he won’t be going into the village shop for a card anytime soon.

Brian is not a happy bunny at the moment. He seems to think the world is against him.

[Brian] “That son of yours can sulk for England … now I can’t even show my face in the village without being treated like a leaper … it’s so unjust … all I’m trying to do is feed a hungry world in the most efficient way possible!”

(seriously? Surely Brian can’t even believe that one!)

[Jennifer] “I think you need cheering up”

[Brian] “Oh really, thank you doctor Freud!”

She’s only offering a trip to the garden centre, which Brian first scoffs at, then accepts.

They seem to have a nice enough time. Even though that oik Tom was also there seeing a buyer.

David chooses Pip over Josh

[Ruth] “I think we need to stop pussy footing around … it’s time we faced up to reality. We need to buy that slurry tank”

David doesn’t agree./ he still think s they’ll spend £20,000 on the tank – get themselves into debt – and still not make any decent profit from the milking.

[Ruth] “What about Josh? … he’s got the makings of a really good dairy farmer, how is he going to feel if we snatch that away from him”

[David] “I’m not sure we can afford to care about that”

He reckons they can’t “nurse” the milk along for the next 10 years, just in case Josh wants to work at Brookfield on the dairy.

[Ruth] “We can’t choose the future of one child over another”

[David] “We have to … he might just be backing the wrong horse. And so might you”

But Ruth only thinks it’s obvious that they need a new tank. So they should get it.

[Ruth] “We will find a way”

[David] “Just saying we will doesn’t make it so!”

But they leave it there for the moment. Pip’s come back in, and they don’t want to ruin her birthday.

Debbie’s coming home

For a visit.

Well, to be more specific, to be at the Parish Council/Super Dairy meeting.

Jennifer’s delighted that she’ll also stay over for a few days (she’s hoping Debbie can help mend Adam and Brian).

But none of the anti-Super Dairy chaps will be pleased to see her. Debbie presents a far more reasonable (and likeable) side to Brian’s argument.

Did Pip get an iPhone?

Sounded like it. She squealed, and mention something about an app.

I didn’t think Ruth and David has the cash.

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Tony pleads, one father to another: The Archers Tuesday 13th December 2011

Brian’s back
Where is Jennifer?
Deck the Halls seems to be going well
The twins didn’t fight
David or Elizabeth?
Not a brooch!
Tony calls Sharon

Brian’s back

He’s tanned and has tales of fishing off of a reef, but he wasn’t left alone to ease himself back into reality.

Wind, rain, Adam asking him to work on machinery and Martin Gibson is “very annoyed”.

Annabelle left him a message to say that Martin was on a slight rampage:

[Brian] “Incandescent was quite a clue …”

Seems Pete Wilkes (is that Spencer’s, Pip’s boyfriend, dad?) phoned up Martin to ask if he had a date for when the Super Dairy would be starting.

Which he shouldn’t have done. Brian told him it was all still confidential.

[Brian] “ ‘Don’t say anything to anyone’ was obviously too technical for him”

Problem is that Brian should also be keeping everything confidential within Borchester Land. Which is why Martin is angry. Brian shouldn’t be trying to line up suppliers yet, even though Brian needs the suppliers in place to prove his business plan to the rest of the board – and Martin is especially worried that the media will get hold of it.

So really, Martin is right to be angry. And to spoil Brian’s return from holidays.

Where is Jennifer?

No mention of Jennifer on Brian’s return.

Surely she’s also come home?

Or has (a) Brian done away with her or (b) she run away with a waiter?

Deck the Halls seems to be going well

Though the ice rink had to be shut down for a few hours yesterday(some of the casual workers didn’t turn up for work), seems there’s plenty of folks spending money, despite it being a “belt tightening”.

It’s definitely not the same without Nigel, though. We didn’t get to hear the build-up to Deck the Halls. Nor about the magic.

The twins didn’t fight

[Elizabeth] “Somehow they got through the whole day without fighting. First time ever on a birthday”

[Jill] “They’re very sensible children”

Where Elizabeth is oblivious, nothing gets by Jill.

