With Dr Pauline Webb.

With John Humphrys and Anna Ford.
7.25, 8.25 Sports News
7.45 Thought for the Day With Bill Westwood.
8.40 Yesterday in Parliament Editor Roger Mosey
LETTERS: Today. BBC. London W1A 1AA FAX: [number removed]
E-MAIL: today@nca.bbc.co.uk

The first in a series of six programmes reflecting aspects of life in Ireland today. This week, novelist Maeve Binchy examines the Irish art of conversation. Producer Judith Elliott
Repeated on Sunday at 6.15pm

The story of Britain.
95: The Return to War For details see Monday

Introduced by Sheila McClennon. Serial: Clean Break (5) For details see Monday

Presented by Kelvin Boot.
Producer Sarah Blunt. Rptd Sun 8.00pm
WRITE TO: The Natural History Programme, BBC, Bristol BS8 2LR

With Chris Choi. Editor Huw Marks
FACTSHEET: for a free weekly factsheet, send a large sae to [address removed]

The results of the traditional baked recipe competition. The shortlist is put to the kitchen test by Derek Cooper ; financial Times food writer
Philippa Davenport ; Henrietta Green , author of the Food Lovers' Guide to Britain; and food historian Peter Brears.
PrOducer Sheila Dillon. Rvsd rpt Mon 7.20pm

With Nick Clarke.
Editor Kevin Marsh

Repeated from yesterday 7.05pm

Charles Dickens 's famous classic. Repeated from Sunday 2.30pm

With Laurie Taylor. Pete Sylvester compiles his alternative list of Christmas Shift Gifts.

Tim Marlowe reviews an exhibition of work by Emile Nolde and a New York
Christmas story from Cuban American author Oscar Hijuelos. Producer Helen Garrison

"The woman opens the door, and I'm beginning to feel a bit creepy and looking forward to getting the ball and getting out. She switches on a light in the hall, then there is a bang and a flash and everything is dark." An amusing mystery story by Michelene Wandor.
Read by Lesley Joseph.
Producer Pam Fraser Solomon Rpt

With Chris Lowe and Jackie Hargrave. Editor Margaret Budy
WRITE TO: PM Letterline. BBC Broadcasting House. London W1A 1AA PHONE: [number removed]

David Stafford with ideas for a great British weekend. This week, art critic Richard Cork visits the Sandham
Memorial Chapel in Berkshire, home of the Stanley Spencer Burghclere murals. Producer David Prest

Elly May's prime stock.
Written by Simon Frith. Director Peter Leslie Wild Editor Vanessa Whitburn. Rptd Mon 1.40pm ARCHERS ADDICTS FAN CLUB: send sae to
[address removed]

With Christopher Serle.
Producer Cathy Drysdale. Rptd Sun 3.30pm

Jonathan Dimbleby chairs a topical discussion in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland. With Sir Nicholas Lyell MP: Ken Livingstone MP;
Chris Haskins , chairman of Northern Foods; and Ann Leslie , special correspondent for the Daily Mail.
Producer Nadine Grieve. Rptd tomorrow 1.10pm

Marcel Berlins with the last in the series of topical programmes on the law. Producer Simon Coates

The Pulitzer winning journalist James "Scottie" Reston (1909-1995) and the writer's transition from young sports commentator to respected political columnist.

Repeated Sunday at 9.15am

Between the Sheets
As serious novelists turn increasingly to erotica, Kate Saunders delves into the private thoughts of authors Gore Vidal , A S Byatt, Melvyn Bragg ,
Michelle Roberts and Lisa Appignanesi to reveal the secret ingredients of erotic fiction. Repeated from Saturday 7.20pm

With Robin Lustig. Editor Anne Koch

By Anthony Burgess. Final Part. For details see Monday

A satirical poke at the news stories of the week.
Producer Jane Berthoud. Repeated tomorrow at 6.25pm

Alistair Beaton returns with another quizzical look at life. Producer Malcolm Love

By Michael Carson. Part 5. For details see Monday