The Archers

Ruth makes a controversial decision, and Emma has reservations.

Lily is on a mission, and Kirsty finds herself in an unexpected situation.

Stella considers her options, and Jakob makes his presence felt.

Brian struggles to see the wood for the trees, and Kate has a brainwave.

Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes Director: Helen Aitken & Kim Greengrass Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams Martyn Gibson…. Jon Glover Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond Emma Grundy…. Emerald O'Hanrahan George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Mia Grundy…. Molly Pipe Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery Akram Malik…. Asif Khan Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed Annabelle Scrivener… Julia Hills Terry…. Lloyd Thomas

George has a big question to ask, and Chris struggles to offer reassurance.

Emma considers what might have been, and David offers a supportive shoulder.

Mia turns up at Little Grange and asks Ed to teach her the basics of filming with George's drone for a University project she's doing. They tread carefully around the subject of Amber, hoping she'll be good for George, before discovering that Ed accidentally shot footage of someone setting fire to the Bull's sign last Friday – and they can read the perpetrator's number plate. At the Shop Joy tells Jolene they've got to move all the boxes of stock to Susan's tonight. Mick, Neil and Chris will help shift the fridges and freezers, Susan adds. Helen's storing frozen stuff at Bridge Farm, while perishables are going to charities. But they're still really up against it. Later at The Bull, Jolene laments to Stella they have nothing to prove Markie is targeting them, when Ed and Mia turn up with their new evidence. Stella suggests to Kirsty that they go and help shift stock at the Shop. Jolene then reports the police believe Ed's footage shows clear evidence of Markie's involvement. It should be enough to put him and his gang back behind bars. Ed admits the recording was a lucky accident, before Mia drags him off to help at the Shop. Susan feels overwhelmed at first, what with the George and Amber business too. But then the cavalry arrives, first in the form of Akram with his car, then Kirsty and Stella, and finally Mia and Ed. Joy's convinced all this support shows the Shop is too well loved to go under. Susan hopes she's right

Susan has the rug pulled from under her, and Alice has a decision to make.

Despite his relaxed appearance Akram confesses to David that he's worried about the Ambridge versus Grey Gables team event Lynda's asked him to come up with for the fete. Kirsty commiserates, before they all agree a tug of war would fit the bill nicely. Later, Akram tells Kirsty that Lynda loves the idea, so he's started asking round for potential team members. But then Dane messages with a photo of the Grey Gables team he's put together – they're all gym regulars and look scarily good.Brian tells Adam he's heard the Gills are selling the house at Home Farm, but he's in no position to buy it now. Adam's worried that Justin's rewilding scheme stands to cost Home Farm thousands in revenue at a time when food production should be their highest priority. He urges Brian to take action, suggesting he should already have done so, thereby raising Brian's hackles. Brian retorts that he doesn't need Adam's advice. Adam then calls Alice and Kate for an emergency meeting on Home Farm's future. He feels Stella hasn't done enough to protect their interests and Lilian won't stop Justin either. Kate thinks Justin's rewilding initiative is a good thing environmentally, but Adam reckons Debbie's on his side, while Alice says Ruairi will support continued food production. Kate supposes they need to come up with a plan, especially if there's doubt over Brian's ability to take the farm forward. Brian then turns up and is immediately suspicious, suggesting a walk so they can tell him just what they've been gossiping about.

Mia collects Amber at the crack of dawn to watch the sun rise from the top of Lakey Hill. Amber happily films it, before they spot George's drone being used by Ed to get footage for the tree surgery website. Amber and Mia share a moment talking about Mia's mum, Nic, before Mia mentions how sorry Chelsea is for bullying Amber and how much she's changed. Amber isn't prepared to forgive Chelsea yet and moves the subject on to Brad, suggesting him and Mia might still have a future together. When Amber heads back to the car Chelsea approaches Mia, who admits she failed to get Amber to change her mind. But she tells Chelsea not to give up, her and Amber will be friends one day. Meanwhile, the burglar alarm goes off at The Bull. Kenton takes a hammer as he goes with Jolene to investigate. All they find is an open window in the gents with a dodgy catch. No need to bother the police, Kenton thinks, as nothing has been taken or disturbed. Jolene wants to call the police anyway, before Tortoise jumps away from the windowsill. Kenton sees the Bull's sign is on fire. They rush to put it out, and even Kenton admits this is beyond coincidence. And that's before Kenton finds a dog collar left under the fruit machine. It's clearly a threat from Markie, who's toying with them. Kenton despairs; they haven't got a chance in hell against him.

