The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.
Former minister Chris Leslie says council offered mortgages would help borrowers keep the housing market afloat.
GP and women's health expert Dr Sarah Jarvis has attacked a pilot scheme that would allow pharmacists to give women the contraceptive pill without a prescription.
Army officers in the West African state of Guinea have staged a coup attempt, but civilian and military leaders say they failed to overthrow the government. Alex Vines, head of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, says the instability could impact heavily on the whole region.
Rev David Wiley, chaplain of Royal Marines' 3 Commando Brigade in Helmand reflects on Christmas for soldiers in Afghanistan.
The Bishop of Liverpool joins religious commentator Theo Hobson to discuss the purpose served by the Church.
A Christian website has mounted a campaign against what it claims is a surreptitious attempt to change the words of Christmas carols to make them more politically correct. Robert Pigott has been studying the corrected lyrics.
Alan Rusbridger, editor of The Guardian and Andreas Whittam Smith, the first editor of The Independent, discuss what 2009 might have in store for print journalism.
The Today programme has reconvened a group of ordinary consumers from Watford to discuss how they see the next year unfolding. Six of the original 12, who met John Humphrys back in October, discuss how they see the economic downturn unfolding in 2009.
Professor John Curtice is an expert on voting and has some sage advice for the producers of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has said the international community should consider using force to get rid of the Zimbabwean leader, President Mugabe.
Aleem Maqbool has reached Bethlehem, having retraced the journey made by Joseph and Mary 2,000 years ago.
Economists Jim O'Neill and Liam Halligan discuss the government's decision to borrow and try to get us to keep spending during the economic crisis.
British troops in Iraq are preparing for their last Christmas in Basra, as the forces will withdraw by July next year. Caroline Wyatt speaks to two of them, a father and son in the Queen's Royal Hussars.
Cognitive Neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis and political commentator Tony Howard consider the importance of physique to a politician or businessman.
Susie reflects on her unshakeable passion for Judy and on the other unshakeable infatuations of her life, including an embarrassing girlhood crush on a female teacher. Then, when she finally meets Judy's daughter Liza, Susie wonders why neither of them can bring themselves even to mention her.
The dos and don'ts of wearing red. Plus, Major Janet Pilgrim on having been awarded a rare Royal Red Cross, and The Choir with No Name, Britain's first homeless choir sings live.
Martin Plimmer looks at the ever-increasing pace of life and its consequences for modern human beings. He asks how much damage we are doing to our physical and emotional health and looks at ways to stem the tide.
The actor-sleuth heads to New York for a funeral, and to pursue his investigation into a death at the BBC. Stars Bill Nighy.
A website has launched which aims to put individuals directly in touch with haulage companies, so that they can take advantage of journeys that lorries are already making. We speak to founder Robert Matthams and Kate Gibbs from the Road Haulage Association.
Urban living entrepreneur Tom Bloxham, co-founder of Urban Splash Group Ltd looks to the future.
You can't have a pay rise -but what about a fancy job title? Columnist Guy Browning is about to introduce you to a new expression.
Are we spending so much time in front of the television because we are too afraid to get out there and do something adventurous for ourselves?
The Forestry Commission is to phase out licences that allow individuals to collect wood. Chris Hawksworth has been to a wood in West Yorkshire with Rudie Humphrey of the Forestry Commission.
Steve Hewlett presents a topical programme about the fast-changing media world.
devil to steal the moon and the stars. Meanwhile,
Gogol...................... Dave Anderson
Solokha.................. Juliet Cadzow
Vakula .................... Steven McNicol
Devil ........................ Paul Thomas Hickey
Chub.................... Mark McDonnell
Oksana................... Lucy Paterson
Mayor ............. Crawford Logan
Deacon ........... Ralph Riach
Stephen Cleobury directs the choir for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge.
Laurie Taylor brings past and present together to explore the culture of the detective. He talks to criminologists Louise Westmarland and Dick Hobbs and Kate Summerscale, author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher; or, The Murder at Road Hill House. They discuss the theory and practice of detection based on Kate’s book, a gripping story of a real-life 19th century murder as well as a sociological treatise on the nature and significance of the detective in fact and fiction.
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.
The BBC's North America editor Justin Webb introduces eight of Alistair Cooke's seasonal Letters from America, broadcast in December and January over the five decades of his career and covering topics ranging from Christmas in Vermont to presidential inaugurations.
The first letter is from Christmas 2001 which for Alistair and most Americans, still recovering from the shock of the September 11th attacks, was a sombre occasion.
