The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
Poor rural broadband speeds are forcing some businesses to move out of the countryside. The Rural Payments Agency comes in for criticism from a key committee of MPs. And how many of the UK's fishermen want to leave the European Union because of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy.
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about our British birds inspired by their calls and songs. Steve Backshall presents the whinchat.
Whinchats are perky little summer visitors, about the size of a robin and migrate to the UK in spring from their wintering grounds south of the Sahara. They're birds of open country, preferring moors, heaths and rough ground and are often found where gorse bushes grow, which explains their common name, whin being a Scottish word for gorse.
Morning news and current affairs. Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
What has really shaped Europeans' identity? In the first of a new series, historian Margaret MacMillan visits Rome to explore the idea of 'universal' Europe , and the constant tension between unity and diversity. From imperial ambition to local life, roads to religion, maps to food she discovers a continent and a way of life in constant creation.
Bettany Hughes examines irony in her archaeology of philosophy in a club where it's banned and in the studios of Radio 4's Today programme.
The surprising and invigorating history of the most influential ideas in the story of civilisation, described as 'a double expresso shot of philosophy, history, science and the arts'. Award-winning historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes begins each programme with the first, extant evidence of a single word-idea in Ancient Greek culture and travels both forwards and backwards in time, investigating how these ideas have been moulded by history, and how they've shaped us.
In this programme Bettany considers irony with philosopher Angie Hobbs, comedian Robert Newman, and grand inquisitor John Humphrys. Bettany travels to Athens to see where these ideas were born and then explores the street markets, churches, offices and homes where they continue to morph and influence our daily lives.
Ideas examined in the first series, in September 2013, were idea, desire, agony, fame and justice. The second series, in January 2014, considered wisdom, comedy, liberty, peace and hospitality. Other ideas in this series are psyche, charisma, nemesis and virtue.
Chris Packham continues to remember his difficult childhood, discovers the taste of tadpoles and encounters some bullies.
Chris is a naturalist, nature photographer and author, best known for his BBC TV work. But in this lyrical and emotionally honest memoir, he reveals the life-events which would eventually shape and change him forever.
Chris brings to life his childhood in the 1970s, moving back and forth through time, to capture recent, more exposing recollections from adulthood.
Mia Wasikowska and producer, Susanne Todd on their latest film - Alice Through the Looking Glass.
A new public health research project in Glasgow is testing babies for alcohol after researchers found signs that pregnant mothers from all walks of life are drinking regularly. Jane is joined by Consultant Neonatologist Dr Helen Mactier, project leader, and Clare Murphy, Director of External Affairs from BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) who explains her concerns.
In her latest novel, bestselling historical author Alison Weir brings to life the story of Katherine of Aragon. This is the first book in her new series, Six Tudor Queens, where she gives voice to each of Henry's wives. She talks to Jane about exciting new research on Katherine of Aragon and explains why Katherine of Aragon is such a compelling and indomitable character.
Christine Mills who set up Hope for Tomorrow, a charity which runs Mobile Chemotherapy Units. Founded after Christine lost her husband David to the disease, the charity has won a prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise, in the Innovation category.
Written and narrated by Christopher Green, with material from the National Lesbian and Gay Survey
In 1993, Christopher Green was a scared young man, sitting alone in a hospital room with a dying man he barely knew. Chris had volunteered to be a Terrence Higgins Trust buddy, and had been introduced to the man in the bed: Kenneth Barrow, an actor and writer who had set up a mass observation diary project involving 700 gay men and lesbians. Asked to write anonymously about their everyday lives and loves, the contributors documented their lives during the years when HIV and AIDS first came to public attention, and Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1986, forbidding the 'promotion of homosexuality', was fought over and passed into law. They continued well after Kenneth's death and for over twenty years, when they were finally collected and archived as the National Lesbian and Gay Survey, alongside the Mass Observation archive at the University of Sussex.
As Writing The Century continues to explore the history of the twentieth century through real-life correspondence and diaries, Christopher tells the story of Ken's remarkable project, and how the candid and entertaining personal stories contained in the Survey remind us all how radically - and recently - life has changed for lesbians and gay men in Britain.
Olivier-award winning entertainer Christopher Green is best known in his multiple personas as Country and Western Icon Tina C. (nine-time Grammy award-winner and host of five Radio 4 comedy series), OAP Rap Artist Ida Barr (Artificial Hip Hop), and as The Singing Hypnotist, as well through his commissions from the RSC, the British Library, the Tate gallery, the V&A, the Science Museum and the Barbican.
Now in her 80s, one issue looms ahead for Joan Bakewell and others from her generation - the fear of dementia. She admits that she's becoming increasingly forgetful. Her home is decked with post-it note reminders to help her remember. But are the annoying lapses in memory, that characterise her daily life, just a normal part of ageing, or could they signal something more serious like dementia? As she herself says - 'suppose I lose it?'.
In this programme, Joan asks what she might expect and how she should prepare if she receives the diagnosis.
Joan's search is spurred on by the news that her friend of many years, the actress Prunella Scales, has dementia. Over cups of tea at their home, Joan talks to Prunella and her husband, the actor Timothy West, about how her memory loss is affecting their lives.
Dementia is a growing problem for the nation. Over 800,000 now suffer from it and there's no available cure. It's a problem that the government has been prioritising through the National Challenge on Dementia, but as Professor Sube Banerjee, a lead author on the National Dementia Strategy, says there's still an immense amount that needs to be done.
Even hospitals struggle to cope with people with dementia. Being mostly old and frail, they make up a quarter of inpatients, yet the experience can be traumatising. They tend to leave hospital less capable than when they went it, and are often more confused and anxious.
So how will hospitals cope as the numbers with dementia spiral? Professor Harwood is one of those making a start, adapting Ward B47 at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham and training staff to meet the complex needs of patients with dementia, which are only now starting to be understood.
One of the challenges of caring for dementia patients is that often their disease is so advanced that they can no longer make decisions about their medical treatment. What's more, few make their wishes known in advance. So geriatrician Professor Rowan Harwood often has to make a best guess, which can mean keeping patients alive longer than they might have wanted. Joan asks what she should do to prepare should she be diagnosed with dementia.
And what's more terrifying - living with dementia, or living in a society that fails to support those suffering with it. Several towns around the country are now addressing the ignorance and fear that can leave sufferers and their carers feeling isolated. The Crawley Dementia Alliance is bringing together schools, GPs, local businesses and transport services to make Crawley more 'dementia friendly'. And it is dementia suffers themselves whose opinions lie at the heart of what happens here.
On Monday 16th of May, 1966 two of the greatest albums of all time were released. Through archive, interviews and music from The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, we tell the story of the music from that momentous day.
For the American music lover, the two albums would come to shape music history. Blonde on Blonde is considered Bob Dylan's magnum opus, while Pet Sounds is The Beach Boys' epic journey into the musical mind of Brian Wilson.
Fifty years on, we hear from those who remember that day - musicians who worked on the albums, and teenagers who saved up to buy the records but had a choice to make, Pet Sounds or Blonde on Blonde.
We hear of two lovers who danced in the kitchen to Pet Sounds. Wouldn't it Be Nice played as they talked of the future. On that day in 1966, Bob Dylan was playing in Sheffield, one of his forty or so worldwide shows. One Dylan fan remembers it like it was yesterday. The next day Dylan would play Manchester and be called "Judas".
On this day in 1916, for the first time 18 year olds could be called up for home service, and Hetty is in unforgiving mood.
Call You & Yours: How easy is it to give or receive good dental health care on the NHS?
A quarter of all five-year-olds in England have tooth decay - according to a survey published this morning by the NHS. In the north west, the figure is 1 in 3. While the figures are not great, they have improved since the survey first began in 2008. Part of the problem might be caused by access to NHS dentists - only half of the surgeries in England are taking on new patients, according to Healthwatch - the national consumer body for health and care. In some districts, it's particularly hard to find an NHS dentist. In Yorkshire and Humberside, for example, less than a third of dentists are taking new patients.
Iain Duncan Smith says Germany blocked the PM's plans for an emergency brake on migration. But a lead negotiator, German MEP, Elmar Brok, disputes that version of events.
The government has blamed a "rogue marker" for leaking an English SATS test paper that was published by mistake online.
A man accused of hacking US space secrets tells us how he won his case against British spy agencies.
Alexandra Harris tells the story of how the weather has written and painted itself into the cultural life of Britain. Episode 2, Winter: the coldest season.
Our thoughts have been expressed through certain weathers. In the literature that survives from the 8th, 9th and 10th centuries, it is often winter that speaks loudest. Though that winter is a fierce challenge, it is also surprisingly beautiful, exposing the white bones of the world as a kind of truth.
Lovesick is the fourth drama in Emile Zola: Sex, inspired by literature’s greatest ever whistle-blower, and his epic saga of the Rougon Macquart families.
Adelaide Fouque (Dide) is 104 years old, trapped in her small room in the local asylum, but omniscient when it comes to her extended family. As a young woman, she gave birth to two dynasties that exemplified French society: one legitimate - rich, powerful, obsessive and corrupt; the other - illegitimate, poor, vulnerable, weak and depraved. France is on the brink of a new Empire. Her family is a turbulent mix of the good, the bad and the misguided.
In episode four, Lovesick, Dide reflects on the fate of Angelique, the love child of the incestuous affair in the previous episode. Abandoned by her real mother and cruel foster carers, Angelique is fortunate enough to be adopted by Hubertine, a kind woman desperate to have a child. Angelique is a strange, obsessive child, inheriting much of the dangerous Macquart-Rougon traits. Dide watches helplessly as Angelique’s love of God clashes fatally with her love of a beautiful young man. Tragedy is the inevitable conclusion.
Dan Rebellato is a Sony nominated writer and Professor of Theatre at Royal Holloway.
Meet Huang Ming, the Chinese inventor who describes himself as, 'the number one crazy solar guy in the world'.
One of the prize exhibits of his museum in northern China is a vintage solar panel. It's a water heater, installed by President Jimmy Carter on the roof of the West Wing of the White House. Back in 1979 the installation was meant to symbolise a new solar-powered future for America. Instead, oil prices fell and Ronald Reagan removed the White House panels.
37 years on and it's China, not the US that's embracing the idea of a solar-powered economy. Huang Ming, an engineer, prominent political figure and businessman is leading the way with his foundation of Solar Valley. In 800 acres of land south of Beijing he employs 3000 people in solar research, development and manufacture.
Peter Hadfield visits Solar Valley to see the fruits of the sun, from a solar-powered yurt to the world's biggest solar-powered building. He asks if Huang Ming can persuade his nation to turn its back on coal and oil and angle its face toward the sun.
Michael Rosen and Dr Laura Wright explore irregular verbs with Dr Marcelle Cole, and a contribution from Steven Pinker.
What are they, where did they come from, and why do they exist in English? Are there any new ones being produced, and how are they used in real life?
Richard the Lionheart has been portrayed on screen by Sean Connery, Anthony Hopkins and Patrick Stewart, quite a starry list. But what is the reality behind the legend of this famous king?
Richard's nominator is Timmy Mallett, a legend of children's TV but also unexpectedly a history graduate. Great historical characters, he says, have great stories attached to them, and Richard's life was not short of adventure, particularly on the Third Crusade.
Applying a cool head to Richard's life is the historian and broadcaster Helen Castor. She concedes that much of Timmy's enthusiasm is probably deserved.
Presenter Matthew Parris attempts to discover the truth about whether the Lionheart was in fact gay.
David Cameron is caught describing Nigeria and Afghanistan as "fantastically corrupt".
Isy Suttie returns to BBC Radio 4 with a brand new series of her Sony Award Winning show, recounting a series of love stories affecting people she's known throughout her life, told partly through song.
Sometimes Isy has merely observed other people's love lives; quite often she's intervened, changing the action dramatically - for better or worse. Intertwined within these stories are related real life anecdotes from Isy's own, often disastrous, love life.
In this episode, Isy recounts the tale of Rosa and Matthew, a hypnotherapist and an osteopath who work a few doors apart and find it difficult to express their feelings for each other.
With her multi-character and vocal skills, and accompanied by her guitar, Isy creates a hilarious and deeply moving world, sharing with us her lessons in life and love.
Peggy visits Jennifer needing to let off steam. She's angry at the decision not to grant Helen bail. Jennifer can't imagine what she'd be like in Pat's shoes and remarks that Helen has never been never very robust mentally. Peggy insists they all must support Helen, no matter how difficult they find it.
At Brookfield, Josh and Pip move ewes and lambs to sheds for shearing. She tells him Matthew is going straight on to a new job in Northumberland which means he can't visit as they had planned. Josh outlines his plans to use Jill's old hen house on Open Farm Sunday but Pip thinks it's an eyesore. She reminds Josh that Open Farm Sunday is supposed to be about Brookfield's cattle but Josh is determined to show off the pastured hens.
