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: 02/10/2009

02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 02/10/2009Close 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: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 02/10/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 02/10/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Dr Edward Kessler.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 02/10/2009

Charlotte Smith investigates whether there is room for farming in the national curriculum.

News and issues in rural Britain. Children's author Michael Morpurgo and the director of curriculum for England unite in a call for farming to be a central feature of education.

Schools should make better use of their local farms as they teach the National Curriculum, according to education chiefs. Dr Sue Horner from the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency tells Charlotte Smith that the teaching of science, geography and economics can all benefit from school visits.

Charlotte also hears from the former Children's Laureate, Michael Morpurgo, who believes his Farms For City Children charity has provided generations of schoolchildren with vital knowledge and precious memories.

Plus, more news on the state of Britain's hedges. We visit one farmer willing to put the time and money into multi-species hedges that attract a vast range of wildlife.

With Charlotte Smith. Producer Melvin Rickaroy

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: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 02/10/2009

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With John Humphrys and Justin Webb. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Presented by John Humphrys and Justin Webb.

The Care Quality Commission says lives are being put at risk because of the way GPs in England provide service outside normal working hours. Cynthia Bower, the Care Quality Commission's chief executive, and Dr Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of GPs, analyse what needs to be done to change the system. 

Twenty primary schools are being named and praised by Ofsted because of their success in being turned around from failing schools to succeeding ones. David Kirk, headmaster of Ash Green school in Halifax, one of the 20 named schools, explains what has made the difference. 

More than 200 healthcare workers who will soon be joining the army in Afghanistan are going through their final stages of training. Health correspondent Adam Brimelow reports from the warehouse near York that has been adapted to create the conditions they will encounter at Camp Bastion in Helmand province. 

Is the internet helping paedophiles? It was the internet that enabled Vanessa George to operate a paedophile ring while she was working at a nursery in Plymouth. And it was the internet that led to her arrest, after a vigilant colleague of the man charged with her spotted something on his computer and told the police. Dr Bernie Hogan of the Oxford Internet Institute, who has done extensive research into social networking sites, and Home Affairs editor Mark Easton, analyse the impact of the age of the internet. 

Ireland is going to the polls in the country's second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Europe editor Gavin Hewitt reports from Dublin on the likely outcome of the vote. 

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has made a cameo on TV soap EastEnders. Times television critic Andrew Billen rates his performance. 

Thought for the Day with The Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks. 

The death toll from the earthquake in Indonesia already stands at more than 1,000, according to the UN, and officials say they expect it to rise. Many people are thought to be trapped in buildings devastated by the tremors. Rachel Harvey reports from the region and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander discusses Britain's response. 

The son of a man who died after being given a lethal dose of painkiller by a doctor flown in from Germany to provide weekend cover has called for vetting procedures to be tightened. The comments by Dr Stuart Gray, whose father David died in February 2008, follow the publication of an interim report into out-of-hours GP care by a health watchdog which found primary care trusts may be failing to spot patient safety issues because of a lack of scrutiny. 

Parents at Little Teds nursery in Plymouth want to know which of their children were involved in the images shared by Vanessa George, Colin Blanchard and Angela Allen. Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) chief executive Jim Gamble discusses what is being done to track down paedophiles on the internet. 

In the run-up to the winner of the Man Booker prize for fiction being announced, the Today programme is speaking to all six shortlisted authors. Arts correspondent Rebecca Jones profiles JM Coetzee's novel, Summertime. 

Natalie Morton, the 14-year-old who died after receiving a cervical cancer vaccination, was not killed by the vaccination, an inquest has found, but by an undiagnosed lung tumour. But the news stories reporting that fact are fewer and smaller than those that raised the spectre of the vaccination being unsafe. GP Richard Halvorsen, author of The Truth About Vaccines, and Professor Adam Finn, of Bristol University, discuss the media's reporting of the risks of vaccination. 

The First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan has announced his retirement at the age of 70. Mr Morgan discusses why he decided to bow out of politics at the time of his choosing. 

