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: 04/11/2008

04/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 04/11/2008Close 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: 04/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 04/11/2008Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 04/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 04/11/2008

Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Dr Michael Piret.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 04/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 04/11/2008

News and issues in rural Britain, presented by 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: 04/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 04/11/2008

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

With Edward Stourton and Sarah Montague. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Presented by Edward Stourton and Sarah Montague.

James Naughtie reports on what is expected to be the biggest turnout for a US election in history.

Jane Dreaper speaks to Susan Kiernan, the widow of a man who had pancreatic cancer and was denied life-prolonging drugs by the NHS.

Norman Smith reports on how the financial crisis and the "Brown bounce" seems to have given Labour a glimmer of hope in the Glenrothes by-election.

Adam Shaw speaks to Sir Stuart Rose, who says that 2009 will be a tough year for Marks & Spencer. 

Business secretary Lord Mandelson says bank customers will expect banks to pass on interest rate cuts.

Novelist Margaret Atwood discusses the idea of debt as a driving force in fiction.

Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International, discusses the stoning of a 13-year-old girl in southern Somalia.

The new chief executive of RBS, Stephen Hester, discusses how the company can recover from the current financial crisis.

Boxer Joe Frazier and film director John Dower discuss a side to Muhammad Ali that is often overlooked.

James Naughtie discusses the US election race with Matthew Crenson of John Hopkins University.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Lester and Tony Lloyd, chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, discuss whether trade unions could become highly vulnerable to infiltration from the BNP and the far right.

Japanese scientists say they have managed to clone mice from the bodies of other mice which have been frozen for 16 years. Prof Malcolm Alison discusses how the technology could be used.

Frank Gardner investigates whether US missile strikes into Pakistani territory are achieving objectives.

Playwright and critic Bonnie Greer and writer Diran Adebayo debate how we should talk about mixed race.

With Evan Davis and Sarah Montague. 
6.25,7.25,8.25 Sports News 
6.45 Yesterday in Parliament 
With Susan Hulme and David Wilby. 
7.48 Thought for the Day With the Rt Rev Tom Butler. 
8.31  Yesterday in Parliament

In Afghanistan: 30 Years of Conflict and Chaos

In Afghanistan: 30 Years of Conflict and Chaos: Episode 1: Trapping the Bear

Episode 1

Episode 1: Trapping the Bear

Trapping the Bear

BBC Radio 4 - In Afghanistan: 30 Years of Conflict and Chaos, Trapping the Bear

The story of the catastrophic miscalculations of the Red Army in the Hindu Kush.

Alan Johnston reflects on decades of turmoil in Afghanistan, from the 1979 Soviet occupation onwards. The catastrophic miscalculations of the Red Army in the Hindu Kush.

Former Kabul correspondent Alan Johnston reflects on decades of turmoil in Afghanistan, from the Soviet occupation in 1979 to the intervention by the West in 2001.

The story of the catastrophic miscalculations that humbled the mighty Red Army in the Hindu Kush.

Tens of thousands of troops, tanks and helicopters poured into Afghanistan late in 1979. They laid waste to the land for a decade, during which time millions of Afghans died or were forced to flee. But in the end, it was the Russians who retreated, chased out, in part, by CIA-backed rebels.

Former Kabul correspondent Alan Johnston reflects on decades of turmoil in Afghanistan

Former Kabul correspondent Alan Johnston reflects on decades of turmoil in Afghanistan, from the Soviet invasion in 1979 to the intervention by the West in 2001

In Afghanistan: Thirty Years of Conflict and Chaos

1/2. Trapping the Bear. Former Kabul correspondent Alan Johnston reflects on decades of turmoil in Afghanistan, from the Soviet invasion in 1979 to the intervention by the West. He begins with the catastrophic miscalculation that humbled the mighty Red Army in the Hindu Kush. 
Producer Mark Savage Repeated at 9.30pm

Bad Habits

Bad Habits: Episode 1: Workaholism

Episode 1: Workaholism

Workaholism

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Bad Habits, Workaholism

Richard Herring explores the rising problem of workaholism.

4 Extra Debut. Comedian Richard Herring explores some of the bad habits that affect us in our working lives. From November 2008.

Comedian and writer Richard Herring explores some of the bad habits and personal failings which directly or indirectly affect all of us in our daily working lives. 

Richard explores the rising problem of workaholism. He talks to a City lawyer who works 20 hours a day, visits Pricewaterhouse Coopers to see how they tackle the issue and writer Jon Ronson confesses to being a workaholic.

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.

