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: 01/05/2008

01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 01/05/2008

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: 01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 01/05/2008

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 01/05/2008

Daily prayer and reflection with Archdeacon Philip Patterson.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 01/05/2008

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: 01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 01/05/2008

Featuring Business Editor Robert Peston on the credit crunch.

With Sarah Montague and Evan Davis. Featuring Business Editor Robert Peston on the credit crunch and Aleem Maqbool on conditions in the Gaza Strip.

With Evan Davis and Sarah Montague. 
6.25,7.25,8.25 Sports News 
6.45 Yesterday In Parliament 
With Robert Orchard and David Wilby. 
7.48 Thought for the Day With Oliver McTernan. 
8.31  Yesterday in Parliament

In Our Time

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

In Our Time: The Enclosures of the 18th Century

The Enclosures of the 18th Century

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Enclosures of the 18th Century

Melvyn Bragg examines the enclosure movement that fenced in the British countryside.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 18th and 19th century enclosure movement which divided the British countryside both literally and figuratively.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the enclosure movement of the 18th and 19th centuries.  In the early 19th century, the Northamptonshire poet John Clare took a good look at the countryside and didn’t like what he saw. He wrote: "Fence meeting fence in owners little boundsOf field and meadow, large as garden-grounds,In little parcels little minds to please,With men and flocks imprisoned, ill at ease."Enclosure means literally enclosing a field with a fence or a hedge to prevent others using it. This seemingly innocuous act triggered a revolution in land holding that dispossessed many, enriched a few but helped make the agricultural and industrial revolutions possible. It saw the dominance of private property as the model of ownership, as against the collective rights of previous generations. For some Enclosure underpinned the economic and agricultural development of Modern Britain. But it has also been a cause celebre for the political left ever since Karl Marx argued that enclosures created the industrialised working class and ushered in the capitalist society. What really happened during the era of 18th and 19th century enclosures? Who gained, who lost and what role did Enclosures play in the agricultural and industrial transformation of this country? With Rosemary Sweet, Director of the Centre for Urban History at the University of Leicester; Murray Pittock, Bradley Professor of English Literature at the University of Glasgow; Mark Overton, Professor of Economic and Social History at the University of Exeter.

The Enclosures of the 18th Century. Melvyn Bragg and his guests Murray Pittock and Rosemary Sweet discuss a revolution in land holding that dispossessed many, enriched few but made the Industrial Revolution possible. Producer James Cook Shortened repeat at9.30pm

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: The Sky Is Always There

Book of the Week: The Sky Is Always There: Episode 4

Episode 4

The Sky Is Always There

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, The Sky Is Always There, Episode 4

Held by rebels, Camilla Carr and Jon James are joined by another hostage.

Camilla Carr and Jon James tell the story of the 14 months they spent in captivity, having been taken hostage by Chechen rebels. Another hostage arrives.

Read by Emma Cunniffe and Adrian Rawlins.

Camilla Carr and Jon James tell of their captivity, held as hostages by Chechen rebels

Camilla Carr and Jon James tell the story of the 14 months they spent in captivity, having been taken hostage by Chechen rebels

Daily Service

Led by Andrew Graystone. The Head That 
Once Was Crowned with Thorns (St Magnus). Ephesians 1, vv15-23. 0 Clap Your Hands 
(Vaughan Williams). Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise (Uanfair).

Book of the Week:The Sky Is Always There

4/5. Another hostage arrives. Camilla Carr and Jonathan James 's account of their M-month captivity in Chechnya continues. For details see Monday Repeated at 12.30am

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Pink for girls; Kitty O'Shea re-evaluated

Pink for girls; Kitty O'Shea re-evaluated

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Pink for girls; Kitty O'Shea re-evaluated

What part do manufacturers play in perpetuating the popularity of pink for girls?

What part do manufacturers play in perpetuating the popularity of pink for girls? Plus, Elisabeth Kehoe on the misrepresentation of Kitty O'Shea.

Woman's Hour With Jenni Murray.

10.45 An Expert in Murder 9/10 The Woman's Hour drama. 
For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm

Crossing Continents

Series focusing on foreign affairs issues

Crossing Continents: Somalia

Somalia

BBC Radio 4 - Crossing Continents, Somalia

Rob Walker asks how successful Ethiopia's military intervention in Somalia has been.

