The Monster Of Berrow Farm

Jon Glover (Martyn Gibson)

After last week’s shaky start between Brookfield and Brian’s new farm manager Stella, we find Roooooth showing her around, and things sound a bit more cordial. Stella wants to agree in advance what fields Brookfield’s sheep will be grazing and when, so there are no ‘communication problems’ in future. The two are getting on famously and settle down over a pot of tea and Roooooth suggests that Stella come to the harvest supper, which Brookfield are hosting, where she will be able to meet the whole village.

The harvest supper is only a week away and David and brother Kenton are going over the details in The Bull. Jazzer joins them as they start to go through the running order but there’s a hitch right at the start - an argument about who’s going to compere the evening. As it’s taking place in David’s barn he wants to do it, but then Kenton’s the traditional go-to-guy for that sort of thing. Poor Jazzer has to referee but diplomatically suggests they do a double act, preparing their routines separately before comparing notes.

It turns out that you can kid a kidder because neither of them can come up with any decent material but each kids the other that they have prepared something brilliant. Kenton seeks advice from Bert Fry, who doesn’t laugh at his jokes, and David goes to see Lynda, who tells him that his script is terrible. In the end they’re rescued by their mother when Peggy suggests that she do the introduction as she’s touched that it is Brookfield where everyone will come together again.

Speaking of coming together, Shula’s been thinking about Lilian’s offer to invest in the stables and has decided that she’d like to give it a go. Lilian’s overjoyed when Shula pops round early to give her the news, with her only disappointment being that it’s too early to open a bottle of fizz. Just how early is it? The thought that Lilian doesn’t always have a bottle on the go is one that’s never crossed my mind. Anyway, Shula has some red lines - she needs to maintain control, earn a reasonable salary and above all the spirit of the business mustn’t change. Oh yes the other thing is that Justin, who at this stage is unaware of the proposed partnership, has to agree.

They wake Justin from a snooze and naturally he’s a tad grumpy saying that there’s no way he’s going to take on “a bunch of excitable children and ponies”. In defence Shula’s pressurised into giving an impromptu sales pitch which, in the best traditions of Dragons’ Den, is simultaneously unimpressive and ill thought through. Shula leaves angrily and Lilian is incandescent at Justin, but all may not be lost as he thinks there’s a germ of an idea, if only Shula could see the bigger picture. Rather than discuss this, Justin goes round to the stable surreptitiously scoping the place out, asking questions and taking photographs. Of course Shula’s not happy at this underhand approach and not only wants an explanation but decides to withdraw from any partnership that might be in the offing. “I’ll swing for that man” exclaims Lilian, and she resolves to get to the bottom of it.

Lilian persuades Shula to meet up with her again in The Bull. Lilian gets the Gin and Tonics in (of course) before telling Shula what Justin’s up to, which is actually quite a lot. He wants to pull down the stable blocks and replace them with an American-style ‘complex’ for elite competition horse jumping and dressage training plus an exclusive members-only clubhouse. I don’t think that’s the last we’ll hear of this as I suspect that Justin will be like a dog with a bone now he’s had the idea.

At Bridge Farm the realities of Bexit are beginning to hit home. There’s a shortage of labour to pick the apples which are in danger of spoiling if they can’t resolve the situation soon. They could always be turned into juice but Tom’s promised his customers apples in peak condition, and after the apples the potatoes will need to be harvested, and you can’t have veg boxes without potatoes. There’s more problems when the Bridge Fresh online store goes down, diverting Tom from the vital task of harvesting the apples, and then torrential rain forces the whole team to finish early. If only there were some unexpectedly available enthusiastic local fruit pickers that could help …

Over at Grey Gables Adam turns up just as Ian’s getting ready for lunch service. He’s not come to find out what the soup of the day is, but rather to offload the fact that he’s just walked out of his job after an argument with his boss, Christian. I have to say that Ian takes it rather well considering all the hassle he’s been put through with Adam changing jobs in the first place, but as Ian says, he’s done it himself before now so understands where Adam’s coming from. However, his failure to tell his mother with such promptness lands him in hot water when word reaches her that he’s quit.

