The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
Jan Blake tells a tale from Ghana which serves as an uncompromising warning to those who refuse to hear what their ears are telling them.
The sound of bells from the Parish Church of St Thomas in Hazel Grove, Stockport.
Silence is something many of us crave in a world full of clamour, but, as Fergal Keane discovers, it means much more than the mere absence of noise.
Elinor Goodman meets the Devon farmer who has decided to embrace the predictions of warmer and wetter summers by climate change experts to grow a diverse range of crops.
On Otter Farm, Mark Diacono grows guavas, grapes, olives, apricots, grinding pepper, kiwis and loquats. He believes that not only will growing more exotic foods be possile in the future, but by providing these crops from this country rather than abroad we will cut down on air miles.
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.
Pope Benedict is expected to come to Britain in September 2010 - we discuss how the landscape has changed since his predecessor's visit nearly 30 years earlier.
The nation's political officianados are busy at party conferences; the Communities and Local Government secretary, John Denham, talks to Sunday about the part faith groups can play in building community cohesion.
And what does the discovery of the Staffordshire hoard tell us about the relationship between paganism and Christianity?
Donations to Primary Trauma Care Foundation should be sent to FREEPOST BBC Radio 4 Appeal, please mark the back of your envelope PTC. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144. If you are a UK tax payer, please provide Primary Trauma Care Foundation with your full name and address so they can claim the Gift Aid on your donation. The online and phone donation facilities are not currently available to listeners without a UK postcode.
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.
From Broomhill Parish Church, Glasgow, with the congregation and choir and members of the Paisley Philharmonic Choir.
What are human eyebrows for? Possibly to allow communication without the use of words.
Testing the value of eyebrow communication came into its own when David Attenborough met the men of an aboriginal tribe in New Guinea where there was no other common language.
Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
News and conversation about the big stories of the week with Paddy O'Connell.
Kirsty Young's castaway is Barry Manilow. He has been a hugely successful performer for more than 30 years but, in this intimate interview, Manilow describes how it was never the career he intended to have. He always knew he would be a musician, but thought his future lay behind the scenes, not at the front of the stage. Brought up by his mother and grandparents in Brooklyn, money was always scarce and family life often difficult - but when there was music playing in their apartment, Manilow says, the home was a happy one.
[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Book: Man vs Wild - Survival Techniques from the Most Dangerous Places on Earth by Bear Grylls
Nicholas Parsons chairs the devious word game with Tony Hawks, Pam Ayres, Sue Perkins and Tim Rice. From September 2009.
Sheila Dillon travels to Italy to meet producers of rare and unusual cheeses from around the world.
Cheese! a bi-ennial event, organised by Slow Food, is aimed at keeping traditional raw milk cheese making alive.
Among the hundreds of cheese producers who travelled to the northern Italian town of Bra were three farmers still making artisan Somerset Cheddar. It is a cheese which is still made using raw milk, with a traditional starter and is crafted by hand and matured in lard soaked muslin.
As Sheila finds out the Somerset Cheddar makers have travelled to Bra in a bid to rescue the name of Cheddar from the world of industrial block cheeses now produced all over the world.
As a tribute to the late Keith Waterhouse, writer Blake Morrison goes in search of the world evoked by his best-loved novel, Billy Liar: the north of England on the cusp of the 1960s. The story of a frustrated young man in a northern town who escapes from reality into vivid fantasies of power and glory, Billy Liar captured the public imagination. It became a play, a film, a musical and even a TV series.
Blake travels to Leeds to explore the way in which Waterhouse's life there overlaps with Billy's story, and talks to long-term residents and local historians about how the city, and the society depicted in the novel, has changed. The programme also features contributions from Barbara Taylor Bradford, Barry Cryer and Sir Gerald Kaufman MP.
The second of two programmes recorded at the annual Gardeners' Question Time garden party, held at RHS Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire, GQT's base in the north.
Peter Gibbs chairs and the panel are Anne Swithinbank, Pippa Greenwood and John Cushnie.
Peter explores how Harlow Carr is addressing the problems posed by future climate change. Pippa puts the fun into fungi, and Anne launches the GQT slug deterrent trial.
Journalist Nina Myskow discovers how attitudes to food, shape and affect individual lives.
At home in her kitchen, cookery writer Nigella Lawson recalls her early experiences of food, as a chamber maid in Italy, whisking white sauces for her mother and making veal stew and rabbit with prunes on a teenage visit to France. She tells Nina Myskow how they transformed her from a quiet, introverted child who resisted her mother's appeals to eat at mealtimes into a passionate cook with a lust for food and an incredibly healthy appetite.
The producer is Tamsin Hughes, and this is a Wise Buddah production for BBC Radio 4.
Dramatisation by Shaun McKenna of John le Carre's novel, the fourth to feature spymaster George Smiley.
As Leiser's clandestine mission into East German territory proceeds, it soon becomes clear that nothing is quite what it seems.
Leclerc ...... Ian McDiarmid
George Smiley ...... Simon Russell Beale
Avery ...... Patrick Kennedy
Haldane ...... Philip Jackson
Fred Leiser ...... Piotr Baumann
Jack Johnson ...... Ben Crowe
Anna ...... Ania Sowinski
Sarah ...... Fenella Woolgar
Control ...... John Rowe
Carol ...... Annabelle Dowler
Official ...... Philip Fox
Soldiers ...... Matt Addis, Benjamin Askew
The Rise of Australian Fiction including Richard Flanagan, Tim Winton and Thomas Keneally
Mariella Frostrup celebrates fiction from Down Under, in conversation with some of Australia's best-known writers.
Richard Flanagan, the author of the cult bestseller Gould's Book of Fish, explains how the sometimes painful history of his native Tasmania became the subject of his latest novel Wanting.
Tim Winton, whose books include Dirt Music and Breath, describes the Western Australian landscape that has inspired most of his work.
And Thomas Keneally, the Booker-winning author of Schindler's Ark, joins the Aboriginal writer Alexis Wright to discuss a major new anthology of Australian literature with the collection's editor, Nicholas Jose.
Roger McGough introduces requests for Lewis Carroll's surreal poem, The Hunting of the Snark, told not in verses but in eight distinctive 'fits'. Includes archive recordings by Ken Campbell and Alec Guinness.
As the government's strategy for combating extremism is revised to focus on white racist groups as well as Islamic radicals, Allan Urry assesses the threat of attacks by right-wing extremists and fears that they could lead to a rise in racial tensions.
Stuart Maconie introduces his selection of highlights from the past week on BBC radio.
David, Ruth and Ben go to support Josh in his first U13 football match. They're very proud of him, and Ruth embarrasses Josh by hugging him. David gets a phone call. Derek Fletcher's ill so David must chair the parish council meeting. He isn't keen, having heard Lynda's on the warpath over Adam's footpath diversion. Suddenly, Josh crosses the ball and Borchester score a goal!
Ed goes to Keeper's Cottage for his birthday lunch. Ed hasn't talked much about his expansion idea. He didn't want to worry Joe. What Borchester Land's offered him isn't what he'd hoped for, though Mike's all for it.
Ed and Eddie go to look at the land. Eddie points out all the positives, but Ed still thinks it's a lot to take on. He confesses he's frightened of losing it all, like Eddie did. Eddie says that Ed's too smart for that. And if he lets the past affect his decision, they really will have lost everything.
Ed goes to tell Mike. Mike's pleased, and says he'll get the agreements drawn up. But what's changed Ed's mind? Ed says everyone seems to have faith in him, so maybe it's time he gave himself a chance.
Kevin Connolly talks to veteran CBS journalist and anchorman Bob Shieffer about how President Obama and his predecessors have trimmed their foreign policy initiatives to better suit cold reality.
Imagine Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's delight when he got a call from President Obama's office asking whether the city of Pittsburgh could host the 2009 G20 summit. Kevin Connolly talks to the mayor about how this former steel town is handling the influx of guests while emerging from a collapsed economy.
President Barak Obama, along with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Nicolas Sarkozy has acted swiftly to let Iran know that the hiding of nuclear weapons would not be tolerated. Josh Tyrangiel, of TIME had an exclusive interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmajinedad. Host Kevin Connolly talks with Tyrangiel and with humorist and best-selling Iranian-American author Firoozeh Dumas about how relations between Iran and the United States may proceed.
American folk culture is about apple pie, grilled cheese sandwiches and how to pack a suitcase. That's according to The Old Farmer's Almanac, anyway. Inside its covers are scarily accurate weather reports as well as tips, tricks and legends which could make toes curl. Kevin Connolly picks up some age-old wisdom from Almanac's editor, Janice Stillman.
Kevin Connolly takes a stroll among the war memorials of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to sample American views on the war in Afghanistan. Is the president is on the right track, or could the conflict become the next Vietnam?
Extracts from the archives of Granta, the UK's most prestigious literary magazine.
A fascinating story of how the tragic childhood of JM Barrie inspired the creation of his most famous work, Peter Pan.
Translated by Natasha Wimmer. Read by Peter Guinness.
Roger Bolton asks the editor of PM to answer charges that the programme is turning into a light entertainment show, valuing listeners' opinions more than its own journalists' reporting.
Matthew Bannister presents the obituary series. Including:
Ultrasound pioneer John Wild - Dr John Reid and Professor Kit Hill pay tribute; scriptwriter Troy Kennedy Martin remembered by producers Ted Child and Michael Dealey and by writer Keith Dewhurst; a picture of French photographer Willy Ronis by his agent Kathleen Grosset and friend Paul Ryan; Patti Smith shares her memories of punk poet Jim Carroll; and radio producer Leonie Cohn - a tribute from her son Paul Finlay and colleague Judith Bumpus.
As NHS targets fall out of political fashion, journalist Michael Blastland argues that they could be good for our health.
Targets, once seen by New Labour as the key to improving public services, look as if they may be on the way out. The devolved health services of Wales and Scotland have already retreated from their previous target regimes, the Conservative Party has pledged to scrap them in England and there are signs that some of Gordon Brown's ministers are losing faith in them, too.
Reports from behind the scenes at Westminster. Including Peace In Our Time - And What Followed It.
Atonement director Joe Wright on the effect of the recession on Hollywood, and why he wouldn't be able to make The Soloist now, even though it was only filmed last year.
Sally Potter on Jude Law in drag and why the love of celebrity has become an epidemic.
Francine Stock makes Neil Brand an offer he can't refuse: to play the theme tune from The Godfather.
MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2009
MON 00:00 Midnight News (b00mvbvl)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
MON 00:15 Thinking Allowed (b00mrc8l)
Acquaintance - Tea Rooms
Many of us will exchange intimate details of our lives with our hairdesser or chat to the person on the same train platform as us every morning on the way to work, but we probably don't think of either as a friend. Laurie Taylor discusses the role of acquaintances, and why the people who are neither friend nor stranger are incredibly important.
He talks to sociologist David Morgan and anthroplogist Henrietta Moore about the role of acquaintances in our lives and finds out why, without them, the very fabric of society could break down.
Also in the programme, why more than one million tea rooms opened in the early 20th century and gave American women their first taste of business and financial freedom.
MON 00:45 Bells on Sunday (b00mtpd8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
05:43 on Sunday]
MON 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00mvbxb)
The latest shipping forecast.
MON 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00mvc9s)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
MON 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00mvc4r)
The latest shipping forecast.
MON 05:30 News Briefing (b00mvcdr)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
MON 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00mvckm)
Daily prayer and reflection with Dr Edward Kessler.
MON 05:45 Farming Today (b00mvcl0)
Schools should be doing more to incorporate farming into the national curriculum. That's according to a recent study. Charlotte Smith finds out why many children do not get first hand experience of life on a farm and whether the recent scare over E.coli will deter more schools from taking pupils to farms.
