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A reading and a reflection to start the day, with the Rev Dr Karen Smith, tutor in Church History and Christian Spirituality at South Wales Baptist College. Show more

EU protected food status goes to Vale of Evesham asparagus; Anna Hill visits a Christmas poultry auction in Norfolk; and how handmade woollen festive gifts are made on the farm. Show more

Martin Hughes-Games presents the Tree Sparrow. The tree sparrow looks like a freshly-scrubbed house sparrow; with its russet cap, white cheeks and smarter appearance. Show more

Actor Sophie Thompson, writer Jonathan Franklin, musician Leon Bosch and actor Brian Wheeler join Libby Purves. Show more

The author reaches Rum and is struck by the island's turbulent history of rental, ownership and clearance. Abridged by Anna Magnusson Read by Doon Mackichan. Show more

How do 70-year-old women view their lives and achievements? Show more

Catherine meets Henry once more but John has a habit of getting in their way much to her annoyance. With Miriam Margolyes. Show more

Fi Glover introduces a conversation between six-year-old twins who disagree about how far their older sibling has to travel to school. Show more

4 Extra Debut. Award-winning poet Imtiaz Dharker explores the history, cultural significance and psychology of sighing. From December 2016. Show more

A heart-warming tale of two lives linked by events in Glasgow 90 years ago. Co-stars Geoffrey Palmer. From 2016. Show more

On this day in 1916, the Triple Industrial Alliance protested the use of Chinese labour on ships without equal pay, and there are grumblings in the Belgian colony in Birtley. Show more

Don Paterson reads his poem Rain as part of a day of poems for the winter solstice. Show more

A review into the energy efficiency market. How to avoid stress while Christmas shopping. And a behind the scenes look at how audio books are put together. Show more

The latest weather forecast.

Analysis of news and current affairs.

Carol Ann Duffy reads her poem Snow as part of Radio 4's Four Seasons - Poems for the Winter Solstice. Show more

This episode traces the development of the 'state secret'. Tiffany visits the National Archives as new MI5 files are disclosed for the first time. Show more

Jennifer tries to keep the peace, but Kate is unhappy, and Brian is not listening. Show more

In the 1960s, Wally Funk and Jerrie Cobb secretly took NASA's gruelling astronaut selection tests but they were never allowed to go into space. Anita Sullivan's drama explores why. Show more

Be wary of schemes offering high returns, diversify investments and don't marry unless your cash is protected - personal financial advice from the nineteenth century. Show more

Why can mental health problems develop during adolescence? Claudia Hammond examines new evidence for a biological explanation that could help guide clinical treatment. Show more

Noma Dumezweni reads A Robin, by Walter de la Mare, as part of Radio 4's Four Seasons - poems for the winter solstice. Show more

The Musicians Union: Laurie Taylor explores the history of musicians efforts to be seen as workers, as well as entertainers. Also, women heavy metal fans. Show more

Andrea Catherwood asks what is next for Murdoch's bid for Sky, takes a look at TV schedules versus on-demand services, and considers the future of BBC Monitoring. Show more

Kathleen Jamie reads her poem Perfect Day as part of Radio 4's Four Seasons - poems for the winter solstice. Show more

A Tunisian asylum-seeker has been named as suspect in Berlin market attack

Victoria Coren Mitchell interviews Germaine Greer about her first Mini and Australia's own car, the mighty Holden. From 2016. Show more

Lynda fears for her reputation, and Rex needs another pair of hands. Show more

Helen Mirren on her new film Collateral Beauty and that infamous interview with Michael Parkinson; winter solstice poetry; conductor Ed Gardner; and not-so-hairy old rockers. Show more

Catherine meets Henry once more but John has a habit of getting in their way much to her annoyance. With Miriam Margolyes. Show more

Claudia Hammond explores our complex relationship with cash, from how our attitudes to money start to take shape early in life to why we think we're good at spotting a bargain. Show more

Matt Hood says we need to raise the standards of teaching by treating it like a performance profession where techniques are honed in rehearsal rather than tried out "live". Show more

Naomi Alderman tells the story of Hertha Marks Ayrton, the first woman to be admitted to the Institution of Electrical Engineers, who improved electric arc lights. Show more

Actor Sophie Thompson, writer Jonathan Franklin, musician Leon Bosch and actor Brian Wheeler join Libby Purves. Show more

The latest weather forecast.

Police forces across Europe are searching for a Tunisian man in connection with Monday's fatal lorry attack in Berlin. Show more

A former professor of Aeronautical Engineering puts his knowledge to good use in this charming tale written for BBC Radio 4 by Alexander McCall Smith. The reader is James Fleet. Show more

Characters, songs, sketches and well, who knows really? A journey inside comedian Terry Alderton’s chaotic mind. From 2016. Show more

Merriment, melancholy and witty wordplay. Quirky sketches and poems with Helen Atkinson-Wood and Philip Jackson. From 2015. Show more

Peers debate the riots at Birmingham Jail and homelessness at Christmas. Mark D'Arcy reports on the final parliamentary day of 2016. Show more

Frost at Midnight by Samuel Taylor Coleridge read by Simon Russell Beale for Radio 4's Four Seasons - poems for the winter solstice. Show more

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

The author reaches Rum and is struck by the island's turbulent history of rental, ownership and clearance. Abridged by Anna Magnusson Read by Doon Mackichan. Show more

The latest shipping forecast.

BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.