29/09/2026

The Archers

The episode centers on a dispute over a proposed dog field on BL land, which Brian Aldridge opposes due to previous livestock losses. Simult

Key takeaways

• Lynda and Robert propose a secure dog and dog field on BL land to utilize non-agricultural space.
• Brian Aldridge rejects the proposal, citing a previous incident where dogs killed Brookfield sheep.

Main topics

• Dog field proposal
• BL Land management

Notable quotes

The whole idea is completely absurd.

Conclusion

The episode highlights the tension between business innovation and tra

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:00) This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Welcome to the Haunted Library. Have you come in search of a tale? This podcast invites you to browse the shelves and find stories that will linger long after you've left this place. From gothic masterpieces to pulpy penny dreadfuls, join me, Colin Morgan, with new episodes twice a week. Find The Haunted Library wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to Tuesday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4. Speaker 6 (1:01) Cold snap. Seems to have got them going. Look Speaker 5 (1:03) at the span on those antlers. Magnificent. Afternoon. Ah, hello, Ed. You got a minute to talk? Speaker 7 (1:10) No, not really, Martin. Brian, the engineer's due. Ah, yes. Now, can you make sure he checks the chopping Speaker 6 (1:17) drum, please? Speaker 7 (1:18) Yeah, yeah, I will do. Speaker 6 (1:19) He's hoping it's dry next week. Yes, Speaker 5 (1:22) of course. May's harvest. Ed, wait a second. Speaker 7 (1:25) Sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush, Martin. Speaker 4 (1:27) Good afternoon, gentlemen. Hello, Speaker 6 (1:29) Linda. Hi. See Speaker 4 (1:30) you later, everyone. Bye. Speaker 6 (1:32) You do know Ed's a grandpa now, Linda? Yes, Speaker 4 (1:35) I have. Speaker 6 (1:36) Is he? Yeah, best job in the world. Speaker 4 (1:39) And how are you and yours, Brian? Speaker 6 (1:41) Good. It was Xander's birthday last week. I bought him this neat little kid's gardening station. Speaker 4 (1:48) Oh, what a novel idea. Speaker 6 (1:50) Can't wait to hear what he thinks. Speaker 5 (1:52) You can always rely on children to be brutally honest. What Speaker 4 (1:57) can I do for you, Linda, as you come to see me, I presume? Yes. Now, I understand from Kate she's spoken to you about my and Robert's idea. Oh, what's this? Well, you may have heard we're winding down the B &B. Yeah, Speaker 5 (2:11) I was sorry to hear Speaker 4 (2:12) that. Well, it's needs must. And I'm not aware as to whether Kate's imparted all the details, Brian, so... Perhaps I should summarise. Speaker 6 (2:23) Go ahead. Speaker 4 (2:24) Well, we're looking for a piece of land to set up a contained dog field. Dog field? That's right. A safe and secure area for people to exercise their dogs off-lead. Speaker 5 (2:35) Ah, like the one over by the church in Darrington? Yes, they're proving very popular. And Speaker 6 (2:40) you're Speaker 4 (2:40) proposing to set up this dog field where, exactly? If it were of interest to you, we wondered if you might have some suitable land for it. I see. And my outlay? Would be setting up the infrastructure. Which would be? Deer fencing, so the dogs wouldn't be able to dig their way out. Water supply, my contacts say it's a must. And Robert and I would handle all the business affairs, of course. And you would just have to provide some initial investment. Right. So what do you think? You want to Speaker 6 (3:14) know what I think? Absolutely. I think the whole idea is completely absurd. Speaker 4 (3:19) I beg your pardon? Speaker 6 (3:20) If you think I'm going to let dogs roam wild on my land after what happened here to Brookfield's sheep, you must be living on another planet. Speaker 5 (3:29) No, no, no, steady on. Speaker 6 (3:30) No, no, no, no. I don't think Linda's quite grasped the severity of what happened here. Your dog killed livestock on this land. I'm aware of that, Brian. Ravaged them. Brookfield lost a huge amount financially. Why on earth would I allow unleashed dogs here? It will be a secure space, that's the point. But how would that look? Me, investing in something like that? I wouldn't be able to look David Archer in the eye ever again. I think Speaker 5 (3:57) Linda and Robert are trying