The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
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.
It is conker season, but children may be disappointed this year as horse chestnut trees face a little invader with big consequences. Charlotte Smith finds out what is being done to control the rapid spread of 'leaf miner'. Also, Charlotte asks whether NIMBYS (Not In My Back Yard) are friend or foe of the countryside.
After Ireland endorsed the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, attention now moves to Poland and the Czech Republic, who have yet to ratify it. Poland has promised to do so immediately after the Irish 'yes'. But what about the Czech republic? Prague correspondent Rob Cameron explains the pressures facing the Czech Republic and the eurosceptic leader of the Free Citizens Party, Petr Mach, discusses why some in the country fear the Treaty.
MI5 is marking its centenary with the publication of an authorised history. Security correspondent Gordon Corera speaks to Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, the former Director General of MI5, who steered the security service through its most recent challenges, including the 7/7 suicide bomb attacks in London.
Whatever happened to the Young Conservatives? From the Tory party conference, the head of Conservative Future, Michael Rock, and member Emma Carr discuss how the party plans to appeal to younger voters.
Pilots from 36 countries are demonstrating across Europe at new EU rules that govern how long they can fly. They say say the rules are flawed and will raise the risk of an accident. Jim McAuslan, secretary of the British Airline Pilots Association, explains their concerns.
UN nuclear watchdog the IAEA is to send a team to visit the newly-revealed uranium enrichment plant in Iran. The head of the body, Mohammed ElBaradei announced the visit after holding talks with the Iranian president. Former chief inspector and former head of the IAEA, Hans Blix, explains how useful these visits are.
The Conservative Party, which is, meeting in Manchester, looks likely to win the next general election. But the party is struggling to find a tone that looks suitably confident but does not look too complacent. Evan Davis visited the constituency of Broxtowe to find out if the party have the right message to ensure a Tory victory.
To coincide with the centenary of MI5, Christopher Andrew, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Cambridge University, has written an authorised history of the security service. He explains what he found after being given unprecedented access to their archives. Contains language which might offend.
Will the Irish decision to ratify the Lisbon Treaty cause rifts in the Conservative Party at their annual conference? Political editor Nick Robinson analyses the fallout from the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
Day one of the Conservative Party conference has seen the party announce a number of pledges, includng cutting benefits for half a million people and a shake-up of the education system. They plan to introduce 12 new technical schools in large urban areas. Michael Gove, shadow spokesman on children, schools and families - and one of the party's big thinkers - discusses their pledges.
A study of the final year work of students at Imperial College, London found that British scholars are far worse at spelling than their foreign counterparts. Bernard Lamb, the former president of the Queen's English Society, who carried out the study, and Jack Bovill, chair of the Spelling Society, discuss whether bad spelling has any implications.
This time last year, the Taliban and its 'shadow governments' operated mainly in its traditional strongholds. Now, they are spreading their influence across the country. Afghanistan correspondent Martin Patience reports from Kabul on the growing influence of the Taleban on the country.
Church services have been held across the South Pacific islands of Samoa to remember the 176 people killed in last week's tsunami. Correspondent Phil Mercer reports from the Samoan capital, Apia, on a remarkable story of survival from someone who was caught up in the disaster.
At five years old, Varsha is the youngest person in the world to hold a black belt in karate, having learnt from her father, a former Indian national champion. Evan Davis went along to see just how dangerous this five-year-old might be in a fight.
A new history of the 4th century BC reveals how the collapse of Greek democracy occurred in circumstances similar to our own. They were going through a crippling economic downturn and their politicians committed serious financial misdemeanours. Dr Michael Scott, author of From Democrats to Kings and classicist at Cambridge University, discusses the comparisons and whether looking back at history can help to explain contemporary society.
The Conservative Party have pledged to repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British bill of rights. Daily Mail columnist Peter Oborne and Dominic Grieve, the shadow justice secretary, whose job is to write such a bill, discuss the pledge.
His guests include PD James on the art of writing detective fiction, former MI5 director general Stella Rimington on her new novel, Present Danger, and former Sunday Times editor Harold Evans on his memoir, My Paper Chase. Andrew also celebrates the life and work of composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
Lynne Truss reads from her account of the four years she spent as a sports reporter.
How does a woman of literary tastes and neither knowledge of nor interest in sport end up covering great and not-so-great events for the sports section of a national newspaper? As Lynne explains, it all starts over lunch...
Are the children of working mums less healthy? Plus, the women fighting the Mafia; the history of sisters; and jazz from singer Claire Martin.
Bristol's own Banksy is rich and famous for his 'street art', yet aspiring teenage artists in the city are being charged with criminal damage for following his example. This programme hears from the vandals, the artists, and those who are trying to distinguish between them.
Following the success of Bristol City Museum's Banksy exhibition, which drew in more than 300,000 visitors, the council want Bristolians to vote on whether graffiti should be left on buildings or removed. They say they want to promote street art - but has anyone told the police? They are continuing to track down law breakers, no matter how good the art is.
Beauty Olonga works as a carer for the Featherdown Agency and sees herself as an inspiration to other African girls hoping to achieve their goals in the land of semi-skimmed milk.
See Britain through her eyes - its overheated houses, its disappointing church services and its over-fondness for cauliflower cheese.
In this opening episode, Beauty discovers the glories of Weston-super-Mare's charity shops and experiences the disappointment of her first British funeral.
Beauty ...... Jocelyn Jee Esien
Mr Collinson ...... Malcolm Tierney
Jill ...... Pippa Haywood
Sally ...... Felicity Montagu
Karen/Bus Driver/Shop Assistant ...... Nicola Sanderson
Mrs Gupte ...... Indira Joshi
Anil ...... Paul Sharma
Derek/Waiter/Church Reader ...... Christopher Douglas
Minister ...... Dan Tetsell
Tom Sutcliffe chairs the cryptic general knowledge quiz, featuring teams from the south of England and the north of England, with all of this edition's questions devised by listeners.
Confined to her flat after a skiing accident, Monica listens in to her neighbours' lives. A local woman has disappeared and Monica begins to suspect that the man above is somehow involved. When a noise officer from the council turns up, her investigations begin in earnest.
Monica ...... Jemima Rooper
Lucas ...... Andrew Scott
PC Murray ...... Ben Crowe
Judy ...... Lizzy Watts
Tim ...... Ben Askew
Carole ...... Annabelle Dowler
Jackson ...... David Hargreaves
Tony ...... Philip Fox.
Women's struggle to clean and care for their families in a household moral mission. Amanda Vickery's hidden history of the home.
Simon Cox presents the topical magazine series covering the latest developments and issues in the world of IT.
Simon discovers how computer modelling technology used by Hollywood movies is being used to ease congestion in London's Oxford Circus. And he fills his home with gadgets to explore another type of congestion - how household devices could be interfering with WiFi networks.
A chilling warning is delivered to East Germany's opposition groups: 'remember Tiananmen'; thousands of jubilant East Germans arrive in West Germany on the so-called Freedom Trains; the Dalai Lama receives the Nobel Peace Prize.
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
David Mitchell hosts the game show in which panellists are encouraged to tell lies and compete to see how many items of truth they are able to smuggle past their opponents.
Vicky calls in at Ambridge Hall with Abbie. Lynda tells Vicky about Adam's footpath plans, telling her the polytunnels are 'industrial creep'. Vicky says she'll walk the footpath as much as she can.
Ed catches Adam at Home Farm, asking if he can sow some grass seed for him on his new plot. Adam says he'll do it for free. Ed phones Mike with the news. How about they look for Guernsey breeders later?
Adan and Ian enjoy a night off. Ian's pleased Adam lost to Alistair - he doesn't see enough of him anyway. Ian tells Adam about Lee Mason's football dinner on Friday. He's got a fabulous cake planned. Ian's hoping for an autograph 'for Ruiari'. Adam says it's really for Ian.
Mike, Ed and Vicky look for Guernsey breeders online. Adam comes up in conversation. Vicky says he shouldn't be covering the fields in plastic. Mike tells Vicky local businesses don't have it easy, but Vicky says Lynda's told her all about it. Ed interrupts. He's found plenty out of the TB zone. Mike says they should go to visit them. Vicky's so excited. She can give them all names, like her bears! They should toast the success of their three-way adventure!
Mark Lawson talks to novelist Susan Hill, whose latest book was inspired by her attempt to locate a particular title, which led to the discovery that she had dozens of books which she couldn't remember owning or had never read. She discusses Howards End Is On The Landing: A Year of Reading From Home, which follows the writer's year-long journey through her books, rediscovering her own collection.
Gaylene Gould reviews Shane Meadows's latest film, Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee, a short improvised comedy, shot over five days, starring Paddy Considine, which follows a roadie and his protege as they head for the big time.
Music writer John Harris discusses one of the subjects explored in his new book, what he describes as 'rock follies': the albums by once-great talents which leave a lot to be desired.
The exhibition of the four shortlisted artists for the Turner Prize 2009 have gone on display at Tate Britain. The novelist Lionel Shriver gives her opinion on the works by Enrico David, Roger Hiorns, Lucy Skaer and Richard Wright.
By Julie Balloo and Jenny Eclair. Cass and Ken find themselves tackling pregnancy and parenthood in their late forties.
Cass is 46 and her kids are grown up - time to kick back, but nature has a surprise in store.
Cass ...... Jenny Eclair
Ken ...... Kevin Eldon
Charlie ...... Joseph Cohen-Cole
Kate ...... Emerald O'Hanrahan
Penny ...... Felicity Montagu
Doctor ...... Philip Fox
Penny Marshall investigates the dark secret of women who sexually abuse children.
