The Archers 2013-04-18

Source: BBC Radio 4 "The Archers" Archers: 2013-04-18 Thursday http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/archers archers_20130418-1920a.mp3

You are listening to Thursday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4.

Morning, Jim.

in this month?

Morning, Ruth. In what?

Borchester Life.

Oh, I see. Yes. Sorry. It must seem a little self-centered, coming out of the shop with a copy under my arm.

Not at all. Of course you want to see your work.

They send me a copy, of course, but,... for once, well, I'm quite pleased with this.

Good. I'm glad you are happy with it. I know you've had a few problems.

With Glen? Yes. We have had a few ... ...

Yeah.

But we seem to have reached a reasonable compromise at last. The questions in ... ... are quite sensible this month.

"Who is your faborite artist?", for example.

I'm afraid that might

interview

with a local artist

she has one

I see.

I'll definitely buy a copy.

Thank you. I'm very interested in

what

think of it.

So, now you and your editor are friends, can we look forward to more? Only, Christine told me you were thinking of giving up.

run out of people I want to interview.

Oh. That's a pity.

To be honest, I'm not sorry.

Something like that. I'm on my way to my last interview now, actually.

And who has the honor of being the subject of your final piece?

Brian Aldridge.

Oh, how interesting! He won't be short of material.

I don't imagine ... shall. Anyway, I'd better be getting on.

keep the

waiting.

No. Good luck

I'm sure

best piece

I hope so.

nice to go out with

chosen the right subject then.

I rather

myself

won't

I need to get on too. We are a bit short-handed on the farm today.

There you are. That's your lot.

Hi Tom.

Oh hi Helen. Hello Henry and Rowan. You come to see the pigs?

Yes. Oink oink.

It's such a lovely morning, we ... to walk.

a bit closer if you like. They are too busy eating to mind.

Be careful with them though.

hope not disturbing you.

No. I've finished feeding them.

I didn't expect to see you. Where's Jazzer?

Morning off. Dentist or something.

Oh. It's a bit inconvenient.

I don't mind.

But mom told me about the success you've had ... ready meal pitches.

Yeah? What's that got to do with Jaz having the morning off?

Well, shouldn't you be following them up?

I'm not really in the mood.

That's not ... you.

Exactly. They all had the enthusiastic, energetic Tom Archer before. If I ring up now, they're gonna wonder where he's gone.

Oh I see.

Better off doing something straightforward like this. The pigs don't care what mood I'm in.

I understand how hard things must be for you at the moment, Tom.

Thank you.

But you can't put off ringing them for too long.

I can't think about it at the moment.

You were always the one ... saying ... strike while the iron's hot.

I know, but,...

Was it not the whole point of selling the cows, to free you to do exactly this kind of thing?

as much enthusiasm as I can for one day.

Who?

Bellinghams rang me.

Bellinghams? That's exciting.

quite a small group.

Small but classy.

They want to meet me and discuss trialing the product in a couple of dozens stores.

greate, Tom. They are based on south, aren't they?

Yeah. They ... ... mid London and the south-east.

first breakthrough outside the ... ... ... really fantastic.

I suppose so.

So, when are you going down to meet them?

I don't know. I said I'd ring them back.

Ring them back? I thougt you would have dropped everything. It's such a good offer.

It is, yeah. But if they meet me now they might withdraw it.

Oh, Tom, don't be silly.

I'm serious, Helen. I'm just,... I'm not up to it at the moment. It's going to be a hard pitch

current climate

need to be

on top of my game, and I'm not sure I'm thinking clearly enough.

You really need to get your act together, Tom.

Brenda's gone, I'm not sure

gut

ridiculous.

It isn't. Brenda did so much work with me, marketing and testing the ready meals. ... ... one more thing to do without her.

start getting used to that

She only moved out yesterday, Helen.

can

cut me some slack

No I can't. I know how hard it is, and I feel for you.

like it

I do. I know what it's like to lose someone you love.

Yeah. Of course you do. Sorry.

possible even to put one foot in front of the other ... ... everything seemed to be pointless. I wanted to give up too.

But you can't

If you lose this opportunity

been for?

Oh, I don't know.

I know

sound harsh, but surely you

give

so hard to achieve.

I don't know what I want anymore.

I know you. I know you can be brave, and strong, and stay focused. You'll get through this.

Will I?

Not much ... with her.

No. Go on, off you go.

seems to be doing well, don't you think?

yeah, I do. But,... it'll be a few weeks before the first ... ready for the butcher.

I ... see ... that's about right.

Anyway, I think we've seen them all. Thanks for your help.

