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: 15/05/2008

15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 15/05/2008Close 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: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 15/05/2008Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 15/05/2008

Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Sharon Grenham-Toze.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 15/05/2008

News and issues in rural Britain with Anna Hill.

Presented by Anna Hill. Producer Chris impey

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: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 15/05/2008

Including Yesterday in Parliament; Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With John Humphrys and Edward Stourton. Sports Desk at 6.25am, 7.25am, 8.25am; Yesterday in Parliament at 6.45am; Weather at 6.05am, 6.57am, 7.57am; Thought for the Day at 7.48am.

With John Humphrys and Edward Stourton. 
6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News 
6.45 Yesterday in Parliament 
With Sean Curran and David Wilby. 
748 Thought for the Day With Elaine Storkey. 
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 Library at Nineveh

The Library at Nineveh

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Library at Nineveh

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss a treasure house of Assyrian ideas.

Melvyn Bragg discusses one of the greatest archaeological finds ever discovered – the Assyrian Library at Nineveh.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Library at Nineveh, a treasure house of Assyrian ideas from the 7th Century BC. In 1849 a young English adventurer called Henry Layard started digging into a small hill on the banks of the River Tigris in Northern Iraq. Underneath it he found the ancient city of Nineveh. Layard unearthed extraordinary things - wonderful carved reliefs, ancient palace rooms and great statues of winged bulls. He also found a collection of clay tablets, broken up, jumbled around and sitting on the floor of a toilet. It was the remnants of a library and although Layard didn’t know it at the time, it was one of the greatest archaeological finds ever made.Conceived to house the sum of all human knowledge the library was built in the 7th century BC as the grand Assyrian Empire entered its last years. The clay tablets have proved to be a window into all aspects of Assyrian life, its literature, politics, religion and medicine – practises that are both deeply alien to us and alluringly familiar.  With Eleanor Robson, Senior Lecturer at Cambridge University and Vice-Chair of the British Institute for the Study of Iraq; Karen Radner, Lecturer in the Ancient Near Eastern History at University College London; Andrew George, Professor of Babylonian at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London

In Our Time: The Library of Nineveh

In 1845 one of the greatest architectural finds was discovered - the library at Nineveh - a treasure house of clay tablets recording the science, religion, politics and literature of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires.
Melvyn Bragg is joined by guests Eleanor Robson, Andrew George and Karen Radner.
Shortened repeated at 9.30pm

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: Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood

Book of the Week: Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood: Episode 4

Episode 4

Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood, Episode 4

Robyn is delighted to go to a proper school, but she presents the nuns with a challenge.

Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood. Anne-Marie Duff reads from Robyn Scott's affectionate memoir of growing up in an eccentric family in Botswana (4/5).

Robyn Scott's memoir of growing up in an eccentric family in Botswana in the 1980s

Anne-Marie Duff reads from Robyn Scott's affectionate memoir of growing up in an eccentric family in Botswana in the 1980s

Daily Service

Led by Becky Harris. There's a Spirit in the Air (Lauds). Galatians 5, vv16-25. 0 Holy Spirit, Lord of Grace (Tye). Come Down, 0 Love Divine (Down Ampney).

Book of the Week: TwentyChickens for a Saddle

4/5. Robyn is ecstatic at the thought of going to a proper school. 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: Cherie Blair interviewed; Women's secure units

Cherie Blair interviewed; Women's secure units

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Cherie Blair interviewed; Women's secure units

Cherie Blair on her impoverished beginnings, her time at Number 10, and facing criticism.

Cherie Blair on her impoverished beginnings, her time at Number 10, and facing criticism. Plus, the merits of single-sex units for women with mental health problems.

With Jenni Murray. 
10.45  Gifted 4/5The Woman's Hour drama. For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm

Test Match Special

England v New Zealand 
Commentary on the opening day of the First Test at Lord's from Jonathan Agnew , 
Christopher Martin-Jenkins , Henry Blofeld and Bryan Waddle. With summaries by Geoffrey Boycott , Jeremy Coney and Phil Tufnell. 
Producer Adam Mountford * approximate times 
As English as ... : page 48

From Our Own Correspondent

Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents and writers.

Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers telling stories from around the world.

From Our Own Correspondent: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - From Our Own Correspondent, 15/05/2008

Kate Adie introduces BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the headlines.

BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the world's headlines. Introduced by Kate Adie.

