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: 30/05/2008

30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 30/05/2008Close 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: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 30/05/2008Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 30/05/2008

Daily prayer and reflection with Canon Noel Vincent.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 30/05/2008

News and issues in rural Britain with Mark Holdstock.

Presented by Mark Holdstock. Producer Clare Phillips

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: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 30/05/2008

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With James Naughtie and Evan Davis. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With Evan Davis and James Naughtie. 
6.25,7.25,8.25 Sports News 
7.48 Thought for the Day With Abdal Hakim Murad. 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: Howard Goodall

25/05/2008

Howard Goodall

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Howard Goodall

Kirsty Young's castaway is composer Howard Goodall.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the composer Howard Goodall. He's a man of eclectic musical tastes and talents creating choral works, popular TV show themes like Black Adder and The Vicar of Dibley and movie scores and musicals. His enthusiasm and deep-rooted commitment to his life's work has regularly propelled him away from the score and onto our television screens where he's presented award winning documentaries like How Music Works. In January 2007 he was appointed as England's first ever National Ambassador for Singing, leading a £40 million scheme to improve group singing in primary schools.

Howard says he hears music in his head all the time - and can't imagine life without it.

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

Favourite track: The first movement of Introitus from the Durufle Requiem by Maurice Durufle
Book: The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
Luxury: Ice-cold vanilla vodka and tonics.

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: Bearded Tit

Book of the Week: Bearded Tit: Episode 5

Episode 5

Bearded Tit

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Bearded Tit, Episode 5

Twenty-five years on, and Rory and Tori are happily nested. But what happened to JJ?

Rory McGrath reads from his comic memoir, a story of love and birdwatching. Twenty-five years on, and Rory and Tori are happily nested. But what happened to JJ?

Rory McGrath reads from his comic memoir, a story of love and birdwatching

5/5. The final instalment of Rory McGrath 's reflection on romance and ornithology. While now happily settled with Tori, the comedian wonders what happened to his university sweetheart JJ. Read by the author. Abridged by Chris Wallis. For details see Monday 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: Helen McCrory; Women fire-fighters

Helen McCrory; Women fire-fighters

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Helen McCrory; Women fire-fighters

Helen McCrory on her successful acting career. Plus women fire-fighters.

Helen McCrory on her successful acting career. Plus women fire-fighters, and should infertility be a topic for discussion in sex education classes? With Sheila McClennon.

With Jane Garvey. 
10.45 Jane and Prudence 5/10 The Woman's Hour drama. 
For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm Series editor Jill Burridge

The Brits in Bollywood

BBC Radio 4 - The Brits in Bollywood

Sarfraz Manzoor reports on a new wave of British Asians reaching the screens of Bollywood.

Sarfraz Manzoor reports on a new wave of talent reaching the screens of Bollywood. British Asians are retracing their roots and pursuing careers in the huge Indian cinema industry.

Sarfraz Manzoor reports on a new wave of talent reaching the screens of Bollywood. British Asians are retracing their roots and pursuing careers in the huge Indian cinema industry. There is even a Bollywood acting school opening in west London. Sarfraz visits Mumbai to meet some established stars and hopefuls, finding that the British influence spreads beyond the stage into screenwriting and production.

Fed-up with being cast in supporting roles in the UK, British-Asian actors have found a dazzling new market for their talents. 
Sarfraz Manzoor travels to Mumbai to meet the Brits who have made it big in Bollywood. Producer Mark Rickards

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 3: Eileen

Episode 3

Episode 3: Eileen

Eileen

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

Paul is making progress in the counterfeiting case, but then the killer strikes again.

The sleuth learns of a meeting at a remote farm that could reveal the activities of the counterfeit gang. Stars Crawford Logan.

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.

3/8. Eileen. Paul is making progress in the case of the counterfeit dollars - but then the killer strikes again.  
Producer Patrick Rayner 
RT DIRECT: To pre-order Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery CD (released 7 July) for E12.59 (RRP E17.99) inc p&p, call [number removed] (landline calls cost no more than 8p a minute), quoting RTD238, or visit www.bbcshop.com and enter code RTD238 at the checkout

You and Yours

You and Yours: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 30/05/2008

Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson and John Waite.

Presented by Winifred Robinson and John Waite. Series editor Andrew Smith

Weather

Weather: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 30/05/2008Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 30/05/2008

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

The World at One

Feedback

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

Feedback: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Feedback, 30/05/2008

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

Listeners' views on BBC radio programmes. Presented by Roger Bolton. 
Producer Tracey Logan Repeated on Sunday at 8pm ADDRESS: Feedback, [address removed]; phone: [number removed] (calls 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: 29/05/2008

29/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 29/05/2008

Jill tells Shula that Phil is preoccupied with his latest hobby, building star pictures. Shula tells Jill that she feels uncomfortable when she sees Alan and wishes the whole business would blow over. 

Shula apologises to Alan about her stupidity with the journalist, revealing that she has received shocking phones calls from racist customers. Alan defends Usha, saying that the past has come back to haunt her and her confidence has disappeared. Alan is annoyed that Shula betrayed his confidence with how Usha's family took the news of their engagement. He thought Shula was a friend as well as a colleague. He says she should think before speaking, leaving Shula clearly upset.

Adam tells Matt that it will cost around 60,000 pounds to connect their digester up to the mains! An urgent meeting is arranged. Matt tells Annabelle he's hoping to get information from Lilian about how Tony's intends to fight the planning application but Lilian's lips remain sealed. Adam arrives, explaining the high cost is because the grid requires a considerable upgrade to the local infrastructure. Annabelle thinks it's excessive and believes there's room for negotiation. She asks if Adam is prepared to leave it with her. He replies 'Err, yes. Yes, OK.'

