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: 02/01/2009

02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 02/01/2009Close 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: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 02/01/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 02/01/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Lynn Gallagher.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 02/01/2009

News and issues in rural Britain with Anna Hill.

Presented by Anna Hill. Producer Aiasdair 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: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 02/01/2009

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

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

Presented by Edward Stourton and Sarah Montague.

With Architect Zaha Hadid as guest editor.

Tom Feilden visits Lincoln Cathedral and Zaha Hadid's own offices to investigate a new, technology-inspired burst of architectural creativity.

Caroline Wyatt visits Baghdad University to see what the building reveals about the city's history. 

Anthony Smith of Passenger Focus and Michael Roberts of the Association of Train Operating Companies discuss rail fare rises.

Deyan Sudjic profiles one of guest editor Zaha Hadid's projects, the Phaeno Science Centre in Germany.

Humphrey Hawksley speaks to Baghdad residents who remember its "glory years" and Professor Sami Zubaida discusses the cultural scene in Baghdad since the 1950s.

What will Israel's next step be in the Gaza Strip? Edward Stourton discusses the latest developments in the conflict. Israeli Public Service Minister Avi Dichter says Israel was prepared for Hamas to fight back.

Tim Franks reports on the cities where guest editor Zaha Hadid believes the next globally symbolic buildings are being built.

Thought for the day with Canon Dr Alan Billings, an Anglican Priest.

Lord Goldsmith discusses the role European countries should play in assisting with the closure of Guantanamo Bay military prison.

Health Minister Ben Bradshaw and Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, discuss ways of tackling obesity.

Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld discusses his life in fashion.

Former EU diplomat Alistair Crooke discusses the situation in Gaza.

Avant Garde architects Sir Peter Cook and Charles Jencks discuss the Architectural Association.

Zaha Hadid explains the choices she made when commissioning items for the programme and what inspires her to create the sort of buildings she designs.

Today's guest editor is Zaha Hadid. 
With Sarah Montague and Edward Stourton. 
6.25,7.25,8.25 Sports News 
7.48 Thought for the Day

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: Baroness Haleh Afshar

28/12/2008

Baroness Haleh Afshar

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Baroness Haleh Afshar

Kirsty Young's castaway is academic Baroness Haleh Afshar.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is Baroness Haleh Afshar. An expert in Middle Eastern Affairs, she's a professor of politics and women's studies and Islamic law as well as being a cross-bench peer. She grew up in Iran and France living a life of huge privilege but, inspired by reading Jane Eyre, she decided she needed to learn to stand on her own two feet. She came to Britain as a boarding school pupil when she was 14 and has made her home here.

She has been an outspoken critic of the Iranian regime and, coming from a long line of independent-minded women, that's little surprise. Her mother campaigned for women to have the vote while her grandmother refused to wear the veil. Though in her grandmother's case, that was because she thought she was too pretty to be covered up.

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

Record: Prelude to Bach's Cello Suite No.1
Book: Collected poems by Hafiz
Alternate to Bible: Koran
Luxury: A rose bush.

Muslim academic Haleh Afshar talks to Kirsty Young and selects eight favourite recordings to take to the BBC's mythical island.

(Repeated from Sunday 28 December 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: How to Get Things Really Flat

Book of the Week: How to Get Things Really Flat: Episode 5

Episode 5

How to Get Things Really Flat

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, How to Get Things Really Flat, Episode 5

Andrew considers the benefits of doing the washing-up.

By Andrew Martin. Novelist Andrew Martin tackles the practicalities of domestic chores. He considers the benefits of doing the washing-up.

By Andrew Martin. Working from home every day, novelist Andrew Martin decides to tackle the myths and practicalities of carrying out domestic chores. 

He considers the benefits of doing the washing-up. Read by Shaun Dooley.

Novelist Andrew Martin tackles the myths and practicalities of domestic chores

Working from home every day, novelist Andrew Martin decides to tackle the myths and practicalities of carrying out domestic chores

Act of Worship

Book of the Week: How to

Get Things Really Flat 
5/5. "Washing up, or at least loading the dishwasher, is the least a man can do. But there is a better reason for washing up..." For details see Monday 29 December Rptd at 12.30am

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Poet Maura Dooley; Marrying for money

Poet Maura Dooley; Marrying for money

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Poet Maura Dooley; Marrying for money

Poet Maura Dooley on the sources of her inspiration. Plus, marrying for money.

Poet Maura Dooley on the sources of her inspiration. Plus, 98-year-old Margaret Miller on a lifetime of serving the community, and marrying for money.

With Jenni Murray. 
10.45 Seventy-Odd 5/5 The Woman's Hour drama. 
Editor Jill Burridge For details seedrama repeat at 7.45pm

Anglomania

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Anglomania

Journalist John F Jungclaussen explores the German love of all things British.