When Neil and Tracy arrive at Number 6 they are unimpressed by the mess. Neil goes to fetch Jazzer, while Susan is shocked to discover Martyn under a blanket. As Martyn goes to get dressed, happy memories of last night start coming back. At Berrow, hungover Jazzer tests Neil's patience, but Martyn is in a forgiving mood, hinting heavily at what he and Marlene did last night. Meanwhile, having helped clear up, Susan chastises Tracy for the state of the place, before Jazzer rings, mentioning what Martyn and Marlene got up to. Tracy moans, they'll have to sterilise the house all over again now, but Susan reckons Tracy's on her own with that one. When Stella apologises to Pip for missing Tracy's party, Pip tells her she had a great time, until Toby mentioned the idea of giving Rosie a phone. Stella is just as appalled as Pip about the potential risks and having to monitor Rosie all the time. But when Pip defends Toby's intentions, she upsets Stella in the process. Later, Pip phones Stella to clear the air, then turns up at the eco-office, explaining she's told Toby that Rosie's not having a phone, but they will try to make him feel more connected. Stella then tells Pip she'd prefer Rosie not to call her ‘Mum', before adding how grateful she is for Pip's support, because it feels like something is going to blow at next week's Board meeting.

Jazzer struggles to keep up appearances, and Toby puts his foot in it.

Brad waits with Chelsea at the Tearoom to talk to Amber about wedding venues. But when Amber turns up she doesn't come inside. Amber then explains to Brad outside that Chelsea bullied her at school. Bullying and how to deal with it is a huge part of Amber's online content. When Mia walks up awkward Brad introduces her to Amber. Amber hugs Mia, before pointing out that Brad and Mia used to be an item. Brad excuses himself to go to an appraisal with Dane. Amber then pronounces he clearly hasn't got over Mia. Despite Amber's uncritical view of George and her antipathy towards Neil and Susan, Mia invites her for a walk on Friday. Later, Brad and Mia force mortified Chelsea to accept Amber's bullying claims. Mia then offers Chelsea the chance of reconciliation with Amber by inviting Chelsea along on Friday too.Dane shows Oliver some sketches he's had done, depicting how the fete will look at Grey Gables. Oliver's amazed Lynda agreed to it being relocated, warning Dane to watch out when Lynda realises what Dane is suggesting. Sure enough, Lynda is fuming when she interrupts Brad's appraisal to charge Dane with kidnapping the fete. Dane argues for the positives Grey Gables can offer, but Lynda accuses him of putting the hotel's interests above the community's. Brad fetches Oliver, whose emollient words, backed by Dane's successful booking of several rides and the Hollerton Silver Band, allow Lynda to accept the relocation – but only so long as she's allowed to organise three “village-devised events” as well.

Despite Dane having organised an International Gala in Las Vegas Lynda remains to be convinced Dane has what it takes to help with the Summer Fete. Akram however is impressed that almost every item on Lynda's To-Do list has been ticked off by Dane, who also offers to help book the elusive Hollerton Silver Band. Dane envisions the traditional English fete he has in mind, with Grey Gables' sponsorship covering costs for rides like a helter-skelter and carousel, items previously beyond their means. Even Lynda is impressed by the overall offer, especially when Dane offers Zainab's services to help with the organisation, and agrees they have a deal.Stella's taking a break from the harvest when she bumps into Jolene at the Shop. Stella can't believe the police haven't been more proactive in response to recent events, but Jolene says they don't have any proof they're connected to Markie. And Kenton is simply trying to block the whole problem out. Vince has told Jolene that Markie is out of prison on licence, so if he puts a foot wrong he'll be straight back inside. Lynda gives Stella a lift, with Monty in the back, and they talk about Stella getting another dog. Stella asks Lynda about being called “Mum” by a stepchild. Lynda's advice is to be honest and say no to Pip, if Stella doesn't feel comfortable. Lynda then confides in Stella about the sponsorship deal for the fete, making it clear that Grey Gables' role is merely supportive - they are definitely not taking it over!

Events spiral out of control at The Bull, and Pip has a surprising question to ask.

Writer Nick Warburton Director: Helen Aitken and Kim Greengrass Editor: Jeremy HoweKenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass Martyn Gibson…. Jon Glover Amber Gordon…. Charlotte Jordan George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Emma Grundy…. Emerald O'Hanrahan Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Akram Malik…. Asif Khan Azra Malik… Yasmin Wilde Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane Chaplain…. Jason Barnett

Susan makes an emotional gesture, and Oliver has a brainwave.

