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: 15/06/2009

15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 15/06/2009Close 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: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 15/06/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 15/06/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Gopinder Kaur.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 15/06/2009

Charlotte Smith reports on how dairy farmers are being hit by sharp cuts in milk prices.

Following the collapse of a major dairy cooperative, rock-bottom prices could force hundreds of farmers out of business. Charlotte Smith reports.

Following the collapse of a major dairy co-operative, rock-bottom prices could force hundreds of farmers out of business. 

Plus, with the United Nations pushing for a larger global fish farming industry, Charlotte Smith finds out why Europe is lagging behind the rest of the world.

With Charlotte Smith. Producer Anna Varle

Weather

Weather: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 15/06/2009Close menu

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: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 15/06/2009

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With James Naughtie and Sarah Montague. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Presented by James Naughtie and Sarah Montague.

Tim Franks reports from Jerusalem on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's landmark speech.

Jon Leyne reports from Tehran on how thousands of protestors are expected on the streets of Iran.

Professors Alan White and Professor Mike Richards discuss whether men face a greater risk of cancer than women.

Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operators, discusses if lines axed in the 1960s could be reopened.

George and Deborah Kinsella discuss what should be done to halt the knife crime that they say is 'embedded in the very heart of Great Britain'.

Thought for the day with Rev Dr Colin Morris, a Methodist Minister. 

Nicholas Witchell reports from Baghdad on one of the last US foot patrols with the fifth cavalry.

The swine flu virus has claimed its first victim in the UK, after a female patient died in a Scottish hospital. James Cook reports on the scale of the problem in Scotland and Professor John Oxford, virologist at Queen Mary University, London, debates the implications of the death. 

Middle East correspondent Jeremy Bowen, Aaron David Miller, who served six US secretaries of state as an advisor on Arab-Israeli negotiations, and Ron Prosor, Israeli Ambassador in London, discuss Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's endorsement of a two-state solution.

New owner of Erotic Review Kate Copstick and novelist Kathy Lette discuss whether men are better at writing about sex than women.

Sir Kenneth Calman discusses what should be done to improve devolution in Scotland. 

Hugh Pym reports on how the recession has affected the government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI) plans. 

Home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw reports on how probation staff monitor violent and high-risk offenders.

Two veterans of the Siege of Tobruk, one German and one British, remember the pivotal battle in World War II.

With Sarah Montague and James Naughtie. 
6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News 
7.48 Thought for the Day With the Rev Dr Colin Morris.

Start the Week

Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday

Start the Week: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, 15/06/2009

Andrew Marr talks to Phillip Blond, Adam Wishart, Elaine Showalter and AC Grayling.

Andrew Marr talks to Phillip Blond about civic society, Adam Wishart about NHS rationing, Elaine Showalter about being judged by our peers and AC Grayling about civil liberties.

Andrew Marr sets the cultural agenda for the week.

His guests include the philosopher AC Grayling on why he thinks the 'war on terror' has led to a war on our civil rights, and the documentary maker Adam Wishart on how the NHS body NICE makes its decisions on expensive new drugs.

Philosopher AC Grayling joins Andrew Marr to discuss how the "war on terror" has led to a war on civil rights, and documentary maker Adam Wishart talks about how the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) makes its decisions on expensive new drugs. 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: Venus of Empire - The Life of Pauline Bonaparte

Book of the Week: Venus of Empire - The Life of Pauline Bonaparte: Episode 1

Episode 1

Venus of Empire - The Life of Pauline Bonaparte

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Venus of Empire - The Life of Pauline Bonaparte, Episode 1

Napoleon was determined to find Pauline a husband and even name her first and only child.

As Napoleon's position grew ever stronger, he was determined to find Pauline the husband of his choosing and even to name her first and only child.

Diana Quick reads from Flora Fraser's biography of Pauline Bonaparte, Napoleon's favourite sister.

As Napoleon's position grew ever stronger, he was determined to find Pauline the husband of his choosing and even to name her first and only child.

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

Flora Fraser's biography tells the extraordinary life of Napoleon's favourite sister

Flora Fraser's biography tells the extraordinary life of Pauline Bonaparte, Napoleon's favourite sister

Book of the Week: Pauline Bonaparte: Venus of Empire

1/5. The story of Napoleon's sister, the beautiful Pauline Bonaparte. As Napoleon's position grew stronger, he was determined to find his sister the husband of his choosing, and even to name her child. By Flora Fraser. Read by Diana Quick , and abridged by Libby Spurrier. Producer/Director Celia de Wolff Repeated at 12.30am RT DIRECT: Pauline Bonaparte : Venus of Empire is available for £18.00 (RRP E20.00) inc p&p. Call [number removed] (national rate) quoting RT, or visit rtdirectsparkledirectcom

Daily Service

Led by the Rev Peter Whittaker. Be Thou My Vision (Slane). Ecclesiastes 5, vv10-20. Blest Are the Pure in Heart (Walford Davies). Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart (Smith, arr Leddington Wright ).

