The BBC has announced that it has a sustainable plan for the future of the BBC Singers, in association with The VOCES8 Foundation.
The threat to reduce the staff of the three English orchestras by 20% has not been lifted, but it is being reconsidered.
See the BBC press release here.

Radio-Lists Home Now on R4 Contact

RADIO-LISTS: BBC RADIO 4
Unofficial Weekly Listings for BBC Radio 4 — supported by bbc.co.uk/programmes/



SATURDAY 03 JANUARY 2009

SAT 00:00 Midnight News (b00g466b)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.


SAT 00:15 Q & A by Vikas Swarup (b007vl21)
100,000,000 Rupees

By Ayeesha Menon, from the novel by Vikas Swarup.

Thomas draws on his experience as an unofficial guide at the Taj Mahal. His friendship with another homeless kid leads to a cruel twist of fate and a horrific discovery.

Thomas ...... Anand Tiwari
Prem Kumar ...... Sohrab Ardeshir
Shankar ...... Rohit Malkani
Swapna Devi ...... Devika Shahani-Punjabi
Darshan ...... Jamini Pathak

Other parts played by Pushan Kripalani, Nadir Khan and Rohit Malkani.

Directed by John Dryden.


SAT 00:30 Book of the Week (b00g441n)
How to Get Things Really Flat

Episode 5

By Andrew Martin. Working from home every day, novelist Andrew Martin decides to tackle the myths and practicalities of carrying out domestic chores.

He considers the benefits of doing the washing-up. Read by Shaun Dooley.


SAT 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00g466f)
The latest shipping forecast.


SAT 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00g466j)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service. BBC Radio 4 resumes at 5.20am.


SAT 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00g466m)
The latest shipping forecast.


SAT 05:30 News Briefing (b00g466p)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.


SAT 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00g466r)
Daily prayer and reflection with Andrew Graystone.


SAT 05:45 Art Made in China (b008th99)
Episode 1

Roger Law investigates the extraordinary boom in contemporary Chinese art. Modern works are currently selling for record prices.


SAT 06:00 News and Papers (b00g66k0)
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.


SAT 06:04 Weather (b00g8myt)
The latest weather forecast.


SAT 06:07 Open Country (b00g8myw)
Countryside magazine. Matt Baker visits Northumberland to find out what the new year might bring for the fledgling red kite population.


SAT 06:30 Farming Today This Week (b00g8myy)
News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.


SAT 06:57 Weather (b00g8mz0)
The latest weather forecast.


SAT 07:00 Today (b00g8mz2)
Presented by Edward Stourton and Sarah Montague.

Edward Stourton reports on the conflict in Gaza. Chris Gunness of the UN Relief Agency and correspondent Mike Sergeant discuss the death of a senior Hamas figure in an Israeli airstrike.

Roland Buerk reports on Sri Lanka's efforts to take control of Tamil Tiger rebel territory.

Rory Cellan-Jones reports on the young entrepreneurs determined to start technology companies despite the economic crisis.

Jim McNeill discusses his third attempt to reach the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility.

Analyst Mikhail Kroutikhin discusses the dispute between Russia and the Ukraine over oil routes.

Edward Stourton gives an eyewitness account of attacks in Gaza.

Huw Williams talks to some of the Israeli airmen who have bombed Gaza about the moral complexities of their job.

Thought for the day with the Rev Roy Jenkins.

Prof Jonathan Spencer and Suren Surendiran of the British Tamils' Forum discuss Kilinochchi in Sri Lanka, occupied by Tamil Tiger rebels for a decade.

Nick Clegg discusses his first year in charge of the Lib Dem party.

Gill Hoffman, of the Jerusalem Post, and Griff Witte, of the Washington Post, discuss the relevance of the elections in the US and Israel for the situation in Gaza.

Ed Stourton reports from Gaza on the 'worsening humanitarian crisis'. BBC producer Hamada Abu Qammar and Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen discuss the conflict.

Astronomer Royal Professor Lord Rees discusses the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first use of a telescope.

The former legal adviser to Mahmoud Abbas, Diana Buttu, discusses the conflict in Gaza.

Sir Roy Strong, former director of the V&A, discusses his view that children don't know how the UK and its institutions work with history teacher Peter Hyman.


SAT 09:00 Saturday Live (b00g8mz4)
Real life stories in which listeners talk about the issues that matter to them. Presenter Clare Balding is joined by sculptor Emily Young. With poetry from Murray Lachlan Young.


SAT 10:00 Excess Baggage (b00g8mz6)
4 Wheels to Kenya and Cambodia

Sandi Toksvig explores the adventures, frustrations and joys of travel. She hears about two overland trips that provided very different experiences for the travellers involved. One, with 20 people in a three ton Bedford truck travelling across Africa nearly ended in disaster. The other, a Trabant journey to Cambodia, did not.


SAT 10:30 Soul Music (b00dnjrn)
Series 7

So What

On 2nd March 1959, Miles Davis and his sextet began recording a new album: "Kind of Blue".

The first track was "So What" and the album became the best selling Jazz album of all time.

This programme tells the stories of people whose lives have been changed by this piece of music.

Featuring:

Clemency Burton-Hill
Jonathan Eno
Estelle Kokot
Ashley Kahn
Dr Richard Niles

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.

Producer: Rosa Boulton

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2008.


SAT 11:00 Beyond Westminster (b00gp4j8)
Series 2

Episode 2

Series looking at politics beyond and outside the Westminster parliament.

Elinor Goodman discovers what membership of the euro might mean for jobs and prices in the UK and if opinions in Britain are shifting.


SAT 11:30 From Our Own Correspondent (b00g8mz8)
BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the world's headlines. Introduced by Kate Adie.


SAT 12:00 Money Box (b00g8mzb)
Paul Lewis with the latest news from the world of personal finance. He looks ahead to see if the stock market can recover in 2009 and what that would mean for investors and those retiring. Also, how have building societies survived the credit crunch?


SAT 12:30 The Now Show (b00g44gr)
Series 25

Episode 6

Comedy sketches and satirical comments from Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis and the team including Mitch Benn, Laura Shavin, Jon Holmes and Marcus Brigstocke.


SAT 12:57 Weather (b00g8mzd)
The latest weather forecast.


SAT 13:00 News Briefing (b00g8mzg)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


SAT 13:10 Correspondents' Look Ahead (b00gq1dm)
What impact will an Obama Presidency have on America and the wider world in 2009? Will he and a powerful Russian President, Vladimir Putin, get along? And how will he and other leaders deal with the continuing fall out from the financial and economic crisis?

Stephen Sackur is joined by some of the BBC’s top correspondents as they give their predictions about what will shape our world next year.


SAT 14:00 Listeners Look Ahead (b00g45y0)
2009

Stephen Sackur hosts a phone-in in which listeners have the opportunity to air their views on the events which will dominate the news in 2009.


SAT 14:30 Saturday Drama (b00g8n5s)
Melissa Murray - Theremin

Theremin by Melissa Murray

Leon Theremin, gifted inventor and reluctant spy, is forced to find a way to bug the US Embassy in London. Now he has to save himself and his former lover from both the CIA and the KGB.

Theremin: Tom Hollander
Alex: Kate Ashfield
Olga: Ania Sowinski
Will: Trystan Gravelle
Sergei/Ambassador: Stephen Critchlow
Boss: Malcolm Tierney
Ambassador's wife/Waitress: Janice Acquah
Bart: Jonathan Tafler
News seller/Man 2: Chris Pavlo
Bellboy/Man 1: Dan Starkey

Directed by Marc Beeby.


SAT 15:30 Music Feature (b00g4vv1)
Playing Castro's Tune

Playing Castro's Tune

Stephen Evans travels to Cuba to look for the links between the country's music, its revolution and the impact that socio-political and social changes have had on the music and musicians' lives. He also meets Cuban exiles in Miami to find out how a common musical heritage which was split after the 1959 revolution has developed differently.


