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: 12/02/2009

12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 12/02/2009Close 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: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 12/02/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 12/02/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Andrea Rea.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 12/02/2009

News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.

Presented by Charlotte Smith. 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: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 12/02/2009

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

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

Presented by John Humphrys and Evan Davis.

Schools minister Jim Knight discusses whether the Building Schools for the Future programme will be completed on time and on budget.

Lawyer Andrew Bainham explains why an adoption ruling could not be reversed.

Stuart Greenbaum of Aging Services of California discusses if older adults are offended by being called a 'codger', a 'fogey' or a 'fossil'.

Science correspondent Tom Feilden visits the biggest science conference in the world.

Lib Dem Home Affairs spokesman Chris Huhne discusses why Dutch MP Geert Wilders will not be allowed into the UK.

The British Antarctic Survey is starting a recruitment campaign. Tony McLaughlan, an electrician at the Rothera station in the Antarctic, discusses if working in such a remote region is a good idea.

Thought for the day with the Rev Dr David Wilkinson.

Business academics Peter Hahn and Andrew Gowers examine how the banking sector has to change.

Lawyer George Hawks and Lisa Christensen, Director of Children's Services at Norfolk County Council, discuss how a child's welfare is protected.

Nick Robinson examines the implications of Gordon Brown's grilling on the economy in his Q&A session with MPs. 

Sir Clement Freud and journalist Stanley Johnson discuss if the media patronises people over a certain age.

Prof's Steve Jones and David Reynolds discuss the similarities between Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin.

Prof David Reynolds and headteacher Donalda McComb discuss if an extra language gives children the edge over pupils who are taught in English.

David Shukman reports on the Darwin Foundation's fears that the Galapagos Islands are threatened by tourism.

Oliver Kamm and Sir Lawrence Freedman discuss if the US's global standing is in decline.

With Evan Davis and John Humphrys. 
6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News 
6.45 Yesterday in Parliament 
With Robert Orchard and David Wilby. 
7.48 Thought for the Day 
With the Rev Dr David Wilkinson. 
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: Carthage's Destruction

Carthage's Destruction

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, Carthage's Destruction

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Destruction of Carthage

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the  complete destruction of Carthage by Rome, a pivotal moment in world history.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Destruction of Carthage. The North African city of Carthage was rich and powerful, but in the second century BC it suffered a terrible fate. The Greek historian Appian wrote about it: “Then came new scenes of horror. As the fire spread and carried everything down, the soldiers did not wait to destroy the buildings little by little, but all in a heap. So the crashing grew louder, and many corpses fell with the stones into the midst. Others were seen still living, especially old men, women, and young children who had hidden in the inmost nooks of the houses, some of them wounded, some more or less burned, and uttering piteous cries.”When the Romans finally conquered their great enemy in 146 BC,  they razed it to the ground, sold off its library and tried to destroy not merely the city but the civilisation based upon it. Carthage was removed from history with such effect that it’s hard to know the city save through Roman eyes.It was a pivotal moment in world history that left Rome as the supreme power in the Mediterranean but after it was gone the ghosts of Carthage haunted Rome and seemed to hint at Rome’s own fate. With Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge; Jo Quinn, Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Oxford and Ellen O’Gorman, Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University of Bristol

In Our Time: The Observatory at Jaipur

The Destruction of Carthage. When the Romans finally conquered Carthage, home of their great enemy, they razed the city state to the ground, sold off its library and tried to erase an entire civilisation from history. Melvyn Bragg and his guests Mary Beard and Ellen O'Gorman discuss why the Romans were obsessed with Carthage and why it haunted the Roman imagination.
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: Tequila Oil

Book of the Week: Tequila Oil: Episode 4

Episode 4

Tequila Oil

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Tequila Oil, Episode 4

An extraordinary piece of luck lands Hugh a job looking after a luxurious golf club.

An extraordinary piece of luck lands Hugh a job looking after a luxurious golf club, and he finds himself the custodian of an electric golf cart and a well-stocked wine cellar.

Jot Davies reads Hugh Thomson's account of his 1979 road trip through Mexico to Belize, aged 18 and without knowing how to drive. 

An extraordinary piece of luck lands Hugh a job looking after a luxurious golf club, and he finds himself the custodian of an electric golf cart and a well-stocked wine cellar.

Jot Davies reads Hugh Thomson's account of his 1979 road trip through Mexico

Jot Davies reads Hugh Thomson's account of his 1979 road trip through Mexico, aged 18 and without knowing how to drive

4/5. An extraordinary piece of luck lands Hugh a job looking after a luxurious go club and finds himself custodian of an electric golf cart and a wine cellar. Continuing Hugh Thomson 's account of his 1979 adventure driving an Oldsmobile to Belize. For details see Monday Repeated at 12.30am

Daily Service

Led by Michael Ford. We Have a Gospel to 
Proclaim (Fulda). Mark 4, vv1-9. Sent by the Lord Am I (Trad South American, arr 
Weaver). I Will Be With You (Markland).

