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: 29/01/2009

29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 29/01/2009Close 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: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 29/01/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 29/01/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Rabbi Dr Naftali Brawer.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 29/01/2009

News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.

With Charlotte Smith. Producer Alasdair 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: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 29/01/2009

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

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

Presented by John Humphrys and Edward Stourton.

Chair of the Public Accounts Committee Edward Leigh says literacy and numeracy targets will not be reached.

Simon Cox examines how lawyers are making money from ransom negotiations.

Tim Franks visits some residents of the Gaza Strip who have started the process of reconstruction.

Prof Sara Arber explains how sleep restriction can damage health.

Barnardo's chief executive Martin Narey explains his view that the current preference for keeping families together is putting vulnerable children in danger.

Graham Satchell interviews Jane Rabagliati of the Deer Initiative about whether a cull is a necessary evil.

Evan Davis reports from the World Economic Forum and asks whether the meeting can help 'reshape the post-crisis world'.

Thought for the day with the writer Rhidian Brook.

Stephen Chittenden speaks to teens in Cambridge about their attitude to alcohol and England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson explains why guidelines have become necessary. 

Skills Secretary John Denham and English teacher Phil Beadle discuss targets for literacy and numeracy.

Chris Morris reports on UN concerns that a humanitarian crisis is taking place in Sri Lanka.

Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, talks to Evan Davis about his attempt to lift the mood at the World Economic Forum.

Sarah Campbell examines the problems surrounding a new academy in Carlisle.

Karen Allen reports on the troops completing 'unfinished business' in Eastern Congo.

Evan Davis speaks to Stephen Roach, Chairman of Morgan Stanley's Asia operations, about whether China will help the West in the financial crisis.

Prof John Curtis, of the British Museum, says stupidity caused the destruction of Babylon.

With John Humphrys and Sarah Montague. 
6.25,7.25,8.25 Sports News 
6.45 Yesterday in Parliament 
With Sean Curran and Robert Orchard. 
7.48 Thought forthe Day With Rhidian Brook. 
8.31  Yesterday in Parliament

In Our Time

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

In Our Time: Swift's A Modest Proposal

Swift's A Modest Proposal

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, Swift's A Modest Proposal

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Jonathan Swift's satirical 1729 pamphlet A Modest Proposal

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Jonathan Swift's satirical 1729 pamphlet A Modest Proposal, which reveals much about attitudes to the Irish and the poor in 18th-Century Britain.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the most brilliant and shocking satires ever written in English – Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal. Masquerading as an attempt to end poverty in Ireland once and for all, a Modest Proposal is a short pamphlet that draws the reader into a scheme for economic and industrial horror. Published anonymously but written by Jonathan Swift, A Modest Proposal lays bare the cruel presumptions, unchecked prejudice, the politics and the poverty of the 18th century, but it also reveals, perhaps more than anything else, the character and the mind of Swift himself.With John Mullan, Professor of English at University College London; Judith Hawley, Professor of 18th Century Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London and Ian McBride, Senior Lecturer in the History Department at King’s College London.

Swift's A Modest Proposal. Swift's satirical pamphlet suggesting the Irish famine would be solved if people ate their babies reveals much about attitudes to the Irish and the poor in 18th-century Britain. Melvyn Bragg is joined by John Mullan and Judith Hawley. Shortened repeat 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: The Tall Man

Book of the Week: The Tall Man: Episode 4

Episode 4

The Tall Man

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, The Tall Man, Episode 4

The legal processes baffle the community's attempts to understand how Doomadgee died.

By Chloe Hooper, read by Kerry Fox. The confusing legal processes baffle the community's attempts to understand how Cameron Doomadgee died of massive 'internal injuries'.

By Chloe Hooper, read by Kerry Fox.

The confusing legal processes baffle the community's attempts to understand how Cameron Doomadgee died of massive 'internal injuries'.

