With the Rt Rev Mark Santer , Bishop of Birmingham.
Year of the Black Sheep. Miriam O'Reilly concludes her investigation into the foot-and-mouth crisis.
With James Naughtie and Edward Stourton.
6.25, 7.25,8.25 Sports News
7.48 Thought for the Day With the Rev Angela Tilby.
Martha Kearney hosts lively and topical discussions from a woman's point of view.
Drama: Ladies of Letters Make Mincemeat. Part 5. PHONE: [number removed]. E-MAIL: womanshour@bbc.co.uk Drama repeated at 7.45pm
It's the 60th anniversary of Ladybird books but, as the company closes down itsA/lidlands operation and is swallowed up by Penguin, an era comes to an end. Clare Jenkins tells the story of a publishing phenomenon and the last vestiges of a fifties childhood that is fading from memory - along with ankle socks, sleeveless Fair Isle pullovers and innocence. Producer Lindsay Leonard
The first episode of a new four-part sitcom written by Kay Stonham and Simon Greenall. Robin and Wendy are a childless couple who have an unhealthy obsession with the contents of their garage: there they have built Mayfield, a model village that is the centre of their lives.
Starring Phil Cornwell , Simon Greenall , Debbie Stephenson and Kay Stonham.
Producer Mario Stylianides
With LiZ Barclay. Editor Chris Burns. PHONE: [number removed]
E-MAIL: youandyours@bbc.co.uk
With Sheena McDonald. Editor Kevin Marsh
Another selection of international radio highlights. This week Emily Buchanan presents a sample of award-winning documentaries from around the globe. Including stories of shipwrecked British merchants landing in Connemara and the love-life of a maiden prime minister.
Producer Arlene Gregorius. Repeated Sunday 30 December 8pm
Repeated from Thursday 27 December 7pm
By William Boyd.
A landscape architect finds himself taken over by an unseen presence and is forced to make a strange drawing. He begins to act out-of-character, lusting after waitresses and butchers' assistants, growing a beard and behaving so strangely that he seems to have a breakdown.
Director Dave Batchelor
This week food writer Lindsey Bareham joins interactive greengrocers Gregg Wallace and Charlie Hicks. The three will be taking listeners' calls on onions - how to grow them, cook them and stop them making you cry. Producer Paula McGinley PHONE: [number removed]. Lines open from 1.30pm
The series concludes with a thrilling double-bill. 4: The Episode of the Old Bailey. Who is the true villain in the trial of the master impersonator?
3.45 5: The Episode of the Final Verdict. What will be the verdict of the court, and can the colonel make a final escape? For details see Christmas Day
Michael Rosen presents another programme about words and the way we speak. 4: Sitting on Sigmund Are you draped over a Henman, plumping up a Sigmund or trying to find your remote down the back of the Matisse? The naming of sofas explained. And with Tolkien in the cinemas, riddles Anglo-Saxon style. Producer Mark Burman. Repeated Sunday 30 December 8.30pm
Conversation about how current media trends affect modern life, with Jenni Murray. Producer Dave Harvey.
With Eddie Mair and Nigel Wrench. Editor Kevin Marsh
The last of three talks this week by Fergal Keane examining the state of the world in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York on 11 September.
3: How is the world dealing with the problems arising from the atrocities? Repeated 12.15am
A special compilation featuring the best sketches and spoof phone calls from 2001. Starring
Kevin Connelly , Jon Culshaw , Mark Perry and Jan Ravens. Producer Mario Stylianides. Part 2 Saturday 29 December 12.30pm
While the cat's away....
Written by Mary Cutler and Carole Simpson Solazzo Directors Sue Wilson and Peter Leslie Wild
Editor Vanessa Whitburn. ARCHERS ADDICTS FAN CLUB: send an sae to [address removed]
John Wilson reports on the generation of photographers who first found fame in the late fifties and early sixties and talks to David Bailey , who re-invented fashion photography, and to Don McCullin , who found himself recording war and famine and, more recently, the English landscape. Producer Lawrence Pollard
In the last episode of the series, Vera's family are released from police cells and Irene attempts to make peace with her son Christopher. Then Vera and Irene raise a glass to the New Year.
For details see Christmas Eve. Repeated from 10.45am
The very best of the year's broadcasting on BBC radio celebrated by Sue MacGregor in her pick of the series. Producer Neil George. Repeated Saturday 29 December 1.15pm
With veteran commentator Alistair Cooke.
Rptd Saturday 29 December 5.45am and Sunday 30 December 8.45am
With Max Easterman.
Editors Prue Keely and Jenni Russell. E-MAIL: world.tonight@tjbc.co.uk
By Raymond Chandler. 5: Police Business For details see Christmas Eve
David Aaronovitch presents the first in a new series of the talk show in which invited guests from around the world observe, parody and dissect topical British stories from theirforeign perspective. Producer Katy Hickman
Repeated from Christmas Day 8pm
Repeated from 6.15pm
of the Week: Chosen for
Christmas Repeated from 9.45am
Radio 4: Website: [web address removed]
