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‘The Archers’, most famous of all B.B.C. serials, has brought the life of the English countryside, realistically and convincingly, to millions of listeners. The fortunes of the Archer family and their neighbours, the problems and joys of rural life, are followed as eagerly as though the characters are relatives and friends of those for whose entertainment they have been created. Geoffrey Webb and Edward Mason, scriptwriters of the series, have written a story about Ambridge and its people which will delight both those who already know the Archers and those who have never heard the programme. Harry Lane’s stub born persistence in training his daughter Barbara to be a champion horsewoman and his neglect of his farm in order to buy better and still better horses for her is not merely a matter of concern for his creditors but one that affects the happiness of his wife and friends. In such a closely-knit community it is felt that it is up to everyone to help in some way, whether in bringing sympathy and womanly advice to Madge Lane—as Doris Archer does, or in showing Harry that he is behaving foolishly whilst still helping him out of a tight spot, as Dan Archer does. And, of course, the older people always have plenty to do in smooth ing the course of the youngsters’ love affairs—particularly that of Barbara Lane and Jimmy Bryant. The Ambridge folk are a true mirror of the English way of life and of those unobtrusive but powerful English qualities of kindness, simplicity and neighbourly understanding. 10s 6d NET This novel about the Archer family, known to millions through B.B.C. serials, tells of new events at Ambridge. Harry Lane is determined to make his daughter, Barbara, a champion horsewoman and neglects his farm. Dan and Doris Archer come to the help of the Lane family and smooth the course of love for the younger people in the village. ♦ . THE ARCHERS INTERVENE Books by Geoffrey Webb and Edward J. Mason THE ARCHERS OF AMBRIDGE THE ARCHERS INTERVENE THE ARCHERS INTERVENE A New Story oj the Ambridge Folk by GEOFFREY WEBB and EDWARD ]. MASON WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD Melbourne :: LONDON :: Toronto FIRST PUBLISHED 1956 PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN AT THE WINDMILL PRESS KINGSWOOD, SURREY ONE “Glad you came, love?” Dan Archer glanced at his wife and tipped back his best trilby, relaxing, enjoying himself in spite of the corner of his mind that con tinually went over the things at Brookfield Farm which might have been done today and would certainly have to be done tomorrow. “Grand day for the show, eh?” Doris nodded. She was watching a big grey horse taking the last two fences in the open jumping class. They were fairly close together, and for a big horse it was a difficult moment. A gasp and a burst of applause came from the crowd as the horse brushed the last fence and cleared. The rider sprawled forward on her mount’s neck, nearly off, but recovered and cantered the mare happily out of the ring. “It’s that young Simpson girl from near Hollerton,” Doris said, joining the applause. “She didn’t do badly. Only four faults.” “Still leaves Barbara Lane the winner,” Dan com mented. “You’ve got to be good to take points off that young lady. Now, how about a bit of grub, Doris? Where’s Walter and Mrs. Perkins?” “Dunno. They went off on their own.” As a metallic, disembodied voice announced the winners of the last event over the public address system—Barbara Lane, first, on Tantrum, runner up, 2 THE A R C H E R S I N T E R V E N E Betty Simpson on Grey Moon—Doris got up from her ringside seat, careful not to disarrange the folded rug over the car’s headlamp which had provided her with a comfortable back rest all day, and busied herself at the car luggage boot. The black circle of spectators around the arena was in benign mood. The day promised well from the start and the mellow autumn sunshine that warmed them later in the afternoon added an unwonted air of gaiety to the show. Borchester Horse Show, held by tradition in the long meadow between the London road and the river on the outskirts of town, was the last of the season for miles around—one last day for a competitor to vindicate a summer’s faith in a mount that had not performed too well, or to snatch a pound or two in prize money from opposition, the strength of which one had learned only too intimately in the past few months. To the wiseacres who thought they could forecast every result each event was a foregone conclusion— and none would admit there had been surprises. But to the majority of people it was a day out, a chance to watch relatives and friends ride, to gossip with acquaint ances from neighbouring villages, to nod wisely about the harvest and wonder about the winter. There was an intermingling of friends and families, an interchange of gossip, prejudices and humour from Nettleboume and Penny Hassett, Hollerton and Felpersham, Welverton and Ambridge. “Here, Dan, you get the thermos opened.”