‘The Archers’ began as propaganda

Press, 13 September 1982, Page 18

‘The Archers’ began as propaganda

From DIANA DEKKER in London

Soap opera or propaganda? The 8.8.C/S "The Archers." to finish in New Zedaland on September 30. began as both — though it started out more on the side of propaganda and tended more towards soap opera as it aged. It was dreamed up not long after World War II ended at a time when Britain desperately needed to increase its’ food production. ■lts instigator was Godfrey Basely, who w r as then producing agricultural programmes at the 8.8.C.'s Midland region studio at Birmingham. He was concerned that not enough farmers — ■and particularly the smaller farmers — were listening to his agricultural programmes. Mr Basely had been a staff speaker with the wartime Ministry of Information. “The Archers" was kicked off with a meeting of farmers on June 3. 1948. They were asked if they had any bright ideas for getting agriculture across. A Mr Henry Burtt from Lincolnshire suggested that what was needed was “a

passengers that I was over the aisle from the new Dan Archer, and that this was his big day — his introduction to the press. He was. like me. travelling British Rail second class — which requires a reduced sense of smell and a close examination of the seat before sitting. The new Dan Archer, incognito, was an ageing man with papers in one hand, dining on British Rail sandwiches in Gladwrap and British Rail coffee in a paper cup. He had a wellworn look, a tweed hat, a checked jacket and a yellow cravat. I learnt at the press conference that he was Frank Middlemass, 63, a bachelor, of London, who was the fourth Dan Archer in the 33-year-old serial. New Zealanders will never hear him. Their last words will come from the third Dan Archer, Edgar Harrison. I gather that “The Archers" evokes feelings of either fondness or disgust in British radio-listeners — but three million tune in all the same. Whatever its appeal, it rates a fair mention in the

farming Dick Barton." The farmers reputedly guffawed, but Mr Basely saw the potential. Dick Barton w r as a radio serial hero who had an almost fanatical audience of four million. It was two years before "The Archers," starring Mr Dan Archer of Brookfield Farm, Ambridge (he narrowly missed being Mr Dan Archer of Wimberton Farm, Little Twittington) was on the way. In Whit week, 1950, listeners to the Midland Home Service first heard about the farming family in the little Dorsetshire village of Ambridge. The Archer family was made up of Daniel and Doris, their three children. Jack, Philip and Christine, and their daughter-in-law, Jack’s wife Peggy. The only other Ambridge inhabitants heard during that week were Daniel's farmhand, Simon Cooper, and a near neighbour, Walter Gabriel. Dan Archer, played first by Harry Oakes, was described on his 8.8. C. filing card of character and events

British press. There were almost 20 journalists at the "new Dan" press conference. The journalists, perfectly pressed and co-ordinated to a man — engaged in earnest conversation with Mr Middlemass one after the other. I heard him tell several of them: "I'm really looking forward to getting my feet under the table at ‘The Bull ." He won the role from fierce opposition. There were 18 other applicants who made it to the interview stage. He last played in the West End production, “Little Foxes,” starring Elizabeth Taylor, and has spent several years with the Old Vic Company and the Bristol Old Vic. Television and radio both broadcast widely the news of his appointment. London's "Standard" said that night that his choice had ended “weeks of speculation" over whether Dan Archer would be killed off in the series. Dozens of letters had poured into the 8.8. C. on the subject, both for and against his continuation in the series.

— now a stack of cards several inches thick — as a farmer who had left the village school at 13. His religion was noted as Church of England and his politics as conservative. “Smokes a pipe — member of- the Parish Council — plays skittles for the local team — bass baritone voice — sings duets with Doris — always wears nightshirts — hates pyjamas," the now yellow and’ tattered card states. New Zealand was allowed to eavesdrop on the goings on in Ambridge in 1959. Now, for New Zealand, it is nearly all over. On September 30 it will end with the words: “Come on Granddad, it’s time to go home.” Just to make you weep, Dan Archer, the granddad and patriarch of Ambridge, 85, asures his grand-daugh-ter, Sheila, that “wild daffodils will still be growing

“The Times’” Sunday edition of August 15 (the day before the press conference) had urged, in an editorial: “Don’t die, Dan." “Resist the temptation," it told the 8.8. C. "There has been too much bereavement in Ambridge lately. It seems only yesterday that the Grim Reaper came for doris, Dan’s wife." And, “What’s 85 in the unpolluted air of a makebelieve 8.8. C. village?” How right “The Times” was in its supposition of “unpolluted air" in the land of Ambridge. “The Archers" is made quickly and cleanly — 10 episodes a week, three a day,, on the days that' the cast are assembled, as they were when I was there. First ’ they read the script in a rehearsal room, and then they adjourn to a studio to read their scripts for any necessary editing before the final recording is made. Anything that does not sound as warm and friendly as Ambridge should be is altered. Anything which could be remotely construed as suggestive is lopped out of the script before the final recording. Current master-mind of Ambridge is the producer, William Smethurst, a youngish man in' jeans. He is helped by three young women who seem to be every shade between office girls and co-producers. There is a farming expert, Tony Parkin, 8.8. C. agricultural editor, who goes over each script to check on agricultural details. There are 40 in the cast. I asked a group of them, lunching in the 8.8. C. bar, if they were, away' from the microphone, one big happy family. “As far as families go. we

along the Am next April and those bells” — background chiming — “will ring out year after year." That very, very, last episode for New Zealand listeners was made specially about a month ago, just before Edgar Harrison, who olayed Dan, died. In real life le was 77. 1 went to Birmingham, to the 8.8. C. studios in Pebble Mill Road, to see where "The Archers” is made. A place less likely to be the scene of country farming can hardly be imagined. The British Rail train — late — rushed through brick-hard housing estates on the outskirts of Birmingham to drop its passengers in a vast underground shopping complex which seemed designed to trap rather than entice its customers. Little did I know as I discreetly studied the train

are happy." said Heather Bell, who plays the barmaid at "The Bull." "There’s always a cantankerous uncle somewhere in a family." said Jack May. who plays Nelson Gabriel, and lias done for 30 years. He described himself as being "not quite an original." They all' professed to be sad that New Zealand was "a gem being snatched away" with the end of "The .Archers" there. New Zealanders must be sad too. Several of them have taken the trouble to write to the 8.8. C. in Brimingham. their letters arriving with the hundreds from British viewers who \vrite in week after week as if "The Archers" is really true. “Some of the New Zealand letters have been really sweet," a production assistant, Diane Culverstone, told me. “Here, open this one." From Mount Roskill, Auckland, the letter read: "Dear Sirs, on arriving in this country 20 years ago I was surprised to find that

‘The Archers' was broadcast and because it was a reminder of home I too became a follower. Now, Radio New Zealand due to costcutting has decided to shelve 'The Archers’ — a great pity as they have given me many years of pleasure and I'm certain many other listeners

too will miss the series very much. “Is there any way I could receive the series privately, g that is pay for them to be sent monthly or quarterly? Does the BBC. transmit them in its overseas service? If so on what wave length would I find them, what day

and time? "If. as I feel sure is the case, there is no way I shall be able to hear the programme. then may I take this opportunity to thank all actors and presenters for the many hours I have enjoyed the series." The letter was typical, and

correct in the assumption that there was nothing much the 8.8. C. could do. However, there would be nothing to stop any windfall at Radio New Zealand being used to set the Ambridge community in action again in New Zealand. They are great survivors in Ambridge.