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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: The Somme

The Essay: The Somme: Episode 4: Jackie Kay - Private Joseph Kay

Episode 4

Episode 4: Jackie Kay - Private Joseph Kay

The Somme

Jackie Kay - Private Joseph Kay

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, The Somme, Jackie Kay - Private Joseph KayClose menu

Jackie Kay reads her poem Private Joseph Kay, in response to the Battle of the Somme.

Jackie Kay reads her poem Private Joseph Kay, written in response to the Battle of the Somme. She also discusses the inspirations for his writing.

In a week of broadcasts tracking the 100th anniversary of the first week of the Battle of the Somme, Radio 3's Essay series is featuring five new poems written in response to the battle. The poems have been commissioned by 14-18Now and these programmes will broadcast the poems for the first time and also hear from the poets about their inspiration and writing. 

4th July: Paul Muldoon: July 1st 1916, With the Ulster Division
5th July: Yrsa Daley-Ward: When your mother calls you, come.
6th July: Bill Manhire: Known Unto God
7th July: Jackie Kay: Private Joseph Kay
8th July: Daljit Nagra: On your 'A 1940 Memory'

Jackie Kay's poem was commissioned by 14-18 NOW:WW1 Centenary Art Commissions, Norfolk & Norwich Festival and Writers' Centre Norwich. It was published by Gatehouse Press.

Producer: Tim Dee.

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.

Series of poems written in response to the Battle of the Somme

Series of poems, commissioned by 14-18 NOW, written in response to the Battle of the Somme, marking 100th anniversary of the first week of the battle. Each poet also discusse their inspiration

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Episode 4: Jackie Kay - Private Joseph Kay

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