SATURDAY 29 APRIL 2023

SAT 00:00 Midnight News (m001l9jq)
The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.


SAT 00:30 The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan (m001l9jt)
Episode 5: The Sharpening of Anxieties

Hugh Bonneville reads Peter Frankopan's epic history. Today, we reach the 20th century when conflict and environmental degradation redefine global concerns.

In his acclaimed new history Peter Frankopan takes us from the Big Bang to the present and beyond. Here he shows us that the natural world has always been a defining factor in the twists and turns that global history has taken since the beginning of time. We'll discover the role that volcanic eruptions, oceanic shifts, rainfall and solar activity have played in physically, economically and politically shaping our world. In later episodes we'll explore how the evolution of religion; the rapacious colonial appetite for commodities, and technological interventions in weather patterns have shaped societies and cultures all over the world. As the planet heads towards a future defined by global warming, this book offers up salutary reflections.

Peter Frankopan is Professor of Global History at Oxford University and Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College. The Earth Transformed went straight into the best-seller lists following publication. His 2015 book, The Silk Roads: A New History of the World was named one of the 'Books of the Decade' 2010-2020 by the Sunday Times. Published in 2018 The New Silk Roads: The Present and Future of the World won the Human Sciences prize of the Carical Foundation.

Hugh Bonneville is an award-winning actor. He recently appeared in the BBC TV series, The Gold, and is well known for playing Robert Crawley in the long-running series Downton Abbey, as well as Ian Fletcher in W1A and Twenty-Twelve. His film work includes the Paddingtons 1 and 2, and The Bank of Dave.

Abridger Katrin Williams
Producer by Elizabeth Allard


SAT 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m001l9jw)
The latest shipping forecast


SAT 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m001l9jy)
World Service

BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


SAT 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m001l9k0)
The latest shipping forecast


SAT 05:30 News Briefing (m001l9k2)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


SAT 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m001l9k4)
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Canon Anne Easter

Good morning!

This evening, some friends are going with my husband and me to enjoy dinner and a show at our local Music Hall, which, perhaps rather strangely, has its being in a former Church of England Church which has been transformed permanently into a theatre.

I think of Music Hall as the nineteenth century city dweller’s folk music; where I live, in London’s East End, we haven’t stripped any willows or gathered peas and beans and barley for a very long time and so the songs that everyone knew and joined in with were about people and the things they get up to. Many of the songs are funny and I reckon they would have been sung with actions and much eye-rolling – think of ‘When father papered the parlour, you couldn’t see him for paint’, while others are quite poignant – in ‘That’s what God made mothers for’ we sing very melodramatically ‘she’ll sigh for you, cry for you, yes, even die for you’.

There were lots of songs about romance, of course, humans have a universal interest in love and relationships, and, in an age when so many subjects were taboo, in those songs there’s a good deal of nose tapping and knowing winks. But perhaps the songs to look out for are the tongue twisters – like ‘Sister Susie sewing shirts for sailors.’ The fun is gentle and fairly innocent and guaranteed to get us all laughing.

But I thank God for Music hall, the simple yet profound medium of working class people all those years ago, a tradition still kept alive today.
Lord of music and laughter, may we hear the Heavens ring with a song of love that we recognise as our own.

Amen


SAT 05:45 Please Protect Abraham (m001fwcm)
5. Recognition

What is the process for securing new accommodation if you are fearful of your safety? What role do the police and local councils play?

Sam Holder follows the journey of Abraham’s mum towards a new home - and finds that the best possible solution is short lived.

Presenter and Original Research: Sam Holder
Series Producer and sound design: Anishka Sharma
Story Consultant: Robert Awosusi
Additional Research: Christy Callaway-Gale

Theme music written and performed by Rebekah Reid and Tapp Collective.
Original music compositions by Femi Oriogun-Williams

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 06:00 News and Papers (m001lhj5)
The latest news headlines. Including the weather and a look at the papers.


SAT 06:07 Open Country (m001l9dx)
Chasing Jamie Allan

Jamie Allan was a celebrated musician and friend of the aristocracy, but also a thief, bigamist, and deserter. Known as "The Dukes Piper", he is the source of many songs and legends in Northumbria. In this programme, folk singer Jez Lowe traces one of these legends across the Rivers Ouse and Nidd, over which Jamie Allan supposedly fled from army conscription to freedom in Scotland. As he crosses the waterways of North Yorkshire, Jez finds out about the life and adventures of this Robin Hood figure from the 18th century, and enjoys some of the music he would have played.

Produced by Helen Lennard


SAT 06:30 Farming Today (m001lhj7)
29/04/23 Jersey cattle deaths; Love Island farmer; Payments to improve the environment; seed potatoes; wheat robot.

An investigation into the death of more than 100 cows on Jersey has found that the most likely cause of death was botulism in cattle feed. The farm has now told the BBC that rebuilding its herd will take seven years, and they face particular challenges because of the island’s ban on importing Jersey cows to protect the national herd’s genetic purity.

He has millions of followers on social media, but manages to get up at the crack of dawn to help with lambing: Will Young, also known as Farmer Will on ITV's Love Island. He's now back in Buckinghamshire on the family farm, joined by his TV partner, Jessie.

The 'nature markets framework' has been published by the government outlining how farmers will be able to have multiple payments if several different environmental improvements are made on one piece of land, it's known as stacking. It's to do with the Environmental Land Management Schemes or ELMS - which are coming in in England and will pay farmers public money for environmental work.

A glimmer of hope for Scottish seed potato growers, as Defra minister confirms exports to Northern Ireland will be allowed again from the autumn.

Engineers have developed a unique burrowing robot which ‘swims’ through grain stores to ensure the seeds are kept properly. The t-shaped robot has been launched by an agritech developer at Scotland's National Robotarium, based at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. It's designed to help farmers look after their grain more efficiently, without having to carry out labour-intensive checks.

The teenage farmer who's got the tenancy for a 600 acre farm in the Outer Hebrides.

Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer = Rebecca Rooney


SAT 06:57 Weather (m001lhj9)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SAT 07:00 Today (m001lhjc)
Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


SAT 09:00 Saturday Live (m001lhjf)
Chris van Tulleken, Frieda Hughes, Gary Andrews, Alex Jones

Dr Chris Van Tulleken's new book, Ultra-Processed People: Why do we all eat stuff that isn’t food, untangles our relationship with fast food, bad food and maybe even your breakfast.

The poet and artist Frieda Hughes, daughter of famed Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, has written about her experiences saving a wild Magpie, George, and why she now lives with 14 owls, two huskies, a Maltese terrier, five chinchillas, a ferret called 'Socks', a Royal python and her collection of motorbikes.

Artist and animator Gary Andrews has worked for Disney and brought Fireman Sam to life - but possibly his most powerful work was created whilst he illustrated his way through the grief of loosing his wife.

Alex Jones, broadcaster and host of The One Show and Reunion Hotel, shares her Inheritance Tracks.

Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Peter Curran
Producer: Ben Mitchell

Details of support with eating disorders is available at BBC Action Line: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline


SAT 10:00 Your Place or Mine with Shaun Keaveny (m001lhjh)
Ahir Shah: Ahmedabad, India

Comedian Ahir Shah tells Shaun all about the wonders of Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat, India: Gandhi's ashram, a mammoth cricket stadium, dangerously sweet tea, malevolent cows and more.

Your Place Or Mine is the travel podcast that isn’t going anywhere. Join Shaun as his guests try to convince him that it’s worth getting up off the sofa and seeing the world, giving us a personal guide to their favourite place on the planet. With resident geographer, historian and comedian Iszi Lawrence on hand to share facts, each week a familiar face will try to persuade Shaun that jetting off to their favourite destination is worth the hassle.

Your Place or Mine is a BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producers: Sarah Goodman and Beth O'Dea


SAT 10:30 The Kitchen Cabinet (m001lhjk)
Series 40

Carlisle

Jay Rayner hosts this week's culinary panel show from Old Fire Station in Carlisle. Joining him are fiery food writers Fliss Freeborn and Rachel McCormack, Manchester-born chef Rob Owen Brown and encyclopaedic food historian Dr Annie Gray.

Offering their culinary counsel from the largest settlement of Cumbria, the panel discuss everything from squirrels and sausages to soggy bottoms.

Among the quick-fire Q and A we hear from the head butcher of Tebay services David Morland who shares his secret to the perfect sausage roll.

Producer: Dan Cocker
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod
Executive Producer: Hannah Newton

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 11:00 The Week in Westminster (m001lhjm)
George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times, discusses the week's biggest political stories with guests.

Vicky Ford, former Africa minister and chair of the APPG on Sudan; and Sir Simon Fraser, former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office discuss the situation in Sudan.

Baroness McGregor-Smith, Conservative peer and former President of the British Chambers of Commerce; and Lord Wood of Anfield, former adviser to Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband, discuss the relationship between political parties and business.

The Duke of Wellington gives his verdict on the government's plans to tackle sewage pollution in rivers and talks about his Lords amendment that sparked the now-contentious debate.

And General David Leakey, former Black Rod; and Professor Kate Williams, historian and TV presenter, look at Westminster's role in the Coronation.


SAT 11:30 From Our Own Correspondent (m001lhjp)
Thailand's Young Reformers

Kate Adie presents stories from Thailand, Israel, Laos, Switzerland and Ireland.

Thailand is standing at a crossroads, with many wondering if the country can move on to a more dynamic, democratic future in the forthcoming election on 14th May. Recent polls put progressive parties ahead, and on target to win a majority of the seats - but can they overcome the conservative status quo? Jonathan Head has been on the campaign trail with one of the young, progressive candidates hoping for change.

Israel has been in the grip of nationwide protests over the right-wing coalition's plans for judicial reform, but Israeli Arabs have been conspicuous by their absence. Rhodri Davies spoke to people about why this is in an Arab city in northern Israel.

Laos is the most bombed country in the world per capita and is still suffering the consequences of American air strikes 50 years ago. Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent heard stories of the dangers posed by unexploded ordinance to farmers and children.

In Switzerland, thousands of older Swiss women, nicknamed 'Climate Grannies' are bringing a case against their government to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming the government's lack of action on climate change is putting their health at risk. Imogen Foulkes heard about their fight.

And finally, as world leaders, both past and present, have descended on Ireland recently, and after Ireland's victory over England in the Six Nations Rugby grand slam, James Helm reflects on Irish soft power around the world.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling
Producer: Louise Hidalgo
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross


SAT 12:00 News Summary (m001lhjr)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


SAT 12:04 Money Box (m001lhjt)
Pensions and the Coronation

The prospects for many current employees hoping for a comfortable retirement looks "risky at best". That's the warning from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which has started a major review of pensions together with Financial Fairness Trust, a charity funded by the investment firm Abrdn. We'll speak to the IFS and answer your questions on pensions.

The listener who had to remortgage but was turned down because he had a Ukrainian family living in part of his home.

Are you going to Europe this summer? If so, have you got your GHIC card which can give you cheap or free medical care in some countries? We'll explain how it works.

And next Saturday is the Coronation of Charles III. He and his wife, Camilla will be crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth countries. It is nearly 70 years since the last coronation in June 1953 when Charles's mother was crowned Queen Elizabeth II but what has changed in our personal finance since then? Paul Lewis speaks to Dr. Duncan Needham, Director of the Centre of Financial History at Cambridge University.

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Justin Bones

(First broadcast, 12noon Saturday 29th April, 2023)


SAT 12:30 The News Quiz (m001l9j1)
Series 111

Episode 1

Andy Zaltzman is back with a brand-new series of The News Quiz.

This week Andy is joined by Ria Lina, Scott Bennett, Isabel Hardman and Simon Evans. They discuss a unicorn infestation, a Labour investigation, and a quick hello to the rest of the world’s nations.

And if you like what you hear, the series will be available to listen to from the 26th May, wherever you listen to podcasts. Or you can hear it right now in the UK – before anywhere else – first on BBC Sounds.

Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Catherine Brinkworth, Kate Dehnert, and Jade Gebbie.

Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini
Sound Editor: Giles Aspen

A BBC Studios Production


SAT 12:57 Weather (m001lhjw)
The latest weather forecast


SAT 13:00 News and Weather (m001lhjy)
The latest national and international news and weather reports from BBC Radio 4


SAT 13:10 Any Questions? (m001l9j8)
Lucy Fisher, Robert Jenrick, David Lammy, Bronwen Maddox

Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Tyndale Baptist Church, Bristol, with a panel including the incoming Financial Times Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and Bronwen Maddox - Chief Executive and Director of the international affairs institute Chatham House.

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton
Lead broadcast engineer: Tim Allen
Editor: Camellia Sinclair


SAT 14:00 Any Answers? (m001lhk0)
Call Any Answers? to have your say on the big issues in the news this week.


SAT 14:45 Drama (m000xdwk)
The Rival

An erotically charged re-imagining of how Shakespeare came to write the sonnets. Written by Jude Cook.

In 1590, young dramatist and actor William Shakespeare is called to Titchfield House, seat of the Countess of Southampton where he’s hired by Lord Burghley to write a series of sonnets encouraging the young Earl of Southampton to marry Burghley’s granddaughter. When the playhouses are closed due to plague in 1592, Will is forced to flee London to live at Titchfield, where he’s given a second commission to write a poem for the Countess’s son. However, Will finds himself writing secret sonnets in praise of the ‘lovely youth’. To complicate matters, he’s also attracted to Aline, the wife of the young man’s tutor, John Florio, occasioning more poetry about a ‘Dark Lady’. When middle-aged poet and translator George Chapman arrives, Will sees he has real competition – professionally and personally, for the Earl’s affections.

The sonnets have since become the most anthologised of Shakespeare’s words – memorised, recited and translated around the world. The play is introduced by Dr Will Tosh, Research Fellow and Lecturer at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

William Shakespeare ..... Elliot Barnes-Worrell
Earl of Southampton ..... Freddie Fox
Aline Florio ..... Indra Ové
Lord Burghley/ Robert Greene ..... Philip Jackson
John Florio/ Landlord ..... Philip Arditti
George Chapman/ Robert Cecil ..... Ben Deery
Christopher Marlowe ..... Tim Downie
Countess of Southampton ..... Christine Kavanagh
Richard Burbage ..... Stephen Leask
Susannah Shakespeare ..... Kirsten Udall

Sound Editor Alisdair McGregor
Producer Jeremy Mortimer
A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3


SAT 16:15 Woman's Hour (m001lhk2)
Ruby Wax, Abortion in Ireland, Jo Hansford MBE and Comedian Zoe Lyons

What happens when a woman famous for talking to people, and for her razor sharp wit, is left stranded on a desert island with just herself and a hermit crab for company? Author, comedian, broadcaster and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax decided to spend 10 days completely cut off from the modern world and other humans, and you can see the results on Channel 5 in Ruby Wax : Cast Away. She joins Anita to discuss what it was like being alone on an uninhabited island near Madagascar.

In 2018 the people of Ireland voted to repeal the 8th amendment and grant women access to safe and free abortions up to 12 weeks into pregnancy. Ireland was promised ‘excellent’ abortion services but what is the reality 5 years on? On Wednesday, an independent review of abortion services was released that proposed 10 major changes to legislation. Anita is joined by Dr Deirdre Duffy, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Lancaster University who was involved in putting together the evidence base for the review.

Currently celebrating her 30th year in business, the celebrity colourist Jo Hansford MBE has been described as the “best tinter on the planet”. She started off cutting hair in her parents’ front room and is now one of the most famous female names in the business with two salons, her own range of products, and clients who’ve included Elizabeth Hurley, Angelina Jolie and Richard Burton, not to mention she is the woman in charge of the Queen Consort’s crowning glory! Jo spoke to Nuala about her career, passion for colour - and the upcoming coronation.

Zoe Lyons is known for being funny Radio 4 comedy shows like The New Quiz and seen her on TV shows like Live at the Apollo and QI. She also hosts the BBC2 quiz show 'Lightning'. Over the last couple of years, she has kept herself busy by having (what she describes as) ‘a monumental midlife crisis’. It involved buying a sports car, splitting up with her wife and running a 100k ultra marathon…Along the way her hair also started to fall out. Thankfully Zoe has been able to see the funny side and she’s used the experience to write her stand up show ‘Bald Ambition’…which she is currently touring around the country. Zoe joins Nuala to discuss.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Hanna Ward
Editor: Louise Corley


SAT 17:00 PM (m001lhk4)
Full coverage of the day's news


SAT 17:30 Sliced Bread Presents (m001l9c6)
Toast - Friends Reunited

While Sliced Bread takes a break we serve up… Toast. A study of the spectacular failures of wonder products and businesses which had promised so much to consumers.

You can contact us at toast@bbc.co.uk

In each episode, the presenter and BBC business journalist, Sean Farrington, examines one big idea which ended up toast, examining the reasons behind the failure and discovering what can we learn from its story today.

Sean unpicks all the early optimism, hype and ambition, speaking to expert commentators to discover how they view things now and what, if anything, could have been done differently.

Sean is assisted by the self-made millionaire and serial entrepreneur, Sam White, as together they try to work out what went wrong.

This week, Sean and Sam look into a hugely successful website from a time when most people in the UK were slowly getting used to the internet.

Friends Reunited provided a unique way for users to reconnect with old school friends.

It made a fortune for its founders but was closed for good in 2016. Could it still have been successful today?

Toast is a spin-off from Sliced Bread, the series in which Greg Foot investigates the latest so-called wonder products to find out whether they really are the best thing since sliced bread.

Sliced Bread returns for a new batch of investigations in May. In the meantime, Toast is available only in the Sliced Bread feed on BBC Sounds.

Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4.

The producers are Jay Unger and Jon Douglas.


SAT 17:54 Shipping Forecast (m001lhk6)
The latest shipping forecast


SAT 17:57 Weather (m001lhk8)
The latest weather forecast


SAT 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m001lhkb)
The last RAF evacuation flight from Sudan to Cyprus will leave tonight


SAT 18:15 Loose Ends (m001lhkf)
Bob Clearmountain, Jack Whitehall, Stephen Mangan, Anita Mangan, Shazia Mirza, Caitlin Rose, Nick Waterhouse, Andrew O'Neill

Clive Anderson and Andrew O'Neill are joined by Bob Clearmountain, Jack Whitehall, Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan and Shazia Mirza for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Caitlin Rose and Nick Waterhouse.


SAT 19:00 Profile (m001lhkk)
Camilla, Queen Consort

The country girl who won the heart of a prince: Queen Consort, Camilla, will be crowned Queen at the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey.
The BBC’s Royal correspondent, Jonny Dymond, talks to friends and royal authors about her life so far.

Presenter: Jonny Dymond
Producers: Sally Abrahams and Diane Richardson
Researcher: Louise Byrne
Sound: James Beard
Editor: Simon Watts


SAT 19:15 This Cultural Life (m001lhkp)
Donna Leon

The internationally bestselling crime writer Donna Leon talks to John Wilson about her career. Although American born, Donna is most associated with Venice, the city in which her Italian police detective protagonist, the mild-mannered family man Guido Brunetti, lives and works. She has so far written 32 novels, has sold nearly eight million copies in English, and been translated into 35 languages.

Donna Leon tells John Wilson about her love for Italy and particularly Venice, which until very recently was her home. She recalls her experiences teaching English in Saudi Arabia, and how she began her bestselling Brunetti series after a night at the opera.

Producer: Edwina Pitman


SAT 20:00 Archive on 4 (m001lhkt)
Charles: The Making of a King

Charles Philip Arthur George is the sixty-fourth sovereign in a family line stretching back over a thousand years. Few people have been so prepared for a job they’ve waited most of a lifetime to attain. Sarah Montague looks back at the events and experiences shaping the life of the man who will be crowned King Charles the Third.

Presenter: Sarah Montague
Producer: Sandra Kanthal
Editor: Clare Fordham


SAT 21:00 GF Newman's The Corrupted (b0b88lx2)
Series 4

Episode 7

It's the 1980s and Brian Oldman is back in jail for a crime he didn't commit. He suspects, but cannot prove, that Joseph Oldman, now Joseph Olinska MP, was the perpetrator.

GF Newman's The Corrupted weaves fiction with real characters from history, following the fortunes of the Oldman family - from small-time business and opportunistic petty crime, through gang rivalries, to their entanglement in the highest echelons of society. It's a tale revealing the nexus of crime, business and politics woven through the fabric of 20th century greed as even those with hitherto good intentions are sucked into a web of corruption.

Joey Oldman, an uneducated Jewish child immigrant from Russia, has a natural instinct for business and a love of money - coupled with a knack for acquiring it. His wife Cath is as ruthless in both the pursuit of money and the protection of her son, Brian. Joey built his empire with the help of a corrupt bank manager in the 1950s, starting with small greengrocer shops before moving into tertiary banking and property development, dealing with many corrupt policemen on the way - and befriending both Lord Goodman and Margaret Thatcher.

The characters are based on GF Newman's novels.

Produced and directed by Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4.


SAT 21:45 From Fact to Fiction (m001l9hn)
A Quiet Rebellion

Comedian and writer Eleanor Morton creates a fictional response to recent headlines.

As debates over censorship and banning books rage, reported attacks on libraries, and librarians are increasing.

Eleanor Morton casts a wry eye on censorship with a warm and funny tale of an unassmuming librarian who has long been instigating small acts of defiance in her workplace.

Credits

Writer ….. Eleanor Morton
Reader ….. Karen Bartke
Producer ….. Naomi Walmsley

A BBC Scotland Production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 22:00 News (m001lhky)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4


SAT 22:15 Bringing Up Britain (m001l9cv)
Series 16

Gender Identity

It’s hard to ignore the increasingly polarised debate around this issue. Everyone seems to be talking about it and everyone has an opinion on it. And there’s a growing body of medical professionals engaged in thinking about it. Presenter Anjula Mutanda explores why this has become such a be issue among some parents and asks: is the culture war around children and gender louder than the actual incidence of gender issues nationwide?

We look at the hard facts about sex versus gender, the competing views there are about the emotional and developmental impact of a child exploring their gender identity, as well as the role of parents, teachers and peers. And we meet a parent who needs some advice about how to answer any questions from his young son if and when he asks.

Our Experts:
BBC’s LGBT and Identity correspondent Lauren Moss.
Dr Dane Duncan, clinical psychologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Dr Shereen Benjamin, senior lecturer in education at University of Edinburgh.
Jenny Warwick, BACP registered counsellor in Sussex.

Producer: Mohini Patel


SAT 23:00 Round Britain Quiz (m001l94p)
Programme 3, 2023

(3/12)
Kirsty Lang welcomes the Round Britain Quiz teams from Wales and Northern Ireland to play their first fixture of the current series. Wales is represented by David Edwards and Myfanwy Alexander, and Northern Ireland by Freya McClements and Paddy Duffy.

Among the cryptic teasers they'll have to unravel are: 'Can you, in haste, connect a colour, a year in the 1980s, a Led Zeppelin battle, a genre of storytelling and more than one point of transition from one day to the next?'

As always, the programme includes several clever question ideas devised by Round Britain Quiz listeners. Kirsty is on hand to give the panellists hints and nudges if they're straying too far from the correct answers - but every hefty clue means a point lost.

Producer: Paul Bajoria


SAT 23:30 Uncanny (m001lhl2)
S2. Case 4: Inside Room 611

Danny returns once more to Alanbrooke Hall in Belfast, and the supernatural saga of Room 611. He’s joined by former Queens University students Ken and Gary Foster to talk about the case. Recorded live at UncannyCon 2023.

Written and presented by Danny Robins
Editor and Sound Designer: Charlie Brandon-King
Music: Evelyn Sykes
Theme Music by Lanterns on the Lake
Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard

A Bafflegab and Uncanny Media production for BBC Radio 4

SUNDAY 30 APRIL 2023

SUN 00:00 Midnight News (m001lhl6)
The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.


SUN 00:15 A Soft Day (m001l8zh)
Soft rain, wetting rain, fierce rain, drizzle...there are many types of Irish rain and author Carlo Gebler is intimately familiar with them all.