She’s obviously spotted that the twins are making a big effort for their mum.

David or Elizabeth?

Is a choice Jill’s going to have to make over the festive season.

David and Ruth are definitely going to The Bull for Christmas evening. But Elizabeth isn’t sounding so keen. She’s determined to still not have anything to with her brother.

[Jill] “Point Elizabeth one way and she heads off in the opposite direction”

So Elizabeth and the twins for Christmas lunch. David and Ruth Christmas evening.

And what about New Year? Especially just after on the 2nd …

[Jill] “I can’t believe it’ almost a year since Nigel died”

But Jill wouldn’t be able to invite David and Elizabeth to hers at the same time for new year. Which she feels odd about.

[Jill] “I want to support Elizabeth but not condone her attitude to David”

Not a brooch!

Josh just wants money for Christmas (which Jill is disappointed about).

And Jill is also looking for a gift for Christine’s birthday.

She’s been thinking about a brooch.

Surely not?

We don’t need another brooch of death at this time of year.

Especially when Christine’s Peter has organised a birthday lunch for her at Grey Gables (his orchestra is in Berlin). Even Jim is invited … which has raised a few eyebrows.

Jill – stay away from a brooch as a gift.

Christine – get on and marry Jim

Tony calls Sharon

But gets her husband Eamon.

[Eamon] “What the blazes are you playing at?”

[Tony] “I don’t want to bother you …”

[Eamon] “Then don’t … haven’t you and your wife hurt her enough already”

[Tony] “I’m not trying to hurt anyone”

[Eamon, fuming] “Then what are you up to? Trying to wreck my son’s head this time, going on about his biological father, cause it isn’t going to happen. We’re not going to have anything to do with you … then understand this, if you bother me and my family again I’m going to get very very angry, got it!”

But Tony calms him down by asking him to at least listen to what he has to say, as one father to another.

[Tony] “I’m absolutely desperate., I’ve got no one else to turn to. Since Pat found out about Rich, she’s been going through hell … as a father yourself, perhaps you can understand a little why she did … when you lose a child the pain is unbearable”

[Eamon, becoming reasonable] “Yeah. Okay, it must be”

[Tony] “I just want you to understand what a death like that does to you. You never get over it, never. You simply learn to keep going. To put the pain in a box … I don’t know how to explain. Finding out about Rich has ripped that open again”

[Eamon] “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone”

[Tony] “Now my wife is spiralling down into the most terrible depression”

[Eamon] “And that must be hard from you, but from what Sharon’s says, she’s only got herself to blame”

[Tony] “I haven’t rung to lay blame. Or to deny that wife and I have made mistakes in the past … all I’m asking is for you to show some compassion to your son’s grandmother … I’m seriously worried about her. If we could meet him. Even once … “

[Eamon] “There’s no way Sharon will go for that … you can’t expect me to do a song and dance routine for you”

So Eamon only agrees to tell Sharon that Tony called. And even to that, he can’t promise that Sharon will listen. He reckons Tony is just wasting his breath.

Very brave of Tony to try, but sounds futile.

Unless grandparents have some rights under the law?

Or, Sharon has a rush of festive spirit?

Wednesday, 6 October 2010

The Archers Tues 5th Oct 2010: Brian persuades BL

The Archers: Kate's a brat ... Brian's a supremo ... Amy's qualified

Brian's Bonanza
"You must learn to share ..."
Kate. One large suitcase. Phoebe missing.
Brian's won BL over, now has to quibble with Matt
"For a feminist you’re really quite a chauvinist"
At least Ruari responds to "shut up!"
Congratulations Amy
And Ambridge are still playing when the rest of the cricket world has stopped ...

Brian's Bonanza

Jill spotted a sausage called 'Brian's Bonanza' in Bath.

*shudder*

Jennifer's right to be worried, but not only about Brian getting an idea to start up with pigs again.

(and that's as far as my stomach can take it!)

"You must learn to share ..."

Someone unaware of Ambridge (the poor soul!) would be forgiven for thinking this was said to a small child, who simply won't share their toys.

