BBC Radio 4 LW

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 17/05/2009

17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 17/05/2009Close 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: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 17/05/2009Close menu

Bells on Sunday

The sound of church bells ringing on Sunday from around the country

Bells on Sunday: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Bells on Sunday, 17/05/2009

The sound of bells from St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Comberton, Worcestershire.

The sound of bells from St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Comberton in Worcestershire.

Letters to Mary

Letters to Mary: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - Letters to Mary, Episode 1Search BBC

Prof Janet Todd writes to Mary about her treatise Thoughts on the Education of Daughters.

Professor Janet Todd addresses a letter to Mary about her treatise Thoughts on the Education of Daughters, in which she discusses how to educate girls to be good wives and mothers.

Series in which three writers send an informal letter to the influential British feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, 250 years after her birth, updating her on the progress of her often radical ideas.

Professor Janet Todd, President of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, addresses a letter to Mary about her her first book, a self-help manual called Thoughts on the Education of Daughters. 

Some readers argue that this work is no different from any other 18th century Conduct Book, with its rather modest ideas about how girls should live their lives, but Janet Todd believes that it shows real sparks that would flare up fully in her incendiary work, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, four years later. She goes on to wonder how Mary might feel about the education and aspirations of girls today.

Read by Sian Thomas.

Writers address an informal letter to the influential British feminist Mary Wollstonecraft

Series in which three writers send an informal letter to the influential British feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, 250 years after her birth, updating her on the progress of her often radical ideas

News Headlines

The latest national and international news headlines

News Headlines: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines, 17/05/2009

The latest national and international news.

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

Something Understood

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

Something Understood: If Only We Could Bottle It

If Only We Could Bottle It

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, If Only We Could Bottle It

Felicity Finch reflects on those moments when we feel more truly alive than seems possible

Felicity Finch reflects on those indefinable moments when we feel more completely alive than seems possible. With readings from Federico Garcia Lorca and John Burnside.

Felicity Finch reflects on those indefinable moments when we feel more completely alive than seems possible. As an actress, it is something she strives to capture in performance, but in everyday existence these moments of oneness, where an individual is in harmony with surroundings and other people, tend to come spontaneously and unannounced. 

With readings from Federico Garcia Lorca and John Burnside and music by Chick Corea and Northumbrian pipers.

On Your Farm

Getting to the heart of country life with a look at individual farming endeavours

On Your Farm: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - On Your Farm, 17/05/2009

Adam Henson sees how England rugby veteran Julian White tackles life on his farm.

Countryfile's Adam Henson sees how England rugby veteran Julian White tackles life on his farm in Market Harborough.

Countryfile's Adam Henson sees how England rugby veteran Julian White tackles life on his farm in Market Harborough.

Besides rugby, Julian's other passion is 250-acre sheep and cattle (60 prime South Devon) farm. He even withdrew from the 2007 pre-World Cup camp on the grounds that he could not afford to spend several weeks away from his young family and farm. But Julian did make it to the 2009 Six Nations tournament and his wife Sara and friends rallied round to keep things going while he was playing for England. 

Adam joins Julian and his family to discover how he tackles his double life of farming and rugby, and hears stories about his experiences of New Zealand pastures and a surprise Christmas cow.

Weather

Weather: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 17/05/2009Close menu

News and Papers

The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers

News and Papers: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News and Papers, 17/05/2009

The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.

Sunday

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

Sunday: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday, 17/05/2009

Roger Bolton discusses the religious and ethical news of the week.

Roger Bolton discusses the religious and ethical news of the week. Moral arguments and perspectives on stories, both familiar and unfamiliar.

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: CODA International Training

CODA International Training

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, CODA International TrainingSearch BBC

Archbishop Desmond Tutu appeals on behalf of CODA International.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu appeals on behalf of CODA International. 

CODA International is a UK-based international development organisation working to reduce poverty and injustice in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

Donations to CODA International, should be sent to Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal, please mark the back of your envelope CODA International. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144. If you are a UK tax payer, please provide CODA International with your full name and address so that they can claim the Gift Aid on your donation worth another 25 per cent. The online and phone donation facilities are not currently available to listeners without a UK postcode.

Registered Charity No: 1000717.

Sunday Worship

Sunday Worship: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday Worship, 17/05/2009

A service from St Teilo's Church in the National History Museum of Wales at St Fagans.

A service from St Teilo's Church in the National History Museum of Wales at St Fagans, near Cardiff, led by Rev Roy Jenkins, with Cantemus Chamber Choir Wales.

A service from St Teilo's Church in the National History Museum of Wales at St Fagans, near Cardiff, led by Rev Roy Jenkins. With Cantemus Chamber Choir Wales, directed by Robert Court. Organist: John Cheer.

A Point of View

A Point of View: Expensive Mistakes

15/05/2009

Expensive Mistakes

BBC Radio 4 - A Point of View, Expensive Mistakes

Clive James reflects on democracy, MPs' expenses and the Oxford Poetry Professorship.

