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: 23/05/2008

23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 23/05/2008

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: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 23/05/2008

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 23/05/2008

Led by the Rt Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane.

Daily prayer and reflection led by the Rt Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 23/05/2008

News and issues in rural Britain, presented by 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: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 23/05/2008

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

With John Humphrys and James Naughtie. 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 James Naughtie. 
6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News 
6.45 Yesterday in Parliament 
With Sean Curran and David Wilby. 
7.48 Thought for the Day With Abdal Hakim Murad. 
8.31  Yesterday in Parliament Editor of Today Ceri Thomas

Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Diane Abbott

18/05/2008

Diane Abbott

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Diane Abbott

Kirsty Young's castaway is politician Diane Abbott.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the MP Diane Abbott. She was the first black woman to become a Member of Parliament and, after her election in 1987, she said she would find herself sitting on the green benches of the House of Commons wondering whether she was really entitled to be there. 

It was not the first British institution she'd cracked - she had already propelled herself through Cambridge and then into the Civil Service. But she has not always sat comfortably inside these great bastions of the establishment; she says Gordon Brown booted her off an influential committee because she asked too many questions; she was a vocal opponent of the war in Iraq and she attracted a good deal of controversy when she decided to send her son to private school. 

After more than 20 years in the House of Commons, she is, she says, happy for people to judge her on what she has done and what she has stood up for.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Nkosi Sikelel 'Iafrika by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Book: Volumes of architectural and historical surveys of London
Luxury: A nice bed with comfortable mattress, sheets & mosquito net.

Today's guest is Diane Abbott MR Repeated from Sunday at 11.15am

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: Speaking for Myself

Book of the Week: Speaking for Myself: Episode 5

Episode 5

Speaking for Myself

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Speaking for Myself, Episode 5

Presidents, a pregnancy and a farewell to the press.

Cherie Blair tells her story in her own words. Presidents, a pregnancy and a farewell to the press.

Cherie Blair tells her story in her own words

Book of the Week: Speakingfor Myself

5/5. Presidents, a pregnancy and a farewell to the press. Cherie Blair tells her story in her Own words. Repeated at 12.30am

Act of Worship

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Alison Knowles; Boybands

Alison Knowles; Boybands

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Alison Knowles; Boybands

Experimental American artist Alison Knowles on avant-garde performance. With Jane Garvey.

Experimental American artist Alison Knowles on avant-garde performance. Plus women at the Carlton Club, and what is the enduring appeal of boybands? With Jane Garvey.

Presented by Jane Garvey. 
10.45  Sister Agnes Investigates 5/5 The Woman's Hour drama. For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm Series editor Jill Burridge

Test Match Special

England v New Zealand 
Commentary on the opening day of the Second Test from Old Trafford by Jonathan Agnew , 
Simon Mann and Bryan Waddle , with summaries by Vic Marks , Jeremy Coney and Angus Fraser. Producer Adam Mountford - approximate times

Walking a Stick Back Home

BBC Radio 4 - Walking a Stick Back HomeSearch BBC

James Crowden brings home a walking stick formerly belonging to author Thomas De Quincey.

Poet and historian James Crowden inherited a walking stick formerly belonging to 19th-century author Thomas De Quincey. He takes it home via Edinburgh to Wordsworth's Dove Cottage.

Walking a Stick back Home

Thomas De Ouincey was famous for his opium addiction but his real muse may have been vigorous walking. Poet and historian James Crowden inherited De Ouincey 's walking stick and takes it home via Wordsworth's Dove Cottage and diverse hidey holes in Edinburgh, accompanied by biographer Grevel Linop. producer Matt Thompson

Paul Temple

The adventures of writer and amateur private detective, Paul Temple.

The adventures of writer and amateur private detective, Paul Temple. Created by Francis Durbridge

Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery

Paul Temple: Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery: Episode 2: The Manilla

Episode 2

Episode 2: The Manilla

The Manilla

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Paul Temple, Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery, The Manilla

When warned not to interfere, our hero becomes even more determined to investigate.

When warned not to interfere, our hero becomes even more determined to investigate. The body count mounts.

Paul Temple: Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery

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.

Paul and Steve are on board a luxury liner when they meet an amnesiac millionaire.

Paul and Steve are returning from New York on board a luxury liner when they meet an amnesiac millionaire. New production of an adventure by Francis Durbridge.

2/8. The Manilla. Paul and Steve meet an undercover policeman in one of London's smartest nightclubs. By Francis Durbridge. Producer Patrick  Rayner

You and Yours

You and Yours: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 23/05/2008

Consumer news and issues with Liz Barclay and John Waite.

Consumer news and issues with Liz Barclay and John Waite. Including What Disability Means to Me: Comedian and wheelchair user Liz Carr reflects on what disability means to her.

Comedian and wheelchair user Liz Carr reflects on what disability means to her - fear, living life to the full, and a healthy dose of humour. With Liz Barclay and John Waite. Series editor Andrew Smith

Weather

Weather: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 23/05/2008

World at One

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

World at One: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 23/05/2008

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

The World at One

Presented by Shaun Ley. Editor Peter Rippon

Feedback

Radio 4's forum for comments, queries, criticisms and congratulations

Feedback: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Feedback, 23/05/2008

Roger Bolton airs listeners' views on BBC radio programmes and policy.

Roger Bolton digs in the mailbag for BBC radio listeners' comments. Producer Brian McCluskey Repeated on Sunday at 8pm ADDRESS: feedback, PO Box 2100, London W1A 10T Phone: [number removed] (calls from land lines cost no more than 8p per minute) email: [address removed]

The Archers

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

The Archers: 22/05/2008

22/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 22/05/2008

Alistair tells Phil and Jill that Shula's concerned at being branded a racist. They know she's put herself in an awkward position but feel this is taking it too far.