Richard Herring explores some of the bad habits which affect us in our daily working lives

Comedian and writer Richard Herring explores some of the bad habits and personal failings which directly or indirectly affect all of us in our daily working lives

New series 1/5. Richard Herring explores some of the more undesirable e traits that affect working life, some of which he admits to recognising in himself. In this first programme, he investigates workaholism, and meets a city lawyer who works 20 hours a day. 
Producer Lucy Greenwell

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: Lady Worsley's Whim

Book of the Week: Lady Worsley's Whim: Episode 2: The Escape

Episode 2

Episode 2: The Escape

Lady Worsley's Whim

The Escape

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Lady Worsley's Whim, The Escape

Lady Seymour Worsley and her lover Captain Bisset elope to London.

Hallie Rubenhold's account of the scandalous private life of 18th-century aristocratic couple Sir Richard and Lady Worsley. The Escape. Lady Worsley and Captain Bisset elope.

Rosamund Pike reads from Hallie Rubenhold's account of the marriage of Sir Richard and Lady Worsley, the details of whose private life scandalised 18th-century society when they were revealed in court.

Lady Seymour Worsley and her lover Captain Bisset elope to London.

The scandalous private life of 18th-century aristocrats Sir Richard and Lady Worsley

Rosamunde Pike reads from Hallie Rubenhold's account of the marriage of Sir Richard and Lady Worsley, the details of whose private life scandalised 18th-century society when revealed in court

Daily Service

Led by the Rev Stephen Shipley. Soldiers of Christ! Arise (From Strength to strength). 
2 Timothy 2, vv3-10. A Prayer (Lloyd). For All the Saints (Sine Nomine).

Book of the Week:Lady Worsley's Whim

2/5. The Escape. Lovers Lady Seymour Worsley and Captain Bisset hatch a plan to elope. When Sir Richard Worsley retires to bed early one night, the adulterous couple seize the opportunity to attend a party, oy Hallie Rubenhold. For details see yesterday

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Sexual orientation in the workplace; India Knight; Jenny Diski

Sexual orientation in the workplace; India Knight; Jenny Diski

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Sexual orientation in the workplace; India Knight; Jenny Diski

Can your sexual orientation hinder your success at work? Plus, India Knight on thrift.

Can your sexual orientation hinder your success at work? Plus India Knight on a thrifty lifestyle, Jenny Diski on Marie de Gournay, and new research into post natal depression.

Presented by Jane Garvey. 
10.45 A Life of Chekhov 2/5 The Woman's Hourdrama. 
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: 04/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World On The Move: Great Animal Migrations, 04/11/2008

Philippa Forrester and Brett Westwood present the series following the movement of animals

Great Animal Migrations: Philippa Forrester and Brett Westwood present the series following the movement and migration of animals.

Philippa Forrester and Brett Westwood present the series following the movement and migration of animals across the planet, from the European eel to the African white-eared kob antelope. A team of wildlife specialists are joined by zoologists and conservationists around the world to present regular reports.

World on the Move: 4 November

World on the Move: Great Animal Migrations

32/40. Presented by Philippa Forrester and Brett Westwood. Repeated tomorrow at 9pm

Crisis on the Top Shelf

BBC Radio 4 - Crisis on the Top Shelf

Rowan Pelling looks at the history of top-shelf magazines in Britain.

Rowan Pelling looks at the history of top-shelf magazines in Britain, their changing content, society's attitude toward them and their future in the face of internet competition.

Rowan Pelling looks at the history of top-shelf magazines in Britain, their changing content, society's attitude toward them and their future in the face of internet competition and declining sales. She looks at the effect that the rise of 'lads mags', the feminist movement and the increasing sexualisation of society have had on adult magazines.

Former Erotic Review editor Rowan Pelling assess the future of the UK top-shelf  magazines, exploring how the feminist movement and the internet have influenced the adult magazine. producer Helen Surtees

You and Yours

You and Yours: Call You and Yours

Call You and Yours

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, Call You and Yours

With Julian Worricker. How can we reduce the harm alcohol causes our society?

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.

Presented by Julian Worricker.

How can we reduce the harm alcohol causes our society?

A new report from the National Audit Office puts the cost of alcohol misuse to the National Health Service at £2.7 billion a year. How can we reduce the harm alcohol causes in financial terms and the harm caused to individuals and families? And how do we balance that against individuals' right to a social drink? We hear your views. 

With guests:
Nick Sheron, Alcohol Health Alliance
David Poley, Portman Group 
Dr James Warner, Consultant in Older Adults Psychiatry
Prof Gerard Hastings, Institute for Social Marketing at Stirling
Shona Robinson, Minister for Public Health, Scottish Parliament.