An ancient human-like creature that may be a direct ancestor to our species has been described by researchers. The assessment of the 4.4-million-year-old animal called Ardipithecus ramidus is reported in the journal Science and is already causing controversy. Steve Jones, professor of Genetics at University College London, discusses the findings. 

Documents at the National Archives show the Home Office was warned as early as 1947 against sending child migrants to Australia. Up to 10,000 children were sent to Australia between 1922 and 1967 to boost the white population and the workforce. Many were abused. Sanchia Berg reports on their calls for an apology from the British government. 

The host of the 2016 Olympic games will be announced in Copenhagen today, and Barack Obama will be there personally to support Chicago's bid, together with his wife, and even Oprah Winfrey. The International Olympic Committee must decide between Chicago, Rio, Madrid and Tokyo. Stefan Szymanski, professor of Economics at Cass business school at City University London looks into the options.

With John Humphrys and Justin Webb. 
6.25,7.25,8.25 Sports News 
7.48 Thought for the Day 
With the Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks. Editor Ceri Thomas

Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Barry Manilow

27/09/2009

Barry Manilow

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Barry Manilow

Kirsty Young's castaway is singer-songwriter Barry Manilow.

Kirsty Young's castaway is Barry Manilow. He has been a hugely successful performer for more than 30 years but, in this intimate interview, Manilow describes how it was never the career he intended to have. He always knew he would be a musician, but thought his future lay behind the scenes, not at the front of the stage. Brought up by his mother and grandparents in Brooklyn, money was always scarce and family life often difficult - but when there was music playing in their apartment, Manilow says, the home was a happy one.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland
Book: Man vs Wild - Survival Techniques from the Most Dangerous Places on Earth by Bear Grylls
Luxury: A piano.

Barry Manilow is the guest castaway.

(Repeated from Sunday at 11.15am)

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: Climbing the Bookshelves

Book of the Week: Climbing the Bookshelves: Episode 5

Episode 5

Climbing the Bookshelves

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Climbing the Bookshelves, Episode 5

Despite its initial promise, the SDP finally wound down and merged with the Liberal Party.

Despite its initial huge promise, the SDP finally wound down and merged with the Liberal Party in 1988 to form the Liberal Democrats.

Shirley Williams reads from her autobiography.

Despite its initial huge promise, the SDP finally wound down and merged with the Liberal Party in 1988 to form the Liberal Democrats.

Abridged by Polly Coles.

A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.

Shirley Williams reads from her autobiography

Act of Worship

From Cardiff, led by the Rev Peter Baker.

Book of the Week:Climbing the Bookshelves

5/5. Despite its initial huge promise, the SDP finally wound down and merged into the Liberal Democrats. From the viewpoint of 2009, Shirley Williams looks back over nearly 50 years in politics. 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: Lesbians in South Africa; Female Surrealists

Lesbians in South Africa; Female Surrealists

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Lesbians in South Africa; Female Surrealists

How have attitudes to lesbians and gay men changed in South Africa?

How have attitudes to lesbians and gay men changed in South Africa? Plus, Jeanette Winterson on female Surrealists; and writer Madeleine Bunting on her sculptor father.

Craven

5/5
The Woman's Hour drama. 
For details see drama rpt at 7.45pm Editor Jill Burridge

Black Men Can't Swim

BBC Radio 4 - Black Men Can't Swim

Why do fewer black people swim in the UK than the population as a whole?

Actor, comedian and non-swimmer Matt Blaize investigates why fewer black people swim in the UK than the population as a whole.

Actor, comedian and non-swimmer Matt Blaize investigates why fewer black people swim in the UK than the population as a whole. 

He examines physiological theories and training methods and assesses the effect of cultural influences. Is it a case of 'can't swim' or 'don't swim'? Does the lack of role models dampen the desire to succeed at this sport rather than at football or basketball, for example? 

Matt travels to the United States to meet black swimmer and Beijing Olympic gold medallist Cullen Jones, and, at the age of 39, starts to learn to swim himself.

