BBC Radio 4 LW

Jumbo to Jockey

23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Jumbo to Jockey

Dominic Prince, 47 years old and sixteen and a half stones, tries to become a jockey.

Following an overweight middle-aged man, Dominic Prince, as he spends a year pursuing his lifetime ambition to become a jockey.

Following an overweight middle-aged man, Dominic Prince, as he spends a year pursuing his lifetime ambition to become a jockey.

At the beginning of 2008, Dominic Prince was 47 years old, weighed sixteen and half stones and felt his life was churning in neutral. A very pleasant neutral, but neutral nonetheless. As a child he had a dream, to become a jockey and ride competitively. But the dream didn't even come close to being realised - until now, when he decided to give it one last shot.

Dominic confronts his mid-life crisis, tries to lose a quarter of his body weight, learns to ride like a professional and seeks to fulfil his dream, 30 years behind schedule.  

He is put through his paces on a horse simulator at the British Racing School, receives advice from top jockeys and trainers and hears the misgivings of the other stable lads when he turns up for work.

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.

I Was...

Series analysing great artists from the perspective of someone who knew them

Andrew McGibbon presents a series of interviews analysing great artists from the perspective of someone who knew them.

I Was...: Series 1: Episode 4: David Lean's Boy Star

Episode 4

Episode 4: David Lean's Boy Star

Series 1

David Lean's Boy Star

BBC Radio 4 - I Was..., Series 1, David Lean's Boy Star

John talks about starring, aged eight, in David Lean's 1948 film version of Oliver Twist.

John Howard Davies talks about starring, aged eight, in David Lean's classic 1948 film version of Oliver Twist. Presented by Andrew McGibbon.

Andrew McGibbon analyses great artists at a significant time in their careers but from the perspective of someone who worked for them, inspired them, employed them or even did their job for them while no one was looking. 

John Howard Davies played Oliver Twist in David Lean's 1948 black and white classic. For the eight-year old boy on a film set for the first time in his life, surrounded by the likes of Alec Guinness, Robert Newton and Anthony Newley it was an exciting and dizzying break from the privations of a post war childhood. 

Nevertheless the fame that followed the success of the film did not suit John and he struggled for many years afterward to adjust. 

With authentic insights into the making of the film, fresh views on the legendary actors John reveals a fascination and respect for David Lean that led him to chose a similar career path to his mentor - that of a director and producer of some of the BBC's most classic comedies in the seventies. 

Featuring contributions from producer Ronald Neame and biographer Kevin Brownlow. 


Producers: Andrew McGibbon and Nick Romero
A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4.

I Was...: Series 1

Series of interviews analysing great artists from the perspective of someone who knew them

Andrew McGibbon presents a series of interviews analysing great artists from the perspective of someone who knew them

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast

News, weather and Shipping Forecast updates. 

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 23/12/2008

National and international news and the shipping forecast.

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

You and Yours

You and Yours: Call You and Yours

Call You and Yours

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, Call You and Yours

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker. 

Personal Finance: Do you know your APR from your AER? 

Call You and Yours looks at the consequences of being financially illiterate.

Weather

Weather: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 23/12/2008

World at One

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

World at One: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 23/12/2008

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

Christmas Past and Christmas Present at King's

BBC Radio 4 - Christmas Past and Christmas Present at King's

Brian Kay uncovers the WWI origins of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

As the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge marks its 90th birthday, former choir member Brian Kay uncovers the WWI origins of the service.

As the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge marks its ninetieth birthday, former choir member Brian Kay uncovers the WWI origins of the service and explores its enduring appeal. 

Those sharing their memories include former director of music Philip Ledger and organ scholar-turned-conductor Sir Andrew Davis.

The Archers

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

The Archers: 22/12/2008

22/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 22/12/2008

Diplomacy reigns supreme at the vicarage.

While they wait for Mabel's train to arrive, Amy tells Usha about her midwifery course. Mabel accepts that Alan's too busy to meet her and does her best to be polite with Usha. Usha's relieved when Alan finally joins them. 

