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Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 03/04/2009

03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 03/04/2009Close 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: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 03/04/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 03/04/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Leslie Griffiths.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 03/04/2009

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: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 03/04/2009

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

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

Presented by John Humphrys and Edward Stourton.

Lord Patten, former governor of Hong Kong and former European Commissioner for External Affairs, discusses if all countries benefit from the G20 agreements.

Professor Anna Vignoles and Alan Tuckett of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education discuss if basic skills must be learnt during childhood.

British Waterways ecologist Leela O'Dea discusses why native bumblebees are in danger of extinction.

Correspondent Nick Ravenscroft reports on the 19th Century craze for Lake District rock music.

Business editor Robert Peston interviews RBS chairman Sir Philip Hampton.

Former chief adviser to Tony Blair, Matthew Taylor, and journalist Guy Walters discuss if formal greetings are becoming less common.

Thought for the day with the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks. 

Cynthia Bower of the Care Quality Commission and Derek Butler, chairman of MRSA Action UK, discuss how the risk of MRSA infection can be cut.

Chancellor Alistair Darling discusses if the agreements made at the G20 summit signify a 'turning point' in the pursuit of economic recovery.

Mark Mardell reports on the role of Nato as the summit to mark its 60th birthday begins.

David Bartlett of the Fatherhood Institute and John Yorke of the BBC discuss if soaps influence the opinion of the role played by fathers in their children's lives.

England's Claire Taylor has become the first woman to be named one of the five people named in Wisden's Cricketers of the Year. She discusses the honour with Matthew Engel, former editor of the cricketers' almanac. 

Correspondent James Coomarasamy reports on the wave of kidnappings in Phoenix, Arizona, which have been linked to Mexican drug and people smuggling rings.

Journalists Quentin Letts and Mariella Frostrup discuss if the theatre of the G20 summit has matched up to the speed of the agreement.

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: Sebastian Faulks

29/03/2009

Sebastian Faulks

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Sebastian Faulks

Kirsty Young invites writer Sebastian Faulks to choose eight records.

Kirsty Young invites writer Sebastian Faulks to choose eight records to take to Radio 4's mythical desert island.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the writer Sebastian Faulks. He is best known for his novel Birdsong, which told in shocking detail the misery of life in the Flanders trenches. It was published with little fanfare or glossy advertising and failed to win any major awards - but it became a literary phenomenon and a huge best-seller. He was inspired to write it after visiting the battlefields of the Western Front with some veterans of World War I. One old soldier held onto Sebastian's hand and recalled seeing his friend killed next to him and, for the first time for him, Sebastian says, the war emerged from the history books into real, tangible human experience. He concedes that he still struggles to get to grips with much of life. Writers, he says, are often trying to impose a structure on a world that they find generally baffling.

Favourite track: Miles by Miles Davis
Book: Remembrance of Things Past (Proust) by CK Scott Moncrieff (transl.)
Luxury: A wicket, cricket bat, net, an endless supply of balls and a bowling machine that can be set to replicate the style of any bowler

Act of Worship

Act of Worship: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Act of Worship, 03/04/2009

An act of worship and music, led by Andrew Graystone.

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: Cervical cancer screening; Singer Lea DeLaria

Cervical cancer screening; Singer Lea DeLaria

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Cervical cancer screening; Singer Lea DeLaria

Should HPV tests be added to the UK's cervical cancer screening regime?

Should HPV tests be added to the UK's cervical cancer screening regime? Plus Asma Akhtar on her family tragedy; and live music from jazz singer and stand-up comedian Lea DeLaria.

Presented by Sheila McClennon.

Asma Akhtar is a British woman who for two years was unable to return to the UK from Pakistan with her four children because she was not able to get hold of their passports. She was involved in a custody battle with her husband. Now Asma is back in the UK and she explains why she feels the Foreign and Commonwealth Office could have done more to ensure the safe return of the entire family.

Jazz singer, outspoken lesbian, stand-up comedian and star of Broadway musicals Lea DeLaria joins Sheila in the Woman's Hour studio, where she performs 'The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea' from her latest album, 'The Live Smoke Sessions'. She explains to Sheila why she's dropped the ranting and raving onstage to concentrate on the music.

