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: 08/01/2009

08/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 08/01/2009Close 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: 08/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 08/01/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 08/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 08/01/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Andrew Graystone.

A pause for reflection with Andrew Graystone.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 08/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 08/01/2009

News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.

With Charlotte Smith. Producer Anne-Marie Bullock

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: 08/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 08/01/2009

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With Evan Davis and Edward Stourton. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Presented by Evan Davis and Edward Stourton.

Natalia Antelava analyses the likelihood of Hezbollah joining the Gaza conflict.

Hugh Pym reports on what the government can do as interest rates drop closer to zero.

Parvin Ali and Rabbi Gabriel Farhi debate the repercussions of the conflict in Gaza for European Muslims and Jews.

Management consultant Peter York and Mark Hedges, of Country Life, discuss why old English brands are being so badly hit by the recession.

Jeremy Bowen says Hezbollah has rearmed since 2006.

A turbine on a wind-farm in Lincolnshire has been badly damaged in what local residents claim was a collision with a UFO.

Mark Simpson reports on an apparent sighting of a ghost in Northern Ireland.

Thought for the day with the Rev Angela Tilby.

Gabriel Gatehouse and MP Ed Miliband discuss the UK's reliance on gas from other countries.

John Redwood and Roger Bootle debate whether interest rates should be cut.

Alastair Crook analyses the possible groups behind the rocket attacks on Israel from Lebanon.

Actors Toby Jones and Rory Kinnear discuss the current glut of movies with real-life figures as their stars.

Christopher Rodrigues of Visit Britain and Channel Five's Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi discuss how the tourism industry will cope in the recession.

MP Hazel Blears and Mark Wallace of the Taxpayers' Alliance discuss if the cabinet should meet outside London.

Jonah Fisher visits a high security prison to report on an anger management programme proving popular with inmates.

Dr Mike Grocott discusses the findings of the group of doctors who climbed Everest to conduct experiments on themselves.

Lord Hurd and Lord Hattersley discuss whether Edward Heath and James Callaghan were undervalued as leaders.

With Edward Stourton and Evan Davis.
6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News
7.48 Thought for the Day
With the Rev Angela Tilby.

In Our Time

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

In Our Time: Darwin: In Our Time

In Our Time: Darwin: In Our Time: Episode 4: Darwin: Life After Origins

Episode 4

Episode 4: Darwin: Life After Origins

Darwin: In Our Time

Darwin: Life After Origins

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, Darwin: In Our Time, Darwin: Life After Origins

Melvyn visits Darwin's home at Down House in Kent.

Melvyn Bragg presents a series about the life and work of Charles Darwin. Melvyn visits Darwin's home at Down House in Kent, where he continued working until his death in 1882.

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in 2009 and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, Melvyn Bragg presents a series about Darwin's life and work.Melvyn visits Darwin's home at Down House in Kent. Despite ill health and the demands of his family, Darwin continued researching and publishing until his death in April 1882.Featuring contributions from Darwin biographer Jim Moore, geneticist at University College London Steve Jones, Darwin expert Alison Pearn of the Darwin Correspondence Project and former garden curator at Down House Nick Biddle.

Melvyn Bragg presents a series about the life and work of Charles Darwin

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, Melvyn Bragg presents a series about Darwin's life and work

In Our Time: Darwin: Life After Origins

4/4 Life after Origins. Melvyn Bragg talks about Darwin's final years at Down House, his home in Kent where, despite ill health and the demands of his family, he continued working until his death in April 1882.
Shortened rpt 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: And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 200 Years of British and Irish History

Book of the Week: And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 200 Years of British and Irish History: Episode 4

And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 200 Years of British and Irish History

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 200 Years of British and Irish History, Episode 4

Charlie follows in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie and travels to the Isle of Skye.

Charlie Connelly recreates a series of famous journeys, following Bonnie Prince Charlie to Skye. Read by Martin Freeman.

Martin Freeman reads from Charlie Connelly's travelogue in which he recreates a series of famous historical journeys through the British Isles. 

Charlie follows in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie and travels to the Isle of Skye.

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.