Comedy series in which comedian Will Smith seeks help and advice - primarily from his godfather Peter - on coping with the onset of middle age. Peter invites Fashion presenter Kathy to help Will dress better.
With Roger Allam, Morwenna Banks, Janice Acquah, Jill Cardo, Gunnar Cauthery, Lobo Chan, Donnla Hughes, Dan Starkey, Tom Wu.
Ruth is surprised when Usha turns up at The Elms, a day early, to help prepare the Christmas meal for the homeless. Usha's just glad of an excuse to be away from the vicarage; Amy's being wonderful but Mabel is really hard going. Mabel may be in charge of tomorrow's evening meal but Usha's determined that she'll be in charge of the buffet on Boxing Day.
Usha notices there's no cream in the fridge. Ruth realises David must have forgotten it. She manages to get hold of Ed who, after a word with Oliver, comes to the rescue and turns up with plenty of cream to go with the Christmas pudding.
Jazzer reckons some new piglets are okay. Unconvinced, Hannah persuades him to look again. Jazzer admits they're under-nourished and realises the sow has mastitis. This means getting the sow inside to give her a shot. Hannah reckons she could give her a shot in the run. Slyly, Jazzer challenges Hannah to try, When she succeeds easily, Jazzer compliments her on her natural skill with the pigs.
Ed's happily reading to George when Will turns up to take him to Keeper's Cottage. Will defiantly reckons they're going to have the best Christmas ever.
Mamma Mia! the movie has taken 500 million dollars in box office worldwide and broken British sales records for cinema tickets and DVDs. Julie Walters, who co-starred alongside Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, joins the writer of the original stage version, Catherine Johnson, and director Phyllida Lloyd to talk about the making of the film.
Canadian singer songwriter Leonard Cohen talks about writing his most famous song Hallelujah, at numbers one and two in the charts at Christmas, as performed by X factor winner Alexandra Burke and Jeff Buckley.
There's also operatic bass John Tomlinson on the challenges set by playing the half man half beast in Harrison Birtwhistle's new opera Minotaur; Andrea Risborough on playing a young Margaret Thatcher in BBC 4's The Long Walk to Finchley, the heroine of Channel 4's The Devil's Whore, and co-starring with Kenneth Brannagh in Chekhov's Ivanov.
Martin Creed takes Mark for a run around Tate Britain as part of his Work No 850, in a reminder of the year's very interactive exhibitions which also involved rowing across a lake on the Hayward Gallery roof, and wading ankle deep through talcom powder in the dark at Tate Modern.
Magical folk tales from Russia by Arthur Ransome, as told by Old Peter the forester to his grandchildren Vanya and Maroosia.
A kingdom and the fortunes of a young prince are thrown into disarray when a new baby is born in the palace with iron teeth, knock-knees and an uncanny resemblance to the most terrifying witch in all Russia, the Baba-Yaga.
Old Peter/Groom ...... Trevor Cooper
Vanya/Ivan ...... Harry Hughes
Maroosia/Sunsister ...... Megan Williams
Tsar ...... John Rowe
Baba-Yaga ...... Helen Longworth
Treepuller ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Mountain Thrower ...... Stephen Critchlow
Gran ...... Joan Walker.
Peter Curran presents an eclectic mix of conversation, comedy and music from the Latitude Festival.
Guests include Guillemots, Simon Day, Seasick Steve, Emma Freud and Esther Freud, Miles Jupp, Gary Dourdan and Eli 'Paperboy' Reed.
Gyles Brandreth persuades politicians to talk about their true selves: where they come from, what inspired them, their ups and downs, private fears and private lives.
Ben Elton explores a forgotten side of his greatest literary hero. PG Wodehouse wrote lyrics for hundreds of songs which appeared in many musical comedies. He worked with composers such as Jerome Kern and Cole Porter, making an invaluable contribution to the development of musical comedy on Broadway and in the West End.
David Jason reads from Dickens's festive classic. Scrooge is visited by the fearsome Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
The ups and downs of life on a fictional housing estate, told from the perspective of characters played by the comedian Phil Cornwell.
Keith drives a taxicab and lives on the Cornwell estate with his wife Hilda. He has forthright opinions on everything, but when his wife goes into hospital he is forced to re-evaluate his view of the world.
Series of comedy sketches by Emily Watson Howes set in a ladies' public toilet, featuring various female characters as they come and go.
An unattended bag left by the sinks causes panic and confusion, and Lisa tries to deal with her pushy mother.
The first Mass of Christmas is celebrated in the spectacular setting of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
In his homily, the archbishop of Liverpool the Most Rev Patrick Kelly explores how the birth of a baby into poverty and fear 2,000 years ago could have significance in our lives today.
