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Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 11/12/2009

11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 11/12/2009Close 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: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 11/12/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 11/12/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Andrew Graystone.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 11/12/2009

A look at how the Cornish Sardine has become Britain's 40th officially protected food.

The Cornish Sardine has become Britain's 40th officially protected food, and Cath Mackie meets a smallholder looking to make her fortune in honey.

Cornish sardines have joined Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, Dovedale Cheese and Jersey Royal Potatoes on the list of British foods which qualify for special EU protection to preserve traditional and regional foods. 

Also, Cath Mackie meets a smallholder looking to make her fortune in honey and Dr Jonathan Scurlock from the National Farmers Union tells us why farmers are gathering in Copenhagen, ready to join climate talks.

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: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 11/12/2009

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

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

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: Baroness Scotland

06/12/2009

Baroness Scotland

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Baroness Scotland

Kirsty Young's castaway is the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland. 

She is the government's chief law officer, a position as significant as it is isolated. She was on course to be the first female High Court judge before a life in politics intervened and she joined the government. Before she took on her current role she thought she understood the pressures that came with it. In fact, she says, that only became evident once she was in office: 'It is a huge responsibility and it is, and it always will be, a fairly lonely one'.

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

Record: Pie Jesu with Sarah Brightman 
Book: A bound version of her children's (and their cousin's) prose and poems.
Luxury: A luxurious bathroom.

Act of Worship

Act of Worship: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Act of Worship, 11/12/2009

An act of worship and music led by Rev Ernie Rea.

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

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: MS and vitamin D; Bauhaus women

MS and vitamin D; Bauhaus women

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, MS and vitamin D; Bauhaus women

Links between MS and vitamin D discussed. Plus, the little-known female Bauhaus artists.

The link between MS and vitamin D discussed. Plus, the little-known female Bauhaus artists, and surviving the party season.

Lives in a Landscape

Documentary series telling original stories about real lives in Britain today

Lives in a Landscape: Series 5

Lives in a Landscape: Series 5: Episode 6: Fragile Isle

Episode 6

Episode 6: Fragile Isle

Series 5

Fragile Isle

BBC Radio 4 - Lives in a Landscape, Series 5, Fragile Isle

Alan Dein visits the tiny community on the Hebridean island of Canna.

Alan Dein travels to the Hebridean island of Canna to hear about the survival of a tiny community trying to put down roots.

Documentary series telling original stories about real lives in Britain today. 

Alan Dein travels to Canna, one of the Small Isles in North West Scotland. With a population of 17, six of whom are children, Canna is at a critical point. There are just enough people to keep the island community going. If any leave it will put huge pressures on the others. If new people come, it will inevitably change the fragile balance that exists in such a small, tightly-knit group of people. Alan explores the connections between the different families and how they relate to the island as well as managing to feel connected to the wider world. 

Neil has come from Wales with his family and is the island gardener; Magda is Basque and is the archivist of an enormous collection of Gaelic songs and stories; Murdo and Gerry are the farmers; John and Sheila run the guest house; Ellidh is the teacher in the school where two of the four pupils are her own children; Geoff, her husband, looks after their two year old twins at home. What they all have in common is that they work for the Scottish National Trust, which owns the island and controls its population size. It also controls the destiny of a young community trying to put down roots.

The Richest Man in Britain

The Richest Man in Britain: The Meltdown

The Meltdown

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Richest Man in Britain, The Meltdown

Dave buys some last-minute holiday euros and brings down the international monetary system

Trillionaire Dave Mabbutt buys Euros - and crashes the international monetary system. Stars Mark Williams. From December 2009.

Trillionnaire rocker Dave Mabbutt buys some last-minute holiday Euros.

But this  promptly brings down the entire international monetary system.

Starring Mark Williams and Russell Tovey.

Sitcom by Nick Hornby and Giles Smith about an ageing rock star and his search for fulfilment.

Dave Mabbutt ...... Mark Williams 
Dom ...... Russell Tovey

Producer: Lucy Armitage

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 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.

Sitcom by Nick Hornby and Giles Smith about an ageing rock star

Sitcom by Nick Hornby and Giles Smith about an ageing rock star and his search for fulfilment

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast

News, weather and Shipping Forecast updates. 

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 11/12/2009

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: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 11/12/2009

Consumer news and issues with Peter White.

Weather

Weather: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 11/12/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 11/12/2009

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

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: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - More or Less, 11/12/2009

Tim Harford and the team ask if claims made about energy efficient lightbulbs are true.

Tim Harford and the team ask if claims made about energy efficient lightbulbs are true and if economies can grow forever. They also meet Sesame Street's Count von Count.

