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fictionMar 11, 202613:06

11/03/2026

The Archers

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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 looking so well, smugly taking credit for her and Rex. Brian’s worried about Kate and talks to Jakob. Limited to video calls with Phoebe, Brian’s convinced Kate wants to live in Scotland, nearer her daughter and granddaughter. He’s keen to check with Jakob how he’d feel if Kate admits she wants to move. Jakob isn’t averse in theory, but as Kate hasn’t mentioned anything to him Jakob admits a slight panic and wonders whether Kate even wants him to go with her.

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11/03/2026

The Archers

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13:06

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The Archers11/03/2026. Machine-transcribed; use the interactive transcript above to jump the player to any line.

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 Weddenstays episode of The Arches from BBC Radio 4. Music

2:11She's been so agitated for the last couple of days. I think it's sweetage. It's a bit early in the season for midgetby. No, no, we do see sweetage in March. Midges are appearing earlier and earlier these days. Have a look at her tail base and main. You can see where she's rubbed it. Yeah, it's obviously itchy. She must be scratching the area against anything she can find. Luckily, skin isn't too damaged yet. Okay, well, I've already got the fine mesh screens in place in her loose box. What about a sweetage rug? Would that help? Yeah, yeah, sounds good. And of course, the usual things I recommend using a medicated shampoo and insect repellent. Possibly a barrier cream like Benzl Benzl 8 just to reduce the itchiness and act as a barrier to the midges as well. Oh, you don't think she needs steroids or antibiotics? No, no, no, let's just keep an eye on her. I'll grab some of the medicated shampoo from our store and drop it over to you. Okay, thanks. No problem.

3:11Morning, Alice. Hey, Jacob. Oh, hi, Dad. Morning, Brian. What a beautiful day. You'd almost think it was summer. Hmm, beautiful day for midges. What's that? Oh, no, nothing. Just this poor girl has a sweet itch. How are you feeling? Not bad. I saw Rex on my way over here. A spring in his step. Oh, yes. Kate said that you and Rex are an item now. Ah, most likely the gossip on everyone's tongue. And why not? I think like young love to cheer a folk up. Who said anything about love? And as for young, I'm 37, Dad. Middle age love would be more accurate. She's a spring chicken, isn't she, Jacob? What? Sorry. Oh, yes. How's Kate? I texted her this morning, but she hasn't replied. Oh, she was on a video call to Phoebe when I left. Oh, poor thing. It must be terribly hard to be so far from Baby Peg. Oh, thanks for coming in at the last minute, Ben. No problem at all.

4:11I love working here. Ah, you're okay with everything. You've got everything you need. Yeah, yeah. Lottie's given me a list of patients to contacts about medication reviews. I saw Harold Fagora in his overdue of blood pressure check and a lipid profile. So I'll give her a call as well. Great. Ah, porridge. Everyone is just getting around to breakfast at lunchtime. Oh, gosh, Adria, I'm so sorry. You're fasting. No, no, that's okay. I don't expect everyone to stop eating and drinking just because I am. And I had breakfast just a little earlier than usual. It's fasting in the summer that really tests you. But, all right. What time are you getting up to eat at the moment? Four. That is not just a little early. That's the middle of the night. So, four, and then prayers, and then an attempt to get back to sleep, which rarely works. I'd struggle, I really would. No, you'd get used to it. But, um, all right, I will just have a quick sit down. I find that if you're not making a cup of tea

5:12or eating lunch, it's tempting just to plow on through without having a break. Yeah. So, how's Josh? The same upset he's going traveling. Well, it's more than traveling, really. He's got some work lined up on a farm in Patagonia. Oh, with a head. No, no, no. No, it's a working holiday. Oh. Farming research trip linked to ecotourism. Food gardens, beekeeping, that kind of thing. It's all quite low tech. Sounds amazing. Yeah, I think you'll love it. But Mum and Dad are worried about him going. Well, of course they are. Worrying, that's just what our parents do. And they're bound to miss him. As much as I'm desperate for Zen up to go to uni, I'll be a complete wreck the minute she leaves home. I don't know how Mum and Dad will feel when I leave again. Oh, why? Is it on the cards? Well, it wasn't. But yesterday, Lily asked if I'd be up for renting Josh's room once he'd gone. Oh, at the stable. Yeah, yeah. And I think I'd like to.

6:13It's where I was when I had, uh, you know, my, um, my breakdown. Does that make you feel more anxious about going back there? Negative associations? Actually, no. I don't think so. The thought of having more freedom, making that move again. I'm actually quite excited about it. Well, then you should go for it. Yeah, I think I will. Feel, feel like I'm ready. Oh, talking of mental health. I was reading this leaflet while I was waiting for my porridge to eat. Oh, yes, yes. I wanted to talk to you about this. Right, um, there's plans for a big push on mental health awareness this year. I want to think about how we can be involved in a meaningful way. More than just putting up another poster and reception. And what kind of thing are you thinking of? Just ways to get the message further than our four walls. I mean, what about those who don't come to the surgery? Uh-huh. People who actively avoid seeking the help they need? I better let you get on, Alice. I'm going to get some lunch and then check up on how Raw is doing. Oh, good idea.

7:14With Paul away, I was worried he might be filling a bit down. Why? Because he's seen down to you? Yeah, a little. We imagine they're missing each other. Yes, of course. And how are things going with the house buying? Well, I'm leaving most of that to Miranda. Yeah. She's been talking curtains all week. Oh, come on, Dad. Aren't you at all interested in the decor? Well, I trust her judgment. No, fair enough. Have you had any thoughts about Mother's Day? Uh, yes. I was talking to Kate about it. He went to buy rows for Mum. To plant a blossom hill cottage. Well, it doesn't seem much point. You'll be off soon. But Kate had a word with Miranda. She's happy for us to find a lovely spot at the farmhouse for it. So the plan is to wait until the two of you move in. Or you could plant it in your own garden. Martha loves flowers. But it's from Kate too. Well, I'm sure she wouldn't begrudge Martha, the pleasure of her granny's rows. Okay, well, let's see. I have to say, Alice, you're looking really well.