Female sexual abuse of children goes against everything we want to believe about women. The thought of mothers overstepping the boundaries of love to abuse their children is so threatening and shameful that it has become one of the most under-reported of crimes. However, recent research suggests that they are responsible for up to 20 per cent of all abuse. Because there was often denial that women could behave in such a way, it has remained under-researched and many incorrect assumptions and beliefs still surround the subject, even among professionals.
Penny hears shattering stories from the abused and talks to those working with offenders to try to understand their behaviour and motivations.
With youth unemployment in Britain at its highest level for decades, new evidence shows that only a tiny proportion of school leavers who go on to basic vocational courses find jobs at the end of them. Fran Abrams asks whether further education in this country has got the balance right between a choice-led system and a more paternalistic one. Should we be encouraging young people to follow their dreams or giving them vocational training more closely tied to the job market?
Every year around 60,000 people set out on the Three Peaks Challenge, aiming to climb the highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland. Most do it to raise money for charity but there are increasing worries that the challenge is putting too much pressure on the environment, destroying some of our most beautiful places.
Alice Roberts sets out with a group of enthusiastic trekkers to find out if the environment is suffering as charities prosper.
The Challenge used to be centred around the longest day in June, giving trekkers the chance to climb Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike in daylight. More recently, however, it has become such a charity money-spinnner that groups tackle the peaks from April to October. At the height of the season as many as 1,000 people can be trekking up each mountain, often in the dark. The Challenge speeds up the erosion of paths, damages fragile Alpine plant systems and adds to the pressure on the areas' toilets and litter bins.
Banning the Challenge would destroy an important income source for hundreds of charities and breach the principle of open access to these iconic mountains. Can Alice find a solution? Can people enjoy the physical challenge of the mountain environment and continue to raise money for charity without destroying some of Britain's wildest and most beautiful places?
National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah and Felicity Evans.
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.
Bazarov's cool and clinical approach to life fails him, and the idyll of the past few weeks is broken up.
Children's writer Michael Morpurgo takes a literary journey through his life, with pieces of prose and poetry.
Favourite writers chosen include: Rudyard Kipling, Kenneth Grahame, Robert Louis Stevenson, Charles Dickens, Ted Hughes, Sean Rafferty and Edward Thomas.
Critic and broadcaster Mark Kermode examines the history of and controversy surrounding the film Scum.
Originally made by the BBC in 1977, its brutal depiction of life in the borstal system was deemed to be too controversial for broadcast and it was banned by the Corporation. However, it was then re-made for the cinema two years later and became one of the most infamous British films of the 1980s. Mark investigates the accuracy of the film and offers a portrait of its uncompromising director Alan Clarke.
Featuring new interviews, including screenwriter Roy Minton, actor Mick Ford, former director of BBC television Alasdair Milne and the producers of both the BBC and theatrical versions.
TUESDAY 06 OCTOBER 2009
TUE 00:00 Midnight News (b00mzt49)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
TUE 00:30 Book of the Week (b00mztyg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Monday]
TUE 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00mzt67)
The latest shipping forecast.
TUE 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00mzt92)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
TUE 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00mzt7q)
The latest shipping forecast.
TUE 05:30 News Briefing (b00mztcd)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
TUE 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00mztdt)
Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Mary Stallard.
TUE 05:45 Farming Today (b00mztkn)
Fewer than half the homes needed to cope with the growing demand for housing are being built.
Two years ago the government announced a target of an extra three million properties in England by 2020, but planners are struggling to meet that target - and in many cases it is because of people objecting to building in the countryside.
TUE 06:00 Today (b00mztts)
Presented by Justin Webb and Evan Davis.
Shadow chancellor George Osborne has announced plans to raise the state pension age from 65 to 66 from 2016 if the Tories win the next election, to help tackle the UK's public debt. Stephanie Flanders, BBC economics editor, and Roz Altman, a pensions expert and a governor of the London School of Economics, discuss the new policy.
The UK's leading aid agencies are launching a relief effort to provide help to the victims of the Sumatra earthquake, and to the tens of thousands of people affected by flooding in the Philippines and Vietnam. Asia correspondent Alistair Leithhead reports on the latest crisis in the region.
A survey commissioned by the Department of Health in England has found that seven out of ten care home residents are facing mistakes in the way their medications are delivered. Professor Nick Barber of London University, which conducted the research, explains the findings.
Scientists at Southampton University have discovered a way to communicate the thoughts of one person to another across the internet, without the use of a keyboard or even voiced instructions. It is hoped the technique, 'brain computer interfacing', could one day allow individuals to communicate and control machines by the power of thought alone. Science correspondent Tom Feilden reports on the new development.
The political debate over Britain's economic deficit reached a peak yesterday, after specific suggestions on restraining public spending were made by the two main parties. Steve Bundred, chief executive of the Audit Commission, discusses the opposing policies on spending.
The Spaghetti Western Orchestra showcases Ennio Morricone's classic scores, written for Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western films. The unique orchestra features five talented multi-instrumentalists who play approximately 100 'instruments' between them. These range from conventional instruments to an array of everyday objects including nail clippers, an asthma inhaler, cereal packets and Tasmanian lottery balls. Three members of the band, Denis Blais, Patrick Cronin and Graeme Leak, perform some of their sound effects.
Thought for the Day with Oliver McTernan, director of the NGO Forward Thinking.
Prison governors are urging ministers to scrap prison sentences of less than a year, to ease overcrowding. The Prison Governors Association (PGA) is to debate the idea at its annual conference. Home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw and the President of the PGA, Paul Tidball, discuss the possible reforms.
The Conservative leader, David Cameron, briefly addressed his party conference yesterday, ahead of his speech on Thursday. He told the party that this was not a week of celebration, but a time to look the British people in the eyes. Mr Cameron outlines his aim to reform the state pension, his views on the Lisbon Treaty and how he views the prospect of being the country's next prime minister.
Political editor Nick Robinson analyses Mr Cameron's proposals to increase the pension age and reduce the government's deficit.
Business editor Robert Peston on news rules introduced by the Financial Service Authority which will mean banks will have to hold more of their assets in cash.
Why is classic comedy absent from so many of our British theatres? Michael Billington, The Guardian's theatre critic, says we are in a new era of puritanism when 'comedy is suspect and its bedmate farce is frowned on'. He discusses his case with Nicholas Hytner, artistic director of the National Theatre.
The new Supreme Court heard its first case yesterday. The case was an appeal by five terrorism suspects who say the government overreached its powers by freezing their assets without a conviction. Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor, who was involved in the creation of the Supreme Court, discusses its first day of operation.
The Conservatives are starting the second day of their conference. George Parker, political commentator at The Financial Times, and Matthew D'Ancona of the Sunday Telegraph discuss whether David Cameron's 'change' agenda is firing up rank-and-file Conservatives.
TUE 08:57 The Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal (b00nh5xg)
The Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Last week a typhoon and an earthquake changed thousands of lives forever. The DEC a coalition of 13 leading UK aid agencies are asking for your help. Already they are working with people on the ground.
Any donation will make a real difference to people who are in desperate need of your help.
25 pounds will feed four families for a month.
50 pounds will provide a household kit for those who have lost everything.
100 pounds will provide five tarpaulin shelters.
You can give now on 0370 60 60 900 or at www.dec.org.uk.
Or you could write a cheque to DEC Disasters Appeal and send it to:
DEC Disasters Appeal
PO Box 999
Birmingham
B99 9AA.
TUE 09:00 1989: Simpson Returns (b00n0v36)
Episode 1
The BBC's World Affairs Editor John Simpson tells the story of 20 years of post-communist life. Through personal stories, he traces the different roads that East Germany, the Czech Republic and Romania have taken since 1989.
John visits Leipzig and Berlin and talks to people who influenced events at the time, as well as those whose lives changed forever.
TUE 09:30 The Good Samaritan (b00n0wyt)
Gordon's Story
4/5 Gordon's Story.
Dominic Arkwright meets people who have lent a helping hand, including the man who stopped by the roadside to help some swans in distress, only to have his luxury car stolen.
Producer John Byrne.
TUE 09:45 Book of the Week (b00n3wqs)
Lynne Truss - Get Her Off the Pitch!
Episode 2
Lynne Truss reads from her account of the four years she spent as a sports reporter.
In 1999 Lynne is sent to Madison Square Garden to cover the fight between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis for the heavyweight championship of the world.
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00mzv0z)
Jo Brand; Marriage as a political tool
Comedienne Jo Brand on her memoir Look Back in Hunger; women novelists and the Man Booker Prize; and should marriage be used as a political tool.
TUE 11:00 Nature (b00n0wyw)
Series 3
Insect Soundings
In an unusual sound safari, Paul Evans is our guide to the musicians of the insect world. There are head-banging beetles, tymbal-clicking cicadas, stridulating crickets, whining mosquitoes, pulsating moths, and toe-tapping plant hoppers. The world vibrates to the rhythms of insects. Their songs announce their presence, define their territory, lure potential mates and even shock predators.
In Japan, the songs of crickets have long been admired, and tiny caged insects are kept in the pocket or hung up in temples or houses where their songs are enjoyed as much as the dawn chorus of birds is appreciated in the west.
For some insects, sound is a weapon. For example, species of tiger moths produce pulses of sounds which they use to deter hunting bats. One explanation is that the moth's signals jams the bat's echolocation calls, in an aerial battle of sounds.
