The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
Final extract from the powerful memoir which inspired Steve McQueen's Oscar nominated film of the same title.
In this episode we learn how Solomon managed to prove that he was a free man and gained his release from slavery to return home to his family in the north.
Solomon Northup's powerful first-hand account of the degradations and evils of slavery was published in 1853 – eight years before the American Civil War and twelve years before the abolition of slavery in the United States in 1865.
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service. BBC Radio 4 resumes at
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day, with the Rev Canon Jenny Wigley.
'Choosing which language you speak, is a political and moral decision.' Igor, a Ukrainian friend of an iPM listener, explains why language is an important issue in his native Ukraine. Your News is read by Jeremy Bowen. Email iPM@bbc.co.uk.
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.
In this series Clare Balding revisits some of her favourite walks and walkers from past programmes.
Here she travels to the Hopetoun Estate, just west of Edinburgh to meet up with a group of women she first met twelve years ago. The Monday walkers have been together for over twenty five years, when they first met Clare, their average age was early sixties, now it's mid seventies. They explain that although walking still keeps them fit, they do now tailor their routes to take account of the passing years. A wee dram may still be part of their days outings but skinny dipping is accepted as a past pleasure.
The genetic modification of crops remains one of the most controversial subjects in farming. Whilst no GM crops are grown commercially in the UK, it's estimated they cover more than twelve per cent of the world's arable land area, over six times the size of the UK.
To discuss some of the questions and issues surrounding genetic modification, Charlotte Smith is joined by Professor Huw Jones from Rothamsted Research - a UK scientific institute which uses both GM and non-GM methods to support research into crops. Also with her is Emma Hockridge from The Soil Association, who campaign against GM.
We also hear from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) who assess the risk of GM trials and GM non-food products in the UK, and GM Freeze who lobby against the development of genetically modified crops.
Anna Hill visits the John Innes Institute in Norwich to find out more about the latest GM science and we hear from the National institute of Agricultural Botany about a project to produce a new type of wheat using conventional breeding. We also find out more about Sarpo potatoes - a variety resistant to blight.
And Charlotte explores how crop technologies will be used in order to feed a growing global population.
Morning news and current affairs with Sarah Montague and John Humphrys: is Crimea on the brink? Plus London's new Italian immigrants.
Richard Coles and Anita Anand meet former Spice Girl, Mel C who talks about two decades in the spotlight, on being a Mum to five-year-old Scarlet and how she's finally learned to chill out. JP Devlin talks to TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham about collecting chairs, aviator Tracey Curtis Taylor on her historic flight from Capetown to Goodwood in an open topped plane, performer Patti Boulaye shares her Inheritance Tracks, Zhenia Klochko talks about the family she left behind in the Ukraine, Bill Spence, a grandfather from North Yorkshire writes romantic novels, under the pseudonym Jessica Blair. Now 90 years old, he's been shortlisted for the prestigious award - the Romantic Novel of the Year 2014, three listeners say 'thank you' for a past kindness large or small and Noel Gaughan on being a driving instructor to the stars.
Most current pop music is created not with live instruments, but from pre-formed, off the shelf chunks of music known as loops.
Musician Matthew Herbert explores the art of the loop and the million-dollar industry that has grown up around it, and asks whether it is setting music makers free from the constraints of traditional instruments or killing creativity.
Loops are pre-recorded performances, typically of a solo instrument, and typically 1 or 2 bars long. Looping isn't new – it started soon after the advent of tape recorders. But recent advances in computer technology and software mean that effects which once needed a full-scale studio costing thousands of pounds can be created for little or no cost on a laptop or even a mobile phone. A CD of loops costing £10 can be used to make a million-selling international hit, but who is the real composer?
Matthew once made an entire album from the sounds of a single pig's life, so he's no stranger to the benefits of loops and sampling. He talks to producers, musicians and loop-creators and experiments with technology ancient and modern; he hears from looping's defenders and detractors and looks into a musical future which he finds fascinating but many find terrifying.
And, along the way, he builds a dance track out of a BBC Radio 4 Continuity announcer.
Emotions ran high this week in parliament: Northern Ireland MPs were outraged at the past " secret " deals between the UK government and suspected terrorists to secure peace. Peter Hain former Northern Ireland Secretary responds to Alliance party MP Naomi Long's concerns about the process his government introduced at the time of the peace negotiations.
The Bishop of St Albans engages with Andrew Selous, PPS to Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan, Smith on recent criticism of government welfare policy:
Mark Field and Gisela Stuart assess the impact of Angel Merkel's visit to Britain, plus Ben Bradshaw and Conor Burns on what difference if any, the Leveson inquiry has had on tabloid press behaviour.
'When change happens, it can happen very, very fast,' Steve Rosenberg in Ukraine. Revolutions: no-one can be quite sure how they'll turn out, Kevin Connolly in Egypt. Bush fires in Australia: Jim Carey on what can be learned from the Aborigines, who spent tens of thousands of years controlling the land. The modern world is closing in on the Amish communities of the US, but Beth McLeod says they're not dying out. They are, in fact, thriving. And a conflict zone is not a place where the mentally ill thrive, as Mary Harper's been learning at a hospital in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
An end to savings teaser rate? Nationwide building society has ended teaser rates on savings accounts. But existing customers will stay on the old rates unless they ask to move. The loss-making RBS - which scrapped teaser rates on savings some time ago - is simplifying its range and moving customers into one of three new savings accounts. Some may end up worse off. Is this a trend?
From April 1st Britain's most powerful regulator - the Financial Conduct Authority - takes over responsibility from the OFT for all consumer credit firms. This week it revealed the new rules they will have to follow. Its boss, Martin Wheatley, has told the programme they will make credit harder to get as affordability checks will have to be more thorough. But will it really get tough and stamp out poor lending practises by payday lenders?
With fees for residential care averaging more than £530 a week getting some or all of them paid by the local council is a valuable prize. No fees are paid if capital assets exceed £23,250 (£25,250 in Scotland and £23,750 in Wales). But elderly people who are tempted to give assets away to get the council to pay a contribution may be caught by the so-called 'deliberate deprivation' rules. And the council may be able to make the relative who got the money pay the fees. Money Box unpacks the complex rules.
Money Box has found that a major bank has allowed thieves to pay for Apple products using stolen identities because it did not apply a basic security check. One couple was pursued for months for a debt that was not theirs for i-Pads they had not bought. Hear their story in Bob Howard's report.
A satirical review of the week's news, chaired by Sandi Toksvig, with regular panellist Jeremy Hardy and guest panellists including Hugo Rifkind and Susan Calman.
Jonathan Dimbleby presents political debate and discussion from Bath Literature Festival with Justice Minister Simon Hughes MP, Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Maria Eagle MP, Yale Law professor and author Amy Chua, and writer and broadcaster Germaine Greer.
Is the increase in immigration from EU countries an economic opportunity or a threat? Any Questions panellists tended to favour the former...do you agree, or does Nigel Farage have it right when he says parts of the UK have become unrecognisable?
Pre-nups - is a legally binding agreement prior to marriage a good idea? Or does signing a legal contract designed to deal with the relationship falling apart take the romance out of marriage?
Julian Worricker hears your reaction to these subjects as discussed in Any Questions? by Germaine Greer, "tiger mother" Amy Chua, Family Justice Minister Simon Hughes and Shadow Environment Secretary Maria Eagle.
You can have your say on any of the subjects discussed on Any Answers? just after the news at
on Saturday. Call 03700 100 444 from
Presenter: Julian Worricker.
When Philip Marlowe sees a huge, loudly dressed man casually throwing a bouncer out onto the pavement as he goes into a bar, he knows it's time to walk away, so he follows him inside. The big guy is Moose Molloy, recently released from an eight year prison sentence and now on the hunt for his old sweetheart, a red-haired nightclub singer named Velma Valento.
Marlowe follows a trail which includes a stick-up, blackmail, an irresistible blonde, a psychic, drugs and murder, and it leads him all the way to the top of a corrupt state of California.
Farewell My Lovely was the second of Chandler's novels featuring Marlowe. It was adapted for the big screen three times.
Robin Brooks (dramatist) has recently dramatised I Claudius in 5 episodes for BBC Radio 4. Other Classic Serials include: Boswell's Life of Johnson, My Cousin Rachel and The Fountain Overflows by Rebecca West.
Mary Wilson - founding member of one of the most successful female singing groups in recording history, the Supremes. So called Plus Size Fashion - why isn't it better?
Lilian Gish, the First Lady of American Cinema from the Woman's Hour archive collection. The launch of the 2014 Woman's Hour Power List, which this year will focus on game changers. Two of our judges, Emma Barnett, The Telegraph Women's Editor, and Rachel Johnson, columnist and author, explain what they'll be looking for and how you can get involved.
World War One At Home: Kitty Morter describes the moment when music hall drag artist Vesta Tilley put her hand on her husband's shoulder and recruited him into the war effort.
As more female police officers fail their compulsory fitness test than male colleagues - how fair is it?
And two women discuss how a best friend relationship works when you are total opposites?
Self-improvement: If you want to look better, feel better, perform better, there's no shortage of help available. Whether it's cosmetic surgery for the perfect body, fitness programmes to boost self-esteem, or self-help books to improve the mind, there's plenty of choice. But do they promise the world and fail to deliver - or give you the strength to achieve the personal growth you desire? Evan Davis and guests discuss the industry of making your life better.
Danny Wallace, Albert Lee, Jerry Springer, Paloma Faith, Christo Brand, Scottee
Danny creates some scandal with TV presenter, former Mayor of Cincinnati and cultural icon Jerry Springer, who talks about his long-running series 'The Jerry Springer Show.' Jerry reveals his new guilty pleasure series 'Tabloid', where he peels back the curtain to probe the most bizarre larger-than-life stories you can't possibly imagine!
Scottee Falls To Grace with Hackney songstress and actress Paloma Faith, who talks about her new old skool funk song produced by Pharrell Williams, taken from her forthcoming third album A Perfect Contradiction'. Paloma gives Scottee some retro style tips and performs 'Can't Rely On You' in the studio.
Danny talks to author Christo Brand about his book 'Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend'. At the age of eighteen, white Afrikaans farm boy Christo was sent to Robben Island as a raw recruit from the prison service, and became Nelson Mandela's prison warder. Christo was told he was a dangerous terrorist trying to bring down South Africa. But he soon saw the humanity, wisdom and humility of Mandela.
Danny talks to Grammy Award-winning guitarist and Country Boy Albert Lee, who has played with pretty much everyone. Eric Clapton once said "he's the greatest guitarist in the world...the ultimate virtuoso." So no surprise to find the celebrations for Albert's 70th Birthday crammed with great musicians wanting to pay their respects. He talks to Danny about his life and times and performs 'A Better Place' from his album 'Frettening Behaviour'.
The award-winning series in which writers create a fictional response to the week's news. In a week which has seen mounting criticism of the childish and confrontational behaviour exhibited on Prime Minister's Questions, writer David Schneider considers whether politicians are just giving the public what they want, and whether they should in fact escalate their confrontational tactics ...
Prime Minister's Questions is moved to a prime time slot and the new speaker develops a game show format which goes all out for ratings.
David Schneider is a comedy writer and performer who has written and appeared in some of the most iconic programmes of recent years. He wrote and appeared in Alan Partridge; Knowing Me, Knowing You, The Day Today and Friday Night Armistice. David featured in films as varied as Mission Impossible and Horrid Henry. The second series of his sitcom Births, Deaths and Marriages in which he starred, recently aired on Radio 4.
Tom Sutcliffe is joined by Linda Grant, Tom Holland and Kate Williams to review the cinematic adaptation of The Book Thief. The young adult novel narrated by Death about growing up in Nazi Germany has sold eight million copies worldwide. How appealing will its screen incarnation be to audiences?
37 Days is the BBC's dramatic contribution to its season examining the causes of the First World War. With an impressive cast, including Ian McDiarmid as the Home Secretary Sir Edward Grey, does it make effective television from the exchanges of international diplomacy?
Peter Gill's new play Versailles is a three act drama which focuses on one upper-middle class family and a son who is advising the British delegation at the Paris peace conference - what does it have to say about the personal and the political impacts of the Great War?
Keywords: Art, Culture and Society in 1980s Britain collects together politically engaged art from the decade of Thatcherism. With a number of works recreated especially for the exhibition, what does it have to say to us now?
And Lorrie Moore's Bark is her first collection of Short Stories in fifteen years. She's long been considered a master of the form; we discuss how her latest collection measures up.
"They sleep together before they are married, don't believe in God as much, dislike the Queen, and don't respect parents."
Meet the original Generation X - teenagers who in 1964 seemed to embody a new sense of rebellion, but also uncertainty and anxiety about their changing world. X stood for mystery - the unknowable future.
50 years on, oral historian Alan Dein tracks down some of the original Generation X'ers, to confront them with their teenage selves.
Interviewed by the editor of Woman's Own magazine, a diverse group of young people answered a range of questions about their lives. Sex, drink, music and religion all featured - but so did bird-watching in rural Cumbria. The subsequent book was a landmark - a platform for teenagers to give their views, to the consternation of some of their elders.
"Most nights I sit in coffee bars with my friends talking about cars and girls.."
So what happened to those teenagers, wonders Alan Dein, joined by teen experts Jon Savage and Melanie Tebbutt, and how did their hopes and dreams turn out? He tracks down some of the original speakers to find out.
He also uncovers a wealth of atmospheric BBC archive from the 1930s onwards, exploring the changing perception of the teenager, such as "To Start You Talking" from 1943, which dramatised the fate of "Good Time Annie", to make up for the lack of guidance amongst young people - as fathers were away fighting, mothers at work, and VD on the rise.
Mrs Bennet is determined to get her five daughters married off and secure a future for them all.
And when Mr Bingley a wealthy man arrives in the neighbourhood she wastes no time in making his acquaintance.
Director ..... Sally Avens
Published just over 200 years ago Pride and Prejudice remains one of the Nation's favourite novels; with its intellect and wit it appeals to a broad range of readers. It stands the test of time by dealing with the timeless issues of love, social class, money and mistaken judgements and by having a witty and clever though flawed heroine at its heart. Elizabeth Bennet is a thorough radical for her time and perhaps the first heroine to ask is it possible to have it all?
Pippa Nixon takes on the role of Elizabeth; she received rave reviews for her Rosalind in 'As You Like It' ' a rising young star'.
Jamie Parker (Darcy) has played Henry V at the National and is shortly to portray Hamlet on Radio 4.
Double Olivier Award winner Samantha Spiro takes on Mrs Bennet and Toby Jones Mr Collins.
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.
This week the Moral Maze looks at the morality of nationalism. In Ukraine and the UK people are fighting and in the former case dying over the idea and the ideals of nationhood. Those are just the biggest headlines today; without pausing to think too hard you might add Syria, the Basque and Catalan regions of Spain and Tibet to the list and that's just from the news in the last seven days - let alone going further back in history to the breakup of Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Chechnya and Ireland. Nationalism and the struggle for national identity is a complex moral puzzle. What makes nationalism such a powerful and morally problematic force in our lives is the interplay of old feelings of communal loyalty and relatively new beliefs about popular sovereignty. On the one hand it undoubtedly expresses something deep in human nature - a yearning for self-determination and justice. But it can also come with darker tribal undertones of "us" and "them" and has been seen all too often through ethnic cleansing and genocide. To what extent should people be permitted to act on the basis of loyalty to those to whom they are specially related by culture, race or language? Are there benign forms of nationalism? Should enlightened people repudiate nationalism? What value should we attach to cultural diversity? Given the current examples of how nationalism can sometimes seem to be a force for good, and sometimes a force for very great evil what are the moral underpinnings of nationalism?
Combative, provocative and engaging debate chaired by Michael Buerk with Melanie Phillips, Anne McElvoy, Matthew Taylor and Giles Fraser.
Witnesses are John Breuilly, Edward Lucas, Philippe Legrain and Gideon Calder.
Russell Davies welcomes competitors from East Yorkshire, Worcestershire, Lancashire and North Wales to Media City in Salford for the last of the 2014 heats. Up for grabs is the last of the automatic places in this year's Brain of Britain semi-finals.
As well as competing with one another to answer the questions, the contestants have to grapple with puzzles submitted by a listener, who'll win a prize if they can't answer the questions successfully.
Roger McGough presents a selection of listeners poetry requests, including a helping of nonsense from Mervyn Peake and Guy Wetmore Carryl, a hint of spring from Wordsworth, and a poem in praise of Galoshes. Readers are Harriet Walter and Guy Paul.
SUNDAY 02 MARCH 2014
SUN 00:00 Midnight News (b03w6wgn)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
SUN 00:30 Heidi Amsinck - Copenhagen Confidential (b01hw63p)
The Climbing Rose
By Heidi Amsinck
Read by Jack Klaff
In these three specially-commissioned tales by Heidi Amsinck, Copenhagen and its surrounds are places of twilight and shadows: mysterious places where strange, occasionally bad things happen.
The Climbing Rose
Postman Brian Larsen has made a nice little side-earner doing odd-jobs for the rich and grateful old ladies of Klampenborg. Mrs Hoffman looks like a promising target - but there is something creepy about the rose in her front garden.
Heidi Amsinck, a writer and journalist born in Copenhagen, has covered Britain for the Danish press since 1992, including a spell as London Correspondent for the broadsheet daily Jyllands-Posten. Heidi has written numerous short stories for radio including, most recently, the three story set Danish Noir (2010), which was also produced by Sweet Talk for BBC Radio 4. A graduate of the MA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London, Heidi lives in Surrey with her husband and two young sons.
Producer: Jeremy Osborne
A Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wgq)
The latest shipping forecast.
SUN 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b03w6wgs)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service. BBC Radio 4 resumes at
5.20am.
SUN 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wgv)
The latest shipping forecast.
SUN 05:30 News Briefing (b03w6wgx)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
SUN 05:43 Bells on Sunday (b03wgy69)
Sheffield Cathedral
The bells of Sheffield Cathedral.