Melvyn Bragg and guests Murray Pittock and Rosemary Sweet discuss a revolution in land holding that dispossessed many and enriched few, but made the Industrial Revolution possible.

Just over a year ago, Ethiopia sent its troops into Somalia to chase an Islamist movement from the capital, Mogadishu. But anger at the presence of Ethiopian troops has boosted support for radical Islamist groups, and in recent weeks violence has increased. Rob Walker meets the Somali insurgents fighting against the Ethiopian troops and asks whether Ethiopia's intervention has helped to create precisely the threat they had hoped to eradicate.

8/8. An in-depth examination of political and social issues around the world. 
Producer Maria Balinska Repeated on Monday at 8.30pm

Young Musicians Grown Old: BBC Young Musician at 30

BBC Radio 4 - Young Musicians Grown Old: BBC Young Musician at 30Search BBC

2006 BBC Young Musician of the Year Mark Simpson talks to other previous winners.

As BBC Young Musician of the Year celebrates its 30th year, 2006 winner Mark Simpson talks to previous winners to see how they coped with the expectations.

As BBC Young Musician of the Year celebrates its 30th year, 2006 winner Mark Simpson talks to previous winners to find out how they coped with the expectations and celebrity that came with success, and to find out whether the ambitions of youth were fulfilled.

Young Musicians Grown Old:BBC Young Musician at 30

As BBC Young Musician of the Year celebrates its 30th year, the 2006 winner Mark Simpson talks to previous winners to find out how they coped with the expectations and celebrity that came with success, and to discover whether youthful ambitions were fulfilled. Producer Paul Evans Past masters: page 27

You and Yours

You and Yours: 01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 01/05/2008

Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson and John Waite.

Weather

Weather: 01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 01/05/2008

World at One

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

World at One: 01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 01/05/2008

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

The World at One

Open Country

Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of Britain

Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of the British Isles

Open Country: The Hastings Fishing Fleets

26/04/2008

The Hastings Fishing Fleets

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, The Hastings Fishing Fleets

Helen Mark finds out how sustainable fishing is raising the profile of local food.

Helen Mark finds out how sustainable fishing is raising the profile of local food in Hastings.

Helen Mark finds out how sustainable fishing is raising the profile of local food in Hastings. The town has maintained a successful fishing industry for centuries, and now the fishermen want to show their continued commitment to sustainable fishing. They want to see Marine Stewardship Council certification, which already covers mackerel and herring, also apply to all Dover sole caught.

Helen Mark finds out how sustainable fishing is raising the profile of local food in Hastings. Repeated from Saturday at 6.07am

The Archers

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

The Archers: 30/04/2008

30/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 30/04/2008

Ruth tells Phil the water at Brookfield has been cut off without warning. David confirms there are emergency repairs due to a leaky main. They don't think the water company realises how much water dairy cows need. Ruth and David discuss the trouble between Ed and Will the previous evening. The water comes back on just in time for Eddie to get the cows in for milking.

Returning from town, Jill and Phil stop, as Phil thinks he has spotted another kite. Will appears and asks what they are looking at, leaving them both feeling very awkward. Later, at the shop, Jill bumps into Clarrie who is upset about Derek Fletcher and others speculating about her William. Word has also got round about the row in the pub.

Protective Eddie visits Will at work. Will is angry, especially after the things Ed said about Nic. Eddie tells him to try to turn the other cheek, even though that's not easy. He wants Will to make his peace with Ed but Will won't be persuaded. Clarrie and Eddie are concerned, as Ed and Will were starting to be civil but now they're right back where they started!

Episode written by Nawal Gadalla.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: Chatterton: The Allington Solution

Chatterton: The Allington Solution

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Chatterton: The Allington Solution

By Peter Ackroyd. A literary historian discovers much about himself during his research.

The first radio play by historian Peter Ackroyd. Did the Romantic poet Chatterton commit suicide in 1770? Or was he killed? Historian Jeremy Allington investigates.

Who or what killed the boy genius Thomas Chatterton?