By Chloe Hooper. The story of a murder in the Australian paradise of Palm Island

By Chloe Hooper. The story of Palm Island, the Australian paradise where, one day in 2004, Cameron Doomadgee swore at policeman Christopher Hurley and 40 minutes later lay dead in a watch-house cell

Daily Service

Led by the Rev Dr Martyn Atkins. My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness (Townend and Getty). Romans 8, vvl-6; 9-11. Lord, for Thy Tender Mercy's Sake (Hilton). There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (Corvedale).

4/5. The confusing legal processes baffle Palm Island's Aboriginal community as they try to understand how Doomadgee died of massive internal injuries. By Chloe Hooper. 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: Income inequalities after divorce; Virginie Despentes

Income inequalities after divorce; Virginie Despentes

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Income inequalities after divorce; Virginie Despentes

Why do women fare worse after divorce? Plus, French writer Virginie Despentes on feminism.

Why do women fare worse after divorce? Plus controversial French writer Virginie Despentes on prostitution and pornography, and jazz pianist Judy Carmichael plays live.

With Jenni Murray. 
10.45 The Child in Time 4/5 The Woman's Hour drama. 
For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm

From Our Own Correspondent

Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents and writers.

Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers telling stories from around the world.

From Our Own Correspondent: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - From Our Own Correspondent, 29/01/2009

Kate Adie introduces BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the headlines.

BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the world's headlines. Introduced by Kate Adie.

From Our Own Correspondent: 29 January

3/9. Dispatches that add the colour behind the headlines from the BBC's foreign correspondents. Presented by Kate Adie. Producer Tony Grant

The Morricone Affair

01/11/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Morricone Affair

Christopher Frayling's profile of Italian film and TV score composer Ennio Morricone.

Christopher Frayling's profile of Italian film and TV score composer Ennio Morricone. With Goldfrapp and Chris Rea. From 2008.

Sir Christopher Frayling presents a tribute to the renowned Italian film score composer Ennio Morricone. With contributions from Goldfrapp, Chris Rea, Nitin Sawhney, Anne Billson and Andrew Paresi. From 2008.

Another chance to hear 
Christopher Frayling 's profile of Italian film composer Ennio Morricone. His soundtracks have featured in more than 500 film and television productions, including Fistfulof Dollars, Once Upon a Time in America and The Mission. With contributions from 
Goldfrapp, Chris Rea and Nitin Sawhney. Producer Sarah Cuddon

You and Yours

You and Yours: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 29/01/2009

With Winifred Robinson. British Gas defend the level of their recent price cut.

Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson. British Gas defend the level of their recent price cut

Presented by Winifred Robinson.

British Gas defend the level of their recent price cut. We speak to Phil Bentley, the managing director of British Gas and Ann Robinson from the price comparison website USwitch. 

MPs and Peers in the All Parliamentary Group on Dementia are holding an investigation into whether professional carers looking after people with the condition have the right skills to do the job. Jeremy Wright, Conservative MP for Rugby and Kenilworth, chairs the group.

At different times in our history our leaders have pressed home this idea that we will earn our future prosperity in new and wonderful ways. But have we really invented our way out of trouble? And if we have, can we do it again today?

Has council-funded public art had its day? Fiona Clampin reports.

Light bulbs using very low energy and emitting very bright light are a British development from scientists at Cambridge University. One of them is Professor Colin Humphreys.

Adam Leach, from market intelligence company Ovum, analyses the 2009 mobile phone market.

Jason Burke reports on French protestors staging 'flash' picnics in supermarkets.

Weather

Weather: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 29/01/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 29/01/2009

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

The World at One

Costing the Earth

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

Costing the Earth: Energy Use High

26/01/2009

Energy Use High

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, Energy Use High

Miriam O'Reilly investigates the government's school building programme.

Miriam O'Reilly investigates the government's school building programme and hears how unneccessarily complicated 'green features' are being built into some new schools.

Miriam O'Reilly investigates the government's school building programme. She hears that unneccessarily complicated 'green features' are being built into some new schools, hampering teachers from getting on with the job of teaching and in some cases causing schools to use up to three times more energy than ones that were built ten, 20 and even 100 years ago.