Also, the British farmer who sprayed thousands of litres of milk on her fields explains why she took this protest action.
MON 05:57 Weather (b00mvr2p)
The latest weather forecast for farmers.
MON 06:00 Today (b00mvct1)
Presented by James Naughtie and Evan Davis.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has led her CDU party to victory in the German elections. Ms Merkel will now terminate the left of centre coalition her party currently forms with the Social Democrats (SPD), and form a new coalition with the Liberal Free Democrats (FDP). Europe correspondent Jonny Dymond reports from Germany.
Trade unions once played a huge role in policy bargaining and vote-trading at Labour party conferences, but now the conference is designed more to send messages out rather than to decide what they should be. Derek Simpson, Joint General Secretary of Unite, the biggest union, discusses the role unions now play at Labour conferences.
Film director Roman Polanski has been taken into custody in Switzerland and faces extradition to the US for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977. The Guardian's film critic Peter Bradshaw explains the case.
A scheme to improve accessibility to libraries starts. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, those who own a reader's card will be able to use any library. Tony Durcan, former President of the Society of Chief Librarians, and Michael Rosen, former children's laureate, discuss the initiative.
Many MPs in the Labour party are frustrated at the government for recent election defeats, and the tide of opinion polls which show the public is swaying against them. James Naughtie reports from the conference, on what the hopes are for the conference, amongst Labour MPs.
The annual self-publishing fair took place this weekend. It brings together the growing number of small and weird magazines, fanzines and periodicals which struggle to be distributed. Reporter Nicola Stanbridge went to take a look at the dizzying array of these rather unusual publications.
Thought for the day with The Reverend Dr David Wilkinson, Principal of St John's College, Durham.
Iran has tested a long-range missile, following tests it carried out with short-range missiles. Dr Martin Indyk, a former American ambassador to Israel and now director of Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution, discusses what the nuclear tests mean for international relations with Iran, and Ali Asgha Soltinieh, the Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, explains Iran's nuclear policy.
Lagging behind the Conservatives in the polls, facing up to spending cuts and soaring debt - the Labour party has a mountain to climb if they are to win a fourth term in power. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson discusses whether Labour still have the energy for the electoral battle ahead after 12 years in power.
Angela Merkel has strengthened her position as German chancellor following federal elections. Gavin Hewitt reports on the result, which sees a new centre right coalition take power.
The Children's Minister has ordered a review of the case of two police officers told they had broken the law by caring for each other's children. Ofsted said the arrangement contravened the Childcare Act because it lasted for longer than two hours a day, and constituted receiving 'a reward'. Leanne Shepherd, one of the police officers involved, discusses the case.
The winner of Britain's leading literary prize, the Man Booker, is set to be announced. Arts Correspondent Rebecca Jones speaks to Hilary Mantel, author of shortlisted book Wolf Hall.
The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is expected to set a date for talks with her prospective new coalition partners. Mrs Merkel's centre-right Christian Democrats won around 34 per cent of the popular vote in the country's general election, leaving her free to end four years of coalition with the Social Democrats. The German Ambassador to London, Georg Boomgarden, discusses what the new coalition will mean for Germany.
The film director Roman Polanski has been arrested and detained in Switzerland, at the request of prosecutors in Los Angeles, who want him to be extradited. He fled the United States in 1978 before he could be sentenced for having sex with a 13 year-old girl. Jeff Berg, Roman Polanski's agent, discusses the reaction to Mr Polanski's arrest.
What can Labour hope to achieve at their conference in Brighton? Political commentators Michael White, of the Guardian, and Trevor Kavanagh, of The Sun, debate the battle lines of conference politics.
MON 09:00 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mvr2r)
A History of Private Life: Discussion
Tom Sutcliffe chairs a discussion with historian Amanda Vickery, Simon Jenkins of the National Trust, anthropologist Daniel Miller and sociologist Elizabeth Silva. Responding to Amanda Vickery's new series about the history of private life, they debate the meaning of home today.
Together they look at the concerns which have dominated life inside the home for hundreds of years. Why are tussles over who rules the roost a persistent theme? Are modern homes increasingly atomised, separated from local communities and housing an army of home-workers and divorcing couples unable to afford to sell their houses? Or are they predominantly a safe refuge from which householders can show off their exquisite taste and treasured possessions, while leading harmonious and socially integrated lives?
The panel examine which of these and many other views might shape how historians of the future will view the private lives we lead at the beginning of the 21st century.
MON 09:30 Einstein's Fiddle (b008fcf4)
Physicist Brian Foster explores the role of music in the life of Albert Einstein.
Although best known for his towering scientific achievements, Einstein was a fine amateur violinist and occasionally played in public. Indeed, he once said that he got the most joy in his life from playing the violin. When he was due to receive his Nobel Prize in 1922, he was in Japan, not only meeting other physicists but also giving performancesof the Kreuzer Sonata, one of the most challenging pieces in the repertoire.
Music also played a role in his work as a physicist. He would often break off from a particularly difficult piece of work to play his violin in the hope of seeking inspiration. And he found parallels between the beauty and harmony he saw in scientific laws and the music of composers such as Mozart, which he felt reflected the inner beauty of the universe itself.
MON 09:45 Book of the Week (b00mvct3)
Climbing the Bookshelves
Episode 1
Shirley Williams reads from her autobiography.
Williams' early life and the enormous influence of her mother, Vera Brittain, and her father, George Caitlin - not to mention the permanent house guest, Winifred Holtby.
Abridged by Polly Coles.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00mvczr)
Marriage in England; Lynne Truss; School discipline
The history of marriage in England. Plus, Lynne Truss on becoming a sports fan; and do parents need to take more responsibility for the behaviour of their children in school?
MON 11:00 Bristol: Cycling City (b00mx6bc)
In 2008 Bristol won the bid to be the demonstration 'Cycling City' for the rest of the country, despite having lots of hills, narrow roads and a huge level of car dependency.
A year into the launch of Cycling City, Miles Warde bikes round Bristol to find out how the initiative is working on the streets, where the 22.8 million pounds that has been ringfenced for the project is going, and the chances of reaching the highly ambitious target of doubling the number of cyclists in the area within three years.
He hears from a range of cyclists, some of the people responsible for the budget, and a couple of cycling visionaries who sense that a better world is within our grasp.
MON 11:30 The Maltby Collection (b00mvr2w)
Series 3
Episode 6
Walter continues to be suspicious of his wife's attempts at reconciliation, and the Crumb-Looselys' long-distance relationship steers towards the rocks.
Geoffrey Palmer and Julian Rhind-Tutt star in series 3 of David Nobbs’s sitcom about a small museum of paintings and sculpture.
Rod Millet ...... Julian Rhind-Tutt
Walter Brindle ...... Geoffrey Palmer
Prunella Edgecumbe ...... Rachel Atkins
Susie Maltby ...... Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Julian Crumb-Loosely ...... Ben Willbond
Wilf Arbuthnot ...... Geoff McGivern
Eva Tattle ...... Juklia Deakin
Des Wainwright ...... Michael Smiley
Stelios Constantinopoulis ...... Chris Pavlo
Gloria Brindle ...... Helen Atkinson-Wood
Vicar ...... Stephen K Amos
Producer: Colin Anderson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.
MON 12:00 You and Yours (b00mvd1r)
Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.
MON 12:57 Weather (b00mvd46)
The latest weather forecast.
MON 13:00 World at One (b00mvd4x)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.
MON 13:30 Round Britain Quiz (b00mvs8r)
Tom Sutcliffe chairs the cryptic general knowledge quiz, featuring Polly Devlin and Brian Feeney of Northern Ireland, versus Patrick Hannan and Peter Stead of Wales.
MON 14:00 The Archers (b00mv0lr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Sunday]
MON 14:15 Drama (b00mw15p)
Hoffnung: Drawn to Music
By Alan Stafford.
Starring Matt Lucas and originally broadcast to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Gerard Hoffnung's death, the eccentric cartoonist organises the first ever full-scale humorous symphonic concert at the Royal Festival Hall.
It is 1956, and the fruity-voiced raconteur, tuba player and occasional Quasimodo impersonator Gerard Hoffnung is about to unveil his latest madcap scheme, a Hoffnung Music Festival: a full-scale symphonic concert that will bring many of his cartoon creations to life and poke fun at the pomposities of classical music. Will he succeed in filling the Royal Festival Hall with laughter, or will the whole enterprise come crashing to earth like a barrel of bricks?
An all-star cast including Gina McKee, Hugh Bonneville, Jon Glover and Felicity Montagu bring Alan's play to life. Matt Lucas, a long time fan of Hoffnung, brilliantly conveys Gerard Hoffnung's surreal sense of humour and extraordinary voice.
Cast:
Gerard Hoffnung/ Psychiatrist 2 ..... Matt Lucas
Annetta Hoffnung ..... Gina McKee
Donald Swann/ Ian Messiter ..... Stephen Boswell
Malcolm Arnold/ Bean ..... Nicholas Jones
John Amis/ Roy Plomley/ Richard Dimbleby ..... Jon Glover
Arthur Drummer ..... Hugh Bonneville
Susan Drummer/ Announcer ..... Felicity Montagu
Tuba player ..... Geoff Webb
Pianist ..... .Alan Stafford
Annetta Hoffnung (present day) ..... herself
Producer: Adam Bromley.
An Above The Title Production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 15:00 Archive on 4 (b00mtnq7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:00 on Saturday]
MON 15:45 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mvf9x)
The Bed
Historian Amanda Vickery reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years, beginning with the very heart of private life - the marital bed.
MON 16:00 The Food Programme (b00mtqyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:32 on Sunday]
MON 16:30 Tracing Your Roots (b00mw15r)
Series 4
Adoption
Sally Magnusson presents the series exploring the practice of researching family history.
Researching the life of an adoptive relative, living or deceased, is often challenging. Sally and resident genealogist Nick Barratt hear listeners' stories about the emotional process of searching for biological roots and offer advice on how best to proceed.
MON 17:00 PM (b00mvgcl)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
MON 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00mvgfq)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
MON 18:30 Just a Minute (b00mw196)
Series 55
Episode 10
Nicholas Parsons chairs the devious word game. Featuring Graham Norton and Paul Merton on how to outdo the other panellists, Gyles Brandreth on the subject of pretentious vocabulary, and Pauline McLynn on junk mail.
MON 19:00 The Archers (b00mvdwq)
Fallon goes to visit Wayne's lodgings at Nathan Booth's house. He's made himself at home, especially now he's got his records sorted. Fallon's act for Thursday night at Upstairs@TheBull has pulled out. Wayne offers to run a jazz and blues record night.
At the Bull, Jim enthuses about Wayne's amazing collection - he'd certainly come along. Jazzer's not convinced but makes sure Fallon's still up for going out later. Later, Fallon tells Jazzer she's still not sure her Dad's back forever. Jazzer says she should enjoy their time together now.
Ed tells Brian they'd like to take the land, but would it be ok to get it ploughed and sown now, rather than wait until January, so he could graze it in the spring? Brian agrees.
Jim takes Kenton and Kathy to a bar in Felpersham. Jim tries to make friends with Kathy, and to make Kathy see that Kenton would be a good barman, but Kathy remains unconvinced. While Kenton's at the bar, Kathy says Kenton's wild ideas usually get forgotten in a few weeks. Kenton comes back to cadge some money from Kathy. He and Jim think the bar is pretty impressive. They should do this sort of thing more often!
Episode written by Keri Davies.
MON 19:15 Front Row (b00mvj30)
Ricky Gervais discusses his Hollywood directorial debut, The Invention of Lying, in which he stars with Jennifer Garner.