For over two hundred years, everyone thought he committed suicide, a neglected poet driven to despair. Everyone, that is, except Jeremy Allington, a literary historian, who thinks the prevailing wisdom is nonsense. Only he isn't quite as polite as that ... 

Dangerously close to losing his job and his partner, Allington is determined to prove that history is not as simple as some historians would have us believe. Set in both the present day and the 18th century, Chatterton: The Allington Solution is the first play for Radio 4 by the acclaimed writer, biographer and historian, Peter Ackroyd. 

Cast:
Thomas Chatterton ..... Benedict Cumberbatch
Jeremy Allington ..... Adrian Scarborough
Ruth ..... Rachel Bavidge
Partridge ..... David Timson
Sam Beaumont ..... Glen McCready
Mrs Angel ..... Liza Sadovy
Jackman ..... Hugh Ross
Mr Crane ..... Jonathan Keeble
Coroner ..... Hugh Dickson
Mark Lawson ..... Himself


Producer: Nicolas Soames
A Ukemi Production for BBC Radio 4.

Afternoon Play: Chatterton: the Allington Solution

Thomas Chatterton - the poster-boy of the Romantics - was a neglected genius who committed suicide in his Holborn attic in 1770. "Nonsense!" says Jeremy Allington, a testy, alcohol-guzzling literary historian who sets out to prove received wisdom entirely wrong. In his first play for Radio 4, Peter Ackroyd weaves together the earthy, ribald 18th-century and 21st-century academia.

Questions, Questions

Problem-solving programme addressing listeners' questions

Problem-solving programme which addresses the intriguing and seemingly imponderable questions posed by everday life

Questions, Questions: 01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Questions, Questions, 01/05/2008

Stewart Henderson answers those niggling questions from everyday life.

Stewart Henderson takes listeners intriguing questions from everyday life. Producer Kevin Dawson 
PHONE: [number removed] (calls from landlines cost no more than 8p per minute): email: [address removed]

Radio 4 Appeal

Highlighting a charity and appealing for donations. The presenters donate their time.

A weekly programme highlighting the work of a charity and appealing for donations. The presenters give their time without payment.

Radio 4 Appeal: 27/04/2008

27/04/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, 27/04/2008

Sophie Andrews appeals on behalf of Samaritans.

Repeated from Sunday at 9.26pm and 7.55am

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: An Italian Bestiary

Afternoon Reading: An Italian Bestiary: Episode 4: The Smiling Shepherd

Episode 4: The Smiling Shepherd

An Italian Bestiary

The Smiling Shepherd

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, An Italian Bestiary, The Smiling Shepherd

In February, Giovanni the shepherd begins to move his flock back to the high mountain.

In February, Giovanni the shepherd begins to move his flock of sheep and goats back to the high mountain.

Stories by Julia Blackburn about life and survival for the animals and people of Liguria in Northern Italy, where she has made her home.

In February, Giovanni the shepherd begins to move his flock of sheep and goats back to the high mountain.

Stories by Julia Blackburn about the animals and people of Liguria in Northern Italy

Stories by Julia Blackburn about life and survival for the animals and people of Liguria in Northern Italy, where she has made her home

4/5 The Smiling Shepherd. "In February, Giovanni the shepherd begins to move his flock of sheep and goats back to the high mountain pastures." Julia Blackburn continues to read her stories of life and survival in Liguria, northern Italy, where she has made her home. For details see Monday

A Wonderful Way to Make a Living

US satirist Joe Queenan presents a series on people with highly unusual occupations

A Wonderful Way to Make a Living: Series 1

A Wonderful Way to Make a Living: Series 1: Episode 4

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - A Wonderful Way to Make a Living, Series 1, Episode 4

Joe talks to personal trainers, personal organisers and a purveyor of naked yoga lessons.

Joe talks to personal trainers, personal organisers and a New Yorker who came up with the brilliant idea of naked yoga lessons.

US satirist Joe Queenan presents a series on people with highly unusual occupations.

He talks to personal trainers, personal organisers and a New Yorker who came up with the brilliant idea of naked yoga lessons.