Those of us Ambridge-aware (lucky peeps!) know all too well that it has to be about Kate.

And we're also not surprised that Jennifer had to say this to Kate to try and make her see reason about her daughter. Who lives with her dad and stepmum (and quite happily so).

It's really quite a shock to see Kate behaving like such a spoilt little brat, even though we expect it of her.

She's annoyed that Brian and Jennifer have their own life. And that Roy and Hayley have theirs, which intrinsically involves Phoebe.

Kate’s even annoyed that Jennifer wants to use her own computer ...

When Kate's plans of a family dinner are utterly ruined by Jennifer and Brian having plans elsewhere, she immediately gets huffy, pouty, stroppy and demanding.

[Kate] "It's what grandparents do in South Africa ... drop everything"

[Kate] "I feel really disappointed"

Ah wheest, you spoilt woman-child!

At least Adam's around to try and bring Kate back to reality:

[Adam] "they can't just dance to your tune"

BUT then Adam dances to Kate's tune by inviting her and Phoebe round to his and Ian's for a family Sunday.

Hmmm. I wonder if Kate's actually asked Roy and Hayley about any of this.

Kate. One large suitcase. Phoebe missing.

There was a bit of a debate over on Twitter about this - but it sounded to me that Kate might be harbouring plans to take Phoebe back to South Africa.

Opinion was split over whether Kate wants to now stay in Ambridge (hunkering down to be served upon), or whether she will leave with Phoebe in tow. Regardless of whether she has permission from Roy and Hayley or not.

Kate didn't sound all that enamoured with her course when talking to Adam, and she was also waxing lyrical about:

"There's a big world beyond Ambridge ... I hope to show more of it to phoebe one day"

Which is fair enough. But I just have a spidey sense that Kate hasn't ruled out kidnapping.

Adam was unwittingly ominous:

"I hope you take home something useful at the end of it"

And also Brian

"she’s finally applying herself to education ... she's really committed ... two daughters at university and both of them married!"

Hmmm.

Life just doesn’t run that smoothly with Kate (due to her own warped efforts, it has to be said).

I think Kate might indeed be taking something useful home that she's (finally) committed to. And that might just be more than a qualification.

Brian's won BL over, now has to quibble with Matt

Martin was still determined not to have to give into any of Matt's demands, but Brian managed to persuade the rest of the board that creating a separate company just for the Mart company was a wonderful idea.

[Martin] "how has he managed to worm his way back into the scene?"

[someone else on the board] "He bounces back ... like a disgraced politician"

[someone else, possibly Martin] "I'd rather not sup with the devil"

[Martin] "I don't like the thought of Matt getting his sticky fingers on it"

But, the board were calmed by the idea that while Lilian would do as Matt bided, she would be easily outnumbered and outvoted, and Matt could prove to be an asset:

[someone] "Matt may be a devil, but a useful devil - we can use him"

Really?

I know Lilian is an utter pussycat to Matt's tiger in their private life, but she's made of sterner stuff than think BL give her credit.

And, surely Matt will already planning for the very approach BL thinks it will take?

There was lots of guff about how the Mart is more than just a great way of making money (about it coming from the heart, putting "BL n the very centre of local farm commerce" etc.),

but then getting back to the point that it's a great way of BL to make the cash and make the impression that BL is the good guy

("it looks like we're giving something back")

And that means meeting Matt on his own terms, while keeping Lilian in her place (though Brian did mention she's quite good to drink with).

Later on, Matt momentarily celebrates his victory with Adam, whilst being keenly aware that he now has to deal with Matt.

Which isn't going to be easy, as BL doesn’t want to pay Matt his asking price.

Ah well. Despite all the tedium of business talk, I do love a jolly good Matt Vs Brian showdown!

"For a feminist you’re really quite a chauvinist"

I think those words were falling on deaf ears, Jennifer.

I hate to say it, but Kate needs a good slap to even notice anything out of her Kate-Kingdom.