SAT 16:00 Weekend Woman's Hour (b00g8p2k)
With Jane Garvey. Highlights from international items featured on the programme in 2008. Including Chinese singer Sa Ding Ding, Helen Kongai from Uganda explains how the gift of a cow helped her and her five children survive famine, the reunion of Tibetan nuns who had been imprisioned in Drapchi prison in Lhasa, Kenyan environmental campaigner Wangari Maathai, the Miss Landmine beauty pageant in Angola, Malian singer Rokia Traore, Emma Bonino on the feminist crisis in Italy and Icelandic banker Halla Tomasdottir.


SAT 17:00 PM (b00g8p2m)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn, plus the sports headlines.


SAT 17:30 iPM (b00g8p2p)
The weekly interactive current affairs magazine featuring online conversation and debate.


SAT 17:54 Shipping Forecast (b00g8p2r)
The latest shipping forecast.


SAT 17:57 Weather (b00g8p2t)
The latest weather forecast.


SAT 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00g8p2w)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.


SAT 18:15 Loose Ends (b00g8p2y)
Clive Anderson presents an eclectic mix of the past year's comedy and conversation. His guests include Sean Lock, Emma Freud, Sue Pollard, Tim Minchin, Jack Dee, Rob Brydon, Denis Norden and Jeremy Hardy.


SAT 19:00 Profile (b00g8p30)
Rahm Emanuel

Chris Bowlby profiles Rahm Emanuel, President Elect Barack Obama's chief of staff.


SAT 19:15 Saturday Review (b00g8p32)
A special New Year edition

Guests: Roy Hattersley – novelist, journalist and historian
Ben Richards – novelist and screenwriter
Anne McElvoy – Executive Editor, London Evening Standard

On this week’s Saturday Review, Sarfraz Manzoor presents a special New Year edition of the programme examining the current trend among playwrights, screenwriters and even novelists for fictionalising the immediate past.

These range from Peter Morgan’s dramatisation of the supposed Blair-Brown pact over the Labour leadership in his TV play The Deal, to David Hare’s staging of the build-up to the Iraq War in Stuff Happens at the National Theatre. What, Sarfraz asks, can works like this tell us that news and documentaries cannot?

With the help of the political journalist Anne McElvoy, Spooks writer Ben Richards and historian and former Labour Cabinet Minister Roy Hattersley, Sarfraz explores new and recent works that develop this trend.

David Hare’s current play Gethsemane examines the perils of Labour Party fundraising.

Oliver Stone’s recent movie W delved into the mind of President George W Bush.

Gordon Burn’s book Born Yesterday: The News as a Novel, published in spring 2008, took the reader on a journey through the strange summer of 2007, with its floods, failed terrorist attacks, McCann case coverage and change of Prime Minister.

And, going further back, the forthcoming film Frost/ Nixon – adapted by Peter Morgan from his stage play – explores the tense series of interviews in 1977 between David Frost and President Nixon, which led to the disgraced leader making an astonishing confession.

So how much difference does the time lapse between fact and fiction make? And why are writers so keen to dramatise the recent past – are they revealing hidden truths or their own lack of originality?


SAT 20:00 The Archive Hour (b00g8p34)
The Bow Dialogues

Joan Bakewell revisits the series of debates that took place in St Mary-le-Bow church in London from 1964 to 1979 between unconventional churchman Joseph McCulloch and the writers, politicians and actors of the day.

Visiting speakers were asked to engage with contemporary moral issues, resulting in memorable talks including Diana Rigg on sexual freedom, Peter Cook on life, death and Satan and Enoch Powell on race.

The programme features archive recordings and contributions from Sheila Hancock, Margaret Drabble, Denis Norden, Katharine Whitehorn and Eileen Atkins.


SAT 21:00 Anthony Trollope - Orley Farm (b01102gl)
1. Suspicions

Mr Dockwrath, attorney by profession and a tenant of Orley Farm, is convinced there are suspicious circumstances regarding the inheritance of the estate, and he's determined to prove it.

Starring Tim Pigott-Smith, Samantha Bond and Ronald Pickup.

First published in 1861, Anthony Trollope’s compelling, emotional tale is a treasure trove of splendidly disreputable lawyers, young lovers, the beautiful Lady Mason and the honourable Sir Peregrine Orme.

Dramatised in three parts by Martyn Wade

Anthony Trollope ...... Tim Pigott-Smith
Lady Mason ...... Samantha Bond
Sir Peregrine ...... Ronald Pickup
Peregrine Orme ...... Dan Stevens
Mrs Edith Orme ...... Amanda Root
Lucius Mason ...... Jonathan Christie
Sophia Furnival ...... Lydia Leonard
Mr Furnival ...... Robert Maskell
Mrs Furnival ...... Joanna Monro
Mr Dockwrath ...... Sam Dale
Miriam Dockwrath ...... Janice Acquah
Joseph Mason ...... Jonathan Tafler
Mr Moulder ...... Stephen Critchlow
Mr Kantwise ...... Pual Rider
Felix Graham ...... Gunnar Cauthery
Augustus Staveley ...... Robert Lonsdale
Matthew Round ...... Dan Starkey
Richard Round ...... Malcolm Tierney
Miss Biggs ...... Jill Cardo

Director: Tracey Neale.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2008.


SAT 22:00 News and Weather (b00g8p54)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.


SAT 22:15 Irreplaceable (b00g502w)
Andrea Catherwood hosts a debate at the Earthwatch Institute at the Royal Geographical Society in London in which five scientists argue the case for the species or organism which they believe is truly irreplaceable.


SAT 23:00 Brain of Britain (b00g4g4p)
Robert Robinson chairs the second semi final of the perennial general knowledge contest.


SAT 23:30 Walker of the Downs (b00g45zr)
Martin Sorrell walks the Sussex Downs which, in the 1960s, provided nature poet Ted Walker with inspiration for some of his best work. He is joined by Mike Russell from the Sussex Wildlife Trust, who helps to evoke the essence of the land that Walker loved. Plus Patrick Romer reads a selection of Walker's poems.



SUNDAY 04 JANUARY 2009

SUN 00:00 Midnight News (b00g8smn)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.


SUN 00:12 Weather (b00g8smq)
The latest weather forecast.


SUN 00:15 Q & A by Vikas Swarup (b007vlry)
100,000,000 Rupees (cont)

By Ayeesha Menon, from the novel by Vikas Swarup.

Thomas is finally stumped by a question. His thoughts lead him back to his first love Nita, a young prostitute he met in Agra. When she is physically abused by one of her clients, Thomas knows what he has to do.

Thomas ...... Anand Tiwari
Prem Kumar ...... Sohrab Ardeshir
Nita ...... Radhika Apte
Neeraj ...... Jaimini Pathak
Utpal ...... Kenneth Desai

Other parts played by Rohit Malkani, Pushan Kripalani and Nadir Khan.

Directed by John Dryden


SUN 00:30 The Late Story (b007qw89)
Bottled Air

The Hard Sell

Short stories by writer and comedian Ian Macpherson, describing life with Florette, a radical, feminist, menopausal poet.


SUN 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00g8sy2)
The latest shipping forecast.


SUN 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00g8sy4)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


SUN 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00g8syx)
The latest shipping forecast.


SUN 05:30 News Briefing (b00g8t8k)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.


SUN 05:43 Bells on Sunday (b00g8t8m)
The sound of bells from St Mary's, Warwick.


SUN 05:45 Profile (b00g8p30)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Saturday]


SUN 06:00 News Headlines (b00g8t8p)
The latest national and international news.


SUN 06:05 Something Understood (b00g8t8r)
Is This the Way?

Mark Tully considers many people's new-found reliance on 'sat nav' and wonders what else we lose when we lose the ability to find our way through a landscape.


SUN 06:35 On Your Farm (b00ghn00)
Topical farming magazine. Matt Baker returns to his family's farm in Durham to find out whether the credit crunch is affecting demand for their organically-grown lamb.


SUN 06:57 Weather (b00g9208)
The latest weather forecast.


SUN 07:00 News and Papers (b00g920b)
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.


SUN 07:10 Sunday (b00g920d)
Jane Little discusses the religious and ethical news of the week. Moral arguments and perspectives on stories, both familiar and unfamiliar.


SUN 07:55 Radio 4 Appeal (b00g921t)
Practical Action

Adam Hart-Davis appeals on behalf of Practical Action. Donations: Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. Credit cards: Freephone 0800 404 8144.


