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: 26/02/2009

26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 26/02/2009Close 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: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 26/02/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 26/02/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Mark Coffey.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 26/02/2009

News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.

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: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 26/02/2009

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

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

Presented by James Naughtie and Evan Davis.

Business editor Robert Peston talks to the new chief executive of RBS, Stephen Hester, about record losses announced by the firm.

Economist Ian Senior discusses government plans to part-privatise Royal Mail.

Reporter Mark Hutchings speaks to two 16-year-olds with babies and their mothers from the valleys of Pontypridd and Aberdare in Wales.

Professor Mark Pagel of Reading University discusses some of the oldest words in use and the ones that are likely to become extinct.

Michelle Ricard, who had a gastric band fitted, and weight loss surgery specialist Mr Justin Morgan discuss why the numbers of people having obesity surgery have increased.

Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of the union Unite, discusses how many workers could be lost at the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Reporter Sanchia Berg speaks to Lucy Bennett, an out-of-work young architect in London.

Thought for the day with the Reverend Dr David Wilkinson, principal of St John's College, Durham.

Children's Minister Beverley Hughes discusses if figures for young pregnancies (which are expected to rise) can be curbed by government intervention.

Chancellor Alistair Darling discusses a scheme to siphon off RBS's toxic assets, said to be worth 325 billion pounds.

Reporter Angus Stickler accompanies one postman on his round in Oxfordshire to discover what people in the area think about part-privatisation.

Cllr Bob Jones and Elizabeth Truss of think-tank Reform discuss how police efficiency can be improved.

Arts correspondent Razia Iqbal talks to Antony Gormley about the ambitious plans to fill the vacant fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.

Orwell Prize director Jean Seaton and blogger Hopi Sen discuss if blogging has become as respected as novel writing or journalism.

Correspondent James Alexander reports on the transfer of many personal records underground to be stored down Britain's biggest salt mine, at Winsford in Cheshire.

Columnist Polly Toynbee and Anastasia De Waal of the think tank Civitas discuss why the UK still has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe.

With John Humphrys and Edward Stourton. 
6.25,7.25,8.25 Sports News 
6.45 Yesterday in Parliament 
With Sean Curran and Robert Orchard. 
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: The Waste Land and Modernity

The Waste Land and Modernity

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Waste Land and Modernity

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss TS Eliot's seminal poem The Waste Land.

Melvyn Bragg and guests, including Steve Connor and Lawrence Rainey, discuss TS Eliot's poem The Waste Land and its ambivalence to the modern world that was being forged around it.

Melvyn Bragg and guests, including Steve Connor and Lawrence Rainey, discuss TS Eliot's seminal poem The Waste Land and its ambivalence to the modern world of technology, democracy and capitalism that was being forged around it.

The Wasteland and Modernity. Melvyn Bragg is joined by Steve Connor and Lawrence Rainey to discuss TS Eliot's poem and the context of its time. 
Producer James Cook 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: Martin Gayford - Constable in Love

Book of the Week: Martin Gayford - Constable in Love: Episode 4

Episode 4

Martin Gayford - Constable in Love

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Martin Gayford - Constable in Love, Episode 4

Despite fierce opposition from Maria's powerful grandfather, John is determined to marry.

Despite fierce opposition to the courtship from Maria's influential grandfather, John is determined to marry and to succeed as a painter. Read by Anton Lesser.

Anton Lesser reads Martin Gayford's account of the early career of John Constable and his long battle to win the hand of his future wife, Maria Bicknell, based on correspondence between the pair.

Opposition to the courtship between John and Maria was particularly fierce from her wealthy and influential grandfather, Dr Rhudde. But Constable remained as determined that they should marry as he was to succeed as a landscape painter.

Martin Gayford's account of John Constable's battle to win the hand of his future wife

Martin Gayford's account of the early career of John Constable and his long battle to win the hand of his future wife, Maria Bicknell, based on correspondence between the pair

Daily Service

Led by Canon Noel Vincent. Prayer Is the Soul's 
Sincere Desire (Beatitudo). Matthew 6, vv5 a. Here I Am Lord, I Come to Do Your Will (Cullen). Father. Hear the Prayer We Offer (Sussex).

Book of the Week:Constable in Love

4/5. Opposition to the courtship between Constable and Maria Bicknell was fierce from Maria's wealthy and influential grandfather, Dr Rhudde. But the painter remained as determined that they should marry as he was that he would succeed as a landscape painter. 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: Children and bereavement, Menage a trois

Children and bereavement, Menage a trois

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Children and bereavement, Menage a trois

The effect the passing of a child has on families with several young children.

The effect the passing of a child has on families with several young children. Plus, the reality of a menage a trois, and the battle to change the status of women in Saudi Arabia.

With Jenni Murray. 
10.45 Heartburn 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: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - From Our Own Correspondent, 26/02/2009

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.

The stories behind global headlines, presented by Kate Adie. Producer Tony Grant

The Art Of Litter

The Art of Litter

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Art of Litter

John Wilson explores the reasons why some artists use rubbish in their work

John Wilson explores the reasons why some artists use rubbish in their work. With Sir Peter Blake and Gavin Turk. From 2009.  

