BBC Radio 4 LW

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 20/10/2009

20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 20/10/2009Close 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: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 20/10/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 20/10/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Shaunaka Rishi Das.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 20/10/2009

Anna Hill hears that struggling dairy farmers are to get a 280 million euro handout.

Struggling dairy farmers are to get a 280 million euro handout, but an industry analyst tells Anna Hill that is still not enough to save UK dairy farms.

Struggling dairy farmers will receive a 280 million euro handout, but an industry analyst tells Anna Hill that is still not enough to save UK dairy farms. Plus the RSPCA call on restaurant-goers to ask chefs for a list of ingredients, to help animal welfare.

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: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 20/10/2009

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.

Five senior prison managers are expected to be charged with serious disciplinary offences for moving problematic inmates during inspections to create a good impression. A report published by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Dame Anne Owers, shows that some prisoners had been transferred between Pentonville and Wandsworth prisons in order to mislead inspectors. Dame Anne explains the findings of her report and the charges facing the managers. 

The battle between the Taliban and Pakistan army is continuing in South Waziristan. Masud Shah, former Inspector General of police in the north-west frontier province, examines the strategic and political importance of the outcome of the fighting. 

China has been experiencing a green revolution. The country, which is normally associated with pollution and dirty coal-fired power stations, has become the world's biggest producer of solar water heaters. In one key technology, electric batteries, it is attempting to become an international leader. Environment analyst Roger Harrabin reports on China's green tech boom. 

Ambassadors have an important role maintaining diplomacy, calm, and sharing respectful views at all times. But they do have one chance to tell their superiors at home what they really do think about the country in which they serve, in the valedictory dispatch as they leave their post. Matthew Parris, presenter of Parting Shots, a new series for Radio 4, reveals some of the poignant, mischievous or on occasion downright rude, valedictory dispatches of former ambassadors. 

Many banks have announced that they will be paying bonuses to their employees. This is despite being bailed out with billions of pounds of taxpayers money, and the Bank of England cutting interest rates to extraordinarily low levels to make it easier to be a borrow money. The government has responded by saying it will impose a windfall tax on bank profits. At the 1981 Budget, the then chancellor Geoffrey Howe introduced a windfall tax. Chairman of the Treasury Select Committee John McFall and the former Royal Bank of Scotland chairman Sir George Matthewson discuss how a windfall tax would work and the effect it might have. 

People have been remembering Sir Ludovic Kennedy, who died yesterday at the age of 89. Sir Ludovic was a pillar of broadcasting at the BBC and ITN from the 1950s onwards. A former BBC Panorama journalist, Sir Ludovic spent decades investigating miscarriages of justice, including the case of the Birmingham Six. His book on the Rillington Place murders was an important element in the eventual posthumous pardon for Timothy Evans and the abolition of capital punishment. Michael Cockerell, who worked with Ludovic Kennedy for many years, remembers his colleague and friend. 

Thought for the day with The Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool. 

The Independent Electoral Commission in Afghanistan is deciding whether to hold a presidential run-off. Investigations into fraud in Afghanistan's elections cut President Karzai's share of the vote from about 55 per cent to 48 per cent, below the threshold for an outright win. Peter Galbraith, former UN deputy special envoy to Afghanistan, discusses whether the Karzai government will accept a run-off and be prepared to share power. 

Five senior prison managers are facing serious disciplinary charges after vulnerable inmates were transferred between two jails in London to manipulate inspections. The inmates were transferred between Pentonville and Wandsworth prisons for the duration of the inspections. Two prisoners at Wandsworth prison self-harmed as a consequence of the move. Phil Wheatley, Director-General of the National Offender Management Service, examines the report's impact on the reputation of England's prisons. 

Freddie Spencer Chapman is one of the greatest unknown war heroes. Mr Chapman spent three years of World War II living behind enemy lines in Malaya, attacking Japanese soldiers. He also took field notes on birds and picked up seeds to send to Kew Gardens. Lord Mountbatten recommended Mr Chapman for a Victoria Cross, but without success. Brian Moynahan, former Sunday Times correspondent and author of Jungle Soldier: The True Story of Freddie Spencer Chapman, and the principal historian at the Imperial War Museum, Nigel Steel, detail Mr Chapman's extraordinary life and just what it takes to win a VC. 

