THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2009

THU 00:00 Midnight News (b00hhjhs)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by weather.


THU 00:30 Book of the Week (b00hn6ry)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 on Wednesday]


THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00hhjmn)
The latest shipping forecast.


THU 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00hhjpd)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


THU 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00hhjr9)
The latest shipping forecast.


THU 05:30 News Briefing (b00hhjws)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.


THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00hhjz8)
Daily prayer and reflection with Tina Beattie.


THU 05:45 Farming Today (b00hhk19)
News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.


THU 06:00 Today (b00hhk42)
Presented by James Naughtie and Edward Stourton.

Correspondent Martin Patience and former Afghan minister Ali Jalali discuss whether the US is losing patience with the Karzai administration.

Guy Dangerfield of Passenger Focus says that rail travel in the UK is more expensive than in Europe. Michael Roberts, chief executive of the ATOC, the Association of Train Operating Companies, discusses its findings.

Reporter Nicola Stanbridge visits a women-only referee course in Lancashire.

Home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw reports on what authorities can do to stop cocaine trafficking and chief executive of Drugscope Martin Barnes discusses whether they are losing the fight against drug crime.

Arts correspondent Rebecca Jones discusses the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer winning novel The Road.

Thought for the Day with Rev Dr David Wilkinson, principal of St John's College, Durham.

Writer Jeffrey Robinson says that the inquiry into Sir Allen Stanford will have implications for offshore banking.

Defence secretary John Hutton discusses whether Britain still has the capability to engage in major military operations.

Writer Geoffrey Wansell and private club member the Earl of Onslow discuss the eccentrics of private clubs.

Psychologist Dr Bob Johnson and director of Civitas David Green discuss whether Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, can ever be released.

Environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee explores the increasing enthusiasm for growing our own food on allotments.

Comedian Lenny Henry has starred in his first Shakespeare play, taking on the role of Othello in a new production at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Theatre critic for the Times Benedict Nightingale gives his impressions of the first night.

Sports journalists Jim White and Jim Lawton discuss whether money is destroying sport.


THU 09:00 In Our Time (b00hmpdd)
The Observatory at Jaipur

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Observatory in Jaipur with its vast and beautiful instruments built to make astronomical measurements of the stars. Commissioned in the early 18th century by the Rajput prince and child prodigy, Jai Singh, it was at the centre of attempts to marry hundreds of years of Indian and Persian astronomical tradition. The Observatory was also at the very centre of the city which was laid out according to astrological principles. Jai Singh’s observatory was the cutting edge of Indian astronomy but also a repository for aeons of Hindu and Islamic intellectual life. The instruments were extraordinarily accurate for the time but used no lenses and were built of masonry, not metal. They helped to develop astrological tables, immensely important in Hindu Society, and come down to us as a record of Indian astronomy on the cusp of colonialism. With Chandrika Kaul, Lecturer in Modern History at the University of St Andrews; David Arnold, Professor of Asian and Global History at the University of Warwick; Chris Minkowski, Professor in Sanskrit at the University of Oxford


THU 09:45 Book of the Week (b00hn6s0)
Hackney, That Rose-Red Empire

Millfields

Neil Pearson reads Iain Sinclair's account of the chequered history and inhabitants of Hackney in East London and his own life there.

The story of Joe Kerr, head of Critical and Historical Studies at the Royal College of Art and a Hackney bus driver.


THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00hlfng)
Lindsay Duncan; Child murder witness

What do you do when your child is implicated in a murder? Plus actor Lindsay Duncan on Margaret Thatcher, and why do fewer women write opinion pieces in the press than men?


THU 11:00 From Our Own Correspondent (b00hlbp0)
BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the world's headlines. Introduced by Kate Adie.


THU 11:30 Blasted: The Life and Death of Sarah Kane (b00hlbp2)
Dan Rebellato explores the life and work of playwright Sarah Kane, who caused controversy with her first play, Blasted, before committing suicide aged just 28.