The clouds open and it simply doesn't stop as Carlo sets out from his home in rural Fermanagh to show how rain has saturated Ireland's poetry and shaped his own character. With poems by Eavan Boland, Patrick Kavanagh, Paula Meehan, Brendan Kennelly, Winifred Letts and Gerald Dawe.

Producer: Conor Garrett


SUN 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m001lhlc)
The latest shipping forecast


SUN 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m001lhlh)
World Service

BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


SUN 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m001lhln)
The latest shipping forecast


SUN 05:30 News Briefing (m001lhls)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


SUN 05:43 Bells on Sunday (m001lhlw)
The Church of St Thomas the Apostle in Lymington, Hampshire

Bells on Sunday comes from the Church of St Thomas the Apostle in Lymington, Hampshire. The tower contains eight bells. Five were cast by Robert Wells in 1785 and the other three by John Taylor and Company in 1901. The tenor weighs just over the ton and is tuned to E. We hear them ringing Spliced Rutland and Superlative Surprise Major.


SUN 05:45 Profile (m001lhkk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Saturday]


SUN 06:00 News Summary (m001lhyw)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4


SUN 06:05 Something Understood (b00s54cp)
Westminster Abbey

In this special edition of Something Understood from 2010, Mark Tully celebrates the 450th anniversary of Westminster Abbey’s establishment as a collegiate church by Elizabeth I.

The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall (now retired), guides us through some of the Abbey's most sacred spaces, and talks about the inspiration he finds in the 'prayer-soaked walls'. Prayer is the main theme of the programme, and The Dean talks personally about how and why he prays, including an admission that before any great State Service involving the Queen, he sends up a quick 'stiffening' arrow of prayer.

The programme includes prayers by some of those who are buried in the Abbey, like Charles Dickens, Gerard Manley Hopkins and Sir Isaac Newton. The music too is by the great musicians commemorated there: Handel, Purcell, Stanford, and Noel Coward, whose moving wartime song 'London Pride' celebrates the spirit of the Blitz. Other readings include an account of Charles II's coronation in the Abbey by Samuel Pepys - as always just as interested in the fine ladies as the spectacle going on round him; and a sharp satire on prayer by John Betjeman.

A programme which evokes the awe of a very beautiful sacred space - but which is also witty, and lively, never too solemn.

Producer: Elizabeth Burke
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.


SUN 06:35 On Your Farm (m001lhz1)
80 Years of Farm Research

It's 80 years since Glensaugh, a 1000-acre hill farm in the foothills of the Grampians, complete with forestry, rivers and peatland, became a major centre for agricultural research in Scotland. Not surprisingly, the initial post-war focus was on maximising production from marginal acres. Over the ensuing decades researchers launched deer farming in the UK and introduced species such as cashmere goats as a diversification from traditional upland farming.

However, 21st century priorities have led the land's owners, the James Hutton Institute, to switch the priority at Glensaugh to finding sustainable solutions to environmental concerns. It means climate-positive agriculture is now at the centre of a raft of projects which aim to help Scotland achieve net-zero or even negative carbon emissions in agriculture. The flagship project is Hydro Glen, a green hydrogen-powered scheme which aspires to supply all the energy needs of the farm as well the seven homes on the land with 100% renewable-generated electricity.

Nancy Nicolson enjoys a guided tour from the farm manager, Donald Barrie, who introduces her to the scientists who direct the direction of his daily regime and hints at some of the challenges in balancing research and food production.

Produced and presented by Nancy Nicolson


SUN 06:57 Weather (m001lhz4)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SUN 07:00 News and Papers (m001lhz6)
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.


SUN 07:10 Sunday (m001lhz8)
Coronation Order of Service, Sudan Archbishop, God & Government report

The Primate of the Episcopal Church, Archbishop of Sudan, Ezekiel Kondo talks to Emily while barricaded into a church building for safety with 15 others. They are some of the millions who are trapped in the capital Khartoum where there are shortages of food, fuel and water. Gunfire is heard raging in the distance despite the ceasefire.

The President of Tibet tells us that the Dalai Lama's recent interaction with a young boy, where he asked him to 'suck his tongue', was misinterpreted. A video filmed at an event at the Dalai Lama's temple in Dharamshala in India in February, also showed the Buddhist leader kissing the boy on the lips. But Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong or President of Tibet, told Emily that while the Dalai Lama has apologised, he was actually asking the boy if he wanted to ‘eat his tongue’, a traditional expression in Tibet which means ‘I have nothing left to give you’.

A sweeping review of the government’s relationship with religion was released last week. It is called 'Does Government Do God?' It took 4 years to complete after a call for evidence that had over 21,000 responses from faith leaders, civil society champions and the public. Hear from its author Colin Bloom, the government's faith engagement advisor.

Emily gets exclusive access to the Dean of Westminster and access to the Abbey where preparations are taking place for next week's Coronation.

Details of the Order of Service have finally been released. Reporter Harry Farley has the latest.

Former choirmaster of the Chapel Royal, Andrew Gant, takes you on an atmospheric journey through 350 years of Coronation music.

Presenter Emily Buchanan
Editor: Tim Pemberton
Producers: Catherine Murray and Linda Walker
Studio Manager: Amy Brennan and Owain Williams


SUN 07:54 Radio 4 Appeal (m001lhzb)
International Health Partners

Wellness guru Liz Earle makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of the charity International Health Partners.

To Give:
- UK Freephone 0800 404 8144
-You can donate online at bbc.co.uk/appeal/radio4
- Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. (That’s the whole address. Please do not write anything else on the front of the envelope). Mark the back of the envelope 'International Health Partners'.
- Cheques should be made payable to 'International Health Partners’.
Please note that Freephone and online donations for this charity close at 23.59 on the Saturday after the Appeal is first broadcast. However the Freepost option can be used at any time.

Registered charity number: 1105455


SUN 07:57 Weather (m001lhzd)
The latest weather forecast


SUN 08:00 News and Papers (m001lhzg)
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the Sunday papers.


SUN 08:10 Sunday Worship (m001lhzj)
Presented by Fr Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Melrose. Philip reflects on our perceptions of time and how they affect our relationship with God, along with Ollie Drake, whose father sang in the choir at The Queen's Coronation, and ethnologist Mairead Nic Craith.


SUN 08:48 A Point of View (m001l9jb)
Demographic Meltdown

When the world's first state pension was introduced in Prussia in 1889, the qualifying age was 70 and the average life expectancy was 40. Half a century later, in 1935, many countries lowered the retirement age to 65, but still barely half the population lived long enough to claim it. Now, it's clearly a very different story.

With the help of PD James, Sarah Dunant looks at how the UK can tackle the demographic nightmare it currently faces - an ageing population but falling birth rates.

Producer: Adele Armstrong
Sound: Peter Bosher
Production coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith


SUN 08:58 Tweet of the Day (b095tkgs)
Melissa Harrison on the House Sparrow

Nature writer Melissa Harrison presents the case for why we should love the humble and rather noisy 'spadger', better known as the house sparrow, though she won't waste her breath trying to win round her dog.

Producer: Tom Bonnett
Picture: Feathers [Allan].


SUN 09:00 Broadcasting House (m001lhzl)
The Sunday morning news magazine programme. Presented by Paddy O'Connell


SUN 10:00 The Archers Omnibus (m001lhzn)
Writer, Sarah McDonald-Hughes
Director, Dave Payne
Editor, Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Jolene Archer ….. Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer ….. Richard Attlee
Natasha Archer ….. Mali Harries
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter ….. Wilf Scolding
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Paul Mack ….. Joshua Riley
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
Lynda Snell ….. Carole Boyd
Den ….. Laurence Saunders


SUN 11:15 The Reunion (m001lhzq)
The Eurovision Song Contest

Once a year, countries across Europe come together for a night of glittery madness known as the Eurovision Song Contest. Running since 1956, the song contest has evolved from a formal affair involving only seven countries into Europe's largest - and campest - election, all while weathering the tumultuous second half of the 20th century.

The early years of the contest laid the foundations for its modern iteration, and were integral to the careers of several stars. In this programme Kirsty Wark reunites Dana, Lulu, Phil Coulter, and Pete Murray, with help from historian Dean Vuletic.

In the 1950s and 60s, Eurovision was populated by native language ballads and besuited diplomats - a far cry from the rock 'n' roll that was dominating the mainstream airwaves. Success at the contest, however, promised the possibility of fame and fortune across the continent.

Phil Coulter wrote the music for Puppet On A String, which became the UK's first winner in 1967, and Lulu built on an established career to win in a controversial four-way tie at the 1969 competition with Boom Bang a Bang. Dana was only 18 when she sang All Kinds of Everything, kicking off Ireland's legendary run of wins at the contest in 1970, and DJ Pete Murray was watching the action from the commentator's box throughout the period. Dean Vuletic provides a rare glimpse into the European Broadcasting Union's archives.

Ahead of this year's competition in Liverpool, our guests discuss the secret formulae of winning Eurovision entries, reflect on how contemporary politics produced voting scandals, and share stories from behind the scenes.

Producer: Rebecca Guthrie
Series Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 12:00 News Summary (m001lhzs)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


SUN 12:04 Just a Minute (m001l951)
Series 91

4. Whodunnit?, Revolving Restaurants and Tog Ratings

Sue Perkins challenges Paul Merton, Felicity Ward, Ivo Graham and Josie Lawrence to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation.

The long-running Radio 4 national treasure of a parlour game is back for a new series with subjects this week ranging from Whodunnit? to Revolving Restaurants.

Production co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Sound editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: Rajiv Karia

A BBC Studios Production


SUN 12:32 The Food Programme (m001lhzv)
Conversations in cafes: all hail the greasy spoon

Traditional cafes, greasy spoon cafes - have been a fixture of our highstreets for at least a century, providing sustenance for those looking for something cheap and cheerful.

But for a long time, they have been in decline for a number of reasons, tough competition from chains, our changing tastes and work patterns. From the early 2000s people have been calling curtains for the cafe, but, with inflation, the cost of energy and a crisis in hospitality staffing, things are looking as bad as ever.

In three meals in three different locations across the country Leyla Kazim celebrates the greasy spoon.

She start with breakfast with Guardian columnist, author and fry up expert Felicity Cloake in Bournville Cafe, Birmingham. In her book "Red Sauce Brown Sauce" Felicity explores why the fry up is so important to the British psyche by traveling the country.

For lunch, she chats to her dad who owned caffs when she was growing up in Kaz's Kitchen in Woowhich. They talk about how owning a cafe has changed over time.

She’s in Liverpool for dinner meeting Isaac Rangaswami who runs the caffs_not_cafes instagram page in Chinese caff San's Cafe. Isaac celebrates classic cafes and inexpensive restaurants, mostly in London.

There is also thoughts on the possible decline of tradespeople eating in cafes from Nick Knowles and some familiar voices tell us their all time favourite places to get a fry up:

Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Angela Hui, William Sitwell, Paula Mcintyre and Henry Jeffreys

Presenter: Leyla Kazim
Producer: Sam Grist


SUN 12:57 Weather (m001lhzx)
The latest weather forecast


SUN 13:00 The World This Weekend (m001lhzz)
Radio 4's look at the week's big stories from both home and around the world


SUN 13:30 Searching for cosmic dust (m001lj01)
Norwegian jazz musician Jon Larsen was having breakfast one clear spring morning when he noticed a tiny black speck land on his clean, white table. With no wind, birds or planes in sight, he wondered if it fell from space.

Dust from space isn’t as fanciful as it sounds. Billions of microscopic meteorites, dating back to the birth of our solar system, fall onto Earth every year. But they are so tiny, hidden among the copious dust of everyday life, that scientists believe they are impossible to find outside ultra clean environments like Antarctica.

But this doesn’t deter Jon, who, against the advice of all experts, decides he is going to be the first person to find an urban micrometeorite.

He takes presenter Caroline Steel and planetary scientist Dr Matthew Genge up onto some roofs, in search of the elusive particles. Can we find stardust on the top of the BBC?

Featuring Jon Larsen, Dr Matthew Genge (Imperial College London) and Svein Aarbostad.

Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producer: Cathy Edwards and Caroline Steel


SUN 14:00 Gardeners' Question Time (m001l9hk)
Crowle

I’ve just set up a greenhouse, where do I begin? What should I plant around an oak tree?  Can I put the contents of my hoover in the compost? 

