BBC Radio 4 LW

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 03/07/2008

03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 03/07/2008Close menu

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.

News Briefing

News Briefing: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 03/07/2008Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 03/07/2008

Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Dr Ruth Patterson.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 03/07/2008

News and issues in rural Britain, with Anna Hill.

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: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 03/07/2008

Including Yesterday in Parliament; Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With John Humphrys and Sarah Montague. Including Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather, Thought for the Day.

Presented by John Humphrys and Sarah Montague.

Including:

Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki has raised hopes of reaching a negotiated with six major powers on its controversial nuclear programme. Jeremy Bowen reports. 

French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages have been rescued by Colombian government troops after being held for six years by FARC, the country's leftist rebel group. Frank Gardner reports. 

Thought for the Day with Oliver McTernan, director of the NGO Forward Thinking.

New European rules on pesticides could ban 80 percent of those used in British farming, supposedly leading to reduced yields. With Dr Ian Denholm of Rothamsted Research Institute and Elliott Cannell from Pesticide Action Network. 

Two American policy experts claim that Francis Ford Coppola's film The Godfather could be a metaphor and a guide for the choices facing American foreign policy in a study called A Foreign Policy You Can't Refuse. Co-author Wess Mitchell from the Centre for European Policy Analysis talks to security correspondent Gordon Corera. 

Former chancellor Lord Howe discusses the results of the Conservatives' commission on tax reform. He says the UK needs fundamental reforms of tax law to simplify our tax system. 

In 1965, Bob Dylan made history by plugging in his electric guitar at America's Newport Folk Festival. Next month, his son Jakob will be on the same stage, reversing the process. Is he finally stepping into his father's shoes? Mark Coles asks Jakob Dylan why he has decided to go solo.
 
The cultural phenomenon of Mexican wrestling is coming to the UK. Masked superstar protagonist Mystico de Juarez and Andy Wood explain the lure of 'lucha libre'.

In Our Time

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

In Our Time: The Metaphysical Poets

The Metaphysical Poets

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Metaphysical Poets

Melvyn Bragg examines the Metaphysical poets, including John Donne and Andrew Marvell.

Melvyn Bragg discusses the Metaphysical poets John Donne, Andrew Marvell and George Herbert, examining their rich and strange metaphors of sex, death and love.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Metaphysical poets, a diffuse group of 17th century writers including John Donne, Andrew Marvell and George Herbert. Mourning the death of a good friend in 1631, the poet Thomas Carew declared: “The Muses' garden, with pedantic weeds O'erspread, was purg'd by thee; the lazy seeds Of servile imitation thrown away, And fresh invention planted.”The gardener in question was a poet, John Donne, and from his fresh invention blossomed a group of 17th century writers called the metaphysical poets. Concerned with sex and death, with science and empire, the metaphysical poets challenged the conventions of Elizabethan poetry with drama and with wit. And they showed that English, like Italian and French, was capable of true poetry.Unashamedly modern, they were saluted by another great modernist, T.S. Eliot, who admired their genius for imagery, the freshness of their language and the drama of their poetic character.  But what do we mean by metaphysical poetry, how did it reflect an age of drama and discovery and do poets as different as John Donne, Andrew Marvell and George Herbert really belong together in the canon of English literature? With Tom Healy, Professor of Renaissance Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London; Julie Sanders, Professor of English Literature and Drama at the University of Nottingham; and Tom Cain, Professor of Early Modern Literature at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Daily Service

Spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.

A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music.

Daily Service: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Daily Service, 03/07/2008

Christian worship and music, led by the Rev Dr David Wilkinson.

Christian worship and music, led by the Rev Dr David Wilkinson. Director of music: Simon Lole.

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: The appeal of Putin; Catherine McCartney

The appeal of Putin; Catherine McCartney

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, The appeal of Putin; Catherine McCartney

Putin's female appeal analysed. Plus, Catherine McCartney on the death of her brother.

Putin's female appeal analysed. Plus, Catherine McCartney on campaigning for justice for her brother Robert, and the 93-year-old glider pilot. With Jenni Murray.

From Our Own Correspondent

Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents and writers.

Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers telling stories from around the world.

From Our Own Correspondent: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - From Our Own Correspondent, 03/07/2008

Kate Adie introduces BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the headlines.

BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the world's headlines. Introduced by Kate Adie.