SUN 07:58 Weather (b00g9279)
The latest weather forecast.


SUN 08:00 News and Papers (b00g927c)
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.


SUN 08:10 Sunday Worship (b00g9c2x)
Led by the Star

Led by the Star: A reflection on the Feast of the Epiphany from Hexham Abbey, with Rev Canon Graham Usher and the Abbey's chamber choir, directed by Michael Haynes.


SUN 08:50 A Point of View (b00g45y2)
New Year Prediction

Clive James makes a prediction for the New Year – that from now on, the era of silly-money is over and getting rich quick will no longer be something to admire. Getting rich for its own sake, says Clive, will look as stupid as bodybuilding does at that point when the neck gets thicker than the head and the thighs and biceps look like four plastic kit-bags full of tofu.


SUN 09:00 Broadcasting House (b00g9cbv)
News and conversation about the big stories of the week with Paddy O'Connell.


SUN 10:00 The Archers Omnibus (b00g9cbx)
The week's events in Ambridge.


SUN 11:15 Desert Island Discs (b00g9cjd)
Simon Murray

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the adventurer and businessman Simon Murray. What many of us would struggle to do over three life-times he has managed in one - as a teenager, nursing a broken heart and determined to prove himself, he joined the French Foreign Legion. Fighting in the Algerian war, he risked his life many times over; combat was at close quarters and was very bloody.

Next, he set his sights on business - he ran some of the most well-known companies in South East Asia and was one of Chris Patten's key allies during the handover of Hong Kong. Then, in his 60s and looking for a new challenge, he chanced upon the idea of polar adventure, and went on to become the oldest person to walk unsupported to the South Pole. But after all this, his greatest achievement, he says, is his marriage. Perhaps it's no surprise that his wife of 43 years, Jennifer, is the first woman to have flown a helicopter solo around the world. These days their three children try to curb their enthusiasm for dangerous pursuits. But, Simon snorts, the couple simply say: "we're not listening."

This programme contains descriptions that some listeners may find disturbing.

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

Favourite track: O Soave Fanciulla (Oh beautiful maiden) by Giacomo Puccini
Book: Cautionary Tales by Hilaire Belloc
Luxury: Lots of paper, pencil and pencil sharpener.


SUN 12:00 Just a Minute (b00g4g4y)
Series 54

Episode 1

Nicholas Parsons chairs the devious word game with panellists Paul Merton, Charles Collingwood, Graham Norton and Shappi Khorsandi.


SUN 12:32 The Food Programme (b00g9d42)
Guilty Pleasures

Sheila Dillon celebrates guilty pleasures.

Food writer and gardener Lynda Brown sings the praises of the doughnut, chef and meat lover Fergus Henderson extolls the virtues of dripping and Dilly Barlow rekindles a childhood passion for toffee and fudge-making, and visits the Burnt Sugar factory in Nottingham.


SUN 12:57 Weather (b00g9d44)
The latest weather forecast.


SUN 13:00 The World This Weekend (b00g9d46)
A look at events around the world with Jo Coburn.


SUN 13:30 Ali Abbas: In His Own Words (b00g4g9j)
Hugh Sykes talks to Ali Abbas, the Iraqi boy who came to prominence in the British media in 2003 after suffering severe burns, the loss of his arms and 16 members of his family following a US army rocket attack. He tells Hugh about the terrible night of the attack, his stay in a Kuwaiti hospital and his life now, split between Britain and Iraq.


SUN 14:00 Gardeners' Question Time (b00g9dbq)
Eric Robson chairs the popular horticultural forum.

Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank and Chris Beardshaw answer listeners' most frequently asked questions.

Including the Gardeners' Question Time gardening weather forecast.


SUN 14:45 A Box of Wittgensteins (b00g9dgp)
The Survivors

The great-niece of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, Margaret Stonborough, talks to the artist and historian Michael Huey as she delves into six boxes of newly-inherited family archives and investigates the lives of her talented, but tortured, forbears.

Margaret and her brother, Jerome Stonborough, discover documents which stir childhood memories of their talented, stylish but difficult family.


SUN 15:00 Anthony Trollope - Orley Farm (b00g9f9q)
2. Romance

Romance is in the air for the young folk staying at Noningsby, the country home of Judge and Lady Staveley.

Lady Mason accepts Sir Peregrine's invitation to spend Christmas at The Cleeve, and, in the Moulder household, there is business to consider.

Starring Tim Pigott-Smith, Samantha Bond and Ronald Pickup.

Anthony Trollope’s compelling, emotional novel dramatised by Martyn Wade.

Anthony Trollope ...... Tim Pigott-Smith
Lady Mason ...... Samantha Bond
Sir Peregrine ...... Ronald Pickup
Peregrine Orme ...... Dan Stevens
Mrs Edith Orme ...... Amanda Root
Lucius Mason ...... Jonathan Christie
Sophia Furnival ...... Lydia Leonard
Mr Furnival ...... Robert Maskell
Lady Staveley ...... Pamela Miles
Madeline Staveley ...... Manjeet Mann
Augustus Staveley ...... Robert Lonsdale
Felix Graham ...... Gunnar Cauthery
Mr Dockwrath ...... Sam Dale
Miriam Dockwrath ...... Janice Acquah
Joseph Mason ...... Jonathan Tafler
Mr Moulder ...... Stephen Critchlow
Mrs Moulder ...... Jane Whittenshaw
John Kenneby ...... Inam Mirza
Mr Kantwise ...... Paul Rider
Matthew Round ...... Dan Starkey

Director: Tracey Neale.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2009.


SUN 16:00 Bookclub (b00g9f9s)
Oliver James

James Naughtie talks to the psychologist Oliver James. He joins an audience of readers to put his case against 'affluenza', a virus which he says is sweeping through the English-speaking world. Written just before the advent of the credit crunch, he points out that the aspiration to and trappings of affluence might be emotionally harmful.


SUN 16:30 Maadai-Kara (b00g9fp9)
Interwoven with a performance of the epic Altai poem from southern Siberia the Maadai-Kara, Benjamin Zephaniah explores the ancient oral tradition of throat singing that conjures spirits and celebrates the legends of these remote and distant lands.


SUN 17:00 Brand Cuba (b00g4ywr)
With Cuba about to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its revolution, Allan Little analyses some of the factors that have given the country such a prominent image on the world stage over such a long period. He considers the enduring images of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, Cuba's unique approach to diplomacy through medical aid, its military exploits and its five decade stand-off with the United States.


SUN 17:40 Profile (b00g8p30)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Saturday]


SUN 17:54 Shipping Forecast (b00g9fr9)
The latest shipping forecast.


SUN 17:57 Weather (b00g9frc)
The latest weather forecast.


SUN 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00g9frf)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.


SUN 18:15 Pick of the Week (b00g9frh)
Laurie Taylor introduces his selection of highlights from the past week on BBC radio.


SUN 19:00 The Archers (b00g9frt)
Usha pops into Brookfield when out running. Ruth teases her about going running to escape Mabel over Christmas.

Usha continues her run and is caught up by Annabelle. They're both out of breath, but decide to run together. They discuss how unfit they are after Christmas. Annabelle suggests they run back the long way, though of course Usha doesn't have to join her. Usha says she'll enjoy the company.

Pip comes looking for her parents. She shows them a leaflet about open days for agricultural courses at Borsetshire College. She says this doesn't mean she wants to do agriculture, but she'll see if her friends are going. Exhausted Usha appears, desperate for a cuppa. Annabelle's pushed her to her limits, and she's agreed to go out with her again!

Chris and Alice arrive back in Southampton. They start unpacking her stuff but Alice suddenly spies a friend and races off to say hello, leaving Christopher to follow with her bags. Later, at the station, they say goodbye. Chris thinks Alice won't have time to call him - she'll be too busy partying. Alice says she always has time for him, but he mustn't sit moping. She trusts him, and promises she'll be good too.

Episode written by Simon Frith.


SUN 19:15 Go4it (b00g9fvj)
Kirsten O'Brien is joined by professor of cognitive psychology Martin Conway to explore how memory works and Andy Salmon reveals an intriguing way of improving the memory.