By Charlie Connelly. Recreating famous historical journeys through Britain

Martin Freeman reads from Charlie Connelly's travelogue in which he recreates a series of famous historical journeys through the British Isles

Daily Service

Led by the Rt Rev Nigel McCullocn. O Worship the Lord (Was Lebet). 1 John 1, w7-11. Christ Is the World's True Light (Bach). Lord, the Light of Your Love (Shine, Jesus, Shine).

Book of the Week:And Did Those Feet

4/5. Charlie Connelly follows in the wake ot Bonnie Prince Charlie and goes to Skye. 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: Treating eating disorders in Northern Ireland; The DNB

Treating eating disorders in Northern Ireland; The DNB

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Treating eating disorders in Northern Ireland; The DNB

Is enough being done to help patients suffering from eating disorders in Northern Ireland?

Is enough being done to help patients suffering from eating disorders in Northern Ireland? Plus, the criteria for inclusion in the Dictionary of National Biography.

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

Crossing Continents

Series focusing on foreign affairs issues

Crossing Continents: Malaysia: Racial Supremacy No More?

Malaysia: Racial Supremacy No More?

BBC Radio 4 - Crossing Continents, Malaysia: Racial Supremacy No More?

Mukul Devichand reports on tensions building up between Malaysian ethnic groups.

Mukul Devichand reports on tensions between ethnic Malays - who have benefited from positive discrimination in recent decades - and Malaysians of ethnic Chinese and Indian origin.

For nearly four decades, ethnic Malays have benefited from positive discrimination over Malaysians of ethnic Chinese and Indian origin - which make up nearly 40 percent of the population. 

But in 2008, the country's unique racial compact began to be strongly challenged from within. Mukul Devichand reports on the tensions and meets Malay, Indian and Chinese young people on the front lines of the struggle between ingrained racism and the possibility of a more equal future.

Crossing Continents: Malaysia

9/9 Malaysia - Racist No More? For nearly 
40 years, ethnic Malays have benefited from positive discrimination and special rights over the 40 per cent of Malaysians from 
Chinese and Indian minorities. But in 2008, the country's unique racial make-up began to be challenged from within. Mukul Devichand meets Malay, Indian and Chinese young people on the front lines of the struggle between ingrained racism and the possibility of a more equal future. 
Producer Mukul Devichand Repeated on Monday at 8.30pm

The Omnipresent Mr Handel

BBC Radio 4 - The Omnipresent Mr Handel

How Handel became, through his oratorios, a favourite of the working and middle classes.

Historian Peter Stead explores how George Friderich Handel, court composer to King George II, also became, through his oratorios, a favourite of the working and middle classes.

Social historian Peter Stead explores how George Friderich Handel, court composer to King George II and provider of opera for the aristocracy, also became, through his oratorios, a favourite of the working and middle classes. 

The oratorio played a key role in the development of music festivals and choral societies from the 18th century onwards, particularly in the burgeoning industrial regions of the Wales and the north of England.

Social historian Peter Stead looks at how Handel's oratorios became the staple diet of the working and middle classes. This "noblest" of musical forms played a key role in the development of music festivals and choral societies from the 18th century, particularly in the burgeoning industrial regions of the north of England and Wales. Producer Rebecca Warner

You and Yours

You and Yours: 08/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 08/01/2009

Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson. Plus, A tale of two recyclers.

Presented by Winifred Robinson.

The National Pensioners Convention says that 12 pensioners could die every hour from the cold. We speak to Jenny Saunders, Chief Executive of National Energy Action.

European City Guide: The European Commission is being urged to step in to stop a racket which has seen hundreds of small businesses lose money.

The Department of Health and manufacturers have reached an agreement that aims to bring down the drugs bill for the NHS. Lionel Winston David Fisher of the ABPI and Dr Bill Beeby of the BMA discuss.

The Serious Fraud Office in London has announced it will investigate the UK operations of Bernard Madoff, arrested and charged in December over an alleged $50 billion fraud. Richard Alderman of the SFO explains.

Nigel Harries of Rail Magazine and Gareth Elliot from the British Chamber of Commerce discuss the continuing disruption on the West Coast Mainline.

A tale of two recyclers - Trevor Balding is a one man band running a group of 350 can banks in and around Norfolk; Chris Dow recycles plastic bottles turning them back into food packaging for the UK market.

