BBC Radio 4 LW

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 21/04/2009

21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 21/04/2009Close 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: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 21/04/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 21/04/2009

Daily prayer and reflection, with Bishop George Stack.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 21/04/2009

Will 10 million pounds to be spent on researching insect pollinators do any good?

News and issues in rural Britain with Anna Hill. An investigation into whether ten million pounds to be spent on researching insect pollinators - including bees - will do any good.

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: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 21/04/2009

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

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

Presented by James Naughtie and Evan Davis.

Pharmacist David Pruce discusses Orlistat - brand name Alli - the dieting pill aimed at adults with a Body Mass Index of 28 or more.

North America editor Justin Webb explains why former US Vice-President Dick Cheney has called for the release of further documents detailing interrogation techniques used by the CIA.

Steve Garrod, chief examiner for the Driving Instructors Association, discusses the proposed changes to driving tests.

Bob Walker reports on one solider serving in Afghanistan who is blogging to keep people back home up to date.

Britain's bees are disappearing at an unprecedented rate. Sarah Mukherjee talks to Tim Lovett of the British Beekeepers Association and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn discusses why the government announced that two million pounds would be spent on looking at the problem. 

The Sun is the dimmest it has been for nearly a century. Professor Mike Lockwood explains why there are no sunspots and very few solar flares. 

Thought for the day with Dr Indarjit Singh, director of the network of Sikh organisations.

Reporter Zubeida Malik talks to a British family with roots in the Swat Valley region in Pakistan about a ruling allowing Islamic Law in the region. 

Professors Dr Donald Hensrud, Gareth Williams and Nick Bostrom discuss the benefits and drawbacks of anti-obesity pills becoming more readily available.

Former England footballer and presenter of Match of the Day Gary Lineker and Olympic gold medallist Lord Coe discuss how and why veteran sports stars keep on competing.

Correspondent Kevin Connolly examines how police investigate sexual assaults in the US. Expert Richard Garside explains why - according to government estimates - as many as 95per cent of rapes in England and Wales are never reported at all.

Labour MEP Robert Evans discusses the situation in Sri Lanka.

Former football star Lucas Radebe discusses South Africa's preparations to become the first African nation to host the World Cup finals.

Diplomats have walked out of a UN anti-racism conference during a speech by the Iranian president in which he described Israel as "totally racist". Retired diplomat Lord Hannay and Anthony Lerman, of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, discuss.

On the Ropes

Exploring the lives of successful people who have weathered storms in their careers

Programme exploring the lives of successful people who have weathered storms in their careers

On the Ropes: Gillian Gibbons

Gillian Gibbons

BBC Radio 4 - On the Ropes, Gillian Gibbons

Gillian Gibbons talks about her arrest in Sudan in 2007 for calling a teddy bear Mohammed.

John Humphrys talks to teacher Gillian Gibbons about her arrest in Sudan in 2007 for calling a teddy bear Mohammed.

John Humphrys talks to successful people who have weathered storms in their careers. 

Teacher Gillian Gibbons talks about her arrest in Sudan in 2007 for calling a teddy bear Mohammed. 
Recently divorced and with her children having left home, Gillian took the opportunity to travel and teach at the same time. She got a job at a primary school in Khartoum and settled into her new life.

Everything was going smoothly until, as part of a class project, her pupils decided to name a teddy bear Mohammed. Gillian was arrested and held for two weeks - there were riots in the streets and the world's media reported that she had become a hate figure for Muslims.

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

Head to Head

Edward Stourton celebrates great debates, with analysis by a panel of experts

Edward Stourton presents a series celebrating great debates, combining archive of rare discussions between key figures with analysis by a panel of experts

Head to Head: Series 1

Head to Head: Series 1: Episode 1

Episode 1

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - Head to Head, Series 1, Episode 1

The 1969 debate between Noam Chomsky and William F Buckley about American foreign policy.

The panel discusses the heated 1969 debate between left-wing philosopher Noam Chomsky and conservative commentator William F Buckley about United States foreign policy.

Edward Stourton presents a series celebrating great debates, combining archive of rare discussions between key figures with analysis by a panel of experts. 