From planting proposals, to allotment advice, the GQT panel are back to answer all of your plant predicaments from Crowle, Worcestershire. Ready to rid you of all your garden gripes are plant enthusiast Bunny Guinness, brainy botanist Matthew Biggs, and RHS Wisley whizz Matthew Pottage.

Alongside the questions, Bob Flowerdew gives us all his tips and tricks on tomato sowing and growing, including the unlikely power of banana peel.

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 14:45 Opening Lines (m001lj03)
Anna Karenina - Episode 1

The series that takes a look at books, plays and stories and how they work. John Yorke examines what lies at the heart of Tolstoy’s great novel Anna Karenina.

‘All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.’ It’s one of the most famous opening lines in world literature, and the book has been called the greatest novel ever written. First published in 1878, and translated into English in 1901, it’s been credited with perfecting the art of 19th century realism while foreshadowing the modernist novel.

In this first of three episodes, John Yorke examines the central tragic love story at the heart of the novel. Anna Karenina is an unhappily married aristocrat who falls in love with dashing young army officer Count Vronsky. But under the eyes of the hypocritical St Petersburg elite, their love is strained to breaking point.

John Yorke has worked in television and radio for 30 years, and he shares his experience with Radio 4 listeners as he unpacks the themes and impact of the books, plays and stories that are being dramatized in BBC Radio 4’s Sunday/Saturday Drama series.

From EastEnders to the Archers, Life on Mars to Shameless, he has been obsessed with telling big popular stories. He has spent years analysing not just how stories work but why they resonate with audiences around the globe and has brought together his experience in his bestselling book Into the Woods.

As former Head of Channel Four Drama, Controller of BBC Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has tested his theories during an extensive production career working on some of the world’s most lucrative, widely viewed and critically acclaimed TV drama. As founder of the hugely successful BBC Writers Academy, John has trained a generation of screenwriters - his students have had 17 green-lights in the last two years alone.

Contributors:
Rosamund Bartlett, Tolstoy biographer and translator of new Oxford World Classics edition of Anna Karenina.
Dr Sarah Hudspith, Associate Professor in Russian at the University of Leeds
Linda Marshall-Griffiths, writer and adapter of new radio drama of Anna Karenina
Readings by Jules Wilkinson

Credits:
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, trans. Constance Garnet 1901, William Heinemann

Produced by Lore Windemuth
Executive Producer: Sara Davies
Researcher: Nina Semple
Production Manager: Sarah Wright
Sound by Iain Hunter

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 15:00 Love Stories (m001lj05)
Anna Karenina - Episode 1

Tolstoy's powerful drama of desire, transgression and heartache dramatised by Linda Marshall Griffiths. Presented as part of the BBC Radio 4's 'Love Stories' series.

Levin loves Kitty, but has a rival in Count Alexei Vronsky. When Anna Karenina arrives in Moscow everything changes. Despite being married, Anna feels herself magnetically drawn to Vronsky. Will their desire be too powerful to contain?

ANNA KARENINA.....Kate Phillips
ALEXEI VRONSKY.....Alfred Enoch
ALEXEI KARENIN.....Rory Kinnear
KONSTANTIN 'KOSTYA' LEVIN.....Sacha Dhawan,
KATERINA 'KITTY' SHCHERBATSKAYA.....Anneika Rose
DARYA 'DOLLY' OBLONSKAYA.....Rosalie Craig
STEPAN 'STIVA' OBLONSKY....Adetomiwa Edun
COUNTESS VRONSKAYA.....Leah Marks
GUARD.....Hasan Dixon

Dramatised by Linda Marshall Griffiths
Directed by Nadia Molinari
Sound design by Sharon Hughes


A BBC Audio Drama North Production


SUN 16:00 Open Book (m001lj09)
Stephen Buoro

Johny Pitts talks to Stephen Buoro about his book The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa. The debut novelist discusses drawing on religion, maths and coming-of-age narratives in his humorous and cerebral story of a teenager in contemporary Nigeria.

Debbie Hicks from The Reading Agency explains how their new initiative, Road to Reading, aims to help people get back into the habit of regularly spending time with a good book.

And Leonora Craig Cohen choses a new novel about strikes and sexual awakening in the 1980s as her Editors' Pick for next month.

Book List – Sunday 30 April and Thursday 4 May

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa by Stephen Buoro
Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde
Black Sunday by Tola Rotimi Abraham
God's Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu
A Portrait of An Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger
Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson
Parallel Hells by Leon Craig


SUN 16:30 Revolutionary Letters (m001lj0f)
Like a match struck in the darkness, the poet Diane di Prima's Revolutionary Letters offer a practical guide to revolution in the face of social injustice and environmental collapse.

"In the New York of the 1950s, where I came of age as a poet, one wrote one's dreams, but didn't try to make them happen. To bring about what could be..."

A prolific writer, scholar and teacher, Diane di Prima's work dances across forms and approaches. Often associated with the writers of the Beat Generation (her good friend Allen Ginsberg called her "a genius" who was "heroic in life and poetics"), she fiercely resisted being labelled as part of the movement unless its definition could be expanded - extending through time to include writers like Baudelaire and other poets who had set up camp to live outside of the dominant culture. By the end of the '60s she had moved to San Francisco, "to take a shot at creating the world as we dreamed it".

Her Revolutionary Letters were a series of poems designed to hold their own when shouted on marches, at demonstrations or from the steps of City Hall, like a set of incantations for transforming yourself and the world around you.

"The only war that matters is the war against the imagination
all other wars are subsumed in it..." - Rant, Revolutionary Letter no. 75

In this documentary, we hear from the writers Eileen Myles, Chris Kraus and the poet laureate of San Francisco, Tongo Eisen-Martin. Alongside Diane's daughter Dominique DiPrima, her widower Sheppard Powell and her assistant of 17 years, the poet Sara Larsen. Featuring archive from the Gloucester Writers Center and her inaugural address, titled Poetry as Spiritual Practice, from the San Francisco Public Library.

Photo credit: Sheppard Powell

Original music composed by Phil Smith

Produced by Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 17:00 Today (m001l988)
The Today Debate: Do we need a monarchy?

The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we could ever have during the Today programme in the morning.

Ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III, Today presenter Mishal Husain discusses the future of the Royal Family with a panel of guests in front of an audience in the BBC's Radio Theatre in 'The Today Debate: Do we need a Monarchy?'

Joining her were Billy Bragg, the singer and songwriter; Juliet Samuel, a columnist for the Times; Polly Toynbee, a columnist at the Guardian; Charles Moore, former editor of the Telegraph and the Spectator and Jason Arday, an academic who works on inequality, race and education.


SUN 17:40 Profile (m001lhkk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Saturday]


SUN 17:54 Shipping Forecast (m001lj0k)
The latest shipping forecast


SUN 17:57 Weather (m001lj0m)
The latest weather forecast


SUN 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m001lj0p)
The UK is orchestrating an extra flight to get British nationals out of Sudan


SUN 18:15 Pick of the Week (m001lj0r)
Tessa Dunlop

This week Tessa has been tucked away in the top of her house, in her attic sanctuary, listening to the radio. We are about to reach another royal climax, so she popped on her royal doctor hat...no she doesn't own a tiara...but confesses she got very distracted along the way by 1920’s murders, protesting French style, teeth extractions and then back full circle to royalty with Killing Victoria - a fascinating podcast which tells the tale of seven people who tried to kill the Queen.

Presenter: Tessa Dunlop
Producer: Elizabeth Foster

Photo credit: Michael Cockerham


SUN 19:00 The Archers (m001lj0t)
Chelsea admires The Bull’s efforts for the Coronation, while Kenton struggles with some bunting. Next to watch Kenton at work are Jim and Natasha. Jim vows to avoid all festivities marking the Coronation. Natasha managed to pitch Bridge Farm last week for Justin’s Coronation Illumination project. She thinks her pitch went well, what with King Charles being an organic farming pioneer, but Justin is yet to announce the winner.
Helen’s come over to Bridge Farm to work through some admin, confessing to Pat she’s uncomfortable being home alone right now. She asks Pat to babysit tomorrow so she can have an evening together with Lee. Helen feels guilty about neglecting Lee recently. When Natasha joins them Pat asks if everything is alright with Tom. Natasha says he’s just busy and sleep-deprived. Natasha fills in Helen on the Coronation Illumination bid. Helen thinks it’s a great idea, despite Pat’s concern over having people wander around the farm in the dark.
Jim lets Chelsea know there’s going to be a public meeting to discuss the planned Electric Vehicle Charging Station. But Chelsea says she’s going to step down from Jim’s anti-charging station committee now she knows there’s potential for her to get a job there. Chelsea changes the subject to last night’s draw for the Ambridge Eurovision show. She can’t believe Jim got Greece. Horrified Jim insists he never entered the draw and will have a word with Harrison. But Chelsea thinks Jim would go down a storm – she can’t wait to see what he comes up with!


SUN 19:15 Mark Steel's in Town (m00021rb)
Series 9

Hastings

Mark Steel returns to Radio 4 with the ninth series of his award-winning show that travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents.

In the first episode Mark visits Hastings.

Hastings is mainly known for its famous battle, but they don't like to go on about that. Apart from over seventy businesses with 1066 in the title, you hardly see it mentioned. A lot has happened there since 1066 though; they have an annual Pirates Day, for example, where everyone dresses as pirates and gets drunk. They have Jack in the Green day, where everyone paints themselves green and gets drunk. They also have a statue of a giant winkle, an alley under the prom with a spectacular light show and there are lots of lovely pubs too, where you can watch one of their thousands of bands... and get drunk. Oh, and there's a building supplier called William the Concreter.

Written and performed by Mark Steel
Additional material by Pete Sinclair
Production co-ordinator, Hayley Sterling / Beverly Tagg
Sound Manager, Jerry Peal
Producer, Carl Cooper

Picture Credit, Tom Stanier


SUN 19:45 The Chronicles of Burke Street (m001lj0w)
More Chronicles of Burke Street

5: Pearl's Story

We return to Burke Street, Port of Spain, in another brilliantly funny short story series by the Costa Award-winning author, Ingrid Persaud.

Set on a seemingly everyday street in Trinidad, 'More Chronicles of Burke Street' follows the lives of its unconventional residents. Burke Street might seem ordinary, but behind its closed doors lurk secrets, lies and a lot of love.

In today's final episode, 'Pearl's Story', a man, long assumed to be dead, returns to Burke Street...

Writer: Ingrid Persaud
Reader: Martina Laird
Producer: Justine Willett


SUN 20:00 Feedback (m001l9hs)
Andrea Catherwood is joined by Colin Paterson, Head of Audio, BBC Wales and the West of England. Colin explains why Saturday Live and other Radio 4 programmes have moved to Cardiff and responds to listeners’ comments.

Writer Al Smith gives an insight into how he writes the storylines for the award-winning Radio 4 drama Life Lines, set in an ambulance control room.

And in our Vox Box this week, a monarchist and a republican discuss The Today Debate: Do we need a Monarchy?

Presented by Andrea Catherwood
Produced by Gill Davies
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 20:30 Last Word (m001l9hq)
Barry Humphries, Len Goodman, Professor Elizabeth Murray, Jah Shaka

Matthew Bannister on

Barry Humphries, best known for his comic creations Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. We have tributes from Rob Brydon and John Humphrys.

Len Goodman, who went from working as a welder to international fame as head judge of Strictly Come Dancing.

Professor Elizabeth Murray, a pioneer in the use of digital technology in health care.

And Jah Shaka, dub reggae star, producer and sound system king.

