Alan offers salvation, and Akram is in a forgiving mood.
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13:01
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13:01
11/08/2025
Adam’s grateful Brian eventually agreed to do the BL harvest and offers his thoughts on getting new contracts for the seed drill. Brian admits he and Stella have argued, but warns Adam off talking to her – he could help him out in her place. Later Adam tells Brian he now knows, via David, that it was Stella who decided to do the BL harvest, not Brian. Brian insists that not doing the harvest gave him some leverage over Justin, but now that’s gone. Adam’s astounded Brian risked losing the crop and drove Stella away in the process. He thinks Brian should apologise. Later Brian rows back on his obstinacy and thanks Adam for his work. Adam admits he’s enjoyed it. He’s sure once Stella returns things will settle down again.Lilian declares to Lynda how much she enjoyed yesterday’s fete, with its carousel and barrel organ. Lynda’s more effusive about the stalls which reflected rural heart and soul, like Kirsty’s craft area. She’s sent a photo of the summer wreaths to absent Robert. Lilian feels for James, so far away in New Zealand while Leonie’s suffering with her back. Lynda’s criticism of James for staying away so long while Leonie is incapacitated gets thrown back at her by Lilian, who accuses Lynda of thoughtlessness for forgetting to thank Akram in her closing speech yesterday at the fete. Lynda is mortified as realisation dawns, and she messages Akram to apologise. When he doesn’t respond Lynda becomes even more stressed, to the point where she starts talking about having to leave the village.
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13:09
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13:09
10/08/2025
It’s the day of the village fête and a stressed Dane is struggling to enlist help with last minute tasks. Kenton’s pulled out of refereeing duties for the tug of war, and the Grey Gables team is looking patchy. Lynda boasts the Ambridge side has a full house. She extolls the virtues of mindfulness; good management starts with a calm mind.Susan’s bottle stall starts slowly, though Neil assures her it will pick up as the day goes on. She hopes so. The shop needs money coming in and a proper plan. Tracy comes up with the bright idea of selling the wine at a lower price with paper cups, to be consumed at the fête itself. Grateful, Susan runs with this and it’s a huge success. Lilian teases Susan that her stall has ruined the day for the Bull’s beer tent, until oblivious Tracy exclaims the beer tent’s rammed, blowing Lilian’s joke out of the water. Lilian picks up the baton as referee and the tug of war gets underway. After a close tussle and some motivational talk from Lynda, Ambridge are the victors. Lynda sees the competition as a metaphor for the true soul of a village – succeeding by collaboration and communication. Dane laughs that his team will be unbeatable next year. Lynda admires his fighting spirit. However, Lynda makes an error in the closing speeches by omitting to thank Akram for his help with the fête. Akram assures Zainab he’s happy to fade into the background, but Zainab declares Lynda shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this.
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13:04
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13:04
08/08/2025
Ruth’s having a great time doing the harvest despite despite finding the tractor seat uncomfortable. There’s still a big chunk left to do so after a break she and Stella get back to it. Stella continues filming on ‘combine cam’ and the two of them happily give a running commentary. However Stella’s stopped short by a hare leaping out in front of them. She’s reminded of her dog Weaver for a second. Ruth confesses she finds it hard not to beat herself up about the accident and his death. Stella reiterates Weaver was just following his instincts. Ruth knows Stella’s forgiven her – but wonders if she’s forgiven herself? Stella admits she’s not sure if she’s ready yet to get another dog. After a sumptuous picnic lunch with David the two women crack on with their task. Stopping to deal with a slow puncture on the trailer, they chat about Stella’s dad. She admits harvest time brings back the memory of when he died. Ruth feels similar about her mother, recalling the harvest before her death of a stroke. They agree it’s easy to get absorbed with work and miss precious moments, especially when there’s no warning of what’s to come. Later they wrap up combine cam and the wheat harvest, pausing to admire the view of the beautifully cut fields. Stella reckons she’ll get another dog after all. Suddenly Brian appears, shocked and furious that Stella’s defied him. He hurls insults and they quarrel bitterly, until outraged Stella quits. Brian’s left to wonder what Stella’s done.
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13:16
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13:16
07/08/2025
Susan confesses to Oliver that his magazine has been found at Ambridge View; Martha was about to snip bits out of it. All magazines will be stored at Greenacres from now on. Oliver’s concerned that Susan’s not comfortable visiting Grange Farm. Susan admits it feels awkward after all the business over Ivy’s engagement ring. It’s still on Neil’s mind. She’s not sure they’ll ever get to know Amber now. She comments that Ambridge View’s bursting at the seams with stock from the shop – there’s a lot of money tied up in the stored alcohol but she can’t sell it without a licence. Oliver suggests she sells some at the fete, offering to work out the logistics with Dane. Susan’s grateful; it’s a wonderful idea.As they pause the harvest for refreshments Stella observes the yield yesterday was surprisingly good. Ruth loves the sounds, scents and rhythms of the harvest. Having listened to excerpts from the Farmwatch campaign on Radio Borsetshire Ruth reckons Stella should set up a camera in her cab. Stella sets her phone to record, and combine cam is born.Brad brings Emma a birthday present from Tracy. Emma’s looking at plans for the teddy zipwire at the fete, which she’ll be setting up with Ed. She’s determined to enjoy her birthday this year after last year’s surprise party disaster. Amber brings flowers from her and George, and also a voucher for teeth whitening. Nonplussed Emma doesn’t think there’s much wrong with her teeth – and Amber’s are beautiful. But Amber’s planning to have the perfect smile on her wedding day.
New Zealand