With Sue MacGregor and James Naughtie.
6.25, 7.25,8.25 Sports News
7.45 Thought for the Day With Sister Lavinia Byrne.
Jeremy Paxman and guests set the cultural agenda for the week. Producer Ariane Koek. Repeated at 9.30pm
Martha Kearney presents the latest news, culture and informed debate from a woman's point of view. Drama: Nicholas Nicklebyby
Charles Dickens. Part 26 of 30. Editor Ruth Gardiner
E-MAIL: [address removed] Drama repeated at 7.45pm
John McCarthy presents a new six-part series.
Thirteen years ago, in a Beirutcell, he was given a Bible by his Muslim captors. He read it cover to cover- twice finding it comforting, irritating, encouraging and frustrating. Eight years after his release, he returns to the Middle East at the start of an epic journey, tryingto make sense of this strange and challenging book. 1: In the BeginningProducer Roger Childs
Programme of the Week: page 129
What the Bible means to me: page 29
Michael Bakewell's five-part dramatisation of the novel by Agatha Christie.
The gentle English sunshine of Hercule Poirot's holiday has been darkened by a violent death. Director Enyd Williams (R)
With Trixie Rawlinson and John Waite.
Robert Robinson chairs the nationwide general knowledge contest, including Beat the Brains. Thefinal. Producer Richard Edis. Rptd Saturday llpm
Vanessa Rosenthal 's moving story of female bonding across the generation gap. Three women from different backgrounds are thrown together by a stay in hospital. Initially sparks fly until they gradually open up and a real affection develops. An illicit trip to watch Emmerdale cements this friendship and leads to an unusual conclusion.
Singing by Sense of Sound - Perrilena Alleyne-Hughes . Safena Aziz and Jennifer John. Director Polly Thomas
With Vincent Duggleby.
Producer Marcia Hughes. LINES OPEN from 1.30pm
A grandmother in her mid-eighties - not someone you would associate with murder, torture or gang warfare. But Camille Wolff is one of only a handful of specialist true-crime dealers in the world. Her passion is shared by the carefully chosen guests she invites to her regular literary lunches - reformed criminals, police officers, criminologists and film directors. Marya Burgess accepts an invitation. Producer Elizabeth Abrahams
Radio 4's history of Britain tells the story of our century. Narrated by Anna Massey , with additional readings by Robert Powell and Patience Tomlinson. 66: 1973-Rivers of Blood, Europe, and the Yom Kippur War Producer Pete Atkin
Jenni Murray and guests take a global view of news and human stories. Producer Paul Bajoria
With Clare English and Chris Lowe.
The fifth and final day's play of the First Test between South Africa and England.
The antidote to panel games returns this weekto the new Milton Keynes Theatre. With panellists Tim Brooke-Taylor , Phill Jupitus , Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden. Humphrey Lyttelton is in the chair. Musical accompaniment comes from Colin Sell. Producer Jon Naismith. Repeated Sunday 12 noon
An invitation is rejected. Repeated tomorrow 2pm
Francine Stock meets director David Lynch , whose latest release, The Straight Story, is the tale of a man who undertook a 300-mile journey on a lawn mower. Producer MohitBakaya
By Charles Dickens , dramatised by Georgia Pritchett . The truth about Madeline's inheritance is discovered; Smike reveals the secrets of his heart; Ralph faces the bitter truth at the heart of his life; and Nicholas, Kate and Mrs Nickleby all achieve their heart's desire. Part 26 of 30. with Bruce Alexander , Ioan Meredith , Ifan Meredith and Michelle Wesson. Music arranged and performed by Melanie Pappenheim and Anne Wood. Director Marilyn Imrie. Repeated from 10.45am
Zimbabwe has the highest incidence of HIV in the world. Two Irish nuns, Sister Margaret and Sister Noreen , have chosen to work in the high density suburbs of Harare, caring for people with Aids. Producers Kim Normanton and Nigel Acheson
Clare Hampson explores the lives of British people who have chosen to live in Asia.
4: The Artist. Brian Adams is not a typical
Singaporean expat, but a pony-tailed artist in a city famous for its rules and money-making prowess. Producer Rebecca Moore
Three programmes looking at hunting around the world. 2: Killing for Kicks. Gerry Northam asks what does it feel like to pull a trigger and end an animal's life? Producer Grant Sonnex. Rptd tomorrow 11am
Eric Newby , doyen of British travel writers, is 80 years old next week. He reads five extracts from his latest book of travel and personal memoirs. 1: Up to the Bend and Back
Abridged by Pauline Barley. Producer Chris Wallis
By Ivan Klima , read in ten parts by David Calder. Carrying his camera, Pavel pushes through the crowd. Part 6. Abndged and produced by Jane Marshall