Blasted, which dealt with the horrors of the Balkan conflict, was described by one critic as a 'disgusting feast of filth', and its scenes of extreme violence, including rape and cannibalism, led to Kane being pilloried in the press. However, it is now considered by some to be a modern classic, with performances put on all over the world.

Kane's work is credited with fundamentally changing British theatre, yet, after Blasted, she wrote just four more plays. Her final work, 4.48 Psychosis, was a meditation on mental illness. She killed herself just days after its completion.

The programme features interviews with those who knew Sarah Kane, including her brother Simon, her agent Mel Kenyon, director James MacDonald and playwright Mark Ravenhill.


THU 12:00 You and Yours (b00hhkqz)
Presented by Winifred Robinson.

Charities are reporting a decline in the number of donations during the recession. We speak to Sarah Farquhar from Oxfam and Charities' Minister Kevin Brennan.

The Advertising Standards Authority has told a betting company to remove an advert on the grounds that it links gambling to sexual success.

More than 9,000 MOD properties are being left vacant across the country. We speak to Henry Oliver from the Empty Homes Agency.

People unable to move home because of a deal they did with their bank in the late 1990s are taking HBOS and Barclays to court.

Thousands of pounds being sent home to the Philippines has gone missing. Should there be better regulation?


THU 12:57 Weather (b00hhksv)
The latest weather forecast.


THU 13:00 World at One (b00hhkvj)
National and international news with Shaun Ley.


THU 13:30 Off the Page (b00hlbp4)
Organisation

Dominic Arkwright chairs a discussion on the word 'organisation' with former director general of the British Council Sir David Green, punk poet Attila the Stockbroker and writer Jay Griffiths.


THU 14:00 The Archers (b00hhm2k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Wednesday]


THU 14:15 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (b007721h)
Set in Arthurian Britain at Christmas time with the knights of the Round Table, whose festivities at Camelot are disrupted by the appearance of a green knight.

The stranger has come to lay down a challenge - a test of courage and heart which Sir Gawain, King Arthur's nephew, accepts.

Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage's translation of the medieval verse romance is narrated by Ian McKellen.

Sir Gawain ...... Samuel West
The Green Knight/Sir Bertilak ...... David Fleeshman
Bertilak's wife ...... Deborah McAndrew
Arthur/Servant ...... Conrad Nelson

With specially composed music by Gary Yershon.

Producer: Susan Roberts

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2006.


THU 15:02 Open Country (b00hh0mc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:07 on Saturday]


THU 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (b00hhfbw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:55 on Sunday]


THU 15:30 Afternoon Reading (b00hk1jc)
The First Person

The First Person

Series of three quirky short stories by Ali Smith.

A couple debate and fabricate possible scenarios for their life together. Read by Ali Smith.


THU 15:45 America, Empire of Liberty (b00hhmdq)
100 Percent American

Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds. America wrestles with the impact that its diverse population will bring.


THU 16:00 Open Book (b00hhfnd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]


THU 16:30 Material World (b00hlcr2)
The Evolution of Language - The Great Frost of 1709

The Evolution of Language
Quentin Cooper investigates the cultural and genetic evolution of language.

Professor Nick Chater of University College, London, believes that the evolution of language is cultural, rather than genetic. He argues because language is so unstable and quick to change, it is a creation of culture, and is bolted onto humans' biological abilities to adapt and process changing information.

While Professor Mark Pagel of Reading University builds family trees for the words in a language, linking them to their cousins and ancestors. He has identified some meanings whose words evolve slowly enough to have time depths of at least 20,000 years, making them candidates for deep reconstruction of prehistoric, Neolithic languages. Professor Pagel has also shown how up to a third of the words in a language can change quite rapidly if a group of people split off and form a culturally or geographically new society.

The Great Frost of 1709
As the snow drifts and closed schools of recent weeks fade from memory, Quentin conjures up the Great Frost of 1709 – the coldest winter in Europe on record.

The cold was so intense (Italian ports froze over) that the Royal Society commissioned one its fellows, Rev. William Derham, to compile a report on its effects across the continent.