Mabel's surprised but pleased to learn that Usha attended the Nine Lessons and Carols service but is shocked to see the changes at the vicarage. Alan and Usha awkwardly explain that the sideboard given as a wedding present to Alan and Catherine has now been given away to charity.

Mabel's determined to keep up her usual tradition of cooking the Christmas evening meal with Amy. It's all a bit much for Usha, so she's relived when Amy accepts her offer of a lift back to Manchester on Saturday. 

Eddie and Joe are pleased with this year's turkeys, especially as they haven't got too many like last year. Eddie claims he's been too busy to practice the cow dance. When he's finished preparing the turkeys he's off for a Christmas drink with Baggie and Fat Paul.

Joe reminds him that Lynda will be expecting an improvement tomorrow, especially as the cow costume will have arrived, which should sort the men from the boys! 

Episode written by Keri Davies.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama: The Borrowers

Drama on 4: The Borrowers: Episode 2

Episode 2

The Borrowers

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, The Borrowers, Episode 2

The Clock family must find shelter before the sparrowhawks get them.

Adaptation of Mary Norton's children's classic. Having emigrated to the field at the back of the house, the Clock family must find shelter before the sparrowhawks get them.

Drama on 4: The Borrowers

Adaptation of Mary Norton's children's classic

Two-part adaptation of Mary Norton's children's classic about the tiny Clock family that live under the floorboards of a large house

Making History

Popular history series where the past connects with the present.

Making History: Southall

Southall

BBC Radio 4 - Making History, Southall

Vanessa Collingridge visits Southall, Middlesex, to take listeners' questions.

Vanessa Collingridge presents the series exploring ordinary people's links with the past. 

Vanessa visits Southall, Middlesex, where listeners ask about the story of immigration from East Africa, the pre-urban landscape and the origins of the doll's house.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Vanilla Bright Like Eminem

28/05/2007

Vanilla Bright Like Eminem

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Vanilla Bright Like Eminem

By Michael Faber. A father is close to experiencing the happiest moment of his life.

Richard Schiff reads a short story by Michael Faber, abridged by Richard Hamilton. A husband and father is close to experiencing the happiest moment of his life.

Songs Everlasting

Songs Everlasting: Series 2

Songs Everlasting: Series 2: Episode 2: Deck the Halls

Episode 2: Deck the Halls

Series 2

Deck the Halls

BBC Radio 4 - Songs Everlasting, Series 2, Deck the Halls

Bryn speaks to composers and scholars about the carol Deck the Halls.

Bryn Terfel explores classic Christmas songs. Bryn speaks to composers and scholars about the carol Deck the Halls and what makes it such a favourite.

Bryn Terfel explores classic Christmas songs and tries to find out what it is that makes some of them them so popular.

Bryn speaks to composers and scholars about the carol Deck the Halls: how it evolved from an ancient Welsh dance tune, the origination of the words, its association with New Year and why it has become a favourite for recording artists of all persuasions.

Bryn Terfel explores classic Christmas songs

Word of Mouth

Series exploring the world of words and the ways in which we use them

Word of Mouth: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Word of Mouth, 23/12/2008

Michael Rosen takes another journey into the world of words, language and the way we speak

Michael Rosen takes another journey into the world of words, language and the way we speak.

Great Lives

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

Great Lives: Series 17

Great Lives: Episode 3: Beachcomber

Episode 3

Episode 3: Beachcomber

Beachcomber

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Beachcomber

The Snowman author Raymond Briggs chooses JB Morton, aka Beachcomber.

4 Extra Debut. The Snowman author Raymond Briggs chooses JB Morton, aka Beachcomber. With Matthew Parris and Richard Ingrams. From December 2008.

Series of biographical discussions with Matthew Parris. 

Raymond Briggs celebrates Beachcomber, the newspaper columnist who inspired both Spike Milligan and Private Eye. Richard Ingrams offers details of the column's early life and the current Beachcomber reveals his own influences.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 23/12/2008

Coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair.