Interviewee: Rob Brydon
Interviewee: John Humphrys
Interviewee: Mary Richardson
Interviewee: Anne Pender
Interviewee: Professor Fiona Stevenson
Interviewee: Neil Fraser (also known as music producer Mad Professor)
Interviewee: Bryan Gee

Producer: Paul Martin

Archive used:
Dame Edna Everage on Parkinson, BBC One, 1998, uploaded to YouTube 01/07/2017; One More Audience with Dame Edna Everage, ITV, 1988, uploaded to YouTube 22/04/2023; Another Audience With Dame Edna Everage, ITV, 1984, uploaded to YouTube, 01/09/2022; Barry Humphries on Parkinson, BBC One, 1982, uploaded to YouTube. 23/04/2023; Barry Humphries, Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4, 29/05/2009
Dame Edna Everage on the Today Programme, BBC Radio 4, 18/09/2019; Len Goodman, Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4, 24/06/2011; Jah Shaka, Junior Brown, Warriors, Reggae Records Archives, YouTube uploaded 26/09/2022; Jah Shaka sound system live London, (Tape Edit)YouTube uploaded 15/10/2022;


SUN 21:00 Money Box (m001lhjt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:04 on Saturday]


SUN 21:25 Radio 4 Appeal (m001lhzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:54 today]


SUN 21:30 Short Cuts (m000sql9)
Motherhood

Josie Long presents short documentaries and adventures in sound about mothers and motherhood.

We hear a story of a recurrent dream about searching for an absent mother, Heather O'Neill delves into the ways her mother and her own experience of motherhood have threaded through her life, and the writer Nikesh Shukla reflects on ways to remember a mother you've lost.

Fragments Of My Mother
Written and read by Nikesh Shukla

Motherhood, a short story
Featuring Heather O'Neill
Produced by Sarah Cuddon

Call Me Mother
Featuring Raven Mandella
Produced by Suzie McCarthy

Mother, Unknown
Produced by Nanna Hauge Kristensen

Production team: Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 22:00 Westminster Hour (m001lj0y)
Nick Watt's guests are the Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, Labour frontbencher Ellie Reeves and the Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper. They discuss the latest developments in the current public sector pay disputes and look ahead to the local elections. Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice gives his assessment of the challenges facing each of the main parties, as they compete for votes. The panellists also discuss the process for appointing a new chairman of the BBC, following the resignation of Richard Sharp - and share their views on the public being invited to vow allegiance to King Charles, during the Coronation ceremony.


SUN 23:00 Loose Ends (m001lhkf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:15 on Saturday]


SUN 23:30 Something Understood (b00s54cp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:05 today]

MONDAY 01 MAY 2023

MON 00:00 Midnight News (m001lj11)
The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.


MON 00:15 Thinking Allowed (m001l9bt)
Democracy

Democracy: Quinn Slobodian, Professor of the History of Ideas at Wellesley College, takes Laurie Taylor on the journey of radical libertarians who search for the perfect home, free from the burden of democratic oversight, from Hong Kong to Canary Wharf and the Honduras. What accounts for the explosion of new legal entities, including free ports, gated enclaves, city states and special economic zones?

They're joined by Mukulika Banerjee, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics, whose latest study into the lives of West Bengal villagers finds that they promote democratic values in everyday acts of citizenship at a time when Indian democracy is under threat. How do their creative practices around kinship, farming and religion promote republican virtues of cooperation, civility, solidarity and vigilance?

Producer: Jayne Egerton


MON 00:45 Bells on Sunday (m001lhlw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:43 on Sunday]


MON 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m001lj13)
The latest shipping forecast


MON 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m001lj15)
World Service

BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


MON 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m001lj17)
The latest shipping forecast


MON 05:30 News Briefing (m001lj1b)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


MON 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m001lj1g)
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Canon Anne Easter

Good morning!

My Dad always joked that my sister and I had made a very good choice of parents. The youngest of seven, five of them sisters, my Dad had led a busy childhood spent mostly with women and he went on to marry and have two daughters. My parents got together at a dance hall in their teens and stayed together all their lives, talking, singing and occasionally yelling at each other, and facing the early onslaught of my Mum’s multiple sclerosis with courage.

My dad’s job meant that he was often home in the afternoons, and it was he who taught my sister and me to cook and sew and to tell a good story. When I took him into hospital for the last time, his main concern was whether I had enough cash to get home; that was twenty five years ago, and I still miss him.

But I am very well aware that my experience of a father is not everybody’s. I know lots of children who don’t have a father in their lives and many others whose fathers are abusive, belittling.

And that’s when St Joseph, who we celebrate today, can help. The Bible tells us that St Joseph was a carpenter but not much else about him. But I think that Joseph must have been good and kind, because it was he who taught Jesus how to be a man. And Jesus often said that we are his sisters and brothers so, if we’re looking for a father, we can claim Joseph for ourselves, knowing that he will care for us and pray for us too.

Dear God, please bless all fathers today; help them follow the example of Joseph, and to be patient and encouraging as he was.

Amen


MON 05:45 Farming Today (m001lj1k)
01/05/23 - Deer Management

The number of Red Deer in the Scottish Highlands has doubled in the past 50 years. It's great news for wildlife-watchers, but it's also causing problems because the deer are damaging woodlands and other fragile habitats.

So what's the solution? Richard Baynes investigates.


MON 05:56 Weather (m001lj1n)
The latest weather forecast for farmers.


MON 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b01s6y1h)
Cuckoo - Male

David Attenborough narrates the first in a new series of short stories about our British birds inspired by their calls and songs, beginning with the Cuckoo. After spending winter in Africa, the migratory urge propels the Cuckoos northwards. And for many of us their return is a welcome sign that spring is well and truly here.


MON 06:00 Today (m001lj6f)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


MON 09:00 Start the Week (m001lj6k)
Life behind the iron curtain

Adam Rutherford asks what ordinary life was like in the Soviet Union and how far its collapse helps to explain Russia today.
Karl Schlögel is one of the world’s leading historians of the Soviet Union. In his latest book, The Soviet Century: Archaeology of a Lost World (translated by Rodney Livingstone), he recreates an encyclopaedic and richly detailed history of daily life, both big and small. He examines the planned economy, the railway system and the steel city of Magnitogorsk as well as cookbooks, parades and the ubiquitous perfume Red Moscow.

The historian Katja Hoyer presents a more nuanced picture of life in East Germany, far from the caricature often painted in the West. In Beyond the Wall: East Germany, 1949-1990 she acknowledges the oppression and hardship often faced by ordinary people, but argues that this now-vanished society was also home to its own distinctive and rich social and cultural landscape.

But what did it feel like to live through the fall of communism and then democracy? These are the questions Adam Curtis looked to reveal in his 7-part television series, Russia 1985-1999 TraumaZone (available on BBC iPlayer). The archive footage from thousands of hours of tapes filmed by BBC crews across the country records the lives of Russians at every level of society as their world collapsed around them.

Producer: Katy Hickman


MON 09:45 Among Others by Michael Frayn (m001lj71)
Episode 1

A five-part adaptation of Michael Frayn's new autobiography, Among Others.

Michael’s acquaintances haven’t always been other people. How has he got along with his own body over the years? He examines the person he’s known best and longest in his life. Himself.

In these forensic, often comic revelations he assesses himself not as a person, but as a physical object. A Mantower - looking down from a hundred floors up. Closest acquaintance of all, his own body, a companion on life's road at least as idiosyncratic and puzzling as everyone and everything around it. With his inimitable brand of humorous philosophy, Frayn comes to some surprising conclusions.

The reader, Martin Jarvis, is a long-term collaborator with Michael Frayn on BBC programmes, including Magic Mobile, Pocket Playhouse, Matchbox Theatre, Speak After the Beep and Jarvis’s Frayn.

Author: Michael Frayn
Reader: Martin Jarvis
Music: A-Mnemonic
Director: Rosalind Ayres

A Jarvis & Ayres production for BBC Radio 4


MON 10:00 Woman's Hour (m001lj6t)
Actors Laura Dern and Diane Ladd, Nurses Strikes, Sarah Gilmartin

The book Honey, Baby, Mine is a joint project of mother/daughter actors Diane Ladd, and Laura Dern. Working together is not unusual for these two as over decades they have taken their connection onto our screens but as fictional parent and child. Now 87 and 56, they have both had, and continue to have, critically-acclaimed careers with many character roles, gaining them numerous awards and nominations. They join Nuala to discuss their latest project.

Nurses in England are taking part in what the Royal College of Nursing is calling 'the biggest walkout so far' today, and some teachers are striking tomorrow. Nuala speaks to Dr Susan Milner to talk about these female-dominated sectors taking industrial action.

Nuala is also joined by one of the Grassroots women on our Power List, celebrating the 30 most remarkable women in sport in the UK. Somayeh Caesar is a teaching assistant in London and has set up several sporting clubs for women and girls.

Service is the new novel by the author and critic Sarah Gilmartin. Famed Dublin chef Daniel Costello who runs a successful high-end restaurant is facing accusations of sexual assault. Set between the present day and the earlier noughties, the story is told from the perspective of three voices- the waitress, the chef, and the chef’s wife. It’s a story of power, abuse, complicity and Metoo. Sarah joins Nuala to discuss her new book.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce


MON 11:00 Blood on the Dance Floor (m001lj6z)
2. Collateral Damage

Belfast 1997. But not just any part of Belfast, gay Belfast. A place you've probably never heard of before. Cigarette smoke, aftershave and expectation fill the air in the only gay bar in the country. Sat having a drink on a night out is Darren Bradshaw. He was just 24 years old when he was shot dead in front of hundreds of people. His brutal murder by terrorists sparked fears of a return to all out violence as the new Labour government under Tony Blair sought to bring peace to Northern Ireland - on the road to the Good Friday Agreement.

This is the untold story of his life and murder. A story of both love and eventually betrayal.

Presenter Jordan Dunbar grew up in the city, he was a comedian and drag performer on the Belfast scene and yet this murder and Darren's life was never talked about. As a child of the ceasefire, his knowledge of LGBT life in Northern Ireland all came after the Good Friday Agreement.
Following Darren's story brings to life the struggle of being gay in The Troubles, how Belfast got its first Pride parade only in 1991 and it's very first gay club in 1994 -The Parliament bar where Darren was tragically shot dead.

It's a community surviving as well as thriving against a backdrop of violence and discrimination. He meets the original drag queens, DJs and club pioneers determined to claim back the city centre from the terrorists and create a safe place of their own.

Determined to piece together for the first time how Darren was killed that night and why, Jordan uncovers stories of bigotry, bravery and betrayal.

Reporter: Jordan Dunbar
Series Producer: Paul Grant
Researcher: Patrick Kiteley
Technical Producer: Craig Boardman
Assistant Commissioner: Lorraine Okuefuna
Commissioning Editors: Richard Maddock and Dylan Haskins
Editor and Executive Producer: Carl Johnston


MON 11:30 Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley (p0f7q6q0)
17. Marguerite Fahmy

Lucy Worsley takes a fresh look at an infamous shooting that took place at London’s Savoy Hotel, amid all the wealth and glamour of the Roaring ‘20s.

On 10th July 1923, at the height of a violent thunderstorm, Marguerite Fahmy shoots her new husband at close range with a pistol – in the corridor, outside their opulent suite. It’s clear she’s killed him, but why?

Lucy is joined by Nneka Akudolu KC, a barrister with 20 years’ experience of exactly this kind of complex case, and Lady Killers’ in-house historian Professor Rosalind Crone from the Open University, to get to the bottom of this 100 year old mystery.

Together, they untangle the complexities of Marguerite’s relationship with Ali Kamel Fahmy Bey, a super-rich Egyptian ‘playboy prince’. Ros goes to the scene of the crime to meet Savoy archivist Susan Scott and find out more about this notorious incident in the hotel’s history.

The team discover that, while the coroner’s court returns a straightforward verdict of ‘wilful murder’, when Marguerite’s case comes to trial at the Old Bailey, the story gets a whole lot murkier. She is defended by legal legend Sir Edward Marshall Hall KC and cuts a tragic figure in the dock, glamorous and apparently bereft. She alleges that Ali was violently abusive and there is huge public sympathy for her plight, with her husband cast as a 'bestial' monster.

Lucy, Nneka and Ros examine these claims and counterclaims to unpick the prejudice at work in the courtroom and ask if justice was served in this case.

Would Marguerite’s story play out any differently today?

Producer: Sarah Goodman
Readers: Meena Rayann and Jonathan Keeble
Sound Design: Chris Maclean
Series Producer: Julia Hayball

A StoryHunter production for BBC Radio 4


MON 12:00 News Summary (m001lj7f)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


MON 12:04 You and Yours (m001lj7j)
Gambling reform, Parking apps and Vet bills

Gambling regulation is something we've looked at many times on You and Yours - now the government has finally released its plans for the industry, we'll look at what it means.

