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.
As Helen helps her brother harvest the last of the peppers and cucumbers, Tom is filled with enthusiasm for his greenhouse. Although Helen gently teases him, she agrees that they have the best of both worlds at Bridge Farm – tech and tradition.
Visiting an injured stag at Home Farm, Alistair listens to Brian brag about how well the farm is doing without Adam’s input. However, when Alistair presents his invoice, Brian is astonished at the cost, accusing him of daylight robbery. Brian thinks the charges set by Lovell James are lining the pockets of shareholders and he’s not at all happy. Calling Helen, Brian shares his concerns about the vet price increases and meets her and Tom at The Bull. Brian argues that a farm feeding the nation is too important to be at the mercy of shareholders. Tom would argue that Bridge Farm is even higher up in the hierarchy for needing support. However, they all want to join the fight against rising costs.

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.
Fallon comforts emotional Anna, who’s ignoring calls from Alan. Anna is convinced Alan absolutely knew Carol’s money was in his bank account all along.
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.
At a quiet Bull, Fallon and Jolene wonder what that was all about. They can’t find Anna and start to worry. Helen catches up to Anna in the woodland – Anna talks about Alan’s influence over Carol, convinced that she let Alan become a threat to Carol, enabling it.

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.
Driving, Anne Marie is sober as Bill gets drunk on strong cider. Anne Marie tells Amber it was important to her to be here, but Amber comments that it was to stake her claim. Amber feels tired and irritable, and gets her mum to drive her and baby home, apologising to Keira after snapping.
Anne Marie reassures stressed and tired Amber, taking a load of washing to do for her. When Amber comments on how a baby so tiny and beautiful can make so much mess, Anne Marie says she should post that on her socials!
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!
Anne Marie returns to the party and, meeting Keira, drops her and Eddie in it by mentioning seeing Keira on Monday afternoon. Eddie should have dropped Keira back at school after the dentist. Eddie plays it down to Clarrie, but Clarrie is serious – and stings Eddie with her comment that with GCSEs coming up, and being such a bright spark, Keira can do better than them.

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.
As they discuss the glow worm release that’s happening, Anna regrets that Carol won’t be around to see them mature enough to glow. Anna feels bereft that she wasn’t back before Carol died. Sympathetic Alan insists that Anna didn’t let Carol down.
Harrison drops in on Lily at home. Lily wonders what Harrison was upset about on Sunday, and mentions Fallon with Grant. Harrison admits that he’s fallen for Lily, however suddenly. Later Lily admits to Paul that maybe Harrison has moved on too fast, but Paul says ignore the haters.
At the vet surgery, Paul attends to the cat ‘Catto’ for Lily. Lily’s more taken by Amber and George’s baby. Paul warns Lily not to gush too much about George’s offspring, in front of her new beau Harrison!
Alistair’s frustrated by Lovell James’ latest initiative to hike up prices, and admits he regrets selling the Vet practice to them. Rising prices could cause local complaints – but Alistair reassures himself, he’s not worried – they run an outstanding practice to be proud of.