Brian finds Adam asks after the sowing of the maize and he mentions Justin wants to show his friend, Latif, around the Estate. Brian wants to be sure Adam will stick to the positives of the maize and the anaerobic digester. Adam makes it clear that he does not see the positive arguments of growing maize to create electricity through the A.D. unit. Brian worries if Adam will stay on side when Justin and Latif come for their visit. Jennifer assures him Adam will say the right things.
Damian Lewis in Billions, Hugh Bonneville, Olivia Chaney, Bryan and Mary M Talbot
The hit American series Billions starts in the UK this week and is set in the power-hungry and corrupt world of New York finance, starring Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis. Boyd Hilton Reviews.
As part of our Shakespeare's People series, Hugh Bonneville chooses Malvolio from Twelfth Night.
Bryan and Mary M Talbot, authors of the award-winning Dotter of Her Father's Eyes, discuss their latest graphic novel The Red Virgin and the Vision of Utopia.
Folk musician Olivia Chaney will be performing songs by Henry Purcell this weekend at the London Festival of Baroque Music. Olivia discusses reinterpreting the composer's songs in the folk tradition.
And with the Zac Efron/Seth Rogan comedy Bad Neighbours 2 in cinemas this week, Adam Smith considers how much cinema loves it when you just can't get along with the folks next door.
The Serious Fraud Office has begun an investigation into allegations of corruption in the award of multi-million pound oil contracts in the Middle East. A Monaco based company, Unaoil, denies that it helped British and other companies win contracts by corrupting politicians and government officials.
The investigation follows a leak of thousands of emails and other documents. Jane Deith has been given access to the leaked papers and reveals what they tell us about the business of oil.
We speak to the frequent-flyer who complained when airline staff left her out of the conversation when there was a problem. Instead, her travelling companion was told to take out all-important diabetic medication from her hand-luggage without consulting her. We also get an update on RNIB's Talking Magazines. And, fancy going for a run? If so, find out about a new database which teams you up with a sighted guide.
Psychiatrist shortage, GP helps with mental health, Why boredom could be a good thing
In the UK there are around a hundred unfilled Consultant Psychiatrist posts. Claudia Hammond discusses with Sir Simon Wessely, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, why there is such a shortage, and the knock on effect for patients. Why does psychiatry seem to be the poor relation when compared with other branches of medicine and what can be done to persuade more trainee doctors to consider psychiatry as a career?
In the next of our series of features on the shortlist for the All in the Mind Awards, Claudia meets a GP who has helped one patient with a range of mental health issues, giving advice to her when she was admitted to hospital - despite not being in the same country at the time - and helping her to manage mental health complications associated with childbirth.
Are you bored? Don't worry it could be good for you. Research into boredom suggests an uncluttered schedule might be a good thing, giving us the chance for a bit of creative thinking. Sandi Mann, Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire talks to Claudia about the benefits of boredom.
With expert comment from Dr Catherine Loveday, Principal Lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Westminster.
We discuss what can realistically be achieved at this week's anti-corruption summit. We talk about education reform: who is it good for; teachers, pupils, parents or the government. And President Obama will become the first sitting president to visit Hiroshima - we hear about the significant symbolism of the visit.
Months after quitting her marketing job to search for her true vocation, Claire's relentless prevarication is starting to test the patience of her partner, Luke.
Lisa Owens' comic debut, depicting thirtysomething Claire Flannery's life as it unravels in minute and spectacular ways.
Stephen K Amos' sitcom about his own teenage years, growing up black, gay and funny in 1980s South London.
Written by Jonathan Harvey with Stephen K Amos.
The latest problems facing school literacy tests have been debated in the Commons. Susan Hulme reports on the launching of a leak inquiry by the schools minister Nick Gibb.
* Claim and counter claim as talks resume in the long-running junior doctors dispute.
* Details of the Bill that allows housing association tenants to buy their homes go back and forward between the Commons and the Lords.
* The Government plays down fears that child refugees stranded in Europe may not be resettled in Britain for seven months.
* The Pubs Code adjudicator tells MPs he will be impartial when he arbitrates between pub tenants and pub companies.
WEDNESDAY 11 MAY 2016
WED 00:00 Midnight News (b079m0p3)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
WED 00:30 Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham (b079pm52)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Tuesday]
WED 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b079m0p5)
The latest shipping forecast.
WED 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b079m0p7)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
WED 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b079m0p9)
The latest shipping forecast.
WED 05:30 News Briefing (b079m0pc)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
WED 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b079zxgj)
A short reflection and prayer with Father Eugene O'Neill.
WED 05:45 Farming Today (b079r0bb)
Trawl net designed to reduce discards; EU rural development; Grant for RSPB wetlands
A Scottish fisherman has redesigned the nets he uses to try to catch fewer unwanted fish.
The EU Common Agricultural Policy makes available payments for rural development. We look at how that money is spent.
The RSPB has been granted nearly a million pounds to improve a significant UK wetland site for wading birds.
Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.
WED 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b020tqln)
Lesser Whitethroat
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about our British birds inspired by their calls and songs.
Miranda Kresovnikoff presents the Lesser Whitethroat. A loud rattling song from a roadside hedge announces that Lesser whitethroats are back from their African winter homes.
WED 06:00 Today (b079zxgl)
Morning news and current affairs. Includes Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather and Thought for the Day.
WED 09:00 Midweek (b079r52y)
Johnny Fenn, Oz Clarke, Emma Sherlock, Brian Mullin.
Libby Purves meets wine writer Oz Clarke; photographer Johnny Fenn; playwright Brian Mullin and Emma Sherlock, curator of free-living worms at the Natural History Museum.
Emma Sherlock is senior curator of annelids - free-living worms - at the Natural History Museum. She's also co-founder and president of the Earthworm Society of Great Britain. A zoology graduate, she is passionate about changing the public's perception of the humble earthworm. Her current project is studying the Asian worms in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. Foreign species of worms are often inadvertently imported into Britain along with plants. There are 34 exotic species living here - mainly in greenhouses - which outnumber the 26 native species. The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD.
Brian Mullin is an American-born playwright who is writer in residence at Theatre503. His debut play, We Wait In Joyful Hope, is inspired by the story of his aunt, a former Catholic nun, who brought him up after the death of his mother. She founded one of the first shelters for homeless women in New York City. We Wait In Joyful Hope is at Theatre503, The Latchmere, 503 Battersea Park Road, London SW11.
Johnny Fenn was a Gurkha officer for 15 years before becoming a professional photographer. A week after the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015, he returned to the middle valleys of the country with his camera. In this area, the main recruitment region for Gurkha soldiers, he photographed local people left devastated after the disaster, recording their courage and dignity in the face of such turmoil. His book, Light and Life in the Middle Hills, is published by Unicorn.
Oz Clarke is a wine critic, broadcaster and writer. He combines wine and song in Drink to Music - a festival tour with the Baroque ensemble, Armonico Consort. The show investigates the links between wine from around the world and the music of the Baroque from Bach, Purcell and Vivaldi to the dance music of South America. Oz and Armonico Drink to Music is on tour.
Producer: Paula McGinley.
WED 09:45 Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham (b079r530)
Episode 3
Chris Packham decides that animals are easier to trust than people.
He makes a nocturnal escape through his bedroom window, finds treasure up a tree and falls in love.
Chris is a naturalist, nature photographer and author, best known for his BBC TV work. But in this lyrical and emotionally honest memoir, he reveals the life-events which would eventually shape him, and change him forever.
Chris brings to life his childhood in the 1970s, moving back and forth through time, to capture recent, more exposing recollections from adulthood.
Read by Chris Packham and Rachel Atkins.
Abridged by Jo Coombs
Producer: Pippa Vaughan
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in May 2016.
WED 10:00 Woman's Hour (b079m0pf)
Masterchef winner Jane Devonshire; Unsolicited intimate photos; Women's diaries
Is there anything wrong with sharing an intimate picture with someone online? How about receiving an unsolicited image from a stranger? Artist Whitney Bell has created an exhibition using 200 explicit unsolicited pictures she received online. Katy Horwood talks about the difference between unsolicited images and those shared between consenting couples online.
What contribution can the diary entries of the ordinary lives of women make to social history? Fiona Courage, Curator of the Mass Observation Archive at the University of Sussex and Maggie Andrews, Professor of Cultural History at the University of Worcester discuss.
A tribute to Sally Brampton - journalist, editor and author who died this weekend. In this clip from 2008, Sally talked about her memoir of depression 'Shoot the Damn Dog'.
Masterchef winner Jane Devonshire talks about her about her victory in the television cooking competition, her family food traditions and why she decided to keep quiet about her treatment for cancer.
The Anatomical Venus is a waxwork model of a woman that could be disassembled to show the inner workings of the body. Originally created in the 18th century to help understand the human form these life-sized women made of wax were shaped to look eerily lifelike with gleaming glass eyes, human hair, and anatomically correct organs. Author Joanna Ebenstein joins Jane to talk about how the models merge between medicine, fine art and fetishism. The Anatomical Venus by Joanna Ebenstein is published by Thames & Hudson.
WED 10:41 15 Minute Drama (b079r532)
Writing the Century: The Experience of Love
Episode 3
Written and narrated by Christopher Green, with material from the National Lesbian and Gay Survey
In 1993, Christopher Green was a scared young man, sitting alone in a hospital room with a dying man he barely knew. Chris had volunteered to be a Terrence Higgins Trust buddy, and had been introduced to the man in the bed: Kenneth Barrow, an actor and writer who had set up a mass observation diary project involving 700 gay men and lesbians. Asked to write anonymously about their everyday lives and loves, the contributors documented their lives during the years when HIV and AIDS first came to public attention, and Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1986, forbidding the 'promotion of homosexuality', was fought over and passed into law. They continued well after Kenneth's death and for over twenty years, when they were finally collected and archived as the National Lesbian and Gay Survey, alongside the Mass Observation archive at the University of Sussex.
As Writing The Century continues to explore the history of the twentieth century through real-life correspondence and diaries, Christopher tells the story of Ken's remarkable project, and how the candid and entertaining personal stories contained in the Survey remind us all how radically - and recently - life has changed for lesbians and gay men in Britain.
Olivier-award winning entertainer Christopher Green is best known in his multiple personas as Country and Western Icon Tina C. (nine-time Grammy award-winner and host of five Radio 4 comedy series), OAP Rap Artist Ida Barr (Artificial Hip Hop), and as The Singing Hypnotist, as well through his commissions from the RSC, the British Library, the Tate gallery, the V&A, the Science Museum and the Barbican.
3/5 In which lesbians invade the Six O'Clock News.
Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting.
WED 10:55 The Listening Project (b079r535)
Dom and Sarah - Wild About Wildlife
Fi Glover with a conversation between friends who work at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey concluding that a slow worm's worth is more than that of a mobile phone. Another in the series that proves it's surprising what you hear when you listen.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation with someone close to them about a subject they've never discussed intimately before. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation - they're not BBC interviews, and that's an important difference - lasts up to an hour, and is then edited to extract the key moment of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in the second decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Marya Burgess.
WED 11:00 EF Schumacher: Is Small the Next Big? (b079njxm)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:00 on Monday]
WED 11:30 Polyoaks (b079r537)
Series 4
Hello, Goodbye
Annette Crosbie guest stars in this episode on end of life care. Polyoaks is to become a ‘vanguard’ site as part of the NHS ‘Five Year Forward View’. Best intentions are subverted by one older service user’s views on so-called elderly care.
The Polyoaks surgery is plagued by strikes, endless new management initiatives, staff shortages, militant patients, eight day weeks, privatisation – and all these things are entirely their fault, apparently.
The dysfunctional Bristol surgery run by warring doctors, brothers Roy and Hugh Thornton alternates between embracing and collapsing under reforms. They’re a nurse down, they’ve got to slash their budget and there’s a new Head of the local Clinical Commissioning Group who eats GPs for breakfast.
The practice’s calamitous ‘celebrity’ Dr Jeremy who doesn’t know what a Clinical Commissioning Group is, continues to dodge alimony payments, malpractice suits and the new scary practice Nurse Monica.
Jeremy.......................David Westhead
Hugh..........................Simon Greenall
Monica.......................Polly Frame
Roy............................Nigel Planer
Veronica.....................Annette Crosbie
Stephanie/Mrs O'Neil..................Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Ali Evans....................Caroline Rodgers
Written by Dr Phil Hammond and Mr David Spicer
Director: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2016.
WED 12:00 News Summary (b079m0ph)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
WED 12:04 Home Front (b076cbr7)
11 May 1916 - Isabel Graham
On this day in 1916, The Times reported that Sir Roger Casement was to be tried for High Treason, for his involvement in the Easter Rising, and Isabel gets a lesson in relaxing.