Clive James reflects on democracy, MPs' expenses and the furore over the Oxford Poetry Professorship.

Broadcasting House

The Sunday morning news magazine programme. Presented by Paddy O'Connell.

The Sunday morning magazine programme with a fresh approach to the news and discussion about the big stories of the week. Presented by Paddy O'Connell.

Broadcasting House: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Broadcasting House, 17/05/2009

News and conversation about the big stories of the week with Kevin Connolly.

News and conversation about the big stories of the week with Kevin Connolly

In the light of the MPs' expenses scandal, Lord Salisbury, the Bishop of Durham, Tony Benn and Patience Wheatcroft discuss how they would design a new parliamentary system if we had to start all over again. 

Has Ikea done more for European unity than the European Union? Paddy makes a guest appearance from the Eurovision Song Contest, and after Ann Widdecombe said that MPs were now in a contest to see 'who had the hairiest shirt', we look into the history of hairshirts.

Historian and novelist Lady Antonia Fraser, songwriter and broadcaster Tom Robinson and journalist Andrew Pierce review the papers.

The quiz answer is 'the gravy train' and the winner is Susan Grossey.

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: Peter Sallis

Peter Sallis

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Peter Sallis

Kirsty Young's castaway is actor Peter Sallis.

Kirsty Young invites actor Peter Sallis to choose eight records to take to Radio 4's mythical desert island. As the unassuming Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine and the equally mild-mannered Wallace in Wallace and Gromit, Sallis brings to life a sepia-tinted Britain that barely seems to exist any more. Now aged 88 and with failing eyesight, no-one, he says, is more surprised at his success than himself: "I've been lucky enough to keep going and I realise now, though it's taken me nearly 100 years, that my voice is distinctive. I'm very lucky indeed."

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

Favourite track: The finale of Symphony No.5 in E flat Major by Jean Sibelius
Book: The collected works by P G Wodehouse
Luxury: No.7 Meccano outfit.

Test Match Special

Test Match Special: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Test Match Special, 17/05/2009

Coverage of the fourth day of the Second Test between England and West Indies from Durham.

Coverage of the fourth day of the Second Test between England and West Indies from Chester-le-Street, Durham. Including News Headlines, Shipping Forecast.

Coverage of the fourth day of the Second Test between England and West Indies from Chester-le-Street, Durham. Commentary by Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Tony Cozier and summaries from Sir Viv Richards, Vic Marks and Alec Stewart.

Including News Headlines, Shipping Forecast.

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 17/05/2009

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

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

Pick of the Week

A selection of highlights from the past week on BBC radio.

Pick of the Week: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Pick of the Week, 17/05/2009Close menu

John Waite introduces his selection of highlights from the past week on BBC radio.

The Archers

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

The Archers: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 17/05/2009

Jennifer's preparations for Debbie and Marshall's visit have gone into overdrive; she wants all the family together for a special lunch. Brian tells Adam there's not much chance of getting Lilian and Matt to come along. He and Jennifer saw Matt at Grey Gables, knocking back the scotch. He's still resentful about Brian's election to chair of Borchester Land.

Mike's meeting Vicky at The Bull - it's her first time in Ambridge. He invites Brenda along. Vicky's been dying to meet her, but Brenda says she's got too much revision to do.  

Before Vicky arrives, Neil invites Mike to the birthday celebration that Susan's organising for him; they're just having a few friends over for lunch on Friday. When Mike invites Vicky along, it's too awkward for Neil to say no. Brian comments that Vicky seems a little young for Mike but Neil tells him that Mike seems very taken with her.

Mike invites Vicky back to Willow Cottage for a coffee. They discover a teary-eyed Brenda watching a weepy movie. She greets Vicky before quickly retiring to bed. Vicky advises Mike to go and check if she's alright. She'll leave, it looks like Brenda really needs her dad.

Episode written by Tim Stimpson.

Go4it

Childrens magazine exploring everything under the sun, with features and songs

Go4it: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Go4it, 17/05/2009

Barney meets children who do their own radio broadcasting.

Barney Harwood meets some Gurkha kids who send audio messages to their dads in the army and a boy who podcast to his class mates when he spent two months on a tiny Scottish island.

Barney meets children who do their own radio broadcasting, including some Gurkha kids who send audio messages to their dads in the army and a boy who podcast to his class mates when he spent two months on a tiny Scottish island. 

Plus a report on a children's radio station in Swaziland and how to start a radio station at your school.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Stories with Latitude

Afternoon Reading: Stories with Latitude: Episode 4

Episode 4

Stories with Latitude

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Stories with Latitude, Episode 4Search BBC

Comedian Lucy Porter gets inside the head of a festival first-aider.

Readings recorded on stage at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk. Comedian Lucy Porter gets inside the head of a festival first-aider.

