The Archers

Starting a batch of Sterling Gold, Helen shares with Tracy that Slavko is coping well with milking the increased herd. Helen has paid extra for fast-track tickets for the family to go to a theme park at half term.
Jazzer endures giving a struggling Brad another driving lesson. Jazzer shares that working in the pig industry at the moment is hard. However there’s been good news from Jim, visiting the ruins of ancient Carthage – he’s happy for the Riley to be sold. As they finish the lesson, Brad’s attempt at reverse parking ends in disaster for Helen’s gate, which now resembles a piece of modern sculpture.
Brad visits Helen at the dairy with his apology and she’s understanding, accepting his offer of paying for a replacement gate. Tracy comments at home that Helen could afford to replace it herself but Brad’s keen to pay and Jazzer offers to fit it. Brad ignores Tracy and Jazzer’s hints to take a break from driving lessons, and says the collision has made him even more determined.
Robert asks Kirsty if Rewilding Ambridge would consider hosting their proposed Dog Walking Field. As these field requirements are the antithesis of rewilding she has to turn him down. Kate approaches and reproaches Kirsty for discussing work. When Kirsty asks her to stop fussing, Kate agrees to pull back and find a happy medium. Later Robert asks Kate for a Spiritual Home voucher to treat Lynda. Kate’s intrigued by the dog walking idea and she promises to look into it.

Anna visits Willow Farm, where Kirsty is trying to relax by reading one of Kate’s fantasy books. Anna wonders if Rewilding Ambridge would host her mother’s funeral. Not the interment, which will be at the green burial ground, but the celebration of her life. It will be pagan in nature and quite unconventional, and Kirsty is happy with the ideas. She tells Anna that she’s actually off sick with high blood pressure, but that Rex will be able to help. Despite needing to rest, Kirsty decides to do some research into pagan ceremonies. Kate arrives and tells her off for working, but Kirsty needs distraction from her worries about the baby. Kate agrees to help and visits Anna with ideas.
Anna is trying to take more time out, inspired by Kirsty, and she and Kate enjoy some wine, discussing rituals such as a glow worm release or timing the ceremony for a natural firework display – a meteor shower!
Amber feels like a whale washed up in the desert. Bringing a bag of baby grows gifted from his Uncle Stu via Tracy, Brad tries to entertain Amber with stories of Stu, and his unknown number of children, and the new swear words Brad’s learning from Jazzer as he teaches Brad to drive. Amber’s having twinges of pain when Keira arrives, who rings George to come home, as Amber is in labour. Amber is soaking her feet when George arrives, but it’s been a false alarm as the twinges have eased. Brad makes his excuses to leave when George starts a welcome foot massage.

Pip hasn’t slept well worrying about the child-free wedding policy. Deciding to invite Seren and Nova, Stella passes on the news to a delighted Natasha. However when Pip tells Rosie, she’s stroppy as Rosie finds them annoying – can’t they invite her best friend Maddie, Lottie’s daughter? Stella and Pip think this would be ok, but then what about Xander? And Stella’s family’s children? They jokingly suggest eloping.
Anna shares with Alan that she feels responsible for her mother’s death. If she hadn’t put the bat outside, Carol wouldn’t have gone to look for it and fallen. Plus she pushed too hard to make Carol consider The Laurels. Anna’s feeling alone but accepts Alan’s help as a sounding board for planning the funeral. She knows her mum had strong feelings about some funerals so knows what she wouldn’t want. She thinks a nature based ceremony, with perhaps a Wiccan celebrant would fit. She’d love Alan to speak at the funeral, not in a religious capacity, but as a friend to Carol. Anna doesn’t know what they’d have done without him.
Lynda and Robert are viewing a beautiful cottage with an eye to downsizing. Although it’s perfect in many ways, and they’ll put in an offer tomorrow, their hearts aren’t in it. At home, Robert can’t stop thinking of ways around moving, and returns to the idea of a dog exercise field. He thinks if they find the right one, plus one or two extra income streams, they can stay at Ambridge Hall. Lynda is ecstatic.

Ruth calls in at Glebe Cottage, waking Anna, who realises she’s late for court in Bristol. Ruth suggests that Anna should perhaps call in sick, or ask for compassionate leave. Anna says there’s no time to instruct alternative counsel, even if she wanted to. She accuses Ruth of interference when she tells Anna that her stress could affect the case and her career. When Anna returns home, Ruth is at Glebe. Ruth shares that she lost her mother very suddenly. Anna replies that Ruth’s mother was much younger and her death unexpected. Carol was 95 and in hospital. It’s very different circumstances and Anna is absolutely fine.
Brad is frustrated that the bus timetable has changed, meaning he’ll be late every day for his final Uni year. Brad wonders if Tracy would teach him to drive, like she did with Chelsea. Then he could use Tracy’s car, and Tracy could use the Riley, which is currently off the road in need of repair. Tracy feels she has to agree and Brad offers to update the insurance. Later she confides in Jazzer – Brad is wonderful but doesn’t have Chelsea’s co-ordination. Jazzer says that the Riley’s repair has defeated him and, with Jim’s blessing, should be sold. Brad announces that he’s updated the insurance and is ready for his first lesson. Jazzer steps in and offers to take him out. Brad returns from the lesson upbeat and confident, and goes to check out test applications, whereas Jazzer is shellshocked. He tells Tracy that Brad’s going to need a lot of practice.

George and Eddie collect apples in the community orchard for cider-making. George reports that Amber is overdue and uncomfortable, but that he can’t wait for his cast to come off on Tuesday. Eddie is quiet and thoughtful and shares that he’s thinking about his dad, Joe, who would have been 105 years old. They reflect on his life and Eddie feels he doesn’t have the same legacy to pass on. George disagrees and says he’ll be able to talk about him to his own children in the orchard in the future. George tells his Grandpa that they’re thinking about calling the baby Joe – or Josephine.
Ruth chats to Natasha as she pays for shopping at Grange Farm. Natasha, to Ruth’s puzzlement, mentions that Seren and Nova are excited for Pip and Stella’s wedding, as it will be the first one they’ve ever attended.
Later Ruth asks Stella if the invitations had been clear, that the wedding is adults only. Stella says yes, it clearly invited Tom and Natasha. But Ruth suggests that the instructions weren’t explicit enough. Stella visits Natasha and starts with small talk about the botanical skin care before bringing up the invitation misunderstanding. Natasha is defensive – surely, as they’re relatives, the no children policy doesn’t apply to Seren and Nova. Besides, the girls are counting down the days and have special outfits. She adds that surely Rosie will be going – and won’t she want little ones to play with? Stumped for a reply, Stella promises to talk it through with Pip.