The Government has poured £45bn into building and refitting schools so that they will be energy efficient. But there are claims that unnecessarily complicated "green" features are actually hampering teachers. 
Miriam O'Reilly investigates. Rptd from Monday at 9pm

The Archers

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

The Archers: 27/01/2009

27/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 27/01/2009

It looks as if the calf will make a full recovery. Ruth praises Pip for being such a star last night. David thinks she was absolutely fantastic. They're very proud, but Pip modestly declares she just did what any farmer would do

Fallon's keen to see the flat above the shop. Susan shows her round and Fallon's impressed - she can even see how one room could be turned into a recording studio.  

Brian sounds Maurice out and asks how he'd feel if he was offered more hours. Maurice is interested, although surprised that Tom hasn't mentioned a possible production increase. Brian quickly points out this is his side of the business and it's probably best not to bother Tom with it.  

Brian has a similar word with Hannah. She agrees to think about the possibility of doing a few extra hours once she's back at college. Brian knows how stressed Tom's been lately and suggests it's probably best not to mention any of this to him. It would be dreadful to raise his hopes and then disappoint him if things don't go to plan. Hannah agrees - and wishes she had an uncle as thoughtful as Brian.

Episode written by Carole Simpson Solazzo.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama

Drama on 4: Cavity

Cavity

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Cavity

A woman takes refuge in an attic as she is almost caught having an affair.

Comedy drama by Sean Grundy. Kirsty is having an affair with a married man, Adrian. When his wife returns unexpectedly from a business conference, Kirsty hides in the attic.

Cavity
By Sean Grundy

Kirsty is having an affair with a married man, Adrian. When his wife Lucy returns unexpectedly from a business conference Kirsty hides in the attic. In a panic, she falls down the back of the attic into the cavity wall. A story then unfolds which combines the domestically mundane with the utterly bizarre.

A strange but funny story about sex, betrayal, the housing market and a love triangle that follows its own surreal logic.

Cast:

Kirsty - Ingrid Oliver
Adrian - Julian Rhind-Tutt
Lucy - Kerry Godliman
Sandra - Hayley Doherty
Estate Agent - Jim Howick
Dan the Cavity Man / Matt - Paul Mundell
Jemma - Deirdre Mullins

Director: Alison Crawford.

Afternoon Play: Cavity

Kirsty is having an affair with Adrian, a married man. When his wife Lucy returns unexpectedly from a business conference, Kirsty hides in the attic. In a panic, she falls down the back of the attic into the cavity wall. A story then unfolds that combines the domestically mundane with the utterly bizarre. Sean Grundy s strange but amusing story about sex, betrayal, the housing market and a love triangle, follows its own surreal logic.  
  Producer Alison Crawford

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: 24/01/2009

24/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, 24/01/2009

Matt Baker finds out about the role of Morris Dancing in the life of the Cotswolds.

Countryside magazine. Matt Baker finds out about the role of Morris Dancing in the life of the Cotswolds.

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: Send a Cow

25/01/2009

Send a Cow

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, Send a CowSearch BBC

Paul Heiney appeals on behalf of Send a Cow.

Paul Heiney appeals on behalf of Send a Cow. Donations: Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Murder She Thought - Series 2

Afternoon Reading: Murder She Thought - Series 2: Episode 3: Box

Episode 3

Episode 3: Box

Murder She Thought - Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Murder She Thought - Series 2, BoxSearch BBC

By Zeba Kalim. A young bookshop assistant has a problem with a strange admirer.

By Zeba Kalim. A young assistant in a bookshop is having a problem with a strange admirer. Then he leaves a package for her in the shop.

A young assistant in a bookshop is having a problem with a strange admirer. But is he really a stalker? 

Then, he leaves a package for her in the shop...

Joanne Whalley reads Zeba Kalim's tale.

Director: Martin Jarvis
A Jarvis & Ayres production for BBC Radio 4.