Music includes popular traditional carols including O Come, All Ye Faithful and Haydn's St Nicholas Mass.
THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2008
THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00g23f3)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 01:11 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00g23jx)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
THU 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00g245d)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 05:30 News Briefing (b00g24bw)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00g24f0)
Daily prayer and reflection with Commissioner Betty Matear.
THU 05:45 Farming Today (b00g24gq)
News and issues in rural Britain with Sarah Swadling.
THU 06:00 The Archive Hour (b008nbj1)
Snowy Streets of St Petersburg
Martin Sixsmith explores the lives and works of artists and writers who fled the former Eastern Bloc. He revisits archive interviews with Josef Brodsky, Vladimir Nabokov and Isaiah Berlin, explores the writings of Pushkin and others, and talks to contemporary writers Josef Skvorecky, Antonin Liehm and Andrei Makine. He is joined by Maria Rubins, an expert on East European literature.
THU 07:00 Desert Island Discs (b00fbl6n)
Allan Ahlberg
Kirsty Young's castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is one of our best-loved children's authors, Allan Ahlberg. He started writing stories for children at his wife Janet's suggestion - she wanted someone to write the words so that she could provide the illustrations. They went on to produce more than three dozen picture books together including The Jolly Postman, Each Peach Pear Plum and Peepo! and their books sold in their millions.
In this moving programme, Allan describes the impact of Janet's diagnosis, how she faced up to the knowledge that she was dying and how, after her death, he worked through his grief by compiling another book - a very personal collection about her life and work.
[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Favourite track: Closing Time by Leonard Cohen
Book: Selected Stories by Alice Munro
Luxury: A wall to kick a football against.
THU 07:45 Lennon's Private Passion: Cape Wrath (b00dtx55)
John Lennon is usually associated with either Liverpool or New York, and few know of his love for Cape Wrath, a wild and beautiful corner of the Scottish Highlands where he holidayed as a child. Sarfraz Manzoor takes a journey to the far north coast to meet those who knew him there.
THU 08:00 The Archive Hour (b00dtqh2)
How Radio Comedy Changed a Nation
Nicholas Parsons explores how radio comedy has developed and how it reveals much about the way the British live. Through rarely-heard archive material and interviews with writers, performers and comedians, he investigates the impact that radio comedy has had upon the nation.
Including contributions from Paul Merton, Barry Cryer, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson and Sanjeev Bhaskar.
THU 09:00 Christmas Service (b00g3fg0)
A service from Bath Abbey, led by the Rector, Rev Prebendary Edward Mason. Preacher is Rev Dr Alan Garrow, the Abbey's vicar theologian. Music comes from the Abbey choir, directed by Dr Peter King. Organist: Marcus Sealy.
THU 09:45 Book of the Week (b00g2560)
My Judy Garland Life
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Tamsin Grieg reads from Susie Boyt's tribute to her screen idol Judy Garland.
Explaining the all-important differences between good and bad Judy fans, Susie reflects on the notion of fandom, before demonstrating her devotion at the ultimate Judy convention and going Judy-crazy in a Garland museum.
THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00gdf05)
The Best of 2008
A special programme looking back over the best of the year's music, drama and comedy. Including Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley, Dawn French, Vanessa Mae and Cynthia Nixon.
THU 11:00 Crossing Continents (b00g3fg4)
The Iraqi Backstreet Boys
Caroline Hawley meets the Iraqi boyband Unknown to No-one who, after years of separation and uncertainty, have reformed in Beirut.
Formed in the last days of Saddam Hussein's regime, Caroline first met them during the chaotic aftermath of the fall of the regime, when they hoped that their love songs would make them a hit in the West. She hears their stories about life in exile, about having to sing for Saddam and finds out what has happened to their dreams of stardom.
THU 11:30 Strictly Come Brucie (b00g3h56)
In a rare in-depth interview, Bruce Forsyth talks revealingly to Paul Morley about his life in showbiz.
The master of Light Entertainment looks back over his professional career spanning over seven decades. Bruce was 14 when he turned professional as 'Boy Bruce - The Mighty Atom' and he never looked back.
Aged a sprightly 80, Bruce recalls his family background, auditioning at The Windmill, his National Service and 16 years paying his dues on the provincial circuit before hitting the big time presenting ITV's Sunday Night At The London Palladium.
Bruce reveals what it takes to remain at the top of the entertainment tree, how he likes to relax, and the dedication required to maintain such a calm exterior when fronting such family favourites as The Generation Game, Bruce's Price is Right and Strictly Come Dancing.
