The Archers

Ruairi’s got a lot on his mind, and Esme thinks she might lose the farm.

Tom’s feeling upbeat after the Bridge Farm audit, though Helen points out they need a conversation with Tony about getting rid of the Anguses. Helen then gets a call from Anna Tregorran, who’s abroad – her mum’s had a fall. Helen offers to go and wait with Carol for the ambulance, asking Tom to go with her. When they get there however, they have to climb in through a window before helping Carol up off the floor and into a chair. Fiercely independent Carol tells them she cancelled the ambulance when she heard they were coming. She’s sure nothing’s broken, apart from one of her best bone-china cups. Feeling awkward Helen then tells Anna that everything’s okay. Lynda and Jolene are frustrated so few people want to help with Speedwatch these days. Jolene suggests a push for new volunteers to revive Ambridge’s community spirit, before broaching the subject of a new cricket team based at The Bull. Lynda is dead against and wants to come to the meeting about it later to make her disapproval known. Jolene isn’t sure

Jakob challenges Brian’s assertion that Kate is unsettled and wants to move to Scotland, given Kate’s enthusiasm for her work at Spiritual Home. Brian then wonders if Kate is just not letting on how unhappy she is, which gets Jakob wondering if Kate wants to split up.Amber arrives at Spiritual Home for a massage from Kate, who’s a bit cool with her. Amber apologises for being horrible last time and things thaw a bit as they discuss her pregnancy. Later, Amber surprises George at Meadow Farm with a picnic. Amber’s glad she went for her massage and, following her conversation with Kate, encourages George to be more proactive in reading up on pregnancy. She wishes Ambridge had a young mum community. Georges looks forward to a future shepherding, then he gets an email from Reg: his court date’s set for March 23rd. George assures Amber he’ll stick to the rules with the tag – with a baby on the way they have to properly grow up now. Having spoken to Alice Kate challenges Brian on the crazy rumour he’s started about

Rex tries talking to Chris about Alice, but Chris only agrees to a pint later in the week, claiming he’s busy tonight. Then Alice appears, wanting to share news of Martha’s star of the week award. Rex slinks off, while Alice checks with Chris that everything’s okay between him and Rex. Lily persuades Kirsty to head to the Bull for a drink instead of Grey Gables, though Kirsty’s keen to avoid gate-crashing Rex and Alice’s date.At the Bull, Chris confesses to Jakob that he feels awkward about meeting Rex now he’s dating Alice, but feigns indifference when Lilian greets Alice and Rex as ‘lovebirds’. Lilian shares her idea of a new Bull cricket team, with Alice, Chris, Rex, Lily and Kirsty all up for playing. Lilian wonders who would be captain. Alice suggests Rex, who agrees – but only if Chris shares the role.Jakob admits to Chris he’s worried about Kate potentially leaving. Chris offers to ask Alice what she knows, reiterating that he and Alice are still a strong pair with a daughter to raise together – no mat

Azra’s grateful to Ben for coming into work at short notice and as he eats a late breakfast they discuss Azra’s fasting. He tells Azra about Josh’s upcoming working holiday in Patagonia and the possibility of moving back to the Stables. Ben feels ready, despite the slight memory of his breakdown. They then talk about this year’s big push on mental health awareness. Later Ben reports he’s contacted Radio Borsetshire; they’ve suggested doing a live interview with Azra next week, linking it with their own mental health campaign. Azra’s nervous about getting her message right, but thinks a call to action might be her best approach. While Jakob attends to a horse with Alice, Brian pops by and notes Rex has a spring in his step. Jakob admits he knows Alice and Rex are an item. Brian’s keen to check in with Ruairi, while Alice suggests Ruairi’s a bit down because of Paul being away. They discuss Miranda’s purchase of Home Farm and debate where to plant a Mother’s Day rose for Jennifer. Brian compliments Alice on loo

George’s probation officer, Reg, has bad news – someone’s made a complaint about George’s ‘public urination’ on Sunday. George protests to Amber; he was barely visible. Reg meets George and asks about his future plans, and mentions some worrying patterns of behaviour linked to drinking. There won’t be a prosecution, but Reg will recommend an alcohol tag for thirty days. George is incensed, but Amber tells him to suck it up. No-one will spot the tag under his jeans, so he can tell his family he’s staying sober to support her. Ruth and David are busy lambing and there’s no rest for David, chair of the Borchester Show. Ben can’t help as he has to work at the surgery today. They miss Josh, whose being merely polite with them currently, and want to make him feel better before he goes away. David suggests throwing a big party. Ben agrees to ask Josh if he’s up for it. Lily and Ben chat as she has a routine blood test. As Ben mentions the party idea, Lily sympathises with Josh’s antisocial mood, recalling her own

Chris is taken aback, and Kirsty and Kate fail in a resolution.

Alice and Rex are getting along fine, and the Grundys have a get-together.