Jennifer hears it from Tom after Tony sees Adam unexpectedly out shopping during the week. But it’s not just the fact that he’s left his new shiny managerial role without saying anything that upsets her, it’s that he’s supposedly degrading himself by picking apples for Tony. She wants him to return to Home Farm but he’s so adamant that he won’t go back that Jenny thinks it must be because Brian forced him out. In order to convince her otherwise her’s forced to tell her that it was his own stupid fault by secretly ‘borrowing’ money out of the Home Farm account, and as you can imagine she’s not impressed.  

I continue to be impressed with Jazzer though, as he’s had another success with Blake in persuading him to move back into the hostel, a good base from which to start his new job at Berrow Farm. Blake finds the size of Berrow a bit daunting, but Jazzer’s support gives him the confidence he needs to start with some small jobs. He starts with strimming the verges but loses concentration and thinks he’s broken the strimmer and will be punished. Jazzer fixes it with a new strand of wire and reassures him that there’ll be no punishment, but we get a small insight into the world Blake’s been inhabiting where the slightest mistake by one person could result in the whole gang getting a beating or going hungry. It is probably Philip and Gavin’s only redeeming feature that they didn’t treat their slaves as badly.

However, it seems I might have been speaking too soon last week when I started to believe Martyn Gibson’s own description of himself as “I’m not a monster”. Turns out that he is indeed a monster and it looks like the whole ‘let’s take Blake under our wing’ thing was a stunt designed to get good press for himself and Berrow Farm. He invites a reporter from The Echo to the farm to interview Blake but it goes horribly wrong when the reporter tries to get an angle on Philip and Gavin, and Blake's only rescued when Jazzer notices what’s going on. Jazzer kicks the reporter out and gives Martyn a mouthful, telling him that he’s no better than Blake’s old slave masters, forcing him to do something he didn’t want to do. This sends Blake back to square one emotionally, saying the only people he trusts are Philip and Gavin and he’s determined to clear their names. 

I think it might be time for someone else to get involved in Blake’s rehabilitation. A couple of years ago Elizabeth successfully sought the help of a therapist in treating her depression - I wonder if she still has their number? Sounds to me like Blake could use a good therapist to treat the classic case of Stockholm Syndrome he’s acquired. 

Borset Barnet Barbers Bankrupt

Andonis James Anthony (Russ Jones)

Realising he’s still overdrawn on brownie points, Jazzer plans to take drastic action by selling his beloved bike in the hope that Chelsea’s interest in two wheels abates. He goes to see ‘God Squad’ Alan Franks to see if he knows of anyone who would want it, but Alan’s interested himself as it’s exactly the same model and colour of bike he bought after first passing his test.

Amy’s not impressed, and neither is Usha, but Alan wants to buy it for sentimental reasons. The only spanner in the works is the reason Jazzer’s selling it in the first place - Chelsea. After Johnny offers to help with her English (he’s also dyslexic) they agree to meet after school, but Chelsea thinks this is some kind of date and dresses up. She wants to arrive ‘in style’ and asks Jazzer to take her there on the bike but he insists on her putting on leathers and changing her footwear, and of course has to wear a helmet. However Johnny makes it clear that he’s not keen on bikes or ‘biker chicks’ and the final straw is when he laughs at her helmet hair. With Johnny and Jazzer’s laughter ringing in her ears she storms out and walks home. With Chelsea now off bikes all that’s left is for Jazzer to break the bad news to Alan, who’s already joined the owners’ club in anticipation.

A chance encounter with Lily presents Chelsea with another opportunity to brush up on her English and help complete an essay she’s been struggling with. She invites herself round and, interrupting Russ’s dinner, launches straight into an animated replay of the saga over Jazzer’s bike. Once Chelsea’s finally paused for breath Lily starts being ever so formal about the theory of English composition. Russ, who’s been silently listening to the story, interrupts to say that Chelsea’s shown that she has creative energy that shouldn’t be stifled. Lily politely tells Russ to butt out as having two teachers will confuse the poor girl. Quite right, he agrees, and suggests that Chelsea chooses whom her teacher should be. She doesn’t hesitate to say that Russ should, he being an actual former teacher, whereas Lily “just sells kitchens”.