SUN 05:45 Four Thought (b03w18fn)
Series 4
Cult of Girls
Sharon Kinsella explores the Japanese 'cult of girls'.
Ranging from the surprising role of schoolgirls in Japanese culture to an unusual encounter with an intriguing figure in the Japanese men's movement, Sharon undermines the idea of a playful Japanese popular culture. Having studied Japan for 15 years, she describes how the almost warlike state of male-female relations instead plays out in unexpected ways.
Introduced by Kamin Mohammadi.
Producer: Giles Edwards.
SUN 06:00 News Headlines (b03w6wgz)
The latest national and international news.
SUN 06:05 Something Understood (b03wgy6l)
Abstinence
As Lent approaches, Mark Tully discusses the purpose and effects of fasting. Why do so many faiths consider fasting so virtuous?
In conversation with the broadcaster and writer John Butt, a convert to Islam of forty-five years standing, he discusses the varied approaches to fasting in the major faiths.
With readings from Gerard Manley Hopkins and Patrick Leigh Fermor, and music ranging from Bhim Sen Joshi and The Irish Descendants to Antonin Tucapsky, he examines the pleasures and pitfalls of abstinence and self-denial.
The readers are Robert Glenister and Francis Cadder.
Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4
SUN 06:35 Living World (b03wgy6s)
Crossbills
Crossbills, so named due to the overlapping tips of their bills, are finches with large heads and bright colours: the males are red and the females are olive green. What makes them so unusual is that the tips of their beaks are crossed over; allowing them to rip into pine cones and extract the seeds. Different species of crossbills have different sized bills, which have evolved in association with the species of cones they eat. The Common Crossbill is found across the UK all year round and its numbers have been boosted by the planting of commercial conifers such as pine and larch. A real prize for birdwatchers is the larger and much rarer Parrot Crossbill, which has a very deep bill and can tackle the biggest and thickest cones. Parrot Crossbills breed in very small numbers in the UK, almost exclusively in native pinewoods in Scotland. In winter 2013/14 small flocks of parrot crossbills arrived in eastern England including Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.
Presenter Trai Anfield and ornithologist Ian Newton, who has studied the movements of crossbills, take the rare opportunity to track down this flock, which probably irrupted from the breeding forests in Scandinavia. Population irruptions occur when the pine crop fails in their native countries and so the birds wander widely in search of a fresh supply. If food supplies in Sherwood Forest run out, the birds could disperse at any moment, so the search for these unusual and colourful species will be a gripping one for all involved, listeners included.
Produced by Jim Farthing.
SUN 06:57 Weather (b03w6wh3)
The latest weather forecast.
SUN 07:00 News and Papers (b03w6wh5)
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.
SUN 07:10 Sunday (b03wgy71)
Spiritual pancakes; Ugandan anti-gay bill; RE funding
Uganda has passed an anti-gay bill which sentences people to life imprisonment for gay sex. Rahul Rao is an expert on the development of anti-gay feeling in Uganda and explains what role religion has played in the Bill. Scott Little is an American evangelical anti-gay activist who has advised the Ugandan government. He explains the rational for his beliefs.
Too busy for church? Not to worry because the Church of England have devised an app which allows you to pray on the move. Charles Carroll roadtests prayer app on the London Underground. But its not the only digital religious tool on the market. Wired magazine's Andy Robertson joins Shelagh to discuss the range of religious apps and how they work.
In October last year OFSTED released a damning report on the state of Religious Education. This week the government have been accused of discriminating against the subject by failing to provide training bursaries for new teachers in the subject. Bob Walker investigates if RE is under threat.
Stephen Lloyd MP is the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Education. He joins Shelagh to discuss the findings of our report and what the future of Religious Education in schools.
Next week is Shrove Tuesday - but what is the spiritual element of making pancakes? Sister Cathy Jones joins us in the studio to demonstrate.
Bishop Kieran Conry is encouraging Catholics to return to the confessional in the lead up to Lent. But what role does confession play for Catholics in the 21st century? He joins Shelagh Fogerty to explain.
Producers: Annabel Deas and Peter Everett
Series producer: Amanda Hancox
Contributors:
Bishop Keiran Conry
Sister Cathy Jones
Scott Little
Stephen Lloyd MP
Dr Rahul Rao
Andy Robertson.
SUN 07:55 Radio 4 Appeal (b03wgy78)
Epilepsy Action
Alex Thomson presents the Radio 4 Appeal for Epilepsy Action.
Reg Charity: 234343
To Give:
- Freephone 0800 404 8144
- Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal, mark the back of the envelope 'Epilepsy Action'.
SUN 07:57 Weather (b03w6wh7)
The latest weather forecast.
SUN 08:00 News and Papers (b03w6wh9)
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.
SUN 08:10 Sunday Worship (b03wgy7h)
Finding God in Creation
"Finding God in Creation"
A service to mark St. David's Day live from the Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral of St. David led by the Rev. Canon Peter Collins. Preacher: The Archbishop of Cardiff, the Most Rev. George Stack.
Director of Music: Dr. Dominic Neville.
Organist: Dr. David Neville.
Producer: Karen Walker.
SUN 08:48 A Point of View (b03w3g6x)
Our Love for Animals
Roger Scruton thinks we get our priorities wrong when we favour pets at the expense of wild animals.
"We must recognise that by loving our pets as individuals we threaten the animals who cannot easily be loved in any such way."
Producer: Sheila Cook.
SUN 08:58 Tweet of the Day (b03thvvc)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about our British birds inspired by their calls and songs.
John Aitchison presents the lesser spotted woodpecker. Lesser spotted woodpeckers are the smallest of our three woodpeckers and about the size of a house sparrow. They have horizontal white stripes across their backs, hence their old name of 'barred woodpecker'. The lesser spotted woodpecker is one of our most elusive birds. For most of the year it's relatively silent but in late February and March, males begin to stake out their territories in old woods and orchards by calling loudly and drumming softly.
SUN 09:00 Broadcasting House (b03wgy7q)
Sunday morning magazine programme with news and conversation about the big stories of the week. Presented by Paddy O'Connell.
SUN 10:00 The Archers Omnibus (b03wgy7v)
For detailed synopsis, see daily episodes.
SUN 11:15 Desert Island Discs (b03wgy82)
Mairi Hedderwick
Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the author and illustrator Mairi Hedderwick.
Her most famous creation is a little red-haired character called Katie Morag who - in wellies and a kilt - has skipped her way through fourteen books and a 26-part TV series. Katie lives on the imaginary Isle of Struay with her parents, siblings, cousins, granny and prize-winning sheep Alecina. Like her creator she relishes the rhythms and freedoms particular to life on a wee Scottish island. But that's where the similarities end - the author was born and brought up an only child on the mainland of the lowlands. She lost her father when she was just twelve and says she was never part of a close-knit family.
As a grown-up, all she wanted was to quit the rat race and be an island crofter, but after a decade she left her dream behind in favour of a more stable income and a secondary school for her children.
She says, "I have a notion that children's writers explore unresolved questions in their own childhoods. I certainly do."
Producer: Christine Pawlowsky.
SUN 12:00 Just a Minute (b03w02sb)
Series 68
Episode 3
The panel game in which the contestants are challenged to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition on any subject given to them by the legendary host Nicholas Parsons.
This week's players are Sheila Hancock, Richard Herring, Josie Lawrence and Paul Merton. Subjects include 'Hot Cross Buns' and 'How to Win an Argument with a Teenager'.
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani.
SUN 12:32 The Food Programme (b03xcy1p)
A Renaissance for Butchers?
Sheila Dillon examines the state of the Butchery profession to find out how it has weathered the storm since the horsemeat scandal. She asks how our consumption habits have affected demand, and whether the profession of Butchery is still a promising one for young people. With contributions from young butchers Illtud Dunsford and Charlotte Harbottle, and Dario Cecchini who believes butchery is an art form and who quotes Dante as he works.
Producer: Sarah Langan.
SUN 12:57 Weather (b03w6whc)
The latest weather forecast.
SUN 13:00 The World This Weekend (b03wgzqs)
The latest national and international news, including an in-depth look at events around the world. Email: wato@bbc.co.uk; twitter: #theworldthisweekend.
SUN 13:30 I've Played in Every Toilet (b03trs7b)
John Harris visits some of Britain's surviving small music venues and asks what will happen if they disappear altogether.
All over the UK, small music venues are threatened with closure, or have already gone out of business. Many of them have hosted gigs by truly legendary names and were once securely built into the so-called 'toilet circuit', which allowed promising musicians to take their first tentative steps on the national stage. Without them, we may not have heard from Coldplay, Oasis, Blur - or such contemporary talents as The Vaccines and Mumford and Sons. But crushed by powerful landlords and the rising expectation that music - whether live or recorded - should be free, these places are struggling as never before.
John's journey takes in The Forum in Tunbridge Wells, once an actual public toilet, which has survived over the last 20 years because the volunteers that run it haven't profited from the business. He also travels to Hull to visit the Adelphi Club, a semi-detached house on one of the city's residential streets which has hosted bands such as Pulp, Green Day and Radiohead. Manager Paul Jackson says things have been tougher than ever for the venue, but he's determined to carry on.
Finally John visits Newport, once home to the legendary TJ's where Kurt Cobain famously proposed to Courtney Love. Speaking to the daughter of the former owner John Sicolo and Nicky Wire from Manic Street Preachers, he finds out what happens when a town loses its beloved venue.
He also speaks to BBC DJ Steve Lamacq and journalist Kate Mossman to consider how - without these venues run on a mix of hope and blind faith - we will discover the next generation of musicians.
Producer: Simon Jacobs
A Unique production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2014.
SUN 14:00 Gardeners' Question Time (b03w39wt)
British Geological Survey, Nottingham
Eric Robson hosts the horticultural panel programme from the British Geological Survey headquarters in Nottingham. Chris Beardshaw, Matt Biggs and Pippa Greenwood answer the questions from the audience of local gardeners.
Produced by Howard Shannon.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
This week's questions:
Q. What would the panel suggest to plant in a sunny garden to celebrate a Silver Wedding Anniversary to a geologist?
A. Lithops look fantastic on a sunny windowsill; they look like little stones, which means you will get the best of both geological and horticultural worlds. Another suggestion would be a Monkey Puzzle tree, one of the earliest trees to form, or a carnivorous plant such as the Venus Fly Trap. Ferns would be recommended, particularly the Dryopteris erythrosora and finally, in a sunny garden the Rock Rose would be a good suggestion.
Q. Can the panel suggest a ground-covering plant overhung by a large Leylandii tree, Rhododendron ponticum and holly? The soil is acidic with lots of shallow roots from nearby trees.
A. It would be recommended to investigate ferns, for example the hearts tongue fern which can be found in both dry and moist soils. Silicium hederifolium may grow well as it is often found in woodland under pines in acidic conditions. Also Lamiums, Vincas and Periwinkles are recommended, particularly the Vinca minor. Geranium macrorrhizum could work around the edges of your area. Plant deep on the perimeter where there is more moisture available and try and train the plants inwards and the roots will grow under as far as they can. Finally Trachystemon orientalis, the Alpine Strawberry (you won't get fruit but it will have good ground cover) and Euphorbia robbiae are also recommended.
Q. How do I start growing asparagus on my allotment?
A. Start from an established crown and it would be ideal to create a raised bed to avoid waterlogging if you have a wet or clay based soil, because while they do like a lot of moisture they hate being too wet. Having a bed of their own would also help with weeding to avoid damaging the asparagus. Avoid harvesting them too early, the recommended timescale would be to wait 3 years. Ideally have the bed south facing and mulch over the surface.
Q. How can I encourage my Cycas to bulk up?
A. Cycas are very slow growing and need to be kept moist. You should feed them once a month with half-strength general fertiliser. They rely on warmth, humidity and good light levels. You should also avoid over-feeding when growing a Cycas. Other ancient plants to consider growing are: Wollemi pines, Dicksonias & Equisetum.
SUN 14:45 Witness (b03xl4bb)
The Assassination of Benigno Aquino
In 1983 the Philippines opposition leader, Benigno Aquino, was shot dead at Manila airport as he returned from exile in the USA. Hear from his brother-in-law, the journalist Ken Kashiwahara, who was with him that day.
SUN 15:00 Classic Serial (b03wgzqv)
Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice
Episode 2
by Jane Austen
Dramatised by Charlotte Jones
Elizabeth is determined to hate the Mr Darcy but finds the attentions of her ridiculous cousin, Mr Collins, even more vexing.
Director ...... Sally Avens
Mrs Bennet has five daughters and is desperate to marry them off to eligible men as the family will have no home once their father dies. Jane Bennet has been singled out for attention by a recent wealthy arrival to Hertfordshire, Mr Bingley. Her sister, Elizabeth, has been snubbed by his even wealthier friend, Mr Darcy. Elizabeth is determined to hate Darcy even more so since she has learnt from a member of the militia stationed at Netherfield, a Mr Wickham, that Darcy has cheated him out of his rightful inheritance.
Published just over 200 years ago Pride and Prejudice remains one of the Nation's favourite novels; with its intellect and wit it appeals to a broad range of readers. It stands the test of time by dealing with the timeless issues of love, social class, money and mistaken judgements and by having a witty and clever though flawed heroine at its heart. Elizabeth Bennet is a thorough radical for her time and perhaps the first heroine to ask is it possible to have it all?
Pippa Nixon takes on the role of Elizabeth; she received rave reviews for her Rosalind in 'As You Like It' ' a rising young star'.
Jamie Parker (Darcy) has played Henry V at the National and is shortly to portray Hamlet on Radio 4.
Double Olivier Award winner Samantha Spiro takes on Mrs Bennet and Toby Jones Mr Collins.
SUN 16:00 Bookclub (b03wgzqx)
Disobedience - Naomi Alderman
With James Naughtie.
Naomi Alderman, listed as one of Granta's Best Young Novelists 2013, responds to readers' questions about her first novel Disobedience.
Alderman, herself a product of London's Jewish community, tells the story of Ronit, a young woman who's escaped her Orthodox upbringing for independence in New York. Ronit is forced to face her past when she returns home after her father, a pre-eminent Rabbi, dies. Disobedience won the 2006 Orange Award for New Writers.
Producer: Dymphna Flynn
April's Bookclub choice : The Sea (2005) by John Banville.
SUN 16:30 Poetry Please (b03wgzqz)
West African Poetry and Sinead Morrissey
Roger McGough presents an edition of the poetry request programme which includes a selection of West African poetry, the winner of this year's TS Eliot prize Sinead Morrissey, and a chance to hear up and coming performance poet Hollie McNish.
SUN 17:00 File on 4 (b03w0j4l)
Deadly Hospitals?
Each year the number of deaths in every hospital in England is recorded and compared with national averages for the range of patients and conditions treated. The results are published by a company called Dr Foster in The Hospital Guide.
The Guide has a solid reputation. Its findings are studied and used by leaders of the NHS. Dr Foster's statistical expert says that high mortality statistics should act as a 'smoke alarm' raising investigation of standards at a hospital. The Care Quality Commission praises Dr Foster's "powerful analysis of hospital trusts" and the Health Secretary says: "We expect all hospitals to examine this data carefully and take action wherever services need to improve".
But some leading statisticians question the reliability of mortality statistics as an indication of clinical quality. And they believe that many pockets of poor practice go undetected in hospitals with good mortality scores.
Critics also see the publication of such data as an invitation to the press to distort the available evidence by calculating numbers of 'needless deaths' within the NHS. Such calculations have in fact been produced and then given widespread publicity. The NHS Medical Director calls them "clinically meaningless and academically reckless". But they continue to make the front pages.
Gerry Northam reports from hospitals which have "worryingly high" mortality statistics according to Dr Foster and asks how much this really shows about their quality of care.
Producer : Ian Muir-Cochrane
Editor : David Ross.
SUN 17:40 From Fact to Fiction (b03wgt9m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Saturday]
SUN 17:54 Shipping Forecast (b03w6whf)
The latest shipping forecast.
SUN 17:57 Weather (b03w6whh)
The latest weather forecast.
SUN 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b03w6whl)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
SUN 18:15 Pick of the Week (b03wgzr1)
Gary O'Donoghue selects highlights from the previous seven days of BBC Radio.
In Pick of the Week Gary O'Donoghue discovers if there's a fail-safe way of picking up a woman? We find out if Essex deserve its reputation as the furry dice capital of Britain? We learn what the women in the world war one munitions factory did in their spare time, and hear the extraordinary tale of an elderly couple who were threatened with arrest, because they were too gullible. All that plus Suzi Quatro unplugged.
Produced by Stephen Garner.
SUN 19:00 The Archers (b03wgzr3)
Helen and Rob are happier than ever and plan to celebrate their engagement with a big lunch for them and Henry. Helen is keen to spread the news but Rob wants to keep his new fiancé all to himself for the time being. Rob is even reluctant to tell Helen's family - they need time to let his divorce sink in first.
Jennifer reaches the end of her tether when the sticky drawer, that Brian promised to fix, flies right out of the unit. Unable to put up with it any longer, she declares that she needs a whole new kitchen. Brian is more than happy with the current 'charming' kitchen but Jennifer is adamant - it's happening!
Tom and Kirsty discuss Rob and Helen whilst writing out their wedding invitations - Helen seems more besotted than ever, but Kirsty still has concerns. With Rob's history, she's not sure whether she even believes that Jess agreed to a divorce.
Later, Rob rings Jess, he's keen to reassure her that they can take things slowly. There's no rush.
SUN 19:15 Kerry's List (b01shw0r)
Series 1
Episode 4
A four-part sketch show co-written by and starring comedian and actress Kerry Godliman.
Kerry is a married mother of two, a stand up comedian and has two children. Her life can only properly function with her daily list - if she didn't compile this vital list, her life would simply fall apart.
Each week, this series looks at a different list and delves into Kerry's madcap world by looking at various elements of that week's list in sketches, narrative and stand up.