Bruce Forstyth was born in 1928 and died in 2017.
Producer: Paul Kobrak
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
THU 12:00 With Great Pleasure (b00g3fg2)
With Great Pleasure at Christmas
A special festive edition in which Terry Pratchett revels in some of his favourite pieces of writing with the help of Helen Atkinson Wood, Michael Fenton Stevens and Michael Maloney.
Featuring readings from:
The Specialist by Charles Sale
Published by Souvenir Press
Household Noises by Paul Jennings
From The Penguin Jennings
Published by Penguin
The Maze Maker by Michael Ayrton
Published by Longmans
Lamb-Thoughts by JB Morton (writing as Beachcomber)
From By the Way
Published by Sheed and Ward
Her Majesty's Mails: a history of the Post-office and an industrial account of its present condition, by William Lewins
Published by Samson and Low, 1865
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Published by Pan MacMillan
Roughing It by Mark Twain
Published by Routledge
The Poison Principle by Gail Bell
Published by Picador
The Junkman Smiles by GRG Worcester
Published by Chatto and Windus
Food in England by Dorothy Hartley
Published by Little, Brown
Sir George Caley by J Laurence Pritchard
Published by Max Parrish
Republican Party Reptile by PJ O'Rourke
Published by Pan Books
Once Upon an Ice Age by Roy Lewis
Published by Terra Nova Editions
Job 9, vv1-11
King James Bible
The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
Published by Oxford World's Classics.
THU 12:57 Weather (b00g29wt)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 13:00 News (b00g63p8)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 13:15 Songs Everlasting (b00g31ps)
Series 2
Ave Maria
Bryn Terfel explores classic Christmas songs and tries to find out what it is that makes some of them them so popular.
Bryn explores various settings of the Ave Maria with the help of musicians and theologians, including the composer John Rutter and director of music at Kings College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury.
THU 13:30 Open Country (b00g1hqw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:07 on Saturday]
THU 14:00 The Archers (b00g29zv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Wednesday]
THU 14:15 Pick of the Year (b00g3h5b)
Sandi Toksvig chooses her favourite moments from the best of BBC radio in 2008.
THU 15:00 HM the Queen (b00g3h5d)
The Queen's Christmas message to the Commonwealth and the nation, followed by the national anthem.
THU 15:05 Drama (b00g3h5g)
The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Dramatisation of The Miracle at Speedy Motors, the ninth book in Alexander McCall Smith's series of novels.
Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is preoccupied - by the absence of postboxes in Botswana, by an anonymous letter and by an adopted child's poignant search for her true family. Meanwhile Mr JLB Matekoni pursues an expensive cure for their foster daughter Motholeli.
Mma Ramotswe ...... Claire Benedict
Mma Makutsi ...... Nadine Marshall
Mr JLB Matekoni ...... Ben Onwukwe
Mma Potokwani ...... Janice Acquah
Phuti Radiphuti ...... Jude Akuwudike
Mma Mapoi ...... Adjoa Andoh
Violet Sepotho ...... Anna Bengo
Mma Sebina ...... Noma Dumezweni
Charlie ...... Maynard Eziashi
Shop Assistant ...... Emmanuel Ighodaro
Mr Polopetsi ...... Chuk Iwuju
Chair Lady ...... Alibe Parsons
Directed by Gaynor Macfarlane.
THU 16:30 Open Book (b00g2281)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Sunday]
THU 17:00 The Archive Hour (b00cps5c)
Carry On Britain
Carolyn Quinn celebrates the Carry On films.
What does the long-running series of comedies tells us about British society from the late 1950s to the late 70s?
Featuring: Fenella Fielding, Barbara Windsor, June Whitfield, Shirley Eaton and Norman Hudis.
Producer Jane Ashley
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
THU 17:54 Shipping Forecast (b00g3hcj)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 17:57 Weather (b00g3hg7)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00g2gcm)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.
THU 18:15 Alistair Cooke's Seasonal Letters from America (b00grz63)
Episode 2
The BBC's North America editor Justin Webb introduces eight of Alistair Cooke's seasonal Letters from America, broadcast in December and January over the five decades of his career and covering topics ranging from Christmas in Vermont to presidential inaugurations.
In a letter from Christmas 2003, Alistair talks about his love of Christmas and why he thinks Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol is a parable for our times.
THU 18:30 Act Your Age (b00g3hr8)
Series 1
Episode 5
Simon Mayo discovers which generation is the funniest. With Jon Richardson, Lucy Porter and Roy Walker. From December 2008.