Readings recorded on stage at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk

More or Less

Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life

Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life

More or Less: 15/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - More or Less, 15/05/2009

Tim Harford challenges a much-quoted statistic on domestic violence.

Tim Harford takes apart a rogue statistic on domestic violence which has been circulating since the 1990s, and reveals a new mathematical riddle: the Kate Bush conjecture.

Tim Harford takes apart a rogue statistic on domestic violence which has been circulating since the 1990s, questions news reports which suggest that the recession is hitting white collar workers hardest and reveals a new mathematical riddle - the Kate Bush conjecture.

An Open University co production for BBC Radio 4.

Last Word

Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

Last Word: 15/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, 15/05/2009

Matthew Bannister presents the obituary series.

Featuring the lives of Nuremburg war crimes prosecutor Henry T King, New Age writer John Michell, Soviet General Valentin Varennikov and the father of British surfing, Bill Bailey.

Matthew Bannister talks to Professor John Q Barrett and Whitney Harris about the life of Nuremburg war crimes prosecutor Henry T King; Richard Adams and Jason Goodwin about the life of New Age writer John Michell; Rodric Braithwaite on Soviet General Valentin Varennikov; Tony Bailey and Roger Mansfield discuss the father of British surfing, Bill Bailey.

Money Box

The latest news from the world of personal finance

The latest news from the world of personal finance plus advice for those trying to make the most of their money.

Money Box: 16/05/2009

16/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Money Box, 16/05/2009

Paul Lewis with the latest news from the world of personal finance.

Money Box asks the experts if the Bank of England's attempt to stimulate the economy will drive up inflation.

Paul Lewis with the latest news from the world of personal finance.

Money Box asks the experts if the Bank of England's attempt to stimulate the economy will drive up inflation. We look at the best savings deals and weigh up the pros and cons of locking your cash away. And Bob Howard reports on the consumers attempting to use the courts to get their credit card debts cancelled.

In Business

Series about the world of work from vast corporations to modest volunteers

Series of programmes about the whole world of work, public and private, from vast corporations to modest volunteers

In Business: Location, Location

14/05/2009

Location, Location

BBC Radio 4 - In Business, Location, Location

Peter Day looks into the industry arising out of devices that know their location.

Mobile phones and other devices are helping all sorts of useful objects 'know' where they are. Peter Day talks to those building firms from this technology.

Mobile phones and other devices are helping all sorts of useful objects 'know' where they are - and tell everybody else about it. Peter Day hears from the people building companies out of this dramatic new sensing ability.

Westminster Hour

Radio 4's Sunday night political discussion programme

Westminster Hour: 17/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Westminster Hour, 17/05/2009

Reports from behind the scenes at Westminster. Including Letters to Mary.

The Film Programme

The latest releases, the hottest stars and the leading directors, plus news and insights

The latest releases, the hottest stars and the leading directors, plus news and insights from the film world

The Film Programme: 15/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Film Programme, 15/05/2009

Francine Stock talks to Charlie Kaufman about his directorial debut, Synecdoche, New York.

Francine Stock speaks to writer and director Charlie Kaufman about his new film Synecdoche, New York, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Charlie Kaufman on his vision for his new film, Synecdoche, New York, a mind-bending nightmarish mixture of dream and reality starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Samantha Morton. Counterculture film maker Kenneth Anger talks about his career and his association with other cultural provocateurs The Rolling Stones. And film historian Matthew Sweet reviews the clasic film The Seventh Veil, starring James Mason, as it is released on DVD.

Midnight News

The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.

Midnight News: 18/05/2009

18/05/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Midnight News, 18/05/2009

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

Thinking Allowed

Thinking Allowed: Segregation - Mizrahi Jews

13/05/2009

Segregation - Mizrahi Jews

BBC Radio 4 - Thinking Allowed, Segregation - Mizrahi Jews

Laurie Taylor hears of new research which counters contemporary fears about immigration.

Are walls going up around Britain's communities? Are we sleepwalking to racial segregation? Laurie hears of new research which counters some contemporary fears about immigration.

Are walls going up around Britain's communities?  Are we sleepwalking to racial segregation? Laurie hears of new research which counters some contemporary fears about immigration in Britain.

In 2005, Trevor Phillips, then Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality warned, 'The walls are going up around many of our communities and the bridges are crumbling ... we are sleepwalking our way to segregation'. Are there really ghettoes growing in Britain's cities? Laurie talks to Ludi Simpson about his new research into the state of segregation in Britain and hears from Tariq Modood about how and why Muslim communities are feared. 

Also in the programme, Laurie hears from Rachel Shabi about the Mizrahis, Israel's Jews from Arab lands. Many talk Arabic and their customs are rooted in the Middle East, but despite constituting almost half of the Israeli population she claims they are sidelined and discriminated against in their own country.

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Shipping Forecast

17/05/2009

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Weather

17/05/2009

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Weather

17/05/2009

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Bells on Sunday

17/05/2009

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Shipping Forecast

18/05/2009

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