Writer John Killick reads the fourth of five poems fashioned from conversations with people with dementia.

Weather

Weather: 08/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 08/01/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 08/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 08/01/2009

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

The World at One

Costing the Earth

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

Costing the Earth: Better Living Through Chemistry?

05/01/2009

Better Living Through Chemistry?

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, Better Living Through Chemistry?

How being exposed to a cocktail of pesticides could potentially damage our health.

Tom Heap investigates how being exposed to a cocktail of pesticides could potentially damage our health.

Tom Heap investigates how being exposed to a cocktail of pesticides could potentially damage our health. A High Court ruling in November 2008 found in favour of a woman who claimed that prolonged exposure to pesticides sprayed in the fields surrounding her home had made her ill. In the light of this, the EU has proposed that several pesticides be banned, but how might crop yields and food prices be affected should a ban be implemented?

1/6. Better Living through Chemistry? Repeated from Monday at 9pm

The Archers

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

The Archers: 07/01/2009

07/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 07/01/2009

Ruth knows Pip would be impressed by Alistair's new portable ultrasound equipment. Alistair thinks it's great that Pip's so interested in farming. Ruth admits they're pleased too.

Usha's running with Annabelle again, but assures Ruth she just needs the incentive. Annabelle and Usha push each other harder than they thought possible. Usha admits to Ruth that her competitive side seems to have taken over. The marathon's taken on new meaning and she's determined to beat Annabelle.

Ryan phones Alistair. He's in a betting shop with £50 left of his dole money and needs Alistair's help. Alistair rushes over and arrives in time to stop Ryan laying down a bet but Ryan's still tempted. Alistair ignores his phone while they go for a drink. They have a good chat and Ryan's grateful for Alistair's guidance. 

Alistair's missed calls are from Kenton, who saw Alistair leaving the bookies and wants to know what's going on. Alistair tells Kenton the truth but Kenton's not convinced. Even if it is true, Kenton's worried Alistair's taking one hell of a risk. Kenton isn't prepared to see Shula hurt again. Alistair promises him there's no need to worry. He knows what he's doing.

Episode written by Simon Frith.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama

Drama on 4: Sarah Daniels - Left in Trust

Sarah Daniels - Left in Trust

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Sarah Daniels - Left in Trust

Writing a play about the National Trust founder, Linda finds secrets about her own family.

Writing a play about the National Trust's founder, Linda uncovers family secrets. Stars Kenneth Cranham and Sophie Stanton.

By Sarah Daniels. 

When a young woman decides to write a play about the founder of the National Trust, it leads her to discover secrets about her own family. 

With Kenneth Cranham, Sophie Stanton.

Directed by Sally Avens.

Afternoon Play: Left in Trust

When a woman writes a play about the founder of the National Trust, she begins to uncover secrets about her own family. By 
Sarah Daniels. Starring Kenneth Cranham and Sophie Stanton. Director Sally Avens

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: 03/01/2009

03/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, 03/01/2009

Matt Baker visits Northumberland to see how the fledgling red kite population is faring.

Countryside magazine. Matt Baker visits Northumberland to find out what the new year might bring for the fledgling red kite population.

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: Practical Action

04/01/2009

Practical Action

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, Practical ActionSearch BBC

Adam Hart-Davis appeals on behalf of Practical Action.

Adam Hart-Davis appeals on behalf of Practical Action. Donations: Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144.

Shorts

Radio 4 short stories. A showcase for new and original writing.

Shorts: Series 9

Shorts: Series 9: Episode 3: Pillars of the Community

Episode 3

Episode 3: Pillars of the Community

Series 9

Pillars of the Community

BBC Radio 4 - Shorts, Series 9, Pillars of the Community

By Anneliese Mackintosh. A young woman attends a dinner party hosted by her neighbours.

By Anneliese Mackintosh: A young woman attends a dinner party hosted by her neighbours, who seem to be hiding something. Read by Natalie Bennett.

Comedy by Anneliese Mackintosh. 

A young woman attends a dinner party hosted by her neighbours, who seem to be hiding something.

Read by Natalie Bennett.