On the ground, another battle is being fought using sound as a secret weapon. Scientists at York University are developing hand-held recorders and sound recognition systems to detect wood-boring larvae in imported wood. With no sign of infestation on the outside, the larvae can be detected inside the wood by listening to the sounds they make as they tunnel and feed on the internal tissues.
TUE 11:30 I Have Heard the Mermaids Singing (b00n0wyy)
Janet Ellis heads to Cornwall, Preston and Macclesfield to speak to authors, storytellers and academics about the power of the mermaid image and its origins.
She hears from the man who came up with the Starbucks logo, perhaps the most prevalent mermaid in modern culture, and finds out the identity of the 'girl next door' on whom it was based. Janet also trawls through the myriad mermaid references in art and literature, from Robert Graves and TS Eliot to the Pre-Raphaelites, who used the mermaid as a powerful image of voluptuous sexuality.
The legend of the mermaid is said to date back to the days when sailors far from home would mistake sea mammals like manatees and dugongs for semi-human creatures. Since the days of Homer, the image of the mysterious female luring sailors to their deaths has remained extremely powerful in the popular imagination, and has survived numerous reinventions over the centuries. With the help of the likes of Hans Christian Andersen and Walt Disney, mermaids have become as much a mainstay of modern childhood as pirates and princesses.
TUE 12:00 You and Yours (b00mzvgr)
Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.
As we live longer but not necessarily more healthily in our twilight years, how can our care be paid for - whether it's help at home for essentials like washing and dressing, or in a residential care home? So how can a balance be struck so that the state pays for care when people can't fund it themselves, and the better off contribute some of the costs without being unfairly penalised? Each of the main political parties has begun to outline aspects of their policies in this area and on this edition of Call You and Yours, we hear from all three.
Guests:
Andy Burnham, Health Secretary
Andrew Lansley, Conservative Health spokesperson
Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat spokesman.
TUE 12:57 Weather (b00mzvk0)
The latest weather forecast.
TUE 13:00 World at One (b00mzvnk)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.
TUE 13:30 Over The Rainbow With Yip Harburg (b00n0xfq)
Broadcaster Stephen Evans explores the life and work of lyricist Yip Harburg, who became known as the 'social conscience' of Broadway, and discovers his contemporary relevance.
Harburg became famous for writing the lyrics to The Wizard of Oz and the anthem of the Great Depression era, Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? His strong socialist views led him to become a victim of the infamous Hollywood anti-communist blacklist in the 1950s.
TUE 14:00 The Archers (b00mzvr9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Monday]
TUE 14:15 Drama (b00c0ncj)
Dickens Confidential
The Man Who Robbed the Bank of England
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.
Mourning the loss of Jack Marshall, Dickens and his investigative team are determined to find the connection between financier Iron Billy and a cunning plot aimed at the heart of the country's financial system.
Charles Dickens ...... Dan Stevens
Agnes Paxton ...... Eleanor Howell
Daniel Parker ...... Andrew Buchan
Joseph Paxton ...... John Dougall
Mickey's Jim ...... Gerard Murphy
Iron Billy ...... John Rowe
Bank manager ...... Stephen Critchlow
Vicar ...... Chris Pavlo
Butler ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Commissionaire ...... Dan Starkey
Directed by David Hunter.
TUE 15:00 Making History (b00n0z4l)
Vanessa Collingridge presents the series exploring ordinary people's links with the past.
TUE 15:30 Afternoon Reading (b00n0z4n)
1989: Writing on the Wall
The Quest for Christa T
BBC Radio 4 Extra will be serving up a literary accompaniment to BBC Radio 4's major new documentary series Germany: Memories of a Nation. A partnership with the British Museum and presented by Neil MacGregor, this six week series will explore the fascinating and complex history of Germany from the origins of the Holy Roman Empire right up to the present day.
Programmes on BBC Radio 4 Extra will include work by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Bertolt Brecht, Franz Kafka, The Brothers Grimm, Gunter Grass, Heinrich Boll, and Thomas Mann.
Neil McGregor reflects on the importance of the writer Christa Wolf in the first week of the series. Anne McElroy introduces an extract from her acclaimed work, The Quest for Christa T. It is translated by Christopher Middleton and read by Sian Thomas.
Christa Wolf was one of the foremost post war German writers. Born in 1929, she grew up under the Nazi's and lived most of her adult life in East Germany, until the Berlin Wall came down. She was born in 1929, was a member of girls' division of the Hitler Youth. At the end of the war, her family tried to flee the Red Army but ended up in the Russian zone anyway. She died in 2011. The Quest for Christa T is considered one of her finest works. It is about a young woman who turns against the shallowness of the West but struggles in the East.
Perhaps it is not surprising that the role of fate and the power of ideologies to change the course of our lives permeate all her work.
First broadcast on Radio 4 in 2009.
TUE 15:45 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mzw4j)
Pots and Pans
What do letters and diaries tell us about running the home in the 16th and 17th centuries? Why do pots and pans matter?
TUE 16:00 Advertising: The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Clothes On! (b00gbc9b)
Episode 1
Advertising executive Robin Wight presents a history of the advertising industry.
Robin returns to the location of his first job in advertising in the late 1960s, a time when advertising was still comparatively dull and simplistic. Including contributions from Maurice Saatchi and Sir Alan Parker.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 16:30 A Good Read (b00n0z6f)
Tom Morris and Martin Rowson
Sue MacGregor talks to theatre director Tom Morris and cartoonist Martin Rowson about favourite books by Clare Clark, Evelyn Waugh and James Lever.
Tom's choice is a tense thriller set in the dank and murky world of London's sewers, Martin's selection is a caustic satire of British society, and Sue proposes a Booker Prize contender penned by a chimpanzee.
The Great Stink by Clare Clark
Publisher: Penguin
Work Suspended and Other Stories by Evelyn Waugh
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Me Cheeta by James Lever
Publisher: Fourth Estate
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.
TUE 16:56 1989: Day by Day (b00n3m1j)
6th October 1989
Sir John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 20 years ago.
Gorbachev begins a historical visit to East Germany to help celebrate the GDR's 40th anniversary; East German leader Eric Honecker continues to take a hard line; acid house parties have been disturbing the peace
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 17:00 PM (b00mzxth)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
TUE 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00mzxvx)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
TUE 18:27 The Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal (b00nh5xg)
[Repeat of broadcast at
08:57 today]
TUE 18:30 Too Much Information (b00n1023)
Episode 1
Waft Tourist Information attempt to justify a huge donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund with a hastily erected papier-mâché historical model - but it turns out disastrously sexual!
Neil Warhurst's four-part comedy drama set in the idiosyncratic world of a tourist information office.
WARREN ................ JEFF RAWLE
DOUGLAS ............. MALCOLM TIERNEY
HEATHER............... LIZA SADOVY
LUCY................. JOANNAH TINCEY
BRYAN.................. PAUL BARNHILL
MR JEFFERSON............ STEPHEN HOGAN
Producer: Liz Webb
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.
TUE 19:00 The Archers (b00mzvqz)
Jim calls in at the Stables. Daniel is going to Phil's later to look at the Galaxy Zoo website. Jim says Phil's irresponsible, encouraging him to sit at a computer. He'll pick Daniel up from school in the Riley. Shula goes and Jim says they can build a rocket together.
Later, Jim and Daniel start their countdown, but Shula approaches, stopping them in their tracks. What about the horses?! They protest but Shula won't budge. Maybe Daniel can ask to set it off at Brookfield.
Ruth and David are worried about Pip. She looks tired and doesn't seem to have made any new friends at college. They agree they need to give it time. They chat about their soil analysis results. They're glad they had it done, so they can work towards better grass.
Fallon meets Wayne in the shop. Wayne's so pleased about his record night last week. Later, Fallon tells Jolene loads of people have been asking for Wayne's night to become a regular event. She eventually agrees, but says Fallon should ask Sid.
Ruth and David are chatting to Wayne when Fallon imparts the news that Sid's agreed. Wayne's delighted, and hugs Fallon. Fallon lightly says he mustn't let her down.
Episode written by Nawal Gadalla.
TUE 19:15 Front Row (b00mzyxk)
Mark Lawson discusses autumn 2009's crop of major literary and political biographies with critic Peter Kemp, historian Tristram Hunt and biographer Hermione Lee.
TUE 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00n005h)
TwilightBaby.com
Episode 2
By Julie Balloo and Jenny Eclair. Cass and Ken find themselves tackling pregnancy and parenthood in their late forties.
Cass struggles to come to terms with pregnancy and being made homeless.
Cass ...... Jenny Eclair
Ken ...... Kevin Eldon
Charlie ...... Joseph Cohen-Cole
Kate ...... Emerald O'Hanrahan
Penny ...... Felicity Montagu
Directed by Sally Avens.
TUE 20:00 File on 4 (b00n11w9)
Armed Forces Equipment
With a Parliamentary report expected to add to criticism of Whitehall's defence purchasing systems, Gerry Northam asks why it seems so hard to buy the right equipment for our forces.
TUE 20:40 In Touch (b00n1204)
We meet the visually-impaired people of Cumbria who are fighting to save a resource centre which they say has changed their lives, but which now seems to be under threat of closure. We examine its role in giving people new social and computer skills, but also ask how much this basic help for newly blind people should be left to charities and whether the role of social services has moved too far from offering direct help.
TUE 21:00 Trials For Life (b00n126g)
Episode 1
Vivienne Parry asks whether patients take part in clinical trials simply to get better or for the common good, hoping for future cures.
Doctors ard patients both want the best chance of recovery from an illness, but when the condition is cancer - and curent treatments have failed - what hope do clinical trials offer? Now that cancer treatments are becoming more individually tailored and effective, is it worth the risk of trying to develop new drugs which may only be slightly better?