THU 19:00 The Archers (b00g29zx)
Jack's excited to learn that it's Christmas. Jack loves Christmas, and Peggy's touched when he tells her he loves her too.
After a family meal at Grey Gables, Jennifer, Alice and Peggy chat together while Alice waits for Chris. Jack's in a world of his own and reminisces about Christmases past, believing he still owns Grey Gables. Jennifer remarks that Matt seems clingy with Lilian, in sharp contrast to how he was at Christine's drinks do earlier in the week. Meanwhile, Jack wanders off. They find him in Caroline's office - which he thinks is still his.
Joe's pleased to receive a phone call from Mildred, and Eddie's also enjoying Christmas. Clarrie wishes Joe wasn't off to see Alf later but is looking forward to Edward and Emma arriving, and the whole family being there for tea. But Clarrie's disappointed. Edward turns up alone and wants to get straight off to take George to Susan and Neil's. Eddie doesn't want it to spoil the day. Once Will has taken Joe off to Gloucester, he thinks he and Clarrie should make the most of Christmas night.
Episode written by Keri Davies.
THU 19:15 Front Row (b00cxbwb)
Presented by Mark Lawson.
Elaine Stritch has just finished a series of performances of her Tony Award-winning show Elaine Stritch At Liberty in London. In a rare interview, she takes time out of her busy schedule to reflect on a life treading the boards, her close association with Noel Coward and Stephen Sondheim, and the difficulties she faced in giving up alcohol.
THU 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00g2j4q)
Old Peter's Russian Tales
The Stolen Turnips
Magical folk tales from Russia by Arthur Ransome, as told by Old Peter the forester to his grandchildren Vanya and Maroosia.
Broad and Long share a meagre existence until their turnips are stolen by a troupe of magical forest-dwelling children.
Old Peter ...... Trevor Cooper
Vanya/Child ...... Harry Hughes
Maroosia/Child ...... Megan Williams
Broad ...... Dan Starkey
Long ...... Chris Pavlo.
THU 20:00 Let Me Entertain You (b00dc2mt)
Ancestors
John Sessions series charting the history of popular entertainment in the UK.
But rather than the usual wade through the shifting sands of film and TV celebrity, John is covering the period before electronic media.
He starts with our medieval ancestors and attempts to unpick a few myths about wandering minstrels and motley fools keeping the toiling peasants entertained.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
THU 20:30 Let Me Entertain You (b00djlcr)
Elizabethan London
Elizabethan London, from Bankside theatre to ringside gambling, from merry jigs to brutal bear-baiting.
John Sessions continues his series charting the history of popular entertainment in Britain, from medieval minstrels to Victorian freakshows.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2008.
THU 21:00 Let Me Entertain You (b00dl98j)
The Sporting Hero
A look at the hundred-year period from the Restoration of 1660 onwards, and the rise of a new figure in popular entertainment: the sporting hero.
Plus, the importance of the increasing use of printing, as a way of spreading popular entertainment around the country and of establishing popular tunes and songs.
John Sessions continues his series charting the history of popular entertainment in Britain, from medieval minstrels to Victorian freakshows.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2008.
THU 21:30 Let Me Entertain You (b00dpw98)
Episode 4
High-diving elks, the sporting munificence of Charles Dickens and the explosion in music hall entertainment all help bring to a close the merry little stroll John Sessions has been taking through the history of popular entertainment in the UK.
Having joined the restoration celebrations of 1660 and witnessed the rise of a new popular entertainment phenomenon, the sporting hero, John now ventures into the industrial heartlands of Victorian Britain to see how the masses were kept amused before the dawn of cinema and the emergence of a global entertainment industry worth billions of pounds.
Producer: Paul Kobrak
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2008.
THU 21:58 Weather (b00g2j6s)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 22:00 News (b00g3j57)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 22:15 Christmas Past and Christmas Present at King's (b00g36l6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
13:30 on Tuesday]
THU 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00g2jk7)
A Christmas Carol
Episode 9
David Jason reads from Dickens's festive classic. Scrooge is seized by a terrible curiosity - who is the dead man that everyone reviles?
THU 23:00 The Penny Dreadfuls (b00gpbcx)
More Brothers Faversham
Marcus Faversham
The comedy trio's swashbuckling tale of Victorian Britain's greatest actor - Marcus Faversham.
Written by and starring Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck.
With Miles Jupp and Ingrid Oliver.
Script edited by Richard Turner.
Producer: Julia McKenzie
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in October 2008.
