BBC Radio 4 LW

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 30/12/2009

30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 30/12/2009Close 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: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 30/12/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 30/12/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Rev Dr Martyn Atkins.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 30/12/2009

Charlotte Smith follows a year in the life of four brothers who are all new to farming.

Charlotte Smith follows a year in the life of four brothers who are new to farming and discovers if they have made farming pay.

Charlotte Smith follows a year in the life of four brothers who are new to farming. Economics, animal disease and the weather have all been obstacles. Charlotte discovers if they overcame these and managed to make farming pay.

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: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 30/12/2009

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

With Sarah Montague and Justin Webb. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Test Match Special

Test Match Special: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Test Match Special, 30/12/2009

Coverage of the fifth day of the Second Test between South Africa and England in Durban.

Coverage of the fifth day of the Second Test between South Africa and England from Kingsmead, Durban. Commentary by Jonathan Agnew, Gerald De Kock and Simon Mann.

Coverage of the fifth day of the Second Test between South Africa and England from Kingsmead, Durban. Commentary by Jonathan Agnew, Gerald De Kock and Simon Mann and summaries from Michael Vaughan, Geoff Boycott and Vic Marks.

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

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: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Daily Service, 30/12/2009

Christian worship and music led by Bishop George Stack.

Coverage of the fifth day of the Second Test between South Africa and England from Kingsmead, Durban. Commentary by Jonathan Agnew, Gerald De Kock and Simon Mann and summaries from Michael Vaughan, Geoff Boycott and Vic Marks. 

Including Shipping Forecast.

Bright Young Things

Bright Young Things: Episode 2: The Garden Party

Episode 2

Episode 2: The Garden Party

The Garden Party

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Bright Young Things, The Garden Party

By Katherine Mansfield. A wealthy family's lavish gathering is threatened by an accident.

By Katherine Mansfield. A lavish party at the luxurious Sheridan family home is jeopardised when a local workman meets with a tragic death. Read by Romola Garai.

Romola Garai reads the first of two stories celebrating the extravagant, cocktail-swilling party people of the 1920s, the 'Bright Young Things'. In today's story, one of Katherine Mansfield's all-time classics, a tragic death threatens to intrude upon the lavish preparations for a rather extravagant summer party. 

Born in 1888 in New Zealand, Katherine Mansfield is widely considered to be one of the finest short story writers of the early 20th century and was a major influence on the evolution of the modern short story form in Britain and Europe. 

Written by Katherine Mansfield
Read by Romola Garai
Abridged by Richard Hamilton
Produced by Justine Willett.

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.

Short stories celebrating the riotous, witty, cocktail-swilling party people of the 1920s

Classic short stories celebrating the riotous, witty, cocktail-swilling party people of the 1920s, dubbed by Evelyn Waugh the 'Bright Young Things'

A View Through a Lens

Wildlife cameraman John Aitchison on human experience and the beauty of nature

Wildlife cameraman John Aitchison combines location recordings with personal narratives which highlight the uniqueness of human experience and the beauty of nature

A View Through a Lens: Series 1

A View Through a Lens: Series 1: Episode 3: Poyang Lake

Episode 3

Episode 3: Poyang Lake

Series 1

Poyang Lake

BBC Radio 4 - A View Through a Lens, Series 1, Poyang Lake

Having set up beside Poyang Lake in China, John waits for dawn and watches the birds.

Having set up his hide at the edge of Poyang Lake in China, John waits for dawn and watches the birds as he reflects on everyday miracles like feathers, boatmen and Chinese worms.

Wildlife cameraman John Aitchison offers a personal view of life as he finds himself in isolated and often dangerous locations across the globe filming wildlife.
 
3/3. POYANG LAKE - Having set up his hide at the edge of Poyang Lake in China, John waits for dawn and watches the birds nearby as he reflects on everyday miracles like feathers, boatmen and Chinese worms!

Producer Sarah Blunt.

Thinking Allowed

Thinking Allowed: Mobility to Higher Education

Mobility to Higher Education

BBC Radio 4 - Thinking Allowed, Mobility to Higher Education

Laurie Taylor is at the University of Bedfordshire to discuss class and social mobility.

Laurie Taylor is at the University of Bedfordshire with a panel of guests to discuss class, social mobility and whether higher education is open to all regardless of background.

As part of Radio 4's University tour, Laurie Taylor travels to the University of Bedfordshire where he's joined by an audience of students and panel to discuss class and social mobility.

In 2003 Tony Blair announced he wanted half of all 18 to 30-year-olds to participate in higher education by 2010. While numbers are up, a report from the Higher Education Statistics Agency suggests their social background has barely changed, with the middle classes still making up the majority of University students. So does education provide a means to social mobility, is social mobility even a meaningful expression and has society ignored class barriers in favour of focusing on identity politics?

