05/03/2026

0:00This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. The best B2B marketing gets wasted on the wrong people, so when you want to reach the right professionals, use LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn has grown to a network of over one billion professionals, including 130 million decision makers, and that's where it stands apart from other ad buys. You can target your buyers by job title, industry, company, role, seniority, skills, company revenue, so you can stop wasting budget on the wrong audience. It's why LinkedIn ads generate the highest B2B return on ad spend of major ad networks. Spend $250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get $250 credit for the next one. Just go to LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. That's LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. Terms and conditions apply. This podcast is sponsored by Pocket Hose. I got to tell you, being a homeowner, there's so many things you have to think about all the time. For example, I have to replace my hoses every single year, because they're weak, they get tangled, and there's kinks. Then I found the Pocket Hose Ballistic.

1:02This is the upgrade I've been looking for for a long time, man. It's reinforced with a liquid crystal polymer used in bullet profess. You know what that means? No kinks, it's not going to get tangled. It also comes with this pocket pivot, which gives you total freedom of movement, and the spigot has like a 360 degree rotation, which is pretty cool. There's also this upgraded UV coating they added for free, so your hose basically looks brand new all the time. Right now, when you get the new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a free 360 degree rotating pocket pivot, and a free thumb drive nozzle. Go to pockethose.com slash podcast. That's pockethose.com slash podcast for your two free gifts with purchase. Pocket Hose.com slash P-O-D-C-A-S-T. You're listening to Thursday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4. Music

2:10Did you get the result to your audit yet? I hadn't seen her around a place for a few days. The ad-goodvisor woman. Yes, yes, all done. And? Good news? Yes, very good. Essentially, the farm's doing well. She highlighted a few areas for improvement, which is what we wanted, so she didn't say get rid of that dozy newbie in the dairy. She doesn't know what she's doing. Of course not. Anyway, you know exactly what you're doing now. You couldn't have managed without you these last few weeks. Actually, the audit showed that the dairy is one of our most successful areas. Woohoo! Go us! Right. Oh, you must be pleased. I mean, this is your baby, isn't it? Oh, I suppose it is. Did you always want to make cheese? No. Not always. I sort of fell into it. I liked helping in the dairy when I was a teenager. Did it please my mum at first? But then they just got into it. Then I went to college and, you know, after that I was kind of in, you know, hooked on cheese. Yep. And ice cream and yogurt. I ran the shop for a while. I don't know if you remember Ambridge organics.

3:11Oh, yeah. But then I got really into making cheese. I don't need $22 when I came up with Borscht or Blue. You invented a new cheese when you were $20. I mean, invent is possibly it was dating it. But once I started, she's making. I was obsessed. Really got a kick out of it. Not just the making, but the marketing. Getting it into shops and restaurants. You know, you must be nice to really love your work. Yeah. It is. I've always been more work to live, you know. I'd have liked to have gone to college. A teacher at school kept saying I should apply. But we had the question really. And then I met Dan and moved in with him. Which would have been the worst decision of my life. Only if I hadn't done that wouldn't have Chelsea and Brad so very true. But if you don't study when you're young, it gets harder and harder, doesn't it? It does. I used to daydream that when the kids had grown up, I'd start something of me own. Oh, yeah. Like what? Business? Yeah. Or a project. When the kids were little and there were no use groups around,

4:12I always thought if I could get a bit of backing, I'd better run a really good youth group. Tracy, you should do it. Maybe one day, hey. What about your future? Have you decided what to do about Celia's sparrows offer? Oh, oh no, what's that? Oh, don't worry. Did this the other day? Just mind out the way. If I drink any more water, I'll have to go for a wee. Don't drink any more water then. I need a full bladder for the scan. Exactly, but if you go to the toilet, you won't have a full bladder, will you? I'm aware of that, George. I'm only saying. So, what would you suggest I do? Now that I've drank so much water, I need the toilet. I don't know, do I? Great. Thanks. Very helpful. Give me the bottle. Sorry, I'm just... I know, me too. Hopefully it won't be too much longer. Hi, Tracy, cup of tea here for you.