THU 23:30 Leonard and Marianne (b00csph9)
In 1960, on the Greek island of Hydra, a young Canadian poet on a state scholarship, Leonard Cohen, met Marianne Ihlen, the beautiful wife of a Norwegian novelist. The story of their romance, following her husband's desertion of her, and their eventual separation are immortalised in one of Cohen's earliest and best known songs, So Long, Marianne.
Forty-five years later, Cohen talked to Norwegian Radio about the song and then, in 2008, Marianne spoke for the first time in English about her role as 'muse'. With Marianne's death at the end of July, this is another opportunity to hear the story of their shared love, the passing of the years and their dearly-held memories.
Produced by Alan Hall (with thanks to NRK)
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.
FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER 2008
FRI 00:00 Midnight News (b00g2316)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.
FRI 00:15 Christmas Meditation (b00g3t1c)
Dr James Hanvey SJ, director of the Heythrop Institute for Religion, Ethics and Public Life, leads a spiritual reflection on the incarnation at the end of Christmas Day.
FRI 00:30 Book of the Week (b00g2560)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Thursday]
FRI 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00g23f5)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00g23jz)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
FRI 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00g245g)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 05:30 News Briefing (b00g24by)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00g24f2)
Daily prayer and reflection with Commissioner Betty Matear.
FRI 05:45 Farming Today (b00g24gs)
News and issues in rural Britain with Anna Hill.
FRI 06:00 The Archive Hour (b00771vc)
Not Like That, Like This
Imagine being taught the piano by Daniel Barenboim, or the cello by Jacqueline Du Pre. Well for the last 60 years, the BBC has been producing masterclasses that have revealed how great musicians approach their craft.
Julian Worricker asks what is being taught in these lessons and what makes them such riveting broadcasting? With archive recordings of, among others, Georg Solti, Paul Tortelier and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf - and contributions from Steven Isserlis and Maxim Vengerov.
FRI 07:00 Today (b00g24nf)
Presented by James Naughtie and Sarah Montague.
Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he will not hesitate to use more force against Gaza if rocket attacks on Israel do not stop. Mark Regev, the Israeli government spokesman, explains.
Caroline Wyatt has been spending Christmas with British troops in Basra.
Some stores opened their doors in the early hours, to try to make the most of the post-Christmas sales. John Thorne reports from the Trafford Centre in Manchester and Michelle Robinson describes the scene on Oxford Street in London.
Head of NICE, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Sir Mike Rawlins, says that many other countries see the body as a success story.
The government says that it has reached its target of removing 5,000 foreign national prisoners from the UK in 2008. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Herbert and Home Office minister Lord West discuss the news.
Tributes have been pouring in to Nobel Prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter, following his death from cancer.
Tom Hodgkinson, from the Idler Magazine, explains the art of idling.
Thought for the day with Canon Dr Alan Billings.
British soldiers will be leaving Iraq by the end of July. As they leave, how will the withdrawal affect Britain's relationship with Iraq? Christopher Prentice, Britain's ambassador to Iraq, discusses the UK's standing with the Baghdad government.
Remembering the singer Eartha Kitt who died on Christmas Day aged 81.
The National Trust is warning that 180 miles of its coastline in south-west England is disappearing because of coastal erosion. One of the worst affected areas is Studland beach in Dorset. Alison Harper reports.
The BBC's Home Affairs Editor, Mark Easton, Political Editor Nick Robinson, and Business Editor Robert Peston discuss how the world has changed in the past year - and try to guess what lies ahead.
The Guardian's theatre critic Michael Billington remembers Nobel Prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter.
Joe Bageant delivers a redneck message to president elect, Barack Obama.
Will job losses in the financial sector be a good thing for the worlds of science and engineering? Hugh Pym, reports.
Steve Adams from the Broken Family Band provides a musical look back to 2008.
FRI 09:00 Desert Island Discs (b00g2156)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Sunday]
FRI 09:45 Book of the Week (b00g2565)
My Judy Garland Life
Get Happy
Tamsin Grieg reads from Susie Boyt's tribute to her screen idol Judy Garland.
After an unexpected duet with Mickey Rooney over breakfast, Susie gingerly accepts an invitation to perform at a 'Judy Night' in Brooklyn. Before she knows it, she is draped over the lid of a baby grand piano in her best satin dress, singing her heart out.
FRI 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00g296t)
Older women in the press; Sulking; Child sponsorship
Manju Ghosh and Christine Jackson on travelling across England on their bus passes. Plus, shaking people out of a sulk, and is child sponsorship really the best way of giving?
FRI 11:00 The Eureka Years (b00g3t1f)
Adam Hart-Davis explores the history of the technology of Christmas, with balloons, stars and a stockingful of toys.
