BBC Radio 4 LW

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 27/03/2009

27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 27/03/2009Close 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: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 27/03/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 27/03/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Anna Magnusson.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 27/03/2009

News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.

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: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 27/03/2009

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

With John Humphrys and James Naughtie. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Yesterday in Parliament; Thought for the Day.

Presented by John Humphrys and James Naughtie.

Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris discusses why he feels the laws governing succession need to change.

Chairwoman of Ofqual Kathleen Tattersall looks at what can be done to ensure that GCSE science standards are improved.

Correspondent Kim Catcheside speaks to a woman who is facing eviction because her landlord is in mortgage arrears.

A Queen's University academic has conducted research that concludes that crabs can feel pain. Professor Bob Elwood explains how he made this discovery.

Gordon Brown is visiting Brazil ahead of the G20 summit in London. Political editor Nick Robinson speaks to the prime minister about what he has achieved during the visit, and his hopes for the G20. 

The Metropolitan Police has warned bankers that there is likely to be disruption caused by anti-capitalist protestors during the G20 summit. Reporter Jack Izzard gauges the reaction in the City. 

Schools Minister Jim Knight discusses whether science GCSEs are too easy.

Thought for the day with Sir Jonathan Sacks. 

There will be an inquiry into claims that an MI5 officer was complicit in the torture of ex-Guantanamo detainee Binyam Mohamed. Correspondent Frank Gardner and former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith discuss the investigation.

Gordon Brown has been in discussions with Buckingham Palace over possible reforms to the laws of succession. MP Chris Bryant discusses the implications for the monarchy. 

Colin Duffy, a high profile Republican in Northern Ireland, has been charged with the murder of two soldiers shot dead at Massareene Barracks in Antrim. Correspondent Mark Simpson reports. 

Former Environment Minister Michael Meacher and Fraser Nelson, the political editor of the Spectator, discuss whether bankers have been unfairly demonised.

Housing Minister Margaret Beckett explains what the government can do to protect tenants who face homelessness if their landlord's property is repossessed. 

Former CIA member Emile Nakhleh and Michael Semple, former head of the EU mission in Afghanistan, discuss whether foreign forces are contributing to the unrest there.

Harold Varmus, author of The Art and Politics of Science, discusses the history of the relationship between politics and science in the US.

Lord Rees-Mogg discusses how changes to the laws of succession could be implemented.

Roy Clare, the chief executive of the Museums and Libraries Association, has said members of boards and governance of many of Britain's cultural and creative organisations are 'male, stale and pale'. Mr Clare discusses his comments with Sir Christopher Frayling, former chairman of the Arts Council.

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: Athene Donald

22/03/2009

Athene Donald

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Athene Donald

Kirsty Young's castaway is scientist Athene Donald.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the scientist Athene Donald. A Cambridge professor and fellow of the Royal Society, she has dedicated much of her life to studying everyday objects like plastic, food or plants. Her enthusiasm is so strong that, at her daughter's eleventh birthday party, she couldn't resist describing the structure of melting ice-cream - it was a rare case of misjudging her audience. 

By her own admission she is a workaholic - but she also champions the cause of women who want to become scientists and have families too. Her great triumph was to marry a supportive husband and after that, she says, the trick is learning how to cut corners: there are no 'dainty dinner parties' at her home, and she makes sure her clothes are machine washable and easy-iron.

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

Favourite track: The Dies Irae (from Requiem) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Book: The Lymond Novels by Dorothy Dunnett
Luxury: A bat.

Act of Worship

Act of Worship: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Act of Worship, 27/03/2009

An act of worship and music, led by Rev Peter Baker.

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

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Adopting children following bereavement; Reversing female circumcision

Adopting children following bereavement; Reversing female circumcision

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Adopting children following bereavement; Reversing female circumcision

How long should bereaved parents have to wait before adopting?

How long should bereaved parents have to wait before adopting? Plus midwife Juliet Albert on reversing female circumcision, and the health record of flat shoes.

Darwin Songs

BBC Radio 4 - Darwin Songs

Eight singer-songwriters write songs about the life and work of Charles Darwin.