Stieg Larsson's books have sold over 15 million copies worldwide. A graphics editor at a Swedish news agency for 20 years and founder of the anti-racist magazine Expo - he died in 2004. The final part of his trilogy has just been published in English. Jeff Park reviews it.
The verdict on Fiona Shaw in a new production Brecht's Mother Courage, about one woman's attempt to make a living doing business during the Thirty Years' War.
Two new American series go to air on British television. In Treatment follows psychoanalyst Paul Weston, played by Gabriel Byrne, with each episode detailing, in real time, a session with one of his patients. FlashForward, starring Joseph Fiennes, begins with an unexplained event which causes the entire population of the world to black out, simultaneously, and - while unconscious - everyone experiences a vision of their lives six months into the future.
MON 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00mvkd0)
Craven: Series 1
Episode 1
Police drama by Amelia Bullmore.
DCI Sue Craven's new job starts with a new partner, DS Watende Robinson, and a burnt-out corpse. But before the day is out her secret past starts to become a professional problem that isn't going to go away.
DCI Sue Craven ...... Maxine Peake
DS Watende Robinson ...... Michael Obiora
Macca ...... Jack Deam
DI Bird ...... David Crellin
DSI Price ...... James Quinn
Michael Chambers ...... Reece Noi
Aaron Trent ...... Marcquelle Ward
A Red production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 20:00 Morecambe: Chill Winds on the Bay (b00mw25h)
Episode 1
Following 12 months in the life of the seaside town of Morecambe as it fights a decline into deprivation and neglect in the teeth of recession. Millions of pounds of public money is being spent and private investors are staking their futures on a revival, but will their gamble pay off?
Preparations for the make-or-break 2009 holiday season.
MON 20:30 Analysis (b00mw2nh)
Who's Afraid of the BNP?
With the BNP hitting the headlines over their 2009 success in the European elections, Kenan Malik asks what the liberal response should be. Is it simply enough to demonise this far-right party, or has the time arrived for us all to open up to a more sophisticated debate which allows for a greater understanding of what the BNP stands for?
MON 21:00 Costing the Earth (b00mw2nk)
The Great Mineral Heist
Over the past 70 years the levels of crucial minerals in our basic foods have declined significantly. This is bad news for consumers in the west, but potentially deadly news for those in the developing world who cannot afford a perfectly balanced diet.
Alice Roberts sets out to uncover the culprit and find a solution. Do we need to shorten our food chains, de-intensify our agriculture, or simply turn to the varieties of fruit and veg enjoyed by our grandparents?
In Perthshire, Moira and Cameron Thomson spread their own mixture of compost and rock dust onto their poor Highland soils. They are convinced that the rock dust is replacing the lost minerals from the soil, resulting in enormous and very tasty broccoli, parsnips and carrots.
Meanwhile at the University of Nottingham, Dr Martin Broadley uses a combination of mathematics and applied biology to find a way to breed crop roots that extract more of the minerals that are available in the soil.
From the Cotswold kitchen of food writer Diane Purkiss to the world's largest potting shed at the National Soil Archive in Aberdeen, Alice compares and contrasts the diet, soils and plants of the 1930s and the present day in her search for the world's lost minerals.
MON 21:30 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mvr2r)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
MON 21:58 Weather (b00mvm0l)
The latest weather forecast.
MON 22:00 The World Tonight (b00mvmhg)
National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah.
Fiona Pilkington inquest verdict confirms suicide.
Schoolgirl dies after cervical cancer jab.
More money for car scrappage, less money for bankers' bonuses - will this help Labour win back support?
MON 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00mvmq6)
Fathers and Sons
Episode 1
Douglas Hodge reads from the novel by Ivan Turgenev. First published in 1862, this story of a young man's return from university, accompanied by his radical friend Bazarov, shocked its early readers. Turgenev's characterisation of the outspoken young nihilist who criticises the older generation of 'romantics' and rejects 'everything' was both an alarmingly realistic depiction of the changing times he saw around him and an uncomfortable reflection of the eternal difficulties between generations.
Arkady returns to his doting father and uncle in the country. But the guest he brings with him looks set to ruffle feathers.
Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.
MON 23:00 With Great Pleasure (b00d0wns)
Jude Kelly
Jude Kelly selects works by Shakespeare, Wole Soyinka, David Nobbs and Edward Said, as well as speeches by John F Kennedy and Leonard Bernstein.
Readers: Diana Quick and John Shrapnel
From London's Southbank Centre, when Jude Kelly was Artistic Director
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2008
MON 23:30 Black Screen Britain (b00jhpj7)
Reclaiming Our Image
Burt Caesar presents two programmes exploring how British film and television drama from the 1950s to the 1970s portrayed the lives of African-Caribbean immigrants.
2: Reclaiming Our Image
Burt Caesar charts the landmark screen dramas such as Pressure, Empire Road and Burning an Illusion which presented an alternative view of black lives in Britain during the 1970s.
Producer Mukti Jain Campion
A Culture Wise Production for BBC Radio 4.
TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2009
TUE 00:00 Midnight News (b00mvbqv)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
TUE 00:30 Book of the Week (b00mvct3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Monday]
TUE 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00mvbvn)
The latest shipping forecast.
TUE 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00mvc4v)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
TUE 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00mvbxd)
The latest shipping forecast.
TUE 05:30 News Briefing (b00mvc9v)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
TUE 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00mvcdt)
Daily prayer and reflection with Dr Edward Kessler.
TUE 05:45 Farming Today (b00mvckp)
As the English apple season starts, we are still importing 65 per cent of our apples. Anna Hill hears calls for imports to be removed from supermarket shelves. Also the school, whose pupils are part-time farmers, explains why food production could be more central to the national curriculum.
TUE 06:00 Today (b00mvcq2)
Presented by James Naughtie and Evan Davis.
President Barack Obama is to hold the first of five meetings with his security advisers to look at whether or not the strategy for Afghanistan is on the right track. North America editor Mark Mardell reports on why the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan has warned of likely failure without more troops.
Children whose mothers work are less likely to lead healthy lives than those with 'stay at home' mums, a study says. Prof Catherine Law, who led the research, discusses the study of more than 12,500 five-year-olds.
Life at party conference comes in all shapes and sizes. During the conferences there are debates and meetings on smoking culture, children, shooting, angling, Azerbaijan, Christian socialism, wildlife and the history of the suffragettes among many others. Today presenter Jim Naughtie catches the atmosphere of the real conference enthusiast.
Fiona Pilkington, 38, committed suicide and unlawfully killed her 18 year-old daughter, Francecca Hardwick, after repeatedly asking for help following years of abuse at the hands of neighbours. Correspondent Mike Thomson reports from Leicestershire on whether too little is being done to control unruly youths that are making lives a misery.
One opinion poll has put Labour in third place behind the Liberal Democrats. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is under pressure to make the speech of his life to rally support within the party. Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, who had his own painful tussles with the electorate, discusses how to change the opinion of those who do not warm to a leader.
Thought for the Day with Rev Joel Edwards, international director of Micah Challenge.
A 14-year-old girl has died after being given a cervical cancer jab as part of a national immunisation programme, but the exact cause of death is unknown. David Elliman, a consultant in community paediatrics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, examines whether the routine programme of vaccinating 12- and 13-year-old girls should be continued.
The IPCC is to probe why more was not done to help a mother who committed suicide and unlawfully killed her disabled daughter after being subjected to abuse. Home secretary Alan Johnson discusses how the problem of social disorder can be addressed.
Labour is in 'the fight of [their] lives' but the party can win the next election, business secretary Lord Mandelson said shortly before a standing ovation at the Labour party conference. Political editor Nick Robinson examines the mood in Brighton ahead of an important day for Labour.
In the run up to the winner of the Man Booker Prize For Fiction being announced, the Today programme is speaking to all six shortlisted authors. Arts correspondent Rebecca Jones speaks to Simon Mawer about his novel, The Glass Room.
Irish voters are preparing to head for the polls to vote for a second time on whether the EU's Lisbon Treaty should be ratified. Edward Stourton reports from Dublin Castle on how the campaigns from both sides of the argument are heating up.
Louisa Watts, 106, is trying to stop the closure of the care home where she lives in Wolverhampton and has managed to get a High Court injunction to stop the city council from doing it. Sarah Norman of Wolverhampton City Council and Andrew Harrop of Age Concern and Help the Aged discuss the council's appeal.
Scientists are requesting help to monitor air pollution across the UK. Science correspondent Tom Feilden reports on the search for lichens and tar spots on the leaves of trees in a London park.
Children with working mothers are less active and more likely to eat unhealthy food, a study has found. Former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo and Karen Pasquali Jones, a journalist and working mum, discuss the pressures on parents.
TUE 09:00 The House I Grew Up In (b00mw5n3)
Series 3
Jonathan Aitken
Wendy Robbins presents a series revisiting the childhood neighbourhoods of influential Britons.
Former Conservative cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken, convicted of perjury in 1999, takes Wendy to Dublin to talk about his childhood there, where he remembers his unconventional early home - a hospital ward run by Catholic nuns for children with TB. They also visit his second home in Halesworth in Suffolk, where Jonathan learned to walk again, as did his father, who had been severely injured during the Second World War.
TUE 09:30 The Good Samaritan (b00mw5n5)
The Butterfields' Story
3. The Butterfield's Story.
Jane and Ashley Butterfield used to organise railway tours of India. Distressed by the sight of children living rough near railway lines, they set up their own charity to run a home for girls on the outskirts of Delhi.
Producer John Byrne.
TUE 09:45 Book of the Week (b00mzsvp)
Climbing the Bookshelves
Episode 2
Shirley Williams reads from her autobiography.
During the Second World War, Williams and her brother are sent to America as evacuees. When she returns, she is one of the first young people to visit war-shattered Germany.
Abridged by Polly Coles.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00mvcxc)
Jill Murphy; Political spouses
Children's author Jill Murphy on her career. Plus, can the popularity of a leader's partner influence the success of the leader?
TUE 11:00 Nature (b00mw5n7)
Series 3
In Search of Jenny
Gorillas first came to the attention of the western world in 1847 when the missionary, Thomas Savage, travelling in west Africa, was shown a skull he was convinced belonged to a new species of ape. Eight years later gorillas remained little known; only a few people had even glimpsed them in the wild and the species was recognised only from its bones. But, unknown to anyone, was a young gorilla already living anonymously in England?
In 1855, Wombwell's Travelling Menagerie exhibited a chimpanzee called Jenny. Jenny was not kept with the other wild beasts but lived in her own apartment. She had her own governess and was dressed in human clothes. Was Jenny a chimpanzee or was she, in reality, a gorilla? Karen Partridge goes in search of the evidence.
Jenny's journey out of Africa a little over 150 years ago marked the beginning of our tortuous and often misguided association with gorillas. In this International Year of the Gorilla, Karen Partridge uncovers Jenny's story and explores our changing relationship with gorillas, both in captivity and in the wild.
TUE 11:30 Morpurgo's Islands of Inspiration (b00mwl6s)
Children's writer Michael Morpurgo travels back to his favourite place, the Isles of Scilly, to explore the stories and legends that are part of the islands' history, where he believes "every rock and wreck has a story to tell" - stories that have inspired his own work.
He first visited the isles over 30 years ago. He went there reluctantly, unconvinced as to what so small a group of islands could offer him. He describes it as "the best decision I never made". What he found there was a place full of beauty, isolation and a unique community. The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago of over two hundred small islands, only five of them inhabited. It was on the smallest of these populated isles, Bryher, that Michael stayed that first time, and which he visits many times a year and upon which many of the stories are based.