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Annette Gordon-Reed; Maternal mortality rate; Eggs

Annette Gordon-Reed; Maternal mortality rate; Eggs

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Annette Gordon-Reed; Maternal mortality rate; Eggs

Annette Gordon-Reed on the slave who became Thomas Jefferson's mistress.

Annette Gordon-Reed on the slave who became Thomas Jefferson's mistress. Plus the maternal mortality rate, and how often we should eat eggs, and how to cook them.

With Jenni Murray. 
10.45 Reading between the Lines 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: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - From Our Own Correspondent, 12/02/2009

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.

A lively collection of dispatches from the BBC's foreign correspondents, who report on stories in their regions. Presented by Kate Adie.

John Mortimer in Conversation

26/09/2005

BBC Radio 4 - John Mortimer in Conversation

The late Sir John Mortimer, in conversation with Mark Lawson.

Another chance to hear the late Sir John Mortimer talk to Mark Lawson about his career as a lawyer and a writer and discuss his views on free speech and religious faith.

Another chance to hear the late Sir John Mortimer reflect on his career as a lawyer and a writer and discuss his views on free speech and religious faith, in conversation with Mark Lawson.

Another chance to hear the late John Mortimer reflect on his careers as a lawyer and a wnter, and discuss his views on free speech and religious faith in conversation with Mark Lawson. First transmitted as an edition of Front 
Row in 2005. Producer Thomas Morns (Revised rpt)

You and Yours

You and Yours: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 12/02/2009

With Winifred Robinson. Could charities end up with less lottery money in the future?

Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson. Could charities end up with less lottery money in the future?

Presented by Winifred Robinson.

The FBI says it has never seen anything like the massive fraud visited on RBS in November 2008, when criminals in 49 cities around the world used fake bank cards with account details stolen from American customers of RBS World Pay. UK customers were not affected.

Local councils are backing a scheme to take thermal images of people's homes to see how much heat is being lost through roofs and windows.

The Big Lottery Fund is consulting on whether it should continue to guarantee to give 60 to 70 per cent of its funding to voluntary organisations. Could charities end up with less lottery money in the future?

Many research applications are rejected in a process which the European parliament says costs too much and takes too long.

A manager at one of the Woolworths stores that closed last month is re-opening it under the name Wellworths. Listeners tell us it is a name that has already been used in Northern Ireland.

One of the proposals that Ministers are consulting on is for homeowners to be offered new low interest loans by the Government to make houses more energy-efficient.

Weather

Weather: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 12/02/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 12/02/2009

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: Crisis, What Crisis?

09/02/2009

Crisis, What Crisis?

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, Crisis, What Crisis?

Miriam O'Reilly investigates whether a crash in prices has made recycling a waste of time.

Miriam O'Reilly investigates whether the crash in prices for old newspaper and plastic bottles has made recycling a waste of time.

The Archers

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

The Archers: 11/02/2009

11/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 11/02/2009

Brenda calls in at Home Farm to see Tom. He says he's going to ask his gran to help him buy Brian out. Mike appears - would Tom like to sell his bacon on Mike's milk round? Mike also reminds Tom about looking after the pigs when Neil takes Susan to London.

Susan's in the Bull, making party arrangements with Jolene. Susan plays Jolene some of the party music, and they both sing along. Mike catches them at it. They tell him they're planning a surprise party for Neil, and it's a secret. Mike says he's not sure about midweek parties - Neil would have work the next day. And is Susan sure Neil likes surprises? Or parties for that matter? Susan thinks Mike's implying that Neil's boring. If he can only find fault, then he shouldn't come. 

Tom arrives at Glebe Cottage and finds Peggy in need of help - Jack's having a bad day. Tom sorts everything out and Peggy's really grateful. She says she's heard he's having problems with Brian, but she's sure he'd rather talk about Brenda. 

Tom arrives home, telling Brenda it wasn't right to ask Peggy. Brenda tells him things will be ok, but Tom says he's stuck with Brian - where can he go from there?

Episode written by Graham Harvey.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama

Drama on 4: Rumpole and the Teenage Werewolf

19/07/2006

Rumpole and the Teenage Werewolf

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Rumpole and the Teenage Werewolf

By John Mortimer. Rumpole leaves London to defend a case in the Home Counties.

By John Mortimer. Rumpole leaves London to defend a case in the Home Counties, where he meets up with Ben, a teenager accused of sending emails deemed to be sexually harassing.

By John Mortimer. Rumpole leaves London to defend a case in the Home Counties, where he meets up with Ben, a teenager accused of sending emails deemed to be sexually harassing, and of an actual physical attack on a girl. 

Horace Rumpole ...... Timothy West
Hilda Rumpole ......  Prunella Scales
Hermione Swithin ...... Felicity Montague
Mr Beazley ...... Nicholas Le Prevost
Chris Swithin ...... Philip Jackson
Ben Swithin ...... Matt Smith
Judge Denis Wintergreen ...... Karl Johnson
Adrian Hodinott ...... Sean Baker
Felicity Halliday ...... Ellie Beaven

Directed by Marilyn Imrie.