In 1892, two intrepid sisters made one of the most important religious finds of the century. Hidden in a dark chamber in St Catherine's monastery on Mount Sinai, they spotted an ancient manuscript which remains to this day one of the earliest known copies of the Bible. Sheila McClennon is joined by Janet Soskice, the author of a new book about the sisters, and travel writer Dea Birkett to discuss how these two rich and eccentric Ayrshire women were able to make such a priceless find in a remote part of Egypt when women rarely travelled alone.

A large trial involving 130,000 women in rural India has found that screening women for HPV, the human papillomavirus which causes cervical cancer, was more effective than the smear test used here. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that HPV screening could halve the deaths in poor countries. But some doctors argue that HPV tests should also be added to the screening regime here, because they are far less likely than the current smear test to miss a potential cancer.  Sheila is joined by Henry Kitchener, professor of gynaecological oncology at the University of Manchester, who is currently running a trial of adding HPV testing to the current screening programme.

Including drama: Daunt and Dervish.

The Darwinian Sistine Chapel

BBC Radio 4 - The Darwinian Sistine Chapel

Following artist Tanya Kovats as she decorates the ceiling of the Natural History Museum.

Following artist Tanya Kovats, who, having been commissioned to decorate the ceiling of the Natural History Museum, sets out to look for a tree to realise her artistic vision.

Following artist Tanya Kovats, who, having been commissioned to create a work of art to decorate the ceiling of the Natural History Museum, sets out to look for a tree to realise her artistic vision.

The Stanley Baxter Playhouse

Series of comic plays starring Stanley Baxter

The Stanley Baxter Playhouse: Series 3

The Stanley Baxter Playhouse: Series 3: Episode 2: Fife Circle

Episode 2

Episode 2: Fife Circle

Series 3

Fife Circle

BBC Radio 4 - The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, Series 3, Fife Circle

By Michael Chaplin. Elderly brothers Hugh and Alec embark on a journey of discovery.

By Michael Chaplin. Elderly brothers Hugh and Alec embark on a journey of discovery. Double trouble as the legendary star plays both roles. From April 2009.

Series of three comic plays starring Stanley Baxter. 

Two elderly brothers meet at Waverley station and set out on a journey of discovery involving lost mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and learn just whom they really belong to. 

By Michael Chaplin. 

Sir Hugh Dundas/Alex Kelly ...... Stanley Baxter

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast

News, weather and Shipping Forecast updates. 

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 03/04/2009

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: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 03/04/2009

Consumer news and issues with Peter White.

Presented by Peter White.

Simon Parkes charts the history of lunch since its inception in the 1800s.

In 1993, Jonathan Fletcher, a young computer science graduate, created JumpStation, considered by many to have been the world's first search engine. So what happened to it?

Home Information Packs Scare: Will having to fill in a 30 question survey about their home expose people selling their homes to being taken to court? 

More than 1.3 million anglers are expected to buy a redesigned rod licence to fish in English and Welsh rivers this year. Money raised will go towards stocking rivers and conserving river banks.

John Potts has been jailed for five years after siphoning cash from a property pyramid selling scheme. Five other directors of Gateshead-based Practical Property Portfolio received prison sentences at Newcastle Crown Court. The court heard the directors used funds to buy luxury cars, fine art, antiques and racehorses.

The massive influx of shoppers from the Republic of Ireland to the North is being blamed for huge increase in unpaid parking fines which has left the government more than one million pounds out of pocket.

Weather

Weather: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 03/04/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 03/04/2009

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

International Cricket

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Ball by ball coverage of Twenty20 and One Day International events

International Cricket: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra - International Cricket, 03/04/2009

Coverage of the fifth One Day International between West Indies and England in St Lucia.

Fifth One Day International between West Indies and England in the Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia. Commentary by Simon Mann, Simon Hughes and Tony Cozier. Including Shipping Forecast.

Coverage of the fifth One Day International between West Indies and England from the Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia. Commentary by Simon Mann, Simon Hughes and Tony Cozier, with summaries by Sir Viv Richards and Colin Croft. 

Including Shipping Forecast.

Friday Drama

The home of thrillers, mysteries, romance and detective stories

The home of thrillers, mysteries, romance and detective stories. A real treat for lovers of a good story well told

Friday Play

Friday Drama: The Monkey's Mask

15/12/2006

The Monkey's Mask

BBC Radio 4 - Friday Drama, The Monkey's Mask

Detective tale set in Sydney, adapted from the novel by Australian poet Dorothy Porter.