Scottish Shorts

3/3. Pillars of the Community. A young woman attends a dinner party hosted by her neighbours - but are the upright couple hiding something? Anneliese Mackintosh 's story is read by Natalie Bennett. For details see Tuesday

Dear Darwin

Dear Darwin: Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 - Dear Darwin, Episode 4Search BBC

Dr Peter Bentley tells Darwin about the emerging field of evolutionary computing.

Leading scientists write letters to Charles Darwin. Dr Peter Bentley, who works at the cutting edge of digital biology, tells Darwin about evolutionary computing.

Five leading scientists address letters to Charles Darwin, expressing their thoughts on his work and legacy. 

Dr Peter Bentley, who works at the cutting edge of digital biology, tells Darwin about the emerging field of evolutionary computing. Peter tells of how Darwin's elegantly simple algorithm lies at the heart of so much complexity in our world, and how abstracting it from 'wet' biology and into the digital realm allows this most powerful of natural processes to be harnessed in industry, finance, medicine and even one day perhaps to construct true artificial life; self replicating, self-designing, self-adapting, self-repairing, self-everything devices.

Leading scientists address letters to Charles Darwin

Five leading scientists address letters to Charles Darwin, expressing their thoughts on his work and legacy

4/5. Dr Peter Bentley , who works at the cutting edge of digital biology, brings 
Charles Darwin up to seed with the emerging field of evolutionary computing. For details see Monday

Bookclub

Led by James Naughtie, readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best-known novels

Led by James Naughtie, a group of readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best-known novels

Bookclub: Oliver James

Oliver James

BBC Radio 4 - Bookclub, Oliver James

James Naughtie talks to the psychologist Oliver James about 'affluenza'.

James Naughtie talks to the psychologist Oliver James, who puts his case against 'affluenza', a virus which he says is sweeping through the English-speaking world.

James Naughtie talks to the psychologist Oliver James. He joins an audience of readers to put his case against 'affluenza', a virus which he says is sweeping through the English-speaking world. Written just before the advent of the credit crunch, he points out that the aspiration to and trappings of affluence might be emotionally harmful.

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: Student Space Projects - Did the Earth Freeze Over?

Student Space Projects - Did the Earth Freeze Over?

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, Student Space Projects - Did the Earth Freeze Over?

Quentin Cooper learns about student contributions to front-line space projects.

Quentin Cooper meets students from Leicester and Milton Keynes who are designing space dust detectors to orbit the Earth and biology experiments that will circle the Moon.

STUDENT SPACE PROJECTS
Quentin Cooper learns about student contributions to front-line space projects. He meets undergraduates from the University of Leicester who are building their own satellite to study space dust, detecting nano-meteoroids in orbit around the Earth. 

At the Open University at Milton Keynes, PhD students are building an experiment that will orbit the Moon as part of the European Student Moon Orbiter (ESMO), which is being designed and built by students from 29 universities in 12 countries.


DID THE EARTH FREEZE OVER?
Something strange was happening to the Earth around 700 million years ago. There’s evidence of deposits left by ice on every continent, including regions that were then near the equator. The implication that has become widely accepted over the last decade, is that the Earth froze over.

Such a ‘snowball earth’ scenario would have almost wiped out the primitive marine life of the time. There would have been no marine algae to remove volcanic carbon dioxide from the air. When the greenhouse gas had built up, about 635 million years ago, it caused rapid warming and a sudden thaw that plunged our planet into a hothouse.

The climate change is marked by a global layer of limestone as marine algae took advantage of the CO2 and warm seas. Soon afterwards the first assemblage of diverse, multicellular life forms evolved. But now, in a review article, Professor Phillip Allen of Imperial College London has called the global glaciation into doubt.

He discusses the evidence with Gabrielle Walker, author of ‘Snowball Earth’.

Material World: Student Space Projects

The Material World

Quentin Cooper meets university staff and students who are developing space projects. In Leicester, a satellite that will study space dust in orbit around the Earth is to be launched later this year.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 08/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 08/01/2009

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

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

08/01/2009

Genres

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Weather

08/01/2009

Genres

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Brand

Open Country

Open Country

03/01/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

08/01/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Shipping Forecast

09/01/2009

Genres

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