Climatologists are trying to construct a detailed history of the whole Little Ice Age in order to test modern climate computer simulations to improve predictions of future climate change.

Quentin hears how the captains’ logs of 1709, and market reports from the 17th Century are helping in that effort.


THU 17:00 PM (b00hhmn1)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.


THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00hhmqd)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.


THU 18:30 Old Harry's Game (b00hlcr4)
Series 7

Episode 1

Hell faces confusion when a dog turns up - as animals aren't evil, except dolphins.

Jean-Paul Sartre said "Hell is other people", but, as Satan will tell you, Hell is actually a fiery, unendingly cruel domain where Oliver Reed can never catch the barman's eye and Yves St Laurent is forced to wear a donkey jacket.

Hell is thrown into confusion when a dog turns up. Animals aren't meant to be in Satan's care because they aren't inherently evil - except for dolphins!
Stars Andy Hamilton as Satan, Annette Crosbie as Edith, Robert Duncan as Scumspawn and Jimmy Mulville as Thomas.

Additional roles played by Michael Fenton Stevens and Philip Pope.

Written by Andy Hamilton.

Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.


THU 19:00 The Archers (b00hhm2m)
Nic tells Helen that William's coming back early, and he's asked her to move in with him. Helen thinks this is great but Nic's still got reservations about being isolated at Casa Nueva. Helen thinks it's worth overcoming the difficulties. Nic's excited at Will's return, though, and asks Clarrie if she wants to help her get the house fresh and warm for him.

Shula's proud of Kenton for confronting Ryan, and assures Alistair that she loves him for wanting to help someone, even though it turned bad. Alistair appreciates her support.

Alistair tells Maurice how foolish he's been. Maurice also offers support to Alistair but Alistair's worried that he gave Ryan a reference for a job. He knows he must withdraw it.

Clarrie's pleased that Eddie did a good job mending the broken drain at Bridge Farm. Pat hopes the problem's sorted but knows they need a survey of their whole system. The Estate doesn't have any plans and it looks as if they'll have to replace the lot. Helen thinks it's an ideal opportunity to look at alternative methods, like a reedbed system. Pat agrees it's crossed her mind.

Helen wishes Tom would apologise to Hannah and tells Pat he needs to get on with it.

Episode written by Keri Davies.


THU 19:15 Front Row (b00hhn5k)
Presented by Mark Lawson.

Lenny Henry has been a star of British comedy for many years but how does he handle one of the great Shakespearean tragic roles, Othello? Writer Jackie Kay was at the press night and shares her thoughts with Mark.

The poet Peter Porter celebrated his 80th birthday this week. He joins Mark to discuss his new collection, Better Than God, and to reflect on his long career and his enduring love for the poetic form.

Rank: Picturing The Social Order 1516 - 2009 is a new exhibition in Leeds that looks at how artists from the Renaissance to the present have represented inequality and tried to give a true picture of class in their societies. Playwright Jim Cartwright and the collector Greville Worthington review the exhibition.

Bradley Walsh, Freema Agyeman and Bill Paterson star in a new crime drama based on an acclaimed American show. Law and Order: UK follows the British criminal justice system from both police and Crown Prosecution Service perspectives. Novelist and critic Matt Thorne gives his verdict on this transatlantic transfer.


THU 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00hlxm6)
The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Episode 4

By Muriel Barbery.

Concierge Renee and precocious 12-year-old Paloma find that they have a lot in common, including their friendship with Kakuro.

Renee ...... Heather Williams
Paloma ...... Holly Bodimeade
Kakuro Ozu ...... Togo Igawa
Manuela ...... Pippa Haywood
Mme Pallieres ...... Kim Hicks

Directed by Sara Davies.


THU 20:00 Chinua Achebe: A Hero Returns (b00hlczn)
In a change to the published schedule, Radio 4 revisits a 2009 documentary joining Chinua Achebe, the giant of African literature, on a dramatic visit to Nigeria, his home country. The programme was presented by Richard Dowden, director of the Royal African Society.
Producer: Smita Patel.