The panel discusses the heated 1969 debate between left-wing philosopher Noam Chomsky and conservative commentator William F Buckley about United States foreign policy and how it justifies its objective of spreading 'freedom' around the world.

A Blakeway production for BBC Radio 4.

Edward Stourton presents a four-part series celebrating great debates

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: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Daily Service, 21/04/2009

Christian worship and music with Rev Ernie Rea.

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Lydia Cacho; Having children when single

Lydia Cacho; Having children when single

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Lydia Cacho; Having children when single

Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho on her crusade against paedophiles.

Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho on her crusade against paedophiles. Plus, what options are open to you when you are forty, single and want to have a child?

Nature

Natural history programme offering a unique insight into the natural world

Natural history programme offering a unique insight into the natural world and the rich variety of creatures inhabiting it

Nature: Series 2

Nature: Series 2: Episode 1: The Vogelkop Bowerbird

Episode 1: The Vogelkop Bowerbird

Series 2

The Vogelkop Bowerbird

BBC Radio 4 - Nature, Series 2, The Vogelkop Bowerbird

A close encounter with two birds that revealed an exquisite courtship performance.

Stephen Lyle and Barrie Britton recall their close encounter with two birds that revealed the exquisite courtship performance of the male vogelkop bowerbird.

Wildlife film director Stephen Lyle is joined by cameraman Barrie Britton to recall their close encounter with two birds that revealed the sculpting of ornate structures and singing of songs beyond the vocal range of human beings in the courtship performance of the male vogelkop bowerbird. Making sense of the biology is Dr Joah Madden of Exeter University, who has spent the last ten years studying this sexual display.

Pieces of a Man

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Pieces of a Man

Poet Lemn Sissay explores the life of activist, musician and writer Gil Scott-Heron.

Poet Lemn Sissay explores the life of influential activist, musician, writer and 'godfather of rap' Gil Scott-Heron. From 2009.

Poet Lemn Sissay explores the life of the influential activist, musician, writer and 'godfather of rap' Gil Scott-Heron, who died in May 2011. 

Following in the footsteps of Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, The Black Arts movement and jazz and blues musicians such as John Coltrane and Billie Holiday, Gil Scott-Heron helped pioneer the fight for racial equality and developed a new way of fusing music with hard-hitting political poetry. His story reflects the modern African-American struggle, from segregation in the South to triumph in the White House.

Lemn will speak to Gil about his childhood, spent with his feisty grandmother in Tennessee, and his teenage years in New York at the height of the Civil Rights movement, punctuated by the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X and when black artists, musicians and writers were beginning to find a voice in modern American society. 

Gil spent four decades in the music business during which time he joined forces with Stevie Wonder to campaign for a Martin Luther King national holiday, paved the way for the birth of hip hop, influenced some of the biggest names in popular culture and wrestled with a long term addiction to drugs. 

Featuring interviews with Chuck D, Greg Tate and Benjamin Zephaniah.

Producer: Elizabeth Alker
An All Out production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2009.

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.

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast

News, weather and Shipping Forecast updates. 

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 21/04/2009

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: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 21/04/2009

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.

The Chancellor will unveil plans for £10 billion of new efficiency savings in this week's budget, on top of £5 billion announced in the pre budget report.

How would you distribute government money if you were in charge?

Weather

Weather: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 21/04/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 21/04/2009

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

Along with the Budget, unemployment figures were revealed. The programme's own analysis finds out which town has been worst hit, and result is surprising.

Inflation figures showed that the RPI index turned negative for the first time since March 1960. How worried should we be about deflation? And once the recession is over, is inflation the real danger?

Gordon Brown announced a vote on changing the system for MPs' expenses. Why now - given that the PM has already asked the Committee on standards in public life to come up with its own reforms? World at One probes the politics of all this.

Should policing of protests change after the G20 demonstrations? The Chief Inspector of Constabulary joins the debate.

Plus, with ten million pounds being given away for bee research, what can save our hives?