Beginning in the 1950s,  Keep Britain Tidy has been encouraging us to think about our rubbish. 

Through campaign after campaign they have attempted to shock, amuse and cajole us into thinking about how we dispose of our litter and the consequences of not putting it in the bin.

And yet the detritus continues to pile up and despite the ugliness and potential harm it brings to our environment, it has increasingly become a resource for artists. 

Going back over 100 years, the likes of Picasso, Dali, Georges Braque and Joan Miro have all used discarded objects in their art.  But in the last few decades there has been an explosion of artists using 'found objects' in their work to communicate many different messages about waste, consumerism and the dispensability of modern life.

To explore these themes, John Wilson talks to the father of Brit-pop art, Sir Peter Blake, to Gavin Turk, one of today’s provocative YBAs [Young British Artists], and chats to Fran Crowe as she walks along the beach collecting the litter she needs for her work.

Fran is a campaigner and artist in equal measure – engaging in performance art with the rubbish she finds near her Suffolk home. 

Sir Peter Blake celebrates litter and constantly challenges himself  to create something of aesthetic value from a pile of junk. 

Meanwhile sculptor, Gavin Turk [and his stuffed black bin bags and used plastic cups cast in bronze] looks for the beauty in objects that have been thrown away

Why are these artists [and others] attracted by other people's trash?

Producer: Helen Lee

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.

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.

John Wilson examines the work of artists who use other people's rubbish in their work. Artists from Picasso to 
Miro have utilised discarded objects and, in the last two decades, there has been a great increase in the number of artists using "found" objects to communicate messages about waste, consumerism and the dispensability of modern life. Or is it a comment on modern art itself? Wilson talks to Peter Blake , performance artist 
Fran Crowe , and sculptor Gavin Turk about the beauty in litter. Producer Helen Lee

You and Yours

You and Yours: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 26/02/2009

With Winifred Robinson. Are Sharia approved financial products good value?

Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson. Are Sharia approved financial products good value?

Presented by Winifred Robinson.

The Appeal court has ruled against the banks in the Bank Charges test case. So what happens now? We hear from Phil Jones of Which.

Gary Jones is from the credit services association – he represents the companies who collect debt and specialises in tracing people.

Next week a rock concert in Toronto two hundred deaf people will take it in turns to use chairs, designed for them to experience the music. Lee Carter reports.

Next week a debate in the House of Commons will call for new laws governing mobile home sites. Melanie Abbott reports.

Research has found we have the 8th biggest Islamic finance sector in the world. So what is an Islamic investment exactly and how good is what’s on offer?

An American salvage company has found HMS Victory – the forerunner of Nelson’s flagship. Sir Norman Browse of the Alderney Marine Trust explains me why the ship is so important.

Weather

Weather: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 26/02/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 26/02/2009

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

The World at One

News and analysis presented by Shaun Ley.

Off the Page

Series featuring new writing and stimulating discussion.

Off The Page

Off the Page: Meeting a Star

Meeting a Star

BBC Radio 4 - Off the Page, Meeting a Star

Dominic Arkwright chairs a discussion on stardom and our reaction to fame.

Dominic Arkwright, James Delingpole, Agnes Poirier and Michael Simkins discuss stardom and our reaction to fame. From February 2009.

2/6. James Delingpole , Agnes Poirier and Michael Simkinsjoin presenter Dominic Arkwright to discuss the highs and lows of meeting famous people. Producer Miles Warde Repeated on Monday at 11pm

Test Match Special

West Indies v England
Commentary by Jonathan Agnew , Christopher Martin-Jenkins and Tony Cozier on the opening day of the Third Test at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Analysis comes from Vivian Richards , Geoffrey Boycott and Vic Marks. 
Producer Adam Mountford 'approximate times Commentary also on 5 Live Sports Extra from 1.30pm

The Archers

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

The Archers: 25/02/2009

25/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 25/02/2009

Mike and Clarrie's plans are put to the test.

It's Tom's birthday, but he's up early. Brenda suggests they celebrate tonight at Susan and Neil's party. Tom says he's milking and won't feel like it. 

Susan's helping Neil clean the glass in the phone box. He's inside when Sid jogs over. Neil appears from the phone box and Sid suddenly doubles over in pain - he's apparently done his back in. 

Later, Clarrie, Sid and Susan decorate the pub for the party, and then wait for Neil. 

Neil's on his way to pick up Susan when he gets a call from Mike. He's broken down and needs rescuing. Neil and Mike get stuck in traffic and Neil's furious. They'll never get to London! Mike asks to be dropped at the Bull, and for Neil's help to move one of Fallon's amps upstairs. Sid can't help, as he's hurt his back. 

They get upstairs and everyone shouts 'surprise!' Neil's amazed at how they managed to get him there, and loves the party. But he supposes he needs to cancel London now. But Mike says there's no need, so Neil tells Susan he's got a surprise of his own. 