Written by Sarah Daniels
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
SECRET SHAKESPEARE
A Shakespeare quote is hidden in each Home Front episode that is set in 1916. These were first broadcast in 2016, the 400th anniversary year of the playwright's death. Can you spot them all?
WED 12:15 You and Yours (b079m0pm)
Parkinson's disease website, Bereaved customers, Treehouse holidays
Senior neurologists have told You & Yours they are concerned that a website, which aims to help people with Parkinson's disease, could be offering misleading advice. The site, set up by a man diagnosed with the condition, provides information on a range of therapies, as well as the benefits of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. It suggests that conventional medical treatments often do little to help, but a leading neurologist is concerned that it could lead some people to stop taking their medication.
Britain's biggest banks and building societies are promising to treat their bereaved customers with more care and consideration. It follows a report last year on You & Yours which highlighted how big organisations can sometimes behave with rudeness, insensitivity and incompetence, when a customer says their close relative has died. We ask how a new code of practice, drawn up by the British Bankers' Association, will improve how bereaved people are treated.
Sleeping up a tree might not seem the obvious way to spend your hard-earned vacation, but more and more tree houses are becoming available as holiday lets. Some offer sumptuous luxury, complete with hot-tubs and flat screen televisions, while others provide an earthier more rustic experience with twinkly lights and wood-burning stoves. We examine the romantic appeal of a fairy tale holiday among the branches.
Producer: Jonathan Hallewell
Presenter: Winifred Robinson.
WED 12:57 Weather (b079m0pp)
The latest weather forecast.
WED 13:00 World at One (b07bc1py)
Analysis of news and current affairs.
WED 13:45 A British History in Weather (b07b2hyd)
Wind
Alexandra Harris tells the story of how the weather has written and painted itself into the cultural life of Britain.
Episode 3: The blasted country – a windy island.
"There was a proper gust, I remember, which sent dry leaves off across the pavement into shop doorways and blew back my hood. And something caught my eye as I looked up. Way above me in the grey sky, at the top of Chichester cathedral spire, there was a glint of light. It was the weathervane turning. It must just momentarily have caught the sun. And then there it was in distant silhouette again, with its big flat rooster tail. I'd never noticed it, and yet it had been up there all the time – up in the weather which goes on continuously, regardless of us, up there as well as down here in the street."
With music by Jon Nicholls.
A BBC Audio production, Made in Bristol
WED 14:00 The Archers (b079prj1)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Tuesday]
WED 14:15 Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola (b079r539)
Season 2 - Sex
Episode 5: Innocence
Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola, Season 2 - Sex
The second season of dramas inspired by the work of literature's greatest whistle blower - Emile Zola. Double Oscar winner Glenda Jackson stars as Dide, 104 years old and matriarch to the family Rougon-Macquart.
Innocence by Martin Jameson is inspired by Zola's The Sin of Father Mouret. A young man wakes up in an idyllic garden in the care of a beautiful young woman. He has no idea of his true identity. But when his memory returns, the young man is forced to question the very nature of his identity and a battle for his soul ensues.
DIDE.....Glenda Jackson
SERGE.....Nico Mirallegro
ALBINE.....Leila Mimmack
DOCTOR PASCAL.....Paul McGann
BROTHER ARCHANGIAS.....Steve Evets
Directed by Nadia Molinari
WED 15:00 Money Box (b07b2rny)
Money Box Live: The Sharing Economy
Need somebody to walk your dog, share the cost of a car journey or rent a room? Maybe you have skills or goods you want to make available? Websites and apps are springing up allowing you to borrow, exchange or rent everything from clothes to sports equipment and tools.
The UK's sharing economy could be worth £9billion per year by 2025 say PwC and Chancellor George Osborne is keen to encourage it, announcing two new £1,000 tax-free allowance in his last budget. One for selling goods and services and one for income from property you own. The Treasury say that retirees, students and anyone wanting extra money will be able to earn £1,000 tax free.
On Wednesday's programme, presenter Paul Lewis and guests will explore the benefits, costs and risks of this growing sector:
Joining Paul will be:
Debbie Wosskow, Founder, lovehomeswap & Chair,Sharing Economy UK.
Ali Clabburn, MD, Liftshare.
Rikke Rosenlund, Founder, Borrow My Doggy.
Robert Killick, CEO ClerksWell Ltd.
If you're part of the sharing economy or want to be, let us know your questions, stories and experiences. Call 03700 100 444 from
1pm to
3.30pm on Wednesday or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.
WED 15:30 All in the Mind (b079prlw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Tuesday]
WED 16:00 Thinking Allowed (b079r53c)
TV in prison - Live music in prison
Prison TV: Laurie Taylor considers the therapeutic role of television in the modern day jail. He talks to Victoria Knight, Senior Research Fellow at De Montfort University, Leicester, and author of a new study examining the way in which TVs in cells manage the everyday life and emotions of prisoners; helping deliver both care and control. In addition, she offers insights into how technology in prison is evolving globally. They're joined by David Wilson, Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University.
Also, prison 'blues': BB King, the African American Blues musician, died on 14
May 2015. One year on, Les Back, Professor of Sociology at Goldsmiths, London, focused on his performances in prisons. Over a 25-year period, B.B. King performed for free in 47 different jails across America. Situating his concerts within a wider political context in which a crisis was unfolding in US prisons, Back explores the implications of King's prison 'blues' and interrogates the meaning of music behind bars. Revised repeat.
Producer: Jayne Egerton
WED 16:30 The Film Programme (b079rbd1)
Remembering Antonia Bird
With Francine Stock
Director Antonia Bird, one of the few female directors to carve out a career in the British film industry, is remembered by friends and colleagues Ronan Bennett, Mark Cousins and Kate Hardie.
The only female director to be nominated for a feature film in this year's Oscars, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, discusses Mustang, her controversial drama about the treatment of young girls in rural Turkey.
Critic Tim Robey and film buyer Clare Binns reveal what they're looking forward to in this year's Cannes film festival.
WED 17:00 PM (b079m0pv)
Eddie Mair with interviews, context and analysis.
WED 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b079m0px)
The Nigerian President has demanded the UK return assets held here by corrupt Nigerians.
WED 18:30 Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully (b04p87r7)
Series 2
Exit Strategy
Uljabaan is determined to fail his annual inspection, in order to be sent to a better posting.
But he'll need Kat and Lucy's help in order to make it work - and he can do without any surprises, such as the identity of the Zone Commander who'll be conducting the inspection...
The conclusion of series two of Eddie Robson's sitcom about an alien race that have noticed that those all-at-once invasions of Earth never work out that well. So they've locked the small Buckinghamshire village of Cresdon Green behind an impenetrable force field in order to study human behaviour and decide if Earth is worth invading.
The only inhabitant who seems to be bothered by their new alien overlord is Katrina Lyons, who was only home for the weekend to borrow the money for a deposit for a flat when the force field went up.
So along with Lucy Alexander (the only teenager in the village, willing to rebel against whatever you've got) she forms The Resistance - slightly to the annoyance of her parents Margaret and Richard who wish she wouldn't make so much of a fuss, and much to the annoyance of Field Commander Uljabaan who, alongside his unintelligible minions and The Computer (his hyper-intelligent supercomputer), is trying to actually run the invasion.
Katrina Lyons ...... Hattie Morahan
Richard Lyons ...... Peter Davison
Margaret Lyons ...... Jan Francis
Lucy Alexander ...... Hannah Murray
Field Commander Uljabaan ...... Charles Edwards
The Computer ...... John-Luke Roberts
Zone Commander Ravella ...... Nina Sosanya
Script-edited by Arthur Mathews.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.
WED 19:00 The Archers (b079r53f)
Ed and Jazzer get to work on shearing the Brookfield sheep. Ed's tired after a late finish on the Estate the day before. Jazzer reckons it's the time he's spending on elfish furniture that's wearing him out. As they work, Ed lets Jazzer know of other shearing opportunities. Jazzer is keen to hang on to whatever work he can get. Ed says Bridge Farm would welcome him back with open arms but Jazzer won't hear it.
Josh shows Bert the old hen house he wants to put to use for Open Farm Sunday. Bert thinks it's in an awful state and there's not much of it that's worth salvaging. Josh flatters Bert, hoping to persuade him into transforming it. He lays out his Romany caravan vision, Bert is reluctant at first but then realises it could make a nice feature in his garden after Josh has finished with it.
Anna meets Helen to discuss her interview for the mother and baby unit. Helen worries about what they will ask. She has last week's hearing in her mind when she was denied bail. Anna goes through what the board will want to know. Helen is anxious she won't get it right and her baby will be taken from her and given to Rob. Anna urges her to have faith in herself.
WED 19:15 Front Row (b079m0pz)
Laurie Anderson, AL Kennedy, Mustang
The pioneering artist and musician Laurie Anderson discusses her role as Guest Artistic Director for this year's Brighton Festival, which includes a futuristic sound and vision installation on the beach and a film and music project called Symphony for a City which premieres tonight.
AL Kennedy talks about her new novel Serious Sweet, which charts a day in London as two characters, each in crisis, try to meet in the hope of salvation.
Shortlisted for an Oscar in the Foreign Language Film category, Mustang follows the story of five orphaned sisters growing up in rural Turkey. After playing on the beach with some boys from their school they are imprisoned in the family home as their marriages are arranged. Hannah McGill reviews.
Presenter: Kirsty Lang
Producer: Angie Nehring.
WED 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b079r532)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:41 today]
WED 20:00 FutureProofing (b079r5lv)
Energy
If new energy sources offer cheap, plentiful power to everyone, how will the planet cope? FutureProofing examines a new method of power generation promising clean, limitless power for everyone. Can it work, what are the consequences, and is there a viable alternative?
Fusion has long-promised cheap, clean and limitless power, but over half a century of effort this technology has still not delivered an operational power plant. Now hopes are high that a vast project in the south of France will finally crack the problems and deliver a working model that can be replicated around the world. FutureProofing presenters Timandra Harkness and Leo Johnson travel to Provence to find out what the prospects are for a scheme costing upwards of £10billion which could transform the energy supply for us all and with it global geo-politics and the environment for centuries to come.
The programme explores what viable alternatives there could be to generate power at the same scale for billions of people across the world, and whether such an alternative is a better route to achieving the goal of cheap, plentiful and clean energy for the future.
Producer: Jonathan Brunert.
WED 20:45 Why I Changed My Mind (b079r5lx)
Series 2
Prof Deirdre McCloskey
Dominic Lawson asks the distinguished American academic Professor Deirdre McCloskey why she changed her views on politics and economics, her faith in God, and her gender.
"Why I Changed My Mind" is a series in which Dominic explores how and why prominent individuals have modified their views on controversial topics.
Producer: Martin Rosenbaum.
WED 21:00 Costing the Earth (b079pr8w)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:30 on Tuesday]
WED 21:30 Midweek (b079r52y)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 21:58 Weather (b07cbwh3)
The latest weather forecast.
WED 22:00 The World Tonight (b079m0q1)
D-Day for Dilma
Brazil's Senate debates whether President Rousseff should face full impeachment trial.
Dozens killed in Baghdad car bombings
Italy's parliament backs same-sex civil unions
(picture: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; credit: AFP/Getty Images).
WED 22:45 Not Working by Lisa Owens (b079r5lz)
Episode 8
Claire receivies a text from her mother, asking for a meeting to discuss Claire's revelations about her grandfather.
Lisa Owens' comic debut, depicting thirtysomething Claire Flannery's life as it unravels in minute and spectacular ways.
Read by Emily Bruni.
Abridged by Robin Brooks.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2016
WED 23:00 Nurse (b079r5m1)
Series 2
Episode 6
A bittersweet comedy drama about a community mental health nurse created by Paul Whitehouse and David Cummings.
Liz (played by Esther Coles), the community psychiatric nurse of the title makes her rounds to visit "service users" in their homes. Most of those patients are played by comedy chameleon Paul Whitehouse himself – with supporting roles for Rosie Cavaliero, Vilma Hollingbery and Cecilia Noble.
Whitehouse brings us an obese bed-bound mummy's boy, an agoraphobic ex-con, a manic ex-glam rock star, ageing rake Herbert who hoards his house with possessions and memories, a Jewish chatterbox in unrequited love with his Jamaican neighbour, and a long-suffering carer and his Alzheimer's-afflicted mother.
There are new characters too in the guise of a self-proclaimed DJ and a Geordie struggling with his wife's job in the world's oldest profession.
We follow their humorous, sometimes sad and occasionally moving interactions with Liz, whose job is to assess their progress, dispense medication and offer support.
Nurse gives a sympathetic insight into the world of some of society's more marginalised people in a heartfelt and considered way.
Paul Whitehouse
Esther Coles
Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Rosie Cavaliero
Sue Elliott-Nichols
Charlie Higson
Vilma Hollingbery
Jason Maza
Cecilia Noble
Written by David Cummings and Paul Whitehouse, with additional material by Esther Coles.