He has quite the task on his hands and starts with the difference between ‘their’, ‘there’ and ‘they’re’. How to repay him? Offer to cut his hair of course as Russ’s usual place, Borset Barnet, has closed down. Lily’s looking forward to the humiliation and Russ finds the experience excruciating if not frightening, in fear of keeping both his ears attached. However not only does Russ retain his ability to wear glasses, he is audibly shocked to discover that his new haircut is really rather good. 

Someone else who turns out to be rather good is Blake who is quite the craftsman, turning Jazzer’s abortive efforts into a fine set of shelves in no time, even cleaning up after himself. Jazzer manages to find more jobs that need doing around the house, and they plan to carry on tomorrow after a visit to the builders merchants. Once they get talking Alistair discovers that Blake is very fond of animals and they swap stories over sandwiches. Alistair wants to pay Blake for his work, but the concept of wages eludes Blake as Philip never actually paid him, only providing basic food and accommodation. Alistair gives him the money and he’s very grateful, if a little overawed. Both Alistair and Jazzer see an opportunity to get Blake out working on odd jobs for others in the village. 

But there’s another opportunity for Blake, and one that comes from a very unlikely source. His name crops up while Brian’s giving Martyn ‘I’m not a monster’ Gibson a tour of Berrow Farm. Martyn’s impressed that Jazzer’s taken Blake under his wing and suggests that Blake is given a formal contract to work as a casual maintenance man at the farm. What Neil or deputy Hannah will say is anyone’s guess as they weren’t been consulted on the matter.

Over at Home Farm Stella’s bemoaning the lack of labour to complete all the jobs that need doing. Although both Stella and Brian could fill in, she’s going to set up a pool of tractor drivers so that they always have someone available. Stella wants to start spraying but Brookfield’s sheep are all over the land grazing. No one seems to have given permission so Brian suggests she goes round and introduces herself and mention the sheep at the same time.

David and Roooooth have their hands full weighing bullocks, so it’s Pip who receives her, but the first meeting doesn’t go well. Stella’s very pushy and demands the sheep are moved right away, but Pip sticks to her guns and says she’ll move them in the morning. Stella’s not impressed, much to Brian’s surprise, and wants to move the two farm’s dealings on a more formal footing. I don’t think that’s the last we’ll hear about issues between Pip and Stella, especially as Brian let slip that it was Pip whose mistake it was that resulted in an outbreak of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis spreading to Home Farm.

Lilian’s still on cold turkey and is suffering from nicotine withdrawal, the main symptom of which seems to be irritability. Roooooth gets both barrels of Lil’s tongue when she tries to get her to change her harvest supper contribution from desert to starters or mains as she thinks she’s been put on the wrong list. Lilian takes offence that people don’t think she’s much of a baker, a situation that’s made worse when Roooooth reveals she actually allowed Jenny to change from providing a starter to a desert. 

Lil is full of regrets which Shula picks up on when they’re getting ready to go out riding together. Shula’s feeling under the weather too as managing the stables alongside her ordination studies is getting her down, and Lilian suggests she comes round later for something to eat. The ride does Lilian good and she apologises to Roooooth, but she’s also had a bit of an epiphany (although strictly speaking that should be Shula’s department) suggesting that she and Justin should invest their spare money in the stables. A tad more dignified than a luxury yacht methinks. 

Finally, I have to say to the scriptwriters that I didn’t think the name of Russ’s defunct barbers, Borset Barnet, really worked - I’d have gone for Borsetshair. Sounds a bit like Borsetshire? Oh, never mind - I’m wasted here). 

Easy, Rider

Ryan Kelly (Jack 'Jazzer' McCreary)

The tobacco industry shudders and share prices fall as the news that Lilian’s given up smoking reaches the industry. The other big news in the Bellamy/Elliott household is Alice and Chris’s impending divorce, and the impact it could have on Home Farm and therefore Borsetshire Land.

Speaking of Home Farm Justin Elliott takes Stella out for lunch and during their conversation we discover that they have history together - purely professional and above board of course. Stella previously worked for Justin on one of the farms in which Damara Capital has a stake and it was he who tipped her off when the farm manager job at Home Farm became available. During lunch he mentions the possible sale of Home Farm and Stella’s not happy, later telling Brian that it’s ungrateful and inconsiderate of him not to have told her himself. He agrees but protests that events had overtaken him and couldn’t find the right time to tell her. In return Stella now wants to know what else he hasn’t been telling her.

