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

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 09/04/2008

09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 09/04/2008Close menu

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

News Briefing

News Briefing: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 09/04/2008Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 09/04/2008

Daily prayer and reflection from Wales with Rev Craig Gardiner.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 09/04/2008

News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.

Presented by Charlotte Smith. Producer Fran Barnes

Today

Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme; including Thought for the Day

Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme; including religious reflections from Thought for the Day at 0748

Today: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 09/04/2008

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With James Naughtie and Evan Davis. Including Sports Desk at 6.25am, 7.25am, 8.25am; Weather at 6.05am, 6.57am, 7.57am; Thought for the Day at 7.48am.

With Evan Davis and James Naughtie. 
6.25,7.25,8.25 Sports News 
7.48 Thought for the Day With Elaine Storkey.

Midweek

Lively and diverse conversation with weekly guests

Midweek: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Midweek, 09/04/2008

Midweek ,

Diverse and lively conversation with Libby Purves and her guests. 
Producer Chris Paling Shortened repeat at 9.30pm

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale: Episode 3

Episode 3

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale, Episode 3

Whicher's prime murder suspect faces questions about the gruesome killing.

Detective Inspector Jack Whicher's prime murder suspect faces questions about the gruesome killing. Read by Deborah Findlay.

Detective Inspector Whicher's prime suspect, Constance Kent, is brought before the judge at Temperance Hall to face questions about the murder of her younger brother Saville.

After a convincing performance by Constance's defence team, Whicher's case seems to be crumbling. And, even worse, his own morals and working methods are brought into question.

With the release of Constance, and then of the police's suspect, nursemaid Elizabeth Gough, the nation is gripped by 'detective fever' as the truth seems as elusive as ever...

Kate Summerscale's gripping account of the Victorian murder case that shook the nation.

Read by Deborah Findlay.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Producer: Justine Willett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008.

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Deborah Findlay reads from Kate Summerscale's account of a Victorian murder case

Deborah Findlay reads from Kate Summerscale's account of a Victorian murder case that gripped the nation

Book of the Week:The Suspicions of Mr Whicher

3/5. By Kate Summerscale. Detective Inspector Jack Whicher 's prime suspect is brought to face questions about the murder. Read by Deborah Findlay. For details see Monday Repeated at 12.30am

Daily Service

Led by the Rev Tony Burnham. Jesus, the Name High over All (Lydia). Luke19 vv1-10. 
All That I Am (Temple, arr Dean). I Will Sing the Wondrous Story (Hyfrydol). Director of music Richard Tanner. Organist Neil Taylor.

Woman's Hour

Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.

Woman's Hour: The life of poet Joan Easdale; Sexism in the City

The life of poet Joan Easdale; Sexism in the City

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, The life of poet Joan Easdale; Sexism in the City

Celia Robertson on her grandmother, the poet Joan Easdale.

Celia Robertson on her grandmother, the poet Joan Easdale. Plus, wildlife artist Pollyanna Pickering, and the challenge of tackling sexism in the city.

Presented by Jenni Murray. 
10.45 Lucia's Proqress 3/5 The Woman's Hour drama. 
For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm

Document

Historical investigation programme, taking a document as a starting point

Historical investigation programme, taking a document as a starting point from which to shed new light on past events

Document: Operation Safe Haven

21/01/2008

Operation Safe Haven

BBC Radio 4 - Document, Operation Safe Haven

In 1948, a KLM representative asked Swiss police to ease travel restrictions for Germans.

Operation Safe Haven: In 1948, a representative of the airline KLM asked Swiss police to ease travel restrictions for Germans travelling to Argentina. Mike Thomson investigates.

1/3. Operation Safe Haven. Was there a plot to allow senior Nazis ease of passage to escape to Argentina? Mike Thomson explores documents from the Swiss, Dutch and American archives to assess the evidence. Producer Laurence Grissell

No Commitments

Sitcom about the lives and squabbles of three very different sisters. By Simon Brett

No Commitments: Series 9: Ill of the Dead

Ill of the Dead

Series 9

BBC Radio 4 Extra - No Commitments, Series 9, Ill of the Dead

There is a death in the family and the ripples from Victoria's insecurities flow outward.

There is a death in the family and the ripples from Victoria's insecurities flow outward. With Angela Thorne. From 2003.

Roger's father has died. Victoria is insensitive, Anna sensible and Charlotte hypocritical. 

Business as usual, then...

Simon Brett’s sitcom about the lives and squabbles of three very different sisters.

Anna ....... Rosemary Leach
Victoria ....... Angela Thorne
Charlotte ....... Felicity Montagu
Emily ....... Lisa Coleman
Vincent ....... Bruce Alexander

Music by Elizabeth Parker of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

Written and produced by Simon Brett

First broadcast on BBC Radio in January 2003.