A Down The Line production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in May 2016.
WED 23:15 Death and Taxis (b079r6tg)
The Andy Warhol Diaries, Part One.
Adapted by Sean Grundy and starring Scott Capurro as Andy Warhol. Also starring Ronni Ancona, Jon Culshaw and Kerry Shale.
Everyone who is anyone in New York from 1976 to 1987 is in Warhol's diary - from Mick Jagger to Donald Trump.
"Friday, August 30, 1978: The doorbell rang and it was Liza. She said, 'give me every drug you've got.' I gave them some coke, Valium and four Quaaludes. A little figure in a white hat came up, and it was Marty Scorsese, hiding around the corner. He and Liza went off to have their affair on all the drugs. (Valium $1)"
Beginning in the fall of 1976, America’s most famous artist Andy Warhol talked to his secretary by phone at
9:00 AM, every Monday to Friday morning, for ten years. He would talk about the events of the previous day, and his office would transcribe his monologues into diary pages.
The diary began as a careful recording of his use of money, from phone calls to nickels for bag-ladies to cab rides (lots of cab rides), but quickly evolved into Warhol’s personal observations. It was posthumously published in 1989 - a condensed version of Andy’s more-than-20,000 page, phoned-in audit/diary.
The core themes to the dramas are Warhol’s loves (art, men, fame, money, mainly money) and his fears (failure, embarrassment, death, mainly death).
The episodes follow four key themes, using four people in Andy’s life from 76-87 - homeless Crazy Matty, Warhol’s boyfriend Jon Gould, writer Truman Capote and artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Woven into this world are buddies Mick and Bianca Jagger, Jerry Hall, Liza Minnelli and Donald Trump.
Nobody escapes his sharp tongue.
Cast:
BIANCA JAGGER/ JERRY HALL/ JADE JAGGER.................RONNI ANCONA
ANDY WARHOL.............................................................SCOTT CAPURRO
MICK JAGGER / JOHN LENNON/ MUHAMMED ALI............JON CULSHAW
FRED HUGHES..............................................................KERRY SHALE
RONNIE CUTRONE........................................................MARTIN T SHERMAN
Based on The Andy Warhol Diaries, edited by Pat Hackett
Writer: Sean Grundy
Producer: David Morley
Director: Dirk Maggs
A Perfectly Normal production for BBC Radio 4
WED 23:30 Today in Parliament (b079r6tk)
Sean Curran reports from Westminster where David Cameron faces challenges over his corruption remarks and George Osborne comes under pressure from MPs over his arguments for the UK staying in the EU.
The House of Lords back down in its battle with the Commons over the Government's housing plans and peers question whether a new nuclear power station in Somerset will ever go ahead.
THURSDAY 12 MAY 2016
THU 00:00 Midnight News (b079m0rr)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
THU 00:30 Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham (b079r530)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Wednesday]
THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b079m0rt)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b079m0rw)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
THU 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b079m0ry)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 05:30 News Briefing (b079m0s0)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b07bgmgs)
A short reflection and prayer with Father Eugene O'Neill.
THU 05:45 Farming Today (b07b2crw)
Pig and poultry fair, Zoonosis, EU debate, Antibiotic alternatives
Farming Today comes from the Pig and Poultry Fair in Stoneleigh where farmers took part in a Brexit debate. A vet explains there are alternatives to using antibiotics in pigs as well as in poultry. And the diseases that pass from animals to humans, how big a problem is it for farmers?
Presented by Charlotte Smith
Produced by Alun Beach.
THU 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b0378x87)
Yellow Wagtail
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about the British birds inspired by their calls and songs.
Michaela Strachan presents the yellow wagtail. Arriving in April, Yellow Wagtails are summer visitors to the UK, breeding mostly in the south and east. The Yellow Wagtail has several different races which all winter south of the Sahara and all look slightly different. The birds which breed in the UK are the yellowest of all.
THU 06:00 Today (b07b2qds)
Morning news and current affairs. Includes Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather and Thought for the Day.
THU 09:00 In Our Time (b079rbcj)
Titus Oates and his 'Popish Plot'
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Titus Oates (1649-1705) who, with Israel Tonge, spread rumours of a Catholic plot to assassinate Charles II. From 1678, they went to great lengths to support their scheme, forging evidence and identifying the supposed conspirators. Fearing a second Gunpowder Plot, Oates' supposed revelations caused uproar in London and across the British Isles, with many Catholics, particularly Jesuit priests, wrongly implicated by Oates and then executed. Anyone who doubted him had to keep quiet, to avoid being suspected a sympathiser and thrown in prison. Oates was eventually exposed, put on trial under James II and sentenced by Judge Jeffreys to public whipping through the streets of London, but the question remained: why was this rogue, who had faced perjury charges before, ever believed?
With
Clare Jackson
Senior Tutor and Director of Studies in History at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge
Mark Knights
Professor of History at the University of Warwick
And
Peter Hinds
Associate Professor of English at Plymouth University
Producer: Simon Tillotson.
THU 09:45 Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham (b079rbcl)
Episode 4
Chris Packham takes a kestrel from its nest, forming an all-consuming friendship which will eventually teach him hard lessons about love and loss.
Chris is a naturalist, nature photographer and author, best known for his BBC TV work. But in this lyrical and emotionally honest memoir, he reveals the life-events which would eventually shape him, and change him forever.
Chris brings to life his childhood in the 1970s, moving back and forth through time, to capture recent, more exposing recollections from adulthood.
Read by Chris Packham and Rachel Atkins.
Abridged by Jo Coombs
Producer: Pippa Vaughan
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in May 2016.
THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (b079m0s2)
Space; Gillian Clarke; Vaginal seeding; Old diaries
As she prepares to stand down after eight years as the National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke performs live for Woman's Hour and talks to Jenni about the publication of selected poems from her ten collections.
'Microbirthing' or 'Vaginal Seeding' - giving babies a swab of vaginal fluid after they have been born by caesarean - is said to be gaining popularity. It apparently helps the baby's immune system. Jenni talks to Toni Harman, author of 'The Microbiome Effect' and Dr Eimear Brannigan, consultant in infectious diseases and infection prevention at Charing Cross Hospital, London about how your baby's birth MAY have an impact on their future health.
Dr Wanda Austin, CEO of the Aerospace Corporation, a research centre for the US national security space programme talks to Jenni about her rise to the top, using her background as a black female to promote STEM subjects and her work to manage debris in space.
Diary Dilemmas: What would you do if you found someone else's diary? What if it was written by a much loved deceased parent? Burn it? Dive in and devour from cover to cover? Philosopher, Dr Mahlet Zimeta and writer Elisa Segrave discuss the consequences of reading - or not reading.
THU 10:45 15 Minute Drama (b079rbcn)
Writing the Century: The Experience of Love
Episode 4
Written and narrated by Christopher Green, with material from the National Lesbian and Gay Survey
In 1993, Christopher Green was a scared young man, sitting alone in a hospital room with a dying man he barely knew. Chris had volunteered to be a Terrence Higgins Trust buddy, and had been introduced to the man in the bed: Kenneth Barrow, an actor and writer who had set up a mass observation diary project involving 700 gay men and lesbians. Asked to write anonymously about their everyday lives and loves, the contributors documented their lives during the years when HIV and AIDS first came to public attention, and Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1986, forbidding the 'promotion of homosexuality', was fought over and passed into law. They continued well after Kenneth's death and for over twenty years, when they were finally collected and archived as the National Lesbian and Gay Survey, alongside the Mass Observation archive at the University of Sussex.
As Writing The Century continues to explore the history of the twentieth century through real-life correspondence and diaries, Christopher tells the story of Ken's remarkable project, and how the candid and entertaining personal stories contained in the Survey remind us all how radically - and recently - life has changed for lesbians and gay men in Britain.
Olivier-award winning entertainer Christopher Green is best known in his multiple personas as Country and Western Icon Tina C. (nine-time Grammy award-winner and host of five Radio 4 comedy series), OAP Rap Artist Ida Barr (Artificial Hip Hop), and as The Singing Hypnotist, as well through his commissions from the RSC, the British Library, the Tate gallery, the V&A, the Science Museum and the Barbican.
4/5 In which Christopher reveals his secret.
Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting.
THU 11:00 Crossing Continents (b079rbcq)
Checkmate Me in St Louis
Dave Edmonds travels to the mid-western city of St Louis (location for the musical 'Meet Me In St Louis', starring Judy Garland) for the US chess championships. The city has become a world centre for the game of chess. Its status has partly been achieved by funding from a controversial multi-millionaire, whose childhood included time in an orphanage. Rex Sinquefield is well known for his fascination with the game and his enthusiasm is shared by many others. There is a thriving chess centre, elite tournaments which attract some of the top players, a Chess Hall of Fame and chess lessons in local schools.
St Louis is one of America's most violent cities and has most recently been in the news for race riots which erupted when an unarmed black man was shot by police. Can the game of chess serve to lessen racial tension and unite its citizens across the board?
Producer: Mark Savage.
THU 11:30 Shakespeare In... (b079rbcs)
South Africa
Writer Nadia Davids talks to a variety of South Africans including legendary actor John Kani and former political prisoner Eddie Daniels about what Shakespeare means in the country today. She finds Shakespeare being performed as a way of discussing race, violence against women post Pistorius, and the current political crisis around President Zuma, but also that his presence in South Africa's cultural landscape is contested by some as part of the debate about decolonising education. For others such as school pupils from a township outside Cape Town and for a group of homeless men in Johannesburg, Shakespeare offers an opportunity to grow and develop as well as reflect on their own lives.
Producer: Maggie Ayre.
THU 12:00 News Summary (b079m0s4)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 12:04 Home Front (b076cbrx)
12 May 1916 - Edwin Lloyd
On this day in 1916, the papers reported food shortages in Germany at a dire level, and in Ashburton, Edwin Lloyd is well enough to start work again.
Written by Sarah Daniels
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
SECRET SHAKESPEARE
A Shakespeare quote is hidden in each Home Front episode that is set in 1916. These were first broadcast in 2016, the 400th anniversary year of the playwright's death. Can you spot them all?
THU 12:15 You and Yours (b079m0s6)
Under-30s spending, Abattoir conditions, Co-op turnaround?
It's Super Thursday when the Bank of England gives us their quarterly inflation report and their decision on interest rates. It seems that those under 30 will face a cost of living that's higher than anybody else. New research suggests that because they prize experience over things, they're paying more for it. How sympathetic should we be if they're spending their money on lattes and eating out rather than pensions? We learn more about the research and the implications for the future standards of living of so-called "millennials".
In 2013 the Co-op made the worst losses in its history - two and a half billion pounds, much of that due to mismanagement at the Co-operative Bank. But things could be turning around. The group made a pre-tax profit of £81 million last year, up £8 million pounds on the year before. You & Yours meets the boss, Richard Pennycrook, a man who generated many a headline when he gave up 60% of his own salary for the good of the business.
And we investigate why a Halal abattoir in Norfolk was allowed to continue to mistreat animals, even though the authorities knew there were problems. Simply Halal in Banham is now after a second set of video footage showed animals in distress, two years after the first revelation. The abattoir supplied meat for at least one major supermarket. We talk to the Food Standards Agency and Vets about how this could be allowed to happen.
THU 12:57 Weather (b079m0s8)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 13:00 World at One (b07b2qf5)
The Government has announced the details of the changes it's proposing for the BBC, including a new board in part appointed by the Government, alongside a call for a more distinctive BBC.
We have full analysis of the White Paper, and hear criticisms that the reforms don't go far enough in curbing the scope of the BBC.
The Chair of the Culture Select Committee tells us he backs calls for more distinctiveness while Sir Michael Lyons, former Chair of the BBC Trust tells Martha Kearney that the editorial independence of some senior BBC figures has been compromised.
Lord Hall, the BBC's director General responds.
Speaking at a meeting of world leaders in London, The US Secretary of State John Kerry said that corruption is as much of a problem as terrorism. We hear the latest from the Summit, and explore the extent to which measures announced by the Prime Minister will alleviate the problem.
And why Ukraine's Eurovision entry is going down badly in Russia.
THU 13:45 A British History in Weather (b07b2kcs)
Britain and the Sun
Alexandra Harris tells the story of how the weather has written and painted itself into the cultural life of Britain. episode 4, Britain and the sun: a rare treat?
