22/06/2026

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You're listening to Monday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4.

There must be a block in the pipe over there, Ruth. This trough's nearly empty and it was fine yesterday.

Okay, I can come back up and have a proper look before I help Pip with the milk in.

Well don't worry, I'll have a go at unblocking it now.

All right, sounds like I'll have time for a quick cupboard then.

Well I'll walk down with you. I think I'm gonna need the drain rods. And then when I'm done here I will pop over to Bridge Farm to see Tony about the Borchester show.

I can't believe it's only two weeks away.

How on earth am I gonna get everything done?

apart from that thumbs up on Jill's picture of the chickens, nothing.

Well I suppose we should be grateful. Must mean he's getting on okay. No big disasters. True. Um I left another message for PC Truman this morning checking if there's any news on the DNA tests.

Still think they'll find the dog who did it. Hi Adam.

Good afternoon, Ruth. How are you?

Fine. You?

Yeah, yeah, good. I was just wondering if you could spare me half an hour before I

Mm.

Actually it's perfect timing. I'm heading back to the house to put the kettle on.

Oh Grace.

Great. See you soon.

Bye. Adam's coming round. He wants some advice.

What about?

I actually have no idea, I didn't ask him.

How did he sound?

Okay, I think.

I'm worried he's in a bad way. I keep thinking how excited he was when he told me he was inheriting home farm.

No, it must feel like the rug's been pulled from under his feet.

Oh, it's been lovely sitting out here in the sun. Like being on holiday. Yeah.

Well we have to take advantage of it while it lasts. Weather's gonna turn later in the week.

Yeah I heard that.

Thanks for treating me to lunch, Kate. Apologies for not being around yesterday, but when Chris invited me to go on the Heritage Railway with Martha and Neil, I jumped at the chance for it.

Of course.

Why I didn't think you and Alice would be too disappointed not to see me on Father's Day. And it turned out Rory was never planning on coming over. He sent an expensive bottle of Scotch that arrived on Saturday.

Well that's nice. But you had a good day.

Just a shame Xander wasn't with us. I know.

You would have loved that. More tea?

Please.

Though now I think about it, we should have gone somewhere we could order champagne.

Why?

To celebrate that I get the land back and the farm partnership is dissolved.

I'm not going to drink to that, Dad.

Fine, well I'll have to toast myself with my Earl Grey tea.

Dad, you do know I'm not on your side in all this. It's lovely having lunch with you, but I don't approve of how you've behaved.

Well we can enjoy each other's company in mutual disapproval.

Oh goodness, it's after two. I better get going. I'm leading back to back yoga and Pilates sessions this afternoon. Thanks. Even though the classes have been pretty full recently, I still need to think of ways to try and boost income.

Yeah me too. The planning permission for the caravan storage looks set to be allowed. Don't worry, don't worry. They'll be on an area of hard standing at the far end of your I'll possibly need to widen the access, but it won't be too disruptive.

I should hope not.

So I can count on you not to object to the planning application.

You can't count on anything of the sort.

You've proven that again and again.

See you later, Dad.

Bye-bye, darling. And thanks again for lunch.

Just leaving, Kate. Yeah.

No rest for the wicked.

Alright Brian

Yeah, well fed and happy, Teddy. Um do you want to join me? No.

Thanks.

How's things?

Not bad. I've been helping Pat in the garden. We're giving it a complete makeover, but I'm hoping to sneak off and have an hour to myself making repairs to Hollerton Junction.

Oh you mean your train zone?

Yeah, my model railway. In fact, if you don't need to rush off, I'd like to show you something.

What is it?

The tiny angus herd Pat bought me. I've just finished making the fences for round their fields.

Is this all there is to look forward to, Tony? Our life's work diminished to model size.

I'm actually quite pleased with them.

Well it's hardly a replacement for the real thing. If how are you, I'd ignore those pesky kids of yours and Go out and buy them back. Put your foot down, right?

And how's that going for you, Brian?

I know you don't have long, so I'll cut to the chase. Would you be up for being present in a meeting to act as a mediator between Brian and me?

Why me?

Because you were always brilliant as Ruhr's representative on the partner.

Thank you. I took that responsibility seriously.

Hm Debbie and I often commented on how well you advocated for him. Calm, well informed, never easily swayed.

So what would you expect from me in a meeting with you and Brian?

Well look, it's no secret that there's been a serious breakdown between the two. If I go to Bryan on my own, I can guarantee it will end badly. With you there to mediate I might have a chance of at at least saying my peace before he storms out.

I dunno. I'm really not sure about getting involved in Aldridge family matters. And then there was the dog attack.

No, I hurt that was horrendous. I'm so sorry.

Thank you.

I suppose the more people hear about prosecutions, the less likely they are to let dogs off leads.

