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: 15/04/2008

15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 15/04/2008Close 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: 15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 15/04/2008Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 15/04/2008

Daily prayer and reflection with Gopinder Kaur.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 15/04/2008

News and issues in rural Britain with Anna Hill.

Presented by Anna Hill. Producer Alasdair Cross

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: 15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 15/04/2008

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 Akhandadhi Das.

On the Ropes

Exploring the lives of successful people who have weathered storms in their careers

Programme exploring the lives of successful people who have weathered storms in their careers

On the Ropes: Andrew Baker

Andrew Baker

BBC Radio 4 - On the Ropes, Andrew Baker

John Humphrys talks to surgeon Andrew Baker, who was falsely accused of drug crimes.

John Humphrys talks to successful people who have weathered storms in their careers. He talks to surgeon Andrew Baker, who lost his job after being falsely accused of drug crimes.

John Humphrys talks to successful people who have weathered storms in their careers.

He talks to leading surgeon Andrew Baker, who lost his job after being falsely accused of drug crimes.

2/6. John Humphrys talks to leading surgeon Andrew Baker , who lost his job after being falsely accused of drug crimes. Producer Steve Peacock Repeated at 9.30pm

Team Spirit: Episode 5

Episode 5

Team Spirit

BBC Radio 4 - Team Spirit, Episode 5

Claudia Hammond looks at the psychology of team dynamics.

It takes a 65-strong backstage team to put on the West End musical Dirty Dancing. Presented by Claudia Hammond. From April 2008.

Claudia Hammond joins teams around the UK to investigate group psychology.

5/5. Claudia Hammond meets the backstage 65-strong team of the West End musical Dirty Dancing. Producer Michelle Martin

Book of the Week

Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

Book of the Week: Cold Cream

Book of the Week: Cold Cream: Episode 2

Episode 2

Cold Cream

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Cold Cream, Episode 2

Shooting with father leads to a period of farce and tragedy.

Cold Cream: Oliver Ford Davies reads from Ferdinand Mount's memoir, abridged by Alison Joseph. 2/5: Shooting with father leads to a period of farce and tragedy.

Oliver Ford Davies reads from Ferdinand Mount's memoir, abridged by Alison Joseph

2/5. Ferdinand Mount's memoirs, in which he recalls accompanying his father on shooting expeditions. For details see yesterday Rptd at 12.30am

Daily Service

Led by Mgr Tony Rogers. God Moves in a Mysterious Way (London New). Judges 11, vv 29-36. Almighty and Everlasting God (Gibbons). Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (Goss).

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Lisa Jardine; Sunbeds; Elena Kats-Chernin

Lisa Jardine; Sunbeds; Elena Kats-Chernin

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Lisa Jardine; Sunbeds; Elena Kats-Chernin

Lisa Jardine on her role as head of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

Lisa Jardine on her role as head of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Plus, the potential risks of sunbeds to young people; and composer Elena Kats-Chernin.

With Jenni Murray. 
10.45 Love My Rifle More than You 2/5. The Woman's Hour drama. For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm

World On The Move: Great Animal Migrations

Series following the movement and migration of animals across the planet

Series following the movement and migration of animals across the planet, with Philippa Forrester and Brett Westwood

World On The Move: Great Animal Migrations: 15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World On The Move: Great Animal Migrations, 15/04/2008

Brett watches the spring migrants start to arrive at the Portland Bill Bird Observatory.

Great Animal Migrations: Philippa Forrester and Brett Westwood follow the movement of animals across the planet. Brett reports from the Portland Bill Bird Observatory in Dorset.

World on the Move: 15 April

World on the Move: Great Animal Migrations

9/40. Brett Westwood introduces the programme live from the Portland Bill Bird 
Observatory to greet the arrival of the spring migrant bird. 
Series editor Julian Hector Repeated tomorrow at 9pm

The Pain of Laughter: The Last Days of Kenneth Williams

The Pain of Laughter: The Last Days of Kenneth Williams: Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - The Pain of Laughter: The Last Days of Kenneth Williams, Episode 2

Intimate friends offer a revealing insight into how Williams spent his last days.

Rob Brydon explores the character of a gifted and articulate performer at odds with his public persona. Friends offer a revealing insight into how Williams spent his last days.

Rob Brydon explores the complex character of Kenneth Williams, a gifted and articulate performer at odds with his public persona. Intimate friends offer a revealing insight into how Williams spent his last days exploring the mystery surrounding his death. Four main beneficiaries of Kenneth's will speak candidly about the man they knew and loved.

Contributors include Gyles Brandreth, Michael Whittaker, Michael Anderson, Peter Cadley, Robert Chidell, Paul Richardson and Angela Chidell.

