BBC Radio 4 LW

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 24/12/2009

24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 24/12/2009Close 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: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 24/12/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 24/12/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Bishop Alan Abernethy.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 24/12/2009

Kate Williams hears how deer poaching is on the rise.

Kate Williams hears what Christmas tree farmers do for the rest of the year, and how deer poaching is on the rise.

Kate Williams hears what Christmas tree farmers do for the rest of the year, and how deer poaching is on the rise, especially at this time of year, as illegal hunters aim to make a quick buck selling venison.

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: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 24/12/2009

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With John Humphrys and James Naughtie. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

In Our Time

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

In Our Time: The Samurai

The Samurai

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Samurai

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history and myth of the Samurai.

Melvyn Bragg and guests Gregory Irvine, Nicola Liscutin and Angus Lockyer discuss the history of the Samurai and the role of their myth in Japanese national identity.

Melvyn Bragg and guests Gregory Irvine, Nicola Liscutin and Angus Lockyer discuss the history of the Samurai and the role of their myth in Japanese national identity.The Samurai have a fearsome historical reputation as a suicidally brave caste of Japanese warriors. During World War Two, kamikaze pilots were photographed climbing into their cockpits with Samurai swords, encapsulating the way the myth of the Samurai's martial ethos kept its power long after their heyday. But the Samurai's role in Japanese culture is much more complex than that. They were deeply engaged with Zen Buddhism and Noh Theatre, and sponsored haiku poetry. After their role in Japan's century of civil war, ending in the early 1600s, they became part of the country's civil service. A 250-year peace toppled them into identity crisis.In the 19th century, with the arrival of the West, they played an important role in the establishment of a Japanese nation-state, not least by restoring the Emperor to power. And in the 20th century the mythological version of the Samurai, designed in part for Western consumption, became integral to a newly forged national identity.Nicola Liscutin is Programme Director of Japanese Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London; Gregory Irvine is Senior Curator Japan at the Victoria and Albert Museum; Angus Lockyer is Lecturer in Japanese History and Chair of the Japan Research Centre at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

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: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Daily Service, 24/12/2009

Woman's Hour

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

Woman's Hour: Pianos in the home; Novelist Rebecca Stott

Pianos in the home; Novelist Rebecca Stott

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Pianos in the home; Novelist Rebecca Stott

Should every house have a piano? Plus, novelist Rebecca Stott interviewed.

Should every house have a piano? Woman's Hour examines whether public affection for the piano really is waning. Plus, Rebecca Stott on her novel The Coral Thief.

Crossing Continents

Series focusing on foreign affairs issues

Crossing Continents: Sweden

Sweden

BBC Radio 4 - Crossing Continents, Sweden

Andrew Brown tries to find out if the rural heart of Sweden lives on in the modern age.

Writer Andrew Brown tries to find out if the rural heart of Sweden still lives on in the modern age.

Writer Andrew Brown tries to find out if the rural heart of Sweden still lives on in the modern age. In an entertaining and unpredictable journey he goes in search of wolves, egg-tossing merrymakers and the ideal of the Swedish summer.

The Frost Collection

David Frost and guests look back at some of the most memorable interviews of his career

David Frost and guests look back at some of the most memorable interviews of his long career

The Frost Collection: Series 2

The Frost Collection: Series 2: Episode 1

Episode 1

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - The Frost Collection, Series 2, Episode 1

With Sir Tim Rice, Imogen Stubbs and Anne Atkins.

Sir David Frost and guests look back at some of the most memorable interviews of his long career. With Sir Tim Rice, Imogen Stubbs and Anne Atkins.

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

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast

News, weather and Shipping Forecast updates. 

News Headlines; Shipping Forecast: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Headlines; Shipping Forecast, 24/12/2009

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: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 24/12/2009

Consumer news and issues with Julian Worricker.

Weather

Weather: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 24/12/2009Close menu

World at One

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

World at One: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 24/12/2009

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

Questions, Questions

Problem-solving programme addressing listeners' questions

Problem-solving programme which addresses the intriguing and seemingly imponderable questions posed by everday life

Questions, Questions: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Questions, Questions, 24/12/2009

Stewart Henderson answers those intriguing questions from everyday life.

Stewart Henderson answers those intriguing questions from everyday life.

A Whistledown 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: 23/12/2009

23/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 23/12/2009

Cupid's arrow misses the mark at The Bull.

Robert and Lynda wave a sad farewell to Caz, Justin and Oscar. Robert surprises flat Lynda. He's arranged for them to go to Paris tomorrow! Lynda's moved when Robert hands her a small gift from Caz - the label saying that Lynda's been like a real mother to her. 

Later at Lower Loxley Vicky takes them to the fairy grotto, leaving Jo on his own. He owes her; she's learned a thing or two about the Grundy way of doing things.