SUN 19:45 The Railway Children (b00g9fvl)
Episode 4

Joanna Tope reads from E Nesbit's classic 1906 children's novel which tells the story of the trials and adventures of a middle-class Edwardian family.

Bobbie knows the secret about her father and the children mount a rescue in a tunnel.


SUN 20:00 More or Less (b00g4490)
Forecasting the Future - More Credit Crunch Maths- Lake Wobegon Effect - Average Wage

Forecasting the Future
2008 contained so many surprises that any self-respecting forecaster might want to take care before venturing a confident prognostication. So are expert forecasts ever any good?

Tim speaks to Philip Tetlock, a professor of psychology in the University of California, Berkeley. Professional forecasters, according to Professor Tetlock, are only marginally better than monkeys at predicting the future.

More Credit Crunch Maths
Financial mathematics guru Paul Wilmott continues with his series explaining how mathematical blunders contributed to the credit crunch. Financial traders are taught that the way to maximise profit and minimise risk is to diversify.

So why did so many end up doing the same trades? The answer, according to Paul, might lie in the maths of the bonus system.

The Lake Wobegon Effect
Why do most parents think their child is in the top 20% for academic ability? Perhaps it is the same reason that most drivers think they are in the top 20% for safety.

Ruth Alexander investigates the power of the "above average effect", our tendency to overestimate our relative performance when it comes to desirable qualities and skills.

It is also known as the Lake Wobegon effect after the fictional community "where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average".

What is an Average Wage?
Listener Bill MacDonald has heard the average wage in the UK described as around £24,000.

He thought that seemed a bit high and asked us to find out how it is calculated and whether it fairly reflects typical earnings.

Our reporter Oliver Hawkins explains the importance of selecting the most appropriate measure of the average.


SUN 20:30 Last Word (b00g44gh)
John Wilson presents the obituary series, analysing and celebrating the life stories of people who have recently died. The programme reflects on people of distinction and interest from many walks of life, some famous and some less well known.


SUN 21:00 Money Box (b00g8mzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:00 on Saturday]


SUN 21:26 Radio 4 Appeal (b00g921t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:55 today]


SUN 21:30 In Business (b00g47qy)
Changing Places

In Toronto, Peter Day finds out from author and urban studies expert Prof Richard Florida why, in an interconnected world, it still matters where we live and work.


SUN 21:58 Weather (b00g9fvn)
The latest weather forecast.


SUN 22:00 Westminster Hour (b00g9fvq)
Reports from behind the scenes at Westminster. Including Secret Lives.


SUN 23:02 In Living Memory (b009kjh0)
Series 7

Myxomatosis

Chris Ledgard recalls the outbreak of the early 1950s which almost wiped out the country's entire rabbit population, to the consternation of animal lovers but to the relief of farmers desperate to protect their crops.


SUN 23:30 Something Understood (b00g8t8r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:05 today]



MONDAY 05 JANUARY 2009

MON 00:00 Midnight News (b00g9l1g)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.


MON 00:15 Q & A by Vikas Swarup (b007vlvl)
1,000,000,000 Rupees

By Ayeesha Menon, from the novel by Vikas Swarup.

Thomas is one question away from winning the billion-rupee prize, but the producers can't afford the payout and will do anything to stop him. But Thomas has an ulterior motive for being on the show and he will not leave without getting his revenge on the show's host Prem Kumar.

Thomas ...... Anand Tiwari
Prem Kumar ...... Sohrab Ardeshir
TV Producer ...... Jayant Kripalani
Vikas ...... Rohit Malkani

Directed by John Dryden.


MON 00:30 The Missing Penny (b009s0z6)
In 1933, only a handful of pennies were minted, and at least one remains unaccounted for. Such a discovery would be worth thousands of pounds. Phil Mussell sets about tracking it down.


MON 00:45 Bells on Sunday (b00g8t8m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:43 on Sunday]


MON 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00g9l5v)
The latest shipping forecast.


MON 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00g9l8c)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


MON 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00g9lcs)
The latest shipping forecast.


MON 05:30 News Briefing (b00g9ld7)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.


MON 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00g9lm6)
Daily prayer and reflection with Andrew Graystone.


MON 05:45 Farming Today (b00g9lrz)
News and issues in rural Britain with Anna Hill.


MON 05:57 Weather (b00g9z9v)
The latest weather forecast for farmers.


MON 06:00 Today (b00g9ms8)
Presented by James Naughtie and Sarah Montague.

Fikr Shalltoot, of Medical Aid for Palestinians, describes the situation on the ground in Gaza.

David Blunkett describes the liberating power of the Braille writing system.

Dr Ben Goldacre and Nas Amir Ahmadi, managing director of Detox in a Box, discuss whether detox diets make medical sense.

Robert Peston explains how the banks' lending binge has turned into a lending bust.

ITV Chairman Michael Grade explains what happened to 'the death of the schedule'.

Thought for the day with John Cornwell of Jesus College, Cambridge.

Conservative leader David Cameron discusses economic policy and attacks Gordon Brown for 'burning money' in the VAT cut.

Edward Stourton speaks to Danny Gillerman, Israel's former ambassador to the UN.

Anthony Julius discusses what happened when seven senior lawyers met to reconsider the case against Shakespeare's money lender, Shylock.

US Ambassador Ryan Crocker says that the opening of the US embassy in Baghdad is an important step in the 'normalisation' of US-Iraq relations.

Dominic Raab, Chief of Staff to the Shadow Home Secretary, debates whether a systematic erosion of liberty has taken place under the Labour government with former Home Secretary Charles Clarke.

Former Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller analyses the likely response if Israel had launched its aerial and ground offensive of Gaza with Barack Obama in the White House.

Author and historian Nechama Tec describes the life of Tuvia Bielski, subject of the film Defiance, who set up a community in a forest in Belorussia during WWII which smuggled fellow Jews out of the heavily armed ghettos.


MON 09:00 In Our Time (b00g9z9x)
Darwin: In Our Time

Darwin: On the Origins of Charles Darwin

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in 2009 and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, Melvyn Bragg presents a series about Darwin's life and work.Melvyn tells the story of Darwin's early life in Shropshire and discusses the significance of the three years he spent at Cambridge, where his interests shifted from religion to natural science.Featuring contributions from Darwin biographer Jim Moore, geneticist at University College London Steve Jones, fellow of Christ's College Cambridge David Norman and assistant librarian at Christ's College Cambridge Colin Higgins.


MON 09:45 Book of the Week (b00g9ng0)
And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 200 Years of British and Irish History

Episode 1

Martin Freeman reads from Charlie Connelly's travelogue in which he recreates a series of famous historical journeys through the British Isles.

Charlie traces Boudicca's rampage of vengeance, walking from Norwich to St Albans, via Colchester and London.


MON 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00g9nl9)
2009 - What's in it for women?

Jane Garvey is joined by a panel of guests to talk about 2009. With Ann Leslie, Gillian Tett, Dr Maggie Aderin, Shami Chakrabati, Caroline Bird and VV Brown.


MON 11:00 Together against the Odds (b00g9zys)
Series 2

Episode 3

Janet Reibstein presents a series on relationships which have survived in the face of serious challenges.

Janet meets a man who was given a four year prison sentence for armed robbery, shortly after marrying his partner of nine years. His offence was motivated by escalating debt problems which his wife knew nothing about. Janet finds out how difficult it was to stand by him while he served his sentence and how their marriage survived.


MON 11:30 Says on the Tin (b00gb0bt)
Cat Food

Comedy by Christopher William Hill.

Eliott struggles to promote gourmet cat food for an intensely conservative company.

Eliott Thurber ...... Michael Brandon
Esther Finn ...... Samantha Bond
Hannah Walker ...... Pippa Haywood
Pippa Walker ...... Manjeet Mann
Zadie ...... Joannah Tincey
Ted ...... Malcolm Tierney
Mrs Braden ...... Rachel Atkins

Other parts played by Stephen Critchlow, Donnla Hughes, Janice Acquah and Jill Cardo.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.


MON 12:00 You and Yours (b00g9nps)
Presented by Julian Worricker.