Rob Brydon explores the complex character of Kenneth Williams

Rob Brydon explores the complex character of Kenneth Williams, a gifted and articulate performer at odds with his public persona

The Pain of Laughter: the Last Days of Kenneth Williams

2/2. For the first time all four key beneficiaries of his will speak candidly about the man they loved. With Rob Brydon. Producer John Sugar RT DIRECT: To order Private World of Kenneth Williams CD for £12.99 (RRP E9.00) inc p&p, call [number removed] 
(landline calls cost no more than 8p a min) quoting RTD225 or visit www.bbcshop.com and enter RTD225 at the checkout

Call You and Yours

Listeners air their views on consumer news and issues

Call You and Yours: 15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Call You and Yours, 15/04/2008

Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson and John Waite.

Presented by Liz Barclay and Peter White. 
EMAIL: [address removed], PHONE: [number removed] (calls from landlines cost no more than 8p per minute). Lines open from 10am

Weather

Weather: 15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 15/04/2008Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 15/04/2008

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

The World at One

Tales from the Stave

Series that tracks down the stories behind the scores of well-known pieces of music

Tales From the Stave: Series 4

Tales from the Stave: Series 4: Episode 1: Iolanthe

Episode 1

Episode 1: Iolanthe

Series 4

Iolanthe

BBC Radio 4 - Tales from the Stave, Series 4, Iolanthe

Frances and guests look at the manuscript of Gilbert and Sullivan's celebrated operetta.

Frances Fyfield tracks down the stories behind the scores of well-known pieces of music. 1/4: Iolanthe. Frances and guests look at Gilbert and Sullivan's celebrated operetta.

Tales from the Stave: Series 4

Frances Fyfield tracks down the stories behind the scores of well-known pieces of music

Tales from the Stave: Iolanthe

1/4. Frances Fyfield, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, baritone Richard Suart and Gilbert biographer and Sullivan biographer Michael Ainger take a look at the opera's manuscript.
(Repeated on Saturday at 3.30pm)

The Archers

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

The Archers: 14/04/2008

14/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 14/04/2008

Ruth tells David that Jill has hidden the astronomy catalogue under the mattress in a bid to stop Phil buying the 'light bucket' telescope. The one they have bought is being delivered to Brookfield. Meanwhile, Ruth is enthusiastic about a new idea for the farm website - a regular blog. It'd be a diary of a beef farmer.

Adam meets up with David and Ruth to talk about the AD. He's had feedback about the grant application. It seems they're more likely to support a project if it is 'genuinely collaborative', which means they stand a better chance if they get another farm on board. They don't really want to approach Borchester Land, so agree to try some other local farms.

At court, it's clear the jury are not finding it easy. The judge calls them back in and tells them he will accept a majority verdict. It's extremely stressful for Kathy and Kenton. Finally the jury return. They have reached a majority verdict of ten to two, and they find Taylor guilty on both counts of rape. As Taylor cries out in disbelief, relief floods over Kathy. Justice is done - for both her and Claire.

Episode written by Nawal Gadalla.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: Tiny Chaos

Tiny Chaos

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Tiny Chaos

By Lizzie Nunnery. Alison was born with hugely limited movement and responses.

Tiny Chaos, by Lizzie Nunnery. Alison's neighbour's daughter has helped her mother care for her for years, but now her mother has gone. It is time to take action.

Afternoon Play: Tiny Chaos

Alison was born severely disabled. At 13 she remains inert, unable to speak. Her only friend is her neighbour Margie. Both girls seem to have been abandoned by one of their parents and they're desperate for contact. A quirky and compelling drama by Lizzie Nunnery, expressed through Alison's inner-voice.
Producer/Director Pauline Harris

Child actors in radio drama should be banned was to be the basis of my next anonymous letter to Feedback. But this play means that I can place the cap back on my pen full of green ink and, instead, reach for a portion of humble pie. My problem with youthful thespians has always been their unfeasibly posh accents, even if they're playing Victorian guttersnipes. Experienced director Pauline Harris has, however, cast Brooke Vincent (from Coronation Street) and relative radio newcomer Jodie Comer as a couple of 13-year-old girls who have been badly let down by their parents. They sound hurt, angry and lost. But they also sound real, which makes this a compelling rather than a cloying listen. (Jane Anderson)

Making History

Popular history series where the past connects with the present.

Making History: Smothering

Smothering

BBC Radio 4 - Making History, Smothering

Vanessa Collingridge explores 'smothering' with Dr Elizabeth Hurren.

Vanessa Collingridge explores the mystery around a West Yorkshire woman who was on her way to be smothered. What could this mean?

