BBC Radio 4 LW

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 05/10/2009

05/10/2009

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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: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 05/10/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 05/10/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Mary Stallard.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 05/10/2009

A tree pest may stop play in conker season. Charlotte Smith reports.

It is conker season, but children may be disappointed this year as horse chestnut trees face a little invader with big consequences. Charlotte Smith finds out about 'leaf miner'.

It is conker season, but children may be disappointed this year as horse chestnut trees face a little invader with big consequences. Charlotte Smith finds out what is being done to control the rapid spread of 'leaf miner'. Also, Charlotte asks whether NIMBYS (Not In My Back Yard) are friend or foe of the countryside.

Weather

Weather: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 05/10/2009Close menu

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: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 05/10/2009

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With Sarah Montague and Evan Davis. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Presented by Evan Davis and Sarah Montague.

After Ireland endorsed the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, attention now moves to Poland and the Czech Republic, who have yet to ratify it. Poland has promised to do so immediately after the Irish 'yes'. But what about the Czech republic? Prague correspondent Rob Cameron explains the pressures facing the Czech Republic and the eurosceptic leader of the Free Citizens Party, Petr Mach, discusses why some in the country fear the Treaty. 

MI5 is marking its centenary with the publication of an authorised history. Security correspondent Gordon Corera speaks to Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, the former Director General of MI5, who steered the security service through its most recent challenges, including the 7/7 suicide bomb attacks in London. 

Whatever happened to the Young Conservatives? From the Tory party conference, the head of Conservative Future, Michael Rock, and member Emma Carr discuss how the party plans to appeal to younger voters. 

Pilots from 36 countries are demonstrating across Europe at new EU rules that govern how long they can fly. They say say the rules are flawed and will raise the risk of an accident. Jim McAuslan, secretary of the British Airline Pilots Association, explains their concerns. 

UN nuclear watchdog the IAEA is to send a team to visit the newly-revealed uranium enrichment plant in Iran. The head of the body, Mohammed ElBaradei announced the visit after holding talks with the Iranian president. Former chief inspector and former head of the IAEA, Hans Blix, explains how useful these visits are. 

The Conservative Party, which is, meeting in Manchester, looks likely to win the next general election. But the party is struggling to find a tone that looks suitably confident but does not look too complacent. Evan Davis visited the constituency of Broxtowe to find out if the party have the right message to ensure a Tory victory. 

Thought for the Day with the religious commentator Clifford Longley. 

To coincide with the centenary of MI5, Christopher Andrew, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Cambridge University, has written an authorised history of the security service. He explains what he found after being given unprecedented access to their archives. Contains language which might offend.

Will the Irish decision to ratify the Lisbon Treaty cause rifts in the Conservative Party at their annual conference? Political editor Nick Robinson analyses the fallout from the Lisbon Treaty referendum. 

Day one of the Conservative Party conference has seen the party announce a number of pledges, includng cutting benefits for half a million people and a shake-up of the education system. They plan to introduce 12 new technical schools in large urban areas. Michael Gove, shadow spokesman on children, schools and families - and one of the party's big thinkers - discusses their pledges. 

A study of the final year work of students at Imperial College, London found that British scholars are far worse at spelling than their foreign counterparts. Bernard Lamb, the former president of the Queen's English Society, who carried out the study, and Jack Bovill, chair of the Spelling Society, discuss whether bad spelling has any implications. 

This time last year, the Taliban and its 'shadow governments' operated mainly in its traditional strongholds. Now, they are spreading their influence across the country. Afghanistan correspondent Martin Patience reports from Kabul on the growing influence of the Taleban on the country. 

Church services have been held across the South Pacific islands of Samoa to remember the 176 people killed in last week's tsunami. Correspondent Phil Mercer reports from the Samoan capital, Apia, on a remarkable story of survival from someone who was caught up in the disaster. 

At five years old, Varsha is the youngest person in the world to hold a black belt in karate, having learnt from her father, a former Indian national champion. Evan Davis went along to see just how dangerous this five-year-old might be in a fight. 

A new history of the 4th century BC reveals how the collapse of Greek democracy occurred in circumstances similar to our own. They were going through a crippling economic downturn and their politicians committed serious financial misdemeanours. Dr Michael Scott, author of From Democrats to Kings and classicist at Cambridge University, discusses the comparisons and whether looking back at history can help to explain contemporary society.

The Conservative Party have pledged to repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British bill of rights. Daily Mail columnist Peter Oborne and Dominic Grieve, the shadow justice secretary, whose job is to write such a bill, discuss the pledge.

Start the Week

Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday

Start the Week: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, 05/10/2009

Andrew Marr's guests include PD James, Stella Rimington and Harold Evans.

Andrew Marr's guests include novelist PD James, former MI5 director general Stella Rimington, former Sunday Times editor Harold Evans and composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.