Where to start? He tells her about the pollution and subsequent fine that forced him to sell the house, then about Alice’s alcohol addiction and pending divorce. Stella thinks all is not lost - Chris and Alice haven’t actually filed for divorce yet and even if they do she’s sure they can find a way to sell some land and still make the farm viable. Step 1 she says is to secure the contract with Borsetshire land at the forthcoming board meeting. 

Still apparently unaware of Justin and Stella’s history, Brian introduces them to each other at the meeting. Stella quickly asserts herself and outlines her plan to take advantage of the new farm incentives while also lowering overall costs. In the end she manages to retain the Home Farm contract much to the delight of Brian who’s cock-a-hoop about getting through another board meeting on top. 

Chelsea still doesn’t want to continue with driving lessons but instead wants to learn to ride a motorbike, and thinks Jazzer’s the ideal person to teach her. Tracy’s not keen, to say the least, but Chels’ points out that as she’s 17 her mum can’t stop her, and if she tries she’ll go on strike from college. Eventually Tracy sees the sense in letting Jazzer teach her at least one lesson rather that someone they don’t know, but they’re still going to try and put her off.

Jazzer does his best to make the lesson as boring as possible but Chelsea sees right through it and tells Jazzer she wants to have some fun and encourages him to show her just what his bike’s capable of. Jazzer opens up the throttle and Chelsea squeals declaring “OMG that was lit” (translation: my word, that was exciting). Now home but still full of adrenaline Chelsea feigns boredom but Tracey knows her daughter better than that and berates Jazzer for going against the plan, kicking him out before his favourite dinner of mince pie.

Instead of spending his evening lying on Tracey’s sofa with a full belly and a can of lager, Jazzer goes out birding with Jim. Jim thinks he’s spotted a Redwing and they head off to the hide but there’s already someone in there, sleeping. It’s the elusive Blake who’s made it his temporary night shelter and rather than cause a scene, Jim and Jazzer leave him a sleeping bag and a flask of tea, and the next morning Jazzer takes up bacon sandwiches and fresh tea. The talk about their shared experiences of a troubled upbringing and bond over football, and Jazzer helps Blake to understand that although the likes of Lynda and Jim may seem posh, all they want to do is help. Jazzer tells Blake how he cut himself sawing wood so that he could put up shelves for Jim’s rapidly growing book collection and Blake laughs saying that shelves are so easy. Blake offers to help him which gives Jazzer the chance to offer an open invitation to him to go round whenever he likes.

If like me you have been on tenterhooks worrying about the birthday cake for Jill’s 91st, you’ll be glad to know that Beth has finished it. Josh winds Ben up (there’s £100 at stake remember) about how it will seriously put Jill’s nose out of joint to see how good it is which makes Ben seriously worried that it will upset her. So worried in fact that a struggle ensues as he tries to hide it, with the cake Inevitably landing up on the floor.

Beth can’t have held much of a grudge though as she agrees to let her dad take her and Ben out for dinner, to Les Soeurs Heureuses no less - yes the same fancy restaurant that Jill used as target practice with her flapjacks - see The Flapjack Flinging Felon. Ben has had to wear a tie and that’s not the only thing he’s uncomfortable with - the prices are making him choke too. Vince tells him not to be shy as he’s footing the bill so forget the goat’s curd salad and glass of water Ben, have the steak and a bottle of Margaux. But tread carefully Ben, although Vince says you “smell right”, he also won’t see Beth hurt again - “understood”? Such was the thinly veiled threat in that one word he might have well have said ‘Capiche?’, but he moves on and starts asking Chris about his nursing studies. He senses Chris’s earnestness and tells him that he has a serious nut allergy that’s nearly killed him on several occasions. Chris realises in panic that Vince has just eaten a pear and frangipane tart for dessert and shouts across the restaurant for an ambulance, just as Vince’s gasps turn to guffaws at his own distasteful prank. His daughter though is disgusted with him and storms out, challenging Ben to leave with her. 