He travels to the town of Lauscha in Germany, where glass baubles are still blown by hand, a tradition that goes back to the mid-1830s. Adam finds a dizzying description of the first Christmas tree lit by electric light bulbs, looks at X-rays of teddy bear skeletons and pulls a cracker in the name of scientific investigation.
FRI 11:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b007728p)
Count Arthur Strong's Christmas Special
Count Arthur Strong, one-time variety star, makes his preparations for Christmas. From his altercation with a carol singer and his improvised 'reading' of the Nativity, to his show for the elderly at Leafy Glade old people's home. What could possibly go wrong? Stars Steve Delaney. From December 2006.
FRI 12:00 You and Yours (b00g29qq)
Presented by Peter White.
Cheap clothing is creating a mountain of unwanted textiles. Michael Jack MP, Chair of the Environment Select Committee and Alan Wheeler of the Textile Recycling Association discuss.
A former call centre worker tells us what it is like to be on the receiving end of disgruntled customers.
Why Boxing Day is Ian Macmillan’s favourite day.
Irena Bauman thinks the credit crunch might provide opportunities for architects to reconsider their approach to projects.
Henrietta Harrison investigates whether the popularity of the live scene will continue during the economic downturn.
We look at the practicalities of self-publishing with guests Mindy Gibbins Klein, co-publisher and Michael Oke, self-publisher.
FRI 12:57 Weather (b00g29ww)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 13:00 World at One (b00g29y5)
National and international news with Shaun Ley.
FRI 13:30 More or Less (b00g3t1h)
Celebrity Quiz - Divorce at Christmas
Tim Harford is joined by two guests who share his love of numbers, former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq and comedian Dave Gorman. He gives his celebrity guests a second chance at numerical success with the More or Less Christmas numbers quiz.
Divorce at Christmas
Do more couples really divorce during the Christmas period? The prediction that up to 3.6 million people will consult a solicitor about divorce in the New Year has become a staple of the Christmas news stories. But there are fewer than 12 million married couples in the UK, so can this figure be correct? Chris Bowlby investigates.
FRI 14:00 The Archers (b00g29zx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Thursday]
FRI 14:15 Drama (b00g3t1k)
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Remarkable Performance of Mr Frederick Merridew
Series of four new tales of mystery and murder by Bert Coules, inspired by the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
A night at the music hall ends in death, a Wild West sharpshooter finds a new personality, a brick wall crumbles and Holmes is engaged by a most unexpected client.
Sherlock Holmes ...... Clive Merrison
Dr John Watson ...... Andrew Sachs
Merridew ...... Hugh Bonneville
Stamford ...... Malcolm Tierney
Charlotte ...... Jill Cardo
Fragson ...... Jonathan Tafler
Flora ...... Donnla Hughes
George ...... Stephen Critchlow
Directed by Patrick Rayner.
FRI 15:00 Ramblings (b008crmp)
Series 9
Northumbria - Northumbrian Coast
Clare Balding walks the Northumbrian coast with Jonathan Manning. As editor of a walking magazine, Jonathan is evangelical about encouraging people to experience our countryside on foot. He takes Clare on what he considers the perfect walk.
FRI 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (b00g20sc)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:55 on Sunday]
FRI 15:30 Daphne Du Maurier (b007j7pb)
And His Letters Grew Colder
A passionate affair gradually dies. An early story by Daphne du Maurier that was only discovered in 2006. Read by Nigel Havers.
FRI 15:45 Songs Everlasting (b00g48vw)
Series 2
Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Bryn Terfel explores classic Christmas songs and tries to find out what it is that makes some of them them so popular.
Bryn marks the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Ralph Vaughan Williams by examining the composer's 1912 work Fantasia on Christmas Carols.
FRI 16:00 Music Feature (b00cxqq9)
Killer Bs
Journalist Anthony Barnes celebrates a virtually extinct aspect of the music industry, the B-side of a record. Contributors include Tim Rice, Paul Gambaccini and Gloria Gaynor.
FRI 16:30 The Film Programme (b00g3tmm)
The latest movie news and reviews. Francine Stock discusses the best films of the year with Asif Kapadia, director of Far North and The Warrior. Plus an interview with Steve McQueen about his award-winning debut Hunger.
FRI 17:00 PM (b00g2gb0)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn. Plus Weather.
FRI 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00g2gcp)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.
FRI 18:15 Alistair Cooke's Seasonal Letters from America (b00grz61)
Episode 3
The BBC's North America editor Justin Webb introduces eight of Alistair Cooke's seasonal Letters from America, broadcast in December and January over the five decades of his career and covering topics ranging from Christmas in Vermont to presidential inaugurations
From 1977, Alistair talks about the deaths of two friends - who just happen to be Groucho Marx and Bing Crosby.
