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BBC Radio 4

The Archers

Elizabeth tells David at Brookfield about a nightmare in which she was desperately trying to stop David wreaking bloody vengeance with a broken bottle while trapped on a cruise ship. David admits he’s had nightmares about the abattoir protest too, wondering if he should have done more. They discuss Lower Loxley’s plans for VE Day and Ruth’s attempts to contact Reginald Dodge, wartime hero. Talk turns to Jill’s memories of the war, David suspecting Phil had a crush on Wanda, the Brookfield Land Girl. They also discuss the slideshow Pat’s putting together with Peggy. Later, David surprises Elizabeth with news that they’ve tracked down ‘Dodgy’ (Reginald) through his granddaughter, who’s emailed Ruth a potted life history. David suggests printing it out and putting it on display at Lower Loxley.

At the Magistrate’s Court, Rochelle’s grateful to be given bail – and she won’t be tagged, as long as she sticks to her bail conditions. Mick and Joy are grateful to Usha too, before Joy hands over a bag of clothes and other essentials. Apologetic Rochelle gives Joy a heartfelt hug, then leaves with Mick for the bail address he’s arranged with a friend. On the way, Rochelle is relieved to hear Joy isn’t angry with her and tells Mick she loves Joy, despite everything. Back at Beechwood, Joy confesses she blames herself for damaging Rochelle. Usha admires Rochelle’s passion and determination, and thinks she never really intended to harm anyone. Usha then encourages Joy to stay and help with VE Day, despite the temptation to run away. Joy agrees, because running away never works.

06/05/2025

Freddie’s pleased when Elizabeth tells him Vince thinks he’s a solid, dependable man. They discuss last week’s abattoir protest, relieved that at least the live-stream was stopped quickly and they’ve managed to block the online footage too. But it’s the product recalls that are damaging them most. Freddie assumes the potential Academy contract is probably a no-goer too, and is proved right later, when they pull out.

Joy turns up at Lower Loxley to drop off a poster about Ambridge’s VE Day events. She bumps into Freddie and apologises for Rochelle’s involvement with the Casey Meats protest. Freddie tells Joy it’s not her fault, just like him ending up in young offenders wasn’t Elizabeth’s fault. Joy finds Elizabeth and they discuss Lower Loxley’s VE Day display, featuring all of Chelsea and Brad’s impressive research. Talk turns to Hilda the cat, who’s gone missing: Kate’s had to make excuses to Peggy about why she’s not around. Then Joy broaches the subject of Rochelle and the trouble she’s caused, before opening up to sympathetic Elizabeth about their past relationship.

Clarrie shadows Chelsea in The Orangery, but when she learns there isn’t much work available she decides it’s not enough, she needs a proper job. Elizabeth mentions Borchester Green are looking for an Assistant School Cook and Clarrie reckons she’d be a good fit. Elizabeth then reveals some photographs and letters belonging to Squadron Leader Reginald Dodge, sent by his granddaughter. He was awarded an OBE after dedicating his life to helping others and Elizabeth decides to add them to her display.

07/05/2025

At The Bull, Lynda bumps into Lawrence, who’s just visited the Lower Loxley VE day exhibition. When Lawrence exclaims it makes him feel proud to be British, Lynda pointedly mentions troops from other countries who also fought in the war. Cutting Lynda off, Lawrence turns the conversation to Reginald Dodge’s family, who were also at the exhibition. Lynda’s irritated when Lawrence is then rude about the quality of Ambridge’s cricket teas, suggesting they need to up their game to rise up his catering league. Later, Lynda makes it clear to Lawrence how she feels about him. She didn’t appreciate his advances when they first met, and she won’t fraternise with a racist. When Lawrence tries to smooth things over, it’s clear Lynda has no time for him.
Lilian and Tony try to locate Hilda, who’s still missing. Peggy’s coming with Christine to the beacon lighting and WI tea later, and will expect a visit with Hilda en route. Lilian and Tony agree to pretend they saw Hilda this morning, but she’s now wandered off.
At the Village Hall later, Lilian and Tony wonder where Peggy is before Lilian gets a call from The Laurels. Lilian then approaches Tony in tears, telling him Peggy has died peacefully in her chair at the home. As the beacon blazes on Lakey Hill, Lilian, Brian and Tony share their feelings about Peggy. They head off to Peggy’s slideshow at the Village Hall, which Lynda has agreed to narrate at the last minute. Tearful Lilian just wishes Peggy was there to watch it with them.

