The Archers

Tension mounts at the Easter egg race, and Lilian is forced to play nicely.

WRITER: Daniel Thurman DIRECTOR: Marina Caldarone

Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davies Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright Chris Carter …. Wilf Scolding Emma Grundy …. Emerald O‘Hanrahan George Grundy …. Angus Stobie Jakob Hakansson …. Paul Venables Brad Horrorbin …. Taylor Uttley Elizabeth Pargetter…. Alison Dowling Freddie Pargetter …. Toby Laurence Hannah Riley…. Helen Longworth Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen Lynda Snell …. Carole Boyd Robert Snell …. Michael Bertenshaw

Tensions mount at the cricket practice, and Robert has an idea.

At the Bull, Emma tries to appeal to Jolene about George’s ban. But Jolene won’t stand for George’s backchat. Upset Emma swears George has grown up and argues with Jolene, with Kenton caught in the middle. Jolene tells Emma that if she has a problem with her decision, she knows where the door is.

Kenton challenges Jolene on her mood swings. Jolene doesn’t want bad people in the pub, and Kenton realises what’s up, thinking back to his attack. It’s time to move on, and there’s no point alienating anyone, including Tracy and Emma. If Brad and George apologise, will Jolene let the matter go? She agrees – they had better mean it, though.

George sets up his next video, with Chris all dressed up to demonstrate his work as a farrier, attending to Bartleby. He tells Chris about being barred from the Bull and Chris chats about the Cricket Chair nominations – he’ll vote for Lynda, and Harrison wants to recruit younger players. In return for today’s filming, Chris wants George and Brad to come along to cricket nets practice tomorrow and watch the team. Chris is a natural on camera, even adlibbing and giving George instructions to join in with what he’s doing, filing Bartleby’s hooves.

Emma asks about the video and George is annoyed that all the comments are about ‘fit’ Chris. Emma’s pleased to receive a text from Kenton, offering George an olive branch. But George stubbornly refuses to go and apologise to Jolene. Emma seethes and threatens to cancel his phone contract if he doesn’t say sorry.

Lynda and Robert both turn up at Lower Loxley to speak with Freddie and campaign on each other’s behalf for the Cricket Club Chair position. Freddie cheekily asks them both for a practical demonstration to help him decide who to vote for – he needs to see some cricket skills, starting with a warm up! They reluctantly join in, and Freddie sends them off on a brisk walk around the house before they take turns batting and bowling to each other. Lynda makes the stronger hit, but the ball hits Freddie in a very delicate area, so he goes away to recover. This leaves Robert to wryly comment that Lynda’s skill makes her favourite. She feels awful.

Jolene gets herself dressed up and Kenton notices how much more upbeat she is. She’s raring to go on Sunday and needs an Easter bonnet! Jolene even considers providing some musical accompaniment. She’s also been thinking about the event rules and is upping the ante with prizes. Kenton’s delighted to see Jolene throwing herself into it.

At the Bull, George can’t persuade Brad to bunk off his studies tomorrow and help him film Chris for his Socials. However, Brad is the one buying their drinks, prompting a suddenly sterner Jolene to refuse, as Brad’s too young to buy George’s alcohol. George’s backchat offends Jolene, and she threatens to throw him out. Kenton appears to see what’s going on and Jolene’s unhappy that he doesn’t share her vehemence. George continues insulting Jolene as she insists to soft Kenton that this isn’t just a slap on the wrist - both George and Brad are barred!

Worried George plays Jakob a video of Bartleby and asks the vet to look at him. Jakob spots the evidence of Bartleby not eating properly and decides on a change of treatment and a special diet. George worries about the cost and tries to secure a free prescription in return for some social media publicity. Jakob reminds George to focus on animal welfare, not publicity. Without the care Jakob recommends, he doesn’t see Bartleby surviving another winter.

Kenton has a surprise to perk Jolene up. He’s come up with an idea for a special Easter community event. An easter egg hunt crossed with an egg and spoon relay race. He explains the details and Jolene wryly tells him to focus on his recovery. But he has it covered – Jolene is going to take centre stage to run the event. But she says no. Kenton’s disappointed he hasn’t cheered Jolene up.

Elizabeth pops in and Kenton opens up about distant and distracted Jolene. Elizabeth shuts Kenton down when he mentions that Jolene seems panicky about money. He asks Elizabeth to cheer Jolene up, and Jolene works this out, but enjoys Elizabeth’s company. Elizabeth asks Jolene about the Kenton attack investigation, and Jolene puts her off asking Harrison for an update, with Elizabeth changing topic to Kenton’s complicated Easter event plans. Jolene will surely host and adjudicate? Jolene says no, but as Elizabeth offers a pep talk Jolene remembers working the crowds in the past and starts to gee herself up. Okay, she won’t hide away any longer. Elizabeth’s delighted.

