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Visits to Ambridge

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Vicarshusband (U6051871) on Friday, 4th May 2007

  This has been nagging away at me. I'm sure that, years ago, before I started listening (ie before the mid 80s) I remember seeing an item on the TV news about "visits" to Ambridge (or presumably some stand in place since obviously the real thing would have been unavailable - already in use for recording) for fans of the programme.
  
  This might have been in connection with some celebration - an anniversary, possibly?
  
  I have a hazy recollection of people in a trailer, and of Eddie Grundy, but nothing more.
  
  Did this really happen or have I gone bonkers? Where did they use as "Ambridge"? Any chance of it happening again?
  
  VH

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Marilyn Todd TPS (U6760867) on Friday, 4th May 2007

  
  I remember this too. Some sort of coach trip. At one point the coach party sees Eddie, sitting by the road side with his cow hat on and strumming his guuitar.
  
  

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Sunny Clouds (U7606212) on Saturday, 5th May 2007

  Inkberrow caters for Archers tourists.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Colonel Danby (U2194118) on Saturday, 5th May 2007

  A few years ago, there was an attempt by the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú to organize a tour around Pebble Mill for interested members of the book trade (a sort of thankyou for the support we had given to Archers titles in the past). You know the sort of thing, meet one or two of the cast, sit in on a recording, drinkie dos afterwards...
  
  Anyway, it all fell through, probably because of time constraints, which was a shame, as it could been fun...
  
  But the idea of filling coaches with loads of sad Archers Addicts, and conveying them around Inkberrow and other sites in Worcestershire supposed to be connected with the series, fills me with abject horror, especially with the likes of Trevor Harrison (aka Eddie Grundie) sitting on the Borchester by-pass strumming his guitar. And I bet the punters had to pay through the nose to join this charade...it is all down to money, after all. And one of the recent Addict conventions at the NEC cost $30 to get in, just to meet the likes of Kathy Perks (aka Hedli Niklaus, who is the "managing director" of this breathtaking rip-off).
  
  Would you stump up the cash for five minutes with "Miss Holland"? I would rather cut my toenails with a scythe. And please do not get me started on the Archers Mediterranean Cruise...

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Colin Walls (U201805) on Saturday, 5th May 2007

  About 20 years ago, there was a sort of "Archers Roadshow". We attended it at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury. The story was all about a show being put on in the village hall - played by the theatre itself. The action moved outside, where the village fete was taking place. We could wander around for a while [the interval, in effect] before returning to our seats. I remember buying an ice-cream from Mr Snowy [Nigel] and getting a cheery "Good evening" from a passing Brian. I seem to recall that I was signed up as a member of the Eddie Grundy fan club ...

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Vicarshusband (U6051871) on Saturday, 5th May 2007

  I'm not sure my ability to listen would survive this! Too many of the cast look so unlike their characters (in my view) - of course that's one of the strengths of radio.
  
  VH

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Bushbaby (U2267041) on Saturday, 5th May 2007

  A holiday company, not certain which one, used to run tours like the one mentioned in the opening of this thread. It was innovative enough for the Beeb to run it as a news item. It was before Archers Addicts came into being.
  
  Since its inception, the fan club has run several weekends including ones at Wood Norton Hall, Evesham and Barton Hall near Torquay as well as several conventions. They don't do these now, but still participate in the cruising market, where they are part of the entertainment on board.
  
  There's nothing sad about being an Archers Addict, well, no more than posting here! The fan club gives a lot of pleasure to people, some of whom like meeting the cast, reading about them and the programme etc. And at the moment, without their website, people here would not get to read Soap and Flannel - though don't know whether that's a bonus or not!
  
  

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Vicarshusband (U6051871) on Saturday, 5th May 2007

  Thanks for the explanation, GSM. This wouldn't be my cup of tea (as I said, I don't think my listening experience could survive meeting the actors).
  
  I am beginning to think, though, that as in Life of Brian, Archers followers are never happier than when lining up against each other. "First item of business - the split!"
  
  VH

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by Bushbaby (U2267041) on Saturday, 5th May 2007

  I should have added a smiley to my comment "...no more than posting here!" As it was meant jokingly, but didn't know whether these were frowned upon.

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by Vicarshusband (U6051871) on Saturday, 5th May 2007

  I can't see how they'd be frowned on, given that there's a thingy on the page for adding them.
  
  VH

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Sister Celia(Of the Last Orders) (U6358197) on Sunday, 6th May 2007

  
  re.message 2
  
  ThirdPersonSingular.Just seen this thread.
  
  I think the programme you can remember was 40 minutes made by the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú.It must have been around 1989 because it was when Brian Aldridge had epilepsy.There was a memorable scene of Charles Collingwood rolling round on the studio floor in piles of recording tape having a "fit"
  

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by dondy (U3463640) on Sunday, 6th May 2007

  And at the moment, without their website, people here would not get to read Soap and Flannel - though don't know whether that's a bonus or not! 
  
  The UK ones would if they weren't too tight to buy the Radio Times !!!
  )
  
  Agree that S&F is a dubious pleasure - last week's promised Fallon and Emma doing a Sex and the City with cider (Addicts even had a picture) but it was Ed, not Emma, in the end...
  
  dondy
  
  PS Keri thinks we don't have a copyright problem with S&F, as this is a Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú site, so some saddo like me would probably type it out and post in TBU if Addicts didn't put it up.

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Keri Davies (U2219620) on Monday, 7th May 2007

  >And at the moment, without their website, people here would not get to read Soap and Flannel
  
  I think I should point out that Soap and Flannel fans could always buy Radio Times (other listing magazine are available).

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• Message 14

  , in reply to message 13.

  Posted by Bushbaby (U2267041) on Tuesday, 8th May 2007

  Well, yes, I should have made that clear, sorry. I was thinking of people abroad who log-on.

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• Message 15

  , in reply to message 12.

  Posted by RosieT (U2224719) on Tuesday, 8th May 2007

  Doesn't Radio Times insist they are nothing to do with the bbc?

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• Message 16

  , in reply to message 15.

  Posted by mike (U2254029) on Tuesday, 8th May 2007

  According to their website Radio Times is a Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú magazine.

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• Message 17

  , in reply to message 16.

  Posted by Keri Davies (U2219620) on Wednesday, 9th May 2007

  But editorially independent of Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú programmes.

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