The Archers

Pip and Stella are in wedding planning mode and discuss their first dance, practicing lifting each other. On a more serious note, Pip is worried about the lack of silage stored for their pasture-fed herd. They’re running low even before the cows come inside for the winter. They’re interrupted by a message – Stella’s mum’s in A&E. Nothing is broken but she has a bad sprain and won’t be able to walk Stella down the aisle as planned. Pip suggests asking David to do it – Ruth will be with Pip.

At the Rewilding site, people gather on a beautiful day for Carol Tregorran’s send off. Fallon makes a fond joke about Carol. Jolene’s pleased to see her daughter laughing again, especially after seeing Harrison apparently move on so fast, with Lily. Fallon needs a blank canvas and Jolene suggests legal advice about Woodbine cottage.

Meanwhile, anxious Alan is at home fretting about what to do, but tentatively arrives at the event, ready to speak only if called forward. As he starts his planned eulogy, Anna takes exception and orders him away, causing an emotional scene as Helen tries to mediate. Things escalate as Anna challenges Alan over abusing his position. The celebrant calmly encourages everyone to make their way to The Bull.

Back at home, Usha remembers that Carol got Alan’s bank details to transfer money for flowers, shortly before the large transaction. Alan feels vindicated, but Usha warns him to tread carefully - he should be upfront and speak to the Bishop before Anna puts in a formal complaint.

Helen complains to Alistair about Lovell James’ price hikes and the impact on her and other farmers. At Alistair’s lack of conviction, Helen vows to take the fight on herself, by writing a letter to the company for others to sign. She’s cheered on by Paul, to Alistair’s annoyance. Later Alistair admits that while he supports Helen, he’s worried about how it looks for them. Paul states that Alistair needs to decide – either he agrees with Lovell James and backs them, or fights alongside his clients.

Usha is moved by Alan’s eulogy for Carol, and noting how tired Alan is, and that they both need a holiday, she’ll look in on Anna. Usha comments that Alan is a great Parish priest – marrying his own beliefs with those of others is why they work so well together.

Over tea with Helen, Anna is shocked and sickened to open Carol’s bank statement and see a £6000 payment made to Reverend Alan Franks on the day before Carol died. Helen suggests taking a moment, before joining Anna to confront Alan. Alan protests he had no idea about the payment, and promises to get to the bottom of it. Left stunned, Alan goes to check his computer and even write a cheque to pay it back. But Usha says to leave it until the banks open on Monday – after the ceremony. Alan fears that Anna thinks he’s a criminal, though. But Usha suggests dinner and an early night. Do justice to the eulogy tomorrow, then they’ll find out how to return the money as soon as possible.

At the cider party for Amber and George’s baby, Eddie remarks on how the baby heralds the new generation of Grundys. Clarrie basks in how different things feel from a year ago, when George was still in prison. Clarrie notes how good Keira is with the baby, and how nice it is to see Keira and Amber getting on.

Clarrie and Eddie lament Lovell James’ price hike and how it will affect Ed with his texels. Clarrie wonders whether Alistair can complain – if he bleeds farmers dry, he may not have a business at all!

Anna feels she should have been more present for Carol, and Alan reassures Anna, praising her ideas for Carol’s Celebration of Life. They discuss the lovely Green Burial site, service plans, and Alan’s role. Harrison shares his condolences, and Anna’s full of praise for Alan’s way with Carol. Harrison’s invited with Fallon to the ceremony at Rewilding for Carol, and he explains that he and Fallon are no longer together.

Keira has a horrible toothache, and Clarrie manages to get her an emergency appointment. Eddie takes Keira, after a brief stop to see the baby.

Eddie and Clarrie gossip about Harrison and Lily – Eddie thinks it’s official, according to Ed. Clarrie thinks Fallon will be livid.