(I’d have slapped her when she had the audacity to say "oh whoopee do!" over Jennifer's new articles for the village website. What an utter b***h!)

Right enough that Kate was being incredibly patronising when she was trying to get Jennifer off of the computer by saying

"come on mum - don’t you have to check the supper or something?"

but, she was right in terms of what Jennifer's role is in her household.

When Jennifer gave into Kate's demand (what a surprise that was!), she went downstairs to find Brian and Adam relaxing over whisky … answering in the negative to being asked whether they'd checked the oven.

At least Ruari responds to "shut up!"

Even though it was Kate telling him to do so (pot. kettle. black).

Maybe there's still hope for at least one of the Aldridge's brood (even though he isn't entirely. And Adam's kind-of okay. But also isn’t entirely part of the brood. But you get my meaning. Hopefully)

Congratulations Amy

Amy got a 2:1, so can now start looking for a midwifery job.

What's the bet she ends up in the one closet to Ambridge? Where she will deliver Helen and Emma's babies? Both on the same night?!?

I reckon that's worth a wee flutter.

And Ambridge are still playing when the rest of the cricket world has stopped ...

I understand from Down at Third Man and his superb blog (Down At Third Man), the rest of the cricketing world has stopped playing cricket.

I'm told the season is over.

So why is Ambridge different?

Adam's going to have to cry off on Sunday because of a bad shoulder's from last Sunday's game.

And perhaps more importantly - who are they finding to play against?

Thursday, 30 September 2010

The Archers Tues 28th Sept 2010: We Love The Bull gets the punters in

The Archers: The t-shirts have arrived ... Jazzer's homeless ... Matt might be snookered

But why is Jolene wearing a We Love The Bull t-shirt?
Is Bicycle racing a suitable subject for a quiz?
Wonder where Jazzer really wants to bed down ...
"You can't beat a nice bit of Stilton"
The Odd Couple?
Matt wants Lilian on the top table
Martin Gibson sounds like a right ...
Do we think Jazzer is 'extra large'?
Harry's only ever on the diet lemonades

But why is Jolene wearing a We Love The Bull t-shirt?

Harry's t-shirts have arrived. Seemingly they're bold enough to be seen from the other side of the green.

But why is Jolene wearing them?

I thought the whole point of We Love The Bull was to show Jolene how much the village needed and appreciated her, as well as basically blackmailing her into not giving up their pub.

So isn't it 'job done' if even Jolene is taking part? In showing herself?

Or, does she need to be supported and nurtured even further?

That I'd buy - but there's also something a bit shifty about Fallon and Jolene now selling the t-shirts over the bar.

Fair enough that they cover their costs, but something doesn’t sit quite right for me.

Is the whole We Love The Bull campaign destined to be used by The Bull as a cheap marketing campaign?

Have we been hoodwinked?

Nah.

Whatever everyone's motives, we can support The Bull as a cherished part of our Ambridge daily (except Saturday) pilgrimage.

And if the campaign is getting more folks into The Bull on a Tuesday afternoon, thrice hurrah!

Show your support:

Save The Bull!

Join Us:

twitter

Hashtags:
#welovethebull
#savethebull
#archers
#TheArchers

Profiles:
@welovethebull (517 followers and counting)
@thearchersfan (415 supporters and counting)

Facebook causes:

We Love The Bull : http://www.causes.com/causes/526294

(where no money shall ever change hands!).

Is Bicycle racing a suitable subject for a quiz?

I must say, I don't share Jolene's concerns on that front.

But she is right to worry that Jim will make the pub quiz a tad "high brow".

Maybe this will be Jim’s chance to get back at Joe for the Food and Produce Show.

Wonder where Jazzer really wants to bed down ...

Jazzer finds himself of no fixed abode when he mum sticks up for his brother Stu (who Jazzer reckons is a "thief and a liar" after going through his pockets to steal nearly £200).

He's walked out of his family flat, and moved temporarily with "Tanya with the pink hair". That has to be a temporary arrangement as her husband's seemingly back from Dubai next week ...

So - quelle surprise - Jazzer asks to stay at The Bull.