When Vince calls round to apologise, Beth keeps him on the other side of the door. Ben is more willing to forgive than his girlfriend and laugh it off. He explains to Vince that his offer of a hotel stay in London to make up for it is part of the problem. All Beth wants is her Dad, not someone who’s always trying to prove how good he is. Vince explains that he’s proud of what he’s achieved and that all he’s ever wanted to do is provide his girls with the best of everything. Tail between his legs, Vince shows Beth a picture of her when she was only seven which he’s carried in his wallet ever since. “No more stupid jokes, enough with the swagger” is Beth’s demand, and Vince agrees. 

Finally thais week, Roooooth seems to be the only one who’s noticed that Amy has been on leave from her job for rather a long time. Amy avoids the question, but later on after a walk to clear her head, confesses to her father that she’s leaving midwifery as her heart’s not in the job any more. Alan’s actually relieved as he’s been worried about the number of NHS staff dying from COVID, but the job has taken it’s toll in other ways and she just can’t take it any longer.

Let’s hope Ben manages to navigate through the demands of working for the NHS without too many issues. I think it would be good to follow his studies and subsequent career closely so that we get a real insight into what it’s like starting out in today’s health service, and not just become one of the characters we only hear about in passing like Dan Hebden Lloyd.

Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water

 Luke Macgregor (Blake)

No time is wasted getting straight back to the Rob storyline as we find Kirsty looking for the key to the mortice lock on the back door of her old house which is now rented out to Helen and Lee. Lee’s getting jumpy, not helped by Joy’s cat setting of the CCTV alert to his phone, but the next alert is for real - it’s Rob outside his house. Lee tackles him and pulls his hoodie off to reveal not Rob, but Blake! That’s the first we’ve heard of him since he and the other lads got sold on to their new slavemaster. Lee doesn’t know who Blake is but when Kirsty brings him up to speed he realises that he was one of Philip Moss’ exploited workers. Blake’s been hanging around waiting for Philip to come home but doesn’t realise that he doesn’t live there any more and is in fact in prison. 

Blake’s in a right mess - dishevelled and starving - and Kirsty calls on Harrison for help. When Blake hears this he gets himself in a state thinking he’s coming to arrest him. But all’s well when he meets him and sorts him out a place in a hostel, which makes a change from his previous accommodations in a freezing shed or a container. Kirsty finally tells him that Philip and Gavin are in prison for what they did to him Kenzie and Jordan, but Blake thinks that’s wrong, because Philip treated him the best out of all the slavemasters. Distressed at this news Blake runs away.

As threatened last month, and at Lily’s suggestion, Chelsea’s started having driving lessons from her mother. I’m made to feel very old when Tracey tells her daughter that she doesn’t want her driving round like Nigel Mansell. Chelsea does seem to have a natural talent for driving as after only three lessons she seems to have picked it up really quickly. Obviously neither of them have read the highway code though, especially the bit about distractions, as Tracy talks incessantly and at one point causes Chelsea to practice her emergency braking skills by shouting “MIND THE RABBIT!”.

Tracy gets back behind the wheel and Chelsea takes great delight in telling her mum to slow down when she exceeds the speed limit, just as she gets caught by Lynda who’s out on a speeding patrol. She endures a stiff talking to from Lynda but she’s let off in exchange for a formal promise not to speed again and an offer to drive her home. Chelsea offers to drive but it’s not long before she has the chance to slam on the emergency brakes again when Blake dashes out in front of her.

Blake ends up in hospital but was very lucky, due to Chelsea’s swift reactions, and is only kept in for observation. He’s not receiving visitors though, as Kirsty finds out, but Lynda thinks she might stand a better chance. She takes the things Kirsty had bought him (crisps, grapes, shampoo, shower gel and a car magazine) and goes up to the ward. Incidentally, Borsetshire General seem to have a very lenient visiting policy in contrast to my local hospital where there are still very strict rules on who they let in and when. Don’t they know there’s still a pandemic on? Anyway, he agrees to see her and she reassures him that there will be no repercussions for the fire at Grey Gables in which she was severely burned. She gets him to see that the fire wasn’t his fault and that it’s not Kirsty’s fault that Philip’s in prison, and in fact it’s the chance for a new start. 