08/05/2025

At the Tearoom Emma and Natasha chat about Peggy and her passing. Natasha spots Lynda and wants to show her some high concept cricket tea ideas. Emma wonders why she’s bothering, but Natasha thinks it will help change public perception after the sewage leak. However, just as Natasha’s about to present them, Lynda tells her she won’t pander to snobbery in the division and wants to go back to basics. Lynda’s going to employ Fallon’s services though, because she’ll deliver the basics at a lower cost. Natasha’s disappointed, but accepts Lynda’s decision isn’t personal.
Lynda consoles Lilian, who’s upset The Laurels want Peggy’s room cleared straightaway for a new resident. Emma comes over to share her condolences. Lilian reckons Peggy recognised a kindred spirit in Emma, who shares that she’ll miss Peggy and offers to help clear her room.
Joy visits Brian to see how the family are and thinks Peggy must’ve died just as St Stephens’ bells rang out. Brian thinks Peggy would’ve liked the drama of that. When Joy says she’s found a recording of Peggy, Brian suggests joining them all at The Laurels.
Later at The Laurels, Emma and Lilian comfort tearful Kate when she comes across a decoration she made for Peggy as a child. Kate can’t get over Peggy not seeing Hilda before she died, only for Hilda to emerge from under Peggy’s bed. She must have visited Peggy before she died! When Joy and Brian arrive they all settle down to listen to the recording of Peggy reciting Tennyson’s “Ring Out Wild Bells”.

09/05/2025

With Nova, Seren and the boys out with Helen, Tom brings Natasha breakfast outside. They speculate on plans for the garden. They might be able to use some of the money from Peggy’s will. And if Helen uses hers for a house deposit, she could be in her own place by autumn. Tom wants to laze around gaming this morning; Natasha suggests they go back to bed. Later at the cricket they admire the play of Kalathma and Rex, who look like a killer pairing. Natasha praises Tom for his brilliant fielding before heading off with the girls.

The cricket sees a small celebration at tea as Ambridge has put on a great performance in the field. Lynda’s not impressed by the showy spread offered by the Borchester Fourths side and looks forward to Fallon’s little local pies at the next home game. There’s more joy later as Ambridge celebrates a win. Rex admits it beats driving his taxi on a Sunday afternoon. Lily incautiously lets slip Vince’s secret sponsorship deal, and Lynda detects subterfuge. Rex tries to take responsibility but Lily comes clean, admitting she and Vince were the ones who arranged for Rex and Kalathma to be paid. She points out how well it’s all working and begs Lynda not to tell Tom. But Lynda’s disappointed. It’s against the whole spirit of village cricket and the antithesis of what’s needed to build a solid, trusting team. Lynda tells Lily she needs an evening to digest this information and then she’ll let her know what she plans to do.

11/05/2025

Joy’s been visiting Rochelle, who’s grateful for the peace and quiet at Mick’s mate’s house but wants get on with her life. She’s applied for a job so she can start looking for a place of her own. Joy repeats her offer to help with the deposit. With Joy’s car at the garage she’s booked a taxi, but to their horror it’s Rex who turns up. Rochelle panics about her bail conditions and quickly goes inside. On the journey Rex hears Rochelle’s looking for work and jokily suggests she shouldn’t ask Freddie for a reference. Joy asserts that Rochelle mostly feels bad about what she did because of Rex. 
At the shop Lily’s angry with Joy for seemingly not caring about what Rochelle did to Freddie. Joy acknowledges Lily’s entitled to feel that way, but Lily storms off. Usha sympathises with Joy, who assures Usha she’ll pay the legal fees owed, but is grateful when Usha tells her not to worry yet. 
Lily tries persuading Rex to continue playing for Ambridge purely for the love of cricket – she’s pretty confident Lynda won’t say anything, so long as the payments stop. Rex can’t afford to give up his taxi work though and suggests playing the odd Sunday instead, but Lily doubts Lynda or Freddie would agree. When talk turns to Joy and Rochelle, Rex starts defending Rochelle and Lily accuses him of taking sides. Rex doesn’t think Lily should be annoyed with Joy for something which wasn’t her fault. Lily gets it – they’re allowed to hate Rochelle, but not Joy.

12/05/2025

Lilian’s finding lots of poignant reminders of Peggy while sorting through a box of her things. Tony doesn’t understand how old shopping lists can evoke fond memories, but Lilian sees each of them as telling a story. Lilian points out that Tony’s surrounded by his children and grandchildren, whereas hers are not only far away, but don’t need her like Peggy did. She feels lost without her mum. When Henry arrives he’s intrigued by a glass dolphin. Lilian declares he can keep it. Henry’s in charge of the goats for Open Farm Sunday – he’s planning on buying some leather halters for them when he gets his money. Tony asks what money he’s expecting and Henry thinks it’s from Peggy. Tony thinks Henry shouldn’t be talking about inheritance money, but Lilian disagrees. It’s only natural Henry should speculate. Besides, he’s missing his great grandma as much as she is. Tony apologises for snapping at Henry; he thinks they would all benefit from a family outing.
At Brookfield Rex wonders how David is after their ordeal at the abattoir. Pip maintains her dad’s his usual grumpy, stoical self, unlike Rex, who proved himself strong, brave and capable. Pip’s puzzled when Rex appears to defend Rochelle. He then questions what he’s doing with his life, wishing it had worked out differently. Rex doesn’t want to end up old and resentful, mulling over regrets. Later David surprises Pip by suggesting they need to do a major security audit at Brookfield, admitting he’d prefer it if they didn’t do Open Farm Sunday at all.

