The Men of Ambridge

Welcome to the fifth series in the annual podcast programme from Academic Archers, bringing you papers from our 2024 conference.

This episode shares the three papers from the session The Men of Ambridge, exploring fathers and sons, brothers, and shifting ideas of masculinity in the village.

He’s his father’s son – in word or deed? - Katharine Hoskyn & Deborah Miller

“Every father should remember one day his son will follow his example, not his advice,” said Charles F. Kettering. This paper considers how far that holds true in Ambridge. It explores patterns of behaviour across three generations of male Archers and Grundys, focusing on Ben and Josh Archer, Tom Archer, and George Grundy.

While much academic work highlights similarities between mothers and daughters, this research asks whether father–son connections in Ambridge are stronger than we might assume.

• Katharine Hoskyn lives in rural New Zealand and manages research at Auckland University of Technology. Her academic background spans social science, business and sport, with a focus on community issues. A listener since 1968, she is also part of the Archers Cats online community.
• Deborah Miller is based in the North East of England and works in the health sector, having previously worked in local government. With a background in history, politics and leadership studies, she has listened to The Archers since 1978.

‘A man had two sons’: A sort of sermon on Luke 15v11 - Jonathan Hustler

Sibling rivalry is a theme running through myths, scripture, and The Archers alike. From Kenton and David to Rex and Toby, the storylines echo biblical and cultural archetypes that raise questions of fairness and loyalty.

Drawing on the Prodigal Son parable and Genesis narratives, this paper reflects on how rivalries in Ambridge invite listeners to take sides while leaving space for unresolved endings, just as the Bible’s stories do.

• Jonathan Hustler is a Methodist Minister who has taught Church History and Practical Theology. He currently serves as Secretary of The Methodist Conference.

The Playboy, the Father, the Scholar and the Brute: Ambridge Masculinities in Historical Perspective - Jessica Meyer

Recent storylines have brought masculinity in Ambridge under scrutiny, with George Grundy’s behaviour framed as toxic and Ben Archer’s breakdown raising questions of fragility. But crises of masculinity are not new.

This paper situates these characters, alongside Freddie Pargeter and Brad Horrobin, within a longer history of social anxiety about manhood, from post-war Britain to modern cultural debates. Using historical and sociological theory, it argues that Ambridge’s young men may be more complex than the labels suggest.

• Jessica Meyer is Professor of British Social and Cultural History at the University of Leeds. She specialises in the gender history of the First World War and has published extensively on masculinity, history and popular culture. She also co-presents Oh! What a Lovely Podcast.

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