Which brings us to the title of this week’s blog. Like a bridge over troubled water Lynda provides a place of safety at Ambridge Hall, much to the disquiet of Robert who thinks in opening up their home to him there’s a danger of Blake doing something ‘barmy’ while he’s there. Robert cooks and Blake is disconcerted by the very small dinner, until it’s explained to him that it’s a starter, the main course is going to be spaghetti bolognese. Poor Blake’s obviously overwhelmed by the food, house and formality of the meal and in his confusion spills water all over the floor. He retreats to his room, or rather that’s what he says. He actually goes missing and Lynda and Robert go looking for him, but Robert accepts he may not want to be found.

Chelsea meanwhile thinks the accident is a chance to claim some compensation for the ‘whiplash’ which she’s suddenly realised she’s probably almost certainly got, ‘cause that’s wot you get after a crash innit. Tracey puts her daughter right on the matter telling her it’s the stupidest idea she’s ever heard - Blake hardly exists on any records and certainly won’t have insurance! There follows a lesson in consumerism because Chelsea just wants all the things that she sees other girls on Instagram have got but she can’t afford. Tracy says she needs to spend less time on social media and points out that the continual acquisition of more stuff isn’t the key to happiness. Just a thought but if she’s desperate for money, and as she’s such a good driver, maybe she should train to drive an HGV - I’ve heard there’s a shortage and the pay’s pretty good now.

Finally we get to an actual Archer. David and Josh have taken some Herefords to market and they run into Beth, who works there. Josh turns into a little puppy dog and insists on going to get Beth a cup of tea - he’s remembered how she takes it. Meanwhile Beth and David get talking and Beth tells him the she thinks Ben will make a great nurse and she won’t distract him from his studies. She also re-assures him that she’s nothing like her Dad, Vince! Josh returns with the tea, and a doughnut for good measure, and suggests she could pop round this afternoon after work.

Beth does pop round and is subjected to the third degree by the rest of the family but Beth takes it all in her stride, even though Jill twice calls her Evie. Beth even offers to make Jill a cake for her birthday although Josh (who has burst in unannounced to Ben’s room) thinks it’s a bad idea incase it’s better than one of Jill’s own cakes. Even so he bets her a tenner that she can’t make a cake that will seriously impress his grandmother. Beth’s confident though - so confident that she raises the stake to £100 and Josh falls for it - her practice cake is amazing! Josh calls it “genius in a cake” and Ben suddenly realises why he’s been hanging round so much - he fancies Beth, although he can’t get him to admit it.

Over at Home Farm Stella’s discussing her plan for next year’s crops and she wants to try companion cropping (looks like the agricultural story editor has woken up at last) to add nourishment to the soil and combat pests. Brian’s sceptical but Stella’s already bought the seed, much to his irritation, but she makes it clear to him that he hired her to manage the farm and doesn’t need micromanaging. She’s on top of the figures and has realised that when the current subsidies end (£100,000 a year) the farm will be in a perilous situation financially. Brian tries to blame Adam’s obsession with soil health but Stella brings him round saying that Adam’s left the farm in a good position to take advantage of the new sustainable farming incentive options (the agricultural story editor’s on fire this week). The bigger question for Stella though is knowing what Brian’s succession plan is. It will be no surprise to anyone that he doesn’t really have one.

Brian’s set up a meeting with Borsetshire Land to talk about renewing Home Farm’s contract, but as always he’s nervous about what Martyn Gibson will say. On top of that there’s the lack of succession plan and Alice’s divorce that might see part of the farm going to Chris. He mentions this to David who tells Brian how a friend of his lost half of his farm to his wife during his divorce. Brian asks how it ended up for his friend, and David tells him the farm was no longer viable so he sold up; which gives Brian an idea - “let’s just sell the whole damn lot”. 

Jenny’s not convinced but Brian says that if they sell the farm then everyone can have their share, be free to pursue their own interests and he can actually retire. But he still needs to convince his wife. How to do that? Oh yes, they can buy a big new house - no doubt with a brand new kitchen to match!