In this final episode, Kerry's List involves changing sheets, buying a kids book on where babies come from, getting her roots done, learning to knit, not drifting off, reading a classic and dusting the plants.
Joining Kerry is her husband Ben (played by her real husband Ben Abell) and her five year old daughter Elsie (played by Melissa Bury) together with a range of bizarre characters - including an enthusiastic council environment worker, some disgruntled satsumas, a bored therapist, a Fairy Jeanmother and a very keen gym instructor.
Any busy parent who's ever compiled a list of their own will relate to Kerry Godliman's incident filled world.
The cast includes David Pusey (who co-wrote the series), Bridget Christie, Lucy Briers, Rosie Cavaliero and Nicholas Le Prevost.
Kerry Godliman is fast establishing herself as a highly skilful stand up comic and actress, from her recent appearances on Live at The Apollo (BBC 1), Derek (C4) and Our Girl (BBC 1).
Producer: Paul Russell
An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 19:45 The Showman's Parson: Tales from the Memoirs of the Rev Thomas Horne (b03wh36q)
The Dwarf's Stratagem
Thomas Horne was born in 1849 in a caravan at Nottingham Goose Fair. He spent the first part of his life as a working showman - dressing up as a performing bear, running a Penny Bazaar around the Lancashire Wakes, working as a doorman in Mrs Williams' Waxwork, and finally becoming an actor in a Mumming Booth and a partner in an Illusion Show. Latterly, he joined a missionary brotherhood in Oxford, and was ordained as a priest in Leeds in 1885.
Until his death in 1918, Thomas Horne was a vigorous campaigner for the rights of travelling people. With his education, training as a priest, and family association with the fairground, he was their ideal representative. He travelled throughout the country, preaching to showfolk and, in one year alone, he travelled over 12,000 miles, visiting fairs as far apart as Penzance in Cornwall to Ayr in Scotland.
The stories in this series are taken from his memoirs held in the National Fairground Archive in Sheffield.
Today's story concerns the exploits of a cunning dwarf, Peter Piper, who is in charge of an amazing mechanical waxwork exhibition visiting Cardiff.
Read by Tony Lidington
Producer David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 20:00 Feedback (b03w3g59)
Listen to this week's Feedback with the lights on because we're talking horror. Radio 4 has just broadcast an adaptation of The Exorcist, the 1971 novel which tells the story of the possession and battle for a little girl's soul and became an infamously head-spinning 1973 film. With demonic possession and very strong language, Radio 4's version was hardly a bedtime story, despite its
11pm slot. So why did they do it? And are the pictures scarier on the radio? Roger Bolton speaks to The Exorcist producer Gaynor MacFarlane and Radio 4's Commissioning Editor for Drama, Jeremy Howe.
Also, what does power really mean? We'll be speaking to the editor of Woman's Hour Alice Feinstein about the launch of this year's Power List. And we'll hear why forensic science can be incredibly moving.
We also discover what happens when a 21-year-old listener plays Roger Bolton for the day? Radio 1Xtra fan Claire Bynoe is our guide to Radio 1 and 1Xtra's Access All Areas - a month-long audience takeover that's seen young people controlling everything from DJs to playlists and watching and listening from all angles. Claire was one of a few listeners chosen to take part in Access All Areas Studios, which gave them the chance to do whatever they wanted in a BBC studio for an hour. She'll be putting Radio 1/1Xtra editor Rebecca Frank and producer Aled Haydn-Jones in the hot seat.
Producers: Karen Pirie and Katherine Godfrey
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.
SUN 20:30 Last Word (b03w3g57)
Alison Jolly, Alice Herz-Sommer, Valery Kubasov, Mavis Gallant, Harold Ramis
Aasmah Mir on
The primatologist Alison Jolly who documented the social life of the ring-tailed lemur.
Alice Herz-Sommer - concert pianist and oldest known survivor of the Holocaust. The film-maker Christopher Nupen, who was her neighbour and friend, pays tribute.
Valeri Kubasov - one of the cosmonauts on the historic space mission of 1975 which saw the Russian Soyuz 19 link up with the American Apollo module. One of the US crew, astronaut Vance Brand, describes their first meeting.
Also: Canadian-born short-story writer Mavis Gallant. A former editor at Granta recalls a formidable woman whose observations of life were wonderfully unforgiving.
And professor of film and media history Ian Christie on the director and actor Harold Ramis - best known for films like 'Ghostbusters', 'Caddyshack' and Groundhog Day'.
SUN 21:00 Money Box (b03wgt99)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:00 on Saturday]
SUN 21:26 Radio 4 Appeal (b03wgy78)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:55 today]
SUN 21:30 Analysis (b03w02sl)
Life by Lottery
Should we use chance to solve some of our most difficult political dilemmas? From US Green Cards to school place allocation, lotteries have been widely used as a means of fairly resolving apparently intractable problems. Jo Fidgen asks whether the time has come to consider whether more of society's problems might be solved by the luck of the draw.
Producer: Leo Hornak.
SUN 22:00 Westminster Hour (b03wh3bs)
Weekly political discussion and analysis with MPs, experts and commentators.
SUN 22:45 What the Papers Say (b03wh3bv)
Rachel Johnson of the Mail on Sunday looks at how papers covered the week's big stories.
SUN 23:00 The Film Programme (b03w32bt)
Stellan Skarsgard on Nymphomaniac; Alexandre Desplat on Philomena; Unforgiven in Japanese; BAFTA-winner James Griffiths
Francine Stock talks to actor Stellan Skarsgard about his role in the latest film by Lars von Trier - Nymphomaniac. Playing in two parts, it runs to around four hours and includes challenging explicit material. Skarsgard appears alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg as a man who rescues her from an alleyway after a beating. He explains why he enjoys working with the controversial director.
Composer Alexandre Desplat discusses his score for Philomena which has been nominated for an Oscar. His work includes The Monuments Men, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Argo and Moonrise Kingdom. He describes the art of responding to the dynamics of a film script, without overwhelming it.
The Unforgiven both starring and directed by Clint Eastwood won four Oscars in 1993. Now the tale of assassins employed by wronged women in the Wild West has been remade by director Sang-il Lee with Ken Watanabe in the lead role. Sir Christopher Frayling and Alexander Jacoby discuss the cross fertilisation of the Western and Japanese Samurai film across the decades.
Plus James W. Griffiths on his BAFTA-winning short Room 8 and how the rigours of working to a pre-ordained script helped to drive his film. He shared the award with Sophie Venner.
SUN 23:30 Something Understood (b03wgy6l)
[Repeat of broadcast at
06:05 today]
MONDAY 03 MARCH 2014
MON 00:00 Midnight News (b03w6wjr)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
MON 00:15 Thinking Allowed (b03w16p5)
Generational Divide; Webcam
'Webcam' - the use of webcam, especially through Skype, has recently become established as one more standard media technology, but one with profound implications for many facets of human life, from self-consciousness and intimacy to the sustaining of long-distance relationships and the place of the visual within social communications. Daniel Miller, Professor of Anthropology at University College London, talks to Laurie Taylor about a study which took him from London to Trinidad.
Also, the 'Generational' divide: Today's social problems are the problems of generations, according to much public debate. Terms such as the 'baby boomers' and the 'jilted generation' are a common feature of discussions about debts, access to higher education, housing or pensions. Jonathan White, Associate Professor of European Politics at the LSE, talks to Laurie Taylor about his sociological investigation of contemporary uses of the generational concept: where did this form of thinking originate and does it disguise more than it illuminates in terms of inequality in modern Britain? He's joined by Mary Dejevsky, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Buckingham and the chief editorial writer at The Independent.
Producer: Jayne Egerton.
MON 00:45 Bells on Sunday (b03wgy69)
[Repeat of broadcast at
05:43 on Sunday]
MON 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wjt)
The latest shipping forecast.
MON 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b03w6wjw)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
MON 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wjy)
The latest shipping forecast.
MON 05:30 News Briefing (b03w6wk0)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
MON 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b03whplj)
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day, with the Rev Canon Jenny Wigley.
MON 05:45 Farming Today (b03whpll)
Pork Exports, Fluke Research, and the Rise of Women Farmers.
UK pork exports have reached their highest level since 2000, due to increasing demand from China and Hong Kong.
The University of Liverpool is leading a new £1million research project to tackle the parasite, Fluke. The flatworm attacks the livers of sheep and cattle.
6,000 women joined the farming industry last year. Charlotte Smith explores the growing profile of women in farming, as the NFU elects its first female national office holder.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Sarah Swadling.
MON 05:56 Weather (b03w6wk2)
The latest weather forecast for farmers.
MON 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b03whpln)
St Kilda Wren
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about our British birds inspired by their calls and songs.
Bill Oddie presents the St Kilda wren. The Island of St Kilda is not where you'd expect to see wrens but the wrens that sing along the cliffs of St Kilda are the same species as the common wren, but after 5000 years of isolation they've evolved a different song and are slightly larger and slightly paler than the mainland wrens. Bill Oddie remembers an encounter with the St Kilda Wren.
MON 06:00 Today (b03whplq)
Morning news and current affairs. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.
MON 09:00 Start the Week (b03whpls)
The Vikings and Seafaring
Tom Sutcliffe talks to the historian Michael Wood about the spirit and adventure of the Vikings who travelled all over Europe and as far east as Central Asia. The Vikings sailed close to the coast whenever possible, David Barrie celebrates the invention of the sextant three hundred years ago which made open water navigation and exploration possible. The majority of foreign goods we buy are transported by sea and Rose George charts the murky world of today's international shipping. The mystery and danger of the sea is a recurrent theme in the latest crime novel from the Icelandic writer Yrsa Sigurdadottir.
Producer: Katy Hickman.
MON 09:45 Book of the Week (b03whqb5)
The Fun Stuff
1. Homage to Keith Moon
Highlights from an entertaining and idiosyncratic series of essays from James Wood, the leading literary critic of his generation. It's a collection which ranges widely, from a loving analysis of Keith Moon's drum technique to the intentions, gifts and limitations of some of our most celebrated modern novelists, including Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan.
1.THE FUN STUFF: HOMAGE TO KEITH MOON
Wood analyses the lost genius of Moon and his ability to create magic out of mayhem, relating this to his own experience of learning to play drums as a boy.
Abridged by Eileen Horne
Reader: Peter Firth
Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4
MON 10:00 Woman's Hour (b03whqb7)
Kelis; Sport Relief
US music star Kelis about her life-long love of food and music, and how she's bringing both together in her new album Food. And the changes she's made to her life - becoming a cordon bleu chef, getting divorced when she was pregnant, and the joys of motherhood.
As we gear up for this year's Sport Relief Jane Garvey visits a project in London that's benefiting from your donations. The 2011 American documentary - Miss Representation - was highly critical of the way the media treats women. It provoked a lot of response at the time and it'll be shown at the launch of this year's Women of the World festival at the Southbank. Why's it had such an impact?
Plus a celebration of the forgotten women of history - the story of Katherine Swynford, the inspiration for the novel "The Scandalous Duchess".
Presented by Jane Garvey.
Produced and Edited by Beverley Purcell.
MON 10:45 15 Minute Drama (b03whrkz)
Charlotte Jones - What Would Elizabeth Bennet Do?
Darcy
By Charlotte Jones.
Ever wondered what your favourite literary characters would do if they were around today? City boy James takes inspiration from his girlfriend's beloved Austen in plotting how to win her back. He wants to grab her attention with an offer he hopes she can't refuse.
Produced by Lucy Collingwood.
MON 11:00 Out of the Ordinary (b03wp5j4)
Series 2
Asperger's Syndrome or Not?
Why do so many women think their men have Asperger's syndrome? Is there a hidden mental health epidemic, or have the rules of relationships changed? Asperger's only entered the textbooks in 1994, but since then there's been an explosion in the number of people diagnosed. Mostly it's male children, but increasingly, women seem to be diagnosing their adult partners as being "on the spectrum".
But the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's are vague and, some argue, arbitrary. One criterion is that the person is bad at social interaction. The other is that they have to have restricted interests. In the case of the mature male, it's hard to work out what distinguishes Asperger's - which is in the textbooks as a "mental disorder" - from the behaviour of a "neurotypical" man who tends towards shyness, introversion, or selfishness. Today's men are required to be more emotional in relationships than their fathers and grandfathers. Does the fact that some struggle in this respect mean that Asperger's is being uncovered where previously it would have been hidden?
Jolyon Jenkins talks to women frustrated at their husbands' lack of empathy, sociability, and romantic impulses, and to clinicians who specialise in the diagnosis and counselling of people with Asperger's. He also talks to the man largely responsible for getting Asperger's into the psychiatric textbooks, who now regrets his role and believes that it had led to the "pathologising of normal behaviour".
Producer: Jolyon Jenkins.
MON 11:30 In and Out of the Kitchen (b03wp5j6)
Series 3
The Works Barbecue
Damien reluctantly helps out at Anthony's barbecue for some work colleagues.
Written by Miles Jupp.
Damien Trench ...... Miles Jupp
Anthony ...... Justin Edwards
Mr Mullaney ...... Brendan Dempsey
Marion Duffett ...... Lesley Vickerage
Damien's Mother ...... Selina Cadell
Brutus ...... David Seddon
Steven ...... Ade Oyefeso
Producer: Sam Michell
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
MON 12:00 You and Yours (b03wp6kf)
Changing the NHS
How small changes to the NHS can grow into something bigger. With Winifred Robinson.
MON 12:57 Weather (b03w6wk4)
The latest weather forecast.
MON 13:00 World at One (b03w6wk6)
Latest on the Ukraine crisis and its impact on global markets; Why homeowners in the UK could be in the minority in a generation; And the NHS buddy scheme where failing hospitals are helped by more successful neighbours.
MON 13:45 The Value of Failure (b03wp6kh)
Arts
When struggling to invent the electric light bulb, Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed; I've simply found ten thousand ways that won't work."
In this series, five people from very different spheres of life, reflect on what failure has taught them personally and explain what value those lessons have in their worlds.
The Booker Award-winning author Anne Enright is comfortable with the notion of failure. She considers her experiences of a writer's life - and of having her words judged by the world. She tells the story of one of Ireland's greatest authors, who let the shame of failure cripple him. She also introduces us to Guardian first-book award winner Donal Ryan, who considered himself a success for simply finishing a book to show his wife.
Producer: Catherine Carr.
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 14:00 The Archers (b03wgzr3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Sunday]
MON 14:15 Drama (b03wpc05)
Porcelain: The Trial for the Killing of Sophie Lancaster
Sophie Lancaster was a young student who was attacked in Stubbeylee Park, Bacup, Lancashire. 20, Sophie suffered fatal injuries while cradling her boyfriend Rob's head in an attempt to protect him from a the attack by a group of youths. Rob survived but Sophie went into a coma and never recovered. She later died on August 24th 2007.
Political, vegetarian, a pacifist, Sophie showed signs of wanting to be different from an early age. Sophie and Rob dressed in a unique way, expressing their individuality as creative artistic people through goth-style clothes, piercings and make-up, which provoked the fatal attack in the early hours of that Saturday morning. Sophie had been dating Rob Maltby, an art student for 3 years.
Porcelain: The Trial for the Killing of Sophie Lancaster is a drama documentary with extracts from an interview with Sophie's mother Sylvia Lancaster and dramatised scenes, including the trial of Brendan Harris based on the court transcripts written by Ian Kershaw
Interview with Sylvia Lancaster
Dramatised scenes written by Ian Kershaw
Produced in Salford by Susan Roberts
When Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster was broadcast in 2011 there was a huge response from the Radio 4 audience. The drama transferred to the stage in Manchester a year later using the original poetry by Simon Armitage and using the words of Sylvia Lancaster .
At the time many people asked what happened next . Porcelain : The Trial for the Killing of Sophie Lancaster tells the next part of this tragic story.
MON 15:00 Brain of Britain (b03wpc07)
(13/14)
What surname is shared by a Danish composer of six symphonies, and an actor whose roles include Frank Drebin in 'Police Squad'? And what was the name of the first-ever space station, launched in 1971?
Russell Davies has the answers to these and many other general knowledge questions - and will be hoping the contestants do too, as they compete for a place in the 2014 Brain of Britain Final. The first batch of semi-finalists are from London, Surrey and Wearside - and they've all proved their mettle by winning their heats over the past few months, or being so narrowly beaten they've qualified for a semi-final place.
As always there's a chance for a Brain of Britain listener to win a prize by suggesting tricky questions with which to 'Beat the Brains'.
Producer: Paul Bajoria.
MON 15:30 The Food Programme (b03xcy1p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
12:32 on Sunday]
MON 16:00 Designing the Impossible (b039d4bd)
How would you like to experience a Soyuz rocket launch or a volcanic eruption in your living room? Could you create dark energy in your kitchen sink? Perhaps you dream of becoming an astronaut?
Then enter the world of Nelly Ben Hayoun, acclaimed designer of fantasy experiences, who brings the thrill of cutting edge science within the reach of ordinary people.
Nelly is a graduate of the Royal College of Art's groundbreaking Design Interactions course - one of a new breed of designers who use immersive experiences to stimulate debates about what sort of future we want for ourselves as the limits of technology and science extend ever further.
She plans her experiences like a circus showman, charting precisely the emotional trajectory through which she wants to lead her audiences. Each project is more ambitious than the last, each seemingly impossible at the outset.
For example, how do you share the high drama of the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing? Nelly's idea was to create an opera based on transcripts from the mission control room and have it performed by the world's first International Space Orchestra - made up of NASA space scientists and lunar mission veterans. Astonishingly she pulled it off - the epic Ground Control Opera had its first performance in September 2012. Since then, she has also managed to arrange for a recording of the performance to be broadcast in space.
And Nelly Ben Hayoun's next impossible project? To become an astronaut, of course.
Producer/Presenter: Mukti Jain Campion
A Culture Wise production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 16:30 Beyond Belief (b03wpc1d)
Pope Francis
Ernie Rea discusses the impact of Pope Francis' first year in the Vatican with journalist Paul Vallely, academic Tina Beattie and parish priest Marcus Holden. The Pope is still enjoying a media honeymoon but what is his programme for change? Can he do more than change the atmosphere in the Church?