Having heavily persuaded Ruairi to come round for tea at The Nest, Alice says both her and Miranda are worried about him. Ruairi admits the thought of going back to Home Farm without Jenny there feels really weird. Alice agrees, but also looks forward to sitting by the French windows and conjuring up Jennifer’s presence. Ruairi starts crying, before rejecting Alice’s offer to move into the Nest with her and Martha instead. Alice pushes, she can easily move into Martha’s room and they’d both love his company. Ruairi though insists he’ll stay at Blossom Hill, at least while he can still afford it. Alice reiterates he’d be very welcome and makes him promise that there’s nothing else bothering him. George and Amber ambush Eddie and Will into a meeting, producing the scan photo of Eddie’s first great grandchild. They explain, the next scan’s only eight weeks away and they don’t want to bring their baby home into a divided family. Left alone to talk, Eddie asks why Will can’t put their differences behind him, lik

Celia Sparrow is disappointed to hear from Helen that she’s turning down the job of running Reuben’s dairy. She admires Helen’s loyalty to her family but questions whether that will be enough for Helen long term. With her talent and ambition, won’t she outgrow Bridge Farm? Helen doesn’t agree. Meanwhile, Tracy has got the dairy work under her belt, including a knack with the temperamental curd cutter machine. To thank her for her hard work and discretion, Helen takes Tracy for lunch in the Tea Room. Tracy has helped her make the job decision – Bridge Farm is in her heart and part of who she is. Tracy reminds Helen that Reuben Sparrow’s organic dairy could be challenging competition, but will not have their key advantage – Helen in charge! Helen confides further – she’s put in an offer on a house being sold off by the Housing Association. Tracy’s astonished to realise it’s one of the houses on The Green – they’d be neighbours.Amber anxiously awaits the baby scan with George. As well as checking the baby’s deve

The Bridge Farm Archers discuss the results of the broadly positive audit. The veg boxes are flying and the Tea Room’s doing okay after the sewage setback. The sausages are coasting, and both Dairy and Shop are doing really well. However, to Tony’s dismay, the Angus herd isn’t profitable and Helen suggests a possible alternative: they could buy in organic beef for the shop and café, switch the herd to more Montbeliardes and thereby up production in the dairy. Sensing implications about his age Tony slams out. Later, he reflects gloomily to Pat that although Tom and Helen are the future of the farm, they need to remember what’s best for the land - and the people who live and farm it. It’s not just about maximising profit. He thinks they’re in danger of taking the soul out of Bridge Farm. As Amber and George work on Eddie’s 75th birthday slideshow, Will joins them but remains determined not to attend the party. He cannot forgive Eddie for how he treated George. Perhaps when George has his own child he will und

Cheese rival Celia Sparrow calls at Bridge Farm, where Helen underplays the audit. As they tour the farm, Celia reveals the reason for her visit. Her musician brother Reuben is opening an organic farm in Little Croxley. Staggered, Helen hears that he’d like her to be Director of Operations in his dairy. It’s an exciting project and he’s offering an incredible salary, enough to move house if Helen wanted. Back at the dairy, Tracy is impressed by the job offer – she’s a huge fan of Reuben’s band Spuggy, and was gutted to miss their reunion tour. But when Helen reveals she doesn’t think she could leave Bridge Farm, Tracy is unconvinced– is she thinking with her head or her heart? Brian tries to reassure Miranda that Ruairi is fine – he’s just worried about Paul and his dying grandmother. This doesn’t ring true to Miranda, so Brian discloses Ruairi’s anguish over the Home Farm move, linked to his memories of Jenny and Siobhan. At Blossom Hill, Miranda gently coaxes Ruairi, who admits he’s struggling. She suggests

Eddie surprises George, who’s sorting out old family photos at No 1 The Green. George awkwardly reveals he’s preparing a slideshow for Eddie’s 75th birthday. The memories make Eddie emotional, bringing home how close they’ve always been as a family, and how different things are now – what would Joe say if he were alive today? George insists it’s all been his fault. He regrets what he did to Ed, and what he said about Nic. He’d do anything to turn back the clock and be close again. Touched, Eddie can see he’s trying. He reckons they should put it behind them – after all, who knows how much time he’s got left?Arriving to measure up at Home Farm, Miranda is surprised to find Ruairi, who’s been for a run and found himself there. Sensing he’s not himself, Miranda tries to cheer him with the news that the exchange should be in a couple of weeks. He can come in and have a look as the estate agent should be there. With work as an excuse, Ruairi leaves. Miranda later shares her concerns with Brian, who insists he’s