He unpicks why the islands have been such a source of magic and inspiration for him. He speaks to Scillonians to hear firsthand old stories and to uncover new ones he's never heard before, revealing how historical fact and handed-down fiction can often be blurred.
Throughout the programme there are readings from Michael's books inspired by these islands.
Producer: Susie Matthews
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 12:00 You and Yours (b00mvczt)
Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.
TUE 12:57 Weather (b00mvd1t)
The latest weather forecast.
TUE 13:00 World at One (b00mvd48)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.
TUE 13:30 Soul Music (b00mw5v5)
Series 8
Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Richard Strauss was 84 when he completed his last work. It was the Four Last Songs, which, although about death, convey a sense of calm acceptance. It was written of its time in 1948, but it still touches the hearts of many listeners today.
As the soprano voice delves ever deeper into the richness of the music, interviewees tell how the Four Last Songs have brought calm and beauty at key moments in their lives.
Contributors
Alan Yentob
Michael Kennedy
Gillian Weir
Margaret Nelson
Jamie Nichols
Gabe Meline
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.
TUE 14:00 The Archers (b00mvdwq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Monday]
TUE 14:15 Drama (b00byn74)
Dickens Confidential
Gangs of London
Series of plays looking at how Charles Dickens, as the head of a daily paper, would have tackled bringing the news to the masses.
By Mike Walker.
New criminal gangs are active on the streets of London. A mugging of their financier Joseph Paxton points Dickens and his investigative team to a connection between the gangs and a plot to rock the very heart of the financial world.
Charles Dickens ...... Dan Stevens
Agnes Paxton ...... Eleanor Howell
Jack Marshall ...... Freddy White
Daniel Parker ...... Andrew Buchan
Joseph Paxton ...... John Dougall
Mickey's Jim ...... Gerard Murphy
Iron Billy ...... John Rowe
Gasman ...... Ben Crowe
Harry ...... Stephen Critchlow
Thug ...... Chris Pavlo
Woman ...... Liz Sutherland
Directed by David Hunter.
TUE 15:00 Home Planet (b00mw7dq)
Sea levels are rising; it is a slow rise on a human scale, but inexorable. Within a few decades we are likely to see significant amounts of coastal land disappear. But just what will this mean for the ecology of the Earth? Will a more watery world have a radically different climate? Will it become a soggier place to live overall?
A wetter world might make it harder to get around but until that happens, one Home Planet listener wants to put trucks and lorries under curfew to reduce the congestion on our busy roads. Is this a good idea and will it really make it easier to travel?
We return to the thorny issue of disposing of unwanted wood. Isn't it, asks one listener, a good idea to bury it in landfill and lock the carbon it contains safely away from the atmosphere?
And we look again at hemp. It seems that much has happened in the few short weeks since we last discussed the potential of this plant.
On the panel are planning expert Professor Yvonne Rydin, sustainable development specialist Dr Ros Taylor and Professor Philip Stott, an environmental scientist from the University of London.
As always we want to hear your comments on the topics discussed and any questions you might want to put to future programmes.
TUE 15:30 Afternoon Reading (b00mwcyy)
Welsh Rarebits
Golden Swirls
Series of new short stories from Wales by established and lesser-known authors.
By Anna Smith, read by Matthew Gravelle.
Seventeen-year-old Gavin does not enjoy being a carpet fitter - especially when he has to placate Mrs Leopold, an unsatisfied customer with a swirly coffee-coloured carpet. But when they feel the wool/nylon mix beneath their bare feet, both are surprised at where it leads them.
TUE 15:45 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mvfp9)
Things That Go Bump in the Night
How the home protected people from dark forces outside. Historian Amanda Vickery on the hidden history of home over 400 years.
TUE 16:00 From Abacus to Circle Time: A Short History of the Primary School (b00mwm63)
Episode 3
Education journalist Mike Baker traces the controversial changes to the ways we have educated our youngest children over the past 150 years, from the rigidity of the Victorian age to the occasionally anarchic, experiential learning of the progressive 1970s.
Mike explores the parallels between the Victorian 'payment-by-results' approach and the pressures of league tables and the national test targets set by Tony Blair's New Labour government. It reveals how teachers lost the trust of government and how politicians 'nationalised' teaching. Calling on vivid views and reminiscences of parents and teachers, the programme hears how some welcomed the new focus on a centralised curriculum and test targets while others hated it.
Through interviews with key policy makers and experts, including David Blunkett, Sir Tim Brighouse and Prof Robin Alexander, the programme explains why arguments over curriculum, teaching methods and testing are deeply rooted in our ideas about the nature, development and role of young people in society.
The former Chief Inspector of Schools in England, Chris Woodhead, who helped devise the national curriculum, reveals that he now thinks that a centrally-set timetable is the wrong approach. Instead, he advocates a market system based on parental vouchers. After several swings of the pendulum between the extremes of formality versus informality, facts versus skills and basics versus creativity, the programme asks where the balance should lie now and in the future.
TUE 16:30 Great Lives (b00mwm65)
Series 19
Rudyard Kipling
Matthew Parris presents the biographical series in which his guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
John Major discusses the life of Rudyard Kipling, poet to the British Empire. They are joined by Kipling biographer Andrew Lycett.
TUE 17:00 PM (b00mvgb5)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
TUE 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00mvgcn)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
TUE 18:30 That Mitchell and Webb Sound (b00mwm67)
Series 4
Episode 6
Revealing the new yoghurt for women, and introducing Britain's top police tortoise.
Sketch show starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
With Olivia Colman, Sarah Hadland and James Bachman.
Producer Gareth Edwards
Firs broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.
TUE 19:00 The Archers (b00mvddk)
Bert drops a flyer for Wayne's record night at Willow Cottage and finds Vicky in. She excitedly shows him how the garden's getting on. Bert eventually manages to escape to Brookfield. David tells him about Ed's plans for ploughing his new land and Bert jumps at a chance to practice for the next ploughing match. David goes to dig a few spadefuls for his worm survey, before looking at the parish council meeting agenda. He thinks it'll be a lively one.
Vicky drops in at Grey Gables to invite Lynda to a garden warming dinner party. Lynda tells Vicky that Lee Mason, star Felpersham City football player, has booked his 21st birthday party there. It'll be excellent publicity for the hotel, as Borsetshire Life is sending a photographer.
As David begins the meeting, Lynda reveals that she and Elizabeth are the guerrilla gardeners in the Memorial Garden. Lynda goes on the attack about Adam's proposal to move the footpath. Neil argues that it's a minor diversion, with minimal effect on any walkers. They should be backing the countryside economy, and supporting people like Adam. David eventually interrupts the debate. There's lots more to get through in the meeting, so perhaps they should put it to the vote?
Episode written by Keri Davies.
TUE 19:15 Front Row (b00mvgfs)
The former Children's Laureate, Jacqueline Wilson, talks to Kirsty Lang about her new book, Hetty Feather. In the novel, Jacqueline has moved away from the modern children's homes of Tracey Beaker to tell her first historical story, set in the foundling hospital in London's Coram Fields.
Kirsty Lang and art critic Richard Cork discuss the new exhibition at Tate Modern, Pop Life: Art In A Material World.
The Royal Opera House is remounting Kenneth MacMillan's ballet, Mayerling - a tale of death, sex, debauchery and drugs - and the Institute of Psychoanalysis is getting ready to host a conference on MacMillan's work. Front Row assesses the importance of the man who broke the bounds of classical ballet by insisting that no subject was too dark or too brutal to tackle.
When impressionist and actress Ronni Ancona decided she was fed up with football, she persuaded her ex-boyfriend and Big Impression co-star Alistair McGowan to give it up for a year. Their new book, A Matter Of Life And Death, is a comic memoir of their battle to wean him off his obsession. They talk to Kirsty Lang about the merits and the pitfalls of the beautiful game.
TUE 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00mvk4s)
Craven: Series 1
Episode 2
Police drama by Amelia Bullmore.
DCI Sue Craven and DS Watende Robinson unite against bigotry and rising racial tensions, both in the office and on their murder cases, as things get personal and compromised.
DCI Sue Craven ...... Maxine Peake
DS Watende Robinson ...... Michael Obiora
Macca ...... Jack Deam
DI Bird ...... David Crellin
DSI Price ...... James Quinn
Michael Chambers ...... Reece Noi
Aaron Trent ...... Marcquelle Ward
A Red production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 20:00 File on 4 (b00mwms4)
Community Mental Health Services
Following criticism of the NHS over the system failures which allowed a man with schizophrenia to kill two people, Miriam O'Reilly investigates claims of widespread problems in community mental health services which are allowing dangerous patients to commit violent offences or to harm themselves.
TUE 20:40 In Touch (b00mwms6)
A listener puts his concerns about the level of support offered to Guide Dog owners to Stephen Kirk, Operational Director for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. And why the first blind contest on Dancing with the Stars is proving such a hit with audiences in Australia.
TUE 21:00 Adults With Autism (b00mwms8)
With an estimated half a million adult autistics in this country, Mike Embley explores the autistic mind and asks why so many people are diagnosed later in life. He finds out about the help and support available as well as the latest scientific research, from the investigation of genes and hormones to MRI scans to look inside the autistic brain.
TUE 21:30 The House I Grew Up In (b00mw5n3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
TUE 21:58 Weather (b00mvm0b)
The latest weather forecast.
TUE 22:00 The World Tonight (b00mvmh4)
National and international news and analysis with Robin Lustig at the Labour conference and Ritula Shah in London.
Gordon Brown delivers his keynote speech to the Labour party conference in Brighton. We hear reaction from voters and talk to the foreign secretary, David Miliband.
More than 150 people are killed at a demonstration in Guinea; we hear the latest.
A former code-breaker at Bletchley Park tells us what difference their lottery grant will make.
TUE 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00n10jm)
Fathers and Sons
Episode 2
Douglas Hodge reads from the novel by Ivan Turgenev. First published in 1862, this story of a young man's return from university, accompanied by his radical friend Bazarov, shocked its early readers. Turgenev's characterisation of the outspoken young nihilist who criticises the older generation of 'romantics' and rejects 'everything' was both an alarmingly realistic depiction of the changing times he saw around him and an uncomfortable reflection of the eternal difficulties between generations.
The powerful influence that Arkady's new friend Bazarov exerts on the young graduate, and the radical views he holds, begin to become clear to both Arkady's doting father, Nikolay, and his fastidious uncle, Pavel.
Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.
TUE 23:00 Child's Play (b00mwr6b)
Comedy by Lucy Clarke, set in a children's nursery.
After an indiscretion involving OAPS, MRSA and mint humbugs, Harry, a chirpy City boy, is banished to the country by his boss and told to turn a village nursery into a money-making machine, or face the sack. There, he comes head to head with Pen, who used to run the nursery before her husband sold it and ran off to South America with a stripper.
Pen ...... Olivia Colman
Harry ...... Nicholas Burns
Ruth ...... Daisy Haggard
Rex ...... Matthew Holmes
Vicar ...... Rachel Atkins
Rabbi ...... Geoffrey McGivern
Catholic priest/Imam ...... Ewan Hooper
Joanne ...... Barbara Smith
Darren ...... Bradley Ford.
TUE 23:30 Another Case of Milton Jones (b007gyxy)
Series 2
Jockey
The surreal comedian's latest challenge is to be a jockey, with no ability whatsoever. With Tom Goodman-Hill. From May 2007.
WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2009
WED 00:00 Midnight News (b00mvbqx)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
WED 00:30 Book of the Week (b00mzsvp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Tuesday]
WED 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00mvbvq)
The latest shipping forecast.
WED 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00mvc4x)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
WED 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00mvbxg)
The latest shipping forecast.
WED 05:30 News Briefing (b00mvc9x)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
WED 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00mvcdw)
Daily prayer and reflection with Dr Edward Kessler.