No Commitments: Series 9

1/6. Age Difference. Charlotte seems to be developing a new career as a model. Ana why isn't Victoria happier about Emily preanancv. Comedy drama by Simon Brett.  
Producer Simon Brett

You and Yours

You and Yours: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 09/04/2008

Consumer news and issues with John Waite and Sheila McClennon.

Weather

Weather: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 09/04/2008Close menu

World at One

Forty-five minutes of news, analysis and comment, with Sarah Montague.

World at One: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 09/04/2008

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

The World at One

The Music Group

Dr Phil Hammond asks each of three guests to play the track of their choice

Comedian, broadcaster and GP Dr Phil Hammond asks each of three guests to play the track of their choice for the delight or disdain of the others

The Music Group: Series 2

The Music Group: Series 2: Episode 1

Episode 1

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - The Music Group, Series 2, Episode 1

With poet Benjamin Zephaniah, writer Lynn Barber and comedian Arthur Smith.

Comedian, broadcaster and GP Dr Phil Hammond asks each of three guests to play the track of their choice. With poet Benjamin Zephaniah, writer Lynn Barber and comedian Arthur Smith.

Comedian, broadcaster and GP Dr Phil Hammond asks each of three guests to play the track of their choice for the delight or disdain of the others.

Poet Benjamin Zephaniah, writer Lynn Barber and comedian Arthur Smith discuss such diverse subjects as a musical desire to sleep with common people and a joyful Parisian explosion.

New series 1/6. Dr Phil Hammond invites poet Benjamin Zephaniah , 
- writer Lynn Barber and comedian 
Arthur Smith to play the track of their choice to the delight, disinterest or otherwise of the others. They talk about a musical desire to "sleep with common people" and a joyful Parisian explosion. Producer Alison Vernon-Smith

The Archers

An intense and gripping week of events unfolds in Ambridge. Listen to all the drama here.

The Archers: 08/04/2008

08/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 08/04/2008

Aware that Nic gave up her home and benefits to move in with him, Will tries to give her some money. Nic reminds him that she never wanted his money but she wants to get something straight. She's sorry she hit George. Maybe she wasn't as understanding as she is with her own children but it had genuinely never happened before, no matter what anybody says. She realises that but it's too late now. Will's touched when she gives him a birthday present for George.
 
Kathy talks things through with Jacqui, who thinks there are similarities which are good for the prosecution. Having heard Claire's evidence, Kathy's glad she didn't fight back when Taylor raped her. 
 
Kenton believes Sid's a strong witness but Pat's worried he might believe in Kathy just a bit too passionately.
 
Sid's anxious about giving evidence but states categorically that he knows Kathy well enough to know everything she's said is true. Under cross-examination Sid admits to hitting Taylor, insisting he just wanted him out of the village. The defence laywer questions whether Sid's too fond of Kathy to consider that Taylor might be innocent? Her final question leaves Sid with no option but to agree that Taylor never admitted to committing this rape.
 
Episode written by Mary Cutler.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: Hard Frosts in Florence

10/11/2006

Hard Frosts in Florence

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Hard Frosts in Florence

By David Pownall, specially written for Paul Scofield. Michelangelo returns to Florence.

Hard Frosts in Florence: By David Pownall, specially written for the late Paul Scofield. A troubled Michelangelo returns to Florence to view his statue of David for the last time.

Afternoon Play: Hard Frosts InFlorence

As tribute to the late Paul Scofield another chance to hear him in this 
! monologue which was written specially for him. A deeply troubled 
Michelangelo (Paul Scofield ) returns to 
Florence to view his statue of the boy David 
- "Flesh caught in stone" - for the last time. Written by David Pownall. Producer Martin Jenkins

Gardeners' Question Time

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts

A panel of horticultural experts answer gardening questions from a live audience. Recorded in a different location each week

Gardeners' Question Time: 06/04/2008

06/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time, 06/04/2008

Eric Robson chairs. With John Cushnie, Bunny Guinness and Pippa Greenwood.

Eric Robson chairs the popular horticultural forum. John Cushnie, Bunny Guinness and Pippa Greenwood are guests of Rowen Garden Club in Conwy, Wales.

John Cushnie , Anne Swithinbank and Pippa Greenwood answer listeners' queries from the Rowen Garden Club in Conwy, Wales. Chaired by Eric Robson. Including at 3 25 Gardening Weather Forecast. Shortened repeat from Sunday at 2pm

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: What I Learned from the Metaphysical Poets

Afternoon Reading: What I Learned from the Metaphysical Poets: Episode 3: Instant Fires

Episode 3: Instant Fires

What I Learned from the Metaphysical Poets

Instant Fires

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, What I Learned from the Metaphysical Poets, Instant FiresSearch BBC

By Joe Dunthorne. Grappling with her own emotions, young Anna finds much that resonates.