Laurie is joined by Lynsey Hanley, Guardian journalist and author of Estates - an Intimate History; Richard Reeves, Director of the think tank Demos; Danny Dorling Professor of geography at Sheffield University and by Dick Hobbs, sociologist at the London School of Economics. They discuss these and other questions of class barriers, social divides and whether Britain will ever shed its class system and the divisions it creates.

Case Notes

Medical programme exploring a different topic each week

Medical programme exploring a different topic each week, with reports and input from experts

Case Notes: Childhood Obesity

29/12/2009

Childhood Obesity

BBC Radio 4 - Case Notes, Childhood Obesity

Dr Mark Porter on the teenagers who are helping researchers to track childhood obesity.

Dr Mark Porter reports on a study by researchers in Plymouth, who have been weighing a group of children since they were born 13 years ago to track when problems with obesity start.

Dr Mark Porter reports on the unique study that is tracking obesity from childhood. Researchers in Plymouth have been following the progress of a group of 300 children since they were born. Now they are teenagers, and data from taking blood samples and weighing them has helped the scientists to reveal that obesity follows gender lines and that diet is more important than exercise when it comes to losing weight.

1989: Day by Day

1989: Day by Day: Episode 87: 30th December 1989

Episode 87

Episode 87: 30th December 1989

30th December 1989

BBC Radio 4 - 1989: Day by Day, 30th December 1989

The lavish home of Romanian dictator Ceausescu is revealed to the world.

Sir John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 20 years ago. The lavish home of Romanian dictator Ceausescu is revealed to the world.

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

The lavish home of Romanian dictator Ceausescu is revealed to 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: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 30/12/2009

Coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn.

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn. Plus Weather.

Weather

Weather: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 30/12/2009Close menu

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 30/12/2009

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 5

Episode 5

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The News at Bedtime, Series 1, Episode 5Search BBC

Mary Mary reports on a medical mystery involving an old woman who swallowed a fly.

Can anyone save the old woman who swallowed a fly? Jack Dee and Peter Capaldi are John Tweedledum and Jim Tweedledee. From 2009.

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

Mary Mary reports on a medical mystery involving an old woman who swallowed a fly. 

Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman

Starring Jack Dee and Peter Capaldi.

With:

Fi Glover
Lewis MacLeod
Alex Macqueen
Lucy Montgomery
Vicki Pepperdine
Dan Tetsell

Producer: Simon Nicholls

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.

The News at Bedtime: Series 1

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'.

Ayres on the Air

Pam Ayres presents a series packed with poetry, anecdotes and sketches

Ayres on the Air: Series 3

Ayres on the Air: Series 3: Episode 1: Passion

Episode 1

Episode 1: Passion

Series 3

Passion

BBC Radio 4 - Ayres on the Air, Series 3, Passion

How to get all loved up. Poetry and sketches from Pam Ayres.

How to get all loved up. Poetry and sketches from Pam Ayres. With Felicity Montagu and Geoffrey Whitehead. From August 2009.

Pam Ayres hosts a series packed with poetry, anecdotes and sketches

The Archers

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

The Archers: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 30/12/2009

Jennifer tells Lilian that Peggy's filling her time at the Laurels reading the shop questionnaires. Brian isn't happy. Getting rid of the shop was supposed to stop Peggy working. Lilian tells Jennifer that Matt is touched by her offered to visit but he can't face anyone. Jennifer says she wouldn't judge him, but she understands. 

Pip tells Ruth she hasn't made any friends at college. Ruth says things might change in the second term. Maybe Pip could go back until Easter? Then if she still isn't happy, they'll respect her decision to leave. Pip agrees. Later, David wonders what they'll do if she does leave at Easter. Ruth says they'll have to hope that doesn't happen.

Helen tells Ian she owes him an apology. He was right about Leon. Ian's sorry he was, and proposes lunch on New Year's Day to take her mind off things, but Helen declines. 

Pat is pleased the village seems to want to keep the shop. They now need to elect a committee. Later, Pat asks Helen if she'd like to be involved, to keep her mind off things. Pat is sad that Helen didn't take up Ian's lunch offer but Helen isn't ready to be cheered up just yet. 

Episode written by Mary Cutler.

Front Row

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

Front Row: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, 30/12/2009

John Wilson meets the new generation of British female singer songwriters.

John Wilson reports on the new generation of British female singers and songwriters, talking to Florence and the Machine, Lily Allen and Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle.

John Wilson reports on the new generation of British female singers and songwriters, who have celebrated success in 2009. He talks to Florence and the Machine's Florence Welch, Lily Allen, Natasha Khan, aka Bat for Lashes, La Roux front-woman Elly Jackson and Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle.

15 Minute Drama

Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations

Woman's Hour Drama: My Mad Grandad

15 Minute Drama: My Mad Grandad: Episode 3

My Mad Grandad

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, My Mad Grandad, Episode 3

Grandad scares the life out of Gil with his tales of the trenches.