It's all right. Better than being stuck in the office.

Even so, should've been Pip.

Oh, David. You know she couldn't do it today.

Yeah, but sheep are supposed to be her speciality. ... prices ... at the moment ... we need to make the best of them.

That's why she is keen on this placement. Picking up ideas from the big producer.

I know

largest scale of it. ... be great if she could get it.

be lucky

the way she

neglecting

She's trying to make up for that. Look

got up really early.

Yeah I know.

first one to

library doors

Well, maybe she is coming to her senses at last.

Let's hope so.

Oh. It's Pip. Hi. How's it going?

I hope you are OK with doing this interview in the kitchen.

Of course. Wherever you feel ... comfortable.

Have a seat, Jim. ....... Jenny's out, so we won't be disturbed. ... ... less likely

phone calls

in the office

Perfect.

informal setting myself.

Trying to lure me into a false sense of security?

Of course not. But I do like to

short

then

I'm sure that isn't true.

I'm afraid it is. I'm really not that deep. What you see is what you get.

You'll have to let me be the judge of that.

So, do you need to plug in recorder or anything?

No, no. I'm old-fashioned. I'm happy to rely on my notes.

always the best, eh?

good enough

Anyway, I feel

more relaxed atmosphere.

We are not in the police station, are we?

Not yet. You don't know I'm gonna tell you there.

Now how long have you to spare?

don't

pressed for time

I know

busy man you are, ingers in so many pies.

Oh I don't know about that.

Don't be so modest. Running this huge farm would be enough for most men.

hardly do it single-handed

But then

all your other interests

land

new dairy projects

enterprises in Hungary.

Yeah. I like to keep busy.

And yet you still find time to take a much appreciated interest in village affairs.

Come on, Jim, come on. Stop buttering me up. You're making me sound like a squire of Ambridge.

That's great, Pip. Keep up the good work. ........ Bye.

didn't take a long to abandon her books.

Don't be mean.

for a coffee

So she says.

Don't be so suspicious.

All right, as long as she's not planning an early lunch.

She's planning to stay

library

it closes, and that's not til 10 o'clock apparently.

Then she's going clubbing.

No. She said she'd come straight home. She's obviously taken this interview very seriously.

time

The important thing is she's making the effort.

Well, maybe that phone call from the head of Acriculture was a wake-up call she needed.

I think it was.

Good. So, now we've got Pip back on track,

find out what's making Josh so grumpy.

trouble

a lot of people

simply don't have vision.

I'm sure that's true.

incapable of seeing the big picture.

Indeed.

That's what you have to focus on.

keystone

my work

I imagine

made you popular

People could be so small-minded.

I don't mind not being popular. I'd rather be right.

And you usually are.

Well, I don't know about that.

That's modest of you, again.

Well, let's put it like this. People usually come round to my way of thinking in the end.

I'm sure they do.

What would be a good example of that, do you think?

take ... ... for instance.

Oh, yes.

problems

of big projects

people can't grasp that.

There was a certain amount of opposition.

that's my point. There was. But everyone loves it now. You can't remember what all fuss was about.

Not quite everyone.

Huh?

My friend Joe still mourn

old market cafe.

mourning is your friend Joe G...'s favorite hobby, as according to him, things were always better in the old days, which simply isn't true.

Well they were for him when he had his own farm.

As a tennant.

Oh yes.

bought

land. Is that right?

afraid

wicked landload

it wasn't quite like that

it wasn't personal

small tennant farm

never going to be sustainable

in the long run, whoever is running them.

Just victims of history.

Well, that's more your area of expertise, not mine, Jim.

You know, I'm really enjoying this. Much more fun than I thought it's gonna be.

I couldn't agree with you more. Now, the big dairy. Would you say that was another example of your vision?

That's fine, Henry. You put ... ... there, ... ... can put the pigs in them. ... ... find something to feed them like uncle Tom was doing.

Oh look. Here's uncle Tom. You can ask his advise.

What's it about?

Well, Henry and Rowan've just decided to become pig farmers.

Oh, I wouldn't bother. Too much hard work. Ready meals, that's a bit better.

I think that might be a bit sophisticated for them.

I rang Bellinghams back.

Oh Tom. Good for you.

I thought you'd be pleased.

And?

I'm going down to see them in a couple of weeks' time.

That's brilliant. Well done.

I should have done in the first place like you said.

No, no. ... I felt really bad after we left you. I was much too tough on you.

It was what I needed.

I knew you could do it. If it makes you feel better about yourself, then,...

I don't know about that. But you are right. I've got to try, however hard it is.