THU 20:30 Analysis (b00hlczq)
Rolling Stones

Alison Wolf asks whether human beings have an innate need to travel and, if so, whether that raises profound questions for transport policy.

As we get richer, so we choose to travel faster, despite the damage it does to the planet. But what does the wrong kind of travelling or no travelling at all mean for our personal health and happiness?

How should governments respond to this complex side of our psyche? Is it right to subsidise any form of transport or should towns and cities be designed in such a way that we are forced to abandon our cars?


THU 21:00 Leading Edge (b00hlczs)
Science and the Recession

Science and the Recession
In this week’s Nature a commentary by 8 thinkers on their view of how science has and will be affected by the current global economic crisis. Ian Taylor MP is chair of the conservative party’s science and engineering policy review group. He explains why he thinks more emphasis should be put into promoting and encouraging applied, ‘mission based’ science.

Childhood Memory: Karl Sabbagh
Just how reliable is our memory and just how far back into our childhood can we reliably remember? Geoff talks to Karl Sabbagh, author of Remembering Our Childhood: How Memory Betrays Us about the reliability of childhood and adult memory.

Memory in the Dock
Martin Conway from the University of Leeds discusses recent guidelines issued by the British Psychological Society, developed to give people who work in law with the latest scientific evidence advice about memory and the potential pitfalls of using evidence based on memory in the courts.

Ageing and Memory
As we age, our memories can often fail us. Why might the food we eat and particularly sugar be partly responsible? Molly Bentley reports from the United States about 2 studies exploring how human memory fails and why the food we eat may affect it.


THU 21:30 In Our Time (b00hmpdd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


THU 21:58 Weather (b00hhnkm)
The latest weather forecast.


THU 22:00 The World Tonight (b00hhnlv)
National and international news and analysis with David Eades. Including reports on new ways to crack down on Afghanistan's opium industry, the spread of the bank fraud in Antigua to Venezuela and Ecuador and Brigadier Bill Kincaid finds out what has gone wrong with the UK's armed forces.


THU 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00hjn4t)
An Equal Stillness

Episode 9

Tom Goodman-Hill reads Francesca Kay's story of a painter's lifelong struggle to balance her vocation with her life as a lover, wife, daughter and mother.

Jennet discovers that she is carrying a child - but whose? It is time to start over, but nothing can prepare her for the way events will turn out and nothing will assuage her guilt.


THU 23:00 Inside Alan Francis (b00hlf5j)
Episode 1

Comedian Alan Francis explores the workings of his own mind in relation to his life, friends and long-suffering girlfriend Jane.

Alan realises he must have done something wrong to annoy Jane, but can't remember what it is?

With Julian Dutton, Barnaby Power, Kali Peacock.

Producer Julia McKenzie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.


THU 23:30 Crossing Continents (b00776vc)
Manvendra Singh Gohil: The Gay Prince of Rajpipla

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil is the first openly gay member of India’s royalty, but when he first came out in a newspaper splash, he was shunned not just by the local community of Rajpipla, but by his own parents too. But the prince is made of sturdy stuff and today the 41-year-old, who now describes himself as a gay activist, is committed to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS through his non-governmental organisation, the Lakshya Trust.

India now has the largest number of people in the world living with HIV/AIDS and the Lakshya Trust was set up by Manvendra and his friends to target HIV prevention among men who have sex with men – MSM as they are known, which includes men who may also be in relationships with women. Increasingly there is talk of the ‘feminisation’ of the epidemic in India, with the UN recording that nearly 40% of HIV cases are women who are mostly infected by their husbands.

At the Lakshya Trust, based in the conservative state of Gujarat, Manvendra believes three-quarters of the men they have contact with are married. So in a ground-breaking move for an Indian NGO, the Trust began to train female outreach workers to target married women who might be vulnerable to contracting HIV from their husbands.

In Crossing Continents Linda Pressly profiles the Prince of Rajpipla and in a series of candid interviews she meets men and women whose married lives stray far from what is considered the norm in India.

Reporter: Linda Pressly
Producer: Richard Fenton-Smith