Actor, comedian and non-swimmer 
Matt Blaize investigates why fewer black people in the UK can swim than the rest ot the population. He examines physiological theories and training methods and assesses the effect of cultural influences. Matt travels to the States to meet black swimmer ana 
Beijing Olympic gold medallist Cullen Jones. Producer Fiona Cotterill

The Adventures of Inspector Steine

The Adventures of Inspector Steine: Episode 2: Separate Tables

Episode 2

Episode 2: Separate Tables

Separate Tables

BBC Radio 4 - The Adventures of Inspector Steine, Separate Tables

Mrs Groynes is interested in Twitten's criminal records.

Brunswick has been sent undercover in the hope that it will make him forget his grudge against Inspector Steine. But Mrs Groynes seems more interested in Twitten's criminal records.

Comedy drama series by Lynne Truss set in 1950s Brighton. 

Brunswick has been sent undercover indefinitely in the hope that it will make him forget his deadly grudge against Inspector Steine. But Mrs Groynes seems more interested in Twitten's criminal records.

Inspector Steine ...... Michael Fenton Stevens
Sergeant Brunswick ...... John Ramm
Constable Twitten ...... Matt Green
Mrs Groynes ...... Samantha Spiro
Unknown Villain ...... Adrian Bower
Ventriloquist Vince ...... Ewan Bailey
BBC Announcer/Tony ...... David Holt.

Comedy drama series by Lynne Truss set in 1950s Brighton

2/6. Separate Tables. Sergeant Brunswick has been sent undercover in the hope that it will help him forget his deadly grudge against Steine. But Mrs Groynes seems more interested in Constable Twitten's criminal records. Comedy by Lynne Truss.  
Music by Anthony May ; Producer Karen Rose 
RT DIRECT: The Casebook of Inspector Steineisd for £11.50 (RRP E15.65) inc p&p. Call [number removed] 
(BT landlines cost 5p per min; other networks vary), or visit bbcshop.com quoting [number removed]

You and Yours

You and Yours: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 02/10/2009

Consumer news and issues with Peter White.

You and Yours: Indonesian piano

Consumer affairs with Peter White. Series editor Andrew Smith

Weather

Weather: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 02/10/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 02/10/2009

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

The World at One

National and international news and analysis presented by Shaun Ley. Editor Jamie Angus

Feedback

Radio 4's forum for comments, queries, criticisms and congratulations

Feedback: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Feedback, 02/10/2009

Roger Bolton airs listeners' views on BBC radio programmes and policy.

Roger Bolton airs listeners' views on BBC radio. Evan Davis talks about crashing the pips and listeners ask if former prisoners should be the subject of sympathetic programmes.

Roger Bolton airs listeners' views on BBC radio programmes and policy.

Evan Davis talks about crashing the pips and listeners ask if former prisoners, such as Jonathan Aitken, should be the subject of sympathetic programmes. 

We also have more of your comments on PM.

3/12 Roger Bolton takes listeners' comments, criticisms and praise for the week's BBC radio and redirects them to the programme- and policy-makers. 
Producer Brian McCluskey Repeated on Sunday at 8pm ADDRESS: Feedback, PO Box 2100, London W1A 10T 
PHONE: [number removed] EMAIL: feedback@bbc.co.uk

The Archers

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

The Archers: 01/10/2009

01/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 01/10/2009

Bert's ploughing on Estate land when Adam stops him, to ask what he's doing. Bert says it will be Ed's land soon. He just wanted some practice before the next match and Ed told him to go ahead. Adam bridles. As he does the work on the Estate it would have been nice to know. Later, Adam speaks to Brian. Brian's sorry he hadn't told Adam. He didn't think Ed would crack on so quickly but he's impressed that he has. 

Mike drops in on Brenda to ask about her job hunting. He offers Brenda a bit of work, marketing Grange Farm Dairy. Brenda's thrilled. Mike tells her it's all because of Vicky that he can offer her the work. Brenda is forced to say she's grateful. 

Jim and Alan meet Upstairs@TheBull for Wayne's record night. They enjoy the music, and each other's company. Jim tells Alan he's thinking of staying in Ambridge, and he's got the money to buy somewhere. Mike and Brian both call in, though Mike can't stay as he has to get back to Vicky. Brian, Jim and Alan agree it's great to hear some good music for a change. Fallon tells Wayne everyone loves it, and she's enjoying it too.

