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Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 30/04/2009

30/04/2009

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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: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 30/04/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 30/04/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Cathy Le Feuvre.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 30/04/2009

Charlotte Smith explores threats to the survival of bees.

Charlotte Smith explores threats to the survival of bees. One controversial theory is that bees are being weakened by exposure to a type of pesticides.

Charlotte Smith explores threats to the survival of bees.

One in three mouthfuls of food comes from insect, principally bee, pollinated crops. Yet last year a third of British bee colonies collapsed. 

One controversial theory is that bees are being weakened by exposure to a type of pesticide called neonicotinoids. These are derived from nicotine and are used to kill insects like aphids. They've been banned for use on some crops in France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia, but the UK government insists there's no case for doing so in this country.

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: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 30/04/2009

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

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

Presented by James Naughtie and Edward Stourton.

World Health Organization spokesperson Dick Thompson and correspondent Fergus Walsh explain why the WHO is calling for action to help combat the threat of swine flu in the UK.

Kim Catcheside visits a school in Reading to discover how they teach children to communicate.

Caroline Sheppard, of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, discusses some of the excuses given in failed appeals.

Justin Webb reports on the message Barack Obama gave on his 100th day in office.

Hugh Sykes reports on the situation in Iraq. Business secretary Lord Mandelson discusses if UK firms should invest in the country.

Reporter Nicola Stanbridge discovers how music can make an early horror film even scarier.

Thought for the day with the Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, from Alyth Gardens Synagogue.

Zimbabwe's finance minister Tendai Biti explains how he has tackled hyper-inflation in the country.

Political editor Nick Robinson says Gordon Brown has lost some of his authority over the MPs' expenses row.

Former head of Ofsted Sir Jim Rose says the current school curriculum is too 'fat' and should be slimmed.

Correspondent Chris Morris speaks to a female banker in Mumbai who is running in the Indian general election.

Caroline Wyatt reports on the ceremony which remembers the 179 British servicemen and women who have lost their lives in Southern Iraq.

Chairman of the National Pig Association Stewart Houston and author Steven Poole debate whether swine are being hard done by with the current 'swine flu' definition.

Journalists Matthew D'Ancona and Steve Richards discuss how bad things are for the government.

Education experts Trevor Averre-Beeson and Peter Tymms discuss how vocabulary in schools can be taught.

In Our Time

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

In Our Time: The Vacuum of Space

The Vacuum of Space

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Vacuum of Space

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Vacuum of Space.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Vacuum of Space, from the innards of the atom to the outer reaches of space.

Melvyn Bragg and guests Frank Close, Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Ruth Gregory discuss the Vacuum of Space. The idea that there is a nothingness at the heart of nature has exercised philosophers and scientists for millennia, from Thales's belief that all matter was water to Newton's concept of the Ether and Einstein's idea of Space-Time. Recently, physicists have realised that the vacuum is not as empty as we thought and that the various vacuums of nature vibrate with forces and energies, waves and particles and the mysterious phenomena of the Higgs field and dark energy.

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: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Daily Service, 30/04/2009

Christian worship and music with Becky Harris.

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: The life of Eglantyne Jebb; Diet pills

The life of Eglantyne Jebb; Diet pills

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, The life of Eglantyne Jebb; Diet pills

The life of Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children. Plus, do diet pills work?

The life of Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children. Plus, choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh; oceanographer Karen Heywood; and do fat-busting pills work?

Crossing Continents

Series focusing on foreign affairs issues

Crossing Continents: Hard Times in Middletown, USA

Hard Times in Middletown, USA

BBC Radio 4 - Crossing Continents, Hard Times in Middletown, USA

How Muncie in Indiana reflects the impact of the economic crisis on the US middle class.

Stephen Smith finds out how the city of Muncie in Indiana reflects the impact of the economic crisis on the American middle class.

Stephen Smith finds out how the city of Muncie in Indiana reflects the impact of the economic crisis on the American middle class. 

In 1929, the Rockefeller Institute published Middletown: A Study in Modern American Culture, a scientific study of a 'typical American city' which examined church, school, family and work in Muncie. The book was an instant hit and is still in print. It launched Muncie's reputation as the most widely studied small town in the world. 