WED 05:45 Farming Today (b00mvckr)
Anna Hill reports on controversial plans to reintroduce sea eagles to Suffolk, and investigates government plans to reintroduce beavers, lynx, elk and wild boar to the countryside. And we hear from a school which is using farm visits to help teach maths, science and geography.
WED 06:00 Today (b00mvcq5)
Presented by Sarah Montague and James Naughtie.
The Sun newspaper has said that 'after 12 long years in power, Labour has lost its way and now it has lost us too'. Political correspondent Iain Watson gauges the mood from delegates in Brighton as the news broke.
More than 18 million households with Freeview will need to retune their set-top boxes and TVs later. Ilse Howling, managing director of Freeview, discuses why the technical changes need to be made and explains how boxes and televisions can be retuned.
IVF success rates are now almost indistinguishable between clinics so patients need to take other factors into account, the regulator says. Alan Doran, chief executive of the HFEA, discusses a new website providing patients with detailed information on every UK clinic, from waiting times to multiple birth rates.
Pope Benedict XVI is releasing a music album. It has the same producer as the record released by his predecessor, John Paul II. Reporter Nicola Stanbridge listens to the album and considers the significance of including a Muslim composer.
US president Barack Obama has stressed that the Afghan war was not purely an 'American battle', as he met NATO leader Anders Fogh Rasmussen for talks. Correspondent Ian Pannell, who has just come back from an embed with US troops, examines why the commanders on the ground want more troops.
In his speech to the conference, the prime minister said the government would 'have to make choices about taxation and public spending' without offering any detail as to what those choices might be. Former home secretary David Blunkett discusses what choices need to be made.
In the run up to the winner of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction being announced, the Today programme is speaking to all six shortlisted authors. Arts correspondent Rebecca Jones talks to AS Byatt about her novel, The Children's Book.
Thought for the Day with the writer Rhidian Brook.
Women who have fled violence in Darfur now face the prospect of being raped in refugee camps in Chad, Amnesty International says. Tawanda Hondora, deputy director of Amnesty's Africa programme, discusses the attacks alleged in most of the 12 refugee camps along the Sudanese border. Michel Bonnardeaux, spokesman for the UN mission responsible for making the camps secure, Minurcat, explains efforts to make the camps safe.
'After 12 long years in power, Labour has lost its way', the Sun newspaper says. Prime minister Gordon Brown discusses why the Sun has withdrawn its support and his party's chances of winning the next general election.
Prime minister Gordon Brown talks to the Today programme about his party conference speech and criticism from the Sun newspaper about his leadership. Political editor Nick Robinson examines what Mr Brown said.
US prosecutors have disputed claims that Roman Polanski's arrest - for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl 30 years ago - came out of the blue, saying he had been on an Interpol 'wanted list' for years. Criminal psychologist Dr David Holmes and Michael Mansfield QC discuss whether people should still be sought and prosecuted for crimes committed long ago.
Camel milk has been prized for centuries by communities in Africa and India for its supposed curative properties, but it has not been commercially produced in Europe. Reporter Paul Henley visits this continent's first camel farm, situated in the village of Cromvoirt in the Netherlands.
A tsunami triggered by a strong quake in the South Pacific has killed at least 65 people in Samoa and more than 20 in American Samoa, say reports. Thousands more are thought to be homeless. Georgina Newton, who runs a car hire company in American Samoa, describes the scene.
In 2005, the Sun newspaper warned Labour it had 'one last chance' and now it has withdrawn its support for the party. Daniel Finkelstein of the Times and former Downing Street adviser Matthew Taylor discuss whether or not Gordon Brown is still the right man for the country.
WED 09:00 Midweek (b00mwrh7)
Alain de Botton is the Swiss-born journalist who recently spent a week at Heathrow's Terminal 5 as 'writer in residence' and has written a diary of his experiences. A Week At the Airport: A Heathrow Diary is published by Profile Books.
When Linda Scotson's son, Doran, was three days old, she was told by doctors that he was incurably brain injured and would not be able to live a normal life. She refused to believe this and, through her extensive research and dedication, developed The Scotson Technique.
Timothy Knatchbull is the grandson of Lord Mountbatten. At the age of 14, he went on a boat with his grandfather, grandmother, his mother and father, identical twin brother Nicholas and local teenager Paul Maxwell. The IRA exploded a bomb in the boat and killed all of them except Timothy and his parents, who were badly injured. In his book, From A Clear Blue Sky, he revists these events that were to change his life and also examines the issue of truth and reconciliation. From A Clear Blue Sky is published by Hutchinson.
Gill Shaw is a celebrity photographer and is also the mother of a soldier who has just come back from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. She travelled 21,500 miles around the UK in just 16 weeks, recording the experiences and traumas of injured serviceman, both on the battlefield and at home, for a new book in aid of the charity Help for Heroes. The book, The Hero Inside, is published by Quiller.
WED 09:45 Book of the Week (b00mzsv5)
Climbing the Bookshelves
Episode 3
Shirley Williams reads from her autobiography.
In 1964, Williams is elected as Labour MP for Hitchin. She examines the difficulties facing a woman MP, many of which continue even today.
Abridged by Polly Coles.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00mvcxf)
Roy Hudd; Childminding; Preventative mastectomy
Entertainer Roy Hudd on his life and career. Plus, childcare regulations; and does preventative mastectomy work? Live music from Stevie Wishart.
WED 11:00 Calling Hereford (b00mwrh9)
Since 1978, staff at the world's largest earth satellite station in Herefordshire have watched global news unfold - immediate, uncensored and unedited. Foreign correspondent Hugh Sykes visits the site and meets the workers who have seen world history in the raw.
WED 11:30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse (b00jf3hl)
Series 3
Fife Circle
Series of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter.
Two elderly brothers meet at Waverley station and set out on a journey of discovery involving lost mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and learn just whom they really belong to.
By Michael Chaplin.
Sir Hugh Dundas/Alex Kelly ...... Stanley Baxter
Directed by Marilyn Imrie
A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 12:00 You and Yours (b00mvczw)
Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson.
WED 12:57 Weather (b00mvd1w)
The latest weather forecast.
WED 13:00 World at One (b00mvd4b)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.
WED 13:30 The Media Show (b00mwrhc)
Trevor Kavanagh, Associate Editor of The Sun, discusses their decision to back the Conservatives; why have they decided to do it now and what will the impact be?
The impartial reporting of news has been the bedrock of British broadcasting for decades but that could be under threat. Recently Jeremy Hunt, the shadow culture secretary, suggested he may want to scrap the rules on political impartiality if the Tories get into power. BBC Trustee and director of journalism at Cardiff University Richard Tait and David Graham, chief executive of the media consultancy Attentional and founder of Diverse Productions, join Steve to discuss whether impartial news reporting is still a viable and valuable model.
The BBC's announcement that it is actively seeking to recruit a female newsreader over the age of 50 is yet another twist in its ageism saga. For many years, female newsreaders have appeared to have a much shorter shelf-life than their male counterparts. So is this a sign attitudes are changing for good or simply a stunt with little consolation for those women overlooked in the past? Sue Ayton, agent to the newsreaders, and the controller of the BBC's News Channel, Kevin Bakhurst, discuss.
It's the season of the big conference speech; comebacks, rallying the faithful and enticing policy announcements are all the rage. But what makes a great speech for those on the inside - the speech writers and those that report them? We speak to former Number 10 spin doctor Lance Price and assistant political editor of the Sunday Express, Julia Hartley-Brewer.
WED 14:00 The Archers (b00mvddk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Tuesday]
WED 14:15 Drama (b00bw6vp)
Rachel Joyce - Take One Night
By Rachel Joyce.
On the eve of their son's 10th birthday, Alan and Alice start work assembling his present. The only instruction they can find simply says, 'Take one night'.
Alan ...... Robert Bathurst
Alice ...... Felicity Montagu
William ...... Charlie Rowe
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer.
WED 15:00 Money Box Live (b00mwrhf)
Vincent Duggleby and a panel of guests answer calls on banking.
Guests are:
Tim Franklin, chief operating officer, The Co-operative Financial Services
Eric Leenders, executive director of retail, British Bankers' Association
Dominic Lindley, Principal Policy Adviser, Which?
WED 15:30 Afternoon Reading (b00mwfcc)
Welsh Rarebits
Moving On
Series of new short stories from Wales by established and lesser-known authors.
By Catrin Gerallt, read by Sara McGaughey.
Now that Gareth has left, Bethan is on her own again, quietly terrified at finding herself in the category 'newly single mother-of-two'. But an encounter in an Irish bar makes her realise that life is full of possibilities.
WED 15:45 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mvg03)
The State in Miniature
The home as a microcosm of social order. Historian Amanda Vickery reveals the hidden history of the home over 400 years.
WED 16:00 Thinking Allowed (b00mwrhh)
Criminal Communication - Scandal
Laurie Taylor discusses the language of crime and the codes of criminal communication with Diego Gambetta, mafia scholar and criminal sociologist. He finds out why, in order to survive in the criminal underworld, language requires subtle, coded and sometimes gruesome modes of communication to avoid being found out by rivals or police.
Laurie is joined by Dick Hobbs, sociologist from the LSE, to find out why the language of the criminal underworld is often written in code.
Also, what makes a scandal? Ari Adut from the University of Texas discusses.
WED 16:30 Adults With Autism (b00mwms8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Tuesday]
WED 17:00 PM (b00mvgb7)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
WED 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00mvgcq)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
WED 18:30 Chain Reaction (b00mwrhk)
Series 5
Alastair Campbell interviews Alistair McGowan
Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell chats to impressionist, comedian and actor Alistair McGowan.
Chain Reaction is the tag talk show, where the guest becomes the interviewer in the next episode.
Producer: Sam Bryant
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2009.
WED 19:00 The Archers (b00mvddm)
Lilian's at Home Farm for a family meeting about Peggy's finances. She finds Adam in the yard, and tells him about the footpath debate at the parish council. Adam tells Lilian about the fun at Alice's 21st last night.
Lynda appears with Scruff. Last night's setback isn't going to stop her opposition to Adam's plans. Lynda tells Adam she's seen two Brown Hairstreak butterflies in the area. They're very rare and lay their eggs in hedges. Adam mustn't cut the hedge by Long Wood. Adam eventually agrees, to Lynda's delight.
Jennifer's been talking to Kate on the phone. She tells Brian she thinks Kate's restless now she's finished her community development course - Brian didn't even know she was doing one!
Tony arrives, and the meeting starts. Brian tells everyone that Bryce is reviewing Peggy's portfolio. Jennifer and Lilian pooh-pooh Tony objection to Bryce also being the Aldridges' advisor. Brian says it's important for Jack and Peggy to live without financial stress, which Tony agrees with. Brian tells them there won't be as much to pass on to the next generation as there was. Tony blusters that he isn't worried about his inheritance. His only concern is his mother's welfare and it always has been.
Episode written by Keri Davies.
WED 19:15 Front Row (b00mvgfv)
The artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Michael Boyd, announces his plans for the 2010 season, including a new production of Hamlet for young audiences and the countdown to the reopening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter Mika discusses his new album and tells Mark Lawson about his classical training, mixed racial heritage and why he may lose friends by writing songs.
Writer and academic Sarah Churchwell reviews the new stage version of Truman Capote's novel, Breakfast At Tiffany's, starring Anna Friel as good-time girl Holly Golightly.
Ben Stephenson, the newly-appointed controller of BBC drama commissioning, announced a moratorium last January on what he called 'bonnet drama'. With a new dramatisation of Jane Austen's novel, Emma, about to begin on BBC1, Ben Stephenson joins Mark Lawson to debate the presence and role of costume drama on television.