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Lynn Barber on An Education; Bingo wings

Lynn Barber on An Education; Bingo wings

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Lynn Barber on An Education; Bingo wings

Columnist Lynn Barber on her memoir 'An Education'. Plus, toning up the under-arm dangle.

Columnist Lynn Barber on her memoir An Education. Plus, are there key differences between male and female sexual offending? And what can be done to tone up the under-arm dangle?

Diary of an On-Call Girl

1/5 The Woman's Hour drama.

(For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm)

The Job Clinic

The Job Clinic: Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - The Job Clinic, Episode 1

Liz Barclay meets job seekers whose search for employment is aided by business mentors.

Liz Barclay meets job seekers whose search for employment is aided by three mentors from the world of business.

Liz Barclay meets some job seekers whose search for employment is aided by three mentors - business guru Charles Handy, founder of Coffee Republic Sahar Hashemi and management coach Jenny Rogers. 

Whether a college graduate or a middle-aged businessman, they reveal how unemployment affects their daily lives and family relationships.

Jenny Rogers has been an executive coach for 18 years. She trains other coaches as well as continuing to work with her own clients. She is a founder-director of the UK consultancy Management Futures Ltd and runs her own consultancy. 

Sahar Hashemi founded Coffee Republic with her brother, Bobby Hashemi, in 1995 and is the author of Anyone Can Do It. 

Charles Handy is a social theorist who has written extensively on management and education. His books include The Elephant and the Flea and The New Philanthropists.

Liz Barclay meets job seekers whose search for employment is aided by business mentors

Liz Barclay meets job seekers whose search for employment is aided by three mentors from the world of business

1/3. Liz Barclay meets job seekers who are being helped by business guru Charles Handy , founder of Coffee Republic Sahar Hashemi and management coach Jenny Rogers. They reveal how unemployment affects their lives. Continues tomorrow. Producer Hilary Dunn

Newfangle

Newfangle: Episode 3: Grows on Trees

Episode 3

Episode 3: Grows on Trees

Grows on Trees

BBC Radio 4 - Newfangle, Grows on Trees

Newfangle has to devise a payment system to cope with demand for his latest discovery.

Newfangle discovers that piles of mud can be shaped into shelters from the oppressive heat and has to devise a complicated payment system to cope with demand for his new discovery.

Sitcom by Adam Rosenthal and Viv Ambrose, set 100,000 years BC among a tribe of proto-humans.

It's boiling hot down in the swamp and the tribe suffer while Alf and Lucy enjoy the cool breezes in their treetop home. Newfangle, aided by Crag, discovers that piles of mud can be shaped into shelters from the heat. These mudturtles, as Crag calls them, prove very popular with the other hominids - so popular that Newfangle devises a complicated payment system based on future harvests to cope with demand. But then the whole pyramid scheme comes crashing down when Crag intervenes with a big idea of his own. 

Newfangle ...... Russell Tovey
Snaggle ...... Pippa Evans 
Crag ...... Gabriel Vick
Coco ...... Maureen Lipman 
Alf ...... Hugh Bonneville 
Lucy ...... Amy Shindler.

Sitcom by Adam Rosenthal and Viv Ambrose, set 100,000 years BC among a proto-human tribe

3/6. Grows on Trees. Newfangle sells sun shelters made from mud. Comedy by Adam Rosenthal with Viv Ambrose.  
Producer Adam Bromley

You and Yours

You and Yours: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 15/06/2009

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.

Including:

Edinburgh Fringe: Will things run smoothly at the festival this year?

Dealing with the aftermath of prostate cancer.

How restaurant suppliers are feeling the pinch in the economic recession.

You and Yours: Edinburgh Fringe

World at One

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

World at One: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 15/06/2009

With Martha Kearney. Schools Secretary Ed Balls discusses government spending.

National and international news with Martha Kearney. Schools Secretary Ed Balls and his Conservative counterpart Michael Gove discuss spending on schools.

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls and his Conservative counterpart Michael Gove discuss spending on schools; who has a credible plan that takes into account the need for public spending cuts? 

Plus the couple whose IVF embryo was mistakenly implanted into another woman.

The World at One

Quote... Unquote

Celebrity panel game about quotations featuring questions posed by listeners

Quote... Unquote: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Quote... Unquote, 15/06/2009

Nigel Rees chairs. With Adele Geras, Conn Iggulden, Christopher Luscombe, Simon Pearsall.

Nigel Rees chairs the popular quiz involving the exchange of quotations and anecdotes. With guests Adele Geras, Conn Iggulden, Christopher Luscombe and Simon Pearsall.

