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Tough and determined, Jill brought up four children at Brookfield while supplementing the family income with bed and breakfast, selling eggs and honey and at one point running a craft studio with who passed away in 2023.

A fixture of the W.I. and St Stephen’s, Jill has been a fierce campaigner on local issues but always puts family first, though her concern can sometimes come across as interfering.

When Ruth persuaded to move north, Jill’s refusal to go was a big factor in his change of heart. Her , flared with the arrival of Toby and Rex Fairbrother in 2015, nephews of the woman she’s always worried about measuring up to.

Jill was married to Phil for 52 years until his death in 2010. She now enjoys the company of dapper Leonard Berry who can often be found at Brookfield where Jill returned to in 2015. There Jill dispenses cake, roast dinners and frankly expressed opinions.

• Likes: Bee-keeping, classic films, Stir-Up Sunday
• Dislikes: Hunting, family rows, being reminded of her age
• Highs: Birth of her grandchildren, any Flower & Produce Show prize
• Lows: Losing Phil, the plan to sell Brookfield

• (Closest friend)
• (friend)
• (Sister-in-law)
• (Friend)
• Lynda Snell (Occasional foe) - Their strong opinions can sometimes collide

'Paddy' was born in Derby in 1931 when the industrial Midlands were in a slump. She has therefore always been aware of debt.

After grammar school she worked as a ward orderly in a children’s hospital and in a sheet metal firm, while fighting her desire to become an actress. In 1951 she started on a three year course at the Central School in London. This was followed by the usual stints in all kinds of rep (twice nightly and continental classical tours), various TV and a film.

After beginning in The Archers she did many radio plays and worked for several months on Crossroads. She had time out to work on Arnold Wesker’s film The Kitchen, and did stints at Birmingham and Coventry Rep. There have also been some tours of Archers plays.

She was delighted to work in twelve episodes of Call My Bluff and two performances of Doctors.

Nowadays she works mainly in The Archers. She is still stagestruck and her favourite pastime is going to the National Theatre.

• Actor - Britain is awash with huge talent. It would be impossible to choose one.
• Book - The same is true of books!
• Film - When I was a child I fell in love with Olivier’s Henry V. Today I go to ‘classical’ films at an independent cinema. Recently, I marvelled at Serafine.

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