BBC Radio 4 LW

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: Penelope Hobhouse

18/12/1994

Penelope Hobhouse

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Penelope Hobhouse

Sue Lawley's castaway is horticulturalist Penelope Hobhouse

Sue Lawley's castaway is horticulturalist Penelope Hobhouse.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is one of the country's famous experts on gardens and garden design, Penelope Hobhouse. She will be talking to Sue Lawley about her childhood in Ulster, where she was brought up steeped in the politics of the province. From there, she went to Cambridge, married, and settled down to look after the garden of the beautiful house in Somerset which marriage had brought with it. Twenty-five years later, she wrote her first book which was about that garden and since then she has been in constant demand as a lecturer and author. 

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

Favourite track: The Marriage Of Figaro - Dove Sono, Act 3 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Book: The Golden Bowl by Henry James
Luxury: Laptop computer

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.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Carter's diplomacy and White House security

Carter's diplomacy and White House security

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Carter's diplomacy and White House security

How have the security arrangements of the president changed since the 1960s?

Jimmy Carter's diplomatic efforts, the security problems faced by the White House and the size of Lyndon Johnson's handkerchief are mused over by Alistaire Cooke.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Carter's diplomacy and White House security

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4

About this data