Chris Eldon Lee hears the results after eight contemporary singer-songwriters are given a week in a farmhouse in Shropshire to write songs about the life and work of Charles Darwin.

Chris Eldon Lee hears the results after eight contemporary singer-songwriters are holed up for a week in a remote farmhouse in Shropshire and tasked to write songs about the life and work of Charles Darwin. Featuring their daily creative life in the farmhouse, their expeditions into the land that the young Darwin knew and the premiere performance of their songs at Shrewsbury's new Theatre Severn, close to Darwin's birthplace.

The Stanley Baxter Playhouse

Series of comic plays starring Stanley Baxter

The Stanley Baxter Playhouse: Series 3

The Stanley Baxter Playhouse: Series 3: Episode 1: Astonishing Archie

Episode 1

Episode 1: Astonishing Archie

Series 3

Astonishing Archie

BBC Radio 4 - The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 3, Astonishing Archie

By Bill Paterson. Two brothers argue over the choice of music for an old friend's funeral.

By Bill Paterson. When two brothers get together to plan the funeral of an old friend, the choice of music is a bone of contention.

Series of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter.

When two brothers get together to plan the funeral of an old friend, the choice of music is a bone of contention - will it be Sinatra or Presley? A generation and a whole philosophy of popular music separate the brothers, and the choice they finally make is a heartwarming musical compromise. By Bill Paterson. 

Ronnie Purgavey ...... Stanley Baxter
Alan Purgavey ...... Bill Paterson
Rev Margot Turnbull ...... Maureen Beattie

Directed by Marilyn Imrie.

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast

News, weather and Shipping Forecast updates. 

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 27/03/2009

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: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 27/03/2009

Consumer news and issues with Winifred Robinson.

Presented by Winifred Robinson.

At the start of the new aviation year, we hear about air routes to be cut, a threat to take Ryanair to the Office of Fair Trading, and assess Heathrow Terminal 5 a year on from its opening. With travel writer Simon Calder.

How crucial are literary festivals to the sale of books? We take a trip to a small, little-known literary festival in Oxfordshire. With Peter Florence, founder of the Hay Festival, and Amelia Fairney, publicity director at Penguin General.

The EU is to ban household goods containing the chemical dimethylfumarate. It follows one of the largest compensation claims from consumers suffering extreme allergic reactions from the chemical in leather sofas. Around two thousand consumers are seeking compensation at the High Court.

Tim and Zoe Bawtree hoped they had found a way to beat the housing slump and sell their luxury house in Cheltenham.

Weather

Weather: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 27/03/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 27/03/2009

National and international news with Brian Hanrahan.

International Cricket

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Ball by ball coverage of Twenty20 and One Day International events

International Cricket: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra - International Cricket, 27/03/2009

Coverage of the third One Day International between West Indies and England in Barbados.

Third One Day International between West Indies and England in Barbados. Commentary by Simon Mann, Simon Hughes and Tony Cozier. Including Shipping Forecast.

Coverage of the third One Day International between West Indies and England from the Kensington Oval, Barbados. Commentary by Simon Mann, Simon Hughes and Tony Cozier, with summaries by Sir Viv Richards and Colin Croft. 

Including Shipping Forecast.

Stone

Detective series created by Danny Brocklehurst

Friday Drama: Stone

Stone: Series 1: Episode 4: God's Witness

Episode 4

Episode 4: God's Witness

Series 1

God's Witness

BBC Radio 4 - Stone, Series 1, God's Witness

By Danny Brocklehurst. A woman witnesses a murder by a gang and chooses to speak up.

By Danny Brocklehurst. Last in a series of four detective dramas featuring DCI John Stone. A woman witnesses the murder of a young boy by a notorious gang and chooses to speak up.

By Danny Brocklehurst.

Last in a series of four detective dramas featuring DCI John Stone. A woman witnesses the murder of a young boy by a notorious gang and chooses to speak up, but can she really risk her safety and that of her family?