Fallon doesn't at all keen when he asks her.

Admitting why to Jolene:

"He's a good mate and everything, but I think he still fancies me"

Feeling bad about letting Jazzer not stay, but not wanting to risk any inevitable 'misunderstandings', Fallon does what every young woman does in her shoes.

She gets her mum to sort it.

Jolene tells Jazzer that she isn't ready to have anyone staying.

I can't help feeling that Fallon is being an utterly rubbish friend. I understand her discomfort, but wouldn’t a real mate be honest?

Either way, I'm glad Jazzer's devotion for Fallon is being brought up again. I'd almost forgotten about that.

And maybe - just maybe - Jazzer has as well.

The Odd Couple?

Jazzer doesn't seem to be remotely interested in Harry's offer of a spot in his flat.

However, Harry's offer of a room (that's seemingly not bigger than a cupboard) might become Jazzer's only option.

Goodness me. If The Archers was actually fictional (pah!), I could have seen a spin-off series right there.

"You can't beat a nice bit of Stilton"

It's the small moments that we should cherish.

Especially when they remind us that folks like Matt like cheese just as much as your next chap does.

Matt wants Lilian on the top table

So after the normality of having a nice spot of cheese, we're back to Matt's wheeling and dealing.

Matt reckons Adam was just being used as Brian's "go-between".

And that the idea of Lilian being on the board of a completely separate company (from BL) is just a ploy - a trick to sideline Matt and Lilian, in fact:

"A sop ... a consolation prize"

Matt seems intent of having his staring contest with Brian, banking (quite literally) on Brian and BL having to crawl to him.

Martin Gibson sounds like a right ...

... nasty wee slim of a man.

Matt stood his own against Martin's onslaughts (Martin's a BL board member, and has been quite vocal about not giving into Matt's demands).

But what a nasty piece of work Martin was. He made Matt's cackling seem quite well intentioned!

[Martin] "I think your notion of fairness, Matt, is a little at odds with the accepted definition"

[Martin] "and you can tell her indoors not to hold her breath!"

(cripes, he was very lucky Lilian wasn't around to hear that)

After claiming that Matt's attempts to get what he wanted out of BL was "ransom ... blackmail ... extortion ... sharp practice"

Matt just came back with a very calm:

"I call it business"

And quite right too! Martin's problem with Matt has more to do with his recent stay at her Majesty's pleasure than Matt having done something untoward.

Matt spotted an opportunity, now wants his asking price.

That is exactly "business".

[Matt on Martin]"What a smug condescending oaf he is"

Quite agree with you there Matt.

Martin does, however, rattle Matt to the point(with talks of abandoning the mart project) that he's willing to call .. nay, have over to lunch ... Brian.

But is that really what BL wants? To give up on the Mart altogether and just use the land for residential? Are they just bluffing?

I think Matt should keep holding her nerve. Residential properties aren't exactly big business at the moment - whereas the Mart already has a buyer in waiting.

When all's said and done - will BL dance with Matt, or lose a profit?

Do we think Jazzer is 'extra large'?

I had him down as understatedly muscled, tallish, with a ever-so-slightly-noticeable beer belly.

Or maybe the extra size is to fit in the muscles.

Jazzer certainly didn't take Harry's offer of an extra large We Love The Bull t-shirt as a compliment. Which actually says little, as Harry can’t say anything right by Jazzer.

And again, Jazzer's take on supporting of the We Love The Bull campaign:

"I donate a large chunk of my wages to the bull in return for a few pints each week ... I think that does mair to ensure the pub has a future"

As he said before, he's fully supportive with his drinking arm.

That's until he finds out that Fallon's wearing one of the t-shirts.

Suddenly, Jazzer's being verbally restrained by Jolene from stripping off in the bar!

[Jazzer] "how do I look?"

[Harry] "sensational"

[Jolene] "ooh, it suits you!"

(wahey! Jolene seems truly back on form)

[Jazzer] "I feel like a prat"

Harry's only ever on the diet lemonades

Now I think there's a story there ...