4 Extra Debut. Journalist John F Jungclaussen investigates why so many of his fellow Germans love all things British. From February 2009.

John F Jungclaussen, Die Zeit's UK correspondent, sets out to discover why so many of his fellow countrymen are in thrall to all things British. 

Among his travels around Germany he experiences British Day in Hamburg, with its very own Last Night of the Proms, an evening in a Bayreuth pub where the locals only speak English and, in the Ruhr valley, a German rock band called Claymore, who perform in full Highland dress.

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.

Die Zeit's UK correspondent John F Jungclaussen sets out to discover why so many Germans are in thrall to everything British. He visits Hamburg to experience British Day, where locals create their very own Last Night of the Proms, and in the Ruhr valley he finds a German rock band who play only Celtic music.

The Castle

Hie ye to The Castle,a rollicking sitcom set way back then with James Fleet & Neil Dudgeon

Hie ye to The Castle, a rollicking sitcom set way back then, starring James Fleet (The Vicar Of Dibley, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Neil Dudgeon (Life Of Riley)

The Castle: Series 2

The Castle: Series 2: Episode 1: Houston We Have an Problemme

Episode 1

Episode 1: Houston We Have an Problemme

Series 2

Houston We Have an Problemme

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Castle, Series 2, Houston We Have an Problemme

Henry hits puberty, De Warrenne hits a planning official, and Sam goes off like a rocket.

Henry hits puberty, De Warrenne hits a planning official, and Sam goes off like a rocket. Stars James Fleet. From January 2009.

Hie ye to "The Castle", a rollicking sitcom set way back then, starring James Fleet ("The Vicar Of Dibley", "Four Weddings & A Funeral") and Neil Dudgeon ("Life Of Riley")

In this episode Master Henry hits puberty, Lady Anne & Charlotte hit the bar, De Warrenne hits a Planning Official and Sam Tree goes off like a rocket...

Cast:
Sir John Woodstock ..... James Fleet
Sir William De Warenne ..... Neil Dudgeon
Lady Anne Woodstock ..... Montserrat Lombard
Cardinal Duncan..... Jonathan Kydd
Lady Charlotte ..... Ingrid Oliver
Master Henry Woodstock ..... Steven Kynman
Merlin ..... Lewis Macleod

Written by Kim Fuller with additional material by Paul Alexander
Music by Guy Jackson

Now prithee pay heed to the rest of our cast of high and low lives - as we explain exactly Who's Who in The Castle -

Sir John Woodstock (James Fleet) - the Lord of the Castle and basically in charge of keeping order in the ramshackle medieval village. Although he hates all that torturing and usually lets the peasants off with a bit of community service. He lives in his huge but slightly falling down castle (but then it was built by the French so what can one expect) with his daughter Anne (Montserrat Lombard) and very teenage son Henry (Steven Kynman). Anne's best friend Charlotte (Ingrid Oliver) nearly always joins Anne on her constant quest to find fit men in the village. In fact, they think they've found a decent one in the shape of Merlin, the new handyman and wayward wizard (Lewis Macleod). And Anne certainly isn't interested in Sir William De Warenne ("Knight errant, scourge of the Levant") (Neil Dudgeon) who lives across the way. 

Unfortunately he can't take a hint and is besotted with Lady Anne and Sir John thinks it a good match. Ah! what is a Lady to do! Cardinal Duncan (Jonathan Kydd) (a man of the cloth - in particular crushed silk which he loves), has to endure De Warenne's incessant plans to woo Lady Anne and has little time to peruse sweethearts of his own. Which oddly enough, he doesn't seem to mind...


Producer/Director: David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.

Hie ye to The Castle, a rollicking sitcom set way back then

Hie ye to The Castle, a rollicking sitcom set way back then, starring James Fleet and Neil Dudgeon

New series 1/6. Kim Fuller 's medieval sitcom with a modern touch. Lady Anne's two suitors get desperate. Sir William decides to give his castle a facelift and Sam Tree decides to strap himself to a rocket.       
Music by Guy Jackson ; Producer David Tyler

Face the Facts

Original investigations into social injustice, public policy, inefficiency and fraud

Face the Facts: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Face the Facts, 02/01/2009

John Waite meets Loay Mohammed, an Iraqi interpreter whose life was threatened.

John Waite presents the investigative consumer series. He meets Loay Mohammed, an Iraqi interpreter whose life was threatened by insurgents because he worked for the British forces.

John Waite presents the investigative consumer series. He meets Loay Mohammed, an Iraqi interpreter whose life was threatened by insurgents because he worked for the British forces. Loay has finally been granted asylum in UK, and he shares his hopes with John from his new home in Bolton. 

John also visits Stephen Doman in Gloucestershire, an innocent man who lost his job because he refused to reveal his mother's maiden name to his employers. 

