With Dr David Hope.
Mark Holdstock travels back in time to discover how farming used to be in 1913.
Joan Bakewell and guests discuss the perfect
Christmas and unpack some of the eccentricities of Christmas behaviour past and present. Producer Mark O'Brien
Richard U ridge visits Papa Stronsay, a tiny island oft Orkney where Transalpine Redemptorist monks celebrate a unique Christmas. Producer Gabi Fisher
Emily Buchanan explores the human angle behind the headlines of the year. producer Janet McLarty
In his first broadcast sermon as Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright explores how the gospel writers pick up
Isaiah's prophecy of the coming of a Messiah. With the Very Rev Michael Sadgrove , and carols sung by the Durham Cathedral Choir and the congregation. Producer Philip Billson
Ned Sherrin's guests include Sir Jimmy Young, Sir John Mortimer, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Marguerite Patten and Eric Sykes. With music from Humphrey Lyttleton and his Band.
Part 4. Drama repeated at 7.45pm
In a tribute to Bob Hope , who died this year at trie ageof 100, Dick Vosburghtellsthe comic's life story and recalls his own experiences of writinggags forthe British-born entertainer. producer LibbyCross Revised
2: The Confessions of Georgia Nicolson
Sharp, cheeky and ultimately unstoppable, Georgia Nicolson and her merry band of friends attempt to OUtfOX their evil teachers. Producer Elizabeth Freestone Repeated on New Year's Eve at 11.30pm
A unique interpretation of Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Humphrey Lyttelton stars as Ebenezer Scrumph, Colin Sell as his assistant Crotchet, and Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Barry Cryer as the Ghosts of Christmas Future, Present and Hist. Stephen Fry narrates, with guests Jeremy Hardy, Andy Hamilton, Sandi Toksvig, Tony Hawks and Linda Smith making up the rest of the cast.
Repeated on New Year's Day at 12.04pm
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Christmas Carol 12.04pm R4
We are in the London of Charles Dickens and, as usual, it's Christmas. In his grim music emporium Ebenezer Scrumph (Humphrey Lyttelton) persecutes his clerk and pours scorn on Christmas and all it stands for. But if it's fun you're after, there are parlour games a-plenty including sound charades and Mornington Crescent - in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Graeme Garden (yes, that one!)
And don't miss...
A discussion on peace in Good Morning Christmas (7am R2), an interview with Julie Andrews in Stage and Screen (4.45pm R3), seasonal stories chosen by Brian Perkins in With Great Pleasure at Christmas (2.15pm R4) and some obituaries of 2003 in Brief Lives Special (10pm R5 Live).
John Humphrys presents the best of the year s broadcasting on BBC Radio.
Producer Kate Murphy Shortened repeat on sun 28 Dec at 6.15pm
Repeated from yesterday at 7pm
Brian Perkins has introduced many great BBC radio programmes. Now he takes the stage himself to entertain an audience with a seasonal selection of his favourite prose and poetry, assisted by Andrew Sachs , Carol Macready and Michael Fenton Stevens. Producer/Director Viv Beeby
Her Majesty 's Christmas message.
AlynShipton tells the story of swingduring the 1930s and 40s at the BBC with the help of letters and memos from the archives. Producer Martin Smith
Repeated from Monday 22 December at 11.00am
William Rose's screenplay of the classic 1953 romantic comedy and road movie, adapted by Adrian Bean. It tells the story of two men desperate to beat one another on the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and the women who accompany them.
Rock musicologist Brian Appleton tells his own "true" story of the yuletide yodellings offellow rockers. Written and performed by Graham Fellows. Additional material Rex Brough Producer Dawn Ellis
3: Molesworth: Down with Skool. Schoolboy Nigel Molesworth from Geoffrey Williams 's picture of life at St Custard's: one of the most popular comedy characters ever created. Rptd on New Year's Day at 11.30pm
Daggers drawn at Christmas dinner.
Repeated tomorrow at 2pm
Repeated from Sunday 21 Decemberat 4pm
By Alexandra Campbell. 4: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Maddie has a senile mother, teenage children and a husband who takes her for granted. All the trimmings for a perfect family Christmas.
For details see Monday 22 December Repeated from 10.45am
At the age of 78, Nancy Kershaw sets sail on her final attempt to reach the grave of her son Giles, a pioneering Antarctic pilot killed in a flying accident.
Presenter Dilly Barlow accompanies her to the Jones Ice Shelf on Blakelock Island, about 600 miles down the Antarctic Peninsula. Producer Sue Mitchell
3: Easy Come, Easy Go.The pantomime artist. For details see Monday 22 December at 3.30pm The next episode is tomorrow at 3.30pm
2: Beyond the Enchanted Places. Ann Thwaite ,
Marina Warner, Julia Eccleshare and zookeeper Ray Charter on the enduring magic of Pooh. For details see Tuesday 23 December at 3.45pm
Another chance to hear the show's 35th anniversary special from last year. With panellists Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Sheila Hancock and Clement Freud. Hosted by Nicholas Parsons. With celebrity subject setters, including Jenny Eclair , Ross Noble, Gyles Brandreth, Chris Neill, Pam Ayres, Steve Frost and Charles Collingwood. Producer Claire Jones BBC RADIO COLLECTION: Several series of Just a Minute are available on audio cassette, with most titles also available on CD, from retail outlets or from www.bbcshop.com Call [number removed]
In the first of two programmes Rajesh Mirchandani looks at ancient Sumerian and Egyptian cosmologies. Producer John Watkins EMAIL: radioscience@bbc.co.uk The second programme is on New Year's Day at 9.00pm
Idle thoughts of our time investigated by Evan Davis. Why can't you open the windows in offices?
Producer Michael Blastland See also Sat 27 December 12.15am
By Willem Elsschot. 5: Appointed Vice-President For details see Monday 22 December at 10.45pm
By Jonathan Holloway.
A Christmas bonding week in an isolated moorland cottage for the 1983 University Challenge team from Bracewell College, Cambridge, goes horribly wrong.
With Bamber Gascoigne and Jeremy Paxman as themselves.
By John B Keane.
(See Tuesday 23 December for details)
(The final episode is tomorrow at 11.30pm)
Christopher Patten , European Commissioner for
External Relations, shares his thoughts on the Significance Of Christmas. Producer Claire Campbell Smith
Convinced that Saint Wenceslaus will celebrate mass at midnight, a nine-year-old altar boy spends a cold night in St Vitus's Cathedral.