TUE 21:30 1989: Simpson Returns (b00n0v36)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
TUE 21:58 Weather (b00n00hc)
The latest weather forecast.
TUE 22:00 The World Tonight (b00n011j)
National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah and Paul Moss.
George Osbourne sets out his plans to deal with debt, but do they add up?
Drought reaches crisis point in the Middle East.
Are politicians and the military divided in their view on Afghanistan?
A rare view from inside North Korea.
The Booker Prize result - we speak to the winner.
TUE 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00n12b7)
Fathers and Sons
Episode 7
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.
His heart broken, Bazarov makes his own prodigal return to his doting parents, with Arkady as his guest. But friendship and filial duty soon begin to pall.
Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.
TUE 23:00 Boyle's Law (b00n12rr)
Pilot for a new comedy by Suk Pannu about tough-talking cop Inspector Vincent Boyle, head of data storage. Banned from doing any actual detecting nowadays, he saves his 'catlike' instincts for reading difficult situations among workmates and acting as a father figure to the community support officers.
Boyle ...... Sanjeev Bhaskar
Fox ...... Anna Chancellor
Adams ...... Meredith MacNeill
Commander Norris ...... Nicholas Farrell
Shankar ...... Nitin Ganatra
Waitres ...... Kate Layden.
TUE 23:30 Another Case of Milton Jones (b007j7tc)
Series 2
Mayor of London
The surreal comedian's latest challenge is to be London's Mayor, with no ability whatsoever. With Dave Lamb. From May 2007.
WEDNESDAY 07 OCTOBER 2009
WED 00:00 Midnight News (b00mzt4c)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
WED 00:30 Book of the Week (b00n3wqs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Tuesday]
WED 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00mzt69)
The latest shipping forecast.
WED 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00mzt94)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
WED 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00mzt7s)
The latest shipping forecast.
WED 05:30 News Briefing (b00mztcg)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
WED 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00mztdw)
Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Mary Stallard.
WED 05:45 Farming Today (b00mztkq)
Anna Hill reports on claims that NIMBY newcomers are preventing the building of affordable homes for local people. Also, venison is healthy and tasty yet only a few of us eat it. Anna finds out how wild venison gets onto our plates and whether more British farmers should be rearing it.
WED 06:00 Today (b00mzttv)
Presented by Justin Webb and Evan Davis.
President Obama will soon be making a decision on US policy in Afghanistan. He will have talks today with senior military advisers, who want him to send thousands more troops. It is the eighth anniversary of the start of the war. Anthony Cordesman from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, one of those who gave advice on US policy, discusses President Obama's decisions.
British Airways has said it will cut jobs, freeze pay and change work practices after making losses. Employment correspondent Martin Shankleman discusses the talks between the company and unions.
Britain is to withdraw everything except emergency funding from the camps where 250,000 displaced Tamils are confined in northern Sri Lanka. The Tamils have been in the camps since May, when the Tamil Tigers were defeated, ending civil war in the country. Correspondent Charles Haviland discusses the UK's announcement.
The first official Conservative gay party pride event took place last night, one of the biggest events of the Tory party conference. Ben Summerskill, chief executive of the gay rights campaign group Stonewall, pulled out of speaking at the event in protest at the presence of what he says are some of the Conservatives' homophobic allies from eastern and central Europe. Evan Davis reports from the party.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague has repeated the Conservative pledge to stop Scottish MPs voting on purely English or Welsh issues. The Conservatives would complete the devolution settlement by allowing English MPs a veto on legislation the affects only England, and English and Welsh MPs a veto when it affects England and Wales. Shadow Scottish secretary David Mundell and the SNP chief whip in the Commons, Stuart Hosie, discuss the Conservatives' constitutional change proposals.
Letters written by artist Vincent van Gogh go on show today in Amsterdam and will come to London in 2010. Journalist and broadcaster Robert Fox discusses how the letters shed light on van Gogh's mental state.
Thought for the Day with Akhandadhi Das, a Vaishnav Hindu teacher and theologian.
The Pakistani army is expected to launch a full-scale attack on Taliban forces based in South Waziristan, one of the lawless areas on the Afghan border thought to be the hiding place of Osama Bin Laden. Lt Gen Talat Masood, who served in the Pakistan army for 39 years, discusses the offensive.
Shadow chancellor George Osborne's speech at the Tory Party conference warned voters of tough times ahead. He said that we will all have to work longer, receive fewer benefits, and warned of a pay freeze for public sector workers. Mr Osborne discusses his speech and his party's policies.
The author Hilary Mantel has won the 2009 Man Booker Prize for Fiction. Her book, Wolf Hall - set in the court of Henry VIII - beat entries from a number of former winners, including JM Coetzee and AS Byatt. Ms Mantel discusses her award.
The UK says it will soon withdraw all resources except emergency funding for the camps that the Sri Lankan government is using to detain a quarter of a million displaced Tamils. The minister for international development, Mike Foster, explains the decision to cut relief to the country.
Over the past two decades, dozens of elderly men and one woman have been stripped of their US citizenship and sent to Europe after American courts ruled that they had hidden their Nazi past. Reporter Sanchia Berg went to Austria in search of 84 year-old Josias Kumpf, who was deported in March.
A debate at the British Library, Don and Dusted, asks whether the days of the stereotypical bumbling professor have gone. Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at Cambridge University, and David Sweeney, Director of Research at the Higher Education Funding Council, discuss whether the age of the scholar is over.
A documentary has been made about Iraqi poet Nabeel Yasin, who was persecuted by Saddam Hussain and spent 27 years in exile. Mr Yasin and the documentary's maker, Georgie Wheedon, discuss the film.
In June, more than 100 Romanian people left Northern Ireland after several violent attacks on their homes. Tensions over their presence had been building in a loyalist area of south Belfast. But now, many of the Roma have returned to the city. Tom Bateman speaks to people there to find out if the mood has changed.
Columnist and former MP Michael Brown discusses the Conservatives' economic strategy.
WED 09:00 Midweek (b00n1jb2)
Lively and diverse conversation with Libby Purves and guests Jonathan Phang, Richard Anderson, Shenda Amery and the Duchess of Rutland.
Emma, Duchess of Rutland was the daughter of a Welsh farmer and trained as an opera singer before running her own interior design business. After marrying the Duke of Rutland she took on the role of chatelaine of Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. In her new book, Belvoir Castle, she looks at a thousand years of its history through family, art and architecture. Belvoir Castle: 1000 years of Family, Art and Architecture is published by Frances Lincoln.
Jonathan Phang organised the party on The Marchioness which sank in the Thames 20 years ago, killing 51 people. Jonathan lost many people close to him including his partner, friends and colleagues. Since the disaster he has lived with this terrible burden, and now he has made a documentary for BBC One, The Marchioness and Me, in which he tries to finally tackle and lay to rest what he describes as 'survivor guilt'.
Richard Anderson has worked as a tailor on Savile Row since 1982, when he started as a 17-year-old apprentice with Huntsman, one of its oldest and most traditional firms. Some of its most distinguished clients included Rex Harrison, Katharine Hepburn and Gregory Peck. He rose to become the youngest head cutter in their 150 year history and now runs his own company, Richard Anderson Ltd. Bespoke: Savile Row Ripped and Smoothed is published by Simon and Schuster.
Shenda Amery is an artist and sculptor whose work has included sculpting the busts of two sitting British prime ministers, Baroness Thatcher and John Major, and painting the portrait of former prime minister Tony Blair. In her latest work, Rage, she reflects on how man is affecting the world and the environment. It is on show in London at Xerxes Art, 52 Haymarket, SW1.
WED 09:45 Book of the Week (b00n3vhz)
Lynne Truss - Get Her Off the Pitch!
Episode 3
Lynne Truss reads from her account of the four years she spent as a sports reporter.
Watching sport is one thing, but playing it is quite another. Lynne describes how she developed an enduring passion for golf.
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00mzv11)
Cook Mary Contini; Eco-activist Tamsin Omond
Climate Rush founder Tamsin Omond; Mary Contini cooks mushrooms Italian-style, and cougar women: is it ok to date younger men?
WED 11:00 The Story of Scrap Metal (b00n1jb4)
Martin Wainwright rummages around in his own private scrap yard at the bottom of his garden, looking for bits of metal to help him find the true worth of scrap.
As a child in Yorkshire he remembers the piles of metal left on the pavement for the rag and bone man, but discovers that today's industry is a global one. Encouraged by the high value of metal, Martin takes his assortment of scrap to a local scrap yard for weighing and valuing, and embarks on a journey which will follow scrap to the other side of the world.
A Pennine production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 11:30 The Stanley Baxter Playhouse (b008psw5)
Series 2
Flying Down to Greenock
Series of comic plays starring Stanley Baxter.
By Michael Chaplin.
A centenarian Glaswegian, making his first ever flight, remembers life during the blitz over Clydeside.
James ...... Stanley Baxter
Isabel ...... Patricia Kerrigan
Directed by Marilyn Imrie.
WED 12:00 You and Yours (b00mzvgt)
Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson.
WED 12:57 Weather (b00mzvk2)
The latest weather forecast.
WED 13:00 World at One (b00mzvnm)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.
WED 13:30 The Media Show (b00n1jb6)
Since the BNP won two seats in the European Parliament, they have been subject to more media coverage than ever before. The NUJ stresses engagement rather than censorship, although insists their members should 'refuse to be used to propagate racist propaganda'. Some would rather the party was denied a platform entirely. In line with its rules on impartiality, the BBC has invited Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, on to Question Time. So what should the media's approach to the British National Party be? Mehdi Hasan, senior politics editor for The New Statesman, and the BBC's chief political advisor Ric Bailey join Steve to discuss.