4/5 Continuing his survey of the more unusual professions Joe Oueenan looks at personal trainers and personal organisers, and the New Yorker who had a brilliant idea: naked yoga lessons. For details see Monday

Open Book

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books, talking to authors and publishers and unearthing lost classics

Open Book: William Sutcliffe, Nabokov's Last Novel, and Writing "Faction"

William Sutcliffe, Nabokov's Last Novel, and Writing "Faction"

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, William Sutcliffe, Nabokov's Last Novel, and Writing "Faction"

Mariella Frostrup talks to William Sutcliffe about his new novel Whatever Makes You Happy.

Mariella Frostrup talks to novelist William Sutcliffe, who discusses his new novel Whatever Makes You Happy and explains his fascination with men who refuse to grow up.

William Sutcliffe
Mariella meets the novelist William Sutcliffe, whose gap-year satire Are You Experienced? was a bestseller ten years ago. He talks about his latest novel, about three childhood friends men in their thirties, who are rather taken aback when their mothers announce that they've come to stay for a week - and sort out their love lives. He explains his fascination with men who refuse to grow up, and why he hates lads' mags. 


Nabokov's Last Novel 
When Vladimir Nabokov, the author of Lolita, died in 1977, he left an unfinished novel called Laura, which he instructed his family to burn. For the last thirty years it has sat in a bank vault as his son has considered whether to obey. This week he announced that he's decided to publish it. He explains to Mariella how he finally came to this decision, and reveals some previously unknown details about its contents.


Tontines Revisited
Last week on Open Book, Will Self told Mariella about discovering a word in the dictionary, "tontine", which supplied him with a plot device. In response to the many listeners who wrote in with examples from novels, Mariella talks to Moneybox presenter and 19th-century literature expert Paul Lewis to find out more. 


Writing "Faction"
"Faction" is a genre of literature sitting somewhere between fact and fiction. Mariella is joined by the authors of two new novels which fictionalise the lives of well-known historical figures, TE Lawrence and Mary Lincoln, the widow of the American President Abraham. Robert Ryan and Janis Cooke Newman discuss how they combined the techniques of the novel with meticulous attention to historical accuracy.

William Sutcliffe talks to Mariella Frostrup about his new novel Whatever Makes You 
Happy and explains his fascination with men who refuse to grow up. 
Repeated from Sunday at 4pm

Material World

Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines

Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines. Each week, scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects

Material World: Back to the Future: Dan Dare - Synthetic Biology

Back to the Future: Dan Dare - Synthetic Biology

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, Back to the Future: Dan Dare - Synthetic Biology

Quentin Cooper discusses the postwar boom in science and technology with Ben Russell.

Quentin Cooper discusses the postwar boom in science and technology with Ben Russell, a curator of the Science Museum's new exhibition Dan Dare and the Birth of Hi Tech Britain.

Back to the Future: Dan Dare
It inspired one of the country’s best known cosmologists, Stephen Hawking and Buckingham Palace had it regularly delivered during the 1950s.

The Eagle magazine sold 1 million copies per issue in its hey day.

A new Science Museum's exhibition ‘Dan Dare and the Birth of Hi-Tech Britain’ explores the legacy of World War Two for the country’s science.

Quentin Cooper is joined by exhibition curator Ben Russell to find out more. 


Synthetic Biology
The emerging field of synthetic biology could open up an entirely new field of medicine.

Could we one day use the techniques of engineering to manipulate our genetic circuitry inside our cells to permanently protect us against diseases like cancer?

Quentin Cooper talks to biologist John McCarthy from Manchester University and Engineer Richard Kitney, Imperial College, London.

Material World: Back to the Future

The Material World

Quentin Cooper discuss the postwar boom in science and technology, and asks if advances such as radar, penicillin, and the jet engine would have been made had it not been for the Second World War.

1968: Day-by-Day

May Day brings the traditional marches. 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: 1st May 1968

1st May 1968

BBC Radio 4 - 1968 Day by Day, 1st May 1968

On its fortieth anniversary, the Flying Scotsman runs non-stop from London to Edinburgh.

John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 40 years ago. On its fortieth anniversary, the Flying Scotsman runs non-stop from London to Edinburgh.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

01/05/2008

Genres

Brand

Weather

01/05/2008

Genres

Brand

1968: Day-by-Day

1968 Day by Day

1st May 1968

Genres

Brand

Weather

01/05/2008

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

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