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 23/12/2008

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 23/12/2008

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

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

Laura Solon: Talking And Not Talking

Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking

Perrier Award-winning comedian Laura Solon's sketch and character comedy series

Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking: Series 2: Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking, Series 2, Episode 2

Divorcee Carol has a fruit surplus, and Adrian is asked to be a Bond girl.

Divorcee Carol has a fruit surplus, and Adrian is asked to be a Bond girl. Award-winning comedy with Ben Moor. From June 2008.

Divorcee Carol has a fruit surplus and Adrian is asked to be a Bond girl.

Award-winning comedian Laura Solon's sketch and character comedy series

With:

Rosie Cavaliero
Ben Moor
Ben Willbond

With additional material by Stephen Carlin, Ben Moor and Charlie Miller.  

Producer: Colin Anderson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.

Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking: Series 2

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.

Laura Solon's comedy show, packed with character monologues and cuttingly modern sketches

Laura Solon's comedy show, packed with bittersweet character monologues and cuttingly modern sketches

The Archers: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 23/12/2008

Alistair's in a hurry. Chris reckons he's off to buy Shula's Christmas present and teases Alice that he hasn't bought hers yet.

Alistair's not shopping though. The panto technical rehearsal means Alistair can't make tonight's Gamblers Anoymous meeting, so Alistair asks Maurice to keep an eye out for Ryan. Maurice points out Ryan is not Alistair's responsibility but agrees to help.

Eddie's uncomfortable in the cow costume, Alistair's struggling to control the giant hands and Lynda's exasperated. The rehearsal's not going well. Things improve when Eddie gives Alistair a hand with the hands, but soon Eddie's needed back in the cow costume. 

Alistair insists he still needs Eddie's help, so Lynda decides she'll have to take over the back end of the cow. This suits Eddie but Clarrie's not prepared to be so intimate with Lynda. Lynda makes more decisions. Robert can be the front end of the cow and Christopher can take over calling the cues. Christopher can't see how he'll have time, so Alice offers to play in the music and sound effects.  

Clarrie's not upset at losing her part. In fact, with William coming home tomorrow, things are looking up.

Episode written by Keri Davies.

Front Row

Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music

Front Row: People of the Year - Part 1

People of the Year - Part 1

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, People of the Year - Part 1

With Mark Lawson. Kenneth Branagh reflects on a year of critical acclaim.

Mark Lawson introduces a selection of highlights from the past year and talks to some of the people who have made the headlines in the arts, including Kenneth Branagh.

Apart from David Tennant's Hamlet, 2008 was Kenneth Branagh's year. From his West End triumph in Ivanov to his portrayal of Kurt Wallander on BBC One, Kenneth Branagh reflects on a year of critical acclaim in the first of two programmes in which performers and artists who have had a good 2008 look back over the last 12 months. 

Tilda Swinton discusses Michael Clayton, for which she won an Oscar, and her recent film Julia; Man Booker Prize-winning Aravind Adiga discusses Mumbai and the effect the terrorist attacks had on his home city; and we also hear from Damien Hirst, Rose Tremain, AL Kennedy, Kate Summerscale and Mercury Prize-winning Guy Garvey of Elbow.

15 Minute Drama

Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations

15 Minute Drama: Old Peter's Russian Tales

15 Minute Drama: Old Peter's Russian Tales: Episode 2: Fish Tales

Episode 2: Fish Tales

Old Peter's Russian Tales

Fish Tales

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, Old Peter's Russian Tales, Fish Tales

An old fisherman's kindness to a golden fish is repaid almost endlessly.

Magical folk tales from Russia by Arthur Ransome. An old fisherman's kindness to a golden fish is repaid when his wife starts making ever-increasing demands.

Magical folk tales from Russia by Arthur Ransome, as told by Old Peter the forester to his grandchildren Vanya and Maroosia.

An old fisherman's kindness to a golden fish is repaid almost endlessly when his shrewish wife starts making ever-increasing demands.

Old Peter/ Golden Fish ...... Trevor Cooper
Vanya/Roach ...... Harry Hughes 
Maroosia/Ersh ...... Megan Williams
Gudgeon ...... Ben Crowe
Perch ...... Liz Sutherland
Old Man ...... John Rowe
Wife ...... Helen Longworth.