Wayne prepares to stand in for Freda on Christmas day but Jolene's concerned when he says he might make one or two changes to the menu. A stretch limo pulls up outside the Bull and then Jazzer appears at the bar, dressed in a dinner suit. He's taken aback when he learns Fallon's at a party, but insists he's not dressed up for her benefit and that he's just helping out a guy who runs a limo service. 

When Jazzer goes, Robert comments that if he ran a limo company, Jazzer's the last person he'd employ to drive one. Wayne pipes up that he saw Jazzer get out of the back. Robert asks why Jazzer would say he was driving then? But Wayne can't answer that.  

Episode written by Caroline Harrington.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Drama: Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea

Drama on 4: Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea: Episode 2

Episode 2

Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea, Episode 2

To save the King, Simon and Sophie must suffer shipwreck, wolves and a balloon escape.

To save the King from Hanoverian plotters, Simon and Sophie must first suffer shipwreck, attacks by wolves and a dramatic balloon escape. Stars Sheila Reid.

By Joan Aiken, dramatised by Lin Coghlan

Part Two (of two)

To save the King from Hanoverian plotters Simon and Sophie must first suffer shipwreck, attacks by wolves and a narrow escape from an exploding castle in hot air balloon. 

SIMON ..... Joe Dempsie
DIDO ..... Nicola Miles-Wildin
SOPHIE ..... Emerald O'Hanrahan
DUKE ..... John Rowe
DUCHESS ..... Sheila Reid
COBBE ..... Ben Crowe
MRS COBBE ..... Annabelle Dowler
MR TWITE ..... Rhys Jennings
MRS TWITE ..... Tessa Nicholson
JUSTIN ..... Sam Pamphilon
BUCKLE ..... Nigel Hastings
DR FURNEAUX ..... Bruce Alexander
DR FIELD ..... Ewan Hooper
MRS BUCKLE ..... Kate Layden
MOGG ..... John Biggins
GUS ..... Joseph Cohen Cole
JABWING ..... Piers Wehner

Directed by Marc Beeby.

Drama on 4: Joan Aiken - Black Hearts in Battersea

Dramatisation by Lin Coghlan of Joan Aiken's classic children's adventure

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

BBC Radio 4 - Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

The annual Festival from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge.

Stephen Cleobury directs the choir for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge.

Stephen Cleobury directs the choir for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols live from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge. 

The pattern of the Festival, based around nine Bible readings interspersed with carols, has remained the same for over 90 years. It unfolds the great mystery of how God came into the world in human form, and for millions across the globe it heralds the beginning of Christmas.

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: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, 24/12/2009

Quentin Cooper and an expert panels of guests answer listeners' questions.

Quentin Cooper puts listeners' questions to a panel of experts. Can crunching celery undo the damage of too many mince pies? How fast is gravity? And why is slug slime sticky?

Can crunching celery undo the damage of too many mince pies? How fast is gravity? Why is slug slime sticky? And how much matter can a black hole suck in before it explodes? 

Quentin Cooper is joined by palaeontologist Mike Benton, atmospheric physicist Helen Brindley and cosmologist Gerry Gilmore for a special question and answer edition of the programme.

1989: Day by Day

1989: Day by Day: Episode 81: 24th December 1989

Episode 81

Episode 81: 24th December 1989

24th December 1989

BBC Radio 4 - 1989: Day by Day, 24th December 1989

General Noriega is surrounded as he seeks refuge in Panama.

Sir John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 20 years ago. General Noriega is surrounded as he seeks refuge in Panama.

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

General Noriega is surrounded as he seeks refuge in Panama.

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: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 24/12/2009

Coverage and analysis of the day's news with Ritula Shah.

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Ritula Shah. Plus Weather.

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 24/12/2009

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The News at Bedtime

Twin presenters John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee present in-depth news analysis.

Twin presenters John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee present in-depth news analysis covering stories happening this 'once upon a time'.

The News at Bedtime: Series 1: Episode 1

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The News at Bedtime, Series 1, Episode 1

The scandal of Jack and his genetically modified beanstalk.

The scandal of Jack and his genetically modified beanstalk. Jack Dee and Peter Capaldi are John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee. From December 2009.

Twin presenters John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee present in-depth news analysis covering the latest stories happening this 'once upon a time'. 

The scandal of Jack and his genetically-modified beanstalk. 

With Jack Dee, Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison, Lewis MacLeod, Lucy Montgomery, Vicki Pepperdine, Dan Tetsell. 

Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman.

The News at Bedtime: Series 1

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.

Comedy by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman covering the news in the world of nursery rhymes.

Comedy by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. Presenters John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee present in-depth news analysis covering the latest stories happening this 'once upon a time'.

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The News at Bedtime, Series 1, Episode 1Search BBC

Comedy series starring Jack Dee and Peter Capaldi, with the latest news in Nurseryland.

Jack's genetically modified beanstalk. Jack Dee and Peter Capaldi are John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee. From December 2009.

What is the scandal about Jack and his genetically modified beanstalk? 