As a glittering array of the great and good in British broadcasting prepare to attend a bash to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Voice of the Listener and Viewer, Steve speaks to Jocelyn Hay, their founding member, and finds out how this campaigning organisation put consumers on the map so that no broadcasting policy change is complete without a public consultation.
Now all the three main party leaders are signed up to take part in proposed televised election debates, Steve asks Anne McElvoy, political columnist with the London Evening Standard, how the planned debates will actually work.
WED 14:00 The Archers (b00mzvqz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Tuesday]
WED 14:15 Drama (b00n1jb8)
Life Complicated - Status Pending
By Marcy Kahan. Unable to get jobs, five recent graduates each invent their own imaginative and challenging three-week project. As the schemes unfold, they are each forced to confront what they really want from life.
KC ...... Emerald O'Hanrahan
Freddie ...... Joseph Cohen-Cole
Max ...... Piers Wehner
Ben ...... Rhys Jennings
Rosie ...... Tessa Nicholson
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer.
WED 15:00 Money Box Live (b00n1jbb)
Paul Lewis and a panel of guests answer calls on financial issues.
He is joined by:
Martin John, Public Guardian England and Wales
Sandra McDonald, Public Guardian Scotland
Ruth Meyer, Associate Solicitor, Boyes Turner
Caroline Bielanska, Chair, Solicitors for the Elderly.
WED 15:30 Afternoon Reading (b00n54p5)
1989: Writing on the Wall
Across the Fence
Anne McElvoy introduces extracts from the work of three writers associated with East Germany's literary scene.
By Stefan Heym.
Although Heym won East Germany's National Prize in 1969, his political criticisms later brought him into conflict with the state. Set in Czeckoslovakia, this short story explores the nature of power in an oppressive state and its impact on personal life.
Read by Fenella Woolgar.
WED 15:45 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mzw4l)
Kitchen Physic
Historian Amanda Vickery presents a series which reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years. She draws 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.
From rabies to madness and piles, the housewives of the past were expected to concoct medicines which would cure any condition.
Readers: Deborah Findlay, John Sessions, Madeleine Brolly and Simon Tcherniak.
Singers: Gwyneth Herbert and Thomas Guthrie, with David Owen Norris at the keyboard.
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 16:00 Thinking Allowed (b00n1jbd)
Punishing the Poor
America's social state is withering at the expense of its expanding prison system and the UK is heading in the same direction, with potentially disastrous consequences. That's the argument of Laurie Taylor's guest, Loic Wacquant, Professor of Sociology at the University of California.
From 1980 to 1990, spending by the US government on operating its prisons and correctional establishments doubled while at the same time spending on public housing more than halved. According to Wacquant, this process is continuing; he says that 'the construction of prisons has effectively become the country's main housing programme'. Are America's penal policies too harsh, and if prisons and correctional facilities are becoming increasingly important, what are the social consequences?
He talks to Laurie about why he believes America is too ready to accept a state of poverty for huge sections of its population and at the same time see the social state obliterated. Is America punishing its poor and is the UK at risk of following the same path, overly dependent on prisons while eroding its social state?
WED 16:30 Trials For Life (b00n126g)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Tuesday]
WED 16:56 1989: Day by Day (b00n3m12)
7th October 1989
Sir John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 20 years ago.
Protestors marching through East Berlin to the Church of the Gethsemane clash with police; Hungarian communists vote to become a democracy but some hardliners don't get it; in the West, the Beastie Boys tell us what's up.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 17:00 PM (b00mzxtk)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
WED 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00mzxvz)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
WED 18:30 Chain Reaction (b00n1jbg)
Series 5
Alistair McGowan interviews Simon Callow
Impressionist, comedian and actor Alistair McGowan chats to actor, writer, and director, Simon Callow CBE.
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 (b00mzvr1)
Brian meets Bryce at Grey Gables. Brian tells Bryce Peggy's no fool, but Bryce agrees clients of her generation are a canny lot.
Adam brings some venison to Grey Gables for Friday. Caroline tells him things are quiet, but they agree at least she's got Friday's event.
Jack interrupts Peggy's meeting with Bryce, so Brian looks after him. Bryce asks if Peggy's aware the village shop is making a regular loss? Has she considered letting it go, or converting it into a flat? Peggy's shocked - the village relies on it. Bryce says he wishes they did. He advises her to think about it.
Adam tells Brian he's phoned Peggy and everything's quiet there. They discuss the footpath. Adam thinks Lynda's been mobilising her troops, and that he's underestimated her. Brian says he might have an idea.
Peggy's asleep and Jack calls for Valerie, suggesting a walk. He goes outside, and walks to Grey Gables. At Grey Gables, Jack is confused. Caroline suggests that they phone Peggy. Caroline's phone call wakes Peggy who is horrified at the situation. Jack could have gone anywhere. Caroline says he's fine and she'll bring him home. Peggy says she's so sorry.
Episode written by Nawal Gadalla.
WED 19:15 Front Row (b00mzyxm)
To coincide with his 70th birthday, the TV critic and writer Clive James has published the latest volume of memoirs, The Blaze of Obscurity: The TV Years. He discusses his years in television and the enormous changes witnessed in the medium in the 21st century.
The Power of Yes is a new play by David Hare in response to the turmoil which hit banks and financial institutions in 2008. BBC business editor Robert Peston reviews.
Novelist Esther Freud reviews Up, the latest animated film from Pixar, the first to feature an Asian American boy hero and which opened the 2009 Cannes festival.
A new docu-drama explores the shared past of Conservative politicians Boris Johnson and David Cameron. The programme looks back at Oxford University in the 1980s where both men were members of an elite drinking society. Former Conservative minister Edwina Currie reviews.
WED 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00n005k)
TwilightBaby.com
Episode 3
By Julie Balloo and Jenny Éclair. Cass and Ken find themselves tackling pregnancy and parenthood in their late forties.
It's Cass's birthday but she isn't coping too well, and still hasn't told the children about her pregnancy.
Cass ...... Jenny Éclair
Ken ...... Kevin Eldon
Charlie ...... Joseph Cohen-Cole
Kate ...... Emerald O'Hanrahan
Graham ...... Philip Fox
Directed by Sally Avens.
WED 20:00 Afghanistan: Is It Mission Impossible? (b00n3lbp)
As President Obama debates whether to send even more troops to the country, and the British death toll there rises, Eddie Mair chairs a debate at Chatham House in London about how close the west is to achieving its ambitions in Afghanistan.
What is its 'mission'? To close down terrorist cells in the country, making the UK a safer place? To introduce democracy, greater freedom for women, more electricity, water?
Taking part in the debate are:
Francesc Vendrell, who was the European Union's Special Representative for Afghanistan from 2002 to 2008; before that he was the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan.
Brigadier Buster Howes, who is the Head of Overseas Operations at the MOD.
Eric Joyce, a former major in the army and now a Labour MP. He resigned as an aide to the defence secretary, calling on Gordon Brown to make clear to the British people that the Afghanistan campaign was 'time limited'.
Lindsey German, a senior organiser of the Stop the War Coalition.
Dr John Mackinlay, a counter-insurgency expert from King's College, London.
WED 20:45 Conserving What? (b00n1jth)
Episode 1
Peter Oborne investigates the meaning of Conservatism and tries to discover where David Cameron sits in its intellectual tradition.
In this programme, he explores the party's philosophical roots.
WED 21:00 Nature (b00n0wyw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:00 on Tuesday]
WED 21:30 Midweek (b00n1jb2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 21:58 Weather (b00n00hf)
The latest weather forecast.
WED 22:00 The World Tonight (b00n011l)
The former head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, is lined up for a role with the Conservatives.
Italy's highest court overturns a law giving the Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, immunity from prosecution while in office.
A report on conditions in the camps the Sri Lankan government is using to detain a quarter of a million displaced Tamils.
WED 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00n12b9)
Fathers and Sons
Episode 8
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.
Without Arkady at Marino, Bazarov oversteps the bounds. An outraged Pavel Petrovich demands satisfaction.
Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.
WED 23:00 One (b00n1jtk)
Series 3
Episode 1
Sketch show written by David Quantick, in which no item features more than one voice.
With Graeme Garden, Dan Maier, Johnny Daukes, Deborah Norton, Katie Davies, Dan Antopolski, Andrew Crawford and David Quantick.
WED 23:15 Rik Mayall's Bedside Tales (b00m6gpk)
Mountain Girl
Settle down, brush your teeth, do whatever it is you do at this time of night. But, most of all, listen because Rik would like to talk to you. One on one. Tonight he'd mostly like to tell you about The Mountain Girl.
Performer ..... Rik Mayall
Writers ..... Rik Mayall & John Nicholson
Producer ..... Steven Canny.
WED 23:30 Eyes Down on Clubland (b00jgv1b)
With working men's clubs on the verge of extinction, Dave Spikey, who co-wrote and appeared in the comedy Phoenix Nights, charts their history. He examines their social, cultural and political impact and celebrates those that continue to bring life to communities on the margins of 21st-century Britain.
THURSDAY 08 OCTOBER 2009
THU 00:00 Midnight News (b00mzt4f)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
THU 00:30 Book of the Week (b00n3vhz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Wednesday]
THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00mzt6c)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00mzt96)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
THU 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00mzt7v)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 05:30 News Briefing (b00mztcj)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00mztdy)
Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Mary Stallard.