That's the idea.

What do you say, Ruth? Will you help me out?

Let me think about it. Oh, you know, Adam, I wish I had three farms to leave to the kids, then there'd be no debate, no hurt feelings.

I don't know if Ben would thank you for landing a farm on his hands. Is Josh still upset?

Of course, and I understand why. I just hope he comes to realise that our decision wasn't a judgment on him. It is. Hard to avoid bad blood. I remember the time Elizabeth didn't speak to David and me for months when we were entrusted with running Brookfield. You just have to hope that the family bonds are stronger than the conflict. And the hurt they cause.

Okay, well I really appreciate you even considering this. Let me know what you decide.

I'd love to know what you hope to get out of this meeting. What are you most keen to fight for? What compromises are you willing to make?

Ah, since I'm never going to inherit the farm, what I'm now after is a fair payout for all the partners.

Well I'll have a decision for you by the end. But you do need to understand that I'm neither on one side nor the other.

So you agree with Brian that he owes us nothing?

I'm just saying in the meeting, in the role of mediator, I'll have to be completely even handed.

Uh David, over here! Oh

Almost didn't see you behind the gooseberry bush. Yes.

It's in danger of taking over the whole edible forest garden, so I'm harvesting it for this week's veg boxes. Perfect for summer salads. So what about this Borchester show? Ha. To be honest, I was pleased to get your text. I've been meaning to give you a ring all weekend. I've actually no idea what I should be doing to prepare. I feel like I've missed an email or meeting or something.

No no no, let me put your mind at rest. Chief livestock liaison is vital on the day but there's not a lot you can be doing to prepare for it.

So what will be expected of me then?

Well, uh you will be looking after the entrance and the judges. Possibly, un peu de troubleshooting.

I'm not much of a schmoozer.

You'll be great. Not after a glossy top shirt. What we want is a good honest farmer who knows their stuff.

And what about the livestock?

Well, you'll need to help make sure they're all in the right place, but we won't have the final plans until next week when we start the actual setup.

No, I just sit tight until then.

That's right. Yeah, the livestock secretary is on top of all the admin and biosecurity. I just really wanted to check that you will definitely be there on the day. I had a bit of a panic when Tom said that you and Pat were heading to that flower show in Badminton.

We are, but it's only a day trip.

So you'll be back on the Wednesday evening?

Yeah, I can come straight over to the show ground for any last minute instructions.

Perfect. But I insist on meeting you in the bull. I'm pretty sure I will deserve a pint by that stage. Uh right, well I had better get off. I've got a list as long as my arm of things to do. Ruth and Pip have been fabulous, taking on so much more of the farm work to free up my time for this.

So what's next on the list?

Um checking in with all the platinum sponsors and then contacting our mystery special guest who will be giving out some of the prizes on the day.

And can Chief Livestock Liaison be let in on the secret of who's going to win?

No they can't. Oh, excuse me.

He wants me to mediate a

Oh, and you said yes? Remember how you got burnt before?

So I didn't give an outright yes. So yeah, I think I'm gonna agree to give it a go.

So Ruth has agreed to be the umpire, but my instinct is to keep it simple, just the three of us.

Okay.

By me, I imagine Alice will feel the same.

Hm. I just don't want to be accused of leaving you out of the loop.

Are you planning on telling Debbie and Rory?

No, but I'm sure they won't complain if I can get Brian to agree to a deal that we all benefit from financially.

I wouldn't get your hopes up. Even with Ruth there to keep things civilised, I I can't see you getting what you want.

Yeah, but it's not just what I want, where it shouldn't be. What Brian's doing is stealing from him.

And what he won't like is you pointing that out. My advice would be to leave it for now. You know what he's like, poke the bear and he'll go into attack mode. Leave it, and I'm almost certain he'll soften and come round in his own time.

Hmm, smells good.

Oh, thank you, Ruth. Yeah, I don't think I get enough praise for my culinary efforts. Since uh Jenny died I've actually learned a lot. To the point I almost enjoy cooking. As long as I have the kitchen to myself a decent bottle of red as company.

Well, I won't invade your kitchen for long, but I just hoped you might agree to this meeting.

I'm sorry to dash your hopes, for I don't even want to speak to Adam, let alone negotiate with him. The man had tried to have me certified. And did you know?

Even though we

Even worse than that, he's banned me from seeing Xander.

I didn't know that But isn't that even more reason for you to show willing? If you at least meet Adam, even if nothing comes of it, you'll have gained some of the moral high ground

Uh

Toss that pepper grind for Jerusalem. Thank you.

You have nothing to lose from agreeing to a meeting. And I'm pretty sure Alice and Kate will be pleased to hear you're doing your best to bring the family back together again.

Well, I'll think about it.

All right just let me know when you've made up your mind.

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