WED 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00mvk4v)
Craven: Series 1
Episode 3
Police drama by Amelia Bullmore.
Craven risks exposure as Robinson gets nearer to the intimate truth of the Fenton murder case. As Craven promises to look into racial harassment by the force in the past, DI Bird's sloppy policing threatens its future.
DCI Sue Craven ...... Maxine Peake
DS Watende Robinson ...... Michael Obiora
Macca ...... Jack Deam
DI Bird ...... David Crellin
DSI Price ...... James Quinn
Michael Chambers ...... Reece Noi
Aaron Trent ...... Marcquelle Ward
A Red production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 20:00 From Abacus to Circle Time: The Primary School Debate (b00mws3r)
Following education journalist Mike Baker's three-part series on the history of primary schools, Jane Garvey chairs a debate on the future of education for the under 11s.
2009 sees a critical and uncertain time in primary schooling. The 'root and branch reform' of the curriculum promised by schools secretary Ed Balls has led to the publication of Sir Jim Rose's review. The wider-ranging Cambridge Primary Review, led by Prof Robin Alexander, is also due. Add to the mix a possible change of political leadership before the new system is implemented in September 2011, and the only real certainty is that major change will come to a primary school near you.
The programme is recorded at the Institute of Education in London, in front of an audience. The expert panel, made up of primary practictioners, educationalists and parents, take questions and comments from the audience and set out to address the question, 'What is the purpose of primary education, and how can we best provide it?'.
WED 20:45 Peace In Our Time - And What Followed It (b00mws3t)
Episode 2
It is 40 years since the Troubles started and ten since they stopped, but has that decade brought Northern Ireland ten years closer to normality? Is the news agenda now about race, health and education issues, or is terrorism a black hole from which the headlines can never fully escape?
Reporter Tara Mills finds out how journalists and politicians have made the leap from being feted by presidents and prime ministers to having to deal with the backlog of 'normal' politics.
WED 21:00 Nature (b00mw5n7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Tuesday]
WED 21:30 Midweek (b00mwrh7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 21:58 Weather (b00mvm0d)
The latest weather forecast.
WED 22:00 The World Tonight (b00mvmh6)
National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah.
Labour's plans for an efficiency drive in schools: can it save millions?
Former French prime minister de Villepin in court on corruption charges.
Why Ireland will vote Yes on the Lisbon Treaty the second time around.
WED 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00n10jf)
Fathers and Sons
Episode 3
Douglas Hodge reads from the novel by Ivan Turgenev. First published in 1862, this story of a young man's return from university, accompanied by his radical friend Bazarov, shocked its early readers. Turgenev's characterisation of the outspoken young nihilist who criticises the older generation of 'romantics' and rejects 'everything' was both an alarmingly realistic depiction of the changing times he saw around him and an uncomfortable reflection of the eternal difficulties between generations.
Increasingly irritated by Bazarov's dismissal of the older generation and all they stand for, Pavel Petrovich determines to have a set-to with him - but the results are not as he would have hoped.
Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.
WED 23:00 Cowards (b007jf0x)
Series 1
Episode 6
Moustaches and job interviews in the bizarre world of the comedy sketch show team.
Featuring the talents of writers and performers Tom Basden, Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key and Lloyd Woolf.
Producer: Victoria Lloyd
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2007.
WED 23:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (b00wnmbt)
Dead Side of the Mic
Episode 4
Can the actor-sleuth solve the deadly mystery haunting the BBC, or will he end up in chains? Stars Bill Nighy and Nicky Henson.
THURSDAY 01 OCTOBER 2009
THU 00:00 Midnight News (b00mvbqz)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
THU 00:30 Book of the Week (b00mzsv5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Wednesday]
THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00mvbvs)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00mvc50)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
THU 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00mvbxj)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 05:30 News Briefing (b00mvc9z)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00mvcdy)
Daily prayer and reflection with Dr Edward Kessler.
THU 05:45 Farming Today (b00mvckt)
As guns are loaded for the start of the pheasant shooting season, Charlotte Smith hears that shoots are suffering in the recession.
A generation of rural people have lost their connection with farming, according to a charity which takes thousands of school pupils on farm visits each year.
As more resources are put into researching the decline of our bee population, we discover how the Farming Today bees are faring.
THU 06:00 Today (b00mvcq7)
Presented by Sarah Montague and John Humphrys.
Britain's biggest defence contractor, BAE Systems, may be facing prosecution in what could become the biggest corruption trial this country has ever seen. Business editor Robert Peston analyses the importance of the decision.
Union leaders are holding talks with Canadian company Magna, the new owners of car maker Vauxhall, over rumours of job losses. Joint leader of union Unite, Tony Woodley, says that he fears a 'political stitch-up', with UK jobs being cut to protect the company's German workers.
Some 10,000 US marines are now in Afghanistan's Helmand province as part of a US military surge. They have pushed further into southern Afghanistan than British forces were able to, but are facing almost daily gun battles with the Taliban. Ian Pannell reports from one of the marines' most remote combat outposts, where the battle is at its fiercest. Contains language which may offend.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is announcing that it intends to prosecute Britain's biggest defence contractor, BAE Systems, for corruption. It is expected to demand the confiscation of a sum of between 500 million and one billion pounds. Andrew Hosken reports on the breakdown of talks after the company refused to plead guilty to bribery charges and pay a significant sum in confiscation.
A new earthquake has hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, as officials say 200 people may have died in earlier tremors. Bob McKerrow, head of the delegation in Indonesia for the International Federation of Red Cross, based in Jakarta, describes the humanitarian crisis on the island.
Thought for the Day with Rev Angela Tilby.
How will Britain respond to the US reconsideration of its military strategy in Afghanistan? North America editor Mark Mardell analyses the current discussion taking place in the White House and defence secretary Bob Ainsworth discusses whether or not the UK will follow if the US decides to shift the focus of its campaign.
The Serious Fraud Office is to seek permission from the attorney general to prosecute Britain's biggest defence contractor, BAE, for corruption. Andrew Hosken reports on accusations, which BAE deny, that hundreds of millions of pounds were paid in bribes to secure contracts. Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb reacts to the decision to seek a prosecution.
The Irish will vote tomorrow for the second time on the Lisbon Treaty: a treaty designed to streamline decision-making in the EU and set up an EU president and foreign affairs spokesman. Europe correspondent Jonny Dymond analyses the likely outcome of the referendum.
A 7.6 magnitude earthquake has hit Sumatra, a day after another powerful quake devastated the Indonesian island. At least 200 people are thought to have died. Most of casualties were in the coastal city of Padang, where it is feared that hundreds more could be trapped beneath rubble. Martin Hatfull, UK ambassador to Indonesia, describes the extent of the destruction.
There are more Orange Order parades in Glasgow than there are in Belfast, at a large cost to the police. Scotland correspondent Colin Blane and Ian Wilson of the Orange Order discuss whether the number of parades could be cut.
The case of a woman who doctors allowed to die after she drank poison is thought to be the first time a living will has been used by someone trying to commit suicide. Kerrie Wooltorton, who died in 2007, handed doctors a written declaration of her wishes after telling them she only wanted pain relief and not for her life to be saved. Dr Sheila McLean, Professor of Medical Law and Ethics in Medicine at Glasgow University, discusses the case.
In the run-up to the winner of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction being announced, the Today programme is speaking to all six shortlisted authors. Arts correspondent Rebecca Jones talks to Sarah Waters about her novel, The Little Stranger.
Senior government officials from Iran are meeting with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany to talk about Iran's nuclear programme. It follows the disclosure of the existence of a secret uranium enrichment plant. Jeremy Bowen explains what steps the US and Russia could take against the regime.
The BBC has learnt that Rhodri Morgan will announce his resignation or retirement as First Minister in the Welsh Assembly. Mr Morgan, who turned 70 this week, has led Labour in the Assembly for most of its first decade. Wyre Davies reports on the search for a successor.
Leading nutritionists have signed a petition calling for a change in labelling rules to stop margarines and spreads from saying that they are good for you because they contain Omega 3. Prof Jack Winkler of London Metropolitan University, who co-ordinated the petition, explains his concerns.
THU 09:00 In Our Time (b00mwsly)
Akhenaten
Melvyn Bragg and guests Elizabeth Frood, Richard Parkinson and Kate Spence discuss the Pharaoh Akhenaten, the ruler who brought revolutionary change to ancient Egypt. During his reign, Akhenaten embarked on a profoundly radical project: he set out to transform his people's deepest religious beliefs, moving from a polytheistic tradition to the elevation of a single solar god, Aten. The changes in art and architecture that followed have led some to call him 'history's first individual'. Despite his successors' attempts to obliterate him from the historical record, Akhenaten - and his wife Nefertiti - have been an endless source of fascination and speculation.Richard Parkinson is an Egyptologist at the British Museum; Elizabeth Frood is a Lecturer in Egyptology at the University of Oxford; Kate Spence is a Lecturer in the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt at the University of Cambridge.
THU 09:45 Book of the Week (b00mzsv7)
Climbing the Bookshelves
Episode 4
Shirley Williams reads from her autobiography.
The launch of the Social Democratic Party in 1981. Determined not to be seen as merely a London initiative, the four new leaders went on a whirlwind tour of the country. It looked like the dawning of a new political age.
Abridged by Polly Coles.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00mvcxh)
Make-up guru Lauren Luke; Pre-school clothing
Make-up guru Lauren Luke on her YouTube fame. Plus, the future of children's care homes; and why are children's clothes so gendered?
THU 11:00 From Our Own Correspondent (b00mwsm0)
Kate Adie introduces BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the headlines.
A trip down memory lane to one of China's last surviving communes.
Rwandans get connected but don't like communicating.
The language law that has got backs up among Slovakia's Hungarian minority.
THU 11:30 Encore! (b00mw5nc)
Singer Guy Garvey explores the development of the musical encore, from the spontaneous demand for a repeat performance to the predictable delivery of a closing party piece.
Speaking to fellow performers and hearing from historians, he discovers how the encore has progressed over time. In the 17th and 18th century orchestras would be applauded after each movement of a symphony, often repeating the most popular movements a number of times before moving on the rest of the concert. The demand for more seemed to be spontaneous and unexpected. Nowadays, however, all encores are saved for the end of an evening and are hardly, if ever, a repeat of what has been heard before.
Guy asks how acts choose their encores, if there is an art to the good encore and if there are any artists today who are trying to breath new life into the practice.
THU 12:00 You and Yours (b00mvczy)
Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson.
THU 12:57 Weather (b00mvd1y)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 13:00 World at One (b00mvd4d)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.
THU 13:30 Costing the Earth (b00mw2nk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Monday]
THU 14:00 The Archers (b00mvddm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Wednesday]
THU 14:15 Drama (b00bfyc8)
A Wedding in Krakow
Ewa Banaszkiewicz's tender story offers a fresh perspective on the lives of Polish people living in England.
Staszek returns to Krakow for his daughter's wedding. He has been dreading the visit, having abandoned his pregnant girlfriend 20 years before. Not only is he tortured by guilt at having never lived up to being a father, he also has a secret that he would like to keep.
Staszek ...... Peter Czajkowski
Sandra ...... Helen Longworth
Zuza ...... Aneta Piotrowska
Wojtek ...... Sebastian Palka
Ela ...... Joanna Kanska
Stefan ...... Wojtek Piekarski
Maria ...... Ruth Posner
Directed by Pam Marshall.
THU 15:00 Ramblings (b00mtm8z)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:07 on Saturday]
THU 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (b00mtq2m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:55 on Sunday]
THU 15:30 Afternoon Reading (b00mwfcf)
Welsh Rarebits
Hurry On Sundown
Series of new short stories from Wales by established and lesser-known authors.