Akram's enthusiasm for helping with the fete begins to backfire. Azra has little sympathy for his pressed schedule, and when he asks her to cover a meeting for him while he handles a plumbing emergency, she's unimpressed. Grudgingly she capitulates and attends the meeting, and despite her insistence she's there merely as a scribe, Lynda ropes her into contributing suggestions for a big idea. When Azra floats the idea of a traditional fete, Lynda seizes on it. Akram arrives just in time to be handed a growing list of tasks—including gauging public opinion and securing sponsorship. Tracy's astounded to hear Neil's invited Martyn Gibson to her birthday party, declaring it would be a disaster. Jazzer assures her Martyn declined, but reluctantly admits he himself left the door open in case Martyn found himself free. Tracy now doesn't know where things stand. She'll have to tidy the house, and they'll need to spill into the garden for more room. When Jazzer protests the garden's a tip, Tracy instructs him to do some weeding. She's initially impressed with his idea for live music, until she realises he means Dross. For Tracy this is a step too far. Kenton considers security options at the Bull. When his first choice of staffing is unavailable, Mick volunteers his services. He can start tonight. However his over-zealous approach almost scares Jazzer away, and Kenton suggests being unobtrusive and mingling with customers might be more effective than frisking them. Mick just needs to watch and listen.

George has a confession to make, and Jazzer finds himself in sticky situation.

Akram bites off more than he can chew, and Susan fears for the future.

Justin stirs the pot, and security is tightened at the Bull.

Writer: Naylah Ahmed Director: Pip Swallow Editor: Jeremy HoweJolene Archer…. Buffy Davies Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Martyn Gibson…. Jon Glover Amber Gordon…. Charlotte Jordan Clarrie Grundy…. Heather Bell Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen Annabelle Schrivener…. Julia Hills

Eddie puts the finishing touches to his nomination of the Bull for an award. Amber comes downstairs all ready for a day's haymaking. Eddie questions her clothes choice; it can get grubby helping with the hay. Amber assures him she sees farmers all the time at work. When he realises she works at Farm Supplies he cheekily hopes for a discount. Clarrie scolds him fondly, but Amber's preoccupied with her socials. When Clarrie arrives at the hay field she's surprised to find Amber driving the tractor. Will asks how long she'll be staying at Grange Farm. Clarrie isn't sure – though she feels things aren't right between Amber and her parents. Amber comments that George misses all this, and the farm. She remembers his posts from last year and how cute and tanned he looked. That's probably when she fell for him. Eddie recalls George's last night of freedom at the farm, and is touched to hear that George recounted an anecdote to Amber about the escaped turkeys last year. Eddie can't wait for George to get home. Amber assures him that George cares about him and Clarrie a lot. As rain threatens Amber steps up, letting Eddie drive while she and Will lug the bales. Will praises Amber's work ethic. Clarrie thinks there's more to her than she lets on. Amber's delighted Oliver's said she can stay on at Grange Farm. Eddie reminds her about her apology to Neil – Clarrie won't forget the condition. Amber wonders if she can duck it, but Eddie's not sure it's a risk worth taking.

In a break from band auditions Jazzer joins Tracy in the beer garden, where Tortoise the cat is happy to be fed a morsel of chicken as a treat. Tracy can't believe Jazzer thought Martyn was having an affair with Lilian. They agree Martyn needs cheering up; a new girlfriend might help. Ed and Fallon mull over the band members they've seen so far. None of them seem right and Ed comments they're making him feel old. He wonders ruefully if they're past the ‘band' stage. Later with their last prospect a no-show they admit defeat. They wish they could locate their original member, Ash. Jazzer produces an old publicity photo they reminisce. When he plays a cassette of their music as well, it proves too much and Fallon begs him to turn it off. She and Ed agree they were awful, but Jazzer insists they had raw talent. When their only half suitable auditionee turns them down due to ‘musical differences', they see the funny side and decide to have a jam for old times' sake. Eddie's still complaining about the Bull food. Jolene wonders if something's upset him, but Ed backs his dad up. The customer has to have what they want. Jolene grits her teeth and changes Eddie's meal. When he finds a chair too wobbly, Jolene's had enough, and Ed tells his dad to come clean. They admit Eddie's been testing the level of service – there's a pub award up for grabs and he's nominated the Bull! And they've passed all his tests with flying colours.

Clarrie puts her foot down, and Jazzer struggles to maintain boundaries.

Emma's plan backfires, and Eddie is up to something.

There's a shock for Susan, and Lilian offers the benefit of her experience.

WRITER: Naylah Ahmed DIRECTOR: Julie Beckett EDITOR: Jeremy HoweHelen Archer…. Louiza Patikas Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams Usha Franks…. Souad Faress Martyn Gibson…. Jon Glover Clarrie Grundy…. Heather Bell George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen Amber Gordon…. Charlotte Jordan Annabelle Schrivener…. Julia Hills

Neil finds himself under attack and Lilian has concerns

Justin's suspicions are aroused, and Jazzer is not happy.