He has appointed eight Cardinals from outside the Curia as his key advisers - what fresh perspectives might they bring to the Vatican? And he's been consulting priests and laity ahead of a Synod on the family in October, but will the Church's position on matters such as contraception change as a result?
Producer: Rosie Dawson.
MON 17:00 PM (b03wpc1g)
Coverage and analysis of the day's news.
MON 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b03w6wk8)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
MON 18:30 Just a Minute (b03wpc1j)
Series 68
Episode 4
Another episode of the classic comedy panel game with panellists Miles Jupp, Paul Merton, Graham Norton and Holly Walsh. They attempt to speak without hesitation, repetition, or deviation on subjects given to them by host Nicholas Parsons. This week's subjects include 'Inside the Glove Compartment of My Car...' and 'Just a Minute in Different Languages'.
Producer: Tilusha Ghelani.
MON 19:00 The Archers (b03wpdy6)
Helen tells Kirsty how secure she feels in the relationship now that Jess has agreed to the divorce. Kirsty confides in Helen that there's still so much to do for the wedding. Helen is keen to help out, and promises to go wedding dress shopping with her at lunch time. Kirsty finds a dress but she isn't sure about it. Helen reminds Kirsty that they can alter it. Kirsty, feeling that she needs to tick it off the list, decides to buy it.
Ruth comments that Jill must be looking forward to the peace and quiet of the Glebe when she returns home. Jill retorts she really still thinks of Brookfield as home. David returns and delivers news that a flood warning has been issued - they need to move the sheep to higher ground.
Later, Helen confides in Tom that Kirsty could do with professional help planning the wedding. It would be expensive but Helen has a plan...
Worried that it sounded like she was trying to get rid of Jill, Ruth reassures Jill that they love having her stay with them. David is quick to agree. After all, in this weather who else is going to keep them fed and clothed?
MON 19:15 Front Row (b03wpdy8)
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Marie Darrieussecq; Alan Ayckbourn
With Samira Ahmed.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is the latest film from Wes Anderson, the director of Moonrise Kingdom and The Royal Tenenbaums. It follows the adventures of a flamboyant hotel concierge Gustave H, played by Ralph Fiennes, and his trainee Lobby Boy, Zero, played by Tony Revolori. Larushka Ivan-Zedeh reviews.
The French film director Alain Resnais has died at the age of 91. His last film, The Life of Riley, was based on a play by Alan Ayckbourn and will be released this month. Alan Ayckbourn discusses his relationship with Resnais, who adapted three of his plays for the screen.
A new exhibition at Tate Britain explores the lure of ruins for artists ranging from John Constable to Rachel Whiteread. Ruin Lust includes paintings of picturesque ruins from the 18th Century and 20th century photographs of inner city decay. Author Iain Sinclair discusses why so many artists have found ruins compelling.
French author Marie Darrieussecq's latest novel, All The Way, charts the sexual awakening of Solange, a young French girl who's obsessed with sex and with losing her virginity. Marie Darrieussecq became a French literary sensation with her first novel, Pig Tales, about a woman turning into a pig. She discusses writing about adolescence, desire and the feminine experience.
MON 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b03whrkz)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
MON 20:00 My Teacher Is an App (b03wpf59)
The University of the Future
"The life and planets week funnels into life on super earths" - the talk at this Harvard meeting is a far cry from our traditional view of university. Digital gurus, high tech web designers and some of the university's best professors debate how to bring alive Harvard's next MOOC.
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) started in the U.S. just over two years ago and have caused a storm of controversy there. In the UK, the Open University has launched its own version but it's still in the early days here.
Some argue these free university online courses, presented by some of the best professors in the world, could - in cash strapped times - be the saviour of higher education. Others argue they could destroy centuries of tradition and even threaten some of the world's greatest universities.
For the second programme in this series looking at the phenomenal changes in education being brought about by technology, Sarah Montague travels to Boston (home to Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to talk to those at the forefront of this MOOC "revolution".
Harvard and MIT have joined forces to form edX - one of the biggest MOOC providers in the States. Professor Anant Agarwal, President of MIT, tells Sarah about when they put their first MOOC online. He says they thought they'd probably get a couple of thousand students enrolling. "Within the first few hours we had 10,000 students. By the time the course started, we'd got 155,000 students from 163 countries....more than the total number of alumni of MIT in its 150 year history".
Professor Michael Sandel, whose online course has been watched by millions around the world, shows Sarah round the Sanders lecture theatre in Harvard where he delivers his famous "Justice" course. He says MOOCs have provided an opportunity "really to engage students from across national and cultural boundaries - students from Brazil, from India, from China and Japan - grappling with Aristotle and Kant and John Stuart Mill, that's what excites me".
MOOCs have been heralded as opening university up to many people who would not otherwise get a university education. Sarah talks to Claude Mukendi - who grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a family of fourteen. He'd always dreamed of going to university but thought it would never happen. One day he was sitting at his computer and came across a MOOC being offered by Harvard. "We all know Harvard is only for the lucky few" Claude tells Sarah. "I thought it was an internet scam...I was blown away".
But many questions are now being asked about MOOCs. The vast majority of those taking courses have already got a degree. And there are concerns about the effects these courses will have on the universities themselves.
Professor Mitch Duneier, the well-known Sociologist from Princeton university, is another MOOC "superstar". He loved teaching his MOOC. "I had more response to my sociology ideas in the first three weeks of the course than I'd had in a lifetime of teaching". But he's now stopped teaching his MOOC. He became aware that his course was being used by other universities in an attempt - he believes - to save money. "I don't want to be associated with a movement that's looking like it's going to be putting colleagues and future professors out of business".
Sarah asks what the university of the future will look like and what university is actually "for". And as she sits in on a class given by the Pulitzer prize-winner Professor Stephen Greenblatt, she ponders whether magical moments in learning might be lost if university went "online".
Producer: Adele Armstrong.
MON 20:30 Analysis (b03wpf5c)
Scotland and the Union: Can Britain be Rebooted?
Is there any such thing as unionism, and what is the case for the union?
On September 18th, Scotland will vote in a referendum on whether to become independent. Supporters have been setting out their visions of how Scotland could be transformed. But what about those who want to keep Scotland within the United Kingdom? They've picked away at potential practical problems with independence - on sharing the pound sterling, or joining the European Union. But while the future may be unclear for an independent Scotland, the alternative of staying British may be just as unclear.
Douglas Fraser asks if there's a grand vision for those who argue Scotland should stay in the union. Is it more than just an appeal to a shared history or institutions? Is the union fit for purpose in the 21st century? These aren't just questions for Scotland. They represent a challenge to the rest of the UK - how can democratic and economic power be distributed to tackle disaffection with politics and the centralising pull of London?
The programme follows an edition Douglas presented in July 2013 on Scottish nationalism.
Producer: James Fletcher.
MON 21:00 Nature (b03w0gwb)
Series 8
Bewitched by Dragonflies
In 1985, a dragonfly landed on Ruary Mackenzie Dodds. Up until this time, he had never had much interest in insects, but so astonished and bewitched was he by "this beautiful" insect which had landed on his shirt, that he decided to find out more about dragonflies and in time that led to the founding of The Dragonfly Project to enthuse and educate people about dragonflies. In August 2013, Ruary 'handed over the baton' of the Dragonfly Project to The British Dragonfly Society who will continue this work alongside their own work to conserve dragonflies and their wetland habitats, but Ruary's eagerness to share his enthusiasm for these insects continues "I don't know what it is about dragonflies ... they absolutely electrify me ... I get so excited when I see them in the air". In this programme, Ruary searches for dragonflies and their larvae amongst the reeds and watery places of Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire and offers a fascinating insight into their lives. He's not disappointed there are common and ruddy darters, as well as brown and migrant hawkers darting, dashing and hovering over the reeds, or ovipositing their eggs in the water. Robin Wootton describes their extraordinary versatility; "They really have all the capabilities of a helicopter but they do it much quicker" and Milly Sharkey reveals how these insects can see colour and polarised light, even underwater in the larval stage; an advantage in a murky pond. Dragonflies can be traced back in the fossil record over 300 million years, and yet we still have much to learn about these 'Horse Stingers' and 'Devils Darning Needles' as they were once called, being falsely believed to sting or bite, when instead they are quite harmless. Just 'like a little piece of flying crystal' says Ruary.
Producer Sarah Blunt.
MON 21:30 Start the Week (b03whpls)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
MON 21:58 Weather (b03w6wkb)
The latest weather forecast.
MON 22:00 The World Tonight (b03wpf5f)
Russia tells the UN Security Council its troops were invited into Crimea by the ousted Ukrainian leader, Viktor Yanukovych. Andrew Hosken reports from Kharkiv, close to Ukraine's eastern border with Russia. And as President Obama says Moscow is "on the wrong side of history", we hear a German and a Russian view.
The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius opens in South Africa. Analysis of the Kunming massacre in China. Mountaineer Alan Hinkes speaks to us about new regulations on rubbish on Everest. And French plans for the underground burial of nuclear waste.
Presented by Carolyn Quin.
MON 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b03wpfcd)
Lynne Truss - Cat Out of Hell
Episode 1
By acclaimed storyteller Lynne Truss, author of the bestselling Eats, Shoots and Leaves, the mysterious tale of a cat with nine lives. And a relationship as ancient as time itself and just as powerful.
The scene - an isolated cottage on the coast, on a stormy evening. Inside, Alec a recently bereaved widower and his dog. To pass the time Alec explores the contents of a folder of documents emailed to him by an acquaintance at the library where he used to work. What he discovers is an extraordinary story that will change his life forever.
Reader: Mike Grady
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 23:00 Short Cuts (b03brkdq)
Series 4
Hush
Josie Long presents a series of short documentaries about keeping quiet, being lost for words and complete silence.
From the crushing silence after a musician's mistake to the tense hush that surrounds two teenage boys as they hide inches from their headmaster in an oversized box - tales of attempts to keep quiet and the struggle to raise your voice.
The items featured in the programme are:
Wilderness
Feat. Kate Adie
Produced by Sara Parker
Hidden
Feat. Kester Brewin
Sailing By
Feat. Pete Long and Diana Speed
Produced by Leo Hornak
Nobody Else Can Hear It
Feat. Jack Davidson
Produced by Hana Walker-Brown
Hearing Voices
Feat. Kate Adie
Produced by Sara Parker
El's Story
Produced by Natalie Kestecher
Originally broadcast in 'Stories of Silence' on ABC
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.
MON 23:30 Today in Parliament (b03x3wkp)
The Communities Secretary gives a warning that flood waters could affect parts of the country for months to come.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, calls for the power to revalue council tax bands.
MPs demand that landlords be forced to install smoke alarms in rented properties.
A committee hears tales of travel woe from residents of the Isles of Scilly.
And peers call on ministers to develop a "plan B" for the UK's nuclear deterrent in case Scotland votes for independence.
Sean Curran and team report on today's events in Parliament.
TUESDAY 04 MARCH 2014
TUE 00:00 Midnight News (b03w6wlj)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
TUE 00:30 Book of the Week (b03whqb5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Monday]
TUE 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wll)
The latest shipping forecast.
TUE 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b03w6wln)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
TUE 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wlq)
The latest shipping forecast.
TUE 05:30 News Briefing (b03w6wls)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
TUE 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b03wphh8)
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day, with the Rev Canon Jenny Wigley.
TUE 05:45 Farming Today (b03wphhb)
Milk prices, wood turning, Ukraine, grain markets
The political instability in Ukraine is causing global grain prices to rise. The country is the third largest producer of corn for animal feed and its production plays a significant role in our food security. China has recently invested in more than seven million acres of farmland, and vast quantities of grain leave the country from ports in the Black Sea, many of which are now under Russian control. Professor Tim Lang from City University in London tells Anna Hill that Ukraine's importance in food production won't have escaped Russian attention. Jack Watts from the Home Grown Cereals Authority, the levy board which monitors cereal prices, tells Farming Today the price of wheat has already risen in the last few days.
Milk processors could face new pressure after Tesco cut the price of four pints of milk to a pound. Aldi and Asda have already done the same. Whilst the supermarket says its farmers won't be affected by the price cut, dairy analyst Ian Potter tells us that low prices in the supermarket combined with a high price paid to farmers could mean that milk processors see their margins squeezed.
And we hear from the Cornwall Association of Woodturners, who say offers of fallen trees and branches following the recent storms have increased to levels they simply can't deal with. They also tell Anna that much of the wood being offered isn't suitable for turning.
Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Jules Benham.
TUE 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b03wphhd)
Blackbird (Spring)
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about our British birds inspired by their calls and songs.
Bill Oddie presents the blackbird. Blackbirds are thrushes and the brown female often has a few speckles on her throat to prove it. Velvety, black and shiny, the males sport an eye-ring as yellow as a spring daffodil and a bill glowing like a buttercup. Happily blackbirds aren't doing too badly. There's so many of them that their territories often overlap so that where one song leaves off, another song begins.
TUE 06:00 Today (b03wphhg)
Morning news and current affairs. Including Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather and Thought for the Day.
TUE 09:00 The Life Scientific (b03wphhj)
Vikram Patel
Jim Al-Khalili talks to psychiatrist Vikram Patel about the global campaign he is leading to tackle mental health. He reflects on his early career working in Zimbabwe, when he doubted any western diagnoses or treatments for peoples' distress would be of much use. However, his subsequent research made him question this and come to the realisation that some conditions, like depression and psychosis, could be tackled universally. Now based in India, Vikram's research guides the public health approach he is taking. Yet critics question the application of Western categories for diagnosis and treatment to other parts of the world.
Producer: Beth Eastwood.
TUE 09:30 One to One (b03wphhl)
Emma Barnett
Emma Barnett is 29 and Women's Editor of the Daily Telegraph. She regards herself as a feminist, she demands equality in the workplace and in all aspects of her secular life. But she has a secret: as an orthodox Jew, when attending synagogue, she is happy to sit separately from the men, not to take part in the service and finds it hard to embrace the concept of women rabbis.
For the next two weeks in One to One, Emma tries to get to resolve this contradiction by talking to women who also wrestle with this dilemma; when the values you hold in secular life are not the same as those in your religious life, those you hold in your public life may not be the same as those in your private life.
Emma says; 'This is an uncomfortable position, I want to rid my brain of these views, which don't make sense to me in my daily life. I would like unpack this double standard and get rid of this illogical hypocrisy.'
This week she talks to a highly successful barrister, feminist and orthodox jew who explains how she relieves the tensions raised by her contradictory life.
Producer: Lucy Lunt.
TUE 09:45 Book of the Week (b03xcd49)
The Fun Stuff
2. Kazuo Ishiguro: Never Let Me Go
Highlights from an entertaining and idiosyncratic series of essays from James Wood, the leading literary critic of his generation. It's a collection which ranges widely, from a loving analysis of Keith Moon's drum technique to the intentions, gifts and limitations of some of our most celebrated modern novelists, including Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan.
2. KAZUO ISHIGURO: NEVER LET ME GO
Wood considers a masterwork that melds sci-fi with literary fiction - a cloning story that 'combines the fantastic and realistic till we can no longer separate them'.
Abridged by Eileen Horne
Reader: Peter Firth
Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4
TUE 10:00 Woman's Hour (b03wphhn)
Caring for Parents
Jane Garvey talks to Carol Lee about the difficulties - practical and emotional - of caring for elderly parents long distance. And listeners tell us about their experiences of caring for parents, or being looked after by adult children.
Presenter: Jane Garvey
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore.
TUE 10:45 15 Minute Drama (b03wphhq)
Charlotte Jones - What Would Elizabeth Bennet Do?
Charlotte Lucas
By Charlotte Jones.
Ever wondered what your favourite literary characters would do if they were around today? City boy James takes inspiration from his girlfriend's beloved Austen in plotting how to win her back.
He wants to grab her attention with an offer he hopes she can't refuse.
Produced by Lucy Collingwood.
TUE 11:00 Nature (b03wphhs)
Series 8
James and the Giant Atlas Cedars
In August 2013, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reclassified the Atlas Cedar from 'least concern' to 'endangered species' . Drought as well as local pressures from grazing, logging and pests are threatening the survival of Morocco's endemic forests of Atlas Cedars. Professional tree climber James Aldred who grew up surrounded by trees in the New Forest is passionate about trees and tree climbing. It's not so much the technical challenges of climbing that James enjoys but the opportunity to explore the character, structure and ecology of the tree as he gains a unique perspective by climbing up high into the tree's canopy. So, James travels to Morocco to explore these ancient forests and reflect on the challenges facing them. He also finds a suitable tree to climb and sleep in overnight. From his tree top hammock, he watches a spider abseiling on its silken thread and hears owls calling through the darkness. He wakes before sunrise and climbs to the top of the tree to look out across this vast ancient forest in the early morning light. Its an unforgettable experience. Back on the ground, James discovers a fenced-off area in the forest containing tiny cedar seedlings and some young saplings - a sign of hope that these threatened Atlas Cedar forests may yet have a future.
TUE 11:30 Creating Pitch-Perfect (b01shwkq)
Audiences need never suffer out-of-tune singing again, thanks to the development of pitch-correction software. But as well as correcting the inadequate, it has become a tool for new and creative ways of performing and recording.
Presenter Catherine Bott is a Classical singer, broadcaster and experienced session musician. She visits a recording studio to see how the software works, and bravely submits her own voice for analysis by deliberately singing out of tune.
Surprisingly, one of the best-known examples of pitch correction software - Auto-Tune - was developed by a former oil industry engineer working on the development of acoustic tests for interpreting seismic data. Dr Andy Hildebrand realised that the same technology could be used to analyse and modify pitch in audio files without affecting vocal quality. Catherine talks to Andy about how he came to develop the software.