Smothering
A listener in West Yorkshire retold a family story about a woman who visited a farm close to Leeds in the early years of the twentieth century. She asked for a cup of water but made it clear that the cup should be broken because she was on her way to York to be 'smothered'. What could this mean?

Making History consulted Dr Elizabeth Hurren, Senior Lecturer in Medicine at Oxford Brookes University. Elizabeth believes that the key to answering this question was the woman’s intended destination – York.

3/13. Vanessa Collingndge and guests answer listeners' questions about the past. Producer Nick Patrick 
ADDRESS: [address removed]email: [address removed] Phone:[number removed] 
(calls from landlines cost no more than 8p per minute) 
Vanessa a Collingridge writes about Making History in the May issue of BBC History Magazine on sale 29 April, £3.60

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: An Audience with Dan Leno

Afternoon Reading: An Audience with Dan Leno: Episode 2: Clog-Walloping

Episode 2: Clog-Walloping

An Audience with Dan Leno

Clog-Walloping

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, An Audience with Dan Leno, Clog-WallopingSearch BBC

In 1880, Dan wins the title Champion Clog-Dancer of the World.

The life and times of the great Victorian comedian Dan Leno, written and performed by Tony Lidington. 2/5: Clog-Walloping.

The great Victorian comedian Dan Leno, written and performed by Tony Lidington

The life and times of the great Victorian comedian Dan Leno, written and performed by Tony Lidington

2/5. Clog-Walloping. In 1880 Dan Leno won the title "Champion Clog-Dancer of the World". For details see yesterday

The Single Life

The Single Life: Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - The Single Life, Episode 2

Two gay men question whether or not the stereotypes of the modern homosexual man are true.

Richard and Mark question whether the stereotypes of the modern gay man are true. Is it harder to settle with one person when society so readily labels gay people as promiscuous?

In part two of the series looking at singletons, Richard and Mark question whether the stereotypes of the modern gay man are true. Is it harder to settle with one person when society so readily labels the gay community promiscuous? Richard and Mark reflect on past relationships and finding Mr Right.

This programme was originally broadcast in 2008.

Producer: Jo Meek
An All Out production for BBC Radio 4.

Series exploring the lives of the thousands of ordinary single people in the UK today

Series exploring the lives of the thousands of ordinary people in the UK today who are not in a relationship

2/5. Stories by singletons of both sexes. The second programme considers gay stereotypes and expectations, and whether a person's sexuality can affect the decision to remain Single. For details see yesterday

Word of Mouth

Series exploring the world of words and the ways in which we use them

Word of Mouth: 15/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Word of Mouth, 15/04/2008

Peggy Reynolds presents the series that takes a close look at the words we use.

Peggy Reynolds presents the series that takes a close look at the words we use, where they come from and how we play with them.

3/8 Peggy Reynolds presents the series examining words, language and the ways people speak. producer Beth O'Dea

Great Lives

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

Great Lives: Episode 3: Paavo Nurmi

Episode 3

Episode 3: Paavo Nurmi

Paavo Nurmi

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Paavo Nurmi

Former athlete Steve Cram nominates ‘Flying Finn’ Paavo Nurmi. Matthew Parris presents.

Ex-athlete Steve Cram nominates champion runner ‘The Flying Finn’, Paavo Nurmi for greatness. With Matthew Parris. From 2008.

‘The Jarrow Arrow’, former world class athlete now sports commentator Steve Cram, nominates the multiple Olympic Gold-winning ‘The Flying Finn, Paavo Nurmi, to enter the hall of Great Lives. 

Presented by Matthew Parris with sports historian and statistician Richard Hymans.

Producer: John Byrne

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.

Great Lives: Paavo Nurmi

3/9. Paavo Nurmi. Former athlete and television commentator Steve Cram nominates "The Flying Finn" for greatness. The middle- and long-distance runner won nine gold medals and is often considered the greatest track and field athlete of all time. 
Matthew Parris presents. 
Producer John Byrne Repeated on Friday at 11pm

1968: Day-by-Day

London is a scene of discontent as protests are held. 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: 15th April 1968

15th April 1968

BBC Radio 4 - 1968 Day by Day, 15th April 1968

Aldermaston marchers reach London and the FBI close in on Martin Luther King's killer.

John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 40 years ago. Aldermaston marchers reach London, conflict in Israel escalates and the FBI close in on Martin Luther King's killer.

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

Aldermaston marchers reach Trafalgar Square, conflict in Israel escalates and the FBI close in on Martin Luther King's killer.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

15/04/2008

Genres

Brand

Weather

15/04/2008

Genres

Brand

1968: Day-by-Day

1968 Day by Day

15th April 1968

Genres

Brand

Weather

15/04/2008

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

15/04/2008

Genres

Brand

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