The Music Group

Dr Phil Hammond asks each of three guests to play the track of their choice

Comedian, broadcaster and GP Dr Phil Hammond asks each of three guests to play the track of their choice for the delight or disdain of the others

The Music Group: Series 3

The Music Group: Series 3: Episode 2

Episode 2

Series 3

BBC Radio 4 - The Music Group, Series 3, Episode 2

Phil Hammond's guests include Don Warrington, Laura Barton and Martyn Poliakoff.

Phil Hammond's guests include actor Don Warrington, music writer Laura Barton and Professor Martyn Poliakoff, a pioneer in the field of green chemistry.

Comedian, broadcaster and GP Dr Phil Hammond asks each of three guests to play the track of their choice for the delight or disdain of the others.

His guests include actor Don Warrington, music writer Laura Barton and Professor Martyn Poliakoff, a pioneer in the field of green chemistry, who reveals a liking for Tom Lehrer.

A Testbed production for BBC Radio 4.

The Archers

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

The Archers: 20/04/2009

20/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 20/04/2009

It's a bittersweet day at Keeper's Cottage.

Outside Keeper's Cottage Eddie agrees with Alan he'll start work on his patio next week. Will calls round. 

Inside, Joe and Ed look through Ed's business plan. Joe says Ed having a herd of his own is worth every penny. Eddie and Will come in for coffee. Will offers grudging congratulations about the tenancy as Ed goes off to milk. Will tells Joe and Eddie that Adam's finally put in the game crops. And Jake's now at Loxley Barratt school. Joe says everything's looking up for the Grundys. Then the phone rings. It's Mildred's son. 

At Grange Farm Oliver tells Ed he's happy with the business plan. He'll ask his solicitor to draw up an agreement. They should celebrate. 

Joe's telling Eddie that Mildred's died when Ed and Oliver arrive with champagne. Oliver makes a speech about how proud he is of Ed. Joe quietly goes outside. Ed follows him, and realises what's happened. Joe tells him to carry on. Hes off for a walk. Ed goes back inside, and they drink to seizing the day. 

Alan meets Joe in the churchyard. Joe tells Alan about a picnic he had there with Mildred. Alan says Joe must miss her, as she's so far away. Joe says he treasures his memories. 

Episode written by Tim Stimpson.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama

Drama on 4: Available Means

Available Means

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Available Means

By Nick Warburton. Poet David witnesses the dark underbelly of an East European city.

By Nick Warburton. Poet David witnesses the dark underbelly of an East European city and is forced, at a lecture he gives, to choose his words particularly carefully.

Available Means is the story of David an academic who flies into an Eastern European city to give a lecture on poetry. The city is remote and strange - full of puzzles and possibilities - and David is not a seasoned traveller. He strikes up relationships with both Oksana, a hotel cleaner and Adam, the city's police chief who takes it upon himself to be David's guide and mentor. The man is good company, amusing and, most importantly, he has integrity. He also has a mission: to clear up the corruption that is ruining his city. He's a "good" man.

But David's perspective changes when he realises that the police chief is using torture to achieve what he wants. Not only that, but the cleaner's brother is in his cells at the moment. Oksana is very distressed to think what might be happening to him. But then David learns something about the girl's brother that, perhaps, she doesn't know herself.

So it's not just the city that confuses David, it's the moral world he finds there. What seems right at one moment can suddenly change and seem wrong. The play ends with David facing a dilemma of his own. By the time he has experienced for himself the dark underside of this apparently respectable city, he has been forced to re-set his whole moral compass.


Original music by David Chilton
Written by Nick Warburton


Producer: Gordon House
A Goldhawk Essential Production for BBC Radio 4.

Making History

Popular history series where the past connects with the present.

Making History: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Making History, 21/04/2009

Historian Professor Richard Holmes explains how the militia worked in the 18th century.

Military historian Professor Richard Holmes explains how the militia worked in the 18th century, and Andy Cassell reports from Scotland on Britain's only private army.