THU 05:45 Farming Today (b00mztks)
Anna Hill looks at using chlorine on our chickens to reduce food poisoning; research suggesting that there is no such thing as NIMBYs; and the surprising victim of the recession - how people can't afford to look after horses and are selling them off at cut-price.
THU 06:00 Today (b00mzttx)
Presented by Evan Davis and James Naughtie.
The result is to be announced of a ballot of 120,000 Royal Mail workers that could pave the way for a second national strike in two years. Billy Hayes, general secretary of the Communications Workers Union, outlines the strike ballot.
Investigations will continue into the cause of a cyanide leak that killed thousands of fish in the River Trent in Staffordshire. Correspondent Bob Walker reports from the site of the river, and Dave Lowe of the Environment Agency discusses what may have caused the leak.
Talks begin today to try and resolve a five-week-long strike by refuse collectors in Leeds. The dispute is over a proposed new pay and grading structure, which the unions claim will cut collectors' salaries by up to 6,000 pounds. Rubbish has been piling up in parts of the city and many residents have been complaining about rats. Correspondent Danny Savage reports from Leeds on the latest developments in the strike.
If the Conservatives win the next election with a working majority, most of their MPs will be new to the House of Commons, because they have so few MPs at the moment. Evan Davis reports from the Tory Party conference, where he speaks to some of the new candidates, and co-editor of the Conservative Home website, Jonathan Isaby, comments on their views.
Over the next few months, Today will be following the journey of Major Streatfeild, who leaves for Afghanistan for a six-month tour of duty today. He will command 'A-Company' of the 3rd Battalion, the Rifles, from a base in the Upper Sangin Valley, where the heaviest of the fighting has been so far.
The first part of the series follows Major Streatfeild as he prepares to leave with the 3 Rifles, the third battalion of the Rifles regiment.
Thought for the Day with Rev Angela Tilby, Vicar of St Bene't's Church in Cambridge.
A report out today shows that the number of people offering organs for transplants is rising. It follows a series of recommendations to try to improve the chances for those who need life saving surgery. Dr Tony Calland, Chair of the BMA ethics committee, and the national clinical director for transplantation, Dr Chris Rudge, debate whether a system of 'presumed consent' is now off the table.
The postal workers' union is expected to announce that Royal Mail staff have voted for a national strike. A series of regional postal strikes is already taking place in England and Scotland. Reporter Andrew Hosken speaks to a postman about his feelings on the postal service, and Paul Tolhurst, operations director of Royal Mail, describes the ongoing differences between the company and the CWU.
The former head of the army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, will be joining the Conservatives' defence team. Political editor Nick Robinson examines the party's decision to recruit a former member of the military.
It is National Poetry Day. To mark the occasion, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy reads her new poem, Atlas, and the director of the Poetry Society, Judith Palmer, comments on the results of a BBC online vote to find the country's favourite poet.
The latest annual drug treatment figures are to be released by the National Treatment Agency (NTA). The agency has told the BBC that the new figures have 'given cause for concern', as they show residential rehab is not growing at the rate they expected. Home editor Mark Easton spoke to drug users and rehab workers about why rehabilitation is low, and Paul Hayes of the National Treatment Agency outlines what could be done to improve treatment.
Irving Penn, the renowned American portrait photographer sometimes described as the grandfather of fashion photography, has died, aged 92. Mr Penn's studio portraits include famous images of Miles Davis, Spencer Tracy and Pablo Picasso. David Bailey, an admirer of Penn's work, remembers his career.
Stalin's grandson is to go to court to defend his grandfather's reputation. In the last few years, the Russian government has attempted to highlight the former Soviet leader's 'managerial skills' rather than his record in terrorising millions of his people. Orlando Figes, Professor of History at Birkbeck College, London examines the case.
The campaign by people who have suffered from the effects of Thalidomide still continues. Some compensation has been agreed with Diageo - the successor company to Distillers, who marketed the drug nearly half a century ago - but the 460 people who still live with the effects want government help. Now Sir Harold Evans, editor of the Sunday Times 40 years ago when the paper revealed the scandal, is joining the campaign.
Political commentators Daniel Finkelstein and Michael White analyse the Conservative Party's performance during their conference in Manchester.
THU 09:00 In Our Time (b00n1l95)
The Dreyfus Affair
Melvyn Bragg and guests Robert Gildea, Ruth Harris and Robert Tombs discuss the Dreyfus Affair, the 1890s scandal which divided opinion in France for a generation.In 1894, a high-flying Jewish staff officer in the French Army, one Alfred Dreyfus, was convicted of spying for the Prussians. He was publicly humiliated: before a large Paris crowd, he was stripped of his badges of rank and his sword was ceremonially broken. Some of those watching shouted 'Down with Judas!' Then he was dispatched to Devil's Island. But when it emerged that Dreyfus was innocent, a scandal erupted which engulfed the Army, the Church and French society as a whole, exposing deep political rifts, and the nation's endemic anti-Semitism. It pitted Catholics against Republicans, provoked fighting in the streets, and led to the prosecution of the novelist Emile Zola, after his famous J'Accuse polemic against those protecting the real spy and so prolonging Dreyfus's suffering. The Affair became so divisive that it posed a serious threat to the French Republic itself. Finally, in 1905, it prompted the separation of Church and State. The scandal and the anti-Semitism at the heart of it cast a very long shadow. In 1945, when the ultra-nationalist one-time 'anti-Dreyfusard' Charles Maurras was convicted of collaborating with the Nazis, he reacted by declaring that his punishment was Dreyfus's revenge. Robert Gildea is Professor of Modern History at Oxford University; Ruth Harris is Lecturer in Modern History at Oxford University; Robert Tombs is Professor of French History at Cambridge University.
THU 09:45 Book of the Week (b00n3wqv)
Lynne Truss - Get Her Off the Pitch!
Episode 4
Lynne Truss reads from her account of the four years she spent as a sports reporter.
To outsiders, what could be better than to be paid to attend and write about world-class sporting events? Well, they don't know the half of it.
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00mzv13)
Phyllida Law; Women and pensions
Actor Phyllida Law on her mother-in-law. Plus, closing the pension gap between men and women; and Julie Welch on the long distance walk.
THU 11:00 From Our Own Correspondent (b00n1l97)
Kate Adie introduces BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the headlines.
THU 11:30 The Negro Tragedian (b00n1l99)
Kwame Kwei-Armah traces the life and work of Ira Aldridge, a black actor who defied racial prejudice to become one of Britain's finest Shakespearean actors.
When Aldridge first appeared on the London stage in 1825, he was enthusiastically received by the public but the critics hated him, The Times going so far as to say that he could not pronounce English properly, 'owing to the shape of his lips'. Here was a black man daring to break into the heartland of the British 'classics', which had hitherto been the exclusive domain of white actors.
But, undeterred by the racial hostility of the press, Aldridge became a perpetually touring player, an exotic 'star', honing his skills in the provinces and across Europe. In a career spanning 30 years, he became one of Britain's finest Shakespearean players, and had more honours showered upon him than any other actor of his time.
THU 12:00 You and Yours (b00mzvgw)
Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson.
THU 12:57 Weather (b00mzvk4)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 13:00 World at One (b00mzvnp)
National and international news with Shaun Ley.
THU 13:30 Costing the Earth (b00n0tw6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Monday]
THU 14:00 The Archers (b00mzvr1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Wednesday]
THU 14:15 Drama (b00bzgx8)
Septimus Greabe
By Mike Harris.
In the early 19th century, the Society for the Suppression of Vice, inspired by William Wilberforce, would stop at nothing in their efforts to stamp out sin and corruption - even if this meant employing the most unscrupulous of characters to carry out their good work.
Septimus Greabe ...... David Troughton
Thomas Buxton ...... Will Keen
Hannah ...... Kellie Shirley
John Bowles ...... Paul Jesson
Joseph Merceron ...... Nigel Cooke
Eva Bowles ...... Perdita Avery
Directed by Clive Brill.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 15:00 Ramblings (b00myhfk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:07 on Saturday]
THU 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (b00mz6j8)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:55 on Sunday]
THU 15:30 Afternoon Reading (b00n54nv)
1989: Writing on the Wall
Place of Birth: Berlin
Anne McElvoy introduces extracts from the work of three writers associated with East Germany's literary scene.
By Monika Maron, who grew up in East Berlin where her stepfather was a minister. In this piece, which is a love song to the city of her youth, Maron reflects on what it was like to grow up and live in a divided city.
Read by Eleanor Bron.
Translated by Lyn Marven.
THU 15:45 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mzw4n)
Ornamenting the Home
Exploring life at home in the past, historian Amanda Vickery reveals sewing was a housewife's duty and also acted as valuable therapy.
THU 16:00 Bookclub (b00mzdlq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Sunday]
THU 16:30 Material World (b00n1l9c)
With the announcement of a new batch of Nobel Prizes in Medicine, Chemistry and Physics, Quentin Cooper assesses the new Laureates' impact on science.
THU 16:56 1989: Day by Day (b00n3m14)
8th October 1989
Sir John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 20 years ago.
Eyewitnesses in East Berlin describe a police crackdown on protestors; one of West Germany's elder statesman sees the beginning of 'the most critical week in the GDR'; the Pope calls for reunification.
.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 17:00 PM (b00mzxtm)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.
THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00mzxw1)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 18:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b00gllnq)
Series 4
An Audience With
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.
A timely visit from the vicar interrupts Arthur's artistic flow as he pens a new novel, and reminds him that he needs to organise entertainment for a fundraiser that night.