Series of compelling crime stories by women writers

Murder She Thought

3/3. Box. A young assistant in a bookshop is having a problem with a strange admirer. 
But is he really a stalker? Then he leaves a package for her in the shop. Joanne Whalley reads this story by Zeba Kalim. For details see Tuesday

America, Empire of Liberty

America, Empire of Liberty: Episode 39: New South, Old Ways

Episode 39

Episode 39: New South, Old Ways

New South, Old Ways

BBC Radio 4 - America, Empire of Liberty, New South, Old Ways

Written and presented by David Reynolds. The birth of segregation.

David Reynolds tells the story of the American Civil War and its aftermath

Episode 9: 'New South, Old Ways': The birth of segregation. 

Previously broadcast on 29 January, 2009 as part of David Reynolds' 90 part history of America.

Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds

39/90. New South, Old Ways. The birth of segregation. Presented by David Reynolds. For details see Monday

Open Book

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books, talking to authors and publishers and unearthing lost classics

Open Book: Charles Elton on Mr Toppit

Charles Elton on Mr Toppit

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, Charles Elton on Mr Toppit

Mariella Frostrup talks to Charles Elton about his novel Mr Toppit.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Charles Elton about his novel Mr Toppit, about the dubious legacy of a children's book that becomes successful only after the death of its author.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Charles Elton about his novel Mr Toppit, which concerns the dubious legacy of a children's book that becomes successful only after the death of its author.

Charles Elton talks to Mariella Frostrup about 
Mr Toppit , his new novel about the dubious legacy of a children's book that becomes a success only after the death of its author. Repeated from Sunday at 4pm

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: Morphic Fields - Social Evolution

Morphic Fields - Social Evolution

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, Morphic Fields - Social Evolution

Developments in evolutionary psychology and how it can help policy-makers.

Quentin Cooper explores the latest developments in evolutionary psychology and social Darwinism and asks how it can help policy-makers in both the private and public sector.

Morphic Fields
In 1981 Rupert Sheldrake published the first edition of his book "A New Science of Life". It challenged the orthodox assumptions of science, suggesting that there exists in nature a sort of collective memory pervading physical and biological systems which he called Morphic Resonance. 

The idea met with considerable hostility from conventional scientists. The then editor of Nature described the book as "the best candidate for burning there has been for many years." More than 25 years later, Sheldrake claims that his ideas have not been disproved.

Far from it, he says, there is more evidence than ever. So there’s a new, substantially revised and extended edition of the book. Is it still a good candidate for the bonfire?

Quentin discusses the claims and criticisms of the theory with Rupert Sheldrake and Prof Bernard Carr, a physicist and cosmologist from Queen Mary College University of London.


Social Evolution
The human body has evolved over many millions of years. But how has the human mind evolved, and do these changes influence the way we behave today?

These questions are the basis of evolutionary psychology – a science that’s less than 20 years old but has the potential to change the way we organise society. Researchers suggest that our prehistoric ancestors evolved the ability to talk, trust others, feel jealousy and live in groups because of pressures in their ancient environment. 

But evolutionary psychology isn’t all about the past. Professors Mark van-Vugt from the University of Kent and Robin Dunbar from the University of Oxford join Quentin Cooper to discuss the ways we can apply this knowledge to the problems of today. They explain why the tax man has to be heavy-handed, what the number 150 has to do with our social networks and the best way to get people to care about the environment.

Material World: Morphic Fields

The Material World

Quentin Cooper explores the latest developments in evolutionary psychology and social Darwinism, looking at how it could benefit policy-makers in the private and public sectors.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 29/01/2009

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

Six O'Clock News: 29/01/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 29/01/2009

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

Ed Reardon's Week

Meet Ed Reardon, author, pipe smoker, fare-dodger and master of the abusive email.

Meet Ed Reardon, author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive email, trying to survive in a world where the media seems to be run by idiots and charlatans.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

29/01/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Weather

29/01/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Open Country

Open Country

24/01/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

29/01/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Shipping Forecast

30/01/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

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