Tom complains that he was too tired to do paperwork last night, with the twins being at such a livewire stage. Helen reminds him that she needs his veg box figures for tomorrow’s audit and considers how Bridge Farm could become more efficient. Affronted Tom pushes back – they are doing well and he has reservations about the need for an audit. As Pat and Helen enjoy a walk, Pat reminds her that Tom is in a different position in life to her, still having young children, and could be feeling threatened by Helen’s energy and enthusiasm for the business. Raising this with Tom, he at first blusters, but then admits to Helen that he does feel a little insecure and in fact it might do them good to have a thorough examination of the business. Things get steamy on Rex’s narrowboat when Alice arrives and offers to refasten his crooked shirt buttons. Later, they are interrupted by Adam, who wants to chat to Rex about potentially playing cricket for Darrington. With Alice hiding in the bedroom, flustered Rex badly covers

Writer: Liz John Director: Kim Greengrass Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood David Archer … Timothy Bentinck Helen Archer … Louiza Patikas Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding Susan Carter … Charlotte Martin Rex Fairbrother … Nick Barber Chelsea Horrobin … Madeleine Leslay Tracy Horrobin … Susie Riddell Akram Malik … Asif Khan Jazzer McCreary … Ryan Kelly Kirsty Miller … Annabelle Dowler Hannah Riley … Helen Longworth Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd Finlay … Mark Bonnar

Helen tells Kirsty they’ll be taking Tracy on at the Dairy despite Susan not being keen on working with her sister. Helen admits she’s thinking of taking Dane to meet Finlay later, if she meets him at all. Then Finlay calls and Helen agrees straight off to meet him at the pub where he’s staying, before telling Kirsty her brain went to mush. This is so not her! Later at the pub, Helen waits with Kirsty for Finlay. When he arrives Kirsty quickly disappears, with Helen only belatedly realising she’s gone. By the end of the evening Helen and Finlay finally admit their feelings for each other, before heading to his room together.Brian joins Rex at The Bull to discuss the rewilding walk, with Alice having told Rex she’s delayed. Brian then calls Alice, asking her to come and meet him. When Alice arrives Brian sends her to join Rex and Alice quickly susses that Brian is match-making. She asks him to never do it again as it’s embarrassing. Kirsty then turns up and sits with Rex, oblivious to Rex and Alice’s intended

Rex gives Brian a lift back to his car after it ran out of petrol, and stays with him to check Brian’s ok restarting it. Later, at the Rewilding, Brian’s impressed by the variety of wildflowers on one of the trails. He quizzes Rex about his life pre-Ambridge and why he went into farming, before suggesting they meet at The Bull tomorrow, when Rex can talk to Miranda about taking her walking group on a Rewilding trail.At the Dairy Susan is demonstrating the cheesemaking process to Tracy when Chelsea taps at the window. Tracy tells her she hasn’t had time to talk to Lilian yet, then on their break Chelsea fills Susan in on her dilemma – she’s got nowhere to put the horsebox if it can’t stay at the Stables! Chelsea implores Susan to let Tracy sort things out with Lilian, but Susan reckons Chelsea needs to do it herself if she’s a proper businesswoman. Tracy agrees, leaving Chelsea to it. Later, Tracy begs Susan to take her on at the Dairy for Chelsea’s sake, but also because she’s a good worker.At the Dower House

David approaches Lilian about the Stables participating in the Borchester Show, but then has to go and deal with a calving. Later though he bumps into Lilian again at the Shop and expounds on his idea for some kind of equestrian competition at the Show, to be run by the Stables. Susan suggests a farrier competition would be good too. David leaps on this, encouraging Lilian to get the Stables fully involved, before Lilian discerns Lynda’s influence at work. Lilian and Susan then outline the Snell modus operandi, before Lilian declines the offer. Susan then spills the beans about Chelsea working on the horsebox at the Stables and Lilian thinks she needs a word with Alice…Susan recounts to Chelsea, Jazzer and Tracy what happened at the Dairy yesterday with Kirsty. She wonders if Brad or Chelsea might be interested in helping, but it’s a “no” on both counts. Chelsea, Jazzer and Tracy then tell Susan about the mobile salon idea and how brilliant it’s going to be, before they go and start work on making the horsebo

Chris and Hannah are on their way to a cricket team meeting Freddie’s called. There’s still bad feeling over last season’s controversial hidden payments to some players, even before Hannah and Chris discover Freddie’s forgotten this meeting and gone to another one instead. Assuming that’s the end for the cricket team Hannah then lays into Freddie’s poor judgement for suggesting George could rejoin the team. Hannah has no time for George and wants to tell Amber how misguided she is for sticking with him. Chris is more forgiving, but admits phoning Probation about George getting drunk on New Year’s Eve. Luckily George wasn’t recalled to prison and Hannah reckons Chris shouldn’t tell Emma what he did, rather than stir things up again.Akram tells Susan he’s happier working outside than in the Dairy, which is disappointing for Susan as working on a big, new cheese order is getting too much for Pat. Then Helen tells Susan Kirsty’s volunteered to do some shifts, starting immediately. Susan’s doubts about Kirsty are

Chelsea’s getting more hopeful about her business plans, and David is reluctantly learning how to recruit volunteers.