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: 23/12/2009

23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 23/12/2009Close 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: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 23/12/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 23/12/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Bishop Alan Abernethy.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 23/12/2009

News and issues in rural Britain with Kate Williams.

Kate Williams hears why Scottish fishermen are hoping their conservation credits will earn them brownie points with Brussels and how a trial scheme in Devon is netting profits.

Kate Williams hears why Scottish fishermen are hoping their conservation credits will earn them brownie points with Brussels and how a trial scheme in Devon is netting greater profits for West Country fishermen. 

Also, why deer are the targets of wildlife crime in Dorset, and Anna Hill reporsts on a farmers' scheme in East Anglia to feed homeless and vulnerable people at Christmas time.

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: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 23/12/2009

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With John Humphrys and James Naughtie. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With John Humphrys and James Naughtie.

6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News

7.48 Thought for the Day
with the Rev Joel Edwards.

Midweek

Lively and diverse conversation with weekly guests

Midweek: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Midweek, 23/12/2009

Lively and diverse conversation with Libby Purves and guests including Howard Goodall.

Libby Purves is joined by Howard Goodall, Douglas Hodge, Simon Armitage and Captain William Wells.

Lively and diverse conversation with Libby Purves and guests.

Howard Goodall is one of Britain's most distinguished and versatile composers and is responsible for such well-loved television theme tunes as Blackadder and the Vicar of Dibley. He has released a CD, Enchanted Carols, which features the nation's top ten carols alongside six newly written ones.

Douglas Hodge received the 2009 Oliver Award for Best Actor in a musical for La Cage Aux Folles, currently in the West End. He plays the role of Albin and will transfer to Broadway in April 2010.

Simon Armitage is a poet, and singer in the band The Scaremongers. He has written a new 20-minute introduction to the Peter and the Wolf stage show at the Southbank Centre in London. His latest poetry collection, The Not Dead, is published by Pomona. 

Captain William Wells is a Master Mariner, former ship's master and marine pilot whose career at sea lasted nearly 49 years. Now retired, he has taken up public speaking and was the principal guest speaker on board the final cruise of the QE2. He has written a book, A Sailor's Tales, about his life at sea.

Midweek: Howard Goodall

Lively conversation with Libby Purves.
Shortened repeated at 9.30pm
Libby Purves's Point of View: page 16

PAW TRACKS IN THE MOONLIGHT

Paw Tracks in the Moonlight

Paw Tracks in the Moonlight by Denis O'Connor: Episode 3

Episode 3

Paw Tracks in the Moonlight by Denis O'Connor

BBC Radio 4 - Paw Tracks in the Moonlight by Denis O'Connor, Episode 3

O'Connor and his cat settle down together swimmingly but bee trouble beckons.

Denis O'Connor and his cat settle in together swimmingly, but trouble beckons from a swarm of bees. Read by Kevin Whately.

Having hand-reared the tiny kitten, Denis and Toby Jug settle in to life together. 

All is going swimmingly until they have problems with a swarm of bees...

One man's adventures with the cat he rescued in a snowstorm.

Read by Kevin Whately.

Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.

The adventures of one man and the cat he rescues in a snowstorm. Read by Kevin Whately.

Daily Service

Led by Bishop Nigel McCulloch.
This Is the Truth Sent from Above (arr Vaughan Williams). Luke 2, vv39-44. Ubers Gebirg Maria geht (Eccard). O Little Town of Bethlehem (Walford Davies).
(LW only)

Book of the Week: Paw Tracks in the Moonlight: 3/5

Having hand-reared the tiny kitten he rescued, O'Connor and Toby Jug settle into life together.
For details see Monday 21 December
Rptd at 12.30am
(FM only)

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Phone In: Families at Christmas

Phone In: Families at Christmas

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Phone In: Families at Christmas

A special phone in edition of the programme; how to survive the family Christmas.

A special phone in edition of the programme; how to survive the family Christmas. Plus, Carol Ann Duffy reads from her Christmas anthology.

Presented by Jane Garvey.