Brad scrolls through Amber's posts online while listening to George on the phone, boasting about his gorgeous girlfriend. When Brad mentions Tilly Button George is scathing – Amber is in a different league. Brad reckons George should slow down, but George insists that Amber is the one. She gets him like no one else does. George then asks Brad to retrieve the t-shirt from his room that he was wearing when Amber first saw him. She wants to wear it next time she visits. Outside No. 1 The Green Brad remembers Amber from school, telling her she looks really different, but Amber shuts him down. Once inside Brad becomes irritated by Amber's patronising attitude, reminding her how she used to look at school before she grabs the t-shirt and goes.Usha drives Kenton to the police station, having persuaded them to let him do the Identification again. She gives him a pep talk, but Kenton just wants it all to be over. Afterwards, Kenton buys Usha lunch, telling her he definitely identified the right man. He'd still rather not give evidence in court though. Harrison warned Kenton that the defence team will more than likely use him bottling out the first time to discredit him. Usha mulls over the pros and cons of what Kenton has done, before concluding it demonstrates Kenton's strength of character in overcoming his fears. But the only way to stop Markie and his gang from doing this to someone else is by giving evidence. Kenton agrees, saying that it would put an end to the nightmare of shame he's been suffering.

During her interview at The Bull Joy admits her catering industry experience is limited, while Kenton's attention is elsewhere. Joy clearly has the passion, and Fallon is supportive. But when Kenton leaves abruptly, followed by concerned Fallon, Joy is left with Tracy, who fills her in on Kenton's troubled weekend after the ID parade. Joy then comes to the rescue as the pub is inundated with roadworkers wanting sandwiches and Tracy can't cope on her own. Meanwhile, outside in the car park, Kenton confesses to being haunted by the dog that attacked him. Fallon's sympathetic, suggesting he take some time out, but Kenton can't - they're far too busy. Fallon then helps Joy complete the order for the roadworkers and is very impressed by the way Joy coped and stuck to their house style: classy but not fussy. Joy recommends Usha to Kenton for helpful advice on legal matters, before Fallon offers Joy the job, with Kenton's backing.At school dinner time Clarrie tells Henry she's getting much less grief from the kids now she's being more assertive. Henry agrees, having seen her in action. But later Henry tells Helen he's worried Clarrie might have overdone things and become too outspoken. Clarrie then turns up at Beechwood with an apple bake for Natasha and the girls, taking the opportunity to offer Henry a lift home from school, if ever he needs one. That's a step too far for Henry, who confides in Helen that he fears he may just have helped create a monster!

While watching the cricket against Greenbury Usha tells Joy she just needs to be herself at her interview tomorrow for the kitchen job at The Bull and she'll be fine. On the field Henry is last man out, while Brad can't stop sneezing. As the players come in for tea Clarrie appears upset when Helen asks how her dinner lady job is going. Henry tells Helen he saw some older kids at school being rude to Clarrie when she told them to sit down, but didn't intervene because it would have made things worse. When Henry goes Clarrie tells Helen how humiliating the incident was. She always thought she was good at supervising kids, but this generation don't have any respect. After the match Henry tells Clarrie that the only way to deal with those kids is to be firm and not take any nonsense. Clarrie is doubtful she can do that, but Henry reminds her what she was like at Bridge Farm, never a passenger. Do the same at school and she'll be fine. Brad tells Usha and Joy he hasn't got hay fever, but Tracy's accused him of getting the Ambridge score wrong. The Greenbury scorer, Terence, agrees with Brad's tally, but both Usha and Joy remember a second four hit by Will while Brad left the score box to blow his nose and Terence took over. Later, Terence claims he missed the extra four by mistake and has rectified it. But the extra runs don't alter the fact that Ambridge lost and Brad has hay fever!

Writer: Shaun McKenna Director: Dave Payne Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Pip Archer….. Daisy Badger Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond Emma Grundy…. Emerald O'Hanrahan George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd Amber Gordon…. Charlotte Jordan

Will attempts to look on the bright side, and Ed's feelings are hurt.

Brian throws down the gauntlet and Emma has the rug pulled from under her.

Jolene has serious concerns and Jazzer takes a stroll down memory lane.

The past returns to haunt Kenton and Stella struggles professionally.

Lynda needs a miracle and the pressure is on at the Bull.

Writer: Katie Hims Director: Pip Swallow Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming Martyn Gibson…. Jon Glover Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Jim Lloyd…. John Rowe Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen

The pressure is on for Stella, and Alice opens up.