8:16Having a bit of romance in your life suits you. Well, maybe it's not the romance that makes me look well. I've been making a smoothie every morning with chia seeds in. I've never known chia seeds to put a sparkle in your eyes and a blush in your cheeks. Oh, I'm so glad I gave you the shove you needed to get together. What shove? Dad, I'm not sure how or why you're taking the credit for this. Look, I'm obviously am, but she's matchmaker. I'll be booked up for Valentine's Day if I'm not careful. Okay, well, thanks for sorting out my love life. Happy now? Very. Now to the next daughter on my list, Kate. Well, what about her? Surely she doesn't need any matchmaking? Oh. I think her and Yakko, but just cool, just didn't know. Thankfully, but just because she has a partner doesn't mean she's happy. Missing out on precious time with peg is breaking our heart. Well, she said that. I mean, she seems to be okay with hopping on the train to visit every opportunity. And didn't Yakko say she was on a video call this morning?

9:18There's no substitute for actually living nearby. No, here's the shampoo. It's the one with aloe vera. Ah. Hopefully this and the each one should do the trick. Ah, great. If you want to come to the office, I can pay for it now. Well, don't worry, I can just add it to the invoice. Oh, yeah, that would be perfect. Thank you. Are you busy, Yakko? Oh, very. But I'm going to take advantage of the small window I have to grab some lunch at the tea room. Marvelous. If it's okay, I think I might join you. There's something I'd really like to talk to you about. What is it? I'll tell you over lunch. Can't you just tell me now? Alice, can I have a suede you to come along to? Oh, I'd love to, but I'm the only one in the office at the minute. I can't leave. Oh, that's a shame. I can give you a lift if you want. Yakko, so be taking your car. That's okay. I need to be at a delivery yard on the other side of Phelpsh in this afternoon. I'll go straight there from the tea room. See you later, darling. Don't work too hard. Bye. Enjoy your lunch. Come in.

10:19Hiya. Lottie said you might have a minute now between patients. Yeah, yeah, I do. Come in. Have a seat. Thanks. I've actually got some great news. You know, Susan Carter used to have her own show on Radio Borscht during the pandemic. Before my time. She was great. Really good at it. I could imagine. Anyway, after we spoke earlier, I texted Susan, and she got straight back to me with the number for her old contact from the station. I emailed him to ask if we could promote our mental health drive. You're a fast worker, Ben Archer. She's just one of those things, isn't it? If I don't do something straight away, I end up not doing it at all. Well, let me know what he says. But that's the thing. He's already replied. I'll forward you his message. He seems to think it's going to fit really well with their own mental health campaign. I'm impressed. It sounds like a great bit of publicity for us. Does he want me to put a few lines together for their presenter? Better than that. He wants a live interview with you next week. Oh, Ben Archer. I'm not sure about that.

11:20Really? Why? I thought you'd be really up for it. Won't it reach loads of the people you were talking about? Care is at home. Old people. Construction workers. Lorry drivers. Yeah, of course. Yeah. I mean, you're right. It'll be great. But. Well, it's live. And that makes me nervous. I think you need to be. You'll be amazing. I'm not nervous about being on the radio. Just about getting the right balance. Encouraging people to seek help. But at the same time, needing to be realistic about what helps available. Yeah. But I doubt they'll be grilling you or trying to trip you up. No, don't get me wrong. I want to do it. It's obviously a great opportunity. But it's not just a case of breezing onto the show and chatting about it. Yeah. You're right, of course. I was really lucky that we could go private for counselling and family therapy. You know, maybe I can use the radio show to do something more than signposting to services. What if it's a call to action?

12:21I'm not sure what you mean. I'm not even really sure myself yet. Let me have a think about it. Oh, thank goodness. Oh, we're lucky to get a table. Yeah. Natasha says they've got a walking group in from Felpsham Cathedral. Thirty cream teas. This nice, see the place thriving. Though I still miss Fallon's cooking. Oh. A savoury summer keesh. Fantastic. I'm going to suggest she adds it to the menu at the ball. So, what is it you want to talk to me about? It's Kate. Though I'm sure you know what I'm going to say already. I don't. What is it? That she'd like to be living in Scotland. Somewhere close to Phoebe and Peg. As she mentioned it to you. I don't remember her saying anything. But that can sometimes happen. She'll think she's made something crystal clear and I've missed it. Well, I think the hints have been fairly blatant. Even the fact she was on a video call with Phoebe at breakfast.

13:22But Phoebe called her. Kate's little knitted rabbit had just arrived in the post. It's heartbreaking. The two of them making the best of a difficult situation. I honestly think Kate's all right. Unless she actually sent you here to break the news to me is, is that it? Has she asked you to tell me that she wants to move to Scotland? No, no. Nothing like that. Well, then maybe I should just ask her myself. But if she says yes, that it is what she wants, would you be prepared to go with her? Right. Well, I suppose so, yes, in theory. But there's practical things we'd have to think about. Like, Kate has spiritual home. I've got my work, our friends. That's why I wanted to talk to you today. So you could be prepared when she does bring it up. I'm away, you're the kind of chap who likes to have his ducks in the row. Right. I hope I haven't panicked you. Well, you have a bit. Because now I'm wondering if she even wants me to go with her.

14:22Maybe that's why she hasn't talked to me about any of this. 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.

15:24Spend $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.

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