It's great to be back. My apologies for the long silence. We've had to take time out to resolve a few issues with the BBC. They were understandably concerned that our cover design and title might give the impression that my book was an official Archers publication. It isn't, of course, it's a memoir covering, not only my 34 years as a writer on the series, but a lot else besides. Not least the struggle to find a place for nature in our increasingly embattled countryside.

 

I'm delighted to say we've now reached an accommodation with the BBC. It's taken rather longer than I'd expected. It was starting to look like an even longer project than one of Lynda Snell's famous seasonal productions. But now we're back on track. Underneath The Archers will be out next year, its content unchanged. It'll have the same rich mix of engaging stories of Ambridge and its characters, and also of my campaign for nature around the farms and fields of Britain. I can't wait to share them with you.

 

Through Christmas and into the New Year I'll be posting regular updates, on this page and in social media. I'm looking forward to keeping you updated on progress towards our launch target. I'm also planning to share my thoughts on some of the current storylines, perhaps even throwing in a few memories of similar stories we've done in the past. One thing you can say for sure. In a village with such a rich cast of characters – and where events seem sometimes to unfold at breakneck speed – the chances are it'll have happened before.

 

So thank-you for your loyal support and for coming with me this far. If you've got friends who are Archers fans, please tell them about the project, especially if they're interested in seeing nature return to our countryside. Our friends in Ambridge can help make this happen. It's all in the book. Please help me get it to the bookstalls. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Graham