Plus the latest news on Gilbert Deya, the preacher who has helped deliver 'miracle babies' to many parents. Deya has recently lost his appeal against extradition to Kenya where he faces charges of child abduction.

John Waite meets an Iraqi interpreter who was granted asylum in the UK after being threatened by insurgents because he worked for British forces, and a man who lost his job because he refused to reveal his mother's maiden name. Plus an update on preacher Gilbert Deya. Producer Andrew Smith

Weather

Weather: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 02/01/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 02/01/2009

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

The World at One

More or Less

Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life

Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life

More or Less: Forecasting the Future - More Credit Crunch Maths- Lake Wobegon Effect - Average Wage

Forecasting the Future - More Credit Crunch Maths- Lake Wobegon Effect - Average Wage

BBC Radio 4 - More or Less, Forecasting the Future - More Credit Crunch Maths- Lake Wobegon Effect - Average Wage

Tim Harford questions the ability of professional forecasters at predicting the future.

Tim Harford questions ability of professional forecasters at predicting the future. Plus, why so many of us tend to think we are above average wage.

Forecasting the Future 
2008 contained so many surprises that any self-respecting forecaster might want to take care before venturing a confident prognostication. So are expert forecasts ever any good? 

Tim speaks to Philip Tetlock, a professor of psychology in the University of California, Berkeley. Professional forecasters, according to Professor Tetlock, are only marginally better than monkeys at predicting the future.


More Credit Crunch Maths
Financial mathematics guru Paul Wilmott continues with his series explaining how mathematical blunders contributed to the credit crunch. Financial traders are taught that the way to maximise profit and minimise risk is to diversify. 

So why did so many end up doing the same trades? The answer, according to Paul, might lie in the maths of the bonus system.


The Lake Wobegon Effect 
Why do most parents think their child is in the top 20% for academic ability? Perhaps it is the same reason that most drivers think they are in the top 20% for safety. 

Ruth Alexander investigates the power of the "above average effect", our tendency to overestimate our relative performance when it comes to desirable qualities and skills. 

It is also known as the Lake Wobegon effect after the fictional community "where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average". 


What is an Average Wage?
Listener Bill MacDonald has heard the average wage in the UK described as around £24,000. 

He thought that seemed a bit high and asked us to find out how it is calculated and whether it fairly reflects typical earnings. 

Our reporter Oliver Hawkins explains the importance of selecting the most appropriate measure of the average.

More or Less: Forecasting the Future

5/8. Author, economist and Financial Times journalist Tim Harford investigates numbers. Producer Innes Bowen Repeated Sunday at 8.30pm

The Archers

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

The Archers: 01/01/2009

01/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 01/01/2009

Will wakes up at Nic's house. Her kids are desperate to see him before going to their dad's. Will and Nic agree to go to Ambridge to see George. 

At the Lodge, Peggy tells Lilian they've had a bad night. Jack couldn't cope with the bells and fireworks. Peggy asks about the Lower Loxley ball. Lilian says they didn't go. Matt didn't want to see Chalkman. Peggy asks if the business is in trouble. Lilian thinks things are worse than Matt's letting on. 

Shula pops in to wish Peggy and Jack a happy wedding anniversary. Shula apologises for the noise of the bells. She tells Peggy she doesn't feel she belongs at St Stephen's. She asks Peggy about Alan marrying Usha. Peggy says as long they respect each other's beliefs, that's what matters. Lilian tells Peggy Jack's told her how happy he is he married Peggy. 

Neil's surprised when Will and Nic arrive at Ambridge View. George is pleased to see Nic, and asks about Jake. Neil asks if Emma knows about Will and Nic. 

Later, Nic says she'd like to visit Will in Gloucester, to see where he lives. Nic, Will and George then go to the Bull for lunch, hand in hand. 

Episode written by Caroline Harrington.

Sherlock Holmes

Tales of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective.

Tales of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective - resident of 221B Baker Street.

Afternoon Drama: The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes: The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Series 3: Episode 2: The Eyes of Horus

Episode 2

Episode 2: The Eyes of Horus

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Series 3

The Eyes of Horus

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Sherlock Holmes, The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Series 3, The Eyes of Horus

Intrigue for the sleuth as a priceless antique disappears under impossible conditions.

Intrigue for the sleuth as a priceless antique disappears. Stars Clive Merrison and Andrew Sachs. From January 2009.

Series of four new tales of mystery and murder by Bert Coules, inspired by the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

The police are baffled when a priceless antique disappears, but Holmes solves the mystery with the aid of a pawnbroker, a landlady and two stout rubber bands.

Sherlock Holmes ...... Clive Merrison
Dr John Watson ...... Andrew Sachs
Lady Mallory ...... Colette O'Neil
Lestrade ...... Stephen Thorne
Lofting ...... Stephen Critchlow
Wilson ...... Jonathan Tafler
Mrs Hartnell ...... Janice Acquah
Sergeant ...... Malcolm Tierney
Constable ...... Paul Rider 

Directed by Patrick Rayner.