Grappling with her own passionate emotions, schoolgirl Anna finds much that resonates. By Joe Dunthorne, read by Jessica Harris.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE METAPHYSICAL POETS: continuing our series of short stories inspired by the lives and work of the seventeenth century poets John Donne, George Herbert and Andrew Marvell.

"INSTANT FIRES" by Joe Dunthorne, read by Jessica Harris.

Young novelist Joe Dunthorne's short story brilliantly evokes the preoccupations of seventeen year old Anna.  Blazing with the confidence of youth - and the burgeoning instincts of the woman she will become - Anna is bemused by the attention paid to her by her English teacher, Mr Ashford. but not so distracted that she fails to notice the Head Boy's attempts to woo her using updated lines from Andrew Marvell's poem "To His Coy Mistress":  "Girl, I'm thinking a half-term on your thighs, double maths on your neck, a lunch-hour to each of your teeth."

Produced by Kirsteen Cameron.

Short stories inspired by the poetry of John Donne, George Herbert and Andrew Marvell

What I Learned from theMetaphysical Poets

3/5 Instant Fires. By Joe Dunthorne. 
Grappling with her own passionate emotions, schoolgirl Anna is drawn to Andrew Marvell 's poem To His Coy Mistress. Read by Jessica Harris. For details see Monday

Inheritance

Inheritance: Episode 3: Matthew's Tank

Episode 3: Matthew's Tank

Matthew's Tank

BBC Radio 4 - Inheritance, Matthew's TankSearch BBC

Matthew Kiln bought a World War II tank and took it to Normandy in memory of his father.

James Maw presents a series on life-changing inheritances. 3/5. Matthew's Tank. Matthew Kiln bought a Second World War tank and took it to Normandy in memory of his father.

James Maw presents a series on life-changing inheritances

3/5 Matthew's Tank. When Matthew Kiln inherited some money from his father, he bought a Second World War British army tank and spent £12,000 restoring it. He then took it to Normandy and left it there in a square named after his dad as a fitting memorial. Presented by James Maw. For details see Monday

Thinking Allowed

Thinking Allowed: Pets as Kin - India and Spirituality

Pets as Kin - India and Spirituality

BBC Radio 4 - Thinking Allowed, Pets as Kin - India and Spirituality

Laurie Taylor explores the relationship between the British and their pets.

Laurie Taylor explores the relationship between the British and their pets before discussing the apparent paradox of the simultaneous rise of scientific modernity and traditional religiosity in India.

PETS AS KIN
Researchers looking into people’s support groups and family networks were surprised to find that people kept mentioning their pets; twenty three per cent of the participants put their pets as part of the network of ‘people’ who helped them out. Professor Nickie Charles is co-author of a paper My Family and Other Animals. Pets as Kin; she explains the recent findings about the relationship between the British and their pets. 

INDIA and SPIRITUALITY
India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, with burgeoning cities and modernising technology. Perhaps surprisingly religion is growing as well. Laurie Taylor is joined by Professor Meera Nanda the author of a new book entitled God and Globalisation in India and Professor Nigel Harris, author of The Return of Cosmopolitan Capital to discuss the apparent paradox of the simultaneous rise of scientific modernity and traditional religiosity.

Thinking Allowed: Pets as Kin

Laurie Taylor talks to key thinkers as he explores new research on how society works. Producer Charlie Taylor Repeated on Sunday at 12.15am

Case Notes

Medical programme exploring a different topic each week

Medical programme exploring a different topic each week, with reports and input from experts

Case Notes: Herpes Viruses

Herpes Viruses

BBC Radio 4 - Case Notes, Herpes Viruses

Dr Mark Porter investigates health issues of the day.

Dr Mark Porter explores medical issues. Repeated from yesterday at 9pm

1968: Day-by-Day

Dr Martin Luther King is buried. For details see Saturday

1968 Day by Day

A look back at the events making the news 40 years ago

1968: Day by Day

1968 Day by Day: 9th April 1968

9th April 1968

BBC Radio 4 - 1968 Day by Day, 9th April 1968

Martin Luther King's funeral takes place. Labour details the Race Relations Bill.

John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 40 years ago. Martin Luther King's funeral takes place. Dubcek's Czechoslovakian government publish their statement of intent.

John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 40 years ago.

Martin Luther King's funeral takes place. Dubcek's Czechoslovakian government publish their statement of intent. Labour details the forthcoming Race Relations Bill and a glass car is seen on the streets of London.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

Afternoon news and current affairs programme, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines

PM: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 09/04/2008

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair.

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Including Weather at 5.57pm.

Analysis of news headlines, presented by Eddie Mair.

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 09/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 09/04/2008

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

09/04/2008

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Weather

09/04/2008

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1968: Day-by-Day

Contributors

1968 Day by Day

9th April 1968

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Weather

09/04/2008

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Shipping Forecast

09/04/2008

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