How do you pay for parking - and why does it require so many different apps?

Independent restaurant closures are on the rise - we'll hear from two people who have taken the tough decision to shut their businesses down.

Is a subscription model the future for paying your pet's vet bills?

PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON
PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY


MON 12:57 Weather (m001lj7n)
The latest weather forecast


MON 13:00 World at One (m001lj7q)
Forty-five minutes of news, analysis and comment, with Jonny Dymond.


MON 13:45 The Warsaw Ghetto: History as Survival (m001lj7s)
6. Faith & Culture

80 years on from the Warsaw Ghetto's revolt & destruction, Radio 4 brings to life an extraordinary secret archive chronicling daily existence in the prison city.
The Oyneg Shabes Archive documented every facet of life and death in the ghetto between 1940-43. It was history as survival. Anton Lesser narrates. Episode 6-Faith & Culture with Ilan Goodman & Carl Prekopp.

In the middle of Europe, in the middle of the 20th Century a half million Jewish men, women & children were cut off, surrounded by the German occupiers, imprisoned behind walls. How do you tell the world about your life and fate? Historian and activist Emanuel Ringelblum devised and directed a clandestine archive- codename Oyneg Shabes (Joy of the Sabbath) to chronicle every aspect of their existence. Thousands of pages-diaries, essays, poems, photographs, statistical studies, art, ephemera -a historical treasure that was buried even as the Ghetto was being extinguished so that the world might read and understand. Listen to their stories

6. Faith & Culture. Rabbi Shimon Huberband became one of the most valued member of the Oyneg Shabes with his studies of ghetto folklore, accounts of the destruction of Jewish religious communities across Poland & the struggles for spiritual survival. Jewish life faced an enemy that sought not conversion but annihilation. For the Oyneg Shabes, former teacher Stefan Różycki, dispassionately surveyed the cultural world of the Ghetto-it's cafés, theatres & cabarets,
Narrated by Anton Lesser. Readers Ilan Goodman & Carl Prekopp. Translation by David Fishman & the Textura Foundation. Written & produced by Mark Burman.

For more information on the Oyneg Shabes/Ringeblum archive go to the website of the Jewish Historical Institute https://cbj.jhi.pl/


MON 14:00 The Archers (m001lj0t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Sunday]


MON 14:15 This Cultural Life (m001lhkp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:15 on Saturday]


MON 15:00 Round Britain Quiz (m001lj7v)
Programme 4, 2023

(4/12)
Why might going on location help you move towards an order of chivalry, a reward for extreme sycophancy and a public body that caused a fuss for Truss?

A question like this can surely only belong on Round Britain Quiz, and host Kirsty Lang will be hoping the panellists from the Midlands and Northern Ireland can tackle it with their usual flair. Frankie Fanko and Stephen Maddock are the regular Midlands team, looking for their first win of the series, while Paddy Duffy and Freya McClements of Northern Ireland will aim to notch up another victory after they beat Wales last week.

As usual, several of the questions have been suggested by Round Britain Quiz listeners, and Kirsty will also be supplying the solution to the teaser she left unanswered at the end of the previous show.

Producer: Paul Bajoria


MON 15:30 The Food Programme (m001lhzv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:32 on Sunday]


MON 16:00 Searching for cosmic dust (m001lj01)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:30 on Sunday]


MON 16:30 Beyond Belief (m001lj7y)
The Coronation

On 6th May 2023, King Charles III will be crowned in Westminster Abbey in an ancient ceremony that dates back a thousand years.

The Coronation service is, at its heart, a religious event in which King Charles swears an oath to uphold “the Protestant Reformed Religion Established by Law” and is anointed with holy oil by The Archbishop of Canterbury.

But is this religious service representative of modern Britain? What does it say about who we are today? And will it speak to people of all faiths and none?

Aleem Maqbool speaks to The Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, about the meaning of the rituals and symbolism of this national event. His reflections lead to a discussion on the role of The Coronation in our modern world.

Aleem is joined by Professor Ian Bradley, author of God Save the King and Emeritus Professor of Cultural and Spiritual History at the University of St Andrews, Chief Executive of "Republic" Graham Smith and Sejal Sehmi, U.K. Editor for Brown Girl Magazine.


Producer: Katharine Longworth
Assistant Producer: Linda Wood


MON 17:00 PM (m001lj80)
Afternoon news and current affairs programme, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines


MON 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m001lj84)
Thousands of nurses in England have walked out in what's been described as the biggest strike so far in their pay dispute


MON 18:30 Just a Minute (m001lj86)
Series 91

5. Humble Pie, Nuns and Dry Shampoo

Sue Perkins challenges Gyles Brandreth, Jan Ravens, Tony Hawks and Rachel Parris to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation.

The long-running Radio 4 national treasure of a parlour game is back for a new series with subjects this week ranging from Humble Pie to Dry Shampoo.

Production co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Sound editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: Rajiv Karia

A BBC Studios Production


MON 19:00 The Archers (m001lj88)
Jim interrupts Harrison’s breakfast to ask how his name got on the list for the Eurovision show. Harrison works out that the J. Lloyd on the list is in fact Julian Lloyd-Jones, who recently moved on to Beechwood. Jim’s horrified that Julian is representing Greece after confusing Roman and Greek gods at a pub quiz. Jim determines to seek Julian out – he can’t have inaccuracies being spread on his specialist subject. Later, Jim reports that his approach didn’t go down well – Julian has now pulled out of the show. Harrison asks Jim to fill the breach and, by default, Jim agrees to do a reading from Homer’s Iliad.
Justin turns up at Bridge Farm looking for Natasha. He needs to see if it’s a practical proposition to have the Coronation light installation there. With Natasha unavailable Tom walks Justin round. Justin’s impressed by the Edible Forest Garden. Tom thinks Justin’s cutting it fine to have everything up and running by Friday, but Justin reassures Tom before confirming the Coronation Illumination will be at Bridge Farm.
Helen’s arranged a child-free evening and cooks Lee a curry. She encourages Lee to skip the washing up and retire to the sofa, so they can watch something not involving car chases or cartoon characters. Later they kiss, but Lee pulls away, feeling that Helen is tense. Helen is heartbroken. She thought a romantic atmosphere would help, but it’s just not working. Lee reassures her; she doesn’t have to do anything she doesn’t want to. It will all be okay.


MON 19:15 Front Row (m001lj8b)
Rachmaninoff - the 20th century's great romantic

Samira celebrates the music and life of Sergei Rachmaninoff to mark the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth.

With pianist Kirill Gerstein, who has just released a new recording of Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic, Marina Frolova-Walker, Professor of Music at Cambridge, pianist Lucy Parham, who has created a Composer Portrait concert about Rachmaninoff that she is currently touring across the UK. Plus film historian and composer Neil Brand discusses the use of Rachmaninoff's music in film classics such as Brief Encounter.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Timothy Prosser


MON 20:00 Stone of Destiny (m001lj8d)
Scottish poet Len Pennie goes in search of the student plotters and literary sensations who schemed to get back the ultimate symbol of Scotland - the Stone of Scone. It was the early mediaeval inauguration seat of the Scottish kings, once more important than a crown. The stone sat blamelessly in Scone Abbey waiting to be taken out every time a new monarch had to be made. But then it was nicked, in 1296 King Edward I wanted to extinguish Scots kingship - so he grabbed the stone and took it to Westminster Abbey to sit in the coronation chair of the Kings of England. There was surprisingly little fuss. But in the early 20th century - something stirred. Scottish home rulers and nationalists wanted it back - the stone became a symbol not just of sovereignty but of outrage and injustice. All kinds of marvellous schemes were dreamt up to get it back. At Christmas 1950 one of them succeeded. Join Len to find out how a lump of Perthshire sandstone became the subject of an audacious heist.


MON 20:30 Crossing Continents (m001l9bp)
Laos: the most bombed country on earth

50 years after the last US bombs fell on Laos, they’re still killing and maiming. In an effort to stop the march of communism, between 1964 and 1973, America dropped over two million tonnes of ordnance on neutral Laos: on average, a planeload of bombs was released every eight minutes, 24 hours a day. This is more than was dropped on Germany and Japan in the entire Second World War.
Laos, today a country of just 6 million people, remains the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita. Five decades after the war, these deadly items remain a persistent threat and daily reality for communities across Laos. More than 20,000 people have been killed or injured by UXO (unexploded ordnance, unexploded bombs, and explosive remnants of war) in Laos since the war ended in 1975, with people still killed and injured every year. Around half the victims are children. But UXO doesn’t just kill and maim, it renders agricultural land useless and prevents economic progress. Although Laos is rich in natural resources, its development has been crippled by the legacy of the war.

Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent travels to Laos to tell its story 50 years on.

Producer John Murphy

(Photo: Clearing unexploded bombs in northern Laos. Credit: MAG / Bart Verweij)


MON 21:00 Supersenses (m001l96g)
Sound Solutions

We've been building computers to think like us for years, but our ability to replicate human senses has been impossible. Until now. This technological revolution is starting to profoundly change not only how we interact with the world around us, but is allowing us to see, hear, smell, taste and even touch things we never imagined possible before.

An artifical intelligence revolution is super-charging sensing technology, promising us eyes with laser precision, ears that can distinguish every sound in a mile's radius and noses that can sniff out the early signs of forest fires before the first flame forms.

Evolutionary biologist and broadcaster Professor Ben Garrod is off to meet some of these sensory innovators and technological pioneers; The archaeologists, ecologists and medics, who are turning our world upside down and inside out.

In episode two, Ben finds sound solutions to tricky problems. We’ll hear about the ear which works up to depths of 500m below the ocean. In this light-deprived oceanic environment, we’ll find out how sound has become the most important sense. We’ll learn how noise pollution has inspired a number of revolutionary scientists to create sound-based solutions to better animal conservation. Along the way, we’ll meet engineers and computer programmers who’ve been able to find animals we thought previously extinct, and learn how one colour blind ornithologist mapped the entirety of a Caribbean archipelago so he could help protect his favourite species from storms and freak climate events.

Could these new technologies and natural evolutions be redefining what it is to hear? Ben takes us through the amazing adaptations and technological developments that could help stretch our hearing further than ever before.

Produced by Robbie Wojciechowski
Presented by Professor Ben Garrod


MON 21:30 Start the Week (m001lj6k)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 22:00 The World Tonight (m001lj8h)
May Day protests in France over pensions

Also:

Nationwide Russian air strikes against Ukraine.

and

Karl Lagerfeld honoured at the Met Gala.


MON 22:45 Victory City by Salman Rushdie (m001lj8k)
Episode One

"On the last day of her life, when she was two hundred and forty-seven years old, the blind poet, miracle worker and prophetess Pampa Kampana completed her immense narrative poem about the kingdom of Bisnaga and buried it in a clay pot sealed with wax, as a message to the future."

The new novel from the Booker Prize-winning author of Midnight's Children is a gripping magic realist epic about the power of storytelling. In the wake of a battle between two long-forgotten kingdoms in fourteenth-century southern India, a nine-year-old girl has a divine encounter that will change the course of history. After witnessing the death of her mother, Pampa Kampana becomes a vessel for the goddess Parvati, who begins to speak out of the girl's mouth. Granting her powers beyond Pampa Kampana's comprehension, the goddess tells her that she will be instrumental in the rise of a great city called Bisnaga - 'victory city'.

Pampa Kampana attempts to make good on the task that Parvati set for her: to give women equal agency in a patriarchal world. But all stories have a way of getting away from their creator, and Bisnaga is no exception.

Salman Rushdie is the author of fourteen previous novels, including Midnight's Children (for which he won the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker), The Satanic Verses, and Quichotte (which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize).

Reader: Dinita Gohil
Abridger: Sara Davies
Sound engineer: Ilse Lademann
Producers: Mary Ward-Lowery and Mair Bosworth for BBC Audio


MON 23:00 Word of Mouth (m001l97m)
Chatbots

Michael is joined by Emily M Bender, Professor of computational linguistics at the University of Washington and co-author of the infamous paper ‘On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots’.