Tim Harford and the More or Less team ask if claims made about energy efficient lightbulbs are true and if economies can grow forever. And they meet one of their greatest heroes: Sesame Street's Count von Count.

An Open University co 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: 10/12/2009

10/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 10/12/2009

Things are still strained between Lynda and Caz as they wave Leonie off. It's time for Oscar's bath but Caz doesn't need Lynda's help. Lynda's hurt but is there if Caz needs her.
 
Vicky's enjoyed making kissing boughs with Joe. Clarrie tells them that Jim plans to settle in Ambridge but Kathy's not pleased that he and Kenton are turning Jaxx into a bar. 

Annette's drinking alone in The Bull. She wants to see Fallon when she gets back. Clarrie thinks she'll have a long wait.

Lynda and Robert have been in the Bull but she's lost her scarf so goes back to see if she's left it there. Joe tells her that Clarrie's got it. Clarrie thinks Lynda looks tired. She understands that families can be hard work but tells Lynda they're worth it.

Annette's left the Bull but sees Fallon returning so goes back. Fallon's buzzing at how well the gig went, and is pleased to chat. She tells Annette how strangely Jazzer's behaving, and reckons he must have met someone. She tells Annette how well she and Rollo work together, and how incredible it is when you find some guy you really click with. Annette agrees it must be.

Episode written by Carole Simpson Solazzo.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play: Number 10

Drama on 4: Number 10 - Series 3: Episode 5: Immortality at Last

Episode 5

Episode 5: Immortality at Last

Number 10 - Series 3

Immortality at Last

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Number 10 - Series 3, Immortality at Last

Adam Armstrong is finally standing down and it seems the whole team will be out of a job.

Adam Armstrong is finally standing down as PM and it seems the whole team will be out of a job, but there is a surprising last-minute offer from an unexpected quarter.

Series of plays by Jonathan Myerson depicting life inside Downing Street.

The removal men are in - Adam Armstrong is finally standing down as PM and the new Conservative leader, Simon Laity, is moving in to Number 10. It seems the whole team will be out of a job - but there is a surprising last-minute offer from an unexpected quarter.

Adam ...... Antony Sher
Monica ...... Sasha Behar
Polly ...... Penny Downie
Bill ...... Bill Paterson
Steve ...... Stephen Mangan
Simon Laity ...... Damian Lewis
Nathan Toltz ...... Mike Sengelow
Doctor Crawston ...... David Shaw Parker
Miss (Jaaey) Twining ...... Charlotte West Oram
Susan O'Reilly ...... Flora Montgomery
Toby in Number 10 ...... Jo Kloska
Reporters ...... Scott Cherry, Theo Fraser

Directed by Clive Brill

A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.

Drama on 4: Number 10 - Series 3

Series of five plays depicting life inside Downing Street

Gardeners' Question Time

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts

A panel of horticultural experts answer gardening questions from a live audience. Recorded in a different location each week

Gardeners' Question Time: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time, 11/12/2009

Eric Robson chairs. With Bunny Guinness, Bob Flowerdew and Matthew Biggs.

Eric Robson chairs the popular horticultural forum. Bunny Guinness, Bob Flowerdew and Matthew Biggs answer questions from gardeners in Wallasey, Merseyside.

Eric Robson chairs the popular horticultural forum. 

Bunny Guinness, Bob Flowerdew and Matthew Biggs answer questions from gardeners in Wallasey, Merseyside. 

The team investigate the restoration of Liverpool's famous Stanley Park, and Matthew Wilson thumbs through some all-time classic garden literature.

Darwin: My Ancestor

Darwin: My Ancestor: Episode 4

Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 - Darwin: My Ancestor, Episode 4

Ruth Padel explores the way in which Darwin learned to become a writer.

Writer and poet Ruth Padel investigates the qualities of her great great grandfather Charles Darwin. Ruth explores the way in which Darwin learned to become a writer.

Writer and poet Ruth Padel investigates the qualities of her great great grandfather Charles Darwin and attempts to discover the man behind the science.

Ruth explores the way in which Darwin became a writer and was able to turn scientific theory into readable prose. She looks at the works he read in his early life that shaped his literary imagination and investigates how his writings on the Beagle voyage marked the beginning of his career as an author. Ruth also investigates the continuing power of his books and asks how later novelists were affected by his work. 

Among her interviewees are Darwin scholar Gillian Beer, geologist Richard Fortey, writer and fellow Darwin descendant Randal Keynes and the former Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries.