13/05/2025

A mystery deepens one for one family, and there’s a rare night out for some villagers.

14/05/2025

Usha’s impressed by the topic Alan’s chosen for his sermon, that of peace, observing that he’s never one to take the easy route. Later Helen breaks it to Alan that amongst Peggy’s comprehensive instructions for her funeral she stipulated a different vicar to officiate. Alan frets to Usha that Crispin can’t possibly know the family as well as he does. He wonder’s whether Peggy’s decision was to do with his involvement in Rob’s baptism. Whatever the reason, he resolves to ensure the church will look its best for the funeral.

Lynda’s interested when Helen lets slip that Henry’s really started liking cricket at school. Later she tells Rex she’s disappointed in him, having had him down as a man of integrity.

Brian informs Rex that Peggy set aside some money for a natural artwork at the Rewilding site. Rex thinks Peggy took an impressive gamble with the rewilding, commenting ruefully that he’s always been the sensible one in his family. Brian reckons there’s nothing wrong with being level-headed. Rex wonders how you know when it’s time to settle down. Brian observes if it’s with the right person he’ll know, counselling Rex to think carefully before taking any risks.

Helen sympathises with Natasha over how tight finances are. Natasha comments it was unfair of Peggy not to warn them there was so little money to go round. Helen thinks they shouldn’t have counted their chickens. And besides, Tom has already had plenty from Peggy, so not everyone in the family has the same right to feel aggrieved.

15/05/2025

Rex calls on Rochelle. He’s sorry, but he can’t stop thinking about her and suspects she feels the same about him. Rochelle shuts him down. They can’t be together. Rex leaves and Rochelle calls her mum. She admits to Joy that she’s heartbroken. She still really likes Rex.

Joy spots a small burn on Lilian’s hand. Lilian admits she’s clumsy at the moment. Joy observes that grief is distracting and exhausting. Lilian sighs she’s got so much to organise but she’d rather be dealing with one of Peggy’s weekly lists. She shows Joy one she’s kept. Joy thinks the lists are a beautiful memory. Lilian thanks her for being a good friend and shoulder to cry on.

Tom confronts Helen over her comments to Natasha. Helen maintains she was simply reminding Natasha of the truth – that Tom had received handouts from Peggy more than once over the years. When Tom points out that Natasha wasn’t even around at that time, Helen calms down. Helen admits that rightly or wrongly, she was hoping for more from her gran’s will. Later Lilian gives them the news that Peggy’s wish was for everyone to go on a family holiday together. Lilian’s quite excited. She hopes the small legacies Peggy left doesn’t cause issues for the family. The last thing she and Tony want is in-fighting and arguments. Tom and Helen agree. But Tom thinks this still doesn’t make sense. He wants to be sure Peggy wasn’t cheated of her money. Something doesn’t add up; where has all the money gone?

16/05/2025

Joy gives Susan the latest batch of Shop surveys, while Ben is asked what he’d like them to change. Joy suggests letting dogs in, but Susan’s not keen, preferring Azra’s idea of introducing a hardware section. Later, Ben catches up with Joy, grateful to her for remembering when he broke down at the Shop over Bess, knowing that’s why she suggested allowing dogs. Joy admits the guilt she feels over Rochelle turning out the way she has, but Ben reminds Joy of the role she played in his recovery – their conversation on the Green that day was a turning point for him. He’s certain something similar could happen to Rochelle.

Alice has brought Martha to Chris’s flat, where he’s planned a day in and around Ambridge, inviting Alice to join them at the playground. Alice wants to talk about the effect her drinking during pregnancy had on Martha’s development. Chris thinks it’s a massive leap, but Alice has been dreading the thought of foetal alcohol syndrome for years and the nursery visit on Friday hasn't helped. At the playground later Chris tries convincing Alice there’s nothing wrong with Martha, but she wants to see a doctor as soon as possible. Chris worries she’s torturing herself unnecessarily, while Alice suggests he’s more worried she’ll start drinking again. When Susan approaches they’re happy to talk about letting dogs in the shop instead. Afterwards Chris says he’ll go to the doctors with Alice, who’s really grateful. She wouldn’t blame Chris for hating her after what she’s done to Martha.

01/06/2025

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