"I kept a kind of weather diary during a hot spell last summer. I didn't try to record pressure or the movement of air fronts – I'd have been hopeless at that – but just noted some ordinary details of life in the warm, basic ingredients from which summer days are made. There's the waking up already hot with a single sheet in a crumpled mess, and why does the traffic sound louder – o yes because the window's open behind the curtain. Best keep the curtains closed all day. So the house stays dark, and there's a white-green flash when you come back into it from brightness, before the eyes have adapted, as well as the swooning doziness of sitting at a desk again after half an hour in the sun. There's all the action in the street outside, people going to the park, hot children pulling scooters, hotter children crying, music from open car windows, wasps in the kitchen, a cloud of heat hovering half way up the stairs. In the evening the scent of lilac pools in the stillness; you can walk into it like a room."
Music by Jon Nicholls.
A BBC Audio Production, made in Bristol
THU 14:00 The Archers (b079r53f)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Wednesday]
THU 14:15 Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola (b079rbcv)
Sex
Episode 6: Jealousy
Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola, Season 2 - Sex
The second season of drama inspired by the works of literature's greatest whistle blower - Emile Zola. Glenda Jackson stars as Dide, 104 years old and matriarch to the Rougon-Macquart family.
Jealousy by Martin Jameson inspired by Zola's A Love Episode. Recently widowed, Helene lives a claustrophobic and reclusive life struggling to look after her fragile, sickly daughter Jeanne. But when handsome Doctor Henri Deberle comes to her aid, it seems as if life for both mother and daughter might take a new turn - but Helene soon finds her heart pulled in two irreconcilable directions.
DIDE.....Glenda Jackson
HELENE..…Lyndsey Marshal
HENRI..…Fraser James
JEANNE..…Talia Barnett
Directed by Nadia Molinari
THU 15:00 Open Country (b079rbcx)
Dawn Chorus across Europe
Brett Westwood presents a special programme as Open Country joins forces with the European Broadcasting Union and RTE in Ireland to follow the Dawn Chorus from East to West across Europe.
Sunday 1 May was International Dawn Chorus Day and from midnight until six am, Brett Westwood sat in RSPB Ham Wall in Somerset broadcasting about what he heard. The silence of the night is broken by belching Moorhens, booming Bitterns and even a Marsh Frog before Dawn breaks to reveal a huge cast of Coots, Little Grebes and even Brett's first Cuckoo of Spring, to name but a few.
But as the Dawn moves West, Brett speaks to Alexander Khaburgaev in Russia about the Starlings of Moscow which imitate cab drivers from a hundred years ago, and Jason Aloisio describes how tackling illegal hunting has allowed the sparrows of Malta to thrive. Helge Søfteland and Niall Hatch witness a thrilling spat between rival Capercaillie, and Rob Buiter and Eric Dempsey report on Bluethroats in The Netherlands.
Producer: Toby Field.
THU 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (b079m52n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:54 on Sunday]
THU 15:30 Open Book (b079mdy4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Sunday]
THU 16:00 Why I Changed My Mind (b0787dz1)
Series 2
Prof Edzard Ernst
Dominic Lawson talks to Edzard Ernst, who was once the world's first professor of complementary medicine, about why he abandoned his belief in homeopathy, the reaction his change of mind provoked, and how it led to a dispute with the office of the Prince of Wales.
"Why I Changed My Mind" is a series in which Dominic explores how and why prominent individuals have modified their views on controversial topics.
Producer: Martin Rosenbaum.
THU 16:15 The Media Show (b079m0ps)
BBC's future set out in government White Paper.
As the government's long-awaited White Paper on the future of the BBC is published, Steve Hewlett talks to the leading players about what it actually says. Will it mark the end of the BBC as we know it? Or has all the hype been misplaced? Steve speaks to Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, before asking a panel of experts what these plans really mean for the future of the corporation. He's joined by former Culture Secretary Dame Tessa Jowell; Michael Grade, who was chairman of the BBC from 2004 to 2006 and executive chairman of ITV from 2007 to 2009; former BBC Trustee, David Liddiment, who is also founder of All3 Media, and Tim Suter, once of Ofcom and the DCMS - and the BBC, and now a broadcasting consultant.
Producer: Katy Takatsuki.
THU 17:00 PM (b079m0sd)
Eddie Mair with interviews, context and analysis.
THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b079m0sg)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 18:30 Don't Start (b06wg843)
Series 3
Driving
What do long term partners really argue about? The third series of Frank Skinner's sharp comedy. Starring Frank Skinner and Katherine Parkinson.
In this episode, Kim and Neil's return home from a funeral involves a missed left turn, a backseat stenographer and the planet Zobula.
The first and second series of Don't Start met with instant critical and audience acclaim:
"That he can deliver such a heavy premise for a series with such a lightness of touch is testament to his skills as a writer and, given that the protagonists are both bookworms, he's also permitted to use a flourish of fine words that would be lost in his stand-up routines." Jane Anderson, Radio Times
"Frank Skinner gives full rein to his sharp but splenetic comedy. He and his co-star Katherine Parkinson play a bickering couple exchanging acerbic ripostes in a cruelly precise dissection of a relationship." Daily Mail
"...a lesson in relationship ping-pong..." Miranda Sawyer, The Observer
Don't Start is a scripted comedy with a deceptively simple premise - an argument. Each week, our couple fall out over another apparently trivial flashpoint. Each week, the stakes mount as Neil and Kim battle with words. But these are no ordinary arguments. The two outdo each other with increasingly absurd images, unexpected literary references and razor sharp analysis of their beloved's weaknesses. Underneath the cutting wit, however, there is an unmistakable tenderness.
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 18:45 The Pin (b06mg9gb)
Series 1
Episode 3
Join Alex and Ben in their weird twist on the double-act sketch show.
Strap in for a 15 minute delve in to a world of oddness performed in front of a live studio audience.
The Pin are an award-winning comedy duo, and legends of Edinburgh festival. They deconstruct the sketch form, in a show that exists somewhere between razor-sharp smartness and utterly joyous silliness.
After a sold-out run in Edinburgh, and a string of hilarious performances across BBC Radio 4 Extra, BBC 3, Channel 4, and Comedy Central, this is The Pin's debut solo show. Join them as they celebrate, make, collapse and rebuild their jokes, each other, and probably the radio too.
For fans of Adam and Joe, Vic and Bob, and Fist of Fun - a show of absurd offerings from two loveable idiots.
Producer: Sam Bryant.
First broadcast in Radio 4 in November 2015.
THU 19:00 The Archers (b079rbd5)
Jennifer serves coffee for Justin and Latif before their tour of the Estate. Jennifer says more elf-homes have appeared in the Millennium Wood. She's charmed by them but Brian is not so keen. Brian takes Latif and Justin round the Estate explaining their maize growing and the anaerobic digester. They're impressed and when they see Adam working ask to talk to him. Brian is nervous of what Adam will say but in the end he toes the line.
Fallon drops round some leaflets at The Bull. She wants to know how much interest there would be for a jumble trail in Ambridge. Jolene wonders what the fete committee makes of Fallon and Emma organising a village event. Jolene hopes Fallon and Harrison will come to their FA Cup Quiz night. Kenton and Wayne are organising it which Fallon sees as a good sign. Jolene says Kenton can still be jealous which is getting in the way of making Wayne permanent. If only Wayne had a girlfriend, says Fallon.
Lynda calls in at Home Farm hoping to see Kate, she's had an allergic reaction and is looking for a remedy. With Kate not around, Lynda and Jennifer catch up on village events. They look forward to the plans for the Queen's birthday weekend. Lynda hopes her rash will have gone by then. They share their thoughts on Helen and the imminent birth as well as Rob's recovery and Henry amongst it all.
THU 19:15 Front Row (b079m0sj)
Mark Billingham, Turner Prize, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot review, Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla
Mark Billingham talks to Samira Ahmed about his latest novel - Die of Shame. Departing from his highly successful DI Tom Thorne novels, this book focuses on a group of recovering addicts who meet each week for their support group, that is, until one of them is murdered.
Tate Britain's director, Alex Farquharson, on the Turner Prize shortlist while Rachel Campbell Johnston reviews.
As the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra announce their 2016-17 season today, their newly appointed music director, Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla reveals what she believes is the secret behind the chemistry she and the orchestra immediately shared, and looks ahead to what she intends to programme in the future.
And out-going BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Bridget Kendall reviews Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, starring Tina Fey, Martin Freeman and Margot Robbie. The film is based on real life reporter Kim Barker's autobiography.
Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Elaine Lester.
THU 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b079rbcn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
THU 20:00 The Briefing Room (b079rbd7)
The Truth About BHS
BHS was one of the biggest names on the high street, but it is now in administration and faces an uncertain future. What exactly happened, and who is responsible for its decline?
Much of the focus has been on Sir Philip Green who sold the firm a little over a year ago to a little-known group called Retail Acquisitions. BHS had undergone a period of high growth during the first part of Green's 15 years of ownership, but its subsequent decline was accelerated by the economic crisis of 2008, and in recent years it racked up huge losses.
Many accuse Sir Philip Green of trying to offload the company to duck its growing pension liabilities - one MP even called him the "unacceptable face of capitalism" - but there have also been suggestions that he's being unfairly tried in the court of public opinion.
Green and the owners of Retail Acquisitions will face questions in front of a parliamentary select committee next month. Meanwhile the administrators are entertaining offers for BHS assets. Hanging in the balance are the company's 11,000 employees and more than 20,000 members of the company pension scheme.
David Aaronovitch asks what happened to the retailer, and who's responsible for its decline?
Producer/Reporter: Michael Wendling
Researcher: Alex Burton
THU 20:30 In Business (b079rbd9)
Turnarounds
Imagine you run a company and it's failing. What do you do?
Matthew Gwyther speaks to leaders who've turned around businesses in difficulties and finds out how they did it, what inspired them and what lessons they can pass on.
Produced by Nina Robinson.
THU 21:00 BBC Inside Science (b079m0sb)
Genetics and education, Eyam plague, Pint of science, Labradors and chocolate
The biggest study of the relationship between genes and educational attainment - in this case, basically the measure of how long you stay in education - has been published this week. A huge number of environmental factors influence this trait, but genes also play a small role. In the new study, a large team of researchers looked at over 300,000 people and identified 74 genetic variants, slight differences in our DNA, that do seem to associate with how long those individuals stayed in formal education. Senior author Dan Benjamin, University of Southern California, and social genetics researcher Eva Krapohl from Kings College London helped steer us through this complex quagmire.
The Derbyshire village of Eyam is famous amongst Plague historians because when the disease arrived in a bale of cloth in 1665, the local vicar took a bold step and quarantined the whole village. 260 villagers died, but the sacrifice is thought to have saved surrounding populations. This noted event yielded a rich data set, which Eyam residents Francine Clifford and her late husband John meticulously mined over the last few decades. When epidemiologist Xavier Didelot of Imperial College London visited the local museum whilst on holiday, he couldn't resist investigating.
Later this month, in pubs around Britain, and bars in 11 other countries, audiences will gather to hear about everything from black holes to cancer treatments - all part of a phenomenon called 'Pint of Science'. Marnie Chesterton went to The Castle in Farringdon to hear more.
Finally, last week we met Poppy, one of the Labradors likely to have a newly discovered genetic reason for eating her owners out of house and home. Poppy's most notable devouring was of a large birthday cake, resulting in a trip to the vet's to get her stomach pumped. A fellow cake-eating-Lab-owning listener got in touch to ask why this procedure was necessary. It all comes down to the flavour of the cake: Chocolate.
Producers: Marnie Chesterton & Jen Whyntie.
THU 21:30 In Our Time (b079rbcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 21:58 Weather (b079r03y)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 22:00 The World Tonight (b079m0sl)
Mark Carney in Brexit row
Mark Carney in Brexit row, how best to regulate the BBC, and the government outlines plans to tackle corruption abroad and at home.
THU 22:45 Not Working by Lisa Owens (b079rbdc)
Episode 9
Claire makes a shocking discovery about Luke, leading her to cast doubt on their relationship.
Lisa Owens' comic debut, depicting thirtysomething Claire Flannery's life as it unravels in minute and spectacular ways.
Read by Emily Bruni.
Abridged by Robin Brooks.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2016.
THU 23:00 52 First Impressions with David Quantick (b079rbdf)
Series 2
Episode 2
Journalist and comedy writer David Quantick has met and interviewed hundreds of people. What were his first impressions, how have they changed and does it all matter?
This week, stories about Ronnie Barker, Mel Brooks and Lemmy, amongst others.
Written and presented by David Quantick
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4
THU 23:30 Today in Parliament (b079rbdh)
A blueprint for the future of the BBC is unveiled by the Government. Susan Hulme reports on the Commons statement of the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale and the response of MPs.
Also on the programme:
* MPs and peers take part in Parliament's ancient ceremony of Prorogation, ahead of next week's Queen's Speech.
* Could the clash between the EU Referendum and the Glastonbury Festival influence the outcome of the poll?
* MPs in the 'Vote Leave' camp seize on differences between migrants getting National Insurance numbers and the official immigration figures.
* Opposition MPs voice concerns about the privacy issues arising from installing Smart energy meters in the home.