Today it is a rust-belt city grappling with de-industrialisation and deepening recession.

A co-production with American RadioWorks for BBC Radio 4.

The Balancing Bluebottle

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Balancing Bluebottle

Story of Percy Smith, a film pioneer, who made natural history films in his back garden.

Tim Boon tells the story of Percy Smith, natural history film pioneer, who made movies in his back garden in the 1920s.

Percy Smith was the greatest pioneer of the natural history film-making - tackling subjects from flies to slime mould. 

During the 1920s in his principal studio, the back garden of his home in north London, he developed innovative microscope - and time-lapse photography which still looks impressive today.

Tim Boon of London's Science Museum talks to historians and Sir David Attenborough.    

Producer: Tim Dee

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 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: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 30/04/2009

National and international news and the shipping forecast.

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

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

You and Yours

You and Yours: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 30/04/2009

Consumer news and issues with Peter White.

Weather

Weather: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 30/04/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 30/04/2009

National and international news Martha Kearney.

Costing the Earth

Fresh ideas from the sharpest minds working toward a cleaner, greener planet

Costing the Earth: Obama's Green Dream

23/04/2009

Obama's Green Dream

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, Obama's Green Dream

Will political and vested interests shatter President Obama's plans for a greener future?

Tom Heap asks whether political and vested interests will shatter President Obama's dream of leading the United States towards a greener future.

Tom Heap asks whether political and vested interests will shatter President Obama's dream of leading the United States and the world towards a greener future. 

Obama campaigned for a low-carbon economy and as soon as he came to power he set about laying the foundations for one. He wants to create green jobs in traditional industries like car making - electric cars of course - and construction, making American homes and offices more energy efficient. His biggest challenge will be to wean the country off its dependence on fossil fuels and make 'clean' energy profitable. For that he needs to bring in a system called carbon cap and trade and needs the support of senators and members of congress to do so. However, even members of his own party are reluctant to back what they see as a vote-losing policy and energy companies with investments in coal, gas and oil are lobbying hard against it. Can the President prevail?

The Archers

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

The Archers: 29/04/2009

29/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 29/04/2009

Lynda grinds for victory at Glebe Cottage.

Phil's enjoying a leisurely breakfast but Jill seems eager to get rid of him. Lynda's coming round later for a trial run at producing a loaf in an hour for the Gormley project.

The first attempt is a disaster. It's taken nearly twenty minutes just to grind the flour. They're just going to have to hand-grind a few grains and add them to ready-ground local flour.  

The second attempt is a success. Phil's impressed. Now all they have to do is reproduce the results on the plinth. Jill hopes they're not going to suggest she practise on the roof of the village hall. Lynda thinks Phil has a point. They need to experiment outside, so the next attempt will have to be on a camping stove in the garden!

Brian tries to warn Matt not to expect too much support from the Borchester Land  board but Matt's not about to make things easier for them by falling on his sword. Annabelle tells Matt that if he doesn't resign they'll simply have to move to a vote of no confidence; BL's been tainted with Matt as Chair. Matt agrees to give up the chairmanship but he's staying on the board - they can't get rid of him that easily. 

Episode written by Joanna Toye.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama

Drama on 4: Mark Burgess - A King's Speech

Mark Burgess - A King's Speech

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Mark Burgess - A King's Speech

Newly crowned George VI battles to defeat his stammer ahead of his broadcast to the Nation

Newly crowned George VI battles to overcome his stammer ahead of his broadcast to the Nation and Empire. Stars Alex Jennings.

By Mark Burgess.

The action of A King's Speech takes place on Coronation Day, 12th May 1937, and deals with King George VI's preparations for his evening BBC Radio broadcast to the Nation - a terrifying prospect for perhaps the most notable Briton to have suffered from a stammer. 