In Afghanistan, President Karzai is expected to accept a second round of elections. Correspondent Andrew North discusses the latest developments. 

A group of former generals has warned that the reputation of Britain's armed forces is being tarnished by political extremists. Their comments are published today by a group campaigning against the BNP. The campaign, Nothing British, has the support of several distinguished generals who have penned an open letter condemning what they describe as an attempt to hijack the good name of the army. Former head of the army Gener

The Choice

Series featuring people who have made life-altering decisions

Series featuring people who have made life-altering decisions and exploring the whole process, from the original dilemma to living with the consequences

The Choice: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Choice, 20/10/2009

Michael Buerk talks to Father Aidan Troy about facing sectarian violence in Belfast.

Michael Buerk interviews people who have made life-altering decisions. He talks to Father Aidan Troy about his decision to face sectarian violence and death threats in Belfast.

Michael Buerk interviews people who have made life-altering decisions and talks them through the whole process, from the original dilemma to living with the consequences.

He talks to Father Aidan Troy about his decision to face sectarian violence and death threats in Belfast.

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

Parting Shots

Matthew Parris marks the passing of the valedictory despatch from British ambassadors

Matthew Parris marks the passing of the valedictory despatch, the traditional final telegram home in which British ambassadors could let their hair down and settle a few scores

Parting Shots: Series 1

Parting Shots: Series 1: Episode 1

Episode 1

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - Parting Shots, Series 1, Episode 1

Valedictories in which retiring ambassadors poked fun at the nations where they had served

Matthew Parris delves into the archives to find valedictories in which ambassadors heading into retirement poked fun at foreign nations where they had served.

Matthew Parris marks the passing of the valedictory despatch of the British ambassador

Matthew Parris marks the passing of the valedictory despatch, the traditional final telegram home in which British ambassadors could let their hair down and settle a few scores. The series features newly declassified Foreign Office files alongside interviews with the diplomats who wrote them. 


Matthew delves into the archives to find valedictories in which ambassadors heading into retirement poked fun at foreign nations where they had served.

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: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Daily Service, 20/10/2009

Christian worship and music led by Rev Dr Mark Wakelin.

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Women and binge drinking; Marianne North

Women and binge drinking; Marianne North

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Women and binge drinking; Marianne North

What can be done to tackle the problem of young women binge drinking?

What can be done to tackle the problem of young women binge drinking? Plus the life of Victorian botanical artist Marianne North explored.

How to Run a City

How to Run a City: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - How to Run a City, Episode 2

Shari Vahl meets the innovative bosses shaking up the way English local authorities work.

Shari Vahl goes to Bolton and Northamptonshire to meet two innovative chief executives who are exploding the stereotype of the local authority boss to see how their methods work.

Series in which Shari Vahl meets some of the past, present and future stars of English local authorities who are bidding to blow the cliches and stereotypes out of the water. 

Shari meets two dynamic, innovative chief executives who explode the stereotypical image of a local authority boss - Katherine Kerswell in Northamptonshire, and Sean Harriss in Bolton, who became a chief executive at 38. 

With access to the inner workings at the top of both authorities, Shari explores how Harriss and Kerswell are each bringing business methods, and people, into their authorities to help drive up performance. 

Shari watches Harriss joust with leading Bolton councillors and map out tactics for handling senior staff undergoing a pay review. In Northamptonshire she asks Kerswell why, when she was so upset by her staff's lack of pride in their work, she tackled it by inviting them to 'taste the strawberry' via an online video. 

But, Shari asks, are they paid too much, do they have too much power, and how well do their new methods work?

Shari Vahl meets some of the past, present and future stars of English local authorities

Shari Vahl meets some of the past, present and future stars of English local authorities who are bidding to blow the cliches and stereotypes out of the water

Gormley on Epstein

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Gormley on Epstein

An examination of the turbulent but pioneering career of the sculptor, Jacob Epstein.

Artist Antony Gormley examines the turbulent -  but artistically pioneering - career of the sculptor Jacob Epstein. From 2009.

Artist Jacob Epstein attracted criticism during his turbulent career - his work was seen as too graphic or hard hitting, too 'ugly' or 'distorted', even 'cannibal'. 

After his death, the younger sculptor Henry Moore paid tribute to his courage as a pioneering artist who bore the brunt of critical derision, but even today, Epstein has never been properly celebrated for his work at the vanguard of British art.