* Are Westminster's committees doing better at holding Ministers to account?
FRIDAY 13 MAY 2016
FRI 00:00 Midnight News (b07b2m08)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
FRI 00:30 Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham (b079rbcl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Thursday]
FRI 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b07b9s2t)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b07bkjpy)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
FRI 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b07bkjq2)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 05:30 News Briefing (b07bkjq4)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b07b2ddh)
A short reflection and prayer with Father Eugene O'Neill.
FRI 05:45 Farming Today (b07b2ddk)
Rapeseed oil, otters, abbatoirs
Higher levels of a potentially toxic acid have been found in samples of rapeseed oil destined for human consumption.
Erucic acid occurs naturally, but levels are tightly controlled in food-grade oil. EU and UK legislation says rapeseed oil grown for food must contain no more that 5% acid, but most rapeseed food contracts are even stricter with a 2% limit. If rape's grown for industrial use - for things like bio-diesel or for making plastics - the acid content is usually between 50 and 55%.
But samples of rapeseed harvested last summer and grown for food use, have been found to show significant contamination with acid levels as high as 30%.
We also hear from two veteran journalists - one who covered the last EU referendum back in 1973, the other who's covered the institution ever since.
Presented by Sybil Ruscoe and produced by Sally Challoner.
FRI 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b03bkt7v)
Firecrest
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about the British birds inspired by their calls and songs.
Wildlife Sound Recordist, Chris Watson, presents the Firecrest. Firecrests are very small birds, a mere nine centimetres long and are often confused with their much commoner cousins, goldcrests. Both have the brilliant orange or yellow crown feathers, but the firecrest embellishes these with black eyestripes, dazzling white eyebrows and golden patches on the sides of its neck ... a jewel of a bird.
FRI 06:00 Today (b07b2lw5)
Morning news and current affairs. Includes Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather and Thought for the Day.
FRI 09:00 Desert Island Discs (b079m78n)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Sunday]
FRI 09:45 Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham (b079rd1y)
Episode 5
Chris Packham concludes his painfully honest memoir. He is a confirmed outsider - almost overwhelmed – but determined to do things his way, on his terms.
Chris is a naturalist, nature photographer and author, best known for his BBC TV work.
Chris brings to life his childhood in the 1970s, moving back and forth through time, to capture recent, more exposing recollections from adulthood.
Read by Chris Packham and Rachel Atkins.
Abridged by Jo Coombs
Producer: Pippa Vaughan
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in May 2016.
FRI 10:00 Woman's Hour (b079m0v0)
Harriet Harman and Gisela Stuart on the EU referendum
We hear opposing views on the debate about the European Referendum. Labour's former acting leader Harriet Harman MP speaking for Britain Stronger in Europe makes her first major intervention to argue that a vote to leave could threaten women's equality at work. Labour MP Gisela Stuart, who chairs the Vote Leave campaign, argues that workers' rights had been "hard won" in the UK, not Europe.
Plus we continue our discussions about diaries and the relationship we have with them. Today, we look at whether or not young women still keep diaries and if not what's replacing them. Tingy Simoes one of the directors of Pencourage, an online diary site and Vlogger Patricia Bright discuss the modern day twist on a diary.
And reporter Anna King meets three Gloucestershire women who've not only rediscovered their love of horses, but also now go away together every year for their very own grown up Pony Club Camp.
FRI 10:45 15 Minute Drama (b079rfwx)
Writing the Century: The Experience of Love
Episode 5
Written and narrated by Christopher Green, with material from the National Lesbian and Gay Survey
In 1993, Christopher Green was a scared young man, sitting alone in a hospital room with a dying man he barely knew. Chris had volunteered to be a Terrence Higgins Trust buddy, and had been introduced to the man in the bed: Kenneth Barrow, an actor and writer who had set up a mass observation diary project involving 700 gay men and lesbians. Asked to write anonymously about their everyday lives and loves, the contributors documented their lives during the years when HIV and AIDS first came to public attention, and Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1986, forbidding the 'promotion of homosexuality', was fought over and passed into law. They continued well after Kenneth's death and for over twenty years, when they were finally collected and archived as the National Lesbian and Gay Survey, alongside the Mass Observation archive at the University of Sussex.
As Writing The Century continues to explore the history of the twentieth century through real-life correspondence and diaries, Christopher tells the story of Ken's remarkable project, and how the candid and entertaining personal stories contained in the Survey remind us all how radically - and recently - life has changed for lesbians and gay men in Britain.
Olivier-award winning entertainer Christopher Green is best known in his multiple personas as Country and Western Icon Tina C. (nine-time Grammy award-winner and host of five Radio 4 comedy series), OAP Rap Artist Ida Barr (Artificial Hip Hop), and as The Singing Hypnotist, as well through his commissions from the RSC, the British Library, the Tate gallery, the V&A, the Science Museum and the Barbican.
5/5 In which we experience love and litter.
Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting.
FRI 11:00 The Anglo-Irish Century (b079rfwz)
It's Good to Talk
In the final programme of Diarmaid Ferriter's four part series looking at the last hundred years of Anglo-Irish History the story moves from the darkest days of the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland by way of the Sunningdale agreement, the false dawns of Margaret Thatcher's era, the Downing Street Declaration and the Good Friday peace process.
Diarmaid speaks to several of those involved in that process including former First Minister of Northern Ireland Lord David Trimble, Northern Ireland's current Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, former Prime Minister Sir John Major and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
They talk about the challenge of establishing trust, the importance of personal relationships between the leaders involved and the sheer weight of history carried by Her Majesty The Queen in visiting Ireland in 2011. And Bertie Ahern reveals exclusively his role in the organisation of that visit.
Producer: Tom Alban.
FRI 11:30 Barry's Lunch Club (b079rfx1)
Hobbies
How do older people keep minds active?
Barry discusses various hobbies while all the time keeping an eye on the ferocious dog that Hilary is minding in the hall for the morning.
Barry invites an audience to his weekly lunch club where he scrutinises themes close to his heart. With club secretary Hilary to rein him in, and club treasurer Peter providing support on the civic hall piano, this is the ultimate life-style guide for an ageing nation.
Barry is a cockney moved to the suburbs during the war. He is not given to looking at the old days through rose coloured spectacles, and is well up to speed with current trends. A seemingly harmless old boy, he lures people into a false sense of security, delivering hilariously stinging rebukes or erudite assessments of how the world is treating the over 60s.
Stand-up comedy crossed with sitcom, the show plays out in real time as if we are eavesdropping on a civic hall meeting group.
Written by Alex Lowe and Alex Walsh-Taylor.
Barry ...... Alex Lowe
Hilary ...... Stephanie Cole
Peter ...... Philip Pope
Producer: Alex Walsh-Taylor
Executive Producer: Kevin Dawson
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2016.
FRI 12:00 News Summary (b079m0v2)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 12:04 Home Front (b076cbs1)
13 May 1916 - Alexander Gidley
On this day in 1916, the Prime Minister Herbert Asquith visited Mountjoy prison in Dublin, where De Valera refused to shake his hand, and in Staverton, it's Alexander's birthday.
Written by Sarah Daniels
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
FRI 12:15 You and Yours (b079m0v4)
PIP and Sim Swap
Personal Independence Payment - PIP - is gradually replacing the Disability Living Allowance but the number of appeals against assessments is rising. Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show the number of appeals going to Tribunal has tripled over the past year, with just over 16,000 heard in the 3 months up until December. Citizens Advice says since the start of the year around 500 people a day have been calling them to ask for help.
We've been exposing flaws in the security systems of banks and mobile phone companies over the last few months. Their lax security has allowed criminals to access bank accounts and defraud our listeners out of thousands of pounds. It's a fraud known as Sim Swap - the criminal impersonates you to your phone provider and orders a new SIM card. This new Sim is used to intercept the verification calls and texts from your bank. The criminal then uses these verification messages to access your bank account. We'll have an update.
In the past, we've looked at how flight costs can increase after booking a holiday with an online travel agent. Now You & Yours has discovered that in some cases, flight prices haven't actually gone up at all and is potentially a bid for companies to try to make more money from their customers.
Got a problem with your mobile phone? Normal behaviour would be to ring the phone company and complain to the call centre. It would seem reasonable that person in the call centre would be employed by the company. But not if you're a GIFF GAFF customer. They are trying a new approach by using their own customers to provide customer service for other customers.
Presenter: Shari Vahl.
FRI 12:57 Weather (b079m0v6)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 13:00 World at One (b07b2lw7)
Analysis of news and current affairs. Mark Mardell looks at the IMF's economic verdict on the EU referendum, finding a GP in Leicester plus the fight to lead the Welsh Assembly.
FRI 13:45 A British History in Weather (b07b2krc)
Punishing Weather
Alexandra Harris tells the story of how the weather has written and painted itself into the cultural life of Britain. Episode 5; Punishing weather: do we deserve the weather we get?
Weather and time have often been twinned. They are linked by one word in Latin, tempus. Quel temps fait-il, ask the French. Proust's time regained is also the weather of memory revisited. In English the connection is less clear because our word for weather is from Norse 'weder', but still there is a long and potent tradition of thought that links the passing of time with the mobile, changeful, ever-passing weather. In this tradition time and weather began together when Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden into an imperfect and impermanent world.
Music by Jon Nicholls.
A BBC Audio Production, made in Bristol
FRI 14:00 The Archers (b079rbd5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Thursday]
FRI 14:15 Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola (b079rfx3)
Season 2 - Sex
Episode 7: Affairs
Blood Sex and Money by Emile Zola, Season 2 - Sex
Affairs by Lavinia Murray
Double Oscar winning actress Glenda Jackson, and Alison Steadman lead this gloriously mischievous episode. Unusual for Zola, this is comedic and fun. Dide follows her great-grand-son as he journeys to Paris to find his fortune. Octave Mouret, ambitious and a ladies man, moves into an apartment block where there are female delights, it seems, on each floor.
Dide ...... Glenda Jackson
Octave ....... Jack Lowden
Mrs. Josserand ..... Alison Steadman
Berthe ....... Verity Henry
Concierge/August Vabre
/Mr. Josserand ...... Eric Potts
Adele ......Rachel Austin
Marie Pichon/Mrs. Hedouin ....... Fiona Clarke
Produced and Directed by Pauline Harris
FRI 15:00 Gardeners' Question Time (b079rfx5)
West Suffolk
Eric Robson hosts the horticultural panel programme from West Suffolk. Bunny Guinness, Matthew Wilson and Christine Walkden answer this week's questions from the audience - including discussion of rhubarb, the best plants for garden screening, and how to correctly disperse wood ash. They also recommend the best plants for screening a garden.
Matt Biggs visits Chiswick House and Gardens to discover the story behind the recording of The Beatles' first music video in May 1966.
Produced by Dan Cocker
Assistant Producer: Laurence Bassett
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 15:45 Second God by Teju Cole (b079rfx7)
Husain, a New York gas station attendant, worries about love. Concerned for his ageing parents back in Pakistan, he makes a rash decision which has serious consequences for his relationship.
Story specially commissioned from Teju Cole, one of the most interesting writers on multiculturalism working today and read by Riz Ahmed.
Teju Cole is a Nigerian-American writer, photographer and art historian. His 2011 novel Open City was described by the Guardian as, “an excellent novel about spatial relations, layers of urban history and immigrant experience”. Using Cole’s trademark insight and subtlety, Second God explores how definitions of love can differ around the world, and what this means for two people in modern New York.
Producer: Simon Richardson
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2016.
FRI 16:00 Last Word (b079m0v8)
Gareth Gwenlan, Sir Harry Kroto, Michael 'Dandy Kim' Caborn-Waterfield, Lilly Dubowitz, Papa Wemba
Matthew Bannister on
Gareth Gwenlan the TV producer and Head of BBC Comedy behind a string of hits including Only Fools and Horses. Sir David Jason pays tribute.
Sir Harry Kroto, the Nobel prize winning chemist who helped to discover new forms of carbon.
Michael 'Dandy Kim' Caborn-Waterfield, the charming, well dressed scoundrel who started the Ann Summers chain of sex shops and was imprisoned in France for stealing thousands of pounds from the movie mogul Jack Warner.
The paediatrician Lilly Dubowitz who developed revolutionary tests to assess new born babies
And the Congolese singer and flamboyant dresser Papa Wemba.
FRI 16:30 Feedback (b079rfx9)
BBC White Paper: Your Views
This week the government released its long-anticipated white paper setting out its views on how the BBC's charter should be reformed and implemented over the next eleven years. Listener discuss their questions and concerns with Roger Bolton and Colin Browne from the Voice of the Listener and Viewer - from how the 'distinctiveness' of the BBC will be measured to a welcome note from the government about on-air trails.