Detective tale set in Sydney, adapted from the verse novel by Dorothy Porter. Street-smart private investigator Jill Fitzpatrick is hired to work on the case of a missing student.

Detective tale set in Sydney, adapted from the best-selling verse novel by Australian poet Dorothy Porter.

When street-smart private investigator Jill Fitzpatrick is hired to work on the case of a missing University student, she falls for the girl's poetry tutor, the intellectual Dr Diana Maitland. Soon the smell of death around the case is getting all mixed up with the sick intoxication of love.

Jill Fitzpatrick ...... Federay Holmes
Dr Diana Maitland ...... Kerry Fox
Lou ...... Linda Marlowe
Steve ...... Sam Dale
Bill McDonald ...... Danny Webb
Tony Knight ...... Richard Dillane 
Mickey Norris ...... Rachel Morris
Mrs Norris ...... Carolyn Pickles
Nick Maitland ...... Matt Dyktynski 

Directed by Jonquil Panting.

The World Tonight

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

The World Tonight: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The World Tonight, 03/04/2009

National and international news and analysis with Robin Lustig.

News and analysis with Robin Lustig. Including reports on high-tech exam cheating in China, a gunman in New York kills several people and NATO celebrates its 60th birthday.

National and international news and analysis with Robin Lustig. Including reports on high-tech exam cheating in China, NATO leaders celebrate the alliance's 60th birthday and a gunman in New York kills several people and holds more other hostage. Plus, are intelligent robots smart enough to replace scientists?

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: The Earth Hums in B Flat

Book at Bedtime: The Earth Hums in B Flat: Episode 5

Episode 5

The Earth Hums in B Flat

BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, The Earth Hums in B Flat, Episode 5

Standing on the cusp of adolescence, Gwenni finds out the truth about her grandmother.

Joanna Page reads Mari Strachan's magical novel. Standing on the cusp of adolescence, Gwenni finds out the truth about her grandmother.

Joanna Page reads Mari Strachan's magical story of a child detective, set in 1950s Wales. 

Standing on the cusp of adolescence, Gwenni finds out the truth about her grandmother.

Joanna Page reads Mari Strachan's magical story of a child detective, set in 1950s Wales

A Good Read

A Good Read: Ann Widdecombe and Kate Humble

Ann Widdecombe and Kate Humble

BBC Radio 4 - A Good Read, Ann Widdecombe and Kate HumbleClose menu

Sue MacGregor discusses favourite paperbacks with Ann Widdecombe and Kate Humble.

4 Extra Debut. Sue MacGregor, Ann Widdecombe and Kate Humble discuss books by Robert Harris, Christopher Wilson and John McGahern. From 2009.

Sue MacGregor and her guests - politician and novelist, Ann Widdecombe and broadcaster, Kate Humble - discuss favourite paperbacks by Robert Harris, Christopher Wilson and John McGahern. 

Imperium by Robert Harris
Publisher: Arrow Books

The Ballad of Lee Cotton by Christopher Wilson
Publisher: Abacus

Memoir by John McGahern
Publisher: Faber & Faber

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: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today in Parliament, 03/04/2009

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: 03/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Midnight News, 03/04/2009

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: The Old Boys' Network

Book of the Week: The Old Boys' Network: Episode 5

The Old Boys' Network

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, The Old Boys' Network, Episode 5

Rae wonders if he is as qualified for the job as a colleague who was a war veteran.

Dr Rae wonders whether he is as well qualified for the job as a colleague who is reputed to have killed a man with his bare hands when he was a member of the SOE in WWII.

Tim Pigott-Smith reads the journal kept by Dr John Rae during his years as the headmaster of Westminster School from 1970 to 1986. 

Dr Rae wonders whether he is as well qualified for the job as a colleague who is reputed to have killed a man with his bare hands when he was a member of the Special Operations Executive in the Second World War.

The journal kept by Dr John Rae during his years as headmaster of Westminster School

Tim Pigott-Smith reads the journal kept by Dr John Rae during his years as the headmaster of Westminster School from 1970 to 1986

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

03/04/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

03/04/2009

Genres

Brand

International Cricket

03/04/2009

Genres

Brand

Friday Drama

The Monkey's Mask

Genres

Brand

Weather

03/04/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

03/04/2009

Genres

Brand

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