Cutting through the recent hype, she explains how chatbots do what they do, how they have become so fluent and why she thinks we should be careful with the terminology we employ when talking about them.

Presented by Michael Rosen and produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Ellie Richold.


MON 23:30 Leading Scotland Where? (m001l4tt)
BBC chief political correspondent Nick Eardley explores the future of the Scottish National Party and the Scottish independence movement following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as leader of the SNP and Scottish First Minister.

Nick canvasses the views of MP Mhairi Black, the SNP's deputy leader at Westminster, MSP Kate Forbes who challenged for the leadership of the party, and Ian Blackford a close ally and political friend of Nicola Sturgeon.

He also hears from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and from Michael Gove, Whitehall's minister responsible for its relationship with Holyrood.

Presenter: Nick Eardley, BBC chief political correspondent
Producers: Pauline Moore and David Holmes
Researcher: Georgina Davies
Mixed by: Kris McConnachie

Audio Credits:
Clips of Kate Forbes and Humza Yousaf - Scotland's Next First Minister: The Leader's Debate, STV 7 March 2023

TUESDAY 02 MAY 2023

TUE 00:00 Midnight News (m001lj8n)
The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.


TUE 00:30 Among Others by Michael Frayn (m001lj71)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 on Monday]


TUE 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m001lj8q)
The latest shipping forecast


TUE 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m001lj8t)
World Service

BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


TUE 05:20 Shipping Forecast (m001lj8w)
The latest shipping forecast


TUE 05:30 News Briefing (m001lj8y)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


TUE 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m001lj90)
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Canon Anne Easter

Good morning!

I hadn’t been going out with my husband for very long when we discovered that we both loved folk dancing! We had a marvellous folk dance as part of our wedding celebrations and, over the years, we’ve helped with organising dances at harvest suppers, festivals and birthday events in a variety of halls and once even outside.

There’s something about the lively beat of the music and the variety of steps and moves that makes folk dancing great fun – and there’s usually lots of laughter ‘cause we get it wrong too.

For me, perhaps the best thing about folk dancing is that it’s very inclusive - almost everyone can join in; very fit folk and those with physical needs – I’ve seen people in wheelchairs taking part; there are those who know the dance and those who’ve never done it before; we have dances for which you don’t need a partner and, in a partner dance, men and women can be of any gender - as long as they remember which they are for the purposes of this dance!

And it’s interesting how some people can see a pattern and others can’t. For several years we did an annual dance for a club for people with special needs and we marvelled at how they picked up a particularly complex movement – one man was so thrilled that he shouted, ‘We did it’ and his dentures shot across the hall in his delight.

I think that all of life should be inclusive – no-one left behind or left out and the wider the diversity of our community, the more we all benefit.

Dear God, you have made each one of us different and special. Help us to be generously inclusive and enable us to feel that we are included too.

Amen.


TUE 05:45 Farming Today (m001lj92)
The runways impacting rivers: people living in villages near the East Midlands Airport are concerned local water courses are being contaminated by de-iced aircraft.
Thousands of native oysters are being reintroduced into the Solent more than 30 years after stocks there declined.
This week we'll be looking at the business of beef. Edward Hawkins from Somerset is striving to improve his farm's carbon footprint, working to improve the grass, soils and the efficiency of his farm.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.


TUE 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b0910n6g)
Tim Birkhead on the Puffin

Large numbers of visitors come to Skomer just to see puffins, however for seabird zoologist Tim Birkhead puffins are boring dull birds, in this Tweet of the Day.

Producer: Tom Bonnett
Photograph: Sam Linton.


TUE 06:00 Today (m001ljb0)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


TUE 09:00 The New Gurus (m001ghyf)
5. Gazing into the Abyss

In 2018, a New York Times article anointed a group of taboo-breaking intellectual provocateurs as the 'Intellectual Dark Web'. David Fuller was one of those who found this loose grouping of dissident gurus like Jordan Peterson, Joe Rogan and Sam Harris intoxicating – enough to leave the mainstream media and start his own YouTube channel.

But, four years on, he is left wondering - where did it all go wrong?

The New Gurus is a series about looking for enlightenment in the digital world.

Written and presented by Helen Lewis

Series Producers: Morgan Childs and Tom Pooley
Story consultant: Geoff Bird
Original music composed by Paper Tiger
Sound design and mix: Rob Speight
Editor: Craig Templeton Smith

A Tempo & Talker production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds


TUE 09:30 Metamorphosis - How Insects Transformed Our World (m0017k7c)
Dazzling Disguise

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

Erica examines the huge butterfly collection of the intrepid Victorian lepidopterist Margaret Fountaine who was seduced by the iridescent nature of the morpho butterfly wing. Its dazzling electric blues are caused not by pigments, but by interference effects within the wing structure. In the early 20th century the “father of camouflage” Abbot Thayer controversially cited iridescence as a means of disguise within the animal world as well as attracting a mate. Scientists are revisiting the idea that the best disguises are dazzling and now engineers are attempting to recreate iridescence from the insect world to generate high impact hues with multiple effects for a host of different commercial products.

With contributions from: Dr David Waterhouse, (Senior Curator of Natural History & Geology at Norfolk Museums); biologist Dr Karin Kjernsmo,(Bristol University); Andrea Hart (Library Special Collections Manager Natural History Museum); physiologist Prof Andrew Parker, (University of Oxford)

Producer Adrian Washbourne


TUE 09:45 Among Others by Michael Frayn (m001ljc9)
Episode 2

A five-part adaptation of Michael Frayn's new autobiography, Among Others.

Michael’s acquaintances haven’t always been other people. How has he got along with his own body over the years? He examines the person he’s known best and longest in his life. Himself.

In these forensic, often comic revelations he assesses himself not as a person, but as a physical object. A Mantower - looking down from a hundred floors up. Closest acquaintance of all, his own body, a companion on life's road at least as idiosyncratic and puzzling as everyone and everything around it. With his inimitable brand of humorous philosophy, Frayn comes to some surprising conclusions.

The reader, Martin Jarvis, is a long-term collaborator with Michael Frayn on BBC programmes, including Magic Mobile, Pocket Playhouse, Matchbox Theatre, Speak After the Beep and Jarvis’s Frayn.

Author: Michael Frayn
Reader: Martin Jarvis
Music: A-Mnemonic
Director: Rosalind Ayres

A Jarvis & Ayres production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 10:00 Woman's Hour (m001ljbr)
Caregivers, What do we know about Queen Charlotte, Ukrainian musical prodigies

There are two new books about the experience of caregiving: Who Cares: the hidden crisis of caregiving and how we solve it by Emily Kenway and Mothercare: on ambivalence and obligation by acclaimed American novelist, Lynne Tillman.   Both Emily and Lynne cared for their mothers.  There are differences in their stories, but also many shared experiences, experiences that apply to vast swathes of populations around the world who undertake unpaid caring for spouses, relative and friends. Lynne and Emily join Nuala in the studio.
When Sheilagh and her husband offered to house a mother and her daughters fleeing from Ukraine little did they realise that the girls were musical prodigies and that their music would stop passers by in the street. Sheilagh and 17 year old Khrystyna join Nuala to tell their story.
On Thursday the another series of Bridgerton will be available and focusses on Queen Charlotte. Described as a spin-off, it goes back in time to chronicle how the young queen at just seventeen finds herself married to the new King George III. Dr Olivette Oteli, research professor at SOAS explains who she was, what we know about her life and if there is any credibility to the longstanding speculation that she was the first woman of colour in the Royal family.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore


TUE 11:00 Supersenses (m001ljc4)
Smelly People

We've been building computers to think like us for years, but our ability to replicate human senses has been impossible. Until now. This technological revolution is starting to profoundly change not only how we interact with the world around us, but is allowing us to see, hear, smell, taste and even touch things we never imagined possible before.

An artifical intelligence revolution is super-charging sensing technology, promising us eyes with laser precision, ears that can distinguish every sound in a mile's radius and noses than can sniff out the early signs of forest fires before the first flame forms.

Evolutionary biologist and broadcaster Professor Ben Garrod, is off to meet some of these sensory innovators and technological pioneers. The archaeologists, ecologists and medics, who are turning our world upside down and inside out.

Could these new technologies and natural evolutions be redefining what it is to smell? Ben takes us through the amazing adaptations, and technological developments that could help broaden how we think of our noses.

Produced by Robbie Wojciechowski
Presented by Professor Ben Garrod


TUE 11:30 A Living Leg-End (m001ljch)
Fifty years in the business, and she’s still at it. Meet Lavinia Co-op - transatlantic icon of the radical drag scene.

This drag queen, artist and performer is no stranger to holding court for audiences in bars, clubs and theatres. But in Living Leg-End, she invites you behind the curtain and into her home. Of course, she has stories to tell, always with a cuppa - from the bombed-out East End finding theatre and gay liberation, to the early 70s forming a radical drag troop, commandeering camper vans, and touring Europe with camp, comedic shows. There’s Lust in Space, Odds and Sods, Living Leg-Ends, Slung Back and Strapless. And living through the AIDS crisis in 80s and 90s New York, before migrating home.

With shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, the art of drag is becoming increasingly mainstream. But when Lavinia started out, she was a radical. She’s here to remind us that drag is a political act.

Now in her early 70s, she’s feeling reflective. A triple-heart bypass hasn’t kept her from the stage, but it has slowed her. As she flicks through the rails of outfits which line her home - each evoking memories of people, performances and places - she explores what’s kept her from hanging up the heels over all these years. She might not crave recognition, that doesn’t mean it’s undeserved.

Produced by Michael Segalov with Jesse Lawson
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 12:00 News Summary (m001ljfh)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


TUE 12:04 You and Yours (m001ljd2)
Call You & Yours: How have you and your family been affected by gambling?

How have you and your family been affected by gambling? How did you get started, if you had a problem, did you ask for help - what happened?

The Government have published a White Paper with proposals designed to modernise gambling regulations. It includes protections for vulnerable gamblers and an independent ombudsman to handle complaints made against betting companies.

PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON
PRODUCER: KEVIN MOUSLEY


TUE 12:57 Weather (m001ljdh)
The latest weather forecast


TUE 13:00 World at One (m001ljdv)
Forty-five minutes of news, analysis and comment, with Sarah Montague.


TUE 13:45 The Warsaw Ghetto: History as Survival (m001ljf9)
7. The Umschlagplatz

The Oyneg Shabes Archive chronicled every facet of life and death in the Warsaw Ghetto between 1940-43. An underground project that became history as survival. Anton Lesser narrates this 10 part series revealing the lives and stories of the Ghetto. Episode7-The Umschlagplatz.

Emanuel Ringelblum had gathered his 'zamler's to collect, write & record daily existence in the Warsaw Ghetto in a clandestine project codenamed Oyneg Shabes (Joy of the Sabbath). Fears of what the Nazi's might be capable of had grown since Ghetto life & the beginning of the archive but few believed they would murder the entire population of Europe's largest Jewish community. By the summer of 1942 appalling evidence of mass murder had been documented and transmitted to London. Then, in July , the Great Deportations began. It was the beginning of the end. No one was safe, even as the terrible roundups got underway, members of the Oyneg Shabes tried to document events and secure the archive. Every day 6000 men, women & children were herded towards the Umschlagplatz where the trains departed daily Eastwards.

Narrator Anton Lesser. Featuring the voices of Richard Katz as Abraham Lewin, Elliot Levey as Emanuel Ringeblum & Tracy-Ann Oberman as Rachel Auerbach. Polish dialogues Gregorz Janiszewski. German dialogues Michael Joseph & Felix Tzapir. Translation by Emma Harris, Christopher Hutton, Sean Gasper Bye & Samuel Kassow. Written & produced by Mark Burman.

For more information on the Oyneg Shabes/Ringeblum archive go to the website of the Jewish Historical Institute https://cbj.jhi.pl/


TUE 14:00 The Archers (m001lj88)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Monday]


TUE 14:15 This Thing of Darkness (m000gwn0)
Series 1

Part 6

Written by Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist, assessing and treating perpetrators of the most unthinkable crimes.
In this gripping drama, Alex charts the psychological impact of the murder of a young man on his family, and explores the long shadow of homicide through her therapy group for murderers.