5:14Oh, lovely. Thanks. Everything all right out there? Oh, yeah. All in work and order. It was very impressive where you kick-started the curb, Cotter. I've got to know it over the last few weeks. Sometimes gets a bit stuck, is all. But I'd think about getting someone out to have a look here if I were you. Already done. The engine is coming tomorrow. So, in the meantime, if it stops again, let me know. Don't want you injuring yourself. I've gotcha. So, have you thought when you more about the rock star dairy job? I have, yeah. And? I mean, you don't have to tell me. I keep thinking about what you said yesterday and you were right. It all comes down to head or heart. Oh, speak of the devil and she'll give you a ring. Celia, go blind me. Well, good luck. I'll make myself scarce. Thanks, Tracy. Celia, hello. Hi, Ella, now are things. And is this that? Yes, George. Nice to meet you, George. Hi. If you want to sit on the chair there. Thanks. And Amber, you hop onto the bed for me.

6:15That's it. Have you been drinking your water? Yep. Great. Too much of anything. Oh, no, it's all full, isn't it? But that's wonderful because your full bladder will give us a really good view of your baby. So well done. And I promise I'll be as quick as I can. No, no. Fine. So, the scan today is known as the dating scan. I'll take some measurements and give you an estimated due date, which is the one we'll be working with for the rest of your pregnancy, okay? Okay. We'll also check out many are in there. How many were? Giraffes? Sorry. No, babies, of course. Then we'll check baby's development. Have a little look at your placenta. And are you having the nuke or screening today? Yes, please. Great. So while I'm scanning you, I'll take a measurement of the fluid at the back of your baby's neck, which is known as the nuke or translucency. Are you seeing the midwife after this? Yeah. Great. They'll do a blood test, which forms the other part of the test. And then you'll get the results in the post in a week or so. Okay. I'm sorry. I know you've probably read all of this. I'd just like to make sure people know what's what before I start.

7:17No, no, no, it's really good. Thank you. So if you can just lie back for me, Amber. Lower your trousers a bit. That's it. Make yourself comfortable. I'll just wash my hands and then we'll get started, okay? Yeah. I won't pretend I'm not disappointed. And Ruben certainly will be. I would have loved to work with him, Celia. It sounds like a really exciting project. And I wish him every success. Well, not every success, presumably. At least as far as the dairy is concerned. Oh, I'm not worried about that. There's room for more than one innovative, dynamic dairy in Borsiccia. True. Well, I admire your loyalty. But I do wonder. Oh, what? Helen, you are brilliant at what you do. Aren't you worried that you'll outgrow, Rich Farm? It seems to me, too small an operation to sustain someone of your talent and ambition. I don't think so. Big isn't always better. No, of course. But surely they'll come a point when you want more than this. I don't mean to insult you.

8:18I'm just curious. I'm not remotely insulted, Celia. Rich Farm is my family. It's my life's work. You know, no farmers are in it for the money, including me. But also, whilst we might be a relatively small operation at the moment, they're just getting started. I don't think there are any limits to what we can achieve here. Fair enough. I just hope that your family know how lucky they are to have you. Right, you've got the paper towel tucked in there that I'll protect your clothes. Yeah. And now, I'm sorry if this jelly might be a bit cold. Sorry. No, no, it's fine. What can you see? Is there a baby? Just give me a sec. Sorry, I'm having to press quite hard. Oh. There we are. Can you see it? Yep. There's a baby. There is indeed a baby. And there is the heartbeat. Oh my god. That's the heartbeat. Yep. So it's a good trade. Lovely and strong. That's what we like to hear.

9:18And there, let me just turn my screen down for you. Here's your baby. Oh wow. George, look. That's amazing. This is a really lovely clear image. That's because you've got a nice full bladder. So this is the head here. And spine. And then here's baby's leg. And it's little foot kicking. Big feet like me. And does everything look all right? As far as I can tell, everything looks absolutely fine. Thank you. No problem at all. Now, if you bear with me, I'm just going to take a few measurements. And then if you want, I can print some photos for you. I'm sorry, but there is a charge. It's five pounds or two for seven. We'll get two. Shall we? Want to pass through the family? Want to keep for us? You're okay? Yeah. Oh, George, look. Look, it's moving. Oh, it looks like it's waving to us. Oh, baby. I can't believe it. That's our baby.