Afternoon Play: Rumpole Returns

1/2 Rumpole and the Teenage Werewolf 
Rumpole leaves London to defend a case in the Home Counties, where he meets up with Ben a teenager accused of sending emails deemed to be sexually harassing, and of an actual physical attack on a girl Broadcast as part of the tribute to John Mortimer.      
Producer/Director Marilyn imne

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: Portland Quarry

07/02/2009

Portland Quarry

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, Portland Quarry

Helen Mark finds out why some Isle of Portland locals want quarrying to stop.

Stone from the Isle of Portland envelops London's most prestigious buildings, so why do some locals want the quarrying to stop? Helen Mark finds out.

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: Housing Justice

08/02/2009

Housing Justice

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, Housing JusticeSearch BBC

John Hegley appeals on behalf of Housing Justice.

John Hegley appeals on behalf of Housing Justice. Donations: Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144.

John Hegley appeals on behalf ot 
Housing Justice. Rptd from Sunday at 7.55am

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: The Treasure Chest

Afternoon Reading: The Treasure Chest: Episode 3: Tales of Cunning

Episode 3

Episode 3: Tales of Cunning

The Treasure Chest

Tales of Cunning

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, The Treasure Chest, Tales of Cunning

A soldier is married on sentry duty, and Dr Rapunzius sells some amazing toothache pills.

Comic mysteries by 19th-century German author Johann Peter Hebel, read by Mark Williams. A soldier is married on sentry duty, and Dr Rapunzius sells some amazing toothache pills.

An enduring classic of German literature, The Treasure Chest by Johann Peter Hebel (pub.1811) is a collection of pithy comic anecdotes, mysteries and moral tales full of sanity, wit and good humour. 

A soldier gets married while on sentry duty; and Dr Rapunzius sells some amazing toothache pills.

Translated by John Hibberd and abridged by Roy Apps.
Read by Mark Williams

Producer/Director: David Blount
A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4 
 
Producer David Blount.

Series of three comic mysteries by 19th century German author Johann Peter Hebel

Series of three comic mysteries by 19th century German author Johann Peter Hebel, read by Mark Williams

3/3 Tales of Cunning. By Johann Peter 
Hebel. A soldier is married on sentry duty, and Dr Rapunzius sells some amazing toothache pills. For details see Tuesday

America, Empire of Liberty

America, Empire of Liberty: Episode 49: The Wild West

Episode 49

Episode 49: The Wild West

The Wild West

BBC Radio 4 - America, Empire of Liberty, The Wild West

How the West was finally settled and then turned into a myth by the American people.

Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds. How the West was finally settled and then turned into a myth by the American people.

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

49/90. The Wild West. How the West was finally settled. 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: Kate Grenville on Australia

Kate Grenville on Australia

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, Kate Grenville on Australia

Mariella Frostrup talks to Australian novelist Kate Grenville.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Australian novelist Kate Grenville about her relationship with her country's past, and her exploration of the subject in her book The Lieutenant.

Australian novelist Kate Grenville talks to 
Mariella Frostrup about her country's history, which she explores in her latest book 
The Lieutenant. 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: Pheromones at Fifty - Ponds for Life

Pheromones at Fifty - Ponds for Life

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, Pheromones at Fifty - Ponds for Life

Quentin Cooper finds out if humans can sense pheromones.

Quentin Cooper finds out if humans can sense pheromones, the subliminal chemical language of scents that is a key means of communication between animals.

Pheromones at Fifty
Quentin Cooper finds out if humans can sense pheromones, the subliminal chemical language of scents that is a key means of communication between animals. 

It is 50 years since the term was first used, and scientists now know how powerful such signals can be, or rather, how sensitive some creatures' noses are to the chemicals. Even before the word pheromone was invented, Charles Darwin showed how the smelliest crocodiles, ducks, goats and elephants were better at attracting mates. Pheromones even work under water, between lobsters for example. 

Do humans make and use their own pheromones? We use a host of expensive scents and deodorants to conceal, augment  or replace our bodily odour, but, suprisingly, no definite human pheromone has been isolated and identified. But it seems clear they must exist, otherwise, for example, how else would groups of women living in close proximity synchronise their menstruation?


Ponds for Life
There are almost 500,000 ponds in the UK countryside (not to mention another 2 million in our gardens), but the vast majority of them are in a deplorable condition.

Pond Conservation proposes to dig another 500,000 away from sources of pollution, because ponds, much neglected by ecologists, are the refuge for huge ranges of biodiversity.

They may even be the cradle of life itself. Quentin hears reasons to be cheerful about ponds.

Material World: Pheromones at 50

The Material World

Moths do it; elephants do it; ants do it best of all. Do humans sense the subliminal chemical language of scents that is a key means of communication within many species? Fifty years ago, the term pheromone was introduced to describe chemical signals between animals. As we approach Valentine's Day, Quentin Cooper asks if humans have this chemical language.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 12/02/2009

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: 12/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 12/02/2009

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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

12/02/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Weather

12/02/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Open Country

Open Country

Portland Quarry

Genres

Brand

Weather

12/02/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Shipping Forecast

13/02/2009

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

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