In this programme made to mark the 50th anniversary of Epstein's death, contemporary artist Antony Gormley redresses the balance, to show Epstein's vital position in art.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 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: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 20/10/2009

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: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 20/10/2009

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.

Weather

Weather: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 20/10/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 20/10/2009

National and international news with Martha Kearney.

The Sound of Magnolias

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Sound of Magnolias

Irma Kurtz investigates Spanish composer Rodrigo's famous Concerto de Aranjuez.

Writer Irma Kurtz travels to Madrid and Paris to investigate the life of blind Spanish composer Rodrigo. From October 2009.

Writer Irma Kurtz travels to Paris and Madrid to investigate the period just before the war when blind Spanish composer Rodrigo composed his famous Concerto de Aranjuez. She goes to the gardens of Aranjuez with his only daughter, Cecelia, and talks to guitarist Pepe Romero about the music's lasting impact.

The Archers

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

The Archers: 19/10/2009

19/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 19/10/2009

Jazzer reveals his softer side at The Bull.

Ruth is getting ready for the family's week in Egypt, surrounded by packing and lists of things for the Grundys to remember. She's been to Wolverhampton with Usha for the family Diwali celebrations, and really enjoyed herself. Usha drags her down to the pub for an hour off from the packing. 

Ed and Mike are pleased with the Guernsey cows they've seen so far, but Ed is crossing his fingers that Vicky won't be coming with them on their next trip to a farm. 

Down at the pub, Jazzer is a bit twitchy about Fallon's obvious delight in the talented Rollo. He thinks it'll be bad for the band if she fancies him. Fallon assures him she really doesn't fancy Rollo. The band is her main concern and he could be really good news. 

Vicky gets everyone organised into a team of girls and a team of boys for the pub quiz. Jazzer is on a team with Ed and Mike, but he can't concentrate on the questions. He just keeps looking at Fallon.

Episode written by Tim Stimpson.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play: Dickens Confidential

Drama on 4: Dickens Confidential: Episode 4: The Deal

Episode 4

Episode 4: The Deal

Dickens Confidential

The Deal

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Dickens Confidential, The Deal

By Rob Kinsman. When a doctor is accused of murder, Dickens is convinced of his innocence.

When a timid doctor is accused of murdering his wealthy lover, Dickens alone is convinced of his innocence. His journalistic team's investigations take them to the debtors' prison.

Series of plays looking at how Charles Dickens, as the head of a daily paper, would have tackled bringing the news to the masses.

By Rob Kinsman.

When a timid doctor is accused of murdering his wealthy older lover, Dickens alone is convinced of his innocence. His journalistic team's investigations descend into the harsh territory of the debtors' prison. Everything, it seems, comes down to money.

Charles Dickens ...... Dan Stevens
Agnes Paxton ...... Eleanor Howell
Daniel Parker ...... Andrew Buchan
Brickman ...... Gerard McDermott
Harper ...... Stephen Critchlow
Blind Bill ...... John Rowe
Maria ...... Liz Sutherland
Dr Widdershins ...... Simon Treves
Prosecutor ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Turnkey ...... Dan Starkey
Judge ...... Chris Pavlo

Directed by David Hunter.

Drama on 4: Dickens Confidential

Series of plays in which Charles Dickens is the head of a daily paper

Series of plays looking at how Charles Dickens, as the head of a daily paper, would have tackled bringing the news to the masses

Making History

Popular history series where the past connects with the present.

Making History: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Making History, 20/10/2009

Residents of Mildenhall remember the aviators who took part in an air race in 1934.

Vanessa Collingridge joins the residents of Mildenhall in Suffolk as they remember the early aviators who took part in an air race to Melbourne in 1934.

Vanessa Collingridge joins the residents of Mildenhall in Suffolk as they remember the early aviators who took part in an air race to Melbourne in 1934. On the coast she meets the team from the University of East Anglia that is mapping Second World War defences, and near Norwich she sees the human remains that may well shine a new light on the world of Boudicca.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: A Glimpse of Stocking

Afternoon Reading: A Glimpse of Stocking: Episode 1: Hold-Ups

Episode 1: Hold-Ups

A Glimpse of Stocking

Hold-Ups

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, A Glimpse of Stocking, Hold-UpsSearch BBC

By Jojo Moyes. Alice Herring seems like a perfect witness, but all is not as it seems.