FRI 18:30 The Now Show (b00g3tmp)
Series 25
Episode 5
Comedy sketches and satirical comments from Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis and the team including Mitch Benn, Laura Shavin, Jon Holmes and Marcus Brigstocke.
FRI 19:00 The Archers (b00g29zz)
Alice is up early to join the beaters at the shoot. Brian would rather she shot with him, but she'd rather be with Chris. She agrees to join the guns for lunch and tells Chris that the invitation extends to him.
Brian's taken aback to see Chris, especially as he's talking to Brian's acquaintance, Lord Elbury. Brian rushes over to make formal introductions and is amazed to find they're already on first name terms. Christopher had been recommended to Lord Elbury as a farrier, and they clearly get on. Brian manages to agree that Christopher is indeed very talented. Alice makes it clear they're more than friends and Lord Elbury tells her to hang on to him, leaving Brian lost for words. Christopher doesn't think it's done him any harm.
Will collects Joe to take him to see Alf. Joe asks Will how he felt when Emma didn't turn up yesterday. Will assures Joe that he's over Emma. He feels nothing for her now, and she can't hurt him any more. Joe tentatively asks him about Nic, but Will insists that they're just friends this time. That's what Nic wants, and that's fine with Will.
Episode written by Keri Davies.
FRI 19:15 Front Row (b00gy71c)
Harold Pinter
A special edition in tribute to the Nobel prizewinning playwright Harold Pinter, whose death has been announced.
In this programme, first broadcast in 2005, Pinter gave a rare full-length interview about his work, including his view of how to interpret the famous 'Pinter pause'. Presented by Mark Lawson.
FRI 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00g2j5h)
Old Peter's Russian Tales
Frost
Magical folk tales from Russia by Arthur Ransome, as told by Old Peter the forester to his grandchildren Vanya and Maroosia.
Martha is the youngest of three sisters, the elder two of whom make her life a misery. When her stepmother decides to marry her to Frost himself, her father fears for her life, but her politeness and sweet nature bring her all that she deserves.
Old Peter/Old Man ....... Trevor Cooper
Vanya ...... Harry Hughes
Maroosia/Martha ...... Megan Williams
Old Woman ...... Joan Walker
Frost ...... Stephen Critchlow
Sour Sister 1 ...... Helen Longworth
Sour Sister 2 ...... Liz Sutherland.
FRI 20:02 With Great Pleasure (b00g3fg2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:00 on Thursday]
FRI 20:50 A Point of View (b00g3tmr)
Jesus
Whatever you believe in when it comes to the birth of Christ, even if you believe in nothing at all, no one can doubt the personal force of Jesus says Clive James, as he reflects on life beyond the grave, Shakespeare’s beliefs and the man and spirit of Jesus Christ.
FRI 21:00 Friday Drama (b007749z)
The Loved One
By Evelyn Waugh, adapted by Jonathan Holloway.
California, just after the Second World War: An elderly Englishman, who once made a living as a Hollywood scriptwriter, has taken in a younger version of the same species who is also struggling to make his way in the new world.
He thought he was a poet once, but now earns a living in a pet cemetery. Preoccupied with dead things, he meets a young female embalmer and suddenly everything begins to go right.
Evelyn Waugh's novel has been called 'one of the funniest and most significant books of the 20th century'.
Dennis Barlow ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Mr Joyboy ...... Mark Gatiss
Aimee ...... Jennifer Lee Jellicorse
Sir Francis Hinsley ...... Clive Swift
Sir Ambrose Abercrombie ...... David Troughton
Mrs Heinkel/Mrs Joyboy/Telephonist ...... Barbara Barnes
Mr Heinkel/Schultz/Slump ...... Peter Marinker.
FRI 21:58 Weather (b00g2j6v)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 22:00 The World Tonight (b00g2jfz)
National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah.
FRI 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00g2jk9)
A Christmas Carol
Episode 10
David Jason reads from Dickens's festive classic. Scrooge awakes on Christmas morning to find that there is still time to change the future.
FRI 23:00 Great Lives (b00g505c)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:30 on Tuesday]
FRI 23:30 Bad Nature (b00936b3)
Jo Brand discovers what wildlife presenters really think of the animals they talk about.
Highlights include David Attenborough dishing the dirt on rats and Alan Titchmarsh letting rip at the cockroach. Michela Strachan, Steve Leonard and Mike Dilger all share their experiences of being bitten in exotic places.