Shots from the Hip

14/07/2007

BBC Radio 4 - Shots from the Hip

Andrew Collins looks at the changing world of the music critic.

Andrew Collins looks at the changing world of the music critic, and asks whether the lone voice is still relevant, or just another voice trying to be heard.

Music criticism began as an art form, delivering the kind of scathing wit and opinion capable of making or breaking a band. Now, with the broadsheets, fans on the internet, and even the band themselves weighing in, journalist Andrew Collins asks whether the lone voice is still relevant, or just another voice trying to be heard.

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast

News, weather and Shipping Forecast updates. 

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 03/07/2008

National and international news, plus shipping forecast.

The latest national and international news headlines, followed by the shipping forecast.

You and Yours

You and Yours: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 03/07/2008

Consumer news and issues with Carolyn Atkinson and Liz Barclay.

Presented by Carolyn Atkinson and Liz Barclay.

Including:

The largest care home company in the UK has issued a profits warning. Barclays Bank has given them 28 days to come up with a way of paying their outstanding debts.

Airlines are asking top chefs to redesign their menus. Steve Punt gives his view of the in-flight meal.

Huge new shopping centres in Bristol, Liverpool, Leicester and West London are about to open. While they are predicted to be a success, will the knock-on effect be to empty shops in out-of-town retail parks and high streets? With Prof Barry Gilbertson, a partner at Pricewaterhouse Coopers Business Recovery Services, and Dr Richard Barkham, Global Head of Research at Grosvenor.

Cashback sites: How internet cashback sites can save money on online purchases.

Thanet Earth will be the biggest glasshouse complex in the UK, aiming to supply 15 percent of the tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers that we consume. It claims to have impeccable green credentials, though not everyone agrees. With Thanet Earth Managing Director Steve McVickers and Tara Garnett from the Food Climate Research Network at the University of Surrey.

Weather

Weather: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 03/07/2008Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 03/07/2008

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

Open Country

Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of Britain

Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of the British Isles

Open Country: 28/06/2008

28/06/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, 28/06/2008

Countryside magazine. Elinor Goodman visits Glastonbury.

The Archers

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

The Archers: 02/07/2008

02/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 02/07/2008

Jennifer shows Pat the swap club message board where swaps can be arranged. There is some difficulty about comparing the value of the various swaps, and they come up with the idea of the Transition Equivalent in Ambridge - or TEA - just to give a rough guide in the various transactions. Pat discovers that the digester plans are going ahead again. 

Brian is keen to help with the harvest, but Adam wants to show that he's across it all - Brian doesn't need to worry. Later, he asks Jennifer to help by driving ahead of the big combine tomorrow, but doesn't include Brian. 

Neil is busy organising the ringers for the competition, and putting a bit of pressure on Christopher. Susan tells him to lay off - Christopher is revising for his final farrier exams. When Emma comes in, Neil wonders how she got on at Will's. Emma is quick to inform him that there is nothing going on between them. She and Will are way beyond any of that. 

Episode written by Tim Stimpson.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: I Love Stephen Fry

I Love Stephen Fry

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, I Love Stephen Fry

By Jon Canter. Jackie, a bored housewife, is in love with Stephen Fry.

By Jon Canter. In her dreams bored housewife Jackie fantasises about Stephen Fry. He's everything her husband is not: eloquent, learned and gay. Should she tell him she loves him?

Jackie is married to a good-natured but big-bottomed butcher, Terry. She works in a newsagent and she's restless. Her youngest child, Chloe, is about to get married to Carl, a sensible lad. But Jackie thinks Chloe's repeating her own mistake: marrying too young, without exploring her options. Jackie's a big fan of Stephen Fry and would love her daughter to be marrying a man as interesting as him. Jackie buys a tent, ostensibly as a wedding present for Chloe. But instead Jackie sleeps in the tent herself, in the garden, to escape her husband. She has a series of dreams about Stephen Fry. He's everything her husband Terry is not: eloquent, metropolitan, learned and gay. In a series of exciting and alarming fantasies, Jackie and Stephen have a platonic love affair. Then Chloe meets Stephen Fry in an Indian restaurant and tells him her mum is in love with him. Suddenly, fantasy is becoming reality. 

Terry discovers his wife is in love with a man known only as 'Steve'. He's no idea who Steve is. Should he confront Steve? Or should he keep quiet and wait for his wife's affair with Steve to blow over. Eventually, husband, wife and Steve meet in an Ipswich bookshop and have their lives changed forever. Except Steve. He just carries on being Stephen Fry.

