Archers fans can buy part of farm where it was originally written The money will be used to secure sustainable farming methods, protect the natural environment around the working site and provide jobs on the lan., as well as "preserving the original Archers" farm." The 150-acre farm is said to be the original inspiration for The Archers, which was written and recorded there in the early 1950s. It has since gone on to become the world's longest-running soap opera, with 17,000 episodes broadcast since it began. Billed as the "everyday story of country folk," the show is set in the fictional Midlands village of Ambridge and currently reaches audiences of around 5 million listeners. Sebastian Parsons, co-owner of the farm, has now called the initiative an "inspirational farming model" which will secure the area for future generations. "A traditional farm is not a line on a balance sheet," he said. It is a rich and complex resource for our children's children. When a community of shareholders buys a family farm to be held in public trust, this ensures it will be farmed sustainably for ever. We hope our model of community-trusteeship can inspire other farms to do the same. Charlotte and Ben Hollins, who piloted Brtain's first community ownership scheme at Fordhall Organic Farm, in Market Drayton, north Shropshire, added investors would help secure "organic, biodynamic farming, countryside conservation, education and public access for posterity" as well as "preserving the original Archers" farm."