Lynda insists that Robert lets Harrison know he’s the only Snell running for Ambridge Cricket Club Chair. But as Robert leaves to make his phone call, Harrison shows up at the door to encourage Lynda to be chair. Harrison ignores Robert’s call as he continues to flatter Lynda, but she sends him away disappointed, insisting on Robert. Robert twigs that it was Harrison at the door just now, trying to court Lynda. He’s conflicted, so they eventually agree to both stand for the Chair position – with a twist – they’ll each campaign for the other.

Jolene doesn’t seem herself as Fallon and Kenton gossip about Brian and Miranda at the recent Ball. Kenton tries to engage Jolene as he encourages Fallon not to worry about Harrison’s upcoming disciplinary hearing – they all need to think positively. But grouchy Jolene snaps that they need more than positive thinking. If things turn out badly for Fallon and Harrison, Fallon wonders whether Jolene and Kenton would be able to lend them money. Kenton says they’ll make it work, but Jolene’s more hard-headed – they don’t have cash to spare. Alone with Jolene, Kenton ticks her off for being so harsh. Jolene points out their own situation and how they could suddenly need money themselves – they need to be prepared. Kenton doesn’t want to think like that, but Jolene says they may not have a choice.

Kenton goes to see Fallon to apologise and reassures Fallon – who’s like a daughter to him - that he and Jolene will help in any way they can. Fallon mentions how sensitive Jolene is right now, but Kenton shares that he has a plan that’s guaranteed to lift her spirits.

Writer: Tim Stimpson Director: Rosemary Watts

Pip Archer ……… Daisy Badger Brian Aldridge ………Charles Collingwood Lilian Bellamy …….Sunny Ormonde Sgt Harrison Burns ……. James Cartwright Chris Carter……… Wilf Scolding Alice Carter ……….Hollie Chapman Justin Elliot ……… Simon Williams George Grundy…….Angus Stobie Tracy Horrobin …….. Susie Riddell Kate Madikane ……… Perdita Avery Stella Pryor ……….. Lucy Speed Lynda Snell ………. Carole Boyd Oliver Sterling ……Michael Cochrane Hannah Riley ……..Helen Longworth Robert Snell…………Michael Bertenshaw Miranda Elliot ……………Lucy Fleming

Chris flummoxes Lynda by telling her she’d make a great Chair for the cricket club committee, explaining that Tracy suggested her. Lynda humbly insists that Harrison is consulted, so Chris invites Lynda to the get together at the pub that Harrison has organised. Encouraged by Chris, Lynda makes her case for becoming Chair, pointing out improvements she’d like to make to facilities, using her Grey Gables connection and potential funding. She’d also make the Club more inclusive. Harrison’s delighted to nominate Lynda, with Chris happy to second. But unwitting Robert turns up and explains he’s here about the Chair position – Tracy suggested it to him. Robert and Lynda both insist that the other should stand, and realise they should continue the conversation at home, leaving Chris scratching his head and Harrison admitting he’d prefer Lynda.

Harrison tells Chris that with his problems at work, his cricket captaincy and today’s gathering is a useful distraction.

It’s a small affair but Stella and Hannah turn up, and Stella encourages Hannah not to turn to jelly around Chris. Stella opens up about how much of her attention Rosie is grabbing, and Hannah tells her to be honest with Pip and set boundaries. Hannah agrees to front up and ask Chris out, if Stella is honest with Pip. Hannah is true to her word, although Chris misses the hint when she gets chatting with him about meeting up one to one, and she ends up agreeing to some private cricket coaching. But a deal’s a deal, so now Stella needs to talk to Pip about Rosie.

Oliver and Robert keep quiet at the rewilding as they hope to spot a hare in the long grass. Oliver’s impressed by Robert’s research into Bartleby – he has a photo from the Echo and has found some information about a gang of horse thieves in the 80s. Robert considers making sleuthing his new hobby – he does need to find something to spark his imagination. Oliver suggests guiding at Lower Loxley. But Robert fancies going for Chair of the Cricket club – he admits he needs something he can do for himself, without Lynda’s involvement. Robert’s distracted as he sees a pair of ears – there are two hares!

Justin has a proposal for Stella, as he learns about what she’s doing to improve soil health. He’s been to a sustainability symposium and needs someone at Board level to ensure BL is playing their part environmentally. Defensive Brian challenges Justin. Awkward Stella gets a well-timed call and takes herself off to answer it. It’s Pip, wondering when she’s going to be coming over for dinner.

Stella offers to the gents to have a think about the position on offer, and Justine privately warns Brian not to stifle Stella’s talent. But back to being friends, Justin asks if Brian is bringing anyone to the Grey Gables Ball on Friday. Having had a catch up with Pip and filled her in on today’s events, Stella makes her excuses. But Rosie needs Stella to read to her, so Pip says there’s no escaping just yet!