Has Laura really discovered who killed her son?

Cast:
Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti
David … Robin Laing
Laura… Shauna Macdonald

Series created by Audrey Gillan, Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams


TUE 15:00 The Kitchen Cabinet (m001lhjk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Saturday]


TUE 15:30 Costing the Earth (m001ljfr)
Investigation DRS

Many of us can remember returning our pop bottles to the shop in return for cash and wonder why we can’t use a system like this today to reduce, reuse and recycle. In Scotland a Deposit Return Scheme has been on trial, but in a complex material world it’s not as simple as the schemes we might remember.

Tom Heap and Sepi Golzari-Munro turn detective to find out why the DRS (Deposit Return Scheme) is under threat and if it can survive to launch as intended. The scheme is causing issues for small businesses like craft brewers, it's angering politicians who are concerned about the added cost to consumers and it's being questioned by some waste management experts who believe the gains in recycling rates may be small in comparison to the huge costs of implementation.

Defenders argue that we need to take action and that change is never popular but that similar schemes in Europe have achieved over 90% recycling rates.

There are no simple answers with this one so it’s going to take some hard line detective work by our Costing the Earth crack team. Tom and Sepi step up to uncover the truth and consider the best future for bottle recycling.

Producer : Helen Lennard


TUE 16:00 Word of Mouth (m001ljg4)
Women's Words

Dr Jenni Nuttall talks to Michael about the words used by and about women since the beginnings of language. Including some words we should never have lost.


TUE 16:30 Great Lives (m001ljdc)
Kofi Annan

In 1997 Kofi Annan became the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations. The nineties were a turbulent period for the organisation and it had received criticism for a lack of action in both Rwanda and Bosnia leading to thousands of deaths. Kofi was born in Ghana and after a brief spell in the USA slowly worked his way up through the organisation and his appointment was seen by many as a return to a consensus and multi-lateral approach to diplomacy.

Choosing Kofi is the writer, biologist and presenter Gillian Burke. Gillian's Mum worked for the UN and Gillian describes herself as a "Child of the UN". For both Gillian and her Mum, Kofi Annan was a symbol of hope and an embodiment of the core principles of the UN, and she is keen to learn what qualities Kofi had that made him a good diplomat. To help answer that is former ambassador to the UN, Sir Jeremy Greenstock. Sir Jeremy praises Kofi's ability to listen to all sides but says his eyes would harden when he disagreed with what was being said. Together with Matthew Parris, they chew over the successes and failures of Kofi Annan's career, the role of the UN, and what impact he might be having today if he were still alive.

Presenter: Matthew Parris
Guests: Gillian Burke and Sir Jeremy Greenstock

Produced for BBC Audio, Bristol by Toby Field


TUE 17:00 PM (m001ljgj)
Afternoon news and current affairs programme, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines


TUE 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m001ljhf)
Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer in the field, has suggested chatbots could soon be smarter than human beings.


TUE 18:30 Wosson Cornwall (m001ljhw)
Series 1

It's St. Crundy's Day Eve!

Dawn French and Edward Rowe star in a new sketch show with a Cornish flavour. Park the clichés and open your eyes to the reality of this wondrous funny and feral land.

This week learn about the significance of little-known Cornish festival St. Crundy’s Day Eve, whilst Gen-Z hotel receptionists - LJ and Jess - have to deal with another customer. And find out the financial impact to Cornwall of an alien invasion of London.

Recorded in front of an audience at the Acorn Theatre in Penzance, Wosson Cornwall? is a sketch show celebrating everything that makes real contemporary Cornwall a culturally rich and funny place - its people, its history and its modern way of life.

This is the second episode in a four part series with an entirely Cornish cast and writing team.

The cast includes Dawn French (Vicar of Dibley / French and Saunders), Edward Rowe (star of Bafta-winning film BAIT and HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon), Tamsyn Kelly (ITV2’s Stand Up Sketch Show, BBC New Comedian of the Year Award finalist 2021), Joanna Neary (Channel 4 sitcom Man Down and Gary Oldman film The Darkest Hour), Anna Keirle (award-winning Cornish stand-up, actress and writer) and award-winning actor Ciaran Clarke.

Written by James Henry, Morwenna Banks, Catherine Beazley, Max Davis, Gareth Edwards, Jane Harvey, Tamsyn Kelly, Jo Neary, and Alex Smith.

Script Editor: James Henry

Music: The Jolly Strumpets

Production Co-ordinator: Tamara Shilham

Sound Design: David Thomas

Produced by Simon Nicholls

A Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 19:00 The Archers (m001ljgl)
Jolene can’t believe the Coronation Illumination has gone to Bridge Farm instead of them. With the picnic happening on the green on Saturday she reckons far more people would see the lights if they were at the Bull. Jolene susses Kenton’s lying about being disappointed when he pulls at his earlobe, a clear ‘tell’. Tracy can understand Kenton being put off by the electricity costs. She’s struggling at the moment and can’t even afford her own wedding. When Jolene offers Tracy one of her dresses for the wedding Tracy loves it. She’ll get Susan to alter it to fit.
Jolene’s suspicions grow when Kenton takes a call from Natasha. She accuses him of tipping off Natasha about the Illumination competition. When Kenton confesses his betrayal Jolene orders him to put up every string of lights they have. The Bull’s going to have its own switch-on moment.
Kirsty asks Helen if she’ll help her represent Spain at the village Eurovision show. Helen’s not sure. She opens up to Kirsty about her intimacy problems with Lee. Later at Helen’s, Kirsty tells Helen she’s been worrying about her earlier revelation. While Kirsty’s there Harrison arrives: Rob has finally been interviewed by the police about the attempted abduction of Jack last time he was in the UK. Harrison needs them both to go over the witness statements they made at the time. Helen’s sickened by the thought of seeing Rob again in court. For Kirsty the attempted abduction is a complete blur, but Helen can remember every moment in vivid detail.


TUE 19:15 Front Row (m001ljj9)
Sir Lenny Henry on his new play, music from the Tashi Lhunpo monastery, publishing and net zero

Sir Lenny Henry is making his debut as a playwright for the stage with August in England, a one-man drama about the Windrush scandal. Tom Sutcliffe meets Lenny to discuss his move from stage to page and back again, as he takes on the title role of August at The Bush Theatre in London.

50 years ago, after the Chinese invasion of Tibet, the ancient Tashi Lhunpo Monastery relocated to South India, where the exiled monks are dedicated to maintaining the culture and religion of their homeland. Simon Broughton reports from the monastery where he meets some of the monks about to tour the UK performing ritual dance and music. At the Gutor festival he witnesses elaborate masked dances and hears the awe-inspiring sound of Tibetan trumpets - four metres long.

Can books ever be sustainable? How can publishing reach net zero? Children’s author Piers Torday, Chair of the Society of Authors’ Sustainability Committee, and commercial publishing veteran Amanda Ridout, CEO of Boldwood Books and Chair of the Independent Publishing Guild’s Sustainability Group discuss the challenges of making the book industry greener.

Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe
Producer: Harry Parker


TUE 20:00 File on 4 (m001ljjm)
Oiling Putin’s War?

File on 4 investigates the secretive world of oil shipping, dark fleets and camouflaged cargos. Sanctions were supposed to hit President Putin in the pocket, weakening his military capabilities. But have they simply created new markets and new millionaires? And why can a company in Essex enable Russian oil to move around the world without attracting the attention of the authorities?
Reporter: Paul Kenyon
Producer: Jo Casserly
Editor: Carl Johnston


TUE 20:40 In Touch (m001ljjz)
A Tactile Coronation; Clay Modelling

King Charles's Coronation will likely be a highly visual affair and so charity Living Paintings wanted to ensure that visually impaired children and young people get access to the event. They have gifted tactile images and audio guides to schools, homes and people caring for young visually impaired people. Our reporter Fern Lulham attended a school in Kent, to hear what the visually impaired children there thought of these accessible gifts.

Clay modelling is one of the best art forms for blind and partially sighted people; that is according to Essex based Allan Mabert anyway. Allan had an illustrious working life; being one of the first blind rehabilitation workers, he was a sportsman who competed in one of the early Paralympic Games, and as if that wasn't enough, he was also London's first blind magistrate. But now in his retirement, Allan has found a passion for art. We paid a visit to Allan's pottery class, to hear more about his new found hobby.

Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.


TUE 21:00 All in the Mind (m001ljhg)
This week's finalist in the All in the Mind Awards is Sian who's been nominated by her mother Myra who cannot believe how much support she has given her during a manic episode and her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Even when Myra threatened to bite Sian, she still kept calm and understood that it was her illness which was affecting her behaviour. When she let her mum look after her beloved granddaughters, it helped Myra's confidence to grow. One of the Awards judges Maddie Leslay - who plays Chelsea in the Archers - found Myra and Sian's story really inspiring and full of unconditional love.

Losing language and communication skills after a stroke can be isolating - and some patients are told that there is a "window" when rehabilitation therapy needs to happen for it to work. Prof Alex Leff from the UCL Institute of Neurology says the brain's plasticity doesn't disappear completely as we age - and some of the participants in his studies saw big improvements many years after their strokes. Prof Jenny Crinnion explains how speech therapists prompt people experiencing "tip of the tongue" difficulties with finding words during the intensive speech and language therapy.

Studio guest Mathijs Lucassen from the Open University samples crisps from red, white and blue bowls to see which are the tastiest and most salty, replicating a study which hopes to help expand the food choices of picky eaters.

Produced in partnership with The Open University’


TUE 21:30 The New Gurus (m001ghyf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


TUE 22:00 The World Tonight (m001ljkd)
Warnings about Artificial Intelligence

Labour's u-turn on free university tuition in England

Motown legend Smokey Robinson's new album


TUE 22:45 Victory City by Salman Rushdie (m001ljkr)
Episode Two

"On the last day of her life, when she was two hundred and forty-seven years old, the blind poet, miracle worker and prophetess Pampa Kampana completed her immense narrative poem about the kingdom of Bisnaga and buried it in a clay pot sealed with wax, as a message to the future."

The new novel from the Booker Prize-winning author of Midnight's Children is a gripping magic realist epic about the power of storytelling. In the wake of a battle between two long-forgotten kingdoms in fourteenth-century southern India, a nine-year-old girl has a divine encounter that will change the course of history. After witnessing the death of her mother, Pampa Kampana becomes a vessel for the goddess Parvati, who begins to speak out of the girl's mouth. Granting her powers beyond Pampa Kampana's comprehension, the goddess tells her that she will be instrumental in the rise of a great city called Bisnaga - literally 'victory city' - the wonder of the world.

Pampa Kampana attempts to make good on the task that Parvati set for her: to give women equal agency in a patriarchal world. But all stories have a way of getting away from their creator, and Bisnaga is no exception.

Salman Rushdie is the author of fourteen previous novels, including Midnight's Children (for which he won the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker), The Satanic Verses, and Quichotte (which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize).

Read by Dinita Gohil
Abridged by Sara Davies
Produced by Mary Ward-Lowery and Mair Bosworth for BBC Audio


TUE 23:00 The Confessional (m0010wm2)
Series 2

The Confession of Ed Byrne

Stephen Mangan presides over the comedy chat show about shame and embarrassment.

Each week Stephen Mangan invites a different eminent guest into his virtual confessional box to make three 'confessions' to him. This is a cue for some rich and varied storytelling, and surprising insights as their confessions are put under the microscope. Settle back for more revelations of guilt and mortification.

This week Stephen interviews Ed Byrne, whose career as a stand-up comedian has garnered him huge popular and critical success. Also known for his work as an actor and a TV presenter with a passion for hill walking, he talks to Stephen about the dangers of forgetfulness, a misplaced reputation for erudition and one alarming fantasy.

Other guests in the series: Olivia Williams, Anthony Horowitz, Shaparak Khorsandi, Konnie Huq and David Quantick.

Written and presented by Stephen Mangan
With extra material by Nick Doody
Produced by Frank Stirling
A 7digital production


TUE 23:30 Today in Parliament (m001ljl5)
Sean Curran reports as MPs question the government about the British response to the crisis in Sudan.