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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: Wild Things

The Essay: Wild Things: Episode 1: The Deer

Wild Things

Episode 1

Episode 1: The Deer

The Deer

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Ruth Padel explores how history and literature have shaped British reactions to the deer.

Poet and writer Ruth Padel investigates how our reactions to deer have been subconsciously shaped by centuries of folklore, literature and biology.

When newspapers last year reported a killing of a stag in Exmoor, there were fierce reactions of horror. Even though deer can cause huge damage to forests, people are transfixed by their beauty and majesty. We have read about them in literature and seen haunting images of Bambi in the cinema. They represent something majestic, yet vulnerable and are a unique part of the British landscape. 
The poet and writer Ruth Padel begins a series of Essays exploring our reactions to 5 British wild animals, by investigating how our reactions to deer have been subconsciously shaped by centuries of folklore, literature and biology. She charts the history of the deer's links with royalty, traces the evolution of the different species in this country and explores the potency of the image of antlers.

Producer: Emma Kingsley.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Poet and writer Ruth Padel explores our reactions to five British wild animals

Series in which poet and writer Ruth Padel explores our reactions to five British wild animals, through history, literature, folklore, science and cinema

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