Jill receives a phone call from Diana, a lady they met in San Francisco. Diana has invited Jill to Sidmouth, but there's always so much to do that Jill knows she can't possibly leave Phil for a week. Phil's most put out at the suggestion he wouldn't cope, and insists that Jill goes.

While Ed and Oliver wait anxiously for Alistair, they discuss Joe's suggestion that TB could be caused by a lack of minerals in badgers' diet. When the first five cows test clear, Ed's full of hope. But three cows show positive lumps and it's depressing for all of them. Alistair tries to encourage Oliver but Oliver knows it's at least four more months of movement restriction and it's not good for the milk round. He mentions the mineral theory and Alistair agrees it's worth considering, even though there's no real evidence. Oliver can't see what he's got to lose. He's starting to give up hope. Sometimes all he wants to do is sell up and get the hell out.

Episode written by Adrian Flynn.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: Imagining Them

06/02/2007

Imagining Them

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Imagining Them

Three New Yorkers imagine people whom they would have liked to know better.

Three New Yorkers imagine people whom they would have liked to know better. Written and performed by Wendy Spero, Meg Wolitzer and David Cale.

Afternoon Play: Imagining Them

A triple bill of coming-of-age stories as three New Yorkers imagine people they would have liked to know better. Whether it's friends who never got to grow up, a father who died before his daughter could say "daddy" or a role-model celebrity who was next door but beyond reach, all are imagined presences. Written and performed by Wendy Spero , Meg Wolitzer and David Cale. Producer/Director Judith Kampfner

Costing the Earth

Fresh ideas from the sharpest minds working toward a cleaner, greener planet

Costing the Earth: The Great Green Gadget Makeover

The Great Green Gadget Makeover

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, The Great Green Gadget Makeover

New electronic technology is draining power at an unprecedented rate. Tom Heap reports.

New electronic technology accounts for a vast amount of our electricity usage each year. Tom Heap meets a self-confessed gadget addict.

4/6 The Great Green Gadget Makeover. Tom Heap meets a self-confessed gadget addict to find out if attitudes towards electronic technology, which is draining power at an unprecedented rate, can be changed. Repeated from yesterday at 9pm

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Anger

Afternoon Reading: Anger: Episode 5: Where?

Episode 5: Where?

Anger

Where?

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Anger, Where?Search BBC

Joanna Briscoe's moving tale focuses on the life of a terminally ill boy.

Joanna Briscoe's moving tale focuses on the life of a terminally ill boy and the minutiae of personal, impotent anger. Read by Robert Madge.

Joanna Briscoe's moving short story takes us into the life of a terminally ill boy, and the minutiae of personal, impotent anger.

Read by Robert Madge.

Concludes the series of programmes which shed light on an aspect of anger in a mix of fiction, memoir and thought pieces.  

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.

Stories about rage and its different manifestations

5/5. Joanna Briscoe - Where? Joanna Briscoe 's moving short story transports us into the life of a terminally ill boy and the minutiae of personal, impotent anger. Read by Robert Madge. For details see Monday

Joan Armatrading's Favourite Choirs

Joan Armatrading's Favourite Choirs: Episode 5: The Kingdom Choir

Episode 5: The Kingdom Choir

The Kingdom Choir

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Joan Armatrading's Favourite Choirs, The Kingdom Choir

Joan reunites with a choir who performed with her in a tribute song to Nelson Mandela.

The singer reunites with a choir very close to her heart, who performed with her in a tribute song to Nelson Mandela. From May 2008.

Joan Armatrading visits choral assemblies across the country.

Joan reunites with a choir very close to her heart, who performed with her in a tribute song to Nelson Mandela. She hears what distinguishes Gospel singing and how the message and the music come together in praise.

A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4.

Joan visits choral assemblies across the country

Joan Armatrading'sFavourite Choirs

5/5. The Kingdom Choir. Joan Armatrading is reunited with the Kingdom Choir, who performed with her in a tribute song to Nelson Mandela. She learns what factors distinguish gospel singing from that of other choirs. Producer Susan Marling

Last Word

Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

Last Word: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, 23/05/2008

Matthew Bannister presents the obituary series.

Matthew Bannister presents the obituary series, analysing and celebrating the life stories of people who have recently died.

Obituary programme with Matthew Bannister. Producer Julia Johnson Repeated on Sunday at 8.30pm

The Film Programme

The latest releases, the hottest stars and the leading directors, plus news and insights

The latest releases, the hottest stars and the leading directors, plus news and insights from the film world

The Film Programme: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Film Programme, 23/05/2008

Francine Stock talks to Michael Patrick King, writer of the film of Sex and the City.

Francine Stock talks to Michael Patrick King, writer and director of the film version of Sex and the City. He reveals the challenges of transforming a TV comedy series into a movie.

The Film Programme: Michael Patrick King

Francine Stock talks to Michael Patrick King , writer and director of the film version of Sex and the City, who reveals the challenges of transforming the television series into a feature-length movie. Producer Stephen Hughes

1968: Day-by-Day

A French student leader is extradited. 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: 23rd May 1968

23rd May 1968

BBC Radio 4 - 1968 Day by Day, 23rd May 1968

French student leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit is sent back to his native Germany.

John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 40 years ago. French student leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit is sent back to his native Germany.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 23/05/2008

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.

News and analysis, presented by Eddie Mair. Editor Peter Rippon

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 23/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 23/05/2008

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

23/05/2008

Genres

Brand

Weather

23/05/2008

Genres

Brand

1968: Day-by-Day

1968 Day by Day

23rd May 1968

Genres

Brand

Weather

23/05/2008

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

23/05/2008

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

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