08/10/2026

Emma Vallency Freud (0:00)

You're listening to Thursday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4

SPEAKER_2 (0:22)

Hey, Paul.

SPEAKER_3 (0:24)

Is Alistair here? Any chance I can have a word?

SPEAKER_4 (0:26)

Well, he's just finished in surgery, so I might be able to grab him for you. Is it an emergency?

SPEAKER_3 (0:31)

Well, not exactly, but Dad just told me that your prices are going up again.

SPEAKER_4 (0:36)

And do you want to speak to Alistair about it?

SPEAKER_3 (0:37)

Yes. I mean, Dad's treating it like some minor inconvenience, but he's not the one who's just increased the size of his herd. I mean, honestly, Tom and I are practically killing ourselves trying to make the farm viable, and we could really do without this.

SPEAKER_4 (0:49)

I know it's frustrating, but...

SPEAKER_3 (0:50)

It's not frustrating. It's irresponsible.

SPEAKER_4 (0:53)

Well, I agree. I'm completely on your side, and you're not the only one up in arms. Clary was in here this morning too, but Alistair's got back-to-back appointments all afternoon, so you might be better putting everything in an email.

Then he can get back to you any other minute.

SPEAKER_3 (1:08)

Well, if I can't speak to Alistair, then I might as well email Lovell James directly.

SPEAKER_5 (1:12)

Afternoon, Helen. Did I hear you say you're emailing Lovell James?

SPEAKER_3 (1:17)

Well, not if you're prepared to stand up for us, to explain that their obsession with profits is ruining the very farm as they set themselves up to serve.

SPEAKER_5 (1:24)

Doug, Helen, I'm not happy either, but to be fair, the extra income won't necessarily go to shareholder payouts.

Think of the cost of equipping every surgery with the most up-to-date kit. It doesn't come cheap.

SPEAKER_3 (1:35)

But we pay a decent price already. There's no excuse for hammering us with ever more outrageous hikes. I mean, how often are they? Quarterly?

SPEAKER_5 (1:43)

Yep.

SPEAKER_3 (1:44)

It's ludicrous, and you know it.

SPEAKER_5 (1:46)

Come on, Helen, I'm in a difficult position here. Paul will tell you I got straight on the phone to register my unease.

SPEAKER_3 (1:53)

Well, try swapping unease for fury.

SPEAKER_5 (1:55)

Well, I can make my case, but I don't have any influence when it comes to what gets charged.

SPEAKER_3 (1:59)

Look, Alistair, everyone who works here is brilliant and dedicated. We all know that.

SPEAKER_4 (2:04)

Thank you.

SPEAKER_3 (2:05)

You've run an amazing practice.

SPEAKER_5 (2:07)

I really appreciate you saying that, and I do understand that this is far from ideal.

SPEAKER_3 (2:12)

If you lie down and let the shareholders crush us farmers, you will not have a practice left to run.

SPEAKER_4 (2:18)

Alistair?

SPEAKER_5 (2:19)

I've tried, Helen, but my hands are tied.

The practice is their business now. We just work here, doing our best.

SPEAKER_3 (2:28)

Right. Then I'll just have to take on the fight myself. I'm going to write to Lovell James and get as many of the local farmers as I can to sign the letter.

You might have given up, Alistair, but I'm not taking this lying down.

SPEAKER_4 (2:42)

Go, Helen.

SPEAKER_5 (2:43)

Paul, it's not very helpful. I should be able to expect a little loyalty from you.

SPEAKER_4 (2:49)

I'm sorry, but I really think someone has to do something.

SPEAKER_7 (2:56)

What do you think so far?

SPEAKER_6 (2:57)

Alan, it's really moving.

SPEAKER_7 (2:59)

Well, not too long.

SPEAKER_6 (3:00)

I don't think so. How much is left?

SPEAKER_7 (3:03)

A few final thoughts. Part of a paragraph?

SPEAKER_6 (3:07)

We'll carry on, then.

SPEAKER_7 (3:08)

Right.

And it wasn't an experience unique to me. To have a cup of tea with Carol Tregoran was to be invited into an enchanted forest where you might be meandering down a pleasant path, chatting about gathering rose hips from the autumn hedgerows or the color of the sunset, and then out of nowhere, you'd be face to face with something darker, more difficult. She wasn't afraid to challenge us, to force us to examine our beliefs and our actions. But then the shadow would shift and light would pour in again. Carol had a wonderful sense of humor, unexpected and delightful. I was lucky enough to call her both a parishioner and a friend, and I will miss her dearly.

SPEAKER_6 (3:53)

It's beautiful.

SPEAKER_7 (3:54)

Oh, you don't think the enchanted forest metaphor is too much?

SPEAKER_6 (3:58)

Not at all. You're going to be in the heart of rewilding. Speaking about a woman who had a life-long love of nature.

But what about changing the sunset bit to a mention of the bats she so loved? More specific to Carol.

SPEAKER_7 (4:12)