The choice of headliner is obvious, but who will he get to support? Surely some auditions in the Shoulder of Mutton will tempt some local talent out of the woodwork.
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 (b00mzvr3)
Fallon and Wayne are on their way back from a vintage record shop. Wayne's delighted to have found a particular record. Fallon wishes her band hadn't split, but without a guitarist they've got no chance.
Later, during the record night, Wayne says Fallon's too talented to give up on her dreams. Fallon appreciates Wayne's advice but she auditioned so many. No-one came close. Wayne thanks Fallon for his weekly gig. It's given him a purpose.
Jennifer calls in at Brookfield. Josh runs in, telling Jennifer he might be picked for the football team's away match on Saturday! David asks Jennifer if Alice found it hard when she went to college. They're worried about Pip. Jennifer says college is tough.
Jennifer arrives at the Lodge and Peggy bursts into tears. She tells Jennifer about last night. She just can't keep track of Jack anymore, and can't keep him caged up. And she's worried about the shop. Jennifer sends Peggy to bed, saying they'll talk later. When they do, Peggy says she can't look after Jack anymore. Jack needs to go into a home. She feels she's abandoning him, but she can't guarantee his safety anymore. Jennifer sympathetically says they'll start looking for one as soon as Peggy's ready.
Episode written by Nawal Gadalla.
THU 19:15 Front Row (b00mzyxp)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by the late Douglas Adams, began as a Radio 4 comedy and expanded into a TV show, a film and a five-book 'trilogy'. To mark the anniversary of the original books, Eoin Colfer has been sanctioned by Adams' widow to write an authorised sequel, And Another Thing. Eoin tells Kirsty Lang about continuing the Guide, and Arthur Dent's ongoing search through time and space for a decent cup of tea.
Ilija Trojanow discusses the work of Romanian-born German writer Herta Muelle who has won the 2009 Nobel Prize for literature.
On National Poetry Day, the award-winning Irish poet Paul Durcan discusses a new collection of his work, Life is a Dream: 40 Years Reading Poems.
Fisherman Thomas Fraser recorded country and western songs for his close friends on the Shetland Isles - and to critical acclaim in Nashville. A new play at the National Theatre of Scotland tells the story of the blues-playing fisherman. Kirsty speaks to the play's writer, Duncan McLean, and Fraser's grandson, who discovered his recordings.
THU 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00n005m)
TwilightBaby.com
Episode 4
By Julie Balloo and Jenny Eclair. Cass and Ken find themselves tackling pregnancy and parenthood in their late forties.
Ken is convinced his novel will be a bestseller - Cass thinks it won't even get published. A separation is inevitable.
Cass ...... Jenny Eclair
Ken ...... Kevin Eldon
Magda ...... Emerald O'Hanrahan
Jacob ...... Stephen Hogan
Man in Shop ...... Philip Fox
Directed by Sally Avens.
THU 20:00 The Report (b00n1l9f)
The Power of the RMT
The RMT union claims to be Britain's fastest-growing trade union; it is also arguably the most confrontational. The union's favoured tactic of repeated strike ballots has won enviable high rates of pay and annual leave for its members. It has also earned the RMT general secretary the tag of 'the most hated man in London'. Simon Cox investigates the RMT's strength, why managers refuse to take it on and the attempts to curb its power.
THU 20:30 The Bottom Line (b00n1l9h)
Stephanie Flanders asks her panel of top business guests about the fine art of salesmanship. Now we can all bypass those eager shop assistants and go online, are salesmen on the way out - or just getting a makeover?
And training on the job - we've all done it, but does formal training pay dividends in the end?
Stephanie is joined by Marko Ilincic, managing director of Lego UK, Michelle Feeney, chief executive of St Tropez and Grant Hearn, chief executive of Travelodge.
THU 21:00 Leading Edge (b00n1lnc)
Extreme Polar Environments
Geoff Watts investigates life in extreme polar environments and the perils facing scientists who study it.
In polar regions, life hangs by a thread. It's hard enough for the scientists studying it, braving the cold and ice, not to mention bears and giant mosquitoes in Arctic regions. For the organisms that live there all the year round without heating or protective clothing, extreme strategies are essential.
Dr Pete Convey, of the British Antarctic Survey, introduces Geoff to tardigrades, tiny creatures resembling six-legged teddy bears the size of a full stop. They can dry to a husk or freeze in liquid nitrogen. But a drop of liquid water and they pop back to life and walk away.
Geoff also hears from Antarctica, where the biggest land creatures could hide behind the letters of this text; from Austria, where beetles follow in the path of a retreating glacier; and from Alaska, where the permafrost is thawing and tundra-surfing could become a new sport.
THU 21:30 In Our Time (b00n1l95)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 21:58 Weather (b00n00hj)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 22:00 The World Tonight (b00n011n)
National and international news and analysis with Robin Lustig.
THU 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00n12bc)
Fathers and Sons
Episode 9
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.
Happy amidst the parklands of Nikolskoye, Arkady lays bare his heart and Anna Sergeyevna finds her expectations confounded.
Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.
THU 23:00 Poetry Slam (b00n1p9v)
Series 2
Episode 3
Radio 4's 2009 Poetry Slam came to its high-octane climax at the Birmingham Book Festival, where six competitors from all over Britain battled for the title of Radio 4 slam winner. The competition was fierce and the rhymes came thick and fast as the six performers who had made their way through tough regional heats and the semi-finals faced this final test of their poetry and performance skills. They were: Kit Lambert, Mark Madden, Ben Mellor, Deanna Rodger, Pete the Temp and Michael Wilson.
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 (b0076x49)
Series 2
Building Bridges
Journalist and broadcaster Jon Ronson asks why and how we learn to metaphorically build bridges.
He talks to Tom Hart Dyke, who was kidnapped by Colombian rebels when out orchid hunting and spent nine months trying to build bridges with his captors. He hears how writer Jesse Armstrong remembers failing to build bridges while working in politics.
Jon also takes his producer to a workplace mediator to find out if he really is a difficult person to work with.
FRIDAY 09 OCTOBER 2009
FRI 00:00 Midnight News (b00mzt4h)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
FRI 00:30 Book of the Week (b00n3wqv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Thursday]
FRI 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00mzt6f)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00mzt98)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
FRI 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00mzt7x)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 05:30 News Briefing (b00mztcl)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00mztf0)
Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Mary Stallard.
FRI 05:45 Farming Today (b00mztkv)
Charlotte Smith hears accusations that supermarkets are damaging our beef industry.
As new government plans to control TB in cattle are announced, farmers tell us that a wildlife cull is inevitable.
Plus, Charlotte investigates why 50 million people across the world are taking to the internet to become amateur farmers.
FRI 06:00 Today (b00mzttz)
Presented by John Humphrys and James Naughtie.
The government's energy watchdog, Ofgem, has issued a report predicting that household bills could rise by between 14 and 25 per cent over and above inflation within the next six years. Correspondent John Moylan examines the report and Alistair Buchanan, Ofgem's chief executive, explains its findings.
President Obama has held a number of meetings this week about whether or not to send more troops to Afghanistan. In his latest, he discussed the dilemma with Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. North America editor Mark Mardell reports on the feeling in the US on sending more troops.
The hazel dormouse is becoming more difficult to find, and walkers are being urged to look out for evidence for the tiny creature in woods. Environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee reports on why the creature has gone underground.
America's space agency, NASA, is set to smash a rocket and a probe into the surface of the Moon to try to find buried ice. The impact will create plumes of debris visible to telescopes on Earth. The Royal Astronomical Society's Dr Robert Massey discusses what the missions hopes to find.
The former head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has confirmed that he has been offered a job in the Conservative defence team, if David Cameron wins the general election. Sir Richard gave a lecture last night where he confirmed that Mr Cameron had approached him about the role. Sarah Montague comments on Sir Richard's speech and proposed move to the Conservative Party.
A Centre for Policy Studies report has accused a minority of women in government of steering women's policy towards 'macho' values. The report argues that policy assumes that women want work to be the central feature of their lives, instead of a value system that is family-centred. The report's author, Cristina Odone, and Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality and Labour's deputy leader, discuss whether the report is a fair assessment.
Thought for the Day with Lord Harries of Pentregarth, Professor of Divinity at Gresham College, London.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are leading the Royal Family at a service of commemoration to mark the end of British combat operations in Iraq. Veterans and relatives of the 179 British people killed will participate in the service at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Around 120,000 members of the UK armed forces and civilians served in Iraq between the start of the war in March 2003 and the end of operations earlier this year. World affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge spoke to three people affected by the conflict.
Energy industry regulator Ofgem has released a report warning there could be a fall in the supply of gas and electricity. It warns prices could rise by between 14 and 25 per cent over and above inflation within the next six years, as power stations are forced to shut down and due to the volatility of supply from gas producing countries. Shadow energy secretary Greg Clark and energy analyst David Hunter discuss the future of the UK's energy supply.
Singer Lizzie Emeh has severe learning difficulties but can write and perform songs. At the age of 32 she is about to release a solo album. Reporter Sanchia Berg went to meet Lizzie during her rehearsals.
University College, London is fourth in the latest world ranking of universities - above Oxford and Imperial College, London, and just below Harvard, Cambridge and Yale. In total, four British universities make the top six places in the annual Times Higher Education Supplement world rankings. Malcolm Grant, president and provost of UCL, examines whether university rankings are accurate.
The British ambassador in Burma has met with the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Miss Suu Kyi was recently sentenced to 18 months under house arrest for breaching the terms of her detention. Andrew Heyn, British Ambassador to Burma, comments on his meeting with the country's confined opposition leader.