Gas-use traditionally goes up at this time of year – and once again worries about supply are in the headlines as Ukraine and Russia are embroiled in a standoff over unpaid bills.

Scottish novelist Ian Rankin, whose son is visually impaired, sees his first novel published in Braille. He’s calling on more books to be made available to the visually impaired.

The Taxpayers Alliance reckons it gets 13 mentions in the media every day, a figure most campaign groups or charities can only dream of. But who’s behind this campaigning group?

As the writer-in residence at nursing homes, specializing in dementia care John Killick works creatively with individuals turning their words and thoughts into poetry. He has published three collections and his third is called “Dementia Diary”.

How is the building industry coping with the recession? We speak to Roy Aycliffe from Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

A lengthy disciplinary hearing has started over allegations of misconduct by a firm of solicitors handling miners compensation claims.

A new website, Trust Online, has been launched which gives anyone immediate access to records of people who have been successfully taken to court for unpaid debts.


MON 12:57 Weather (b00g9pjn)
The latest weather forecast.


MON 13:00 World at One (b00g9pkp)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.


MON 13:30 Brain of Britain (b00gb0bw)
Robert Robinson chairs the perennial general knowledge contest.


MON 14:00 The Archers (b00g9frt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Sunday]


MON 14:15 Drama (b007tc9c)
Icarus Falling

By Jonathan Davidson.

Artist Peter Lord, living and working in Cornwall, is no longer interested in his previous successes and seeks to expand his horizons. To the astonishment of his wife and his gallery owner, he takes up gliding.

Peter ...... Jay Villiers
Susan ...... Eleanor Tremain
Painting ...... Eve Matheson
Gerry ...... Bill Wallis
Gliding instructor ...... Cameron Stewart.

Directed by Tim Dee.


MON 15:00 The Archive Hour (b00g8p34)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:00 on Saturday]


MON 15:45 Dear Darwin (b00g9xhy)
Episode 1

Five leading scientists address letters to Charles Darwin, expressing their thoughts on his work and legacy.

Dr Craig Venter, one of the men who first successfully mapped the human genome, tells Darwin about his own experiences as a collector and hands-on biologist, from boyhood toad fascination to his Sorcerer II voyage, which circumnavigated the globe in the manner the young Darwin did aboard HMS Beagle. Nowadays, however, Craig collects genes rather than pickled specimens. He tells Darwin of his Institute's current efforts to produce the world's first synthetic lifeform, completely fabricated by man, yet otherwise untouched by nature and therefore arguably unevolved.


MON 16:00 The Food Programme (b00g9d42)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:32 on Sunday]


MON 16:30 Beyond Belief (b00gbc94)
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.


MON 17:00 PM (b00g9xq5)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.


MON 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00g9xqk)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.


MON 18:30 Just a Minute (b00gbc96)
Series 54

Episode 2

Nicholas Parsons chairs the devious word game with panellists Paul Merton, Clement Freud, Helen Lederer and Julian Clary.


MON 19:00 The Archers (b00g9pl0)
Jazzer and Hannah are putting their new pig-weighing system together. Tom appears and Hannah explains the scheme. Jazzer can't believe he isn't more enthusiastic. Tom says the pigs will have smaller pens, although this mightn't matter. And it's good creative thinking - he'll stand them a pint.

Brian sends Adrian the student home with the flu, and takes over his lambing shift. Later, in the lambing shed, Brian's getting tired. Eddie should have taken over by now, but isn't answering his phone.

Hannah and Jazzer wait for Tom in the Bull. Jazzer asks if she's got plans for Thursday - there's an electro night in Felpersham.

Tom's on his way to the Bull, and notices Eddie's van stuck in the mud. He helps Eddie pull it out. Eddie says he should be at Home Farm but there's no phone signal for him to explain.

Eddie follows Tom into the Bull with Tom's phone, which he'd left in his van. Tom's phone rings - it's Brian, asking if he's seen Eddie. Tom tells him they're in the Bull. Brian's furious.

Eddie arrives to take over, late, and Brian jumps to conclusions. Eddie tells him no-one speaks to him like that. He's on his own.

Episode written by Simon Frith.


MON 19:15 Front Row (b00g9yg0)
Presented by Mark Lawson.

American writer Garrison Keillor talks about the difference between writing and performing and why Robert Altman didn't want to make the film Garrison suggested. His new novel Liberty is about a political contest in Lake Wobegone.

Matthew Parris announces the category-winning authors for the 2008 Costa Book Awards. Jan Dalley, Financial Times Arts Editor, reviews the selection, which will go on to compete for Book of the Year.

Stephen Armstrong reviews two new TV sitcoms which start this week. In Life of Riley, Caroline Quentin returns to BBC One to play Maddy, who has just remarried and is about to find out what happens when two families collide. Meanwhile, Plus One sees Daniel Mays star as Rob Black, a man whose girlfriend leaves him to marry Duncan James, former member of the boy band Blue.


MON 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00gbc98)
Writing the Century: 1946-1948 - Out of the Ashes

Episode 1

Exploring the 20th century through the diaries and correspondence of real people, dramatised by Margaret Wilkinson.

Following the relationship between Leslie Homer, a British soldier stationed in Germany after the war, and Ischi Heitmann, his German sweetheart. The couple struggle against the opposition of their parents and the authorities, who frown upon relations with 'the enemy'.

Leslie ...... Toby Hadoke
Ischi ...... Georgia King
Mother/Frau Engicht ...... Maggie Fox
Policeman ...... Richard Galazka
Dad ...... Martin Oldfield
Padre/Sergeant Major ...... Malcolm Raeburn

Directed by Stefan Escreet.


MON 20:00 Advertising: The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Clothes On! (b00gbc9b)
Episode 1

Advertising executive Robin Wight presents a history of the advertising industry.

Robin returns to the location of his first job in advertising in the late 1960s, a time when advertising was still comparatively dull and simplistic. Including contributions from Maurice Saatchi and Sir Alan Parker.

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.


MON 20:30 Crossing Continents (b00g3fg4)
The Iraqi Backstreet Boys

Caroline Hawley meets the Iraqi boyband Unknown to No-one who, after years of separation and uncertainty, have reformed in Beirut.

Formed in the last days of Saddam Hussein's regime, Caroline first met them during the chaotic aftermath of the fall of the regime, when they hoped that their love songs would make them a hit in the West. She hears their stories about life in exile, about having to sing for Saddam and finds out what has happened to their dreams of stardom.


MON 21:00 Costing the Earth (b00gbcfv)
Better Living Through Chemistry?

Tom Heap investigates how being exposed to a cocktail of pesticides could potentially damage our health. A High Court ruling in November 2008 found in favour of a woman who claimed that prolonged exposure to pesticides sprayed in the fields surrounding her home had made her ill. In the light of this, the EU has proposed that several pesticides be banned, but how might crop yields and food prices be affected should a ban be implemented?


MON 21:30 In Our Time (b00g9z9x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 21:58 Weather (b00g9ylj)
The latest weather forecast.


MON 22:00 The World Tonight (b00g9z0p)
National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah. Featuring reports on the chances of a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Gaza, the relative merits of small government versus a more active state and is AIDS money being spent wisely?


MON 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00g9z23)
The Dark Flower

Episode 6

Toby Stephens reads John Galsworthy's tale of obsessive love and thwarted passion, set in the late-19th century and charting 30 years in the life and loves of a young man, Mark Lennan.

Olive's jealous husband intervenes.


MON 23:00 Word of Mouth (b00g6gdf)
Michael Rosen takes another journey into the world of words, language and the way we speak.


MON 23:30 London's Fashion Spectacular (b00d9nq7)
Episode 1

Bronwyn Cosgrave finds out why London has become the centre of the fashion world.

The capital's creativity and daring young designers will once again draw an eager international audience for London Fashion Week. But can the success be sustained?



TUESDAY 06 JANUARY 2009

TUE 00:00 Midnight News (b00g9l0h)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.


TUE 00:30 Book of the Week (b00g9ng0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 on Monday]


TUE 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00g9l3q)
The latest shipping forecast.


TUE 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00g9l5x)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


TUE 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00g9l8f)
The latest shipping forecast.