10:20Amber, could you let go of my hand? I think your nails might have broken the skin. I'm sorry. That is fine. I think good practice for the baby thing. There we go. Two cup of ginoes. Natasha's going to bring our bagels over when they're ready. Oh, thanks, Helen, lovely. Although you really didn't need to buy me lunch. I wanted you to thank you for your help over the last few days. Well, I've been a bit distracted. And your discretion. Ah, buying my silence. Something like that. But not just that. Really helped me come to a decision. Oh, we didn't do anything. You did, actually. Help me realise I don't ever want to leave bread farm. No matter how tempting the alternative. I bet it was pretty tempting. Working for Rubin's sparrow. Well, maybe for a moment. I've been turning it over in my mind the last couple of days. But I kept coming back to what you said. Bridge farm is in my heart. It's put up who I am. I don't want to leave everything that I've built. That the family's built. It's going to work for someone else. Well, good for you.

11:21Although it does make you think. But if Rubin's sparrow's dairy really is going to be as all singing and dancing as his sister says it is, he might give you some competition in future. Oh, he might, yeah. But I'll be ready for him. And you'll have an edge over him anyway. Will I? Of course you will. Your dare. He's got you in charge. His ass and display is best effort through. I've got some ideas I want to develop, actually. They'll help put us on the map. Do you mind if I say something? Not at all. You seem in a really good place at the moment. Oh, thank you. I do feel quite good. Have you started working out? No, well, I mean, I walk a lot. Healthy eating? No more than usual. Well, whatever it is, it's working for you. You're all glowy. Oh, thank you. Plus, being headhunted by the man who row I am the am must have been a big A-go boast. I suppose it was, yeah. I just feel a bit more in control of my future. Able to make decisions, you know? Good for you.

12:23Actually, I've made another decision. Quite a big one. Does no stopping you, is there? I've put in an offer on a house. Congratulations, Helen, that's amazing. I mean, I don't expect to hear about it immediately. There's been a lot of interest. So, it's gone to sealed bids. Well, that's like the one by us. How is an association or having to sell it off? And it's been dead popular. Oh, actually. I collared the estate agent outside the other day. And she said there have been that many viewing. They're going to sealed bids. Try to get as much as they can for it. Well, that's it. That's the one. What? You mean you're putting an offering on the house by us? Yeah. So, who knows? If it goes my way, we could be neighbours. Brilliant. Look at it, George. Hello. Him, huh? We can find out at the next gang, you know? If we want to. Not to you? I think I want to. Not that I care, either way. But it would be nice not to say it or the baby the whole time. Are you going to post it? I don't know.

13:24I was planning to, but for some reason I just want to keep it safe. For now, you know? Not put it all out there for everyone to see. We'll show the family, though, yeah? Yeah, of course. I just... I can't believe that this little baby has been in there all this time. Growing into an actual tiny person. Can you believe it's the size of a line? A line? Yeah. It tells me on the app. Next week it'll be the size of a peach. And then the week after that, a naval orange. Whatever that is. I love you. I love you, too. And I love this baby. Already. Even though I've never met it. And it's only the size of a line. Him or her, whoever it is, I love it. Me, too. And I know there's a long way to go, but it feels real now. Like this is really happening. George, we're having a baby. And really, nothing else in the world matters.

14:29The best B2B marketing gets wasted on the wrong people. So when you want to reach the right professionals, use LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn has grown to a network of over 1 billion professionals, including 130 million decision makers. And that's where it stands apart from other ad buys. You can target your buyers by job title, industry, company, role, seniority, skills, company revenue. So you can stop wasting budget on the wrong audience. It's why LinkedIn ads generates the highest B2B return on ad spend of major ad networks. Spend $250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get $250 credit for the next one. Just go to LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. That's LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. Terms and conditions apply. You know what I can really go for right now?

15:30Literally anything that comes in a McDonald's carton, wrapper, or bag, or a McDonald's cup. Yes, any of those items you do it. We've got your cravings covered. Now, stop in for the flaky filet of fish, the crispy snack wrap, or a large fries for just $299. Limited time only, price and participation may vary. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Ba-da-ba-ba-ba-ba.