Find out what's going on behind the scenes in Ambridge
Supporting acts: Jane Pritchard
17 April 2008
The latest in our occasional series, in which we shine the spotlight on the people who make the daily series.
Jane Pritchard
What part do you play in village life?
I'm responsible for looking after both the financial and organisational side of the Archers office which includes dealing with the scriptwriters' and actors' contracts, sorting expenses and any problems they might have. I also organise the monthly script meetings and long-term script meeting venues and am responsible for coordinating the annual schedule for studio recordings and deadlines for things like for script delivery and casting. It's also my job to coordinate the broadcast assistants in the office in terms of things like workload, leave and the smooth running of the office.
How did you end up in Ambridge? I've worked here for nearly 25 years! I started at Pebble Mill on a three week temporary contract in the personnel department and then worked on the programme Pebble Mill At One as a production secretary. I've also worked for BBC Radio 2, for the head of network radio and was a scheduler in the film unit before joining the Archers in 1983.
What do you like best about your job?
After all these years I still feel fortunate to work on the programme and enjoy it as much as I do. The cast have become friends over the years, as have the production team.
Who is your favourite character/s?
Of course it's hard to choose when there are so many good characters - but I really do enjoy the interjection of humour mixed with the more gritty storylines.
Why?
I think that because the writing team is so established they have a great knowledge of the characters that they write storylines for. They've created some wonderful relationships between characters.
What character would you most like to play?
Jill Archer - because she's likes to look after everyone. Otherwise I'd like to be Lilian because she's good fun and enjoys life (when she's not falling out with Matt!)
What's been your favourite storyline in The Archers?
The ongoing saga of Brian and Jennifer, because it reflects the dilemmas that many families face.
What's been your most memorable moment?
Taking my dear friends Margot Boyd (Mrs Antrobus) and Jack May (Nelson Gabriel) out for dinner and squeezing them both into my two-door car at their ripe old ages. They were hilarious and it was fascinating spending time listening to all their tales.
What would you most like to see in Ambridge?
The return of a wine bar like Nelson's rather than everyone having to go to the Bull all the time.
If you weren't production co-ordinator for the Archers what would you be doing?
Spending more quality time with my family.
And finally - what are you most proud of?
My children, Charlie and Frankie and of course, Andrew my husband.
The latest in our occasional series, in which we shine the spotlight on the people who make the daily series.