TUE 05:30 News Briefing (b00g9lcv)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.


TUE 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00g9lm8)
Daily prayer and reflection with Andrew Graystone.


TUE 05:45 Farming Today (b00g9lrg)
News and issues in rural Britain with Anna Hill.


TUE 06:00 Today (b00g9mgj)
Presented by James Naughtie and Sarah Montague.

Energy analyst Jonathan Stern reacts to claims that gas supplies to Bulgaria have been turned off.

Katya Adler reports from Gaza's border and Dr Musa el Haddad, a retired physician who lives in Gaza City, explains his experiences of the ongoing conflict

Greg Wood investigates how US financial regulators missed the repeated warning signs about the business practices of Bernard Madoff.

Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, discusses how surveyors are coping with the economic downturn.

Journalist Colin Freeman discusses how he was abducted while reporting on piracy in Somalia in November.

Thought for the day with Dr Indarjit Singh.

Andrew Baker of the Alternative Investment Management Association and Lib Dem treasury spokesman Vince Cable discuss if short-selling should be introduced into trading.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, now a Middle East envoy, says an immediate ceasefire could be reached in Gaza.

Nick Robinson explains how the Conservatives would pay for a proposed tax cut.

Tom Brook reports on the British films likely to appear in the Oscar nominations.

James Rodgers in Moscow and Chris Mason in Brussels discuss views on energy supplies across Europe.

Former colleague Mikael Ekman and fan Joan Smith discuss the Swedish crime novelist Stieg Larsson.

Sir Alan Walters, the man best known as Margaret Thatcher's economics guru, has died at the age of 82. Professor Patrick Minford of Cardiff Business School discusses Mr Walters views on recession.

Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the UN, and Price Hassan of Jordan discuss if some Arab governments would like to see Israel succeed in Gaza.


TUE 09:00 In Our Time (b00gbf2g)
Darwin: In Our Time

Darwin: The Voyage of the Beagle

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, Melvyn Bragg presents a series about Darwin's life and work.Darwin's expedition aboard the Beagle in December 1831 and how his work during the voyage influenced and provided evidence for his theories.Featuring contributions from Darwin biographer Jim Moore, Steve Jones, geneticist at University College London, David Norman, Fellow of Christ's College Cambridge and Jenny Clack, curator of the University.


TUE 09:45 Book of the Week (b00gh4fn)
And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 200 Years of British and Irish History

Episode 2

Martin Freeman reads from Charlie Connelly's travelogue in which he recreates a series of famous historical journeys through the British Isles.

Charlie goes in search of King Harold.


TUE 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00g9nnc)
Women in the Congo; Austerity cooking

Nurse Leah Chishugi on the plight of women in eastern Congo. Plus, cook Gill Holcombe on no-nonsense austerity cooking, and living with your ex-partner.


TUE 11:00 Birds and the Battlefield (b00gbf2j)
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, himself a keen bird watcher, examines the sometimes surprising links between soldiers and birds and the comfort soldiers find in such an interest in times of extreme stress. It is a relationship that can be traced from those who served in the First World War trenches to troops currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Featuring interviews with current servicemen and women as well as letters from the front, poetry, music and birdsong.

A Ladbroke production for BBC Radio 4.


TUE 11:30 Femme Fatale: The Story of Nico (b00gd1t0)
Marc Riley tells the story of Christa Paffgen, the German model and actress who would become better known as Nico, the singer with influential 1960s rock band The Velvet Underground.

Featuring interviews with her son Ari; her manager during her time in Manchester, Alan Wise; her biographer Richard Witts; John Cale, one of her colleagues in The Velvet Underground; and James Young, author and musician who worked with Nico for six years.

Producer: Nicola Swords

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2009.


TUE 12:00 You and Yours (b00g9npg)
Call You and Yours

Presented by Julian Worricker.

Dame Joan Bakewell is the government's Voice of Older People. What should be top of her to-do list?

Writer John Killick reads the second of five poems fashioned from conversations with people with dementia.


TUE 12:57 Weather (b00g9ph1)
The latest weather forecast.


TUE 13:00 World at One (b00g9pjq)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.


TUE 13:30 Music Feature (b00gkz7q)
Playing Castro's Tune

Episode 2

Stephen Evans travels to Cuba to look for the links between the country's music, its revolution and the impact that socio-political and social changes have had on the music and musicians' lives.

Cuba's musicians are one of the few sources for bringing in much-needed foreign currency to the ailing economy, but is the pressure placed on them detrimental to Cuban culture?


TUE 14:00 The Archers (b00g9pl0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Monday]


TUE 14:15 Drama (b00gd258)
Apes and Angels

By Jim Eldridge.

A clash over the teaching of creationism at a flagship academy school looks set to bring damaging publicity to the PFI programme in education and embarrass the schools minister, who has close links to the industrialist behind the academy.

James White ...... Richard Katz
Diane West ...... Anna Madeley
Sir Reginald Thwaite ...... Robert Lister
Sir Gerald le Vaux ...... Terrence Hardiman
Lynne Gilbert ...... Miranda Keeling

Directed by Peter Leslie Wild.


TUE 15:00 Home Planet (b00gd25b)
Richard Daniel and the team discuss listeners' questions about the environment and the natural world.


TUE 15:30 Shorts (b00gd25d)
Series 9

The Astronaut

By Jason Donald: A lethargic jobseeker spies an opportunity to be a hero for once. Read by Iain Robertson.


TUE 15:45 Dear Darwin (b00gdvwv)
Episode 2

Five leading scientists address letters to Charles Darwin, expressing their thoughts on his work and legacy.

Sir Jonathan Miller takes issue with Darwin's thoughts on reproduction. Darwin had no conception of modern genetics, but by the very nature of his work was tempted to speculate on the mechanism of reproduction. Jonathan questions why in this, one of the most central problem of biology, Darwin deviated from his otherwise exacting empirical standards, and support a just-so story of reproduction that could not even explain why circumcision was not inherited.


TUE 16:00 Word of Mouth (b00gd3dy)
Michael Rosen takes another journey into the world of words, language and the way we speak.


TUE 16:30 Great Lives (b00gd3f0)
Series 17

Bette Davis

Series of biographical discussions with Matthew Parris.

Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman champions the life of Hollywood actress Bette Davis. Joining the discussion is Davis expert Robyn Karney who explores her complex character and achievements.


TUE 17:00 PM (b00g9xnw)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.


TUE 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00g9xq7)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.


TUE 18:30 Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking (b00c1d22)
Series 2

Episode 4

'China Lion', pepping up your sex life and why it is not a good idea to tell lies on your CV.

Award-winning comedian Laura Solon's sketch and character comedy series

With Rosie Cavaliero, Ben Moor and Ben Willbond.

Written by Laura Solon.

With additional material by Ben Moor, Charlie Miller, Andy Marlot, Jon Walsh and Holly Walsh.

Producer: Colin Anderson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2008.


TUE 19:00 The Archers (b00g9pkr)
Nic visits Will at the Gloucestershire shoot. As they walk around it, Nic tells Will she's sad to think of him there on his own. He says he'll run her home later. He needs to tell his mum about them.

At Keeper's Cottage, Eddie's ignoring Clarrie's requests for him to call Brian. Clarrie insists they need the money, but Eddie says Brian must apologise. Eddie asks Clarrie if she's heard from William. He's heard rumours that he and Nic are back together.

Jennifer helps Brian in the lambing shed, but insists they can't go on like this. Why can't he phone Eddie? Jennifer says he may be too proud to, but she's not.

Jennifer arrives at Keeper's Cottage. Jennifer and Eddie agree that Brian won't apologise by phone, but if Eddie was to come to Home Farm? Clarrie announces that if Eddie won't do his shift, she will. Eddie grudgingly goes to get his overalls, and Will arrives. He tells Clarrie about Nic. She's unsure but says she's very happy for him.

Eddie arrives at Home Farm. Brian apologises through gritted teeth. Clarrie phones Eddie, telling him about Will and Nic. She's worried - he was so hurt last time, she doesn't want that happening again.

Episode written by Simon Frith.


TUE 19:15 Front Row (b00g9xtr)
Presented by Kirsty Lang.