Episode written by Keri Davies.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama

Drama on 4: Nancy Harris - Love in a Glass Jar

Nancy Harris - Love in a Glass Jar

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Nancy Harris - Love in a Glass Jar

Strangers Eve and Patrick meet in a hotel to carry out an unofficial sperm donation.

4 Extra Debut. Eve and Patrick begin chatting online, and agree to meet face-to-face in a hotel to carry out an unofficial sperm donation. With Niamh Cusack, Lorcan Cranitch.

Love In A Glass Jar
By Nancy Harris

Eve and Patrick are two strangers who have been chatting on a dating website. They've agreed to meet face to face in a hotel room in order to carry out an unofficial sperm donation. They both know why they're there. But do they know what they want?

Eve.....Niamh Cusack
Patrick.....Lorcan Cranitch
Seamus Kenny.....Stephen Hogan

Producer Steven Canny.

Afternoon Play: Love in a Glass Jar

Eve and Patrick, two strangers who've been chatting on a dating website, have agreed to meet face to face in a hotel room in order to carry out an unofficial sperm donation. They both know why they're there. But do they know what they want? By Nancy Harris.

Gardeners' Question Time

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts

A panel of horticultural experts answer gardening questions from a live audience. Recorded in a different location each week

Gardeners' Question Time: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time, 02/10/2009

Peter Gibbs chairs. With Matthew Biggs, Bunny Guinness and John Cushnie.

Peter Gibbs chairs the popular horticultural forum. Matthew Biggs, Bunny Guinness and John Cushnie answer questions posed by the gardeners of New Waltham, near Grimsby.

Peter Gibbs chairs the popular horticultural forum. 

Matthew Biggs, Bunny Guinness and John Cushnie answer questions posed by the gardeners of New Waltham, near Grimsby. 

John meets some of the characters behind Grimsby in Bloom, including the man responsible for galvanising the community into gardening action. 

Jeffrey Bates from the RHS offers some tips on how your town or village could enter next year's Britain in Bloom campaign. 

Pippa Greenwood meets some green-fingered kids in Hampshire who are taking part in the Tree Council's Seed Gathering Season. 

And Matthew explains how simple it is to sow green manure and so avoid exposing the bare earth to winter weather.

Including Gardening weather forecast.

Gardeners' Question Time: New Waltham

Matthew Biggs , Bunny Guinness and John Cushnie visit New Waltham near Grimsby to answer queries in north-east Lincolnshire. 
Jeffrey Bates from the RHS offers some tips on how your town or village could enter next year's Britain in Bloom campaign, and Matthew Biggs explains how to sow green manure Peter Gibbs is in the chair. Including at 140 Gardening Weather Forecast. 
Producer Howard Shannon Repeated on Sunday at 2pm Leaf vacuum and shredder: page 141

Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life

Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life: Episode 5: Every Man's Home Is His Castle

Episode 5: Every Man's Home Is His Castle

Every Man's Home Is His Castle

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life, Every Man's Home Is His Castle

Elaborate rituals of locking up at night protected the house from burglars.

Elaborate rituals of locking up at night, plus records of Old Bailey trials. Amanda Vickery's hidden history of the home over 400 years.

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.

Historian Amanda Vickery reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years

Historian Amanda Vickery presents a series which reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years, drawing on first-hand accounts from letters and diaries

A History of Private Life

5/30. Every Man's Home Is His Castle Amanda Vickery examines the elaborate locking-up rituals of the 16th and 17th centuries, which were thought to confer extra protection on homes. Using records from Old Bailey trials, she reveals how widespread burglary was, and how the legal basis for the saying "the Englishman's home is his castle" came about. For details see Monday

Last Word

Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

Last Word: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, 02/10/2009

The lives of Piers Merchant, Pamela Schwerdt; Osman Ertugrul Osmanoglu and Lucy Vodden.

Marking the lives of politician Piers Merchant; gardener Pamela Schwerdt; Ottoman dynasty leader Osman Ertugrul Osmanoglu; Lucy Vodden and Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha.