After the party, Brenda finds Tom in the milking parlour - freezing, trying to fix a fuse. She's so upset. Why is he still working?

Episode written by Nawal Gadalla.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama

Drama on 4: A Short Ride to Dusseldorf

27/07/2007

A Short Ride to Dusseldorf

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, A Short Ride to Dusseldorf

By Janice Okoh. A chance meeting in a job centre offers Alison some easy money.

By Janice Okoh. A chance meeting in a job centre offers Alison some easy money. All she has to do is fly to Germany and marry a complete stranger.

By Janice Okoh.

A chance meeting in a job centre offers Alison some easy money. All she has to do is fly to Germany and marry a complete stranger.

Alison ...... Katy Cavanagh      
Friday ...... Steve Toussaint     
Cher ...... Nadine Marshall     
Sarah ...... Ayesha Antoine      
Frau Nitsche ...... Liza Sadovy
Samson ...... Chu Omambala
German Official ...... Simon Treves

Directed by Claire Grove.

Afternoon Play:A Short Ride to Dusseldorf

By Janice Okoh. A chance meeting in a job centre offers Alison the opportunity to make an easy £3,000. All she has to do is fly to Germany and marry a complete stranger.    Producer/Director Claire Grove

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: 21/02/2009

21/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, 21/02/2009

Helen Mark finds out how whisky production has shaped Speyside in Scotland.

Helen Mark finds out how whisky production has shaped Speyside in Scotland, with the opening of a new 'green' distillery in Roseisle.

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: The Place2Be

22/02/2009

The Place2Be

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, The Place2BeSearch BBC

Simon Marshall, headteacher, appeals on behalf of The Place2Be.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Walk the Blue Fields

Afternoon Reading: Walk the Blue Fields: Episode 3: Dark Horses

Episode 3

Episode 3: Dark Horses

Walk the Blue Fields

Dark Horses

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Walk the Blue Fields, Dark Horses

A farmer dreams of a fine woman and her hunter. Read by Dermot Crowley.

A selection of stories from Claire Keegan's collection. A farmer dreams of a fine woman and her hunter. Read by Dermot Crowley.

A selection of stories from Claire Keegan's collection

3/3. Dark Horses. By Claire Keegan. A farmer dreams of "the finest woman ever came around these parts", in this tale of lost chances. Read by Dermot Crowley. For details see Tuesday

America, Empire of Liberty

America, Empire of Liberty: Episode 59: Floundering into War

Episode 59

Episode 59: Floundering into War

Floundering into War

BBC Radio 4 - America, Empire of Liberty, Floundering into War

The attack on Pearl Harbor and the decision to go to war.

Series charting the history of America, written and presented by David Reynolds. The attack on Pearl Harbor and the decision to go to war.

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

59/90. Floundering into War. The attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. 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: Sanjida O'Connell, Dame Beryl Bainbridge and the work of Hans Fallada

Sanjida O'Connell, Dame Beryl Bainbridge and the work of Hans Fallada

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, Sanjida O'Connell, Dame Beryl Bainbridge and the work of Hans Fallada

Mariella Frostrup talks to Sanjida O'Connell and Dame Beryl Bainbridge.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Sanjida O'Connell about her novel The Naked Name of Love and Dame Beryl Bainbridge reflects on her admiration for the work of German writer Hans Fallada.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Sanjida O'Connell about her novel The Naked Name of Love and Dame Beryl Bainbridge reflects on her admiration for the work of the German writer Hans Fallada.

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: Emil Abderhalden - The End of Gaia

Emil Abderhalden - The End of Gaia

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, Emil Abderhalden - The End of Gaia

Quentin Cooper tells the story of biochemist Emil Abderhalden.

Quentin Cooper tells the story of Emil Abderhalden, the biochemist who rose to the heart of the German scientific establishment on the back of his bogus 'protective enzymes' theory.

Emil Abderhalden
Quentin Cooper tells the story of Emil Abderhalden, the biochemist who rose to the heart of the German scientific establishment on the back of a bogus theory of 'protective enzymes' he first conceived 100 years ago. 

By the 1930s, his theory was being used in futile blood tests for pregnancy and schizophrenia, and the infamous Dr Josef Mengele employed them in his experiments at Auschwitz. Despite doubts about his work across the world, Abderhalden was nominated 51 times for the Nobel Prize.


The End of Gaia
Environmentalist James Lovelock argues that the living planet Earth is fatally wounded by humanity's activities, and argues in his new book The Vanishing Face of Gaia that we have to learn to face this grim fact. 

Dr Lovelock explains to Quentin how he reached his conclusion, and why it is so much more stark than most forecasts for global warming and environmental degradation.

Material World: Emil Abderhalden

The Material World

Quentin Cooper explores the story of Emil Abderhalden, the biochemist who rose up the ranks of the German scientific establishment on the back of a bogus theory of "protective enzymes" he first conceived 100 years ago.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 26/02/2009

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: 26/02/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 26/02/2009

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

26/02/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Weather

26/02/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Open Country

Open Country

21/02/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

26/02/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Shipping Forecast

27/02/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

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