Catherine also looks at the creative use of pitch correction software - starting with the iconic use of the effect in Cher's 1998 single Believe, where extreme use of the effect creates a robotic vocal style used later by Kanye West and Channy Leaneagh singer with from the band Poliça. She visits composer and producer Steve Pycroft in his studio to see how the effect can be used on her vocals on a specially-arranged piece of Baroque music.
And the negative side of pitch correction is also explored - is it encouraging singers to be lazy, knowing that any tuning errors can always be 'fixed in the mix'?
With contributions from studio engineers Tom Bailey and Olga Fitzroy, music critics Tom Ewing and Neil McCormick, and Channy Leaneagh of Poliça.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013.
TUE 12:00 You and Yours (b03wphhv)
Call You and Yours: The Cost of Childcare
Is it right that the cost of childcare is more than a mortgage? We discuss the choices parents are making: going out to work or staying at home? Call 03700 100 444 or email youandyours@bbc.co.uk
Producer: Siobhann Tighe
Presenter: Winifred Robinson.
TUE 12:57 Weather (b03w6wlv)
The latest weather forecast.
TUE 13:00 World at One (b03w6wlx)
National and international news. Listeners can share their views via email: wato@bbc.co.uk or on twitter: #wato.
TUE 13:45 The Value of Failure (b03wpj8v)
Military
When struggling to invent the electric light bulb, Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed; I've simply found ten thousand ways that won't work."
In this series, five people from very different spheres of life reflect on what failure has taught them personally and explain what value those lessons have in their worlds.
Former Air Vice Marshal Sean Bell spent three decades in the military and knows too well the cost of failure in combat. He passionately believes that civvy street has a lot to learn from the upfront way in which the armed forces tackles failure at all ranks. He takes us to see how officers learn these lessons in the field, and to meet his friend and former POW John Peters, who shares his very moving story of war-time failure.
Producer: Catherine Carr.
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 14:00 The Archers (b03wpdy6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Monday]
TUE 14:15 McLevy (b03wpj8x)
Series 10
A Sore Convulsion
Victorian detective drama, starring Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond.
Written by David Ashton.
Episode three: A Sore Convulsion.
An expansion of the docks threatens to change Leith forever - and brings a visitor with painful revelations about Jean Brash's childhood.
Other parts are played by the cast.
Producer/Director: Bruce Young.
TUE 15:00 The Kitchen Cabinet (b03wpj8z)
Series 6
Brixton
Jay Rayner and the team are in Brixton for this week's episode of Radio 4's culinary panel programme.
Answering questions from the audience are Michelin star chef Angela Hartnett, food writer Tim Hayward, Catalan cuisine specialist Rachel McCormack, and broadcaster and writer Andi Oliver.
The menu includes jerk chicken, salt cod, rice and peas and more. The panel also discuss how to make a béchamel sauce without lumps and vegetarian substitutes for bacon.
Food Consultant: Anna Colquhoun.
Produced by Peggy Sutton.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 15:30 Costing the Earth (b03wpj91)
Nuclear Waste's Final Destination
Nuclear power is back on the UK's agenda, but what to do with the long-lasting radioactive waste remains the problem.
Costing The Earth investigates the best ways to dispose of the waste produced by the generation of nuclear power.
Rob Broomby travels to France where more than 75% of electricity is generated by nuclear power stations. He visits Aube where they are taking care of low and intermediate level waste. It is being stored in concrete and then will be grassed over and monitored for the next 350 years.
Rob also visits a planned site for future disposal of high level waste: deep below the surface in the Champagne-Ardennes region where they intend to bury the waste locked up in clay.
Back in the UK the debate continues as we strive to find a final destination for radioactive waste.
Presenter: Rob Broomby
Producer: martin Poyntz-Roberts.
TUE 16:00 Law in Action (b03wpjg2)
Bringing Bankers to Book
Why have no senior bankers been prosecuted for their role in the financial crisis? And should companies be able to avoid criminal prosecution by making a deal with a judge about how they work in future? The man who runs the Serious Fraud Office will be in the Law In Action studio to answer those questions and more as the programme returns for a new series.
Also on the programme, presenter Joshua Rozenberg examines the legal status of the so-called "get out of jail free" letters received by suspected paramilitaries.
And does the government's new announcement on legal aid mean justice could become a luxury for the rich, as some critics claim?
TUE 16:30 A Good Read (b03wpjg4)
Penelope Lively and Will Smith
Novelist Dame Penelope Lively and comedy writer and performer Will Smith talk to Harriett Gilbert about the books they love, which include A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis and Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez.
Producer Beth O'Dea.
TUE 17:00 PM (b03wpjg6)
Coverage and analysis of the day's news.
TUE 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b03w6wlz)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
TUE 18:30 Dilemma (b03wpjg8)
Series 3
Episode 5
Sue Perkins puts Al Murray, Cerrie Burnell, Ben Goldacre and Danielle Ward through the moral and ethical wringer.
Dilemmas for the panellists include deciding between two distinct forms of environmentalism; being taken back to school and having a taxing time.
Devised by Danielle Ward.
Producer: Ed Morrish.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
TUE 19:00 The Archers (b03wpjh5)
It's pancake day in Ambridge and the competition is on at The Bull. Fallon has some news for Jolene, Rhys is going to be moving back to Wales to take on the role of manager at a new bar. Fallon will not be joining him and they've decided to break up.
Jolene is concerned as the water coming through the tap is a very funny colour. They later discover that a 'Do Not Drink' notice has been issued in the village, causing panic buying at the shop. Alan decides they need to organise a supermarket run in order to get bottled water to the village residents.
The Bull is packed thanks to both the pancake competition and the water crisis. Kenton and Jolene are glad to see everyone enjoying themselves. Fallon talks to Shula and discovers that Dan might need some help organising an event for Sport Relief and she's keen to help.
Jim announces that the water company have reported a burst water main just outside the village which is causing the issues. They will be sending out water bowsers in the morning. The villagers are unhappy but an ever enthusiastic Kenton is quick to rally them again - They haven't drunk the pub dry yet!
TUE 19:15 Front Row (b03wpjjn)
Vikings at British Museum; John Carter Cash; 37 Days
With John Wilson,
An enormous Viking longboat - the biggest ever discovered - is the central piece in the British Museum's new exhibition about the Viking era. Taking pride of place in the museum's newly-constructed Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery, the longboat is surrounded by other artefacts of warfare, as well as many treasures that the Vikings created - or looted. A year ago, British Museum director Neil MacGregor took John round the work-in-progress when the gallery was still a building-site; now he explains how the new space will aid future displays, and curator Gareth Williams gives John a tour of the ferocious Viking weaponry and stunning jewellery.
As part of a BBC series marking the centenary of World War One, Ian McDiarmid (Star Wars) and Tim Pigott-Smith (Spooks) star in political thriller 37 Days. Set in Whitehall and Berlin during 1914, the factual drama chronicles the count down to the start of the First World War. Sarah Crompton reviews.
John Carter Cash talks about his father and his legacy as never-heard-before recordings, made in the 1980s during Cash's last days with his long-time label Columbia Records, are being released.
A lost novella by Jack Kerouac has been published for the first time, more than seventy years after the author left it in a university dorm room in New York. The Haunted Life is a coming of age story and, like much of Kerouac's later work, is autobiographical. Michael Carlson discusses whether Kerouac's early writing tells us anything new about his later works, On the Road and Big Sur.
Producer Claire Bartleet.
TUE 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b03wphhq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
TUE 20:00 File on 4 (b03wpjjq)
The Accountant Kings
The UK is said to have more accountants than almost any other nation on earth. Thanks to reforms in the way the public sector is run, the "Big Four" accountancy firms and the accountancy profession generally has become more powerful and more influential than ever before. But what do these accountants actually do and what does it mean for taxpayers?
To find out, Simon Cox meets the residents of Birmingham, who are dealing with the reality of the accountants' decisions. And he speaks to the nation's top accountants to ask how their profession is changing and what the future holds.
The last 20 years have seen many services which used to be run by local councils outsourced to the private sector. Capita, formed by a former government accountant, has taken the lion's share of these contracts, which often involve a team of Capita accountants deciding where to make cuts in local services. In Birmingham a massive IT and 'business transformation' contract between Capita and the City Council is proving highly controversial - with claims that it is diverting money away from public services and into private sector profit.
Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) form another kind of management model which accountants helped create and which added to the growth of the Big Four accountancy firms - Deloitte, Ernst and Young, KPMG and PriceWaterhouseCoopers - over the last two decades. Birmingham is home to one of the biggest PFI contracts ever signed, with a private contractor in charge of roads, trees and street lights. Have the accountants engineered a good deal for Birmingham?
The next big growth area for the accountants is the NHS as doctors seek their help in commissioning and managing local services under the health service reforms. But what does this mean for the people on the NHS front line?
Reporter: Simon Cox
Producer: Lucy Proctor.
TUE 20:40 In Touch (b03wpjjs)
Acoustic target shooting; Free access software for Microsoft Windows
One of the major barriers to access to technology for visually impaired people is the cost of the adaptations they need such as synthetic speech or magnification software. Microsoft has teamed up with assistive technology company GW Micro, to provide a downloadable free piece of software that gives synthetic speech output access to some versions of Microsoft Windows. We speak to Assistive Technology Consultant Steve Nutt about what this new partnership could mean for visually impaired people, and Dan Weirich from GW Micro, tells us how the partnership came about.
Reporter Tom Walker investigates the growing sport of acoustic target shooting. He speaks to a competitor in the lesser-known form of the sport, acoustic clay pigeon shooting as well as attending the blind target shooting championships in Wolverhampton, and asks why the sport is growing in popularity?
Presenter:Peter White
Producer:Lee Kumutat
Editor:Andrew Smith.
TUE 21:00 Inside Health (b03wpjkq)
Scarlet Fever; Overtreating the over-80s; ICU and trauma; Feedback on constipation; Cataracts
Dr Mark Porter investigates a pioneering research project designed to reduce the psychological trauma experienced by more than half of critically ill patients after a stay in intensive care. Why do treatments on ICU cause hallucinations and post traumatic stress disorder in patients months after they leave hospital? Mark talks to the doctor who believes people over the age of eighty are being overtreated to protect them against heart attack and stroke. He finds out why some of the drugs used could increase their risk of falls. Also in the programme, how lens replacement surgery for cataracts is also being used to correct vision. And why are cases of scarlet fever on the rise?
TUE 21:30 The Life Scientific (b03wphhj)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
TUE 22:00 The World Tonight (b03wpk70)
The USA has stepped up the pressure on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine. The Secretary of State, John Kerry, has warned President Putin he faces diplomatic and economic isolation unless he backs down. For his part, President Putin defended his country's intervention, saying his troops reserved the right to use force - but only as a last resort. We discuss whether the USA's stance towards Russia is reflected by that of the EU. And Andrew Hosken reports from Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine.
Alex Salmond has delivered a speech in London, saying an independent Scotland would benefit many parts of England. He said an economically strong Scotland would help counter the financial might of London. We seek the views of two Englishmen on Scottish independence: the novelist and journalist, Will Self; and the commentator, David Aaronovitch.
Also: it will be the largest public vote the world has seen. The dates of India's parliamentary elections will be announced on Wednesday - they will probably take place some time in April and May. Campaigning has been going on for a while. The current government is led by Congress. It fared badly in state elections at the end of last year and its most serious challenge comes from the opposition BJP and its candidate, Narendra Modi. Ritula Shah has been talking to people who support him... and to his critics.
TUE 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b03xcd4c)
Lynne Truss - Cat Out of Hell
Episode 2
By acclaimed storyteller Lynne Truss, author of the bestselling Eats, Shoots and Leaves, the mysterious tale of a cat with nine lives, and relationship as ancient as time itself and just as powerful.
The scene - an isolated cottage on the coast on a stormy evening. Inside, Alec a recently bereaved widower and his dog. To pass the time Alec explores the contents of a folder of documents emailed to him by an acquaintance at the library where he used to work. What he discovers is an extraordinary story that will change his life forever.
Episode 2:
Alec discovers Roger's incredible life story through interviews transcribed by Wiggy. But what's more unbelievable is that Roger himself is the interviewee.
Reader: Mike Grady
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 23:00 2525 (b03q8q1n)
Episode 5
In the year 2525, if man is still alive, if woman can survive... then it may sound something like this. Set 511 years in the future, 2525 invites you to hear more snippets of our future from the last remaining members of the royal family to the 26th Century ebook readers.
Written by Colin Birch, Jon Hunter, Jane Lamacraft, Alex Lowe, Paul Putner, Victoria Gooch, Alastair Goff and Eddie Robson.
Produced by Ashley Blaker.
A John Stanley production for BBC Radio 4.
TUE 23:30 Today in Parliament (b03wpk72)
The Foreign Secretary gives a warning that there is a risk that "deliberate provocation" could give rise to a dangerous incident in Ukraine.
In a statement to MPs, William Hague says Ukraine should be commended "for refusing to rise to provocation" from Russia.
The House of Commons debates the issue of cyber security.
There is a fresh call for action to regulate the sale of tickets to sporting and cultural events.
And the House of Lords considers the detail of the Government's immigration plans.
Susan Hulme and team report on today's events in Parliament.
WEDNESDAY 05 MARCH 2014
WED 00:00 Midnight News (b03w6wn5)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
WED 00:30 Book of the Week (b03xcd49)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Tuesday]
WED 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wn7)
The latest shipping forecast.
WED 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b03w6wn9)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
WED 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wnc)
The latest shipping forecast.
WED 05:30 News Briefing (b03w6wnf)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
WED 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b03wpzmf)
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day, with the Rev Canon Jenny Wigley.
WED 05:45 Farming Today (b03wpzmh)
Flood Recovery Fund, Apprenticeships, Global Female Farmers
The farming minister George Eustice defends the £10 million Farming Flood Recovery Fund against claims that it unfairly excludes those who have already started repair work, like farmers in the north and east of England, recovering from the December storms. He tells Anna Hill the fund is not for compensating farmers, but for getting agricultural land back into production. But Andrew Wilson, NFU county chairman for Lincolnshire, is not convinced. He believes all farmers affected by the floods should benefit from the Government's money, not just those hit by the most recent flooding in the south of England.
It's Apprenticeship Week and a year since a project was launched in the East of England to encourage more food and farming apprenticeships. Anna meets Charlotte Gurney who runs a pick-your-own farm just outside Norwich, and her apprentice Tom Thomas.
As part of this week's 'Women in Farming' theme, Anna discusses the vital role women play in global food production. In developing countries women make up nearly half the agricultural workforce and two thirds of the world's 600 million livestock keepers, according to the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation. Yet in some parts of the world they're not allowed to own land, or access the same farm technology as men. Anna speaks to Hannah Stoddart, Oxfam's head of economic justice, about gender inequality in world farming.
Presented by Anna Hill and produced in Bristol by Anna Jones.
WED 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b03wpzmk)
Chiffchaff
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about the British birds inspired by their calls and songs.
Bill Oddie presents the chiffchaff. Chiffchaff are small olive warblers which sing their name as they flit around hunting for insects in woods, marshes and scrubby places. Chiffchaffs are increasing in the UK and the secret of their success is their ability to weather our winters. Many stay in the milder south and south-west of England where the insects are more active.
WED 06:00 Today (b03wpzmm)
Morning news and current affairs. Including Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather and Thought for the Day.
WED 09:00 Midweek (b03wpzmr)
Amy Lehman, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Alex Shearer, Richard Dunwoody MBE
Libby Purves meets Dr Amy Lehman, founder of The Lake Tanganyika Floating Health Clinic; legendary soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa; writer Alex Shearer and champion jockey turned photographer Richard Dunwoody.
Dr Amy Lehman is founder and president of The Lake Tanganyika Floating Health Clinic, an NGO which provides medical services to the 12m people who live around the lake. Bordered by four countries - Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Burundi - Lake Tanganyika is one of the most remote places in the world. Amy, who sports a vast tattoo of Lake Tanganyika across her back, recently featured in Newsweek magazine's list of 150 Women Who Shake The World.
Legendary soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa returns to the Royal Opera House as La Duchesse de Crackentorp in Donizetti's La Fille Du Regiment. Born in New Zealand, Dame Kiri studied there and at the National Opera Studio in London, making her debut with The Royal Opera as Countess Almaviva in 1971. She went on to perform internationally as one of the leading lyric sopranos of her generation. In 2004 she launched The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation to support New Zealand and international singers. La Fille Du Regiment is at the Royal Opera House, London.
Alex Shearer is a writer who has written for the stage, radio, TV and film. A children's author, his new book, This is the Life, is his first adult novel. The book is a fictionalised account of his brother's final illness and is based on Alex's experiences as his brother's carer. This Is The Life is published by Blue Door.
Richard Dunwoody is a former National Hunt jockey who is now a professional photographer. During his career he rode some 1,700 winners including the legendary Desert Orchid. He was Champion Jockey three times and won the Grand National twice until a neck injury forced him to retire prematurely in 1999. He is the official photographer for the annual Mongol Derby, an equestrian endurance race of 1000 km across the Mongolian steppe.
Producer: Paula McGinley.
WED 09:45 Book of the Week (b03xcdbv)
The Fun Stuff
3. Marilynne Robinson
Highlights from an entertaining and idiosyncratic series of essays from James Wood, the leading literary critic of his generation. It's a collection which ranges widely, from a loving analysis of Keith Moon's drum technique to the intentions, gifts and limitations of some of our most celebrated modern novelists, including Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan.
3. MARILYNNE ROBINSON
Wood looks at the religious sensibility of the American author whose Pulitzer Prize winning Gilead was one of the most 'unconventional...popular novels of recent times.'
Abridged by Eileen Horne
Reader: Peter Firth
Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4
WED 10:00 Woman's Hour (b03wpzmt)
The A-Z of Mrs P; Compensation for Libyan rape victims; Game Changers; Losing your mum
Phyllis Pearsall says she was responsible for creating the first A-Z of London. A new play, The A-Z of Mrs P, is inspired by her story. We hear from the female duo behind the production.