10.45 Someone like You: 3/5
The Woman's Hour drama.
For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm

In Living Memory

In Living Memory: Series 11

In Living Memory: Series 11: Episode 4: Sunday Trading

Episode 4

Episode 4: Sunday Trading

Series 11

Sunday Trading

BBC Radio 4 - In Living Memory, Series 11, Sunday Trading

Chris Ledgard explores the restoration of Sunday trading in August 1994.

In August 1994, shops legally opened their doors on the Sabbath for the first time in over 40 years. Chris Ledgard asks if the greater freedom to shop came at too high a price.

Contemporary history series. 

On the 28th August 1994, shops legally opened their doors on the Sabbath for the first time in over 40 years. Chris Ledgard asks if the greater freedom to shop came at too high a price: the loss of the Great British Sunday.

In Living Memory: Sunday Trading

In Living Memory: 4/4: Sunday Trading

On 28 August 1994, shops legally opened their doors on Sunday for the first time in more than 40 years.
Chris Ledgard asks if this greater freedom to shop on a Sunday meant the loss of a great British tradition.

Ballylenon

Comedy drama series by Christopher Fitz-Simon, set in the 1950s in a Donegal town

Ballylenon: Series 7: Episode 5

Episode 5

Series 7

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Ballylenon, Series 7, Episode 5

Bernard Gallagher makes a shockingly gruesome discovery.

Mr Gallagher makes a shockingly gruesome discovery. It's 1959 in the suddenly not-so-sleepy Irish town. Stars Gerard Murphy.

Bernard Gallagher has resigned from the police force to take up a singing career. Whilst lodging with the Maconchy sisters at the Post Office, he makes a devastating discovery...

Series set in the sleepy town of Ballylenon, Co Donegal in 1959.

Written by Christopher Fitz-Simon.

Muriel Maconchy ...... Margaret D'Arcy
Vera Maconchy ...... Stella McCusker
Phonsie Doherty ...... Gerard Murphy 
Vivienne Hawthorne ...... Annie McCartney
Stumpy Bonner ...... Gerard McSorley
Guard Gallagher ...... Frankie McCafferty

Pianist: Michael Harrison

Director: Eoin O'Callaghan

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.

Ballylenon: Series 7

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.

Comedy drama series by Christopher Fitz-Simon, set in the 1950s in a Donegal town.

Ballylenon: 5/6


Comedy by Christopher Fitz-Simon.
Bernard Gallagher has resigned from the police force to take up a singing career.
While lodging with the Maconchy sisters at the post office, he makes a devastating discovery.

You and Yours

You and Yours: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 23/12/2009

Consumer news and issues with Peter White.

You and Yours: Shopping

Weather

Weather: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 23/12/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 23/12/2009

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

The World at One

The Media Show

This is the programme about a revolution in media.

Social media, anti-social media, breaking news, faking news: this is the programme about a revolution in media.

The Media Show: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Media Show, 23/12/2009

Inside US presidential debates; Nicholas Coleridge; will the OFT veto Project Canvas?

Sky attacks BBC's internet TV plans; veteran US TV producer Phil Alonghi on staging presidential debates; Nicholas Coleridge on the year at Conde Nast; remembering Sir Bob Phillis.

The BBC Trust has given the go-ahead, provisionally, to Project Canvas, a joint venture led by the BBC which aims to bring TV on the internet into homes by next Christmas. Competitors are calling foul, though, and Sky tells Steve Hewlett why it thinks the Office of Fair Trading will throw the plans out.

There will be US-style television debates ahead of the next general election in the UK, but what can we learn from the experience of US broadcasters? Veteran TV producer Phil Alonghi's worked on the debates for 25 years and he shares his insights.

Nicholas Coleridge has been with magazine publishers Conde Nast for 20 years. He talks about the challenges to the top end of the market in the current economic climate and the importance of Christmas subscriptions. 

And Carolyn McCall, chief executive of Guardian Media Group, remembers her former colleague Sir Bob Phillis, who died yesterday.

The Media Show: Project Canvas

Steve Hewlett presents the topical programme about the media in all its forms.

The Archers

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

The Archers: 22/12/2009

22/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 22/12/2009

Robert and Lynda have an early Christmas.