Nigel Rees chairs the popular quiz involving the exchange of quotations and anecdotes. 

With guests Adele Geras, Conn Iggulden, Christopher Luscombe and Simon Pearsall. 

The reader is Peter Jefferson.

Quote.... Unquote

2/6. Adele Geras , Conn Iggulden , Christopher Luscombe and Simon Pearsall exchange quotations and anecdotes. With Nigel Rees. Producer Sam Bryant Repeated on Saturday at 11pm

The Archers

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

The Archers: 14/06/2009

14/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 14/06/2009

Jazzer arrives to check the pigs, and asks about Neil's business worries. Christopher mentions a non-paying customer, Paul Clifford. Jazzer's heard that he might be going under. Christopher's bemused when Susan keeps quizzing him about her missing fruit bowl, and tells her that Jazzer's news is more important.

Lynda can see Christopher on the Ambridge plinth as a youthful icon - the village farrier. Christopher's not interested. Jazzer reckons he ought to be able to stand on the plinth selling. It's what would have happened in the Middle Ages.

Matt wants a bit of peace but Lilian wants some straight answers. Getting nowhere, Lilian tries a change of tack by suggesting they go to a nice country pub. Matt would rather drive to Skegness to see an old pal about a business deal. Lilian reminds him they've got to stay solid and Matt eventually agrees to lunch - as long as there's no more interrogation.

To Lilian's annoyance, Matt becomes engrossed in the pub's television. At least when he gets his car back he can slink off and do what he has to. Matt doesn't think she understands but she does. She's just not sure that she wants to any more.

Episode written by Graham Harvey.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: A Bit of Explaining to Do

A Bit of Explaining to Do

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, A Bit of Explaining to Do

By Graham White. Mark realises that he has made a potentially embarrassing mistake.

By Graham White. Mark realises that he has made a potentially embarrassing mistake: there is a difficult-to-explain entry on his wife's credit card statement.

By Graham White. Mark realises that he has made a potentially embarrassing mistake - there is a difficult-to-explain entry on his wife's credit card statement. He turns on the charm with a young woman, Jo, who works in a call centre, to see if she can make it disappear. 

But this is not just a domestic embarrassment for Mark - his wife Eve is a senior policewoman, very much in the public eye.

Mark ...... Shaun Dingwall
Jo ...... Lizzy Watts
Eve ...... Jaye Griffiths
Jeff ...... Ewan Bailey
Trainee ...... Benjamin Askew
Phone ....... Philip Fox

Directed by Mary Peate.

Afternoon Play: A Bit of Explaining to Do

There's a diff icult-to-explain entry on Mark s wife's credit card statement. He turns on the charm with a young call-centre worker to see if she can make it disappear. Graham White 's topical comic drama about what happens when your personal indiscretions become public.  
Director Mary Peate

Archive on 4

Brilliant stories told using archive from the BBC and beyond.

Archive on 4: The First A and R Man

13/06/2009

The First A and R Man

BBC Radio 4 - Archive on 4, The First A and R Man

Paul Gambaccini uncovers the story of Fred Gaisberg, who brought recording to Britain.

Paul Gambaccini uncovers the story of Fred Gaisberg, the music collector, technician and entrepreneur who brought recording to Britain over 100 years ago.

Paul Gambaccini delves into EMI's Hayes archive to uncover the remarkable story of Fred Gaisberg, the music collector, technician and entrepreneur who brought recording to Britain over 100 years ago. 

Fred became the first man to record Caruso and the first to record the court music of the Chinese and Japanese Emperors. In a series of adventures in the early years of the 1900s, transporting his bulky apparatus - including an acid bath - across continents, he amassed hundreds of discs of indigenous music. Nearer home, he recorded the last ever castrato and made precious recordings of the great music hall and operatic stars.

Archive on 4: The First A&R Man

America, Empire of Liberty

America, Empire of Liberty: Episode 71: Cuba - That Four Letter Word

Episode 71

Episode 71: Cuba - That Four Letter Word

Cuba - That Four Letter Word

BBC Radio 4 - America, Empire of Liberty, Cuba - That Four Letter Word

An American-backed invasion of Cuba fails.

By David Reynolds. A US-backed invasion of Cuba fails but President Kennedy succeeds in preventing the USSR from placing missiles there.

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

An American-backed invasion of Cuba fails but President Kennedy saves face when he stops the Soviet Union from placing missiles on the Caribbean island.

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

America, Empire of Liberty: Cuba, that Four Letter Word

71/90. Cuba - That Four Letter Word. An American-backed invasion of Cuba fails, but President Kennedy saves face when he stops the Soviet Union from placing missiles on the Caribbean island. David Reynolds 's history of America continues. Producer Rosamund Jones Letter of the week: page 142

The Food Programme

Investigating every aspect of the food we eat

Food Programme

The Food Programme: Diet and Prostate Cancer

Diet and Prostate Cancer

BBC Radio 4 - The Food Programme, Diet and Prostate Cancer

Sheila Dillon on the latest findings suggesting a link between diet and prostate cancer.