What does being a Game Changer mean? Two women share their very personal experiences of changing other people's lives.
The Libyan government's plan to compensate women raped during the 2011 revolution.
And we look at the impact of losing your mother. How does it change you and how does your grief change over time?
Presenter: Jenni Murray
Producer: Laura Northedge
Editor: Karen Dalziel.
WED 10:45 15 Minute Drama (b03wpzmw)
Charlotte Jones - What Would Elizabeth Bennet Do?
Lydia
By Charlotte Jones.
Ever wondered what your favourite literary characters would do if they were around today? City boy James takes inspiration from his girlfriend's beloved Austen in plotting how to win her back. He wants to grab her attention with an offer he hopes she can't refuse...
With music from London based choir MKC.
Produced by Lucy Collingwood.
WED 11:00 The Long March (b03wpzmy)
The Battle of Luding Bridge
Mao Zehdong understood very early the value of the Long March as propaganda. Shortly after it ended he wrote "The Long March is a manifesto. It has proclaimed to the world that the Red Army is an army of heroes, while the imperialists and their running dogs, Chiang Kai-shek and his like, are impotent. The Long March is also a propaganda force. It has announced to some 200 million people that the road of the Red Army is their only road to liberation."
Mao was so successful in manipulating the image of the Long March that it very quickly became a common phrase in English. Our second programme starts at the Luding Bridge, the site of one of the most celebrated battles of the whole march. The legend has it that the Nationalists had removed all the planks leaving Mao's army stranded and cornered on one side of the high gorge. But Red Army volunteers, under heavy fire, went hand over hand along the chains to establish a bridge head on the other side saving the day. Edward Stourton talks to witnesses of the battle to find out if it lives up to its mythological status. He also hears more first hand accounts of the suffering of the marchers and the ruthless determination it took to survive. On some sections people were so hungry they gathered undigested grains from the faeces of those who'd gone before to wash and eat again. We'll also tell the story of Mao's secret daughter - his wife, like other women who gave birth on the March, was forced to leave her child behind - mystery still surrounds the fate of the little girl who was left with a peasant family.
Producer: Phil Pegum.
WED 11:30 HR (b03wpzn0)
Series 5
Jesus O'Rahilly
New dimensions to our characters are explored - sometimes outrageously - in Nigel Williams comedy series. Today's setting: Salsa Lessons for the Over 60's. It's hot-hot-hot! and not for the faint-hearted!
Directed by Peter Kavanagh.
WED 12:00 You and Yours (b03wpzn2)
Fuel filter blockages
The UK Petrol Industry is introducing a new fuel test to stop a spate of diesel engine problems. You & Yours has been told hundreds of cars ground to a halt this year during the cold weather.
One in five of us received a nuisance call in January. The Information Commissioner wants new powers to prosecute companies that have us running for the phone unnecessarily.
Consumers may have lost out on £5 billion pounds in compensation for the mis-selling of Payment Protection Insurance. We find out where it has gone.
And we hear why the power is being turned down in some homes in the north west of England.
Producer: Natalie Donovan
Presenter: Winifred Robinson.
WED 13:00 World at One (b03w6wnk)
National and international news. Listeners can share their views via email: wato@bbc.co.uk or on twitter: #wato.
WED 13:45 The Value of Failure (b03wpzn4)
Education
When struggling to invent the electric light bulb, Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed; I've simply found ten thousand ways that won't work."
In this series, five people from very different spheres of life reflect on what failure has taught them personally and explain what value those lessons have in their worlds.
The head teacher of Wimbledon High School, Heather Hanbury, aims to equip her girls with the resilience provided by regular failing, as it will serve them well in the 'real world'. Her counter-cultural mission statement teaches pupils to be good both at failing and talking about failure. Conversely, she also encourages them to cast off embarrassment and to become adept at sharing their triumphs.
Producer: Catherine Carr
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 14:00 The Archers (b03wpjh5)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Tuesday]
WED 14:15 Drama (b03wq1nl)
Day Release
by Peter Jukes
Lenny Henry stars as Frank, a lifer on day release.
Double murderer Frank Watt is allowed out of prison for a series of days prior to being released on licence. On day one, he's looking forward to coming out, but he's institutionalised and things have changed a lot since the 80's. Plus, Frank's got some old business to sort.
Directed by Mary Peate.
WED 15:00 Money Box Live (b03wq1nn)
End of Year Tax Planning
Puzzled by tax? Let Paul Lewis and guests sort out your tax queries on Money Box Live. Call 03700 100 444 from
1pm to
3.30pm on Wednesday or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk.
As the tax year comes to an end you may have a question about last minute tax planning.
Does it make sense to move assets to a spouse or civil partner?
How do you work out capital gains and losses and can they be carried forward or back?
Can you give away tax free gifts or assets?
Are you entitled to savings interest without tax taken off?
Or perhaps you've just received a new tax code and want to find out how to check it?
How can you reclaim your money if you've paid too much tax?
Joining presenter Paul Lewis to answer your questions will be:
Mike Warburton, Tax Director, Grant Thornton.
Anita Monteith, Technical Manager, Tax, ICAEW.
Adam Waller, Tax Partner, PWC.
Call 03700 100 444 between
1pm and
3.30pm on Wednesday or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now. Standard geographic charges apply.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Producer: Diane Richardson.
WED 15:30 Inside Health (b03wpjkq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Tuesday]
WED 16:00 Thinking Allowed (b03wq26f)
Elite Graduates in France and UK; Surnames and Social Mobility
Surnames and social mobility - How much of our fate is tied to the status of our parents and grandparents? Laurie Taylor talks to Gregory Clark, Professor of Economics at the University of California, Davis, about movement up the social ladder over 8 centuries, from medieval England to modern Sweden. Using a unique methodology, Professor Clark tracked family names to assess social mobility across diverse eras and societies. His conclusion is that mobility rates are less than are often estimated and are resistant to social policies. It may take hundreds of years for descendants to move beyond inherited advantages, as well as disadvantages. He's joined by Andrew Miles, Reader in Sociology at the CRESC, University of Manchester and author of the only systematic study of historical social mobility in the UK.
Also, elite graduates and global ambition. Sally Power, Professorial Fellow at the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University, talks about a comparative study which finds that British students from top universities seek worldwide opportunities, whereas their French counterparts wish to 'serve' France. In theory, globalization has dissolved national borders and loyalties, so why do elite students from France and England have such strikingly different visions of their future?
Producer: Torquil Macleod.
WED 16:30 The Media Show (b03wq26h)
BBC3 online only; Vice news launches; net neutrality
Reports say that the BBC is considering making BBC3 a wholly online channel, following a speech given by BBC director general Tony Hall last week in which he said "tough choices" would have to be made if the corporation is to make savings. We get the latest from Broadcast magazine editor Chris Curtis, on whether the move would go any way at all towards delivering Lord Hall's £100m savings target by 2016.
Born twenty years a go as an indie magazine in Canada, Vice has grown into a multimedia offering which now claims a billion video views a year. This week, it launched another website dedicated to news content, which features reports from countries including Ukraine, Lebanon and Venezuela. Vice Media CEO and founder Shane Smith talks about growing the organisation and his influential backers.
Netflix has agreed to pay Comcast, the largest home Internet carrier in the US, to ensure its online videos are streamed smoothly to households. The deal has raised questions among advocates of 'net neutrality' - the concept that all traffic on the internet should be treated equally. Emily Bell, Director of Tow Centre for Digital Journalism at Columbia J School, former Ofcom director Kip Meek, and Neelie Kroes Vice President of the European Commission, discuss some of the arguments for and against net neutrality.
Producer: Katy Takatsuki
Editor: Andrew Smith.
WED 17:00 PM (b03wq26k)
Coverage and analysis of the day's news. Including Weather at
5.57pm.
WED 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b03w6wnm)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
WED 18:30 Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (b03wq26m)
Series 1
Smugglers
Mention Milton Jones to most people and the first thing they think is 'Help!'.
King of the one-liners, Milton Jones returns BBC to Radio 4 for an amazing 10th series in a new format where he has decided to set himself up as a man who can help anyone anywhere - whether they need it or not. Because, in his own words, "No problem too problemy".
But each week, Milton and his trusty assistant Anton set out to help people and soon find they're embroiled in a new adventure. So when you're close to the edge, then Milton can give you a push.
This week, the local seafarers' pub starts serving only coffee, there's no denying it's rum....the coffee, that is. So who better than Milton to sort it out?
Written by Milton with James Cary ("Bluestone 42", "Miranda") and Dan Evans (who co-wrote Milton's Channel 4 show "House Of Rooms") the man they call "Britain's funniest Milton," returns to the radio with a fully-working cast and a shipload of new jokes.
The cast includes regulars Tom Goodman-Hill ("Spamalot", "Mr. Selfridge") as the ever-faithful Anton, and Dan Tetsell ("Newsjack"), and features the one and only Josie Lawrence working with Milton for the first time.
Producer David Tyler's radio credits include Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive, Cabin Pressure, Bigipedia, Another Case Of Milton Jones, Jeremy Hardy Speaks To The Nation, The Brig Society, Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off, The 99p Challenge, The Castle, The 3rd Degree and even, going back a bit, Radio Active.
Produced and Directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 19:00 The Archers (b03wq2hs)
The Ash Wednesday service is busier than Shula expected, and Alan's sermon goes down well.
The villagers are still suffering with no water but Jill reports that luckily David and Ruth haven't been affected. Jill mentions that she might pop home for the weekend, not wanting to be a burden when Ruth and David are so stretched. Shula offers Jill her house instead, knowing that her operation is on Monday.
Emma and Nic have a laugh swapping stories from the water crisis. Everyone is helping out where they can and Shula and Jill along with the WI have plans to set up a laundry service if it goes on much longer.
Fallon discusses Dan's idea for the Sport Relief event - a cross country assault course! Emma is keen to sign up and convinces Nic to as well. Fallon secretly confides in Shula that she doesn't think they quite realise what they've let themselves in for.
Talk at The Bull turns to what they'll each give up for Lent. Kenton and Jolene challenge each other - Kenton to give up alcohol, Jolene to give up chocolate.
Fallon delivers some good news - the burst pipe has been fixed and everything should be back to normal.
WED 19:15 Front Row (b03wq2hv)
Guy Garvey; Sir David Frost's memorial; 300 - Rise of an Empire
With John Wilson.
Guy Garvey, Elbow's lead singer and guitarist, talks about the band's sixth studio album, The Take Off and Landing of Everything. Written during a period of change for the band, the lyrics cover the break-up of a long term relationship. Guy Garvey discusses how recent events inspired the band's song writing.
300: Rise Of An Empire is the sequel to 2007's 300, and - like the original - inspired by the work of graphic novelist Frank Miller, and with the same stylised, blood-spattered storyline. The sequel focusses on Themistokles, the Athenian general who - during the same three days as Thermopylae - led the Greek navy against the Persian navy, commanded by a brutal woman named Artemisia. Natalie Haynes reviews.
The broadcaster Sir David Frost is to have a memorial stone in Westminster Abbey. The Dean of the Abbey gives John a tour of the site and David Frost's new neighbours, and explains how decisions about these memorials are reached.
Producer: Olivia Skinner.
WED 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b03wpzmw)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
WED 20:00 Moral Maze (b03wq2hx)
Morality and Principle in Foreign Policy
The stand-off over Ukraine between Russia and the West looks increasingly threatening and reminiscent of the Cold War. It also demonstrates vividly the limits of the place of morality in foreign policy. We may feel it's our moral duty to defend our commitments to democracy and self-determination in the Ukraine, just as we have done, often loudly and directly, during the Arab Spring. The reality is our principles have come up against the facts on the ground. There will be talk of sanctions and diplomatic isolation, but there's little more we can do. So where does that leave the Western Ukrainians that we've been so assiduously courting? If ultimately we are not willing to risk our own skins to defend Ukraine shouldn't we admit that our policy is driven by self-interest rather than give the Western Ukrainians the illusion that we will do anything brave about it? Aren't we guilty of encouraging people to take risks on the false prospectus that we will be there when they need us? Ultimately, isn't honest real politic more moral than hypocritical internationalism? Or is a foreign policy that has no moral reference points beyond naked self-interest a nihilistic counsel of despair? How should we balance our moral responsibility to stand up for our principles and beliefs around the world with the forces of pragmatism? Combative, provocative and engaging debate chaired by Michael Buerk, with Melanie Phillips, Michael Portillo, Giles Fraser and Matthew Taylor.
WED 20:45 Four Thought (b03wq2j1)
Series 4
Making a Home
Becky Manson discusses the meaning of home as homeowning becomes less common.
Becky has moved home numerous times over the last decade, and has used art to explore the relationship between the idea of 'home' and the architectural reality of the houses or flats where we live. As houses become increasingly expensive and the average age of homeowning rises, she suggests a different way of thinking about our home.
Introduced by Kamin Mohammadi.
Producer: Giles Edwards.
WED 21:00 Costing the Earth (b03wpj91)
[Repeat of broadcast at
15:30 on Tuesday]
WED 21:30 Midweek (b03wpzmr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
WED 21:58 Weather (b03w6wnp)
The latest weather forecast.
WED 22:00 The World Tonight (b03wq2j3)
No breakthrough in US-Russian talks on Ukraine. We hear from foreign affairs analyst Andrey Kortunov, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, and Lithuania's foreign minister.
Quentin Letts and Alison Little on Clegg versus Farage in live debates on Europe.
And Ritula Shah reports on the state of India's economy ahead of the country's general election.
Presented by Carolyn Quinn.
WED 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b03xcdnj)
Lynne Truss - Cat Out of Hell
Episode 3
By acclaimed storyteller Lynne Truss, author of the bestselling Eats, Shoots and Leaves, the mysterious tale of a cat with nine lives. And a relationship as ancient as time itself and just as powerful.
The scene - an isolated cottage on the coast on a stormy evening. Inside, Alec a recently bereaved widower and his dog. To pass the time Alec explores the contents of a folder of documents emailed to him by an acquaintance at the library where he used to work. What he discovers is an extraordinary story that will change his life forever.
Episode 3:
Winterton's folder reveals more of Roger's extraordinary story. But the mystery surrounding Jo's disappearance deepens.
Reader: Mike Grady
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 23:00 History Retweeted (b03wq2j5)
The Great Pyramid
The programme that sends us back in time as we hear people from the past comment on a series of major world events, in less than 140 characters.
In The Great Pyramid - the Nile turns into video streams, order your pet mummification online, and find out how Pharaoh Khufu built that great feat of mankind while maintaining a hashtag game with his followers?
Turning statuses into sounds, History Retweeted transports us to timelines gone by, feeding hashtags, trolls and trending topics into moments from history.
Featuring the voices of Tim Barnes and Simon Berry, Wayne Forester and Annabelle Llewellyn,
Peter Temple and Jelly Macintosh. With Lucy Beaumont as the voice of The Computer.
Written by Tim Barnes and Simon Berry
Produced by Sally Harrison
A Woolyback production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 23:15 Nurse (b03wq2j7)
Series 1
Episode 3
A brand new series starring Paul Whitehouse and Esther Coles, with Rosie Cavaliero, Simon Day, Cecilia Noble and Marcia Warren.
The series follows Elizabeth, a Community Psychiatric Nurse in her forties, into the homes of her patients (or Service Users in today's jargon). It recounts their humorous, sad and often bewildering daily interactions with the nurse, whose job is to assess their progress, dispense their medication and offer comfort and support.
Compassionate and caring, Elizabeth is aware that she cannot cure her patients, only help them manage their various conditions. She visits the following characters throughout the series:
Lorrie and Maurice: Lorrie, in her fifties, is of Caribbean descent and has schizophrenia. Lorrie's life is made tolerable by her unshakeable faith in Jesus, and Maurice, who has a crush on her and wants to do all he can to help. So much so that he ends up getting on everyone's nerves.
Billy: Billy feels safer in jail than outside, a state of affairs the nurse is trying to rectify. She is hampered by the ubiquitous presence of Billy's mate, Tony.
Graham: in his forties, is morbidly obese due to an eating disorder. Matters aren't helped by his mum 'treating' him to sugary and fatty snacks at all times.
Ray: is bipolar and a rock and roll survivor from the Sixties. It is not clear how much of his 'fame' is simply a product of his imagination.
Phyllis: in her seventies, has Alzheimer's. She is sweet, charming and exasperating. Her son Gary does his best but if he has to hear 'I danced for the Queen Mum once' one more time he will explode.
Herbert is an old school gentleman in his late Seventies. Herbert corresponds with many great literary figures unconcerned that they are, for the most part, dead.
Nurse is written by Paul Whitehouse and David Cummings, who have collaborated many time in the past, including on The Fast Show, Down the Line and Happiness.
Written by Paul Whitehouse and David Cummings with additional material from Esther Coles
Producers: Paul Whitehouse and Tilusha Ghelani
A Down the Line production for BBC Radio 4.
WED 23:30 Today in Parliament (b03wq2j9)
Sean Curran reports on the exchanges between David Cameron and Ed Miliband on the crisis in Ukraine, that dominates the weekly session of Prime Minister's Question time.
Also on the programme: The Commons Speaker John Bercow proclaims a victory for Parliament when a Court makes a ruling in favour of parliamentary privilege.
* MPs follow up the publication of the report a year ago into the scandal of patient deaths at Stafford Hospital.
* A Skills Minister unveils a shake-up in the system of vocational qualifications.
* University professors look into the details of what a Yes vote for Scottish independence might actually mean.
THURSDAY 06 MARCH 2014
THU 00:00 Midnight News (b03w6wpm)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
THU 00:30 Book of the Week (b03xcdbv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Wednesday]
THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wpp)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b03w6wpr)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
THU 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wpt)
The latest shipping forecast.
THU 05:30 News Briefing (b03w6wpw)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b03wq2nv)
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day, with the Rev Canon Jenny Wigley.