I LOVE STEPHEN FRY is written by Jon Canter. Jon's worked with many of the biggest names in TV comedy and was script editor on 'A Bit of Fry and Laurie'. His writing credits include The Two Ronnies, 'Not The Nine O Clock News', 'Mr Bean', 'Alas Smith & Jones', 'Murder Most Horrid' and 'Posh Nosh'. He has had two comic novels published by Jonathan Cape. 'Seeds of Greatness' and 'A Short Gentleman'. 'I Love Stephen Fry' stars Stephen Fry himself, Lesley Sharp, Phil Davis, Karl Theobald, Sinead Matthews and Carolyn Pickles.

Stephen Fry ..... Himself 
Jackie ..... Lesley Sharp
Terry ..... Phil Davis
Margaret ..... Carolyn Pickles
Ron ..... Ron Cook
Chloe ..... Sinead Matthews
Carl ..... Karl Theobald

Producer/Director Fiona McAlpine
The programme is an Allegra producton for BBC Radio 4.

Check Up

Medical discussion phone-in programme with weekly guest experts

Medical discussion programme in which listeners phone-in and ask a weekly guest about their particular area of knowledge

Check Up: Headache and Migraine

Headache and Migraine

BBC Radio 4 - Check Up, Headache and Migraine

Barbara Myers and guest answer callers' questions about headache and migraine.

Barbara Myers and her guest Dr Andrew Dowson look at headaches and migraines, from regular migraines to chronic daily headaches that can be induced by taking too many painkillers.

Most of us have had a painful headache at some time in our lives. 

They can range from regular migraines that keep people away from work to chronic daily headaches that can be induced by taking too many painkillers. 

In this edition of Check Up, Barbara Myers will be putting your questions about the origins and treatments of headaches to Dr Andrew Dowson, Director of the Headache Service at Kings College, London.

There is no single cause for headaches and, while they are painful and annoying, the majority of headaches do not indicate that there is a serious problem. 

The pain can be mild to severe in one or more parts of the head as well as the back of the neck. There are many different types of headache patterns and a variety of causes.

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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: Sense

29/06/2008

Sense

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, Sense

Richard Briers appeals on behalf of Sense.

Richard Briers appeals on behalf of Sense. Donations: Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: SOS: Save Our Souls

Afternoon Reading: SOS: Save Our Souls: Episode 4: The Fishwife's Lament

Episode 4

Episode 4: The Fishwife's Lament

SOS: Save Our Souls

The Fishwife's Lament

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, SOS: Save Our Souls, The Fishwife's LamentSearch BBC

Stuart MacBride's darkly humorous tale of murder, deception and ice cream.

Short stories to mark the 100th anniversary of the SOS call. An elderly fish-gutter spins an unconvincing yarn in Stuart MacBride's darkly humorous tale of murder and ice cream.

Short stories to mark the 100th anniversary of the international distress call.

An elderly fish-gutter spins an unconvincing yarn in Stuart MacBride's darkly humorous tale of murder, deception and ice cream.

Read by Lisa Gardner.

Five stories to mark the 100th anniversary of the international distress call

Cosmic Quest

Cosmic Quest: Episode 29: Worlds Beyond

Episode 29

Episode 29: Worlds Beyond

Worlds Beyond

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Cosmic Quest, Worlds Beyond

The work by contemporary astronomers to find other planets like Earth in the universe.

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at the work done by her contemporaries to find other planets like Earth. From July 2008.

Heather Couper presents a narrative history of astronomy.

In the 16th century, Giordano Bruno speculated that there must be other planets similar to our own in the universe. He was burned at the stake for this and other heresies.

Even today, with the best telescopes in the world, it remains impossible to see planets around distant stars. But in the last decade, astronomers have gathered indirect evidence for many other planetary systems. The easiest to detect and hence the first to be found were the most amazing - planets bigger than Jupiter orbiting so close to their star that they are almost touching. But evidence is now emerging that solar systems more like our own exist, some with multiple planets and some with planets that may be like Earth.

Readers are Timothy West, Robin Sebastian, Julian Rhind-Tutt and John Palmer.

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.

Heather Couper presents a narrative history of astronomy

Astronomer Heather Couper charts the history of our growing understanding of the universe and progress of astronomy.

