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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: Gerry Cottle

15/09/1984

Gerry Cottle

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Gerry Cottle

Roy Plomley's castaway is circus owner Gerry Cottle

Roy Plomley's castaway is circus owner Gerry Cottle.

Gerry Cottle's latest circus is a fast-moving show with no ring-master and no animals, but it is very popular. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls how he ran away from school to join a circus, how he made the jump from being a juggler to being a circus owner who toured many countries, and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: American Pie by Don McLean
Book: I Love You, Honey, but the Season's Over by Connie Clausen
Luxury: Juggling clubs

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke - Letter from America

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Oklahoma ends liquor ban

06/06/2014

Oklahoma ends liquor ban

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Oklahoma ends liquor ban

Last state to end prohibition will now allow liquor to be openly sold.

Oklahoma - where prohibition ruled until 1959 - to finally allow liquor to be openly sold.

Oklahoma - where prohibition ruled until 1959 - to finally allow liquor to be openly sold.

This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

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