Although Usha's turned down Jim's offer to buy Blossom Hill Cottage, she's given him another three months to look for somewhere else. If she doesn't extend it further, Jim assumes he can come and stay with Shula and Alistair? When Shula reluctantly agrees, Jim teases her. It almost sounds as if she means it! Jim and Kenton have got the go-ahead for Jaxx and architects are drawing up plans as they speak. However, he and Kenton have very different ideas about their design concept, with Kenton aiming for a younger clientele. Shula wishes them luck.
 
Robert and Lynda prepare their Christmas feast for Caz and Justin. Robert's really pleased to see how happy Caz is now Justin's back. Lynda fondly agrees. Lynda and Caz look forward to their soiree with some of Caz's Ambridge friends but Robert worries that Justin might be too jetlagged. 

Later Caz notices that Lynda seems a bit subdued. Lynda explains that she's going to miss Caz and Oscar. The house is going to seem so empty and it will be a very lonely Christmas without them. Caz promises to come back soon, and tells Lynda she couldn't have got through the past few weeks without her. 

Episode written by Caroline Harrington.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama: Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea

Drama on 4: Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea: Episode 1

Episode 1

Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea, Episode 1

Simon comes to London and gets caught up in wicked Hanoverian plots to overthrow the King.

4 Extra Debut. Young Simon comes to 18th-century London and finds himself caught up in wicked plots to overthrow the King. Stars Joe Dempsie.

By Joan Aiken, dramatised by Lin Coghlan

Part One (of two)

A dramatisation of Joan Aiken's classic children's adventure. Young Simon comes to 18th century London to study painting - and finds himself caught up in wicked Hanoverian plots to overthrow the king.

SIMON ..... Joe Dempsie
DIDO ..... Nicola Miles-Wildin
SOPHIE ..... Emerald O'Hanrahan
DUKE ..... John Rowe
DUCHESS ..... Sheila Reid
COBBE ..... Ben Crowe
MRS COBBE ..... Annabelle Dowler
MR TWITE ..... Rhys Jennings
MRS TWITE ..... Tessa Nicholson
JUSTIN ..... Sam Pamphilon
BUCKLE ..... Nigel Hastings
DR FURNEAUX ..... Bruce Alexander
GUS ..... Joseph Cohen Cole
JABWING ..... Piers Wehner
WOMAN ..... Kate Layden

Directed by Marc Beeby.

Drama on 4: Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea

Dramatisation by Lin Coghlan of Joan Aiken's classic children's adventure

Afternoon Play: Black Hearts in Battersea: 1/2

Young Simon comes to 18th-century London to study painting and finds himself caught up in wicked Hanoverian plots to overthrow the king. Joan Aiken's children's adventure is dramatised by Lin Coghlan. Concludes tomorrow.

Money Box Live

Phone-in programme with discussion and advice on personal finance

Money Box Live: 23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Money Box Live, 23/12/2009

Paul Lewis and a panel of guests answer calls on charitable giving.

Paul Lewis and a panel of guests answer calls on financial issues.

Paul Lewis and a panel of guests answer calls on charitable giving.

Guests:

John Low, chief executive, Charities Aid Foundation
Clive Cutbill, consultant, Withersworld
Les Hems, director, Guidestar.

Money Box Live: Charitable Giving

Paul Lewis and his guests answer listeners finance questions.
Phone: [number removed] Lines open from 1.30pm

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: Build Africa

20/12/2009

Build Africa

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, Build AfricaSearch BBC

Dame Diana Rigg appeals on behalf of Build Africa.

Dame Diana Rigg appeals on behalf of Build Africa.

Donations to Build Africa should be sent to FREEPOST BBC Radio 4 Appeal, please mark the back of your envelope Build Africa. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144. If you are a UK tax payer, please provide Build Africa with your full name and address so they can claim the Gift Aid on your donation. The online and phone donation facilities are not currently available to listeners without a UK postcode. 

Registered Charity Number 298316.

Repeated from Sunday 20 December at 7.55am

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Scene of the Crime

Afternoon Reading: Scene of the Crime: Episode 5: Blackfriars Bridge

Episode 5: Blackfriars Bridge

Scene of the Crime

Blackfriars Bridge

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Scene of the Crime, Blackfriars BridgeSearch BBC

By Anthony Horowitz. A humorous retelling of the detailed planning of the perfect crime.