2/9. Presented by Kate Adie. Producer Tony Grant

The Man From The McCarthy Agency

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Man From The McCarthy Agency

The untold story of film reviewer Harold McCarthy - with Matthew Sweet

Critic Harold McCarthy reviewed blockbusters and B movies. Cinema managers valued his opinion. With Matthew Sweet. From 2008.

Matthew Sweet reveals the untold story of Harold McCarthy, arguably the most powerful British film critic of the twentieth century, despite the fact that his name never appeared in a newspaper byline. From the 1930s to the 1960s, McCarthy supplied reviews of 11,000 films to independent cinema managers from Cork to Calcutta - reviews that shaped what cinemagoers saw on the screen. And yet his importance only became clear recently when a huge archive of his work surfaced at auction. With the help of Harold's family, Matthew Sweet goes on the trail of the man from the McCarthy Agency - and along the way uncovers a lost world of forgotten cinema, to which McCarthy's work is now our only guide

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.

The Man from theMcCarthy Agency

Matthew Sweet tells the story of Harold McCarthy , arguably Britain's most influential film critic of the 20th century. From the 1930s to the 1960s, McCarthy supplied critigues of films to cinema managers around the world, thereby guiding what moviegoers were likely to see in their local theatres. Producer AasiyaLodhi

You and Yours

You and Yours: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 15/05/2008

Consumer news and issues with Liz Barclay and John Waite.

Weather

Weather: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 15/05/2008Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 15/05/2008

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: 10/05/2008

10/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, 10/05/2008

Helen Mark explores the Island of Mull, the second largest of the Inner Hebrides.

Helen Mark explores the Island of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. She explores the seas around the island's northern coast and visits the most westerly point on the British mainland.

Helen Mark concludes her exploration of the northern coast of the Isle of Mull. 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: 14/05/2008

14/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 14/05/2008

Lilian can't believe Jennifer's letting Brian go to Ireland with Ruairi when Siobhan's family erect a headstone on her grave. Jennifer explains that as Brian compromised over the business this is her part of the bargain. Lilian seems to have a general downer on everything today - men especially! It turns out to be because Borchester Land has nominated Annabelle Schrivener to work with Matt on the digester project.

Jill's astounded when Ruth puts her straight: the malicious gossip in the Echo was from Shula. Jill wastes no time in confronting Shula, who does her best to explain how Ross twisted her words. But Jill believes Shula must have given him something to work with, and senses that Shula isn't entirely happy over Alan and Usha's engagement. Shula insists that she is, at a purely personal level, but she is concerned that it diminishes his standing as the spiritual leader of the community. Jill doesn't agree and believes everyone should give them both full support. Shula insists she's entitled to her opinion, which Jill understands. She just thinks Shula needs to be a bit more open-minded, that's all.

Episode written by Carole Simpson Solazzo.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: Heads You Win, Tails I Lose

09/02/2007

Heads You Win, Tails I Lose

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Heads You Win, Tails I Lose

By Peter Kesterton. Nigel meets Kat, who spins coins to decide what to do with her life.

A drama of risks and probabilities by Peter Kesterton. Nigel is trapped in a dead-end job. He meets Kat, who spins coins to decide her future.

Afternoon Play: Heads YouWin, Tails I Lose

Bristol, March 2007: Nigel has plans but is trapped in a dead-end job. He meets Kat who spins coins to decide what she should do with her life. Should he stay or should he go? A drama of risks and probabilities that unfolds according to the toss of a coin. By Peter  Kesterton   Producer/Director Tim Dee

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: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Questions, Questions, 15/05/2008

Stewart Henderson answers those niggling questions from everyday life.

Stewart Henderson presents the problem-solving programme. Producer Sarah Cuddon 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: 11/05/2008

11/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, 11/05/2008Search BBC

Jan Ravens appeals on behalf of Changing Faces.

Jan Ravens appeals on behalf of Changing Faces. Donations: Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Jennings' Little Hut

Afternoon Reading: Jennings' Little Hut: Episode 4: Shortage of Glass

Episode 4: Shortage of Glass

Jennings' Little Hut

Shortage of Glass

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Jennings' Little Hut, Shortage of GlassSearch BBC

Jennings and Darbishire must think fast. The General wants to see an old school photograph

Mark Williams reads one of Anthony Buckeridge's classic school stories. Jennings and Darbishire must think fast when the General wants to see an old school photograph.

Mark Williams reads one of Anthony Buckeridge's classic school stories, abridged in five parts by Roy Apps.

Jennings and Darbishire must think fast when the General wants to see an old school photograph.