Matthew Bannister presents the obituary series, analysing and celebrating the life stories of people who have recently died. The programme reflects on people of distinction and interest from many walks of life, some famous and some less well known.

Marking the lives of politician Piers Merchant, gardener Pamela Schwerdt, Ottoman dynasty leader Osman Ertugrul Osmanoglu, Lucy Vodden (the subject of The Beatles classic Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds) and Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha.

Last Word: Piers Merchant

Matthew Bannister and guests reflect on the lives of notable people who have died recently. Producer Neil George Repeated on Sunday at 8.30pm

The Film Programme

The latest releases, the hottest stars and the leading directors, plus news and insights

The latest releases, the hottest stars and the leading directors, plus news and insights from the film world

The Film Programme: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Film Programme, 02/10/2009

The grandmother of the French New Wave, Agnes Varda, and The Battle Of Britain remembered.

The grandmother of the French New Wave, Agnes Varda, and the film version of The Battle Of Britain remembered.

The grandmother of the French New Wave, Agnes Varda, on her life with Jacques Demy. 

The film version of The Battle Of Britain remembered by two men who risked their lives filming the epic dog-fights. 

The first instalment of Matthew Sweet's guide to forgotten British gems,There Ain't No Justice, directed by doomed film-maker Pen Tennyson.

The Film Programme: Agnes Varda

Francine Stock talks to film-maker Agnes Varda about her career - from the French New Wave to her latest documentary, the autobiographical Beaches of Agnes.
Repeated on Sunday at 11pm Get your RT Guide to Films 2010: p140

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 02/10/2009

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: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 02/10/2009

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

Six O'Clock News: 2 October

The News Quiz

Topical panel quiz show, taking its questions from the week's news stories.

The News Quiz: Series 69

The News Quiz: Series 69: Episode 2

Series 69

BBC Radio 4 - The News Quiz, Series 69, Episode 2

Sandi Toksvig chairs. Panellists are Jeremy Hardy, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen, Sue Perkins.

Sandi Toksvig chairs the topical comedy quiz. The panellists are Jeremy Hardy, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen and Sue Perkins.

Sandi Toksvig chairs the topical comedy quiz

2/9. Jeremy Hardy , Mark Steel , 
Francis Wheen and Sue Perkins are the panellists this week. Presented by Sandi Toksvig. 
Producer Victoria Lloyd Repeated tomorrow at 12.30pm

The Archers: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 02/10/2009

David's pleased Pip's helping with his worm survey, to assess the soil's health, though he's surprised she isn't out with her college friends. Pip says she's happy to help. They get a call from Ruth. A heifer's calved and won't stop bleeding. 

Alistair comes straight away, managing to stop the bleeding. David asks him if he'll be standing for captain at the cricket AGM. Alistair's unsure. He got sick of the back-stabbing last season, but David says he'd have lots of support. 

Later, David and Pip look at their survey results. David's disappointed the worst results are in the paddocks, but hopeful they can use the results to improve things. David asks if Pip wants to show her college friends but Pip says it's more of a Young Farmers thing. 

Peggy makes Jack comfortable for a nap, and drops off herself. Later, Jack wakes Peggy up, asking who she is. Jack goes, shouting to his former wife Valerie that there's a nasty woman in his house. He eventually calms down, though he's still confused as to where he is. Referring to his former marriage, Jack says it's a terrible mess. Wretched Peggy agrees, but says everything will look brighter tomorrow. They just need a good night's sleep. 

Episode written by Keri Davies.

Jack goes on a downward spiral.  
Writer Keri Davies ; Director Julie Beckett Editor Vanessa Whitburn 
ARCHERS ADDICTS FAN CLUB: send an SAE to [address removed] Messageboard: bbc.co.uk/dna/mbarchers

Front Row

Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music

Front Row: 02/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, 02/10/2009

In a special edition, John Wilson visits the artist Damien Hirst in his studio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

02/10/2009

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Craven

Contributors

Weather

02/10/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

02/10/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

02/10/2009

Genres

Brand

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