Writer and poet Ruth Padel investigates her great great grandfather Charles Darwin

Writer and poet Ruth Padel investigates the qualities of her great great grandfather Charles Darwin and attempts to discover the man behind the science

Last Word

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

Last Word: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, 11/12/2009

The lives of Liam Clancy, Jim Brown, Barbara Cawthorne and Geoffrey Moorhouse.

Marking the lives of Irish folk singer Liam Clancy, ex-director of Radio Free Europe Jim Brown, campaigner for ordination of women Barbara Cawthorne and writer Geoffrey Moorhouse.

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: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Film Programme, 11/12/2009

Spike Jonze on Where The Wild Things Are. The curse of The Queen Of Spades.

Spike Jonze on his adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are; Frank Cottrell-Boyce discusses the curse of The Queen Of Spades.

Spike Jonze reveals why he made significant changes to Maurice Sendak's beloved children's book Where The Wild Things Are.

Martin Scorsese, Professor Jeffrey Richards and writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce wax lyrical about Thorold Dickinson's neglected classic The Queen Of Spades.

Andrew Collins on The Way Of The Jarmusch.

Professor Ian Christie discusses the work of production designer John Box, who turned North Wales into China for The Inn Of The Sixth Happiness.

1989: Day by Day

1989: Day by Day: Episode 68: 11th December 1989

Episode 68

Episode 68: 11th December 1989

11th December 1989

BBC Radio 4 - 1989: Day by Day, 11th December 1989

The forced repatriation of the Vietnamese Boat People begins.

Sir John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 20 years ago. The forced repatriation of the Vietnamese Boat People begins, despite protests and pleas from around the world.

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

The forced repatriation of the Vietnamese Boat People begins, despite protests and pleas from around the world.

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: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 11/12/2009

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: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 11/12/2009

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The Now Show

Comedy sketches and satirical comments from Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis and guests

The Now Show: Series 29

The Now Show: Series 29: Episode 3

Episode 3

Series 29

BBC Radio 4 - The Now Show, Series 29, Episode 3

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present a satirical review of the week's news.

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present a satirical review of the week's news, with help from Mitch Benn, Laura Shavin, Jon Holmes and Marcus Brigstocke.

Tonight Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis explore the taxing complexities of class; Mitch Benn waxes lyrical about the twinning of Swindon with Disneyland and Jon Holmes is up in arms about Christmas decorations.

Comedy sketches and satirical comments from Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis and the team

The Archers: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 11/12/2009

Caz finds herself in the presence of a pro.

Helen shows Peggy the collage of photos that Tony and Pat have made for Jack. Peggy's pleased Jack's getting lots of visitors, and Helen's pleased that Peggy is too. Peggy's decided to offer the village a ten year lease on the shop. 

The stallholders are arriving for the antiques fair at Lower Loxley. Everything's going like clockwork. Bert tells Lewis he's been practicing for his role as Charles Dickens, even though he hasn't got his costume completed yet. When Peggy turns up, Lewis asks how she's coping. He understands what she's going through.

Clarrie drops off a pie for Lynda, Robert and Caz. Oscar's really restless and Caz is at her wits' end but Clarrie soon has him settled. She assures Caz that it's all about confidence - she'll soon find the knack herself.

Helen wants to know what's bugging Annette. Annette insists she's fine but Helen won't give up. Annette sharply tells her to give it a rest but admits she's dreading Christmas with no-one to share it with. Helen promises to make sure she's not lonely. Annette asks if Helen's planning to bring Leon back later. Helen's uncertain but Annette assures her it's fine - she'll probably go out anyway.

Episode written by Carole Simpson Solazzo.

Front Row

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

Front Row: 11/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, 11/12/2009

Harry Hill on his show TV Burp; Alexander Hanson on the production of A Little Night Music

Harry Hill on his hit Saturday night show TV Burp; Alexander Hanson on the new Broadway production of A Little Night Music.

Four-time BAFTA-winning comic Harry Hill discusses his hit Saturday night show TV Burp. Hill reveals how his trademark big-collar and glasses costume came about and why TV Burp has put him off watching TV.  

A bookseller has discovered a book belonging to the late Harold Pinter which the playwright was so moved by that he 'liberated' it from a library in 1950. Ed Maggs, who found the book while cataloguing Pinter's collection of more than 2,000 books, reveals the title in question and Adrian Whittle of Southwark Council tots up the late return fee.  

Actor Alexander Hanson discusses his performance in the new production of A Little Night Music which opens on Broadway and stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury.

15 Minute Drama

Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

11/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

11/12/2009

Genres

Brand

1989: Day by Day

Episode 68: 11th December 1989

Genres

Series

Shipping Forecast

11/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

11/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

11/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

12/12/2009

Genres

Brand

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