Sherlock Holmes: The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Series 3

Tales of mystery and murder, inspired by the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Series of four new tales of mystery and murder by Bert Coules, inspired by the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Afternoon Play: The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

2/4 The Eyes of Horus. A priceless antique disappears under impossible conditions and the police are baffled. Holmes solves the mystery with the aid of pawnbroker, a landlady, and two stout rubber bands. Inspired by the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle and written by Bert Coules.

Ramblings

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Ramblings: Series 9

Ramblings: Series 9: Episode 3: West Country - Wraxall

Episode 3

Episode 3: West Country - Wraxall

Series 9

West Country - Wraxall

BBC Radio 4 - Ramblings, Series 9, West Country - Wraxall

Clare Balding walks in the West Country with Beryl Griffiths, founder of Granny Treks.

Clare Balding walks in the West Country with Beryl Griffiths, founder of Granny Treks. Beryl has raised huge sums for her local children's hospice through sponsored walks.

Clare Balding walks in the West Country with Beryl Griffiths, founder of Granny Treks. Beryl has raised huge sums for her local children's hospice through sponsored walks. She takes Clare on the route that is has become the annual Granny Trek around Charlton Farm in Wraxall, Somerset.

Series in which Clare Balding goes for countryside walks

8/8. Clare Balding walks in the West Country with Beryl Griffiths , founder of Granny Treks. 
Beryl has raised huge sums for her local children's hospice through sponsored walks. She takes Clare on the route that has become the annual Granny Trek around Charlton Farm in Wraxhall. Producer Lucy Lunt

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Big Charlie

Afternoon Reading: Big Charlie: Episode 5

Big Charlie

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Big Charlie, Episode 5

Charlie makes his triumphal entry into Butlins, Filey.

The true story of the transportation of an elephant between two Butlins camps in the 1950s. Charlie makes his triumphal entry into Butlins, Filey.

Colonel Williams' amazing story of how, in the summer of 1957, the largest elephant in captivity was moved from Butlin's in Scotland to Butlin's, Yorkshire.

The journey over, Big Charlie makes his triumphal entry to Filey.

Written by JH Williams. Abridged and read by Tony Lidington.

Producer: David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

The true story of the transportation of an elephant between two Butlins camps in the 1950s

By JH Williams. The true story of the transportation of an elephant between two Butlins camps in the 1950s, abridged and read by Tony Lidington

5/5 By JH Williams. Charlie makes his triumphal entry to Butlin's, Filey. For details see Monday 29 December

Pilots That Never Flew

Pilots That Never Flew: Episode 5: Agents and Audiences

Episode 5: Agents and Audiences

Agents and Audiences

BBC Radio 4 - Pilots That Never Flew, Agents and Audiences

Paul examines two groups at the sharp end of the process - agents and audiences.

Paul Roseby examines the laborious process of creating successful pilot programmes. Paul examines two groups at the sharp end of the process - agents and audiences.

Series in which Director of the National Youth Theatre Paul Roseby examines the laborious process of creating successful pilot programmes. 

Paul examines two groups at the sharp end of the process - the agents who have to break bad news about unsuccessful pilots to their clients and the audiences whose response can make the difference between success and failure. Featuring an interview with John Grant of the Conway van Gelder Grant agency.

Paul Roseby examines the laborious process of creating successful pilot programmes

Series of five programmes in which Director of the National Youth Theatre Paul Roseby examines the laborious process of creating successful pilot programmes

5/5 Agents and Audiences. The agent and the audience are at the sharp end of the pilot: they decide whether it gets the green light or not. For details see Monday 29 December

Last Word

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

Last Word: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, 02/01/2009

John Wilson presents the obituary series.

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

John Wilson presents the obituary series, analysing and celebrating the life stories of people who have recently died. The programme reflects on people of distinction and interest from many walks of life, some famous and some less well known.

John Wilson presents the obituary programme that celebrates the lives of notable people who have recently died. Producer Julia Johnson Repeated Sunday 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: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Film Programme, 02/01/2009

Francine Stock presents a behind the scenes look at the Mike Leigh comedy, Happy-Go-Lucky.

In an extended edition of a programme that was broadcast first in April, Francine Stock presents a behind the scenes look at Happy-Go-Lucky, Mike Leigh's award-winning comedy.

The Film Programme: Happy-Go-Lucky

In an extended version of the documentary that was originally broadcast in April 2008, Francine Stock presents a behind-the-scenes look at Mike Leigh's comedy Happy-Go-Lucky.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 02/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 02/01/2009

Coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair.

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Shipping Forecast

02/01/2009

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02/01/2009

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Westminster Follies

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Shipping Forecast

03/01/2009

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