The Coronation Ceremony in Westminster Abbey completed, the new King must face a further challenge - the dreaded royal broadcast, to be delivered under the watchful gaze of the BBC's first Director General, Sir John Reith himself. As the tension mounts, speech therapist, Lionel Logue (played by Trevor Littledale) must work hard to calm the King's nerves and to prepare him for his ordeal at the microphone. No easy task. As the King says himself, exploding in fury:

"Dammit!! I can't say 'crowned', can't say 'King'! What use is that? The whole speech is a minefield of 'Commonwealths', 'Queens' and 'Kings'! Five hundred and seventy-two words in total, and most of them impossible for me to say!"

The central scenes of the play feature Logue and his pupil. Comfortable in each other's company, they discuss the speech the King must make in a few hours' time. Logue's working methods are revealed: the tongue-twisters, breathing exercises, Shakespearean quotations - all designed to relax the speaker. The King's dependence on, and great friendship with Logue becomes apparent. Their conversation is wide-ranging, dealing with, among other things, the Abdication Crisis; George VI's childhood - when being both left-handed and a stammerer was frowned on; the King's envy of his elder brother; and his uneasy relationship with his father, King George V.

This is Mark Burgess's sixth play for BBC Radio 4, all of which have dealt with prominent people at pivotal moments in their lives. 

Producer/Director: David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

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: Skye Scavengers

25/04/2009

Skye Scavengers

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, Skye Scavengers

Matt Baker finds out just how idyllic life was for Mesolithic man on the Isle of Skye.

Matt Baker joins an archaeological dig to find out just how idyllic life was for Mesolithic man on the Isle of Skye.

Matt Baker joins an archaeological dig to find out just how idyllic life was for Mesolithic man on the Isle of Skye. When the ice sheets finally released their grip on Britain, the Isle of Skye was one of the most attractive options for the new human settlers. 

Until now, evidence of these mesolithic islanders was sparse, rotted by the wet climate and the acidic peat soil. Matt joins a dig which is gradually revealing the lifestyle of these early residents.

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: RedR

26/04/2009

RedR

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, RedRSearch BBC

Mike Wooldridge appeals on behalf of RedR.

Mike Wooldridge appeals on behalf of RedR. Donations: Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144.

While you will rarely hear RedR mentioned in the headlines, the charity plays a vital role in ensuring that there are skilled people, trained in anything from shelter to health, ready to respond whenever there is a disaster.

If you are a UK taxpayer, please provide RedR with your full name and address so they can claim the Gift Aid on your donation worth another 25 per cent per cent. The online and phone donation facilities are not currently available to listeners without a UK postcode.

Registered Charity No: 1079752.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Red Herrings

Afternoon Reading: Red Herrings: Episode 3: The Soothmoothers

Episode 3

Episode 3: The Soothmoothers

Red Herrings

The Soothmoothers

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Red Herrings, The SoothmoothersSearch BBC

By Ann Cleeves. Tension between guests at a Shetland hotel spark a local woman's curiosity

The tensions and rivalries between three travellers, on a business trip to Shetland, spark a local woman's curiosity. By Ann Cleeves, read by Marnie Baxter.

By Ann Cleeves.


The tensions and rivalries between three travellers on a business trip to Shetland spark a local woman's curiosity. By dawn the next day, Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez is on the scene, investigating a violent crime.


Read by Marnie Baxter.


Producer Kirsteen Cameron.

The red herring inspires these new stories by leading crime writers

That most effective weapon in the crime writer's arsenal, the red herring, inspires these new stories by leading exponents of the genre. With a guaranteed twist in the tale!

Picturing Britain

Adil Ray looks at life through the lens of contemporary photographers

Picturing Britain: Series 1

Picturing Britain: Series 1: Episode 4: Animal Magic

Episode 4

Episode 4: Animal Magic

Series 1

Animal Magic

BBC Radio 4 - Picturing Britain, Series 1, Animal Magic

Adil Ray sees Britain through the lens of animal photographer Tim Flach.

Adil Ray sneaks into Tim Flach's studio as he photographs pampered Chinese Crested show dogs, contrasting them with the abandoned Staffordshire Bull Terriers at Battersea Dogs Home.

Adil joins photographer Tim Flach as he attempts to shoot two contrasting worlds of domestic animals. At one end of the scale, there's the pedigree society of prize-winning Chinese Crested show dogs; at the other, the lost world of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, the most popular urban dog of our times and the most prominent breed to be found at Battersea Dogs Home in London.  As they struggle to pose the dogs, Adil Ray talks to the owners and carers about their contrasting lives. 