Sheila Dillon examines the latest findings suggesting a link between diet and prostate cancer. Featuring an audio diary from food campaigner Geoff Tansey.

Sheila Dillon discusses the latest research linking diet and prostate cancer.

A man dies every hour from prostate cancer in the UK, but it is a slow growing cancer. This programme explores the findings that show a link between diet and this form of cancer.  

Food campaigner Geoff Tansey, diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago, has kept an audio diary relating his experience of the disease, the removal of his prostate, and his quest to discover the effects of diet.

Nutritional scientist Professor Margaret Rayman joins Sheila Dillon to discuss her findings, which show that the health of the prostate can be helped by eating a diet rich in certain foods and avoiding the harmful effects of others

Professor Rayman is joined in the studio by Professor Colin Cooper, of the Department of Molecular Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research.

Beyond Belief

Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world

Beyond Belief: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, 15/06/2009

Ernie Rea and guests discuss the theological issues raised by Alzheimer's disease.

Ernie Rea and guests discuss the theological issues raised by Alzheimer's disease. What is left once Alzheimer's has done its worst?

Ernie Rea and guests discuss the theological issues raised by Alzheimer's disease. What insights do faith communities offer into what makes us human when we lose our cognitive abilities, and what is left of the self once Alzheimer's has done its worst?

Beyond Belief: Alzheimer's

3/13. Ernie Rea discusses the theological issues raised by Alzheimer's. Producer Karen Maurice

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 15/06/2009

Coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn.

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn. Plus Weather.

World Twenty20 Cricket

Jonathan Agnew , Glenn Mitchell and Arlo White provide commentary on the Super Eights Group F contest from the Oval, featuring the winner of Group B against the Group A runners-up. With analysis from Phil Tufnell and Geoff Lawson. Producer Adam Mountford 'approximate times Commentary is also on 5 Live Sports Extra from 5.15pm

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 15/06/2009

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: 15 June

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

The long-running, self-styled antidote to panel games.

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue: Series 51

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue: Series 51: Episode 1

Series 51

BBC Radio 4 - I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, Series 51, Episode 1

Regulars Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor are joined by Victoria Wood.

Stephen Fry is the first to take on the chairman's role from the late Humphrey Lyttelton. Regulars Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor are joined by Victoria Wood.

The perennial antidote to panel games comes from Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket in London, with Stephen Fry the first to take on the chairman's role from the late Humphrey Lyttelton. Regulars Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor are joined by Victoria Wood. With Colin Sell at the piano.

Stephen Fry, Jack Dee and Rob Brydon deputise as chairman of the antidote to panel games

Stephen Fry, Jack Dee and Rob Brydon deputise for the late Humphrey Lyttelton as chairman of the perennial antidote to panel games. With regulars Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor

I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue

New series. 1/6. Victoria Wood joins panellists Barry Cryer , Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor for the return of the famous antidote to panel games. Stephen Fry is in the chair, with Colin Sell at the piano. Producer Jon Naismith Repeated on Sunday at 12.04pm RT DIRECT: I'mSorry I Haven't a Clue 10 CD is available for E6.99 (RRP £12.72) inc p&p. Call [number removed] (landlines cost 5p per minute; mobiles vary) quoting [number removed],or visit bbcshop.com Radio features: pages 118-119

The Archers: 15/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 15/06/2009

Debbie's e-mailed her plans for Thursday's Borchester Land board meeting. Adam's impressed. Jennifer knows that putting the set-aside land back into cultivation will upset William but Adam insists that the birds come second to producing food.

Jennifer's impressed by Lilian's idea of a strawberry tea party in the summerhouse for Jack's birthday and is pleased that they seem to have healed their rift. Peggy's just saddened to hear things aren't good between Lilian and Matt.

Susan's concerned for Neil's business. Clarrie's equally concerned that Eddie has no work but at least she's got her flower arranging to distract her. She thanks Susan for the loan of the bowl.

Neil returns from his reunion in good spirits but Susan's got a bone to pick with him - fancy not telling her he's lent her lovely fruit bowl to Clarrie. When she tells him that Paul Clifford is about to go under, Neil gets hold of him and he confirms the rumours. Things are bad but Neil remains optimistic.

Clarrie apologises for the misunderstanding over the bowl but it's no longer important to Susan. She's worried how they're going to keep Neil's business going - just when things ought to be getting easier.

Episode written by Graham Harvey.

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

15/06/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

15/06/2009

Genres

Brand

Diary of an On-Call Girl

Weather

15/06/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

15/06/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

15/06/2009

Genres

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