THU 05:45 Farming Today (b03wq2nx)
Flood prevention, badger TB testing, agriculture female innovators
Proposals to prevent a repeat of the Somerset Levels floods will be presented to the Government today. The plan, drawn up by the Somerset Levels and Moors Task Force, was requested by the Environment Secretary Owen Paterson when he visited the area 6 weeks ago. It lays out measures including improved dredging and a tidal sluice gate for Bridgwater, but it also says that land management practices will have a big part to play in slowing down runoff from fields.
Scientists from Liverpool University are starting to test roadkill badgers for Bovine TB in Cheshire. The evidence will be used to shape future strategies for slowing down the spread of the disease into new areas of the county.
And, Anna Jones continues our exploration of the changing role of women in agriculture with a Cotswold farmer who's been around the world meeting female innovators.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Jules Benham.
THU 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b03wq2nz)
Lapwing
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about our British birds inspired by their calls and songs.
Bill Oddie presents the lapwing. The lovely iridescent greens and purples of the lapwing: with its delicate crest and broad rounded wings that almost seem to twinkle in level flight, they are seen less often on our farmland today. At one time they were so common that their freckled eggs were harvested and sent off to the cities to pamper the palates of urban epicures.
THU 06:00 Today (b03wq2p1)
Morning news and current affairs. Including Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather and Thought for the Day.
THU 09:00 In Our Time (b03wq2p3)
Spartacus
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the life of Spartacus, the gladiator who led a major slave rebellion against the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC. He was an accomplished military leader, and the campaign he led contributed significantly to the instability of the Roman state in this period. Spartacus was celebrated by some ancient historians and reviled by others, and became a hero to revolutionaries in 19th-century Europe. Modern perceptions of his character have been influenced by Stanley Kubrick's 1960 film - but ancient sources give a rather more complex picture of Spartacus and the aims of his rebellion.
With:
Mary Beard
Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge
Maria Wyke
Professor of Latin at University College, London
Theresa Urbainczyk
Associate Professor of Classics at University College, Dublin.
Producer: Victoria Brignell.
THU 09:45 Book of the Week (b03xcgly)
The Fun Stuff
4. Containment: Trauma and Manipulation In Ian McEwan
Highlights from an entertaining and idiosyncratic series of essays from James Wood, the leading literary critic of his generation. It's a collection which ranges widely, from a loving analysis of Keith Moon's drum technique to the intentions, gifts and limitations of some of our most celebrated modern novelists, including Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan.
4. CONTAINMENT: TRAUMA AND MANIPULATION IN IAN McEWAN
Wood admires and critiques the author of Atonement, Enduring Love and On Chesil Beach - 'the great contemporary stager of traumatic contingency as it strikes ordinary lives'.
Abridged by Eileen Horne
Reader: The Fun Stuff
Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4
THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (b03wq2sh)
Politics of afro hair; Gloria Steinem; Sharon Hardy; the original 'Sheila'
The politics of afro hair with Hannah Pool and Editi Udofot. Archive interview of Gloria Steinem, celebrating her 80th birthday, Rosie Boycott tells us why she was so important. Sharon Hardy, sister of Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement, responds to this week's inquest findings on her death. Kicking on with your career after your children have grown up, and the story of the original 'Sheila' with the author Robert Wainwright.
THU 10:45 15 Minute Drama (b03wq2sk)
Charlotte Jones - What Would Elizabeth Bennet Do?
Mrs Bennet
By Charlotte Jones.
Ever wondered what your favourite literary characters would do if they were around today? City boy James takes inspiration from his girlfriend's beloved Austen in plotting how to win her back. He wants to grab her attention with an offer he hopes she can't refuse...
With music from London based choir MKC.
Produced by Lucy Collingwood.
THU 11:00 From Our Own Correspondent (b03wq2sm)
Call Me White Hair
Stories from correspondents around the world, introduced by Kate Adie. Mark Urban hears an Iraqi policeman let rip about his own government and there are predictions of mayhem. In Afghanistan Chris Terrill visits a school that's daring to teach boys and girls together. Niger has joined the club of oil producers and Celeste Hicks describes how the arrival of a spaceship of sorts in the desert is affecting people's lives - but they need to read the small print. James Rodgers visits a World War I cemetery near Jerusalem and ponders how events there 100 years ago influenced the region and still do. And Justin Marozzi has been given a nickname - in Somalia. It's not flattering but it's better than the last one.
Producer: John Murphy.
THU 11:30 Bengal to Baker Street in 80 Paintings (b03wq2sp)
There was a time when British art critics declared that there was no such thing as fine art in India and that its sculptures and paintings were hideous and worthless. Mukti Jain Campion discovers the story of pioneering Calcutta painter Jamini Roy (1887 - 1972), who set out to challenge such colonial views and became one of the most successful fathers of Indian modern art.
In an apartment off London's Baker Street, Nirmalya Kumar, a Calcutta-born business professor, has amassed a unique collection which traces the evolution of Jamini Roy as an artist. It shows how Roy developed a distinctive "flat" style inspired by traditional village scroll painters - and then honed it over a lifetime.
Roy was keen that his art should be cheap and accessible and his paintings soon became immensely popular amongst ordinary Bengalis but also gained an international following.
Contributors include:
Professor Nirmalya Kumar, collector of Jamini Roy's paintings
Richard Blurton, curator of South Asian Art at the British Museum,
Partha Mitter Emeritus Professor of Art History, University of Sussex
Sona Datta, art historian and curator and author of book on Jamini Roy "Urban Patua".
Artist Sir Howard Hodgkin
Producer: Mukti Jain Campion
A Culture Wise production
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.
THU 12:00 You and Yours (b03wq2sr)
Furniture complaints and high-resolution music
For many people, CD is the hallmark of sound quality, but high resolution music could change that. Mobile phone and hi-fi companies are offering hi-res capable players, but not everyone can hear the difference. We ask the BBC Philharmonic's resident sound engineer Stephen Rinker and music producer Steve Levine to compare recordings.
Furniture is one of the biggest areas of customer complaint in the UK. The Furniture Ombudsman offers to adjudicate cases, but has no statutory powers. We ask them how to complain effectively.
The Victorians loved taxidermy. For years it's been sidelined to museums and stately homes, but now taxidermy classes for beginners are selling out fast. Our reporter Geoff Bird sees if he can cut it.
And the World Health Organisation has suggested halving the amount of sugar in our diet. Just how much should you eat?
Presenter: Winifred Robinson
Producer: Joel Moors.
THU 12:57 Weather (b03w6wpy)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 13:00 World at One (b03w6wq0)
A review into the murder of Stephen Lawrence leads to the Home Secretary launching a public inquiry into undercover police officers. One member of the original MacPherson Inquiry tells us it is an "appalling idea".
Environment Secretary - Owen Paterson - gives details of his plans to stop the Somerset Levels from flooding again.
BBC Director General - Lord Hall - explains why he's moving BBC Three off the television and onto the internet.
THU 13:45 The Value of Failure (b03wq2st)
Business
When struggling to invent the electric light bulb, Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed; I've simply found ten thousand ways that won't work."
In this series, five people from very different spheres of life reflect on what failure has taught them personally and explain what value those lessons have in their worlds.
Serial start-up expert Keith Cotterill can talk the talk - as well as walk the walk - when it comes to business failure. Having spent a thirty-year career building companies between the USA and the UK, Keith went on to research the way entrepreneurs across the globe deal with failure ventures. His findings show that the UK is on the right track, but must do more to exploit the economic potential of business failure.
Producer: Catherine Carr.
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 14:00 The Archers (b03wq2hs)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Wednesday]
THU 14:15 Drama (b03wq3bm)
Andy Warhol's Wig
by David Lemon.
Thomas, a young artist obsessed with the 60s, goes on an eventful roadtrip with his maverick artist hero.
Directed by Marc Beeby.
THU 15:00 Ramblings (b03wq3bp)
Series 26
Mental Health Walking Group, Shrewsbury
This series of Ramblings is themed 'Ramblings Revisited' as Clare catches up with people she walked with once before.
In 2005 Clare rambled with a group based at the Radbrook Day Service centre in Shrewsbury, for people with mental health difficulties. The group had been running for ten years at the time of the original programme, but in the intervening years the Day Service centre was closed and the walking group folded.
However one of the walkers in the original programme, clinical psychologist Penny Priest, has continued her interest in the mental health benefits of walking and introduces Clare to psychologist Guy Holmes who began a similar 'walk and talk' group in Shrewsbury which allowed original members to continue walking, and also brought new members on board.
Producer: Karen Gregor.
THU 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (b03wgy78)
[Repeat of broadcast at
07:55 on Sunday]
THU 15:30 Bookclub (b03wgzqx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Sunday]
THU 16:00 The Film Programme (b03wq3br)
The Grand Budapest Hotel; Wake in Fright; Oscars for stunt artists?
Francine Stock talks to Tilda Swinton about the much-anticipated film by Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel and why romance is particularly special to those aged under nine or over 90.
And inspired by Anderson's take on hotel life, film historian Ian Christie and critic, Kate Muir look at these citadels of glamour, alienation, opportunity and even horror.
The director Ted Kotcheff looks back at his 'lost' Oz psychological thriller Wake In Fright from 1971, now re-released, while critic Alice Tynan discusses why Australian cinema-goers at the time found its uncompromising portrayal of life in the outback hard to stomach.
And why the craft of stunt artists demands a lot of bruises, but no recognition in the mainstream awards like the Oscars.
THU 16:30 BBC Inside Science (b03ws21x)
LG - Chemical weapons, Turtles, Tech for wildlife, Climate
Chemical weapons
Disposing of Syria's chemical weapons is a difficult task, both politically and technically. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), responsible for the decommissioning, has kitted out a special ship, the MV Cape Ray to hydrolyse "priority" toxic substances. Hamish de Bretton Gordon, a chemical weapons expert from SecureBio, explains why destroying chemical precursors on dry land is not an option and whether the job will be done on time.
Tracking turtles
Satellite tags have finally given researchers insight into the "lost years" of loggerhead turtles.
After many failed attempts, researchers have worked out how to attach the tiny tags to the months-old animals during the uncertain period when they leave US coastal waters and head out into the Atlantic Ocean. The data suggests the loggerheads can spend some time living in amongst floating mats of Sargassum seaweed, in the Sargasso Sea.
Technology for Nature
The tools and gadgets available to remotely track animals and monitor populations and their habitats are getting better and more mechanised. Cameras mounted on birds can record where they fly; audio recordings capture bat calls; satellite images monitoring habitat change. However all this digital data needs to be analysed. Professor Kate Jones, an expert on biodiversity at University College London, thinks that this is where more technological advances are needed. She wants image recognition programmes to scan through millions of remote camera images, or sound recognition of hundreds of thousands of bat calls to be developed.
Climate
The recent extreme rainfall has left many asking, is this weather linked to climate change? A new project 'weather@home' 2014, aims to use a large citizen science experiment to answer this question. Myles Allen, Professor of Geosystems Science at the School of Geography and the Environment, and Dr Nathalie Schaller, both of Oxford University, explain that they aim to run two sets of weather simulations. One will represent conditions and "possible weather" in the winter 2014, and the second will represent the weather in a "world that might have been" if human behaviour had not changed the composition of the atmosphere through greenhouse gas emissions. By comparing the numbers of extreme rainfall events in the two ensembles, 'Weather@Home' will work out if the risk of a wet winter has increased, decreased or been unaffected by human influence on climate.
Producer: Fiona Roberts.
THU 17:00 PM (b03ws21z)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news.
THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b03w6wq2)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
THU 18:30 Jason Cook's School of Hard Knocks (b03ws221)
Dumping and Proposals
Jason Cook continues dispensing advice on how best to navigate the choppy waters of life and come out the other side without feeling woozy, using the full spectrum of his own experiences as his educational aids.
This time, he looks at the two-sides of the romance coin: dumping someone and proposing to someone.
Stories from the audience help to throw more light on the matter in hand.
With Zoe Harrison and Neil Grainger.
Producer: Sam Michell.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
THU 19:00 The Archers (b03ws223)
Tom's morning starts badly when he realises that Tony's cows have escaped into his pigs' field. Tony helps Tom to repair the fence where the cows escaped. Tom is furious and can't believe Tony didn't keep a closer eye on them. Tony is apologetic to begin with but Tom keeps pushing and Tony gets defensive.
Adam and Brian have been affected by the recent weather and are very behind. Brian tells Adam about Jennifer dragging him out to a kitchen design store but he's less than enthusiastic. Brian wants to get out the house and pleads with Adam to find him some farm work.
Discussing it with Adam and Alice, Brian accepts he's going to have to let Jennifer run with the idea and agree to everything in principle...within reason!
Later Tom recounts what happened to Kirsty who points out that accidents do happen. Talk turns to the wedding and Tom tells her that Helen wants him to invite Rob on his stag night. Kirsty has come round to the idea of a wedding planner but they can't afford to pay anyone. Kirsty thinks of Alice, who is only too delighted to help them out. She immediately wants to be left to her discussions with the Bride To Be.
THU 19:15 Front Row (b03ws225)
Elizabeth McGovern; Jamie Lloyd; Poets Laureate
With John Wilson.
The poets laureate of the UK, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland will share a stage for the first time this Friday. All the poets laureate are women - and this has never happened before in the history of the laureateships. Carol Ann Duffy, Gillian Clarke and Liz Lochhead discuss their roles as national poets and talk about reflecting a nation in verse.
Reece Shearsmith (Psychoville, The League Of Gentlemen) swaps surreal dark comedy for factual drama in The Widower. Based on the crimes of convicted murderer, Malcolm Webster, the three part series charts the events that led to a charming male nurse systematically attempting to murder more than one wife. Chris Dunkley reviews.
Elizabeth McGovern discusses performing with her band, Sadie And The Hotheads. Best-known for playing Cora, the Countess of Grantham, on Downton Abbey, McGovern currently switches between filming Downton Abbey in the day, and performing on stage with The Hotheads at night. She talks about song-writing and how everyday experiences have inspired her songs.
Director Jamie Lloyd talks to John on the set of his latest musical. With The Commitments already in London's West End, Jamie discusses taking on the oddly titled and unexpected Broadway hit, Urinetown. He also talks about his fast-paced and sometimes bloody style, working with Harold Pinter, and plans to bring the film Back To The Future to the stage.
Producer: Rebecca Nicholson.
THU 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b03wq2sk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
THU 20:00 Law in Action (b03wpjg2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:00 on Tuesday]
THU 20:30 The Bottom Line (b03ws258)
Chocolate
Chocolate is a big business as well as a delicious indulgence. Evan Davis and guests discuss how this global industry is tackling the pressures of rising food prices, speculation and climate change.
Guests:
Jonathan Horrell, Director of Global Sustainability of Mondelez International
Sophi Tranchell, Managing Director of Divine Chocolate
Kojo Amoo-Gottfried, Country Director of Cargill Ghana
Producer: Kent DePinto.
THU 21:00 BBC Inside Science (b03ws21x)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:30 today]
THU 21:30 In Our Time (b03wq2p3)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:00 today]
THU 21:58 Weather (b03w6wq6)
The latest weather forecast.
THU 22:00 The World Tonight (b03ws25b)
Ukraine latest and Lawrence corruption report with David Eades and Ritula Shah hosts a special debate on India's elections.
THU 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b03xcgm0)
Lynne Truss - Cat Out of Hell
Episode 4
By acclaimed storyteller Lynne Truss, author of the bestselling Eats, Shoots and Leaves, the mysterious tale of a cat with nine lives. And a relationship as ancient as time itself and just as powerful.
The scene - an isolated cottage on the coast on a stormy evening. Inside, Alec a recently bereaved widower and his dog. To pass the time Alec explores the contents of a folder of documents emailed to him by an acquaintance at the library where he used to work. What he discovers is an extraordinary story that will change his life forever.
Episode 4:
Wiggy's sister Jo and her dog Jeremy are still missing. Suspicion falls on Wiggy himself.
Reader: Mike Grady
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 23:00 So Wrong It's Right (b00z5zy3)
Series 2
Episode 1
Charlie Brooker hosts the new comedy panel show celebrating one of Britain's favourite subjects - failure.
It's a game of competitive ineptitude, the aim of which is to come up with the wrongest answer to each question. In this episode, the guests joining him to try and out-wrong each other with their ideas and stories are comedians Mark Watson, Holly Walsh and Rufus Hound.
In this edition the panel's worst party experiences, iPhone apps and terrible boyband names all come under the 'wrong' spotlight - as well as the best ideas for the worst new TV soap. Will anyone beat Mark Watson's pitch - the eyeglass themed Opticians!
Rufus Hound also presents the comedy chat show My Teenage Diary for Radio 4 and is a team captain on the TV series Argumental. In 2010 he also won BBC1's Let's Dance for Sport Relief, with an unforgettable dancing impersonation of Cheryl Cole's Fight for This Love.
Holly Walsh is a comedy writer and performer with guest appearances on Radio 4's The Now Show and Act Your Age as well numerous guest appearances on TV shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats and Mock the Week.
Comedian Mark Watson is star of Radio 4's Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better and We Need Answers on BBC3 plus Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Comedy Rocks.
The host of So Wrong It's Right, Charlie Brooker, also presents BBC2's How TV Ruined Your Life, Channel 4's You Have Been Watching and 10 O'Clock Live - and writes for The Guardian. He won Columnist of the Year at the 2009 British Press Awards for his column, and Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards 2009.
Producer: Aled Evans
A Zeppotron Production for BBC Radio 4.
THU 23:30 Today in Parliament (b03ws372)
The Home Secretary orders a public inquiry into undercover policing after a review of the Stephen Lawrence murder investigation found "reasonable grounds" to suspect one officer was corrupt.
Theresa May tells MPs she also plans to introduce a new offence of "police corruption".
The Defence Secretary says low levels of radioactivity were detected in the cooling waters of a nuclear submarine test reactor at Dounreay.
Peers debate the contribution of women to the world economy to mark International Women's Day.