Episode written by Caroline Harrington.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: The Ballad of Pickard Boots

The Ballad of Pickard Boots

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, The Ballad of Pickard Boots

By Annamaria Murphy. Jamaican street musician Pickard is given shelter by Molly Pinks.

A heady love story by the Annamaria Murphy. Jamaican street musician Pickard Boots is given shelter by Molly Pinks. He is wanted for murder. She is wanted by nobody.

Afternoon Play: The Ballad ofPickard Boots

A heady love story by outstanding Cornish poet and playwright Annamaria Murphy. 
Jamaican street musician Pickard Boots is given shelter by Molly Pinks. He is wanted for murder. She is wanted by no-one.   
Producer/Director Claire Grove

Costing the Earth

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

Costing the Earth: All Wrapped Up and Nowhere to Go

All Wrapped Up and Nowhere to Go

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, All Wrapped Up and Nowhere to Go

Plastic bags and packaging are anathema to the environmentalist, but the issue is complex.

Plastic bags and packaging are anathema to the environmentalist. Yet packaging can help to sell a product, and the issue is more complex than many of us realise.

5/6. All Wrapped Up and Nowhere to Go. The pros and cons of plastic bags and packaging. Repeated from yesterday at 9pm

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Hay-on-Wye Stories

Afternoon Reading: Hay-on-Wye Stories 2008: Episode 4: When Boreas Blows

Episode 4

Episode 4: When Boreas Blows

Hay-on-Wye Stories 2008

When Boreas Blows

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Hay-on-Wye Stories 2008, When Boreas BlowsSearch BBC

When life seems uncertain, a tree provides a source of comfort for a young boy.

Written and read by Fay Weldon. When everything else life seems uncertain, a young boy takes comfort in his acer tree.

When Perry is born, his parents plant a Japanese Acer outside his window.  And as Perry grows, so does the tree, tall, pale and delicate. 

By the time Perry is three, the branches reach up to his bedroom window and creak as if they had something to say.  That was when the North wind blew. 'It's only Boreas talking,' his father told him.  'King of the North wind. He's cold and strong but he looks after you.'       

Read by Fay Weldon
Producer: Emma Harding.

Afternoon Reading: Hay-on-Wye Stories 2008

Stories from the renowned literary festival, read by the authors before an audience

Hay-on-Wye Stories

4/4. When Boreas Blows. Written by Fay Weldon. A young boy finds comfort during uncertain times in the Japanese acer tree his parents planted outside his bedroom window at the time of his birth. The last of four new stories read by their authors at this year's Hay festival. For details see Tuesday

Cosmic Quest

Cosmic Quest: Three Wise Men

Three Wise Men

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Cosmic Quest, Three Wise Men

Ancient associations of the cosmos with deities, and astrology's link to mathematics.

Heather Couper reviews ancient associations of stars and planets with deities and astrology's link to maths and the 24-hour day.

Heather Couper presents a narrative history of astronomy

Astronomer Heather Couper charts the history of our growing understanding of the universe and progress of astronomy.

5/30. Three Wise Men. Heather Couper reflects on the role played by astronomical signs in the story of the three wise men, how stars and planets have been associated with different deities since ancient times and how Babylonian and Egyptian astrology formed the basis of modern mathematics and the 24-hour division of the day. The readers are Timothy West, Robin Sebastian , Julian Rhind -Tutt and John Palmer. For details see Monday

Last Word

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

Last Word: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, 30/05/2008

John Wilson presents the obituary series.

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

Obituary series presented by John Wilson. 
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: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Film Programme, 30/05/2008

Francine Stock talks to producer and director Roger Corman.

Francine Stock talks to producer and director Roger Corman, whose credits include Attack of the Crab Monsters, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Trip.

Francine Stock talks to producer and director Roger Corman, whose credits include Attack of the Crab Monsters, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Trip.

Matthew Sweet discusses the little-known silent masterpiece A Cottage On Dartmoor, directed by Anthony Asquith, the son of a prime minister and great uncle of Helena Bonham Carter.

John Hurt on his pilgrimage to the cinema to see Truffaut's masterpiece Jules Et Jim; poet Simon Barraclough's unique take on the love triangle.

A chance to hear a clip from Francine's archive interview with Sydney Pollack, whose death was announced this week.

The Film Programme: Roger Corman

Francine Stock talks to the prolific producer and director Roger Corman, the man responsible for Attack of the Crab Monsters, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Trip. As well as his classic Edgar Allan Poe adaptations and exploitation movies, Corman is also famous for giving major directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese their big break in feature films.

1968: Day-by-Day

Manchester United celebrate winning the European Cup after beating Benfica 4-1. ror 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: 30th May 1968

30th May 1968

BBC Radio 4 - 1968 Day by Day, 30th May 1968

General De Gaulle is in a defiant mood. Manchester United win the European Cup.

John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 40 years ago. General De Gaulle is in a defiant mood. Manchester United win the European Cup.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 30/05/2008

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn.

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 30/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 30/05/2008

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

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

Six o'Clock News

The News Quiz

Topical panel quiz show, taking its questions from the week's news stories.

The News Quiz: Series 65: 30/05/2008

Series 65

BBC Radio 4 - The News Quiz, Series 65, 30/05/2008

Panellists include Jeremy Hardy, Sue Perkins, Mark Steel and Hugo Rifkind.

Sandi Toksvig chairs the topical comedy quiz. Panellists include Jeremy Hardy, Sue Perkins, Mark Steel and Hugo Rifkind.

The News Quiz: Series 65

Sandi Toksvig chairs the topical comedy quiz

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

30/05/2008

Genres

Brand

Weather

30/05/2008

Genres

Brand

1968: Day-by-Day

1968 Day by Day

30th May 1968

Genres

Brand

Weather

30/05/2008

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

30/05/2008

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

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