Consumer issues, with Julian Worricker. PHONE: [number removed] (Lines open from 10am) email: [address removed]

Weather

Weather: 04/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 04/11/2008Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 04/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 04/11/2008

National and international news with Martha Kearney and Brian Hanrahan.

The World at One

Stage to Screen

Series exploring how stage works have been adapted for the cinema

Stage to Screen: Series 3

Stage to Screen: Series 3: Episode 3: On the Town

Episode 3

Episode 3: On the Town

Series 3

On the Town

BBC Radio 4 - Stage to Screen, Series 3, On the Town

Paul looks at the film version of the Bernstein musical with Betty Garrett and Dana Polan.

Paul Gambaccini explores how stage works have been adapted for the cinema. Paul looks at the film version of Bernstein's musical with Betty Garrett, Dana Polan and Jude Kelly.

Paul Gambaccini explores how stage works have been adapted for the cinema.

Paul looks at MGM's film of Leonard Bernstein's first musical comedy in the company of Betty Garrett, who played opposite Frank Sinatra in the screen version, film historian Dana Polan and Jude Kelly, who directed the successful English National Opera production.

Paul Gambaccini explores how stage works have been adapted for the cinema

Stage to Screen: On the Town

3/3. On the Town. Paul Gambaccini looks at MGM's film of Leonard Bernstein 's first musical comedy in the company of Betty Garrett , who played opposite Frank Sinatra in the screen version, film historian Dana Polan and Jude Kelly , who directed the successful English National Opera production. 
Producer Adrian Edwards Rptd 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: 03/11/2008

03/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 03/11/2008

Lilian tells Matt that Caroline broke her upper arm but Matt's distracted. His mood changes after a phone call, and Matt explains that Chalkman has taken care of something that needed sorting - somebody defaulting on a business loan and using the credit crunch as an excuse. 

Tom apologises again for the pigs getting out last week but Adam tells him to forget it. Tom asks how the venison sells at the farmers' markets, and whether Adam has considered selling other products. It's not something Adam's explored in depth.

Ian calls on Jack and Peggy. Peggy's pleased to see him and quickly accepts Ian's offer to call in more often. Tom also calls, and updates Peggy on his enterprises. Peggy worries he's taking on too much but Tom assures her he can manage. Peggy assures Tom that she's also managing.
 
Jack shows Peggy a beautiful woodpecker in the garden. Peggy's touched when Jack tells her she's beautiful too, and how nice it is to be there with her. Peggy tells Jack how much she's missed him. Even though Jack has no recollection of having been away, Peggy reassures him that they are back home together now, and everything's going to be fine. 

Episode written by Carole Simpson Solazzo.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama

Drama on 4: Excluded

29/05/2007

Excluded

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Excluded

By Michael Stewart. A head sends all his bad pupils on a field trip during inspection week

A headmaster sends all the bad pupils on a field trip during inspection week. However, the teacher leading the expedition has problems of his own.

By Michael Stewart.

The headmaster of a failing comprehensive is flapping during inspection week. He comes up with a great idea to hide the problem by getting all the bad pupils out of school and into the dales. Unfortunately, the teacher he asks to lead the expedition has enough problems of his own.

Nick ...... Leigh Symonds
Ashley ...... Mikey North
Khalid ...... Sascha Dhawan
Becky ...... Lucy-Jo Hudson
David ...... Howard Chadwick

Directed by Gary Brown.

Afternoon Play: Excluded

it's inspection week at a failing comprehensive and the headmaster is flapping. So he comes up with an idea - get all the bad lads and lasses off campus. The only problem is the teacher he asks to do it has enough troubles himself. Comedy drama written by Michael Stewart.  
Producer/Director Gary Brown (H)

Making History

Popular history series where the past connects with the present.

Making History: Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester - The Urbanus Magnus

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester - The Urbanus Magnus

BBC Radio 4 - Making History, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester - The Urbanus Magnus

Vanessa Collingridge explores murder within Elizabethan politics.

Vanessa Collingridge explores whether the central figure in Elizabethan politics could have been murdered.

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
Could this central figure in Elizabethan politics have been murdered? 

A Making History listener notes that Dudley seemed to be alive and busy helping to organise the English land army in preparation from an attack by the Spanish Armada and then suddenly he dies from an illness that no one is quite sure about. Making History turned to our leading authority on Dudley, Dr Simon Adams Reader in History at the University of Strathclyde.