Open Book

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books, talking to authors and publishers and unearthing lost classics

Open Book: Irvine Welsh, Creating a New Sleuth, and John Banville

Irvine Welsh, Creating a New Sleuth, and John Banville

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, Irvine Welsh, Creating a New Sleuth, and John Banville

Mariella Frostrup talks to novelist Irvine Welsh.

Mariella Frostrup talks to novelist Irvine Welsh, whose books include the bestseller Trainspotting. He talks about his latest novel, Crime.

Irvine Welsh
Mariella talks to Irvine Welsh, the author of the enormously successful Trainspotting. His new novel, Crime, is set among the criminal population of Florida. He explains the dark subject matter of his book, and why it abandons his trademark black humour. 


Creating a New Sleuth 
Mariella is joined by two writers who this month unveil the first adventures of their new detective heroes. Brian Thompson's Bella Wallis is a Victorian writer who also solves murders, while Gus Dury, the creation of the novelist Tony Black, is a hard-drinking Edinburgh journalist and amateur sleuth. The two writers and Marcel Berlins, crime reviewer for The Times, discuss the difficulties of creating a new crime hero, and how to ensure they last more than a couple of books. 


Crime and Genre Fiction 
Earlier this month, Susan Hill told Open Book why she had abandoned "literary" fiction for crime. John Banville, winner of the 2005 Man Booker prize, joins Mariella and Marcel Berlins to discuss his own recent career as a crime writer, why genre distinctions could be breaking down, and what it is about crime that taps into contemporary sensibilities.

Material World

Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines

Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines. Each week, scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects

Material World: Bee Declines - Tungunska Fireball

Bee Declines - Tungunska Fireball

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, Bee Declines - Tungunska Fireball

Quentin Cooper investigates the huge fireball that exploded in June 1908 in Siberia.

Quentin Cooper investigates the huge fireball that exploded in June 1908 in the Tunguska region of Siberia. The explosion knocked down an estimated 80 million trees.

Bee Declines
Over a third of all the honeybees in the United States have died in the past two years. Beekeepers in the UK are noticing declines in the number of bees surviving the winter. Three out of the 25 species of bumblebees native to the UK are now extinct with others facing losses. What’s happening to our bees? Quentin Cooper talks to Alison Benjamin amateur beekeeper and co-author of “A World Without Bees” and Dr Nigel Raine, bee ecologist from Queen Mary University in London to find out.

Tungunska Fireball
On the 30th June 1908, a huge fireball hurtled towards the Tunguska River region of Siberia. The explosion that followed was as powerful as 1000 Hiroshima bombs and knocked down an estimated 80 million trees. But 100 years later scientists are yet to find an impact crater or tell-tale meteorite remains. So what happened? Quentin is joined by Dr Phil Bland and Gareth Collins from Imperial College London to find out.

1968 Day by Day

A look back at the events making the news 40 years ago

1968: Day by Day

1968 Day by Day: 3rd July 1968

3rd July 1968

BBC Radio 4 - 1968 Day by Day, 3rd July 1968

Mixed marriages come under the spotlight.

With John Tusa. Mixed marriages come under the spotlight.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 03/07/2008

Coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn.

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn.

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 03/07/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 03/07/2008

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

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

Fags, Mags and Bags

Sitcom written by Sanjeev Kohli and Donald McLeary, set in a Glasgow corner shop

Sitcom written by and starring Sanjeev Kohli and Donald McLeary, set in a Glasgow corner shop

Fags, Mags and Bags: Series 1

Fags, Mags and Bags: Series 1: Episode 2: The De-Magowaning of Ramesh

Episode 2

Episode 2: The De-Magowaning of Ramesh

Series 1

The De-Magowaning of Ramesh

BBC Radio 4 - Fags, Mags and Bags, Series 1, The De-Magowaning of Ramesh

Corner shop owner Ramesh has toothache and Sanjay embraces retail. From October 2007.

Corner shop owner Ramesh has toothache and Sanjay embraces retail. Stars Sanjeev Kohli and Donald McLeary. From October 2007.

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

03/07/2008

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Weather

03/07/2008

Genres

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1968 Day by Day

3rd July 1968

Genres

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Shipping Forecast

03/07/2008

Genres

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Weather

03/07/2008

Genres

Brand

Weather

03/07/2008

Genres

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Shipping Forecast

03/07/2008

Genres

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