By Dan Anthony, read by Iestyn Jones.
In a police cell, Cliff tries to work out just what is worst about his situation - the fact that he is about to be charged for drunk and disorderly behaviour or that he appears to have time-travelled nearly 40 years.
THU 15:45 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mvfzz)
The Closet
A place for prayer, music and safety. Historian Amanda Vickery reveals the hidden history of the home over 400 years.
THU 16:00 Open Book (b00mtwd1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Sunday]
THU 16:30 Material World (b00mwtcn)
Earthquakes in southeast Asia have caused hundreds of deaths, if not more; Quentin Cooper hears what links them, what differentiates them, and about the continuing seismic threat in the region.
President Hu Jintao of China has promised notable improvements in China's carbon efficiency; we hear what this might actually mean in terms of China's burgeoning economy
Also, why behaving green appears to give people a license to turn mean, and the spin on spintronics - how electrons' magnetic properties could revolutionise the digital age.
THU 17:00 PM (b00mvgb9)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00mvgcs)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 18:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b00gd4sy)
Series 4
Alf Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmare
Spoof reminiscences of a former variety star. Count Arthur Strong is an expert in everything from the world of entertainment to the origins of the species, all false starts and nervous fumbling, poorly concealed by a delicate sheen of bravado and self-assurance.
After Gerry takes a tumble over a bucket mysteriously left in his cafe, Arthur steps in and offers to 'do an Alf Ramsey' by running the cafe in Gerry's absence. Culinary experimentation, customer service... Arthur's a natural. Or is he...?
With Steve Delaney, Mel Giedroyc, Dave Mounfield and Alastair Kerr.
A Komedia Entertainment/Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 19:00 The Archers (b00mvddp)
Bert's ploughing on Estate land when Adam stops him, to ask what he's doing. Bert says it will be Ed's land soon. He just wanted some practice before the next match and Ed told him to go ahead. Adam bridles. As he does the work on the Estate it would have been nice to know. Later, Adam speaks to Brian. Brian's sorry he hadn't told Adam. He didn't think Ed would crack on so quickly but he's impressed that he has.
Mike drops in on Brenda to ask about her job hunting. He offers Brenda a bit of work, marketing Grange Farm Dairy. Brenda's thrilled. Mike tells her it's all because of Vicky that he can offer her the work. Brenda is forced to say she's grateful.
Jim and Alan meet Upstairs@TheBull for Wayne's record night. They enjoy the music, and each other's company. Jim tells Alan he's thinking of staying in Ambridge, and he's got the money to buy somewhere. Mike and Brian both call in, though Mike can't stay as he has to get back to Vicky. Brian, Jim and Alan agree it's great to hear some good music for a change. Fallon tells Wayne everyone loves it, and she's enjoying it too.
Episode written by Keri Davies.
THU 19:15 Front Row (b00mvgfx)
Mark Lawson talks to Ozzy Osbourne about his career as musician and 'Prince of Darkness' on the publication of his autobiography.
Bryn Terfel discusses his role in Wales Millennium Centre's fifth birthday celebrations. The Grammy Award-winning Welsh opera singer also explains why his forthcoming Bad Boys tour and CD, which features a selection of arias from the greatest villains in opera, has caused him not to speak to Johnny Depp.
As BAFTA award-winning drama Criminal Justice returns, with a different cast and a different crime, we ask if the second series will be as sucessful as the first?
THU 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00mvk4x)
Craven: Series 1
Episode 4
Police drama by Amelia Bullmore.
Happiness is short-lived as Craven is blamed in the press for DI Terry Bird's failings. Robinson discovers Craven's secret relationship with a witness, compromising both the investigation and her job.
DCI Sue Craven ...... Maxine Peake
DS Watende Robinson ...... Michael Obiora
Macca ...... Jack Deam
DI Bird ...... David Crellin
DSI Price ...... James Quinn
Michael Chambers ...... Reece Noi
Aaron Trent ...... Marcquelle Ward
A Red production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 20:00 The Report (b00mwtcq)
The Mystery of The Arctic Sea
Sarah Rainsford investigates the mysterious disappearance of The Arctic Sea, the Russian-operated cargo ship which went missing off the coast of Britain.
Was it the first modern case of piracy in Europe? Was the vessel part of a smuggling operation by the Russian mafia? Or was it an arms shipment on the way to the Middle East? Sarah explores the different theories as she retraces the ship's journey.
THU 20:30 The Bottom Line (b00mwty5)
Evan Davis asks his panel of top business guests about discipline at work - whether they like running a tight ship or prefer letting spirits run free - and tries to shed some light on the mysteries of profit margins.
His guests are Robert Polet, chief executive of the Gucci Group, Garry Watts, chief executive of SSL International, whose brands include Durex and Scholl, and Paula Bell, finance director of technology and engineering group Ricardo.
THU 21:00 Leading Edge (b00mwwgc)
Funding Research
If two unknown young scientists came to the funding agencies today and said they wanted to try building wire models of molecules, would they get support? Unlikely perhaps, but in 1952, the young Crick and Watson were supported for just that and, as everyone knows, they went on to discover the secret of life: the structure of DNA.
Today, the chief executive of Britain's Medical Research Council is Sir Leszek Botysiewicz, and he tells Geoff Watts about his prorities for funding basic research. They discuss if there is a place among all the urgent needs of clinical medicine for fundamental research that may not bear practical fruit for decades. Roger Highfield, editor of New Scientist, joins the discussion.
Geoff hears an example of promising current research from Jackie Maybin from Edinburgh University, who is studying how the lining of the womb repairs itself every month and how that healing power might be applied to other injuries. She also knows how to communicate her research, having just won the MRC's Max Perutz Award for science writing.
And Geoff visits a new Life Sciences teaching museum at King's College, London where Jill Sales shows him how pickled specimens and bones can inform students.
THU 21:30 In Our Time (b00mwsly)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 21:58 Weather (b00mvm0g)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 22:00 The World Tonight (b00mvmh8)
National and international news and analysis with Felicity Evans.
As three people, including a Plymouth nursery worker, plead guilty to charges of child sex abuse, what are the long-term effects of such offences on children?
As diplomats meet in Geneva, we ask how best to do deals with Iran.
The latest from Sumatra as it recovers from the earthquake.
How to become the Olympic city.
THU 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00n10jh)
Fathers and Sons
Episode 4
Douglas Hodge reads from the novel by Ivan Turgenev. First published in 1862, this story of a young man's return from university, accompanied by his radical friend Bazarov, shocked its early readers. Turgenev's characterisation of the outspoken young nihilist who criticises the older generation of 'romantics' and rejects 'everything' was both an alarmingly realistic depiction of the changing times he saw around him and an uncomfortable reflection of the eternal difficulties between generations.
Arkady and Bazarov abandon the older generation for the delights of town, the governor's ball and independent women.
Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.
THU 23:00 Poetry Slam (b00mx3y7)
Series 2
Episode 2
Radio 4's Radio 4's 2009 Poetry Slam second semi-final was held at the South Street Arts Centre in Reading, where nine slammers battled it out for a place in the final. They were: Catherine Brogan, Alison Brumfitt, Danny Chivers, Kit Lambert, Simone Mansell Browne, Brenda Reade Brown, Deanne Rodger, Pete the Temp, Liv Torc.
A slam is a knockout performance poetry competition in which poets perform their own work to a time limit and are given scores based on content, style, delivery and level of audience response. In the space of two minutes, performers must demonstrate their word-play, performance skills and inventiveness; over two or three rounds, poets are knocked out until one top scorer emerges as the winner. Slams attract a wide range of performers and styles, from heartfelt love poetry to searing social commentary, uproarious comic routines, and bittersweet personal confessional pieces.
THU 23:30 Jon Ronson On (b0076pzj)
Series 1
The Comfort of Strangers
Jon Ronson collects a series of extraordinary stories to illuminate the human condition.
Jon talks to Abdullah Redpath, who found and then lost the love of his life in a remarkable 12-hour period. Comedian Danny Robins tries to make new friends in Amsterdam and Miranda Sawyer interviews Mark Pilkington, who hitch-hiked and found himself in the company of helpful strangers who turned out to be criminals.
FRIDAY 02 OCTOBER 2009
FRI 00:00 Midnight News (b00mvbr1)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
FRI 00:30 Book of the Week (b00mzsv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Thursday]
FRI 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00mvbvv)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00mvc52)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
FRI 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00mvbxl)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 05:30 News Briefing (b00mvcb1)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00mvcf0)
Daily prayer and reflection with Dr Edward Kessler.
FRI 05:45 Farming Today (b00mvckw)
Schools should make better use of their local farms as they teach the National Curriculum, according to education chiefs. Dr Sue Horner from the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency tells Charlotte Smith that the teaching of science, geography and economics can all benefit from school visits.
Charlotte also hears from the former Children's Laureate, Michael Morpurgo, who believes his Farms For City Children charity has provided generations of schoolchildren with vital knowledge and precious memories.
Plus, more news on the state of Britain's hedges. We visit one farmer willing to put the time and money into multi-species hedges that attract a vast range of wildlife.
FRI 06:00 Today (b00mvcqb)
Presented by John Humphrys and Justin Webb.
The Care Quality Commission says lives are being put at risk because of the way GPs in England provide service outside normal working hours. Cynthia Bower, the Care Quality Commission's chief executive, and Dr Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of GPs, analyse what needs to be done to change the system.
Twenty primary schools are being named and praised by Ofsted because of their success in being turned around from failing schools to succeeding ones. David Kirk, headmaster of Ash Green school in Halifax, one of the 20 named schools, explains what has made the difference.
More than 200 healthcare workers who will soon be joining the army in Afghanistan are going through their final stages of training. Health correspondent Adam Brimelow reports from the warehouse near York that has been adapted to create the conditions they will encounter at Camp Bastion in Helmand province.
Is the internet helping paedophiles? It was the internet that enabled Vanessa George to operate a paedophile ring while she was working at a nursery in Plymouth. And it was the internet that led to her arrest, after a vigilant colleague of the man charged with her spotted something on his computer and told the police. Dr Bernie Hogan of the Oxford Internet Institute, who has done extensive research into social networking sites, and Home Affairs editor Mark Easton, analyse the impact of the age of the internet.
Ireland is going to the polls in the country's second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Europe editor Gavin Hewitt reports from Dublin on the likely outcome of the vote.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has made a cameo on TV soap EastEnders. Times television critic Andrew Billen rates his performance.
Thought for the Day with The Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks.
The death toll from the earthquake in Indonesia already stands at more than 1,000, according to the UN, and officials say they expect it to rise. Many people are thought to be trapped in buildings devastated by the tremors. Rachel Harvey reports from the region and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander discusses Britain's response.
The son of a man who died after being given a lethal dose of painkiller by a doctor flown in from Germany to provide weekend cover has called for vetting procedures to be tightened. The comments by Dr Stuart Gray, whose father David died in February 2008, follow the publication of an interim report into out-of-hours GP care by a health watchdog which found primary care trusts may be failing to spot patient safety issues because of a lack of scrutiny.
Parents at Little Teds nursery in Plymouth want to know which of their children were involved in the images shared by Vanessa George, Colin Blanchard and Angela Allen. Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) chief executive Jim Gamble discusses what is being done to track down paedophiles on the internet.
In the run-up to the winner of the Man Booker prize for fiction being announced, the Today programme is speaking to all six shortlisted authors. Arts correspondent Rebecca Jones profiles JM Coetzee's novel, Summertime.
