The Archers

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!

One resident tries out a new hobby, and Brian takes the next step.

Chris complements Stella and Hannah on their skills, but they decline his offer to join the cricket team. Stella teases Hannah that she likes Chris. Later, Tracy moans to Chris about the woes of captaining the cricket team – but she’d be interested in being vice-captain. Chris breaks it to Tracy that Harrison has already given him the job and she’s miffed. Lynda sympathises with Tracy and reflects on the battle for women’s liberation. Tracy reports that Kenton is doing better after the dog attack, but the police aren’t getting anywhere finding the culprits. Lynda also shares with Tracy that she has booked Robert onto a watercolour painting class at Grey Gables as she hopes to find him a new hobby.

Back at Stella’s, Pip and Rosie have made themselves at home as Rosie puts on a puppet show, and busy Stella could do with some time to finish her work. Hannah tells Stella to be honest with Pip, but Stella teases Hannah again about Chris – she should tell Chris she fancies him. Hannah admits she does, but she’s scared, opening up about a previous brief fling with Tom, who she liked more than he reciprocated. Stella promises to be Hannah’s wing-woman – they’ll both join the cricket team!

Lynda speaks with Chris about women in the cricket team and Chris susses that Tracy put her up to it, telling Tracy to join the committee. But Tracy’s not interested in the position of Chair. Thinking of someone who might be, Tracy starts to talk about Lynda, but Chris gets distracted by a text from Stella – he’s delighted to have 2 new women on the cricket team!

Lynda is on a mission, while Kate turns detective.

Writer: Sarah Hehir Director: Kim Greengrass and Rosemary Watts Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge ……… Charles Collingwood Tony Archer ……. David Troughton Chris Carter …… Wilf Scolding Alice Carter ……… Hollie Chapman Justin Elliot ……. Simon Williams Will Grundy ……. Philip Molloy Emma Grundy …… Emerald O'Hanrahan Ed Grundy …….. Barry Farrimond George Grundy …… Angus Stobie Kate Madikane ……. Perdita Avery Fallon Rogers ………. Joanna Van Kampen Jakob Hakansson ………. Paul Venables Paul Mack …….. Joshua Riley Miranda Elliott …… Lucy Fleming

Brian explores his options, and Emma seeks some business advice.

An old face makes a big impression, and Kate is intent on mending fences.

Kate offers some advice, and George sticks his oar in.