Last Word

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BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

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Factual: Life Stories

Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

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Last Word: Lee Evans (pictured), Yuan Longping, Bill McCall, Alix Dobkin

Lee Evans, Yuan Longping, Bill McCall, Alix Dobkin

Lee Evans (pictured), Yuan Longping, Bill McCall, Alix Dobkin

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, Lee Evans (pictured), Yuan Longping, Bill McCall, Alix Dobkin

Matthew Bannister on a sprinter, a plant scientist, a union leader, a singer.

Matthew Bannister on sprinter Lee Evans, plant scientist Yuan Longping, union leader Bill McCall, singer Alix Dobkin

Matthew Bannister on 

Lee Evans, the world-record-breaking American sprinter who took part in black power protests at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

Yuan Longping, the plant scientist who developed hybrid varieties of rice that increased yields dramatically and so saved millions from hunger.

Bill McCall, the General Secretary of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants who challenged Margaret Thatcher over union recognition at GCHQ.

Alix Dobkin, the folk singer and lesbian activist who performed to women-only audiences. 

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Tommie Smith
Interviewed guest: Professor Douglas Hartmann
Interviewed guest: Keith Bradsher
Interviewed guest: Charles Harvey
Interviewed guest: Liza Cowan

Archive clips used: Athletics_400 Metres Final: BBC One, TX 18.10.1968; A Classless Civil Service: Radio 3, TX 10.7.1968; BBC News: BBC One, TX 28.2.1984

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Last Word

Lee Evans (pictured), Yuan Longping, Bill McCall, Alix Dobkin

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