And ministers face complaints in both Houses over what the opposition says is a lack of business.
Rachel Byrne and team report on today's events in Parliament.
FRIDAY 07 MARCH 2014
FRI 00:00 Midnight News (b03w6wr8)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.
FRI 00:30 Book of the Week (b03xcgly)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:45 on Thursday]
FRI 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wrb)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b03w6wrd)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
FRI 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b03w6wrg)
The latest shipping forecast.
FRI 05:30 News Briefing (b03w6wrj)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b03ws7g7)
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day, with the Rev Canon Jenny Wigley.
FRI 05:45 Farming Today (b03ws7g9)
Floods clear-up, fishing fund, pollinators, female farmers
As floodwaters begin to subside, we ask how long the clear-up of the Somerset levels will take. Charlotte Smith talks to farmer James Winslade who returned to his home on the levels for the first time in two months after being evacuated. He tells her the extent of the damage to his home and farm means that he'll not be back to normal for at least eighteen months. James's herd of around 500 cattle are currently being looked after on eight different farms and he says that when they do return there'll be no grass for them to eat this year.
And fishermen who had their pots and nets destroyed by the Winter storms have been offered grants of up to five thousand pounds by the Government to repair their gear. Charlotte asks the chair of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations whether the money will go far enough.
Caz Graham visits Sally Wilson, who's one of a growing number of female farmers that are embracing technology in their work. Sally tells her that, as a dairy farmer, there's now no difference between men and women when it comes to running a successful enterprise.
And as the Defra environment minister launches a new pollinator strategy, we ask the National Farmers Union and the Friends of the Earth whether it will really go far enough to addressing declining numbers of bees.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Jules Benham.
FRI 05:58 Tweet of the Day (b03ws7gc)
Nuthatch
Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about our British birds inspired by their calls and songs.
Bill Oddie presents the nuthatch. Nuthatches are the only UK birds that can climb down a tree as fast they can go up and you'll often see them descending a trunk or hanging beneath a branch. Nuthatches are unmistakable: blue-grey above, chestnut under the tail and with a black highwayman's mask.
FRI 06:00 Today (b03ws7gf)
Morning news and current affairs. Including Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather and Thought for the Day.
FRI 09:00 Desert Island Discs (b03wgy82)
[Repeat of broadcast at
11:15 on Sunday]
FRI 09:45 Book of the Week (b03xchh5)
The Fun Stuff
5. Packing My Father-in-law's Library
Highlights from an entertaining and idiosyncratic series of essays from James Wood, the leading literary critic of his generation. It's a collection which ranges widely, from a loving analysis of Keith Moon's drum technique to the intentions, gifts and limitations of some of our most celebrated modern novelists, including Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan.
5. PACKING MY FATHER-IN-LAW'S LIBRARY
Wood describes disposing of his late father in law's library, and considers whether our personal collections of books hide us more than reveal us to our descendants.
Abridged by Eileen Horne
Reader: Peter Firth
Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacficus production for BBC Radio 4
FRI 10:00 Woman's Hour (b03ws7gh)
One dame, three baronesses; Miner's wives, the CoppaFeel Campaign
Jenni Murray chats to three of the oldest baronesses in the House of Lords; Thirty years after the strike, the wives of ex-miners share their experiences.
FRI 10:45 15 Minute Drama (b03ws7gk)
Charlotte Jones - What Would Elizabeth Bennet Do?
Lizzy
By Charlotte Jones.
Ever wondered what your favourite literary characters would do if they were around today? City boy James takes inspiration from his girlfriend's beloved Austen in plotting how to win her back. He wants to grab her attention with an offer he hopes she can't refuse...
With music from London based choir MKC.
Produced by Lucy Collingwood.
FRI 11:00 Three Pounds in My Pocket (b03ws7gm)
Series 1
Episode 1
In the 1950s, tens of thousands of migrants came to Britain from the Indian subcontinent. Many arrived with no more than £3 in their pocket - the limit set by the Indian authorities. They came to work in Britain's factories, foundries, and new public services. It was a time when the country desperately needed workers from its former colonies to regenerate its post-war economy. Presenter Kavita Puri, whose own father Ravi came with just a few pounds himself, hears his and other stories of the pioneering men who arrived in the 50s. They recall their first impressions of the country that once ruled over their own: the shocking housing conditions, the curiosity of neighbours and kindness of strangers and also the memories of casual racism and animosity. These men led the way for the three million people of South Asian descent who live in Britain today.
Producer Smita Patel
Editor Bridget Harney.
FRI 11:30 Making the Best of It (b03ws7gp)
Ceredigion or Bust
Anouska and Michael crave the simple life, and are willing to pay for it. So Barry and Gwen do their best to oblige. And so do the Druids.
Last of a series of new comedies developed with the Comedians Theatre Company.
Anouska ...... Clare Corbett
Michael ...... Stephen Harvey
Barry ...... Robert Blythe
Gwen ...... Di Botcher
Wendy ...... Carys Eleri
Steve ...... Craige Els
Hugo ...... David Cann
Written by Matthew Osborn.
Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.
FRI 12:00 You and Yours (b03ws7gt)
Cosmetic dentistry problems; estate agent's charges
Peter White looks at the increasing number of negligence case linked to cosmetic dentistry.
Criticism of some estate agents and the fees they charge.
And the tough time for the British fishing industry after the winter storms.
FRI 12:57 Weather (b03w6wrl)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 13:00 World at One (b03w6wrn)
National and international news. Listeners can share their views via email: wato@bbc.co.uk or on twitter: #wato.
FRI 13:45 The Value of Failure (b03ws7gw)
Sport
When struggling to invent the electric light bulb, Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed; I've simply found ten thousand ways that won't work."
In this series, five people from very different spheres of life reflect on what failure has taught them personally and explain what value those lessons have in their worlds.
As a teenager, Ed Smith told anyone who'd listen that he wanted to play cricket for England. He did - but only three times. In this programme, Ed meets the first ever professional sports psychologist, William Davies, and together they reflect on some key moments of sporting failure, and how the lessons learned on the sports field can transfer into real life.
Producer: Catherine Carr.
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 14:00 The Archers (b03ws223)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:00 on Thursday]
FRI 14:15 Drama (b012fqsz)
Torchwood - The Lost Files
The House of the Dead
The brewery have called 'time' and it's the last night at The House of the Dead - the most haunted pub in Wales. Barry the barman has invited renowned psychic, Mrs Wintergreen, to hold a special séance to mark the occasion, and there's a big crowd hoping for the chance of seeing their deceased loved ones for one last time. But when Jack arrives on the scene, he's determined to stop them. Ianto is puzzled by Jack's behaviour, and Gwen is suspicious. Why is Jack acting so strangely? Then the ghosts start arriving - and all hell breaks loose.
By James Goss.
Recorded at The Invisible Studios, by Mark Holden and mixed at BBC Wales by Nigel Lewis.
A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll.
FRI 15:00 Gardeners' Question Time (b03wsb3y)
Derbyshire
Eric Robson chairs GQT Derbyshire. Bob Flowerdew, Bunny Guinness and Anne Swithinbank answer a range of horticultural questions from an audience of local gardeners.
Also, Eric visits the village of Tissington to explore one of the longest running horticultural traditions in Britain.
Produced by Howard Shannon.
Assistant Producer: Darby Dorras.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
This week's questions:
Q. What new varieties of seeds are the panel planting in 2014 and why?
A. Bob has been trying out new varieties of carrots, including red, purple, yellow and white carrots. Anne is going to experiment with different varieties of pumpkin and squash. Bunny is going to plant Rainbow Beetroot.
Q. I can grow Embothrium coccineum (Chilean Firebush) in South West Scotland & South West England. Why is it so difficult in North West England?
A. Embothrium coccineum depends on an acidic soil and warmer temperatures. Scotland and the south of England benefit from the impact of the Gulf Stream.
Q. Could the panel suggest some shrubs that will survive altitude, poor weather and possible neglect?
A. A rose would be recommended such as the Bengal Beauty Rose. It is a bright purple rose which can flower throughout winter. This would go well with an evergreen such as Holly, for example Hedgehog Holly or Castanifolia. It is worth noting that Holly can take up to two years until it begins to flourish. Another suggestion would be the Philadelphus Manteau d'Hermine, which is a type of mock orange and is extremely scented when in flower. Dwarf Lilacs, such as the Palibin Lilac, would be nice and fragrant. Finally, for something slightly more challenging, try Daphne Odora Aureomarginata.
Q. Our garden is long, flat and boggy for most of the year. What would the panel recommend to plant in a border shaded by a Beech hedge?
A. A small herbaceous plant Geums (Water Avens) would be recommended, as they do not mind boggy soils. Troilus Buttercup tolerates moisture and shady environments. Try Rheum palmatum or the Purpureum variety for large purple leaves. Hydrangea Argentina would compliment the Rheum palmatum nicely. Finally, Canna iridiflora would love these conditions and would flower from July to November.
Q. We have planted a small vineyard on our allotment site; we have had success with 150 bottles of wine made with our latest harvest. However five vines have withered and died. Could the panel suggest what might have caused this and is the plan to replace like for like ideal?
A. The most likely cause is vine weevil. Dig around and see if you can find a sign of them. They can be sorted by using a vine weevil cure when the soil is warm and wet.
Q. I have a rockery covered with unwanted plants, grass and bindweed. Do the panel have a suggestion for a solution to get rid of them?
A. Bunny would recommend glyphosate weed killer but advises not to use it when it is going to rain within six hours. It is meant to be used in the spring but can be used in cold temperatures if applied more often. Bob would suggest pouring boiling water on the rocks regularly and/or hand weeding. Anne also suggests planting Gazania within the next two years to regulate weeding while allowing the rockery to rest.
FRI 15:45 New Irish Writing (b03wsb40)
Days of White Tulips
A series of new readings by some of Ireland's most exciting and talented writers. Clare Dwyer-Hogg, Michèle Forbes, Paul McVeigh and Martin Meenan bring us a range of stories where human emotions are tested, and memories are forged, forgotten or found, all the while taking a humorous and poignant look at how people withdraw, connect and reconnect with one another throughout the course of their lives.
Dearbhla Molloy reads 'Days of White Tulips' by Michèle Forbes, a story of two sisters and the shift in their relationship when one becomes increasingly forgetful and moves into a nursing home.
Written Michele Forbes
Producer Heather Larmour
Reader Dearbhla Molloy.
FRI 16:00 Last Word (b03wsnws)
Paco de Lucia, Frank Rushbrook, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Logan Scott-Bowden, Alain Resnais
Aasmah Mir on
The guitarist Paco de Lucia who became the leading proponent of the 'New Flamenco' style.
Fire safety expert Dr Frank Rushbrook who pioneered fire training for sailors and helped to establish degree courses in fire safety.
Rose Finn-Kelcey, inventive artist whose works and installations combined social commentary with playful humour.
Logan Scott-Bowden, part of a secret team whose risky night-time mission it was to check whether the beaches of Normandy were suitable for the D-Day landings.
And the French director Alain Resnais who used innovative editing techniques to create depth and mystery in his films.
FRI 16:30 Feedback (b03wsnwv)
Amidst a sea of glitz and glamour at last Sunday's Oscars, one other moment stood out. It was BBC arts and entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson's appearance on the Today programme, live from the red carpet. Colin's attempts to grab the attention of U2 singer Bono, live on the programme has been the talk of Twitter, media commentators, and BBC 5Live. But some Feedback listeners were not amused. Colin Paterson tells us what happened.
Also, you can normally set your watch by the
8.30am switchover from the Today programme to Yesterday in Parliament on BBC Radio 4 Long Wave. But on Tuesday morning it failed to appear. Why? And did this break the BBC's Agreement to "transmit an impartial account day by day of the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament"? We speak to Peter Knowles, Editor of BBC Parliamentary programmes.
And Roger Bolton visits the BBC Radio 4 Sunday morning programme Broadcasting House to find out whether your emails really get read and how much they influence the programme. He'll be interrogating their inbox and speaking to presenter Paddy O'Connell and the BH team.
And a listener remembers a terrifying voice from broadcast history.
Producer: Will Yates
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 17:00 PM (b03wsnwx)
Coverage and analysis of the day's news. Including Weather at
5.57pm.
FRI 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b03w6wrq)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
FRI 18:30 The News Quiz (b03wsnwz)
Series 83
Episode 4
A satirical review of the week's news, chaired by Sandi Toksvig, with regular panellist Jeremy Hardy and guest panellists including Bob Mills and Samira Ahmed.
Produced by Lyndsay Fenner.
FRI 19:00 The Archers (b03wsnx1)
Over lunch, David remarks that Ruth is looking pale and is glad she can rest as Eddie is milking in the afternoon. Ruth then receives a text informing her that Eddie is unwell. A concerned David promises to do the milking. However, he suddenly has to rush to Vicky's aid, who is stuck in a ford. Ruth assures David she's fine to do the milking.
Ian and Helen meet for a catch up and although she tries to stop herself, Helen is unable to contain her news. She reveals to Ian that she and Rob are engaged. Ian promises not to tell anyone other than Adam - he wouldn't be able to hide it from him!
Adam is shocked at the news and they agree it's all moving very fast. However, Helen is their friend and they feel they should be happy if she is.
Ruth is very tired when Jill returns. Worrying that she's disrupting their routine, Jill again suggests that she stay with Shula. This upsets Ruth who starts crying and asks her not to leave. She tells Jill that she wouldn't have been able to cope this week without her. Jill is concerned but Ruth begs her not to tell David.
FRI 19:15 Front Row (b03wsnx3)
Alexander McCall Smith; The Walshes review; Stella Feehily
With Samira Ahmed
Award winning writer Alexander McCall Smith talks about his latest novel The Forever Girl, which focuses on an expatriate community in the Cayman Islands. Smith talks about writing from a female perspective, Tartan Noir, and why - despite addressing serious issues - his work remains resolutely cheerful.
The Walshes is a new comedy series about a tight-knit family in Dublin - really tight-knit: the Walshes are tripping over each other as the two kids out-grow the family home. The series is co-written by Graham Linehan with the five-strong comedy troupe, Diet Of Worms, who also play the main roles. Boyd Hilton, TV editor of Heat magazine, reviews.
Set in Laos and written and directed by Australian Kim Mordaunt, The Rocket has won acclaim at film festivals. The central character is Ahlo, a young boy whose family believes he brings bad luck. After his family is displaced from their village to make way for a huge dam, Ahlo decides to prove his worth by building a rocket. Ryan Gilbey reviews.
The creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have brought out a computer game. South Park: The Stick Of Truth is an epic quest...to become cool. Armed with weapons of legend, gamers defeat underpant gnomes, hippies and other forms of evil - and earn a place at the side of Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny. Computer-game author Naomi Alderman reviews.
Playwright Stella Feehily talks about bringing her play about the NHS to the stage. Based in part on Feehily's experiences after her husband, director Max Stafford-Clark, had a stroke, This May Hurt A Bit stars Stephanie Cole (Coronation Street, Waiting For God) as an NHS supporter who becomes ill and finds that all is not necessarily well with the NHS.
Producer Claire Bartleet.
FRI 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b03ws7gk)
[Repeat of broadcast at
10:45 today]
FRI 20:00 Any Questions? (b03ycxjm)
Danny Alexander MP, Stephen Dorrell MP, Caroline Flint MP, Louise Bours
Jonathan Dimbleby presents political debate and discussion from Pocklington in Yorkshire with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Caroline Flint MP, Conservative MP Stephen Dorrell, also chair of the Health Select Committee, and UKIP MEP candidate Louise Bours.
FRI 20:50 A Point of View (b03wsnx9)
Free the Schools
Roger Scruton believes the way to improve our schools is through tapping into the time and talents of middle class volunteers. "The philanthropic middle classes, who created our education system and made it one of the best in the world, have been for too long excluded from it".
Producer: Sheila Cook.
FRI 21:00 Bremner Meets Fortune: A Tribute (b03xgpxx)
A chance to hear Rory Bremner in conversation with his friend and collaborator, the late John Fortune, recorded at the Borders Book Festival in 2009.
FRI 21:45 One to One (b03wphhl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
09:30 on Tuesday]
FRI 21:58 Weather (b03w6wrs)
The latest weather forecast.
FRI 22:00 The World Tonight (b03wsnxc)
The head of the Independent Police Complaints Commission tells the World Tonight many police officers are less than helpful to investigations into allegations of wrongdoing. Dame Anne Owers said some behave like sulky teenagers. The Metropolitan Police has promised to win back public support after a report which severely criticised the Stephen Lawrence investigation and the inquiry into it.
As President Putin again refuses to talk to the Government in Ukraine and the West struggles to speak with a coherent voice, we ask whether International Law is worth the paper it is written on.
Anne Soy reports from a drought struck area in Kenya, where vast reserves of water have been discovered underground. But despite promises, not much of it has yet been seen on the surface.
And a six-year-old boy has found a rather important frog in his family swimming pool in Colombia. Scientists believe it may be a previously undiscovered species.
With David Eades.
FRI 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b03xchr6)
Lynne Truss - Cat Out of Hell
Episode 5
By acclaimed storyteller Lynne Truss, author of the bestselling Eats, Shoots and Leaves, the mysterious tale of a cat with nine lives. And a relationship as ancient as time itself and just as powerful.
The scene - an isolated cottage on the coast on a stormy evening. Inside, Alec a recently bereaved widower and his dog. To pass the time Alec explores the contents of a folder of documents emailed to him by an acquaintance at the library where he used to work. What he discovers is an extraordinary story that will change his life forever.
Episode 5:
Whilst Alec waits for Winterton to call, he decides to return to the British Library for the first time since Mary's death. But a terrible shock awaits him.
Reader: Mike Grady
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Producer: Karen Rose
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.
FRI 23:00 A Good Read (b03wpjg4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
16:30 on Tuesday]
FRI 23:30 Today in Parliament (b03wsnxf)
Mark D'Arcy reports from Westminster.