Andrew Marr sets the cultural agenda for the week. 

His guests include PD James on the art of writing detective fiction, former MI5 director general Stella Rimington on her new novel, Present Danger, and former Sunday Times editor Harold Evans on his memoir, My Paper Chase. Andrew also celebrates the life and work of composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.

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: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Daily Service, 05/10/2009

Christian worship and music led by Rev Dr Bert Tosh.

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Working mothers; Claire Martin; Sisters

Working mothers; Claire Martin; Sisters

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Working mothers; Claire Martin; Sisters

Are the children of working mums less healthy? Plus, jazz from singer Claire Martin.

Are the children of working mums less healthy? Plus, the women fighting the Mafia; the history of sisters; and jazz from singer Claire Martin.

Influenced By Banksy

BBC Radio 4 - Influenced By Banksy

Examining graffiti in Bristol and the issues surrounding it.

Examining graffiti in Bristol and the issues surrounding it. The programme hears from the vandals and street artists of the city, and those trying to distinguish between them.

Bristol's own Banksy is rich and famous for his 'street art', yet aspiring teenage artists in the city are being charged with criminal damage for following his example. This programme hears from the vandals, the artists, and those who are trying to distinguish between them. 

Following the success of Bristol City Museum's Banksy exhibition, which drew in more than 300,000 visitors, the council want Bristolians to vote on whether graffiti should be left on buildings or removed. They say they want to promote street art - but has anyone told the police? They are continuing to track down law breakers, no matter how good the art is.

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

Beauty of Britain

The Britain of Beauty Olonga, a carer and inspiration to other African girls in the UK.

A view of Britain through the eyes of Beauty Olonga, a carer and inspiration to other African girls in the UK. Comedy by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson.

Beauty of Britain: Series 1: Seagulls Over Sue Ryder

Seagulls Over Sue Ryder

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - Beauty of Britain, Series 1, Seagulls Over Sue Ryder

Beauty Olonga is a carer and a self-appointed inspiration.

Beauty Olonga is a carer and a self-appointed inspiration. Stars Jocelyn Jee Esien and Felicity Montagu. From October 2009.

Beauty Olonga works as a carer for the Featherdown Agency and sees herself as an inspiration to other African girls hoping to achieve their goals in the land of semi-skimmed milk.  

See Britain through her eyes - its overheated houses, its disappointing church services and its over-fondness for cauliflower cheese. 

In this opening episode, Beauty discovers the glories of Weston-super-Mare's charity shops and experiences the disappointment of her first British funeral. 

Comedy by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson.

Beauty ...... Jocelyn Jee Esien
Mr Collinson ...... Malcolm Tierney 
Jill ...... Pippa  Haywood
Sally ...... Felicity Montagu
Karen/Bus Driver/Shop Assistant ...... Nicola Sanderson
Mrs Gupte ...... Indira Joshi
Anil ...... Paul Sharma
Derek/Waiter/Church Reader ...... Christopher Douglas
Minister ...... Dan Tetsell

Music by The West End Gospel Choir.

Producer: Tilusha Ghelani  

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.

Beauty of Britain: Series 1

Comedy by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson

Comedy by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson. A view of Britain through the eyes of Beauty Olonga, a carer and inspiration to other African girls in the UK

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast

News, weather and Shipping Forecast updates. 

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 05/10/2009

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: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 05/10/2009

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.

World at One

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

World at One: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 05/10/2009

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

International Cricket

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Ball by ball coverage of Twenty20 and One Day International events

International Cricket: ICC Champions Trophy Cricket

ICC Champions Trophy Cricket

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra - International Cricket, ICC Champions Trophy Cricket

Coverage of the final of the Champions Trophy from Centurion Park, Pretoria.

Coverage of the final of the Champions Trophy in South Africa, live from Centurion Park, Pretoria.

Coverage of the final of the Champions Trophy in South Africa, live from Centurion Park, Pretoria.

Including Shipping Forecast.

Costing the Earth

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

Costing the Earth: The Three Peaks Challenge

The Three Peaks Challenge

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, The Three Peaks Challenge

Are charity mountaineers damaging our highest peaks? Alice Roberts reports.

Alice Roberts asks if the 60,000 walkers who annually take part in the Three Peaks Challenge are damaging the environment.

Every year around 60,000 people set out on the Three Peaks Challenge, aiming to climb the highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland. Most do it to raise money for charity but there are increasing worries that the challenge is putting too much pressure on the environment, destroying some of our most beautiful places. 

Alice Roberts sets out with a group of enthusiastic trekkers to find out if the environment is suffering as charities prosper.

The Challenge used to be centred around the longest day in June, giving trekkers the chance to climb Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike in daylight. More recently, however, it has become such a charity money-spinnner that groups tackle the peaks from April to October. At the height of the season as many as 1,000 people can be trekking up each mountain, often in the dark. The Challenge speeds up the erosion of paths, damages fragile Alpine plant systems and adds to the pressure on the areas' toilets and litter bins.