By Jojo Moyes. Alice Herring seems like a perfect witness, but all is not as it seems in this comedy of robberies, romance and cubic zirconia. Read by Siobhan Redmond.

A short story in celebration of 'something shocking' - the nylon stocking. 

Alice Herring seems like the perfect witness but all is not as it seems in this comic tale of robberies, romance and cubic zirconia. Written by Jojo Moyes and read by Siobhan Redmond.

Series of stories celebrating 70 years of nylon stockings

Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life

Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life: Episode 17: Bachelors

Episode 17

Episode 17: Bachelors

Bachelors

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Amanda Vickery - A History of Private Life, Bachelors

The complicated arrangements that limited a man's search for a suitable wife.

Historian Amanda Vickery investigates the complicated arrangements that limited a man's search for a suitable wife.

Historian Amanda Vickery reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years

Historian Amanda Vickery presents a series which reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years, drawing on first-hand accounts from letters and diaries

The Law Show

Conversation about the laws making headlines, and the laws that shape everyday life.

The Law Show is your guide to the law and the legal decisions that have a bearing on everyone in the UK.

Weekly conversation that will give you an in-depth understanding of the law stories making news and the legal decisions that could have a bearing on everyone in the UK. Whether it's unpicking a landmark legal ruling, explaining how laws are made or seeking clarity for you on a legal issue, The Law Show will be your guide.

Law in Action

The Law Show: Freedom of Information: A More Open Society?

Freedom of Information: A More Open Society?

BBC Radio 4 - The Law Show, Freedom of Information: A More Open Society?

Clive Coleman asks if the Freedom of Information Act has created a more open society.

Clive Coleman asks if the Freedom of Information Act has created a more open society and changed the culture of government.

When the Freedom of Information Act was finally born on New Year's Day 2005, it was supposed to usher in a new age of governmental openness and transparency. The inner workings of all public bodies, from the Prime Minister's office to your local council, would now be required by law to disclose information held by them to anyone who asked.

But has freedom of information actually made us less trustful of government? And what sort of things do we know now, thanks to the law, which we didn't before? Clive Coleman examines the impact of the powerful Freedom of Information Act.

Guests on the programme include:
Professor Robert Hazell - Director of the Constitution Unit, University College London
Maurice Frankel - Director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information
Lord Falconer - Labour Minister responsible for piloting the Freedom of Information Act through the Lords.  
Christopher Graham - UK Information Commissioner.

A Good Read

A Good Read: Tony Juniper and Katie Hopkins

Tony Juniper and Katie Hopkins

BBC Radio 4 - A Good Read, Tony Juniper and Katie HopkinsClose menu

Sue MacGregor, Tony Juniper and Katie Hopkins discuss their favourite books.

4 Extra Debut. Sue MacGregor, Tony Juniper and Katie Hopkins discuss books by Mark Lynas, Boris Vian and Colette. From 2009.

Sue MacGregor talks to environmental campaigner Tony Juniper and former BBC Apprentice contestant Katie Hopkins about their favourite books.

Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet by Mark Lynas
Publisher: HarperPerennial

Heartsnatcher by Boris Vian
Publisher: Dalkey Archive

Sue's Choice: Gigi, and The Cat by Colette 
Publisher: Vintage Classics

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.

1989: Day by Day

1989: Day by Day: Episode 16: 20th October 1989

Episode 16

Episode 16: 20th October 1989

20th October 1989

BBC Radio 4 - 1989: Day by Day, 20th October 1989

Actors pay a final tribute to Sir Laurence Olivier at Westminster Abbey.

Nuns lose their fight to save 5,000 chickens, and actors pay a final tribute to Sir Laurence Olivier at Westminster Abbey.

Sir John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 20 years ago.

Nuns lose their fight to save 5,000 chickens, and actors pay a final tribute to Sir Laurence Olivier at Westminster Abbey.

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

Sir John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 20 years ago

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

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

PM: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 20/10/2009

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: 20/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 20/10/2009

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

20/10/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

20/10/2009

Genres

Brand

1989: Day by Day

Episode 16: 20th October 1989

Genres

Series

Shipping Forecast

20/10/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

20/10/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

20/10/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

20/10/2009

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4

About this data