Archaeologist Neil Oliver talks to Kirsty about the new ten-part series A History of Scotland, in which he discusses the myths and characters of Scotland's past and examines the birth of a Scottish identity.

Kirsty visits the Futurism 100! exhibition by Luca Buvoli. Together with critic Richard Cork, Buvoli discusses the art movement which wanted to trumpet the new and happily dismissed the past. He explains how his new multi-media installations aim to explore the themes at the heart of Futurism.

Historian David Cesarani, who specialises in Jewish history, reviews the film Defiance, which stars Daniel Craig as one of the leaders of a group of Jewish resistance fighters who battled the Nazis from their base in the forests of Belarus. David also offers his verdict on a new TV adaptation of the Diary of Anne Frank.

Danny Robins offers some tips for a cultural detox.


TUE 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00gf8tw)
Writing the Century: 1946-1948 - Out of the Ashes

Episode 2

Exploring the 20th century through the diaries and correspondence of real people, dramatised by Margaret Wilkinson.

Under pressure, Leslie persuades Ischi to postpone their marriage until they can be together in England. Leslie is demobbed and Ischi stays behind to face the uncertainties of life in Germany.

Leslie ...... Toby Hadoke
Ischi ...... Georgia King
Mother ...... Maggie Fox
Trevor ...... Richard Galazka
Dad ...... Martin Oldfield
Passport Control ...... Malcolm Raeburn
Rylda ...... Tahara Dar

Directed by Stefan Escreet.


TUE 20:00 Obama: Professor President (b00gfqbd)
Prof Kwame Anthony Appiah investigates president-elect Obama's academic career before his election to the US Senate in 2004.

He examines the intellectual ideas which influenced him during his time as a student at Harvard and later as a law professor at the University of Chicago, and considers what effect they might have on his policy-making as president.


TUE 20:40 In Touch (b00gd3fz)
Peter White with news and information for the blind and partially sighted.


TUE 21:00 Case Notes (b00gd3g1)
Antibiotics

Dr Mark Porter explores health issues of the day. He studies the latest guidelines on antibiotic prescriptions for ear ache and discusses the criteria for a prescription and what treatment is available to people who do not qualify.


TUE 21:30 In Our Time (b00gbf2g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


TUE 21:58 Weather (b00g9yg2)
The latest weather forecast.


TUE 22:00 The World Tonight (b00g9yll)
National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah. Including reports on America's position on a ceasefire in Gaza, the Israeli attack on a UN-run school in Gaza and the 'lost' Hemingway documents found in Havana.


TUE 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00g9z0r)
The Dark Flower

Episode 7

Toby Stephens reads John Galsworthy's tale of obsessive love and thwarted passion, set in the late-19th century and charting 30 years in the life and loves of a young man, Mark Lennan.

Mark and Olive's affair ends in tragedy.


TUE 23:00 Micky Flanagan: What Chance Change? (b00gd3hj)
Comedian Micky Flanagan's debut radio show charts the ups and downs of his life, from Billingsgate fish porter to successful stand-up comic and from Sunblest to panini, tabloids to broadsheets and the street party to the dinner party.


TUE 23:30 London's Fashion Spectacular (b00dghml)
Episode 2

Bronwyn Cosgrave finds out why London has become the centre of the fashion world.

Can London ever hope to build a solid fashion industry to rival Paris or Milan, or are British labels destined to burn brightly but all too briefly?



WEDNESDAY 07 JANUARY 2009

WED 00:00 Midnight News (b00g9l0k)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.


WED 00:30 Book of the Week (b00gh4fn)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 on Tuesday]


WED 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00g9l3s)
The latest shipping forecast.


WED 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00g9l5z)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


WED 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00g9l8h)
The latest shipping forecast.


WED 05:30 News Briefing (b00g9lcx)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.


WED 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00g9lmb)
Daily prayer and reflection with Andrew Graystone.


WED 05:45 Farming Today (b00g9lrj)
News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.


WED 06:00 Today (b00g9mgl)
Presented by Sarah Montague and James Naughtie.

Robert Peston reports on the trading statement released by Marks and Spencer.

Gordon Corera reports on the media interview given by Jonathan Evans, the first to be granted by a serving head of MI5.

Christian Fraser reports on an agreement to monitor Egypt's border with Gaza, which would be key to a ceasefire.

Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue discusses the legal obligation not to rule out gay couples as adoptive parents with Jim Cullen, director of children's services at Catholic Caring Services.

Ferran Tarradellas discusses the effects in Eastern Europe of Russia's dispute with Ukraine over the gas pipeline.

Tim Richardson discusses gardens.

Thought for the day with Dr Usama Hasan.

The Israeli Ambassador to Britain, Ron Prosor, discusses if the proposal devised by the Egyptians and French for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be agreed.

Sir Stuart Rose, executive chairman of M&S, and Simon Wolfson, chief exec of Next, discuss the future of the high street.

Nicola Stanbridge investigates the introduction of 'boy-friendly' books into one primary school.

Author Charlie Higson and novelist Frank Cottrell-Boyce discuss how boys can be encouraged to read.

Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen and Abdel Bari Atwan, editor of pan-Arab newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi, review the reaction of the Arabic media to the events in Gaza.

Mark Easton explains a new code of practice for the release of government statistics.

Prof Simon Baron-Cohen and Prof Joy Delhanty discuss pre-natal screening.

Russian expert Michael Stuermer discusses the importance of gas and oil to the Russian economy.

Prof Steven Rose says there are mysteries of the mind that scientists have not even begun to unravel.


WED 09:00 In Our Time (b00gd3wy)
Darwin: In Our Time

Darwin: On the Origin of Species

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, Melvyn Bragg presents a series about Darwin's life and work.How Darwin was eventually persuaded to publish On the Origin of Species in November 1859 and the book's impact on fellow scientists and the general public.Featuring contributions from Darwin biographer Jim Moore, Steve Jones, geneticist at University College London, Jim Secord of the Darwin Correspondence Project and Johannes Vogel, Sandy Knapp and Judith Magee, all of the National History Museum.


WED 09:45 Book of the Week (b00gh4fq)
And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 200 Years of British and Irish History

Episode 3

Martin Freeman reads from Charlie Connelly's travelogue in which he recreates a series of famous historical journeys through the British Isles.

Charlie traces King Harold's fateful march to Hastings.


WED 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00g9nnf)
Beverly Knight on Motown; The science of pleasure

Soul singer Beverley Knight on 50 years of Motown Records. Plus Nadje Al-Ali on the pivotal roles women are playing in Iraq, and writer Paul Martin explores the idea of pleasure.


WED 11:00 Snow in Libya (b00gd3zj)
Episode 2

Broadcaster Peter Snow returns to scenes of his post-war childhood in Libya for the first time in 50 years to discover how the modern Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya has changed from the place he remembers from his youth.

Peter leaves the city of Benghazi, and his childhood memories of Cyrene, to visit Tripoli for the first time, and to find out more about how Libya is adapting to the modern world.


WED 11:30 Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (b00gd4sy)
Series 4

Alf Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmare

Spoof reminiscences of a former variety star. Count Arthur Strong is an expert in everything from the world of entertainment to the origins of the species, all false starts and nervous fumbling, poorly concealed by a delicate sheen of bravado and self-assurance.

After Gerry takes a tumble over a bucket mysteriously left in his cafe, Arthur steps in and offers to 'do an Alf Ramsey' by running the cafe in Gerry's absence. Culinary experimentation, customer service... Arthur's a natural. Or is he...?

With Steve Delaney, Mel Giedroyc, Dave Mounfield and Alastair Kerr.

A Komedia Entertainment/Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4.


WED 12:00 You and Yours (b00g9npj)
Presented by Winifred Robinson.

Claims councils in England and Wales are taking people to court too quickly if they fall behind with their payments. We speak to Sir Jeremy Beecham, vice chair of the Local Government Association.

As the number of repossessions rises, more pressure is placed on council staff tasked with deciding who should be re-housed. One former homelessness caseworker tells us about the difficulties involved.

The poet Ian McMillan considers the fate of Morris Dancers as one group predicts their extinction within 20 years.

How can car dealerships survive a recession? We speak to Paul Everitt from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders.