Banning the Challenge would destroy an important income source for hundreds of charities and breach the principle of open access to these iconic mountains. Can Alice find a solution? Can people enjoy the physical challenge of the mountain environment and continue to raise money for charity without destroying some of Britain's wildest and most beautiful places?

The World Tonight

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

The World Tonight: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The World Tonight, 05/10/2009

National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah and Felicity Evans.

With Ritula Shah and Felicity Evans. The Conservatives start their conference - but are they ready to govern? An explosion in a UN building in Pakistan kills five.

National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah and Felicity Evans.

The Conservatives start their conference, but are they ready to govern?

An explosion in a UN building in Pakistan kills five.

Are school science experiments becoming a thing of the past?

The state of Japanese prisons.

Could Jack Jones have been in the pay of the KGB?

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: Fathers and Sons

Book at Bedtime: Fathers and Sons: Episode 6

Episode 6

Fathers and Sons

BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, Fathers and Sons, Episode 6

Bazarov's cool and clinical approach to life fails him.

Douglas Hodge reads from Ivan Turgenev's 1862 novel. Bazarov's cool and clinical approach to life fails him, and the idyll of the past few weeks is broken up.

Douglas Hodge reads from the novel by Ivan Turgenev. First published in 1862, this story of a young man's return from university, accompanied by his radical friend Bazarov, shocked its early readers. Turgenev's characterisation of the outspoken young nihilist who criticises the older generation of 'romantics' and rejects 'everything' was both an alarmingly realistic depiction of the changing times he saw around him and an uncomfortable reflection of the eternal difficulties between generations.

Bazarov's cool and clinical approach to life fails him, and the idyll of the past few weeks is broken up.

Translated by Peter Carson and abridged by Sally Marmion.

Douglas Hodge reads from Ivan Turgenev's 1862 novel

Douglas Hodge reads from Ivan Turgenev's 1862 novel about the eternal struggle between the generations and the rise and fall of a charismatic young nihilist

With Great Pleasure

Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters

Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, in which guest presenters pick readings from their favourite pieces of poetry and prose

With Great Pleasure: Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo

BBC Radio 4 - With Great Pleasure, Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo selects favourite writings including Kenneth Grahame and Ted Hughes.

4 Extra Debut. Author Michael Morpurgo selects favourite writings including Kenneth Grahame, Ted Hughes and Robert Louis Stevenson. From 2008.

Children's writer Michael Morpurgo takes a literary journey through his life, with pieces of prose and poetry.  

Favourite writers chosen include: Rudyard Kipling, Kenneth Grahame, Robert Louis Stevenson, Charles Dickens, Ted Hughes, Sean Rafferty and Edward Thomas.

Readers: Alison Reid and Christian Rodska

Producer: Christine Hall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2008.

Scum

04/06/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Scum

Critic Mark Kermode examines the history of and controversy surrounding the 1979 film Scum

Critic Mark Kermode examines the history of and controversy surrounding the film Scum, which was initially banned by the BBC before a film version was subsequently released in 1979.

Critic and broadcaster Mark Kermode examines the history of and controversy surrounding the film Scum. 

Originally made by the BBC in 1977, its brutal depiction of life in the borstal system was deemed to be too controversial for broadcast and it was banned by the Corporation. However, it was then re-made for the cinema two years later and became one of the most infamous British films of the 1980s. Mark investigates the accuracy of the film and offers a portrait of its uncompromising director Alan Clarke. 

Featuring new interviews, including screenwriter Roy Minton, actor Mick Ford, former director of BBC television Alasdair Milne and the producers of both the BBC and theatrical versions.

Midnight News

The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.

Midnight News: 05/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Midnight News, 05/10/2009

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: Lynne Truss - Get Her Off the Pitch!

Book of the Week: Lynne Truss - Get Her Off the Pitch!: Episode 1

Episode 1

Lynne Truss - Get Her Off the Pitch!

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Lynne Truss - Get Her Off the Pitch!, Episode 1

How does a woman of literary tastes end up writing on sport for a national newspaper?

4 Extra Debut. How does a woman of literary tastes end up writing on sport for a national newspaper? It starts with lunch. Read by the author.

Lynne Truss reads from her account of the four years she spent as a sports reporter. 

How does a woman of literary tastes and neither knowledge of nor interest in sport end up covering great and not-so-great events for the sports section of a national newspaper? As Lynne explains, it all starts over lunch...

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

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.

Lynne Truss reads from her account of the four years she spent as a sports reporter

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

05/10/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

05/10/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

05/10/2009

Genres

Brand

International Cricket

ICC Champions Trophy Cricket

Genres

Brand

Weather

05/10/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

05/10/2009

Genres

Brand

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