Comedian David Baddiel speaks to Roger Bolton about his unusual Radio 4 panel show Don't Make Me Laugh, in which comedians have to do just that - try not to make the audience and themselves laugh by talking about a host of different subjects. One subject in particular - the Queen's sex life - landed the programme in hot water. The timing of the programme on the Queen's 90th birthday caused a stir, but Feedback listeners question whether the subject is acceptable at any time.
And we couldn't begin a new series of Feedback without airing at least some of the multitude of views about The Archers' Rob and Helen storyline. After months of domestic abuse by her husband, and a storyline lauded by many for highlighting coercive control, Helen took matters into her own hands and stabbed Rob. Now she's facing trial and her son Henry is still living with his adoptive father. For some listeners this turn of events is a step too far and unrealistic - others are gripped.
Producer: Kate Dixon
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 16:55 The Listening Project (b079rfxc)
Ruth and Alan - Shoemakers
Fi Glover introduces a conversation between a master craftsman and his former apprentice, about the skills and the pitfalls of shoe-making. Another in the series that proves it's surprising what you hear when you listen.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation with someone close to them about a subject they've never discussed intimately before. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation - they're not BBC interviews, and that's an important difference - lasts up to an hour, and is then edited to extract the key moment of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in the second decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Marya Burgess.
FRI 17:00 PM (b079m0vb)
Eddie Mair with interviews, context and analysis.
FRI 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b079m0vd)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 18:30 The News Quiz (b079rfxf)
Series 90
Episode 5
This week, the programme comes from the Corn Exchange in Ipswich as Miles Jupp is joined by Susan Calman, Hugo Rifkind, Zoe Lyons and Jeremy Hardy for the long-running satirical quiz of the week's news.
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Radio Comedy Production.
FRI 19:00 The Archers (b079rfxh)
David tells Ruth Alistair is trying to get him to play cricket again and they discuss the repair needed to the cricket pitch roller. It's a job for Chris but Alistair is having trouble pinning him down. Their conversation turns to hens - they've started moving them from the caravan to the egg-mobile. They agree Josh came over really well in the local TV news coverage of the pastured hens but they don't suppose Neil will have enjoyed it.
Ed and Emma take Keira to the Millennium Wood to seek out the elfish dwellings. They discuss the prospect of having to find somewhere to live now the Sterlings are definitely returning. They'll be sad to leave Grange Farm, particularly as the children love it there. Emma says they will always have the option of moving back in with her parents. Keira is thrilled by the evidence of elves and Emma tells Ed he's a brilliant dad.
Peggy visits Helen in prison. When Helen asks after Henry and the farm, Peggy assures her everything is fine. Peggy says her family will still visit her when she's in the mother and baby unit even though it's much further away. Helen says it's too far for Peggy to travel but Peggy says she'll be constantly worrying if she doesn't visit her. Peggy reminds Helen she's an Archer woman and bred tough. Her family will be strong for her and she needs to be strong for her children. Helen says the baby must not be taken by Rob. She wants to keep the baby and Henry safe, and make sure they don't stop loving her.
FRI 19:15 Front Row (b079m0vg)
Francis Bacon, Ayad Akhtar, Cannes Film Festival, Mum
Francis Bacon: Invisible Rooms at Tate Liverpool is the largest exhibition of the artist's work ever staged in the north of England, featuring more than 30 paintings and a group of rarely-seen drawings and documents. Kasia Redzisz, senior curator at the gallery, shows John Wilson round the exhibition.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Pakistani American actor, screenwriter, novelist and playwright Ayad Akhtar discusses his play The Invisible Hand. Kidnapped by an Islamic militant group in Pakistan, with no-one negotiating his release, an investment banker takes matters into his own hands.
Mum is a new BBC TV sitcom starring Lesley Manville and Peter Mullan about a mother who is trying to re-build her life following the death of her husband. David Butcher reviews.
Jason Solomons reports from the Cannes Film Festival as it reaches the end of its first week.
Presenter John Wilson
Producer Jerome Weatherald.
FRI 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b079rfwx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
FRI 20:00 Any Questions? (b079rgy3)
Lord Ashdown, Dr Liam Fox MP, Baroness Jenny Jones, Rachel Reeves MP
Jonathan Dimbleby presents political debate and discussion from Colyton Grammar School in Devon with a panel including the former Leader of the liberal Democrats Lord Ashdown, former Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP, the Green Party peer Baroness Jenny Jones and the Labour MP Rachel Reeves. Topics include, Donald Trump as a presidential candidate, the EU Referendum, taking children out of school in term time for holidays and the BBC and impartiality.
FRI 20:50 A Point of View (b07b9x8h)
Spell-checking the Futr
Self-confessed "digi-drunkard" Will Self on predictive texting, spellchecking and algorithms.
Will tries to convince himself - and us - that his use of technology is considered and practical, not the "glug-glugging of the cyber sozzled"!
But, he admits, "a great river of denial runs through me...as I fidget and tweezer my way through the glassy looking-glass and into the virtual world".
Producer: Adele Armstrong.
FRI 21:00 Home Front - Omnibus (b076cc8s)
9-13 May 1916
In a week when the Teachers Association strongly condemned the encouragement of child labour to replace conscripted men, much of the Ashburton community is on a steep learning curve.
Written by Sarah Daniels
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Story-led by Richard Monks
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
Composer: Matthew Strachan
Consultant Historian: Maggie Andrews.
FRI 21:58 Weather (b079m0vj)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 22:00 The World Tonight (b079m0vm)
Major: Brexiters peddling 'ill-informed nonsense'
The former Conservative Prime Minister, Sir John Major, has attacked senior Conservatives campaigning to leave the EU - accusing them of peddling ill-informed nonsense and false claims. One of Hezbollah's top leaders, Mustafa Badreddine, has been killed while fighting for pro-Assad forces in Syria. And FIFA has appointed its first ever female secretary-general.
Picture: Sir John Major. Credit: PA.
FRI 22:45 Not Working by Lisa Owens (b079rgy5)
Episode 10
A family crisis brings Claire and her mother together, leading her to realise what she needs to do to resolve her search for her vocation.
Lisa Owens' comic debut, depicting thirtysomething Claire Flannery's life as it unravels in minute and spectacular ways.
Concluded by Emily Bruni.
Abridged by Robin Brooks.
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2016.
FRI 23:00 Great Lives (b079pr90)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:30 on Tuesday]
FRI 23:27 Drags to Riches (b05tkllp)
The British drag scene has moved from working men's clubs to lucrative mainstream. Kim Normanton meets three very different drag entrepreneurs, and presents an entertaining and moving portrait of a booming industry. She talks to the men behind the wigs and lashes and explores questions about gender identity in modern Britain.
Lee Sanderson, aka 'Peggy Lee', had a market stall in Blackpool but now runs a flourishing drag business with venues across the Canary Islands, which entertained 90,000 tourists last year. He was inspired to join the world of drag when he sneaked into a local pub, aged 13, and saw his first drag queen. "The pub was packed, I saw this man standing on the bar in the spotlight looking all glamorous and the audience adoring him - he was being respected and I thought I'd like some of that kind of attention. And it was the money, to be honest."
Back in the UK, Walt Utz is the founder of the Supreme Fabulettes - four young drag queens who travel the world performing close-harmony singing. One new business opportunity Walt is keen to exploit is gay weddings - but it's not just weddings which bring in the bookings. Vicki of the Fabulettes comments, "Gay weddings are fun, but we performed at four funerals last year. I was dancing round a coffin! Whenever we get invited it's a celebration."
The third entrepreneur, Amy Redmond, is the manager of a new kind of drag business Sink The Pink. She organizes huge drag balls and fills venues with 3,000 drag queens. "To physically look at there's a very strong difference from a traditional camp northern drag queen to a Sink The Pink drag queen. They have beards and a hairy leg sticking through the fishnet."
Producers: Elizabeth Burke and Kim Normanton
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 23:55 The Listening Project (b079rgy7)
Sara and Jane - The Need to Connect
Fi Glover introduces a conversation between a sister who emigrated to Canada and one who remained in Scotland, about the persistent sadness of living over 6000 kilometres apart. Another in the series that proves it's surprising what you hear when you listen.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation with someone close to them about a subject they've never discussed intimately before. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation - they're not BBC interviews, and that's an important difference - lasts up to an hour, and is then edited to extract the key moment of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in the second decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Marya Burgess.
LIST OF THIS WEEK'S PROGRAMMES
(Note: the times link back to the details; the pids link to the BBC page, including iPlayer)
15 Minute Drama
10:45 MON (b079n7mw)
15 Minute Drama
19:45 MON (b079n7mw)
15 Minute Drama
10:45 TUE (b079pm54)
15 Minute Drama
19:45 TUE (b079pm54)
15 Minute Drama
10:41 WED (b079r532)
15 Minute Drama
19:45 WED (b079r532)
15 Minute Drama
10:45 THU (b079rbcn)
15 Minute Drama
19:45 THU (b079rbcn)
15 Minute Drama
10:45 FRI (b079rfwx)
15 Minute Drama
19:45 FRI (b079rfwx)
16 5 66
11:30 TUE (b079pqct)
52 First Impressions with David Quantick
23:00 THU (b079rbdf)
A British History in Weather
13:45 MON (b079ndwy)
A British History in Weather
13:45 TUE (b07b2hxf)
A British History in Weather
13:45 WED (b07b2hyd)
A British History in Weather
13:45 THU (b07b2kcs)
A British History in Weather
13:45 FRI (b07b2krc)
A Point of View
08:48 SUN (b0790fry)
A Point of View
20:50 FRI (b07b9x8h)
All in the Mind
21:00 TUE (b079prlw)
All in the Mind
15:30 WED (b079prlw)
Any Answers?
14:00 SAT (b078w96p)
Any Questions?
13:10 SAT (b0790frw)
Any Questions?
20:00 FRI (b079rgy3)
Archive on 4
20:00 SAT (b079lt8w)
BBC Inside Science
21:00 THU (b079m0sb)
Barry's Lunch Club
11:30 FRI (b079rfx1)
Bells on Sunday
05:43 SUN (b079m52g)
Bells on Sunday
00:45 MON (b079m52g)
Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola
14:30 SAT (b079lhy2)
Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola
15:00 SUN (b079mdy2)
Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola
14:15 MON (b079ndx0)
Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola
14:15 TUE (b079pqcy)
Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola
14:15 WED (b079r539)
Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola
14:15 THU (b079rbcv)
Blood, Sex and Money by Emile Zola
14:15 FRI (b079rfx3)
Border Crossing
19:45 SUN (b079mjm8)
Brain of Britain
23:00 SAT (b078xpf6)
Brain of Britain
13:30 SUN (b079mdhq)
Broadcasting House
09:00 SUN (b079m0cm)
Costing the Earth
15:30 TUE (b079pr8w)
Costing the Earth
21:00 WED (b079pr8w)
Crossing Continents
20:30 MON (b078zcrt)
Crossing Continents
11:00 THU (b079rbcq)
Death and Taxis
23:15 WED (b079r6tg)
Desert Island Discs
11:15 SUN (b079m78n)
Desert Island Discs
09:00 FRI (b079m78n)
Don't Make Me Laugh
23:00 MON (b078zdl0)
Don't Start
18:30 THU (b06wg843)
Drags to Riches
23:27 FRI (b05tkllp)
Drama
21:00 SAT (b078wqyy)
EF Schumacher: Is Small the Next Big?
20:00 MON (b079njxm)
EF Schumacher: Is Small the Next Big?