Magical folk tales from Russia by Arthur Ransome, as told by Old Peter the forester

Magical folk tales from Russia by Arthur Ransome, as told by Old Peter the forester to his grandchildren, Vanya and Maroosia

Great White Hopes

BBC Radio 4 - Great White Hopes

Henry Bonsu investigates current debates about class and poverty in education policy.

Henry Bonsu investigates current debates about class and poverty in education policy, in the light of calls by Trevor Phillips, head of the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights, for Britain's white working class children to receive special educational funding, alongside other underachieving minorities.

In Touch

News, views and information for people who are blind or partially sighted

In Touch: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - In Touch, 23/12/2008

Peter White with news and information for the blind and partially sighted.

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: Money for Medication - Psychogenic Seizures - A Knitting Prescription

Money for Medication - Psychogenic Seizures - A Knitting Prescription

BBC Radio 4 - All in the Mind, Money for Medication - Psychogenic Seizures - A Knitting Prescription

Could hobbies like knitting help to keep depression at bay?

Could hobbies like knitting help to keep depression at bay? Plus psychological research that could help us all to be more persuasive.

MONEY FOR MEDICATION
Could small cash payments persuade people with severe mental illness to keep taking their medication? Lack of adherence is a major obstacle in the treatment of schizophrenia. Those patients who are particularly hard to treat regularly find themselves back in hospital. Twelve patients at the East London Community Mental Health Trust are currently being paid to receive their injected medication in a pilot study. But is this immoral exploitation or a just reward? Professor Stefan Priebe at Queen Mary University of London is encouraged by the results of the pilot and has funding for a national trial.

PSYCHOGENIC SEIZURES
When someone faints for no physical reason, they're said to have had a psychogenic seizure. The symptoms can be similar to an epileptic fit, and over half of patients get wrongly diagnosed with this, even though medication for epilepsy doesn’t work. Neurologist Dr Markus Reuber treats the condition at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. Pauline Pinkney, like many patients, found it difficult to accept that her condition had a psychological cause. She talks to Claudia about how Dr Reuber’s treatment has helped her. 

A KNITTING PRESCRIPTION
Could patients, one day, be able to knit their way out of their pain or depression? There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that hobbies like knitting are good for the soul. Now researchers at the Universities of Cardiff and Bath are trying to establish whether there is any truth in it.

Taking a Stand

Interview series with Fergal Keane in which he talks to individuals who have taken a stand

Fergal Keane talks to individuals who through conviction or circumstance have been forced to take a stand for what they believe in

Taking a Stand: Lana Vandenberghe

Lana Vandenberghe

BBC Radio 4 - Taking a Stand, Lana Vandenberghe

Lana Vandenberghe's role in the Jean Charles de Menezes case.

Fergal Keane talks to people who have taken risks and made sacrifices to stand up for what they believe in. Lana Vandenberghe's role in the Jean Charles de Menezes case.

Fergal Keane talks to people who have taken risks and made sacrifices to stand up for what they believe in. Lana Vandenberghe was working as a secretary for the Independent Police Complaints Commission when she found herself assigned to an investigation into one of the most controversial police actions of recent times: the shooting dead of Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell tube station in London. When, during the course of her work, she saw pictures and letters that seemed to contradict what the police were saying about the incident, she decided to leak the documents to the press. It was a decision that would have dramatic consequences for her and contribute to calls for the resignation of Sir Ian Blair, then Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

The World Tonight

In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and major breaking news from a global perspective

The World Tonight: 23/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The World Tonight, 23/12/2008

National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah.

Ritula Shah looks at the record falls in US house prices and what that signals for the country's economy. Plus champagne loses its fizz and soaring UK flu cases.

National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah. A look at the record falls in US house prices and what that signals for the country's economy. Plus champagne loses its fizz and soaring UK flu cases.

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Jumbo to Jockey

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23/12/2008

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Shipping Forecast

23/12/2008

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23/12/2008

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23/12/2008

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Shipping Forecast

24/12/2008

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