Daniel of Beccles and the Urbanus Magnus
Anne Deed Frith is typical of the many Making History listeners who are absorbed in researching the past of the community in which they live. She lives in Beccles in Suffolk and a couple of years ago whilst reading a book about the Magna Carta she was taken by references to a Daniel of Beccles. No one had heard of him but after a good deal of research she discovered that Daniel was the author of possibly our first book of manners, a twelfth century poem which was quite widely referred to. Four more or less complete Medieval manuscripts survive in Trinity college Dublin, Worcester Cathedral, Gonville and Caius College Cambridge and the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris.

6/13. Vanessa Collingridge explores themes from Britain's past. Producer Nick Patrick 
ADDRESS: [address removed]email: [address removed] Phone: [number removed]

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Jura: Writers in Residence

Afternoon Reading: Jura: Writers in Residence: Episode 2: Superstition

Episode 2: Superstition

Jura: Writers in Residence

Superstition

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Jura: Writers in Residence, SuperstitionSearch BBC

By Romesh Gunesekera. A tale of love and horitcultue inspired by island of Jura.

Kathleen Jamie introduces work by leading writers inspired by the Isle of Jura. A tale of love and horitcultue inspired by island of Jura.  By Romesh Gunesekera.

Kathleen Jamie introduces work by leading writers inspired by the Isle of Jura, all of whom have taken up a residency on the idyllic Scottish island.

By Romesh Gunesekera. Duncan is happy tending his plants in his beautiful garden on Jura, when he unexpectedly finds love.

Kathleen Jamie introduces work by leading writers inspired by the Isle of Jura

Kathleen Jamie introduces work by leading writers inspired by the Isle of Jura, all of whom have taken up a residency on the idyllic Scottish island

2/5. Superstition. A story by Romesh Gunesekera inspired by the microclimate of the Scottish island of Jura. A gardening enthusiast unexpectedly falls for a woman from Madeira who shares his passion for flora. Read by Mark Bonnar. For details see yesterday

Beyond These Walls

Beyond These Walls: Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond These Walls, Episode 2

Ritula meets the man in hiding after his controversial drawing of the Prophet Mohammed.

Ritula Shah hears the stories of people living in hiding. She meets Lars Vilks, who has price on his head after the controversy caused by his drawing of the Prophet Mohammed.

Ritula Shah hears the stories of people living in hiding. She talks to them about what it is like to live in fear, with false names and rejected by friends and neighbours. 

Ritula meets Lars Vilks, the man with a 150,000 dollar price on his head after outraging many in the Muslim world with his drawing of the Prophet Mohammed.

Ritula Shah hears the stories of people living in hiding

Ritula Shah hears the stories of people living in hiding. She talks to them about what it is like to live in fear, with false names and rejected by friends and neighbours.

Producer: Sarah Bowen

2/5. Ritula Shah meets Lars Vilks , who went into hiding with a$150,000 price put on his head after having outraged many in the Muslim world with a drawing of the prophet Mohammed. For details see yesterday

The Law Show

Conversation about the laws making headlines, and the laws that shape everyday life.

The Law Show is your guide to the law and the legal decisions that have a bearing on everyone in the UK.

Weekly conversation that will give you an in-depth understanding of the law stories making news and the legal decisions that could have a bearing on everyone in the UK. Whether it's unpicking a landmark legal ruling, explaining how laws are made or seeking clarity for you on a legal issue, The Law Show will be your guide.

Law in Action

The Law Show: 04/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Law Show, 04/11/2008

Clive Coleman takes his weekly look at legal issues.

Weekly report on developments in the legal world. With Clive Coleman. Producer Jim Frank

A Good Read

A Good Read: Sukhdev Sandhu and Gavin Esler

Sukhdev Sandhu and Gavin Esler

BBC Radio 4 - A Good Read, Sukhdev Sandhu and Gavin Esler

Sukhdev Sandhu and Gavin Esler join Sue MacGregor to discuss some favourite books.

4 Extra Debut. Sukhdev Sandhu and Gavin Esler join Sue MacGregor to discuss books by Daniel Mason, Arthur Koestler and Geoff Dyer. From 2008.

Sue MacGregor and her guests - film critic and writer Sukhdev Sandhu and former Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler - discuss three favourite paperbacks by Daniel Mason, Arthur Koestler and Geoff Dyer. 

'Darkness at Noon' by Arthur Koestler
Publisher: Vintage Classics

'Out of Sheer Rage' by Geoff Dyer
Publisher: Abacus

'The Piano Tuner' by Daniel Mason
Publisher: Picador

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2008.

5/9. Writer Sukhdev Sandhu and Gavin Esler join Sue MacGregor to discuss their favourite paperbacks. 
Producer Christine Hall Repeated on Friday at 11pm

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Shipping Forecast

04/11/2008

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04/11/2008

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Weather

04/11/2008

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