Natalie Morton, the 14-year-old who died after receiving a cervical cancer vaccination, was not killed by the vaccination, an inquest has found, but by an undiagnosed lung tumour. But the news stories reporting that fact are fewer and smaller than those that raised the spectre of the vaccination being unsafe. GP Richard Halvorsen, author of The Truth About Vaccines, and Professor Adam Finn, of Bristol University, discuss the media's reporting of the risks of vaccination.
The First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan has announced his retirement at the age of 70. Mr Morgan discusses why he decided to bow out of politics at the time of his choosing.
An ancient human-like creature that may be a direct ancestor to our species has been described by researchers. The assessment of the 4.4-million-year-old animal called Ardipithecus ramidus is reported in the journal Science and is already causing controversy. Steve Jones, professor of Genetics at University College London, discusses the findings.
Documents at the National Archives show the Home Office was warned as early as 1947 against sending child migrants to Australia. Up to 10,000 children were sent to Australia between 1922 and 1967 to boost the white population and the workforce. Many were abused. Sanchia Berg reports on their calls for an apology from the British government.
The host of the 2016 Olympic games will be announced in Copenhagen today, and Barack Obama will be there personally to support Chicago's bid, together with his wife, and even Oprah Winfrey. The International Olympic Committee must decide between Chicago, Rio, Madrid and Tokyo. Stefan Szymanski, professor of Economics at Cass business school at City University London looks into the options.
FRI 09:00 Desert Island Discs (b00mtqyr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Sunday]
FRI 09:45 Book of the Week (b00mzsv9)
Climbing the Bookshelves
Episode 5
Shirley Williams reads from her autobiography.
Despite its initial huge promise, the SDP finally wound down and merged with the Liberal Party in 1988 to form the Liberal Democrats.
Abridged by Polly Coles.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00mvcxk)
Lesbians in South Africa; Female Surrealists
How have attitudes to lesbians and gay men changed in South Africa? Plus, Jeanette Winterson on female Surrealists; and writer Madeleine Bunting on her sculptor father.
FRI 11:00 Black Men Can't Swim (b00mvr2t)
Actor, comedian and non-swimmer Matt Blaize investigates why fewer black people swim in the UK than the population as a whole.
He examines physiological theories and training methods and assesses the effect of cultural influences. Is it a case of 'can't swim' or 'don't swim'? Does the lack of role models dampen the desire to succeed at this sport rather than at football or basketball, for example?
Matt travels to the United States to meet black swimmer and Beijing Olympic gold medallist Cullen Jones, and, at the age of 39, starts to learn to swim himself.
FRI 11:30 The Adventures of Inspector Steine (b00mx6bf)
Separate Tables
Comedy drama series by Lynne Truss set in 1950s Brighton.
Brunswick has been sent undercover indefinitely in the hope that it will make him forget his deadly grudge against Inspector Steine. But Mrs Groynes seems more interested in Twitten's criminal records.
Inspector Steine ...... Michael Fenton Stevens
Sergeant Brunswick ...... John Ramm
Constable Twitten ...... Matt Green
Mrs Groynes ...... Samantha Spiro
Unknown Villain ...... Adrian Bower
Ventriloquist Vince ...... Ewan Bailey
BBC Announcer/Tony ...... David Holt.
FRI 12:00 You and Yours (b00mvd00)
Consumer news and issues with Peter White.
FRI 12:57 Weather (b00mvd20)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 13:00 World at One (b00mvd4g)
National and international news with Shaun Ley.
FRI 13:30 Feedback (b00mx8rf)
Roger Bolton airs listeners' views on BBC radio programmes and policy.
Evan Davis talks about crashing the pips and listeners ask if former prisoners, such as Jonathan Aitken, should be the subject of sympathetic programmes.
We also have more of your comments on PM.
FRI 14:00 The Archers (b00mvddp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Thursday]
FRI 14:15 Drama (b00mx8rh)
Nancy Harris - Love in a Glass Jar
Love In A Glass Jar
By Nancy Harris
Eve and Patrick are two strangers who have been chatting on a dating website. They've agreed to meet face to face in a hotel room in order to carry out an unofficial sperm donation. They both know why they're there. But do they know what they want?
Eve.....Niamh Cusack
Patrick.....Lorcan Cranitch
Seamus Kenny.....Stephen Hogan
Producer Steven Canny.
FRI 15:00 Gardeners' Question Time (b00mx963)
Peter Gibbs chairs the popular horticultural forum.
Matthew Biggs, Bunny Guinness and John Cushnie answer questions posed by the gardeners of New Waltham, near Grimsby.
John meets some of the characters behind Grimsby in Bloom, including the man responsible for galvanising the community into gardening action.
Jeffrey Bates from the RHS offers some tips on how your town or village could enter next year's Britain in Bloom campaign.
Pippa Greenwood meets some green-fingered kids in Hampshire who are taking part in the Tree Council's Seed Gathering Season.
And Matthew explains how simple it is to sow green manure and so avoid exposing the bare earth to winter weather.
Including Gardening weather forecast.
FRI 15:45 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mvg01)
Every Man's Home Is His Castle
Elaborate rituals of locking up at night, plus records of Old Bailey trials. Amanda Vickery's hidden history of the home over 400 years.
FRI 16:00 Last Word (b00mx965)
Matthew Bannister presents the obituary series, analysing and celebrating the life stories of people who have recently died. The programme reflects on people of distinction and interest from many walks of life, some famous and some less well known.
Marking the lives of politician Piers Merchant, gardener Pamela Schwerdt, Ottoman dynasty leader Osman Ertugrul Osmanoglu, Lucy Vodden (the subject of The Beatles classic Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds) and Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha.
FRI 16:30 The Film Programme (b00mydlf)
The grandmother of the French New Wave, Agnes Varda, on her life with Jacques Demy.
The film version of The Battle Of Britain remembered by two men who risked their lives filming the epic dog-fights.
The first instalment of Matthew Sweet's guide to forgotten British gems,There Ain't No Justice, directed by doomed film-maker Pen Tennyson.
FRI 17:00 PM (b00mvgbc)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
FRI 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00mvgcv)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 18:30 The News Quiz (b00mydlh)
Series 69
Episode 2
Sandi Toksvig chairs the topical comedy quiz. The panellists are Jeremy Hardy, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen and Sue Perkins.
FRI 19:00 The Archers (b00mvddr)
David's pleased Pip's helping with his worm survey, to assess the soil's health, though he's surprised she isn't out with her college friends. Pip says she's happy to help. They get a call from Ruth. A heifer's calved and won't stop bleeding.
Alistair comes straight away, managing to stop the bleeding. David asks him if he'll be standing for captain at the cricket AGM. Alistair's unsure. He got sick of the back-stabbing last season, but David says he'd have lots of support.
Later, David and Pip look at their survey results. David's disappointed the worst results are in the paddocks, but hopeful they can use the results to improve things. David asks if Pip wants to show her college friends but Pip says it's more of a Young Farmers thing.
Peggy makes Jack comfortable for a nap, and drops off herself. Later, Jack wakes Peggy up, asking who she is. Jack goes, shouting to his former wife Valerie that there's a nasty woman in his house. He eventually calms down, though he's still confused as to where he is. Referring to his former marriage, Jack says it's a terrible mess. Wretched Peggy agrees, but says everything will look brighter tomorrow. They just need a good night's sleep.
Episode written by Keri Davies.
FRI 19:15 Front Row (b00mvgfz)
Renowned for his pickled animals and paintings created by teams of assistants, Damien Hirst is now turning his back on works which have earned him millions in the sale room and heading in a new direction. John Wilson finds him in paint-spattered clothes, brush in hand, creating oil paintings.
In his studio - a garden shed in Devon - Hirst reflects on why he is now painting human skulls and sharks' jaws, and looks back at the 2008 auction when his works raised 111 million pounds. He also visits the Wallace Collection in London, where his paintings will hang in a gallery usually associated with works by the likes of Titian and Rembrandt.
FRI 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00mvk4z)
Craven: Series 1
Episode 5
Police drama by Amelia Bullmore.
With Robinson demanding Craven's resignation and refusing to work with her, Craven and DI Bird are forced into an uncomfortable pretence at teamwork to solve the JJ case. With Macca's trust betrayed, can Craven's mistakes, past and present, ever be forgiven?
DCI Sue Craven ...... Maxine Peake
DS Watende Robinson ...... Michael Obiora
Macca ...... Jack Deam
DI Bird ...... David Crellin
DSI Price ...... James Quinn
Michael Chambers ...... Reece Noi
Aaron Trent ...... Marcquelle Ward
A Red production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 20:00 Any Questions? (b00mydlk)
Eddie Mair chairs the topical debate from Altrincham in Cheshire. The panellists are health secretary Andy Burnham, Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat junior spokesperson on foreign affairs, and Eric Pickles, chairman of the Conservative Party, and journalist Matthew Parris.
FRI 20:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00mydlm)
Series 1
Amber
As a boy, David Attenborough had a piece of amber in which lay a blood-sucking fly. He still has it today.
Would it be possible to extract the DNA from one of these insects caught in the resin and, maybe, recreate a dinosaur?
Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009
FRI 21:00 A History of Private Life: Omnibus (b00mydlq)
Episode 1
Omnibus edition of Prof Amanda Vickery's series revealing the hidden history of home over 400 years, drawing on first-hand accounts from letters and diaries, many of which have never been heard before. Including songs which have been specially recorded for the series.
The search for privacy, safety and comfort in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The readers are Deborah Findlay, John Sessions, Madeleine Brolly and Simon Tcherniak.
The singers are Gwyneth Herbert and Thomas Guthrie, with David Owen Norris at the keyboard.
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 21:58 Weather (b00mvm0j)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 22:00 The World Tonight (b00mvmhb)
National and international news and analysis with Felicity Evans.
Rio wins the bid to host the 2016 Olympics - but has it been given a poisoned chalice?
Yes or No - voters in Ireland decide the future of the Lisbon Treaty.
We discuss - was the British Empire a good or a bad thing?
And the Tories - will their modern, progressive look win over new voters? We're in Bristol to find out.
FRI 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00n10jk)
Fathers and Sons
Episode 5
Douglas Hodge reads from the novel by Ivan Turgenev. First published in 1862, this story of a young man's return from university, accompanied by his radical friend Bazarov, shocked its early readers. Turgenev's characterisation of the outspoken young nihilist who criticises the older generation of 'romantics' and rejects 'everything' was both an alarmingly realistic depiction of the changing times he saw around him and an uncomfortable reflection of the eternal difficulties between generations.
Arkady and Bazarov carry out their proposed visit to Anna Sergeyevna Odintsova's country estate and find that time flies in good company.
Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.
FRI 23:00 Great Lives (b00mwm65)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:30 on Tuesday]
FRI 23:30 Misfits in France (b00f4prv)
Broken in Berneval, Soaked in the Sea
Series in which Julian Barnes and Hermione Lee explore the connections between a group of Victorian writers and artists who crossed the English Channel for different reasons.
Julian and Hermione travel to the north coast of France, where, in the late 1860s, the poet Algernon Swinburne spent time, as did the exiled Oscar Wilde some 30 years later. They examine French attitudes to the life and work of both men and the religious themes that link their writing.
In the summer of 1868, local fishermen saved a drunken Swinburne from drowning off the cliffs of Etretat. The bizarre lunch to celebrate his survival was attended by the teenage French writer Guy de Maupassant.
In 1897, an exiled Oscar Wilde held a fete for the locals in Berneval and invited friends including Ernest Dowson to distract him from working on his poem, The Ballad of Reading Gaol. But as Wilde became progressively more lonely, he started corresponding once more with Lord Alfred Douglas.
Oscar Wilde ...... Simon Russell Beale
Algernon Swinburne ...... Jonathan Tafler
Guy de Maupassant ...... Stephen Critchlow.