11:00 WED (b079njxm)
Europeans - The Roots of Identity
09:00 TUE (b079pm50)
Europeans - The Roots of Identity
21:30 TUE (b079pm50)
Fags, Mags and Bags
11:30 MON (b079n7n0)
Farming Today
06:30 SAT (b079dnxq)
Farming Today
05:45 MON (b079mtld)
Farming Today
05:45 TUE (b079pm4w)
Farming Today
05:45 WED (b079r0bb)
Farming Today
05:45 THU (b07b2crw)
Farming Today
05:45 FRI (b07b2ddk)
Feedback
16:30 FRI (b079rfx9)
File on 4
20:00 TUE (b079prlt)
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
09:45 MON (b079mwt6)
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
00:30 TUE (b079mwt6)
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
09:45 TUE (b079pm52)
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
00:30 WED (b079pm52)
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
09:45 WED (b079r530)
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
00:30 THU (b079r530)
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
09:45 THU (b079rbcl)
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
00:30 FRI (b079rbcl)
Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
09:45 FRI (b079rd1y)
From Our Own Correspondent
11:30 SAT (b078w96c)
Front Row
19:15 MON (b079m0h2)
Front Row
19:15 TUE (b079m0m0)
Front Row
19:15 WED (b079m0pz)
Front Row
19:15 THU (b079m0sj)
Front Row
19:15 FRI (b079m0vg)
FutureProofing
22:15 SAT (b078zcc2)
FutureProofing
20:00 WED (b079r5lv)
Gardeners' Question Time
14:00 SUN (b0790c4s)
Gardeners' Question Time
15:00 FRI (b079rfx5)
Great Lives
16:30 TUE (b079pr90)
Great Lives
23:00 FRI (b079pr90)
Home Front - Omnibus
21:00 FRI (b076cc8s)
Home Front
12:04 MON (b076cbxk)
Home Front
12:04 TUE (b076cbr5)
Home Front
12:04 WED (b076cbr7)
Home Front
12:04 THU (b076cbrx)
Home Front
12:04 FRI (b076cbs1)
In Business
21:30 SUN (b079mkqy)
In Business
20:30 THU (b079rbd9)
In Our Time
09:00 THU (b079rbcj)
In Our Time
21:30 THU (b079rbcj)
In Touch
20:40 TUE (b079m0m3)
Isy Suttie's Love Letters
18:30 TUE (b042l78d)
Last Word
20:30 SUN (b078w935)
Last Word
16:00 FRI (b079m0v8)
Loose Ends
18:15 SAT (b079lt8n)
Midnight News
00:00 SAT (b078w95v)
Midnight News
00:00 SUN (b079m0bv)
Midnight News
00:00 MON (b079m0g5)
Midnight News
00:00 TUE (b079m0ky)
Midnight News
00:00 WED (b079m0p3)
Midnight News
00:00 THU (b079m0rr)
Midnight News
00:00 FRI (b07b2m08)
Midweek
09:00 WED (b079r52y)
Midweek
21:30 WED (b079r52y)
Money Box
12:04 SAT (b078w96h)
Money Box
21:00 SUN (b078w96h)
Money Box
15:00 WED (b07b2rny)
More or Less
20:00 SUN (b0790cgp)
News Briefing
05:30 SAT (b078w963)
News Briefing
05:30 SUN (b079m0c3)
News Briefing
05:30 MON (b079m0gf)
News Briefing
05:30 TUE (b079m0l8)
News Briefing
05:30 WED (b079m0pc)
News Briefing
05:30 THU (b079m0s0)
News Briefing
05:30 FRI (b07bkjq4)
News Headlines
06:00 SUN (b079m0c5)
News Summary
12:00 SAT (b078w96f)
News Summary
12:00 SUN (b079m0ct)
News Summary
12:00 MON (b079m0gn)
News Summary
12:00 TUE (b079m0lg)
News Summary
12:00 WED (b079m0ph)
News Summary
12:00 THU (b079m0s4)
News Summary
12:00 FRI (b079m0v2)
News and Papers
06:00 SAT (b078w965)
News and Papers
07:00 SUN (b079m0cc)
News and Papers
08:00 SUN (b079m0ck)
News and Weather
22:00 SAT (b078w974)
News
13:00 SAT (b078w96m)
Not Working by Lisa Owens
22:45 MON (b079njxp)
Not Working by Lisa Owens
22:45 TUE (b079prly)
Not Working by Lisa Owens
22:45 WED (b079r5lz)
Not Working by Lisa Owens
22:45 THU (b079rbdc)
Not Working by Lisa Owens
22:45 FRI (b079rgy5)
Nurse
23:00 WED (b079r5m1)
On Your Farm
06:35 SUN (b079m52l)
Open Book
16:00 SUN (b079mdy4)
Open Book
15:30 THU (b079mdy4)
Open Country
06:07 SAT (b078zdcr)
Open Country
15:00 THU (b079rbcx)
PM
17:00 SAT (b078w96t)
PM
17:00 MON (b079m0gw)
PM
17:00 TUE (b079m0lt)
PM
17:00 WED (b079m0pv)
PM
17:00 THU (b079m0sd)
PM
17:00 FRI (b079m0vb)
Past Imperfect
21:00 MON (b062kx4x)
Pick of the Week
18:15 SUN (b079mhlm)
Poetry Please
23:30 SAT (b078wqz2)
Poetry Please
16:30 SUN (b079mdy6)
Polyoaks
11:30 WED (b079r537)
Prayer for the Day
05:43 SAT (b0790n76)
Prayer for the Day
05:43 MON (b07bbb25)
Prayer for the Day
05:43 TUE (b07b2hxc)
Prayer for the Day
05:43 WED (b079zxgj)
Prayer for the Day
05:43 THU (b07bgmgs)
Prayer for the Day
05:43 FRI (b07b2ddh)
Profile
19:00 SAT (b079lt8t)
Profile
05:45 SUN (b079lt8t)
Profile
17:40 SUN (b079lt8t)
Radio 4 Appeal
07:54 SUN (b079m52n)
Radio 4 Appeal
21:26 SUN (b079m52n)
Radio 4 Appeal
15:27 THU (b079m52n)
Saturday Live
09:00 SAT (b079dnxv)
Saturday Review
19:15 SAT (b078w972)
Second God by Teju Cole
15:45 FRI (b079rfx7)
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes
01:00 SAT (b078w95z)
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes
01:00 SUN (b079m0bz)
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes
01:00 MON (b079m0g9)
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes
01:00 TUE (b079m0l4)
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes
01:00 WED (b079m0p7)
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes
01:00 THU (b079m0rw)
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes
01:00 FRI (b07bkjpy)
Shakespeare In...
11:30 THU (b079rbcs)
Shipping Forecast
00:48 SAT (b078w95x)
Shipping Forecast
05:20 SAT (b078w961)
Shipping Forecast
17:54 SAT (b078w96w)
Shipping Forecast
00:48 SUN (b079m0bx)
Shipping Forecast
05:20 SUN (b079m0c1)
Shipping Forecast
17:54 SUN (b079m0d0)
Shipping Forecast
00:48 MON (b079m0g7)
Shipping Forecast
05:20 MON (b079m0gc)
Shipping Forecast
00:48 TUE (b079m0l0)
Shipping Forecast
05:20 TUE (b079m0l6)
Shipping Forecast
00:48 WED (b079m0p5)
Shipping Forecast
05:20 WED (b079m0p9)
Shipping Forecast
00:48 THU (b079m0rt)
Shipping Forecast
05:20 THU (b079m0ry)
Shipping Forecast
00:48 FRI (b07b9s2t)
Shipping Forecast
05:20 FRI (b07bkjq2)
Six O'Clock News
18:00 SAT (b078w970)
Six O'Clock News
18:00 SUN (b079m0d4)
Six O'Clock News
18:00 MON (b079m0h0)
Six O'Clock News
18:00 TUE (b079m0lw)
Six O'Clock News
18:00 WED (b079m0px)
Six O'Clock News
18:00 THU (b079m0sg)
Six O'Clock News
18:00 FRI (b079m0vd)
Something Understood
06:05 SUN (b079m52j)
Something Understood
23:30 SUN (b079m52j)
Soul Music
15:30 SAT (b078y1q4)
Start the Week
09:00 MON (b079mwsx)
Start the Week
21:30 MON (b079mwsx)
Sunday Worship
08:10 SUN (b079m52r)
Sunday
07:10 SUN (b079m0cf)
Suppose I Lose It: update
11:00 TUE (b07cy2s6)
The 3rd Degree
15:00 MON (b079nfk8)
The Anglo-Irish Century
11:00 FRI (b079rfwz)
The Archers Omnibus
10:00 SUN (b079m78l)
The Archers
19:00 SUN (b079mhlp)
The Archers
14:00 MON (b079mhlp)
The Archers
19:00 MON (b079ngh0)
The Archers
14:00 TUE (b079ngh0)
The Archers
19:00 TUE (b079prj1)
The Archers
14:00 WED (b079prj1)
The Archers
19:00 WED (b079r53f)
The Archers
14:00 THU (b079r53f)
The Archers
19:00 THU (b079rbd5)
The Archers
14:00 FRI (b079rbd5)
The Archers
19:00 FRI (b079rfxh)
The Blame Game
17:00 SUN (b078z5m8)
The Briefing Room
20:00 THU (b079rbd7)
The Digital Human
16:30 MON (b079nfz6)
The Film Programme
23:00 SUN (b078w8z5)
The Film Programme
16:30 WED (b079rbd1)
The Food Programme
12:32 SUN (b079m78q)
The Food Programme
15:30 MON (b079m78q)
The Ideas That Make Us
09:30 TUE (b04v3cxf)
The Kitchen Cabinet
10:30 SAT (b079dnxx)
The Kitchen Cabinet
15:00 TUE (b079dnxx)
The Listening Project
14:45 SUN (b079mdhs)
The Listening Project
10:55 WED (b079r535)
The Listening Project
16:55 FRI (b079rfxc)
The Listening Project
23:55 FRI (b079rgy7)
The Media Show
16:15 THU (b079m0ps)
The News Quiz
12:30 SAT (b0790dm8)
The News Quiz
18:30 FRI (b079rfxf)
The Pin
18:45 THU (b06mg9gb)
The Rest is History
19:15 SUN (b079mhls)
The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel
00:30 SAT (b079rrbb)
The Sprung Floor
16:00 MON (b079njxk)
The Unbelievable Truth
12:04 SUN (b0785rmw)
The Unbelievable Truth
18:30 MON (b079nggy)
The Untold
11:00 MON (b079n7my)
The Week in Westminster
11:00 SAT (b079dnxz)
The World This Weekend
13:00 SUN (b079m0cy)
The World Tonight
22:00 MON (b079m0h9)
The World Tonight
22:00 TUE (b079m0m7)
The World Tonight
22:00 WED (b079m0q1)
The World Tonight
22:00 THU (b079m0sl)
The World Tonight
22:00 FRI (b079m0vm)
Thinking Allowed
00:15 MON (b078z9th)
Thinking Allowed
16:00 WED (b079r53c)
Time
00:30 SUN (b03z3lkn)
Today in Parliament
23:30 MON (b079njxr)
Today in Parliament
23:30 TUE (b079prm0)
Today in Parliament
23:30 WED (b079r6tk)
Today in Parliament
23:30 THU (b079rbdh)
Today
07:00 SAT (b079dnxs)
Today
06:00 MON (b079mwss)
Today
06:00 TUE (b079pm4y)
Today
06:00 WED (b079zxgl)
Today
06:00 THU (b07b2qds)
Today
06:00 FRI (b07b2lw5)
Tweet of the Day
08:58 SUN (b01s8mng)
Tweet of the Day
05:58 MON (b01s8vcs)
Tweet of the Day
05:58 TUE (b02tydrm)
Tweet of the Day
05:58 WED (b020tqln)
Tweet of the Day
05:58 THU (b0378x87)
Tweet of the Day
05:58 FRI (b03bkt7v)
Weather
06:04 SAT (b078w967)
Weather
06:57 SAT (b078w969)
Weather
12:57 SAT (b078w96k)
Weather
17:57 SAT (b078w96y)
Weather
06:57 SUN (b079m0c7)
Weather
07:57 SUN (b079m0ch)
Weather
12:57 SUN (b079m0cw)
Weather
17:57 SUN (b079m0d2)
Weather
05:56 MON (b079m0gh)
Weather
12:57 MON (b079m0gs)
Weather
21:58 MON (b079m0h5)
Weather
12:57 TUE (b079m0lp)
Weather
21:58 TUE (b079m0m5)
Weather
12:57 WED (b079m0pp)
Weather
21:58 WED (b07cbwh3)
Weather
12:57 THU (b079m0s8)
Weather
21:58 THU (b079r03y)
Weather
12:57 FRI (b079m0v6)
Weather
21:58 FRI (b079m0vj)
Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully
18:30 WED (b04p87r7)
Westminster Hour
22:00 SUN (b079m0db)
What Does the K Stand For?
23:00 TUE (b04wwgz3)
Why I Changed My Mind
20:45 WED (b079r5lx)
Why I Changed My Mind
16:00 THU (b0787dz1)
Woman's Hour
16:00 SAT (b078w96r)
Woman's Hour
10:00 MON (b079m0gk)
Woman's Hour
10:00 TUE (b079m0ld)
Woman's Hour
10:00 WED (b079m0pf)
Woman's Hour
10:00 THU (b079m0s2)
Woman's Hour
10:00 FRI (b079m0v0)
Word of Mouth
16:00 TUE (b079pr8y)
World at One
13:00 MON (b079ndww)
World at One
13:00 TUE (b079pqcw)
World at One
13:00 WED (b07bc1py)
World at One
13:00 THU (b07b2qf5)
World at One
13:00 FRI (b07b2lw7)
You and Yours
12:15 MON (b079m0gq)
You and Yours
12:15 TUE (b079m0lj)
You and Yours
12:15 WED (b079m0pm)
You and Yours
12:15 THU (b079m0s6)
You and Yours
12:15 FRI (b079m0v4)
iPM
05:45 SAT (b0790n78)
iPM
17:30 SAT (b0790n78)