By Mike Scott. Touching and funny tale of family quarrels and misspent old age. Grandad scares the life out of Gil with his tales of the trenches.

By Mike Scott. Touching and funny tale of family quarrels and misspent old age, drawing on Scott's own childhood in Lancashire. 

Grandad scares the life out of Gil with his tales of the trenches.

Mum ...... Alison Steadman
Dad ...... Matthew Kelly
Old Gil ...... Bernard Hill
Grandad ...... Kenneth Cranham
Haryley ...... Johnny Vegas
Mercy ...... Gwyneth Powell
Gil ...... Stephen Rac
Kenny ...... Joshua Swinney
Muffin ...... Tomas Brennan

Directed by Dirk Maggs

A Perfectly Normal production for BBC Radio 4.

15 Minute Drama: My Mad Grandad

By Mike Scott. Touching and funny tale of family quarrels and misspent old age

By Mike Scott. Touching and funny tale of family quarrels and misspent old age, drawing on Scott's own childhood in Lancashire

Unreliable Evidence

Series exploring and analysing the legal issues of the day

Unreliable Evidence: Justice Denied in the Civil Courts?

Justice Denied in the Civil Courts?

BBC Radio 4 - Unreliable Evidence, Justice Denied in the Civil Courts?

Can the civil courts system afford to give everyone their day in court?

Civil Court cases, from personal injury to unlawful detention, are increasingly being settled out of court. But can the system afford to give everyone their day in court?

Clive Anderson presents the series analysing the legal issues of the day. 

Civil Court cases, from personal injury to unlawful detention, are increasingly being settled out of court. The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, has warned that the civil justice system is failing. But can the system afford to give everyone their day in court?

An Above The Title production for BBC Radio 4.

The Watchdog and the Feral Beast

The Watchdog and the Feral Beast: Episode 3

BBC Radio 4 - The Watchdog and the Feral Beast, Episode 3

Sir Christopher Meyer examines the impact of the internet.

Sir Christopher Meyer, ex-chairman of the Press Complaints Commission and a former press secretary at Number 10, examines the impact of the internet.

Sir Christopher Meyer, press watchdog until this year as chairman of the Press Complaints Commission and former press secretary at Number 10, discusses the role of the press today. Is the press today freedom's guardian or is it a 'feral beast', as Tony Blair described the media at the end of his premiership?

Sir Christopher draws on his personal experience as press watchdog and government spokesman. In his six years chairing the PCC, where he dealt with complaints against newspapers and magazines, he championed a free press and self-regulation, but had to contend with controversies that sometimes strained people's trust in the press.

His health check on the press comes at a time when opinion is polarised. Is the press out of control or is it more constrained than ever before by the law? Is the press destroying trust in our democracy or are politicians giving the press undue importance by courting editors and journalists? Is the press too powerful or is it vulnerable because of competition from the internet, much of it free and unregulated?

And now that the printed word and audio-visual content appear together on the same website, what is the future for self-regulation by the press?

Sir Christopher Meyer, ex-chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, examines the press

Sir Christopher Meyer, ex-chairman of the Press Complaints Commission and a former press secretary at Number 10, examines the press

The Eureka Years

Series exploring spectacular years in the history of science

The Eureka Years: 26/12/2008

26/12/2008

BBC Radio 4 - The Eureka Years, 26/12/2008

Adam Hart-Davis explores the history of the technology of Christmas.

Adam Hart-Davis explores the history of the technology of Christmas, with balloons, stars and a stockingful of toys.

Adam Hart-Davis explores the history of the technology of Christmas, with balloons, stars and a stockingful of toys. 

He travels to the town of Lauscha in Germany, where glass baubles are still blown by hand, a tradition that goes back to the mid-1830s. Adam finds a dizzying description of the first Christmas tree lit by electric light bulbs, looks at X-rays of teddy bear skeletons and pulls a cracker in the name of scientific investigation.

Midweek

Lively and diverse conversation with weekly guests

Midweek: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Midweek, 30/12/2009

Lively and diverse conversation with guests including Fiona Shaw and Billy Childish.

The World Tonight

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

The World Tonight: 30/12/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The World Tonight, 30/12/2009

National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah.

National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah, including news of the British hostage released after spending more than two years in captivity in Iraq.

National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah.

A British hostage kidnapped in Iraq for more than two and a half years has been released.
 
Afghan officials have accused US forces of killing 10 civilians in the far east of the country - the coalition insists those killed were insurgents.  

And we look at higher education in Britain at the end of a difficult year for universities and graduates.

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

30/12/2009

Genres

Formats

Brand

1989: Day by Day

Episode 87: 30th December 1989

Genres

Series

Shipping Forecast

30/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

30/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Weather

30/12/2009

Genres

Brand

Shipping Forecast

31/12/2009

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

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