The Archers turns 75 with Radio 4 celebrations

BBC Radio 4 is marking 75 years of The Archers with a full day of special programmes and drama centred on the long-running rural serial.

First broadcast on 1 January 1951, The Archers will be celebrated across BBC Radio 4 with themed editions, a one-off drama and the first ever Radio 4 transmission of The Archers Podcast.

The centrepiece of the schedule is a 45-minute drama airing at 19:15, immediately after the evening episode, which explores the aftermath of a dramatic New Year’s Eve attack in Ambridge, with Claire Skinner appearing as a special guest. At 20:00, The Archers Podcast makes its Radio 4 debut, with Emma Freud and guests reacting to the latest developments and taking listeners behind the scenes of the programme.

To mark the anniversary, the current cast has also recreated the opening scene from the very first episode. Timothy Bentinck, Felicity Finch, Daisy Badger, Ben Norris and Wilf Scolding step into the roles of the original Archer family, gathering in the kitchen at Brookfield Farm to welcome the New Year. The original 1951 recording no longer exists, making this a rare chance to hear the scene brought back to life.

The anniversary celebrations extend beyond drama, with special features planned across programmes including Woman’s Hour and This Week in History, reflecting on the lasting appeal of life in Ambridge.

Originally devised to share modern farming ideas with rural communities, The Archers has evolved to reflect changing social issues, while remaining rooted in everyday village life. As part of the anniversary, episodes will now remain available on BBC Sounds for five years after broadcast, extending the previous listening window.

Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya said the programme continues to reflect social change while portraying rural life. Editor Jeremy Howe added that its ability to attract new listeners alongside long-term fans is central to its enduring appeal.

 

 

·                Jack and Peggy Archer become licensees of Ambridge’s local pub, The Bull, in 1952.

·                Only five months after her marriage to Phil, Grace Archer is killed in a fire at the stables in 1955. The episode drew record numbers of listeners.

·                The end of the decade heralds the start of a new generation: twins Kenton and Shula are born in August 1958 and September 1959 sees the arrival of David Archer.

·                A 20-acre golf course arrives in Ambridge as self-made businessman Jack Woolley from nearby Birmingham continues his development of the country club, Grey Gables

·                22 year-old Jennifer shocks her parents in 1967 when she announces that she is pregnant. She refuses to name the father but he is later revealed to be farmhand Paddy Redmond.

·                At the end of the sixties, after years at the helm of Brookfield farm, Dan Archer retires, and he and Doris make preparations to move to Glebe Cottage.

·                Jack Archer has struggled with alcoholism for many years. He enters a clinic in Scotland in 1971 where he is treated for liver damage, but sadly dies in 1972.

·                Wedding bells chime in 1971 for Lilian and the wealthy Ralph Bellamy, in 1974 for Pat and Tony, and in 1976 for Jennifer and Brian.

·                Ambridge celebrates The Queen’s Silver Jubilee by lighting a beacon on Lakey Hill.

·                The Archers welcomes its first royal visit when HRH Princess Margaret attends a charity fashion show at Grey Gables.

·                Love is in the air in the eighties as Eddie proposes to Clarrie, and Neil to a pregnant Susan.

·                Others face hardships including bankruptcy for Mike Tucker following an outbreak of TB in the cattle at Willow Farm, and Grange Farm has its first case of a mysterious new cattle disease, BSE.

·                Susan Carter is given a six month jail sentence for harbouring a criminal, her brother Clive Horrobin, who was on the run following his armed robbery of the village shop.

·                A tragic accident claims the life of John Archer, Pat and Tony’s eldest son. He dies in 1998 whilst working the fields when his vintage tractor overturns.

·                During their eco-warrior youth, Tom Archer and then girlfriend Kirsty Miller take action on Home Farm destroying a field of GM crops.

·                The decade sees several characters face ill health. Ruth struggles with breast cancer and a subsequent mastectomy. Sadly for Siobhan Hathaway her cancer is terminal, and she dies in May 2007. The 2000s also see Jack Woolley diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and despite Peggy’s initial misgivings eventually the family move him into Ambridge care home, The Laurels.

·                Love is in the air but it isn’t always simple. The 2000s rock with the Ed, Emma and Will love triangle; Brian and Siobhan embark on an affair; and a passionate kiss in a polytunnel marks the start of Adam and Ian’s relationship.

·                A community-run enterprise saves Ambridge’s Village Shop from closure.

·                Tragedy marks the start of the decade for The Archers when Nigel Pargetter falls to his death from the roof of Lower Loxley Hall.

·                2013 sees the arrival of Rob Titchener, the start of his relationship with Helen Archer, and a dramatic storyline which would make the headlines. Exploring the issue of coercive control, Rob subjects Helen to months of abuse behind closed doors which would drive her close to the edge. By 2016 Helen has found the courage to leave Rob but as an argument escalates, she stabs him. A nail-biting trial sees Helen face charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent. The audience breathe a collective sigh of relief when she is found not guilty.

·                Ambridge bids farewell to a loveable rogue in 2019 when, after the annual cider pressing party at Grange Farm, Joe Grundy dies peacefully in his sleep.

·                A devastating explosion at Grey Gables during renovation works almost costs the life of Lynda Snell. Unbeknownst to the village, the labourers involved have been enslaved by newcomers to Ambridge, Philip Moss and his son Gavin.

·                For the first time in its history The Archers records scenes remotely with the cast at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. After several months, production returns to the studio in Birmingham with numerous safety precautions. A socially distanced studio set up sees far fewer cast members in the studio at any one time. With exception of only three weeks interruption – during which highlights from the archive are broadcast – The Archers is the only serial drama to continue in the UK.

·                The Archers celebrates its 70th anniversary on 1 January 2021.

·                In March 2021 Martha Carter is born to Alice and Chris. It’s a ray of hope in Alice’s dark world of alcoholism which has threatened to spiral out of control.

·                January 2023 sees the death of Archers icon Jennifer Aldridge, sending shockwaves through the family and setting back daughter Alice even further.

·                In May 2024 George Grundy crashes a car into the River Am, almost killing three people. The repercussions for the village are far reaching, as George attempts to cover up his guilt. He’s eventually sent to prison for a year.

·                A sewage spill at Bridge Farm puts livelihoods at risk and causes a temporary state of chaos in the village.

·                Oldest Ambridge resident Peggy Woolley dies in May 2025 at the age of 100. The actor who played her and who appeared in the very first episode, June Spencer, had retired several years earlier aged 103.

·                 The 2020s see guest appearances and cameos from stars including Rylan Clark, Hugh Dennis and Feargal Sharkey.