By Anthony Horowitz. This humorous retelling of the detailed planning of the perfect crime is set against the sounds of one of London's best known-bridges. Read by Robert Bathurst.

Stories by leading crime writers.

By Anthony Horowitz.

This humorous retelling of the detailed planning of the perfect crime is set against the sounds of one of London's best-known bridges.

Read by Robert Bathurst.

Scene of the Crime: 2/2: Blackfriars Bridge

Robert Bathurst reads Anthony Horowitz's humorous retelling of the detailed planning of the perfect crime, against the backdrop of the London landmark.
For details see yesterday (R)

The Santa Tapes

The Santa Tapes: Episode 3: Shop Store Santa

Episode 3: Shop Store Santa

Shop Store Santa

BBC Radio 4 - The Santa Tapes, Shop Store Santa

In one of Britain's oldest grottos, Santa finds the present very different to the past.

Alan Dein unwraps the oral history of Santa Claus. In Liverpool, in one of Britain's oldest grottos, Santa finds Christmas present very different to his Christmas past.

Alan Dein unwraps the oral history of Santa Claus, hearing the true stories of those who have donned the red and white costume, from war-torn Hungary to the icy wastes of Alaska.

In Liverpool, in one of Britain's oldest grottos, Santa finds Christmas present very different to his Christmas past.

Alan Dein unwraps the oral history of Santa Claus

Alan Dein unwraps the oral history of Santa Claus, hearing the true stories of those who have donned the red and white costume, from war-torn Hungary to the icy wastes of Alaska

The Santa Tapes: 3/4: Shop Store Santa

In one of Britain's oldest grottos in Liverpool, Santa finds his Christmas present very different from his Christmas past.
For details see Monday 21 December
The last episode is broadcast on Christmas Day at 8.45am

Thinking Allowed

Thinking Allowed: Bourgeois Power and Marriage

Bourgeois Power and Marriage

BBC Radio 4 - Thinking Allowed, Bourgeois Power and Marriage

Was marrying within the family key to success of the ruling classes in Victorian England?

Laurie Taylor talks to social anthropologist Adam Kuper about why the success of the bourgeoisie in Victorian England relied on marrying within the family.

The new bourgeoisie played an enormously important role in the history of industrial and imperial Britain. The extent to which cousin marriage proliferated in the 19th century relates to the central question as to which people were going to lead Industrial England. 

Close-knit families in Victorian England delivered enormous advantages. They shaped vocations, generated patronage, yielded vital commercial information and gave access to capital; no wonder that marriage within the family, between cousins or between in-laws, was a characteristic strategy of this new bourgeoisie. 

Laurie Taylor discusses private life in 19th-century England with Adam Kuper, the author of Incest and Influence: The Private Life of Bourgeois England, and Catherine Hall, professor of modern British social and cultural history at University College, London.

The bourgeosie's success in Victorian England is due in part to marriage between cousins and even between in-laws. Laurie Taylor discusses the advantages of these close-knit families.
Repeated on Sunday 27 December at 12.15am

All in the Mind

The show with the latest evidence on psychology, mental health and neuroscience.

The show on how we think, feel and behave. Claudia Hammond delves into the evidence on mental health, psychology and neuroscience.

All in the Mind: Scientific Names - Psychological Enjoyment of Wine

Scientific Names - Psychological Enjoyment of Wine

BBC Radio 4 - All in the Mind, Scientific Names - Psychological Enjoyment of Wine

Exploring scientists whose names have become synonymous with a disease or a syndrome.

All in the Mind hears about Asberger, Bonnet, Korsakoff and Tourette, the emininent psychiatrist and neurologists whose names have become synonymous with a disease or a syndrome.

All in the Mind hears the great debate which is currently raging about the very future of the psychiatric profession; we learn how syndromes and diseases get their names and discover how much psychology contributes to our enjoyment of wine.

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

23/12/2009

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Weather

23/12/2009

Genres

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1989: Day-by-Day

1989: Day by Day

Episode 80: 23rd December 1989

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Weather

23/12/2009

Genres

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Shipping Forecast

24/12/2009

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