Stone ...... Hugo Speer
Paula ...... Maxine Peake
Liz/Sue ...... Deborah McAndrew
Ray ...... Tony Mooney
Anna/Shirley ...... Fiona Clarke
Kyle/Michael ...... Oliver Lee
Tanner ...... Craig Cheetham
Catriona ...... Zoe Henry
Ned ...... James Quinn

Directed by Nadia Molinari.

Stone: Series 1

Detective series created by Danny Brocklehurst, featuring the investigations of DCI John Stone

The World Tonight

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

The World Tonight: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The World Tonight, 27/03/2009

National and international news and analysis with Robin Lustig.

With Robin Lustig. Including reports on President Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan and whether we need a unified response to the economic crisis at the G20 summit in London.

National and international news and analysis with Robin Lustig. Including reports on President Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan, whether we need a unified response to the economic crisis at the G20 summit in London and India's wishlist for the meeting, and why hot tea is not good for you.

Book at Bedtime

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and literature from around the world

Book at Bedtime: It's Beginning To Hurt

Book at Bedtime: It's Beginning To Hurt: Episode 5: The Half-Sister

Episode 5

Episode 5: The Half-Sister

It's Beginning To Hurt

The Half-Sister

BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, It's Beginning To Hurt, The Half-Sister

Martin now teaches guitar to the wealthy. But one client has a hidden agenda.

Once an aspiring musician, Martin now teaches guitar to the wealthy. But one client has a hidden agenda. Read by Ben Mejyes.

Series of five enigmatic and psychologically gripping short stories by James Lasdun. 

Martin once aspired to be a professional guitarist but has now reconciled himself to the realities of his daily life as a guitar teacher to the children of the wealthy. But one of his clients has a hidden agenda. Read by Ben Meyjes.

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.

Series of five enigmatic and psychologically gripping short stories by James Lasdun

A Good Read

A Good Read: Thea Gilmore and Paul Gambaccini

Thea Gilmore and Paul Gambaccini

BBC Radio 4 - A Good Read, Thea Gilmore and Paul GambacciniClose menu

Sue MacGregor discusses favourite paperbacks with Thea Gilmore and Paul Gambacinni.

4 Extra Debut. Sue MacGregor, Thea Gilmore and Paul Gambacinni discuss books by Chinua Achebe, JG Farrell and Jose Eduardo Agualusa. From 2009.

Sue MacGregor and her guests - musician, Thea Gilmore and broadcaster, Paul Gambacinni -  discuss their favourite paperbacks by Chinua Achebe, JG Farrell and Jose Eduardo Agualusa. 

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Publisher: Penguin Red Classics

The Siege of Krishnapur by JG Farrell
Publisher: Phoenix

The Book of Chameleons by Jose Eduardo Agualusa (Author), Daniel Hahn (Translator)
Publisher: Arcadia

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2009.

Today in Parliament

News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament

Today in Parliament: 27/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today in Parliament, 27/03/2009

News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament with Mark D'Arcy.

Midnight News

The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.

Midnight News: 28/03/2009

28/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Midnight News, 28/03/2009

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

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

Book of the Week

Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

Book of the Week: Emma Kennedy - The Tent, the Bucket and Me

Book of the Week: Emma Kennedy - The Tent, the Bucket and Me: Episode 5

Emma Kennedy - The Tent, the Bucket and Me

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Emma Kennedy - The Tent, the Bucket and Me, Episode 5

With her final family camping trip to France, Emma faces sunburn and public humiliation.

With her final family camping trip to France, 13-year-old Emma faces sunburn and public humiliation. The author concludes her account of childhood holidays.

Emma Kennedy reads her account of family camping holidays from her childhood in the 1970s.

Emma, now 13, takes her final family camping trip to France. The perils of sunburn are nothing compared to the public humiliation that follows.

Emma Kennedy reads her account of family camping holidays from her childhood in the 1970s

Shipping Forecast: 28/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 28/03/2009Close menu

Selection of BBC World Service Programmes

A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes

BBC Radio 4 presents a selection of news and current affairs, arts and science programmes from the BBC World Service

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

27/03/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Weather

27/03/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Stone

Series 1

Episode 4: God's Witness

Genres

Brand

Series

Weather

27/03/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

Shipping Forecast

28/03/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

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