Producer: Sarah Bowen.

Adil Ray views Britain through the lens of five different types of photographer

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: Hilary Mantel, Brian Chikwava, Will Self and fictional dentists

Hilary Mantel, Brian Chikwava, Will Self and fictional dentists

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, Hilary Mantel, Brian Chikwava, Will Self and fictional dentists

Mariella Frostrup talks to Hilary Mantel about her interest in Thomas Cromwell.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Hilary Mantel about her interest in Henry VIII's notorious minister Thomas Cromwell, the subject of her novel Wolf Hall.

British author Hilary Mantel explains why Thomas Cromwell, the hero in her new historic novel Wolf Hall - far from being Henry VIII's Machiavellian advisor - just had an image problem. 

Zimbabwean writer Brian Chikwava's debut novel Harare North inspires a discussion about recurrent themes visited by expatriated African writers.

Will Self's Reader's Guide to the late JG Ballard is revisited. 

And Professor John Sutherland takes a look at fictional dentists in this week's Reading Clinic.

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: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, 30/04/2009

Science behind the potential flu epidemic emanating from the Mexican 'swine' flu outbreak.

Quentin Cooper looks at the science behind the potential flu epidemic emanating from the 'swine' flu outbreak in Mexico.

Quentin Cooper looks at the science behind the potential flu epidemic emanating from the 'swine' flu outbreak in Mexico.

Analysts at the World Influenza Centre in Mill Hill, Hertforshire, describe how the molecular details of flu samples from across the globe will help them pin down the origin of the outbreak, and foresee its progress. And from Toronto how the SARS outbreak of 2003 led to a complete rethink of how to handle flu pandemics. 

Climate scientists have published further evidence that maintaining current levels of CO2 emmissions will lead to serious global warming. Even the international target of a 2 degree celsius rise in temperature will be hopelessly exceeded if levels are not reduced quickly and drastically.

Professor Nial Tanvir describes observations of the most distant object ever seen. Gamma rays from a star exploding very soon after the beginning of the universe completed their 13 billion year journey when they reached NASA's Swift telescope.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 30/04/2009

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

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 30/04/2009

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

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

4 Stands Up

Stand-up comedy show featuring big names from the circuit

4 Stands Up: Series 3

4 Stands Up: Series 3: Episode 5

Episode 5

Series 3

BBC Radio 4 - 4 Stands Up, Series 3, Episode 5

Three purveyors of fine comedy - John Gordillo, Francesca Martinez and Andrew Lawrence.

Chris Addison welcomes three more purveyors of fine comedy - John Gordillo, Francesca Martinez and Andrew Lawrence. From April 2009.

The Archers: 30/04/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 30/04/2009

Eddie carries out some research to see if the coins he found whilst digging the soil for the new patio at the vicarage are worth anything. One of them is a George III sixpence, it could be worth a fortune! Clarrie foils his plans. If it's valuable he'll have to return it to Alan. It could help fund the repairs to the church roof.  

Alan tells Eddie about his uncle who was able to buy a property following a successful find with a metal detector. But the coin's not valuable after all, Alan tells Eddie to give it to George, the king's namesake.

Kenton leaves Frank in charge of Jaxx while he takes a ten minute break. But an hour later he still hasn't returned and the café's packed with disgruntled customers. Naomi's gone home after her shift and Frank can't cook and serve at the same time. David offers to help.  

When Kenton returns, he's less than gracious about David's assistance. What if the environmental health people had turned up? Who knows where David's hands have been! Angry David leaves, telling Kenton he needs to get his act together. Naomi won't let him take advantage of her like Emma did.

Episode written by Joanna Toye.

Front Row

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

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

30/04/2009

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Weather

30/04/2009

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Open Country

Skye Scavengers

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Shipping Forecast

30/04/2009

Genres

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Brand

Weather

30/04/2009

Genres

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Weather

30/04/2009

Genres

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Shipping Forecast

01/05/2009

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