What are the prospects of empty shops being brought back into use? Retail analyst Stephen Springham and Richard Jenkins from Experian discuss.

The writer John Killick reads the third of five poems fashioned from conversations with people with dementia.


WED 12:57 Weather (b00g9ph3)
The latest weather forecast.


WED 13:00 World at One (b00g9pjs)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.


WED 13:30 The Media Show (b00gd54r)
Steve Hewlett presents a topical programme about the fast-changing media world.


WED 14:00 The Archers (b00g9pkr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Tuesday]


WED 14:15 Drama (b00gd54t)
Hugh Costello - The Forgetting Curve

As an expert on memory loss, Greg Cooke is asked to invalidate the testimony of an eyewitness in a high-profile murder trial. He undermines the Prosecution's key witness by convincing the jury that we forget as much within 24 hours as we do over a whole year. As a result, a vicious murderer walks free, but Greg is soon to discover - there's a price to pay.

A tense, white-knuckle ride as a rather self-satisfied hero embarks, reluctantly, on a voyage of self-discovery.

Hugh Costello is an Emmy nominated TV and Film writer. His recent work for radio includes Afternoon Plays 'My Dear Children of the Whole World' and 'What The Bishops Knew'.

The Forgetting Curve was written by Hugh Costello.

Greg Cooke was played by Michael Glenn Murphy
Isabelle Kavanaghby Lia Williams
D.I. Baddely..... Chris McHallem
Eve Cooke.....Andrea Irvine
Valerie Ryan.....Karen Ardiff
Brenda.....Annie McCartney
Professor Nolan.....Richard Howard
Kelly.....Hugh Costello
And Paul.....Inam Mirza

The Forgetting Curve was recorded in Belfast and the producer was Eoin O'Callaghan.


WED 15:00 Money Box Live (b00gd54w)
Vincent Duggleby takes your questions on tax and self assessment. He is joined by a panel of experts: Anita Monteith, tax faculty technical manager, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Mike Warburton, partner, Grant Thornton and Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of taxation, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.


WED 15:30 Shorts (b00gd5hq)
Series 9

The Intelligence of Hearts

By Cynthia Rogerson: A gallery attendant muses on love and loneliness whilst on the job. Read by Paul Young.


WED 15:45 Dear Darwin (b00gdvws)
Episode 3

Five leading scientists address letters to Charles Darwin, expressing their thoughts on his work and legacy.

Prof Jerry Coyne's main research scours the heart of Darwin's great work, On the Origin of Species. Using the humble fruit fly, case study of so much modern biology, Jerry's team seek to understand the mechanism by which related generations first become 'reproductively isolated'; in other words, how does a new species emerge? Over the years Jerry has, therefore, been embroiled in plenty of the discussion surrounding Intelligent Design. He tells Darwin about the huge body of evidence that has been discovered in the century since that supports his theory.


WED 16:00 Thinking Allowed (b00gd5hs)
Popular Music and Violence - The Etymology of 'Hooligan'

POPULAR MUSIC AND VIOLENCE
David Gray, Eminen, ACDC, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera and Nancy Sinatra are artists whose music - despite their protests - have all been used by states as instruments of war. Laurie Taylor is joined by Dr Martin Cloonan, co-author of the Dark Side of the Tune and Caspar Melville, former lecturer in Popular Music Studies at Goldsmiths, to discuss how music is used in conflicts, and how it is increasingly employed by public utilities and commercial organisations in attempts to control what people do.

THE ETYMOLOGY OF ‘HOOLIGAN’
According to Professor Geoffrey Pearson the word "hooligan" made its official entrance into the English language during the summer of 1898, in the wake of a rowdy, August bank holiday celebration in London when hundreds of people appeared before the courts on charges of assault and drunkenness. Professor Pearson expands on the origins of the word ‘hooligan’.


WED 16:30 Case Notes (b00gd3g1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 on Tuesday]


WED 17:00 PM (b00g9xny)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.


WED 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00g9xq9)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.


WED 18:30 Will Smith's Midlife Crisis Management (b00gd5hv)
Episode 4

Comedy series in which comedian Will Smith seeks help and advice - primarily from his godfather Peter - on coping with the onset of middle age.

Will enlists the help of explorer Rebecca to try to become more adventurous, but has trouble venturing out of his front door because of his strange neighbour.

With Roger Allam, Rebecca Front, Paul Rider.


WED 19:00 The Archers (b00g9pkt)
Ruth knows Pip would be impressed by Alistair's new portable ultrasound equipment. Alistair thinks it's great that Pip's so interested in farming. Ruth admits they're pleased too.

Usha's running with Annabelle again, but assures Ruth she just needs the incentive. Annabelle and Usha push each other harder than they thought possible. Usha admits to Ruth that her competitive side seems to have taken over. The marathon's taken on new meaning and she's determined to beat Annabelle.

Ryan phones Alistair. He's in a betting shop with £50 left of his dole money and needs Alistair's help. Alistair rushes over and arrives in time to stop Ryan laying down a bet but Ryan's still tempted. Alistair ignores his phone while they go for a drink. They have a good chat and Ryan's grateful for Alistair's guidance.

Alistair's missed calls are from Kenton, who saw Alistair leaving the bookies and wants to know what's going on. Alistair tells Kenton the truth but Kenton's not convinced. Even if it is true, Kenton's worried Alistair's taking one hell of a risk. Kenton isn't prepared to see Shula hurt again. Alistair promises him there's no need to worry. He knows what he's doing.

Episode written by Simon Frith.


WED 19:15 Front Row (b00g9xtt)
Presented by Mark Lawson.

Mark Eccleston reviews Danny Boyle's latest film, Slumdog Millionaire (an adaptation of the book Q and A by Vikas Swarup, which was serialised on BBC Radio 4). The film follows a contestant on the Hindi version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and has already been nominated for awards in America and Britain.

The system of payments made by radio broadcasters for playing music is under review at a time when the economic climate and the effect of downloading is affecting the balance sheets of record companies and artists. Front Row talks to Jay Crawford of commercial station Real Radio Scotland, Felix Howard of EMI Publishing International and Peter Leathem of the PPL ,who license music for use in broadcasting.

Mark meets the architect Peter Clegg, whose studio Feilden Clegg Bradley won the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2008. Clegg discusses the use of daylight and natural materials in his buildings and examines the challenges faced by the architectural community at the start of a global recession.


WED 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00gf8tj)
Writing the Century: 1946-1948 - Out of the Ashes

Episode 3

Exploring the 20th century through the diaries and correspondence of real people, dramatised by Margaret Wilkinson.

Leslie has stopped writing, and an anxious Ischi begins accepting invitations to dances hosted by the occupying forces. The Russians have become the new enemy and there is fear about the prospect of another conflict in Europe.

Leslie ...... Toby Hadoke
Ischi ...... Georgia King
Mother ...... Maggie Fox
Helga ...... Lucy Egerton
Dad ...... Martin Oldfield
Herr Grube ...... Malcolm Raeburn

Directed by Stefan Escreet.


WED 20:00 Unreliable Evidence (b00gd5hx)
Murder Law

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

Proposed reforms to the law relating to murder and manslaughter will remove the defence of 'crime of passion' and make it easier to prosecute gang members who take part in a deadly assault, but do not actually strike the killer blow. But the government's plans fall well short of the radical overhaul demanded by many lawyers.


WED 20:45 Secret Lives (b00gd5m2)
Episode 3

Gyles Brandreth persuades politicians to talk about their true selves: where they come from, what inspired them, their ups and downs, private fears and private lives.


WED 21:00 State of Mind (b00gd5vf)
Total Institution

Claudia Hammond tells the story of mental health care in the UK from the 1950s to the present day and explores, with the help of listeners' testimonies, how treatment and understanding of mental illness has changed over the past 50 years.

The 1950s promised a new deal for the mentally ill, with new drugs and radical legislation. Psychiatrists believed they had the answers, yet seclusion in asylums continued.


WED 21:30 In Our Time (b00gd3wy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


WED 21:58 Weather (b00g9yg4)
The latest weather forecast.


WED 22:00 The World Tonight (b00g9yln)
National and international news and analysