Which Of These Two Communities Inspired “The Archers”

Rippingdale in Lincolnshire and Inkberrow in Worcestershire. Two communities in two very different parts of the country, but joined by their reputations of representing the very best of “Middle England” that advertisers love to promote.

But their names are also spoken in the same sentences these days, because of a simmering row over which has the greater claim to being the inspiration behind the world famous BBC radio serial, “The Archers”.

Inkberrow - or is it Ambridge ?

Inkberrow has always maintained that it had a strong case, because not only did the soap opera’s creator live nearby, but the BBC has been so convinced of Inkberrow’s claim that it uses its landmarks for publicity shots for the Radio 4 show.

But there has been a ruffling of rural feathers emanating from the other side of the Midlands in Rippingdale, as a result of statements made by historian Jim Latham who has said that it is his opinion that there is conclusive proof that Godfrey Baseley, who created The Archers, meant for Ambridge to resemble Rippingale.

But what about Inkberrow ? Well, he argues that Inkberrow was chosen for publicity pictures simply because it is close to BBC Birmingham, where the show is recorded.

Needless to say, Inkberrow’s community leaders bat away this argument with the ease of an Andy Murray backhand volley. They have dismissed their rival village’s claim as ‘bonkers’. Both, in particular, assert that their local ale house is the inspiration for the Bull pub in the soap.

Back to Mr. Latham who says that the original idea for the series came from Rippingale farmer Henry Burtt when he met Mr Baseley in 1946 while he was producing a show called Farm Visit.
Two years later when Mr Burtt was invited to a BBC conference in Birmingham, he is alleged to have said it should commission a farming version of Dick Barton, the special agent serial. Mr Latham concludes by claiming that Mr Baseley was so taken up with the proposal that he travelled back to Rippingale to have a proper tour, and would have visited the local pub – The Bull Inn.

‘It does not take any stretch of the imagination to picture them in the Bull in Rippingale talking over their ideas,’ said Mr Latham. ‘He began designing and building the Archers family and Ambridge from that moment.’

For their part, Inkberrow residents point to an investigation by Countryfile Magazine two years ago which found that Ambridge’s Bull pub was based on Inkberrow’s Old Bull and the fictional Brookfield farm was inspired by Summerhill Farm run by Mr Baseley’s sister-in-law in nearby Hanbury.

So Inkberrow continues to beat off the conjecture. Both sides steadfastly defend their respective positions. So perhaps we should try and seek the opinion of someone slightly more impartial.

Hedli Niklaus of The Archers Addicts fan club said the rural setting was ‘left to the imagination’ of listeners, but added: ‘I think Godfrey would say it’s set in the West Midlands.’

                                       http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qpgr

                                                  http://www.inkberrow.org.uk/

                                               http://www.rippingalevillage.co.uk/