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

Military historian Professor Richard Holmes explains how the militia worked in the 18th century, Andy Cassell reports from Scotland on Britain's only private army, Dr Samantha Letters explains how prisoners in Oflag 7B would have received musical instruments and Dr Martin Johnes corrects an historical stereotype about pigeon racing.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Penelope's People

Afternoon Reading: Penelope's People: Episode 1: Divorcing Grandpa

Episode 1: Divorcing Grandpa

Penelope's People

Divorcing Grandpa

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Penelope's People, Divorcing GrandpaSearch BBC

By Roy Apps. Eleanor must find new ways to pay her granddaughter's school fees.

By Roy Apps. With her husband in prison for a white-collar crime, Eleanor must find new ways to pay her granddaughter's school fees. Should she break the law herself?

In Penelope's People, a new series of specially commissioned monologues, Penelope Keith presents three very different women, coming to terms with their changing circumstances - and demonstrates her skills as a versatile character actor.

In Divorcing Grandpa by Roy Apps, Penelope Keith plays Eleanor - an upper-middle class woman whose professional husband has been sent to prison for an unspecified white-collar crime. In order to continue living in the style to which she has become accustomed (and to continue to be able to afford her darling grand-daughter's school fees) she realises that she too must break the law - and quickly discovers that she is rather good at it.


Reader: Penelope Keith


Producer: David Blount
A Pier Production for Radio 4.

Series of three monologues performed by Penelope Keith

Series of three monologues performed by Penelope Keith, presenting resourceful characters responding very differently to big changes in their lives

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's Men of Fashion

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's Men of Fashion: Episode 12: Teddy Boys - Fashion for the Youthquake

Episode 12

Episode 12: Teddy Boys - Fashion for the Youthquake

Teddy Boys - Fashion for the Youthquake

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's Men of Fashion, Teddy Boys - Fashion for the Youthquake

In the 1950s, Teddy Boys aped and subverted the styles of their social superiors.

The interior designer rock 'n' rolls back to the 1950s, when Teddy Boys aped and subverted the styles of their social superiors.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen tells the story of dandyism and male peacockery through the ages

Word of Mouth

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

Word of Mouth: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Word of Mouth, 21/04/2009

Michael Rosen explores the teenage use and abuse of the word 'like'.

Michael Rosen explores the teenage use and abuse of the word 'like' and finds out why latin lessons are making a comeback.

Michael Rosen explores the teenage use and abuse of the word 'like', finds out why latin lessons are making a comeback and listens in as a school teaches literacy by giving pupils the chance to run their own radio station.

Great Lives

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

Great Lives: Series 18

Great Lives: Episode 3: Sir Thomas Beecham

Episode 3

Episode 3: Sir Thomas Beecham

Sir Thomas Beecham

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Sir Thomas Beecham

David Mellor promotes the life of conductor Sir Thomas Beecham.

4 Extra Debut. Politician and broadcaster David Mellor chooses the conductor Sir Thomas Beecham. With Matthew Parris. From April 2009.

Matthew Parris presents the biographical series in which his guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

Politician and broadcaster David Mellor promotes the life of Sir Thomas Beecham, conductor and founder of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He was known for his wit and energy, which spawned a huge number of anecdotes, but which of them are true?

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 21/04/2009

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.

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 21/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 21/04/2009

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

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

Down the Line

Uncompromising, live phone-in show hosted by DJ Gary Bellamy.

Down the Line: Credit Crunch Special

Credit Crunch Special

BBC Radio 4 - Down the Line, Credit Crunch Special

A one-off special edition of the spoof phone-in show on the subject of the credit crunch.

A one-off special edition of the spoof phone-in show on the subject of the credit crunch, starring Rhys Thomas as host Gary Bellamy.

A one-off special edition of the spoof phone-in show on the subject of the credit crunch, starring Rhys Thomas as Gary Bellamy. 

With Amelia Bullmore, Simon Day, Felix Dexter, Charlie Higson, Lucy Montgomery and Paul Whitehouse. Plus special guests Mark Gatiss and Robert Popper. 

A Down The Line production for BBC Radio 4.

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

21/04/2009

Genres

Brand

Pieces of a Man

Genres

Weather

21/04/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

21/04/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

21/04/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

21/04/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

21/04/2009

Genres

Brand

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