Elizabeth and Vince are getting ready for Vince’s birthday party. Lily is yet to appear and Elizabeth worries over her relationship with Harrison. With most of Ambridge, and the Casey clan, invited, Elizabeth hopes she did the right thing by encouraging Lily to invite Harrison, knowing how much the village loves gossip. Vince tries to comfort her and jokes that he works in the perfect line of work for body disposal should the relationship go sour.

Indignantly, Brian visits Ian at work. Brian reports that Kirsty was very effusive when thanking him for his donation of a child’s gardening station to Rewilding Ambridge. Brian wants an answer on why Xander’s gift has been passed on. Ian answers that Adam didn’t want to accept the gift. Upset, Brian points out that Xander will be thinking his grandfather has abandoned him, and asks just how long is Adam going to keep him away?

Elizabeth wonders if Lily would like to invite Harrison to Lower Loxley for Vince’s party. Lily thinks it might be too complicated with Jolene and Kenton attending. She’s tired of the local gossip. Later, whilst waiting for Harrison with a mojito on the Grey Gables terrace, Lily thanks Ian for defending her against the staff teasing. When Harrison arrives, Lily says she’s no longer bothered about being spotted with him. How would he like to come to Vince’s party? She’d understand if he didn’t want to, but Harrison doesn’t want to miss seeing her, nor the chance to see her in a party dress, so the answer is yes.

Admiring Clarrie’s knitted blanket on the baby, Susan hears from Amber that her son is still being called ‘baby’. Amber’s had some great products from sponsors and feels it’s nearly time to do some baby content before she loses followers. Susan inadvertently tells Amber about Eddie’s betting book. Later, at Grange Farm, Susan prompts Eddie to apologise to Amber. He defends the action, saying it was just to get George and Amber some name ideas, plus he’d hoped but failed to get them some money on the side. Amber says she was upset not to be told, but is now keen to see the ideas. It’s inspired her to use it for her socials – introduce the baby to her followers with an interactive appeal for names. Amber reminds a sceptical Susan how hard she’s worked to get this far as an influencer. Besides, her online community helps her feel less isolated and will keep her engaged during the long night feeds.

Lynda visits Brookfield where Pip assures her there is no animosity towards her and Robert. Lynda says she’d like to create something positive from the situation and outlines the dog exercise field plan, highlighting the safety features. Pip can see the benefits for dog owners such as Stella, but as a local farmer has some concerns. Lynda addresses all questions and adds that the enterprise would make the whole village safer. Pip is reassured and in principle doesn’t have any objections, nor does she think her parents would. Pip thinks the idea is commendable after everything that’s happened. If anyone can handle the challenges of it, it’s Lynda.

Freddie and Elizabeth are up early delivering clothes options for Vince’s party to The Stables. They catch Lily having breakfast with Harrison and it’s uncomfortable. Later, planning the wedding, Pip and Elizabeth look through crates of games to occupy the young wedding guests. Freddie will teach the macarena and start the night with family friendly tunes, before moving on to Motown classics and noughties indie to please both of the brides. Discussing Lily, Pip defends the issue of age gap relationships, with her and Stella as an example. Elizabeth doesn’t sound convinced. However later, visiting Lily, she is appalled to hear that Kenton approached Lily at work to warn her off Harrison, leaving her feeling attacked and angry. Responding, Elizabeth tells Lily that she should go for it with Harrison, and other people should keep their noses out. Elizabeth vows to confront her brother Kenton.

Harrison arrives at Grange Farm to find Ed and Eddie inspecting the vandalised dry stone walls. It’s thought that people are stealing the stones. He suggests installing some hidden trail cameras in the trees with signage to deter damage. Eddie’s progressing with his betting book for the Grundy baby name. Harrison has suggested Dan, but refused to pay the £5 Eddie is asking to take part.

Privately, Harrison assures Ed that he was not with Lily when he was still with Fallon. Ed admits he was shocked that he’s moved on, but Harrison is insistent – seeing Lily doesn’t mean he’s moved on.