Joy finds Tony in low spirits at Bridge Farm, dreading the thought of Christmas and what would have been John’s fiftieth birthday on New Year’s Eve. He tells Joy they had a row shortly before Tony’s vintage tractor overturned and killed John. After Tony goes to see the beavers being released at Rewilding Ambridge, Joy tells Ruth and Pip they should cancel her idea for a Christmas village event. It would feel heartless after what Tony’s told her. Ruth suggests asking Pat and Tony what they think first, though. And when they ask Tony he thinks a Christmas Tractor Run through Ambridge sounds wonderful, but gets them to agree to consult Pat before they go ahead and start publicising the event.
Alice catches Rex up with what happened in Blackpool, then says she’s going to film the beaver release for Phoebe. Rex and Kirsty decide to get on with it, even though Justin’s not there. Tony arrives just in time, before the beavers disappear into the woods, and Kirsty and Rex hug each other. Then Alice realises she’s only filmed three seconds, though Kirsty points out there will be footage from the enclosure cameras. Justin finally turns up, in time for cake if not beavers. Later, Kirsty and Rex worry about Justin’s commitment, before he disappoints again by not showing any interest in footage of the release. But Alice is delighted when Rex offers to send her the footage, so Phoebe and Martha can see the beavers. Emotional Alice then hugs Rex, before it gets awkward and he goes.
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13:09
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13:09
24/11/2025
Ruth and Pip chat about how relentless things are at Brookfield, before Ruth reveals what Leonard said about his and Jill’s open relationship. Pip doesn’t believe it and when they confront Leonard he admits it was a wind-up, before he and Ruth apologise to each other. Leonard expounds on his frustration at David and Ruth checking up on him and Jill all the time, for which Pip apologises too. Leonard then explains Connie’s an old friend. He offered to decorate her kitchen-diner because she’s got a dodgy hip and they were just meeting to discuss ideas. Leonard only kept it secret because he knew David and Ruth would make a fuss over him climbing ladders and painting walls. Ruth promises to wind in her neck in future.
While George is helping Eddie with the turkeys, Amber tells Ed her dad hasn’t talked her mum round about George, despite giving George the impression he would. Her mum isn’t replying to her messages either. Ed tries seeing it from her parents’ point of view: all they know is that George was in prison. But that’s all they want to know, Amber replies. Ed tells her not to give up hope, then points out the Grundys will soon be her family too. After tea, Eddie helps Amber with the washing-up, asking if she’s seen an envelope he’s missing with some turkey payments in. Later, Amber worries to Ed about the missing money, wondering if George could have taken it to pay for her ring, before asking Ed to forget she said anything.
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13:04
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13:04
23/11/2025
Leonard is still being spiky with Ruth about perceived insinuations of infirmity due to his age, and when Ruth probes about his mystery rendezvous at the Farm Supplies café she gets nowhere. Leonard has been making Christmas puddings for Stir-up Sunday, under Jill’s supervision, admitting he loves it despite never baking much before. He tells Ruth he’s nipping out again, but when he returns later Ruth waylays him in the yard and puts it to him that she thinks he might be seeing someone else. Leonard reacts badly to the idea he’s having an affair behind Jill’s back. Jill knows all about him meeting up with Connie - and other women too – and is perfectly happy about it, because they have an open relationship.
Amber is uneasy about George emailing wedding venues and wanting to go to a wedding fayre. He’s sure her parents will come round to them getting married soon enough, but Amber disagrees, fearing the rest of her family won’t come either if they organise it against her parents’ wishes. Besides, Amber thinks they should wait until George is working and they can get some money together. George goes fishing with Brad, but is fractious, admitting something doesn’t feel right with Amber. He thinks she may be going off him. Brad assures George that Amber’s mad about him, but then goes to see Amber while George is out, telling her he’s worried about her, because of what George said. Amber insists she’s fine and that it’s none of Brad’s business what goes on between her and George.
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13:11
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13:11
21/11/2025
While driving back Lilian tells Tony how miffed she is that Justin had a better time than her this week. She slept through the only exciting things to happen! Though she did spot a frisson between Helen and Finlay, which Tony missed. Tony reckons transformed Leonie might leave James and Lilian promises to think about challenging him on his behaviour.Kate and Phoebe are doting on baby Peggy before Lilian and Tony arrive. Justin has left them a voucher for afternoon tea at Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Lilian thinks it’s the perfect treat, following in Jack and Peggy’s footsteps from years ago. Brian’s apparently thrilled to share his birthday with the new arrival and Kate promises to behave while staying with Phoebe and Brodie for the next two weeks.Henry is happy to see Helen, who flew back to Birmingham. Henry still thinks there’s something going on between Tom and Kirsty though. He threatens to tell Natasha, before Helen details the pain that Tom and Kirsty still feel over Wren and Henry agrees to try and give Tom a break.After tea at the Ballroom Lilian challenges Tony over his suggestion that Peggy favoured her and Jenny. Lilian reckons she just held him to higher standards – not wanting him to end up like their dad, Tony reckons. Tony’s proud he made his own life, despite not feeling the love. Lilian then promises she’ll speak to James, before persuading Tony to join her in a waltz. They extol the virtues of family life, agreeing that there’s nothing more important.
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13:11
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13:11
20/11/2025
It’s 5.00am and Kate wakes Tony with the news that Phoebe’s in labour, but still in Blackpool. Kate insists on taking the car to be with Phoebe, potentially leaving everyone else stranded at the castle. Helen and Tony, accompanied by Leonie, then have to go and rescue Finlay’s sheep, which have got out through some loose fencing while Finlay’s still at the fire station. They do the best they can in the dark to return the sheep to their field, effecting an emergency repair job on the fencing. Kate then demands the car keys, but Tony points out he’s the only one insured to drive it. He’ll take Kate to the nearest station once they’ve got all the sheep safe, though. Leonie realises one sheep is still missing and finds it halfway up a crag, before steering it back to safety under Tony’s guidance. Leonie’s a bit overwhelmed that she managed to rescue the sheep and save its life, despite James always telling her how useless she is.Alice and Jakob do their best to keep Phoebe calm when she wants to drive up to Scotland to be with Brodie for the birth, pointing out that she needs to go to hospital instead. When they get there Phoebe insists they stay with her. After the birth exhausted Phoebe cradles her baby daughter while Alice and Jakob look on in wonder, before Kate bursts in, having travelled all the way by taxi. Phoebe says they’re calling the baby Margaret, or Peggy for short, which Kate thinks is perfect.
New Zealand