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

Mark Williams reads one of Anthony Buckeridge's classic stories, abridged by Roy Apps

Mark Williams reads one of Anthony Buckeridge's classic school stories, abridged by Roy Apps

4/5. Shortage of Glass. By Anthony Buckeridge. Jennings and Darbishire have to think on their feet. Read by Mark Williams. For details see Monday

Letters Home

Immigrants to the UK recall their struggles to fit in with British society

Letters Home: Series 2

Letters Home: Series 2: Episode 4

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - Letters Home, Series 2, Episode 4

Evacuated from Pristina in the wake of the Kosovan war, Saranda Bogujevci writes home.

Immigrants offer their impressions of Britain. 4/5: Evacuated from Pristina in the wake of the Kosovan war, Saranda Bogujevci describes the problems of growing up in a new society.

4/5. The words of British Kosovan Saranda Bogujevci as she writes to her grandmother about life as a teenager in the UK. 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: John Burnside, The Office Novel, Unusual Book Advertising, and Chip Kidd

John Burnside, The Office Novel, Unusual Book Advertising, and Chip Kidd

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, John Burnside, The Office Novel, Unusual Book Advertising, and Chip Kidd

Mariella Frostrup talks to poet and novelist John Burnside about his latest book Glister.

Mariella Frostrup talks to poet and novelist John Burnside, whose latest book Glister is a sinister tale about a small town whose children are mysteriously disappearing.

John Burnside
Mariella talks to a writer who has achieved equal success with his poetry and his dark novels. He talks about his new novel Glister, set in a hellish post-industrial landscape with echoes of Burnside's own childhood, and reveals how a teenage obsession with Russian literature provided escape from an unhappy home life.


The Office Novel
Two well-received recent debut novels have looked at the minutiae of office life. Open Book considers the history of the office novel, from Dickens to the present day, with the help of the critics John Sutherland and D J Taylor, and the novelist Ed Park.


Unusual Book Advertising
Increasingly, publishers are turning to unusual marketing strategies to get their books noticed. With a gangster novel currently being advertised on beer mats, Mariella is joined by Jo Howard, the Chair of the Book Marketing Society, to discuss some of the more resourceful advertising campaigns.


Chip Kidd
You may not have heard of him, but in the world of book design Chip Kidd is a superstar. He's one of the most successful designers of book jackets. He joins Mariella to talk about his second novel, and explains his approach to book covers and what makes a good one.

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: Severn Barrage - Skeletons and TB

Severn Barrage - Skeletons and TB

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, Severn Barrage - Skeletons and TB

Quentin Cooper follows research into how the TB bacterium has evolved over the centuries.

Quentin Cooper is joined by archaeologist Charlotte Roberts and geneticist Terry Brown, who have joined forces to research how the TB bacterium has evolved over the centuries.

Severn Barrage
If it were built, the Severn Barrage would stretch from Cardiff to Western-Super-Mare ...It would be one of the biggest engineering projects ever in the UK and would be the keystone of a tidal power revolution in Britain. It could provide 5% of the UK’s electricity needs alone, but there will be significant loss of wildlife habitats. Can science push the boundaries of tidal power overcoming the problems to make it a viable energy source in the future? Quentin is joined by Professor Roger Falconer, School of Engineering, University of Cardiff and Neil Kermode, European Marine Energy Centre. 


Skeletons and TB
Our skeletons can tell a story. Quentin Cooper looks into the world of paleaopathology. Archaeologists and geneticists are joining forces to try and discover how diseases evolve. By extracting ancient human DNA they are looking to see how Tuberculosis bacterium developed over the centuries and reveal its ultimate origins. Quentin is joined by Professor Charlotte Roberts, Department of Archaeology, University of Durham and Professor Terry Brown, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester.

Material World: Severn Barrage

The Material World

Archaeologists have learned to spot the tell-tale signs of tuberculosis and leprosy in the DNA of skeletons. But now they're using genetics to dig deeper, and the results could potentially help find new ways to deal with TB today. Quentin Cooper and guests discover how the TB bacterium has evolved over the centuries.

1968: Day-by-Day

The aftermath of the battle of Saigon. 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 May 1968

15th May 1968

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

Reporters witness the aftermath of the Battle of Saigon. Trouble continues in Paris.

John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 40 years ago. Reporters witness the devastating aftermath of the Battle of Saigon. Trouble continues in Paris.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 15/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 15/05/2008

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.

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

15/05/2008

Genres

Brand

Weather

15/05/2008

Genres

Brand

1968: Day-by-Day

1968 Day by Day

15th May 1968

Genres

Brand

Weather

15/05/2008

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

15/05/2008

Genres

Brand

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