A fundraising campaign is underway to keep the Anglo-Saxon treasure found in a field in Staffordshire. Correspondent Phil Mackie reports from the treasure's current home at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, where it has attracted more than 40,000 visitors.
Are children's books too scary? John Connolly, author of children's novel The Gates of Hell, discusses how scary children's books should be.
For the past 18 months, the Today programme has stayed in touch with Raad Rassak, a 39-year-old businessman and father of four living in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Reporter Andrew Hosken asks Mr Rassak about the problems facing Basra today.
In the history of war, who are the Davids who have triumphed over the Goliaths? The greatest military underdogs are the subject of a lecture at the Imperial War Museum by Saul David, Professor of War Studies at the University of Buckingham. Prof David and Philip Sabin, Professor of Strategic Studies at King's College, London
FRI 09:00 Desert Island Discs (b00mz6jq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Sunday]
FRI 09:45 Book of the Week (b00n3wqx)
Lynne Truss - Get Her Off the Pitch!
Episode 5
Lynne Truss reads from her account of the four years she spent as a sports reporter.
By the autumn of 2000, Lynne has been covering sport for four years, but a combination of events leads her to ask a very simple question - just how important is sport?
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00mzv15)
Equal pay; The Hijab; Contemporary embroidery
Who pays for equal pay? Plus; the cutting edge of embroidery; and is wearing a Hijab really a free choice or cultural coercion?
FRI 11:00 Weston's New Pier (b00n1qvk)
In July 2008, fire destroyed the famous pavilion on Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier. But, while other piers crumble, this one is being re-built. Some experts say the new pavilion will make it the best seaside pier in the world.
Chris Ledgard meets the owners, architects and builders to relive the day of the fire, investigate the building project, and find out what the future holds for one of Britain's best-known seaside resorts.
FRI 11:30 The Adventures of Inspector Steine (b00n1s1c)
Harlequinade
Lynne Truss' comedy drama about celebrity policeman Inspector Steine. Brunswick is in mortal danger, but Inspector Steine is more interested in setting up a road safety demonstration. Can Twitten and Mrs Groynes save Brunswick before it's too late?
Written by Lynne Truss.
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 12:00 You and Yours (b00mzvgy)
Consumer news and issues with Peter White.
FRI 12:57 Weather (b00mzvk6)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 13:00 World at One (b00mzvnr)
National and international news with Shaun Ley.
FRI 13:30 Feedback (b00n3jrn)
Roger Bolton airs listeners' views on BBC radio programmes and policy.
FRI 14:00 The Archers (b00mzvr3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Thursday]
FRI 14:15 Drama (b00c1d1r)
Nick Warburton - Foundling
By Nick Warburton.
A man famous for finding lost people arrives in a small town. Why will he not help a young woman find her lost child?
Laura ...... Emma Fielding
Roach ...... Peter Marinker
Gilbert ...... Ben Crowe
Directed by Peter Kavanagh.
FRI 15:00 Gardeners' Question Time (b00n3jrq)
Eric Robson chairs the popular horticultural forum.
Matthew Biggs, Pippa Greenwood and John Cushnie join members of the John Innes Conservation Society in London.
They find about about the man who posthumously founded the horticultural institute which is responsible for creating the compost which bears his name.
Also, after Buckingham Palace joined the RHS Grow Your Own campaign, Matthew is invited to the Queen's allotment for a review of its progress so far.
Including Gardening weather forecast.
FRI 15:45 Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life (b00mzw4q)
Mistress and Servants
Historian Amanda Vickery on the perils of running a house in Lancashire with unreliable servants. From Elizabeth Shackleton's diaries.
FRI 16:00 Last Word (b00n3jrs)
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 Jewish resistance fighter Marek Edelman, film and TV producer Robert S Baker, child psychiatrist Dr Sula Wolff, and Argentinian folk singer and activist Mercedes Sosa.
FRI 16:30 The Film Programme (b00n3jrv)
Paddy Considine reveals what it was like to make a film in five days with his old friend and ex-bandmate Shane Meadows. It was Meadows who first introduced Considine to cinema audiences in A Room For Romeo Brass, even though the then-photographer had no acting experience. Their third collaboration, Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee, was entirely improvised and stars Considine as a roadie for the Arctic Monkeys.
A teacher from Reading, Peter Strickland, explains why he used the money from an inheritance to make a revenge thriller in Transylvania in a language he could not speak.
Jonathan Romney profiles one of the best-reviewed films of the year, 35 Shots Of Rum by Claire Denis.
FRI 16:56 1989: Day by Day (b00n3m16)
9th October 1989
Sir John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 20 years ago.
At Leipzig's Monday prayer service for freedom, protests approach a historical and perhaps dangerous moment - the East German people now appear to refuse to be intimidated; Soviet news agency Tass reports that 10-foot-tall aliens have been spotted visiting the industrial city of Voronezh.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 17:00 PM (b00mzxtp)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn. Plus Weather.
FRI 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00mzxw3)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 18:30 The News Quiz (b00n3jrx)
Series 69
Episode 3
Sandi Toksvig chairs the topical comedy quiz. Panellists include Jeremy Hardy and Danielle Ward.
FRI 19:00 The Archers (b00mzvr5)
Ed tells Oliver he can't believe the cattle will be his on Sunday. Caroline appears. She's off to Grey Gables for the Felpersham City party. Ed goes. Caroline suggests they have the Grundys for Sunday lunch to celebrate Ed's tenancy. Later, Ed's delighted when Oliver to invite him.
Roy and Caroline welcome Gus the manager, Lee the birthday boy, and the Borsetshire Life photographer. After dinner Roy takes Lee into the kitchen. He wants to congratulate Ian. Ian asks Lee to sign his partner's nephew's football shirt. Lee twigs that Ian's gay and says he shouldn't stay chatting. He doesn't want the lads thinking anything funny's going on.
The noise of the party gets out of hand and Roy and Ian go to sort it out. The team don't like being asked to quieten down. Lee calls Ian a bender and when Ian tells Lee to calm down, he punches Ian in the face.
Caroline's horrified. Ian says he isn't hurt, just shocked. Gus appears, saying the boys were just mucking around, but Caroline says her chef's been assaulted. She's obliged to report it. Gus offers to pay Ian to keep quiet but Ian just wants to go home. Can Caroline call him a taxi please?
Episode written by Nawal Gadalla.
FRI 19:15 Front Row (b00mzyxr)
Crime writer Val McDermid reviews The Force, a new TV documentary series following real police officers over a three year period as they attempt to solve some of the most serious and violent crimes.
Comedienne and former pyschiatric nurse Jo Brand announces the shortlist for the newly-created Wellcome Trust Book Prize, which aims to stimulate interest and debate around medicine and literature.
Leading choreographers Wayne McGregor, Russell Maliphant and Javier de Frutos talk about the new works they have created to mark the centenary of Diaghilev's world famous Ballets Russes company.
Playwright Lucy Kirkwood had her first professional commission from the National Theatre Studio when she was still at university. Now 25 years old, she has two plays opening tonight in London, one about sex-trafficking and the other a horror piece. She talks to Kirsty Lang about the new wave of young female dramatists and her work with real-life prisoners and victims of abuse.
FRI 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00n005p)
TwilightBaby.com
Episode 5
By Julie Balloo and Jenny Eclair. Cass and Ken find themselves tackling pregnancy and parenthood in their late forties.
Both Ken and Penny want to be Cass' birthing partner. But when the big day arrives Cass is left to face it alone.
Cass ...... Jenny Eclair
Ken ...... Kevin Eldon
Penny ...... Felicity Montagu
Jacob ...... Stephen Hogan
Midwife ...... Kate Layden
Directed by Sally Avens.
FRI 20:00 Any Questions? (b00n3jxf)
Eddie Mair chairs the topical debate in Newcastle. The panellists are government chief whip Nick Brown, shadow foreign secretary William Hague, Sir Menzies Campbell, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Gillian Tett, assitant editor of the Financial Times.
FRI 20:50 David Attenborough's Life Stories (b00n3jxh)
Series 1
Large Blue
The Large Blue butterfly died out in Britain in 1979, but why?
Investigations pointed to a complex life cycle linked to a single species of ant. With this knowledge the Large Blue was re-introduced into the British countryside, but there is a sinister twist in the tale, in the form of a parasitic wasp.
Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.
Producer: Julian Hector.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.
FRI 21:00 A History of Private Life: Omnibus (b00n3jxk)
Episode 2
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.
What letters and diaries reveal about running the home 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 (b00n00hl)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 22:00 The World Tonight (b00n011q)
National and international news and analysis with Robin Lustig.
Barack Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize; is it too early in his presidency?
A suicide bomb kills more than 40 people in Pakistan.
How much will taxes have to rise if the government is to balance its budget?
Why Gaza zoo painted stripes on its donkeys.
FRI 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00n12bf)
Fathers and Sons
Episode 10
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.
Bazarov returns home and seems to be finding a new way when a moment's carelessness leads to tragedy.
Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.
FRI 23:00 A Good Read (b00n0z6f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:30 on Tuesday]
FRI 23:30 Misfits in France (b00f85ky)
Impressions of Honfleur, Reunions in Rouen
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.
The series ends in Rouen, where Oscar Wilde rekindled his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas after a lonely summer in exile outside Dieppe. The museum in Rouen also holds a collection of paintings by Monet, Sisley and Walter Sickert's friend and patron - Jacques Emile Blanche.
Oscar Wilde ...... Simon Russell Beale
Claude Monet ...... Jonathan Tafler
Walter Sickert ...... Stephen Critchlow.