Twin presenters John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee present in-depth news analysis covering the latest stories happening this 'once upon a time'.

Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman

Starring Jack Dee and Peter Capaldi. 

With: 

Chris Addison
Lewis Macleod
Lucy Montgomery
Vicki Pepperdine
Dan Tetsell

Producer Simon Nicholls

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2009.

Comedy by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman covering the news in the world of nursery rhymes

Comedy by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. Twin presenters John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee present in-depth news analysis covering the latest stories happening this 'once upon a time'.

Andy Zaltzman's History of the Third Millennium, Series 1 of 100

Andy Zaltzman's History of the Third Millennium, Series 1 of 100: Episode 3: Britain

Episode 3

Episode 3: Britain

Britain

BBC Radio 4 - Andy Zaltzman's History of the Third Millennium, Series 1 of 100, Britain

Andy Zaltzman looks at the things that make Britain truly British.

Andy Zaltzman looks at the things that make Britain truly British, by means of in-depth analysis, extensive research and time travel.

Political comedian Andy Zaltzman presents a decade-by-decade comic analysis of the third millennium, covering the 2000-2009 period of what is already shaping up to be a troubled thousand years. 

Andy looks at the things that make Britain truly British, by means of in-depth analysis, extensive research and time travel.

With Rory Bremner, Bridget Christie, Lucy Montgomery and Kim Wall.

Andy Zaltzman presents a decade-by-decade comic analysis of the third millennium

Political comedian Andy Zaltzman presents a decade-by-decade comic analysis of the third millennium, covering the 2000-2009 period of what is already shaping up to be a troubled thousand years

The Archers: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 24/12/2009

Jill entertains the visitors in Lower Loxley's kitchen but admits to Elizabeth that she's glad it's the last day. Elizabeth feels the same even though it's been a great success. She shows Jill the Borchester Echo's double spread of Brenda's lovely photos and Nigel agrees that they should give Brenda a bonus. They've made a decent profit - including their cut from Joe Grundy Enterprises.
 
Annette dithers about going to Bridge Farm - decorating the tree is a family thing. But Helen insists that she thinks of Annette as family.
 
Tom isn't keen on Annette being there but agrees to be nice to her. He teases Helen about her alleged boyfriend. Helen points out that both Brenda and Annette have met Leon. When Tom asks Annette what he's like, she's not forthcoming. Pat's sure they'll meet him soon though. When Helen makes a fuss of how good it is to have Annette there, Annette gets a bit tearful. If it hadn't been for Helen, she doesn't know what would have happened. Helen points out that if it hadn't been for Annette, her life would have been infinitely duller. 

As Tom gets the lights working, Annette agrees they look beautiful and Helen announces that now Christmas can begin.

Episode written by Caroline Harrington.

Front Row

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

Front Row: 24/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, 24/12/2009

The names behind the cultural headlines of 2009.

Arts news and reviews. Mark Lawson talks to the names behind the year's cultural headlines, in the second of two programmes examining the major arts stories of 2009.

Mark Lawson talks to the names behind the year's cultural headlines, in the second of two programmes examining the major arts stories of 2009. 

Simon Beaufoy, Oscar-winning screenwriter of Slumdog Millionaire, looks back at the success of the film, which won eight Academy Awards, and reflects on some of the controversy it generated. 

Booker Prize-winner Hilary Mantel reveals what happened to her on the night of the ceremony, and comedian Lenny Henry discusses winning a best newcomer award at the age of 51, for playing Othello on stage. 

Plus Kenny Ortega on the switch from directing Michael Jackson's live show to masterminding his memorial, Simon Russell Beale on playing Smiley on Radio 4, and the chart-topping singers The Priests on whether their musical fame will swell the size of their congregations.

Roald Dahl

Adaptations of hilarious and horrific fantasy tales by the classic children's author.

Someone Like You

Roald Dahl: Someone Like You: 4. Dip in the Pool

4. Dip in the Pool

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Roald Dahl, Someone Like You, 4. Dip in the Pool

A passenger on an ocean liner takes a desperate gamble.

A passenger on an ocean liner takes a desperate gamble. Starring Charles Dance and John Baddeley.

A passenger on an ocean liner takes a desperate gamble.

Five darkly comic tales by Roald Dahl.

Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan.  

Storyteller ...... Charles Dance
Mr Botibol ...... John Baddeley
Mrs Renshaw/Maggie ...... Rachel Atkins
Purser ...... Nicholas Boulton
Auctioneer ...... Chris Stanton
Old Woman ...... Jean Trend

Director: David Blount  

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2009.

Roald Dahl: Someone Like You

Charles Dance is the urbane storyteller for five darkly comic tales by Roald Dahl.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

24/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

24/12/2009

Genres

Brand

1989: Day by Day

Episode 81: 24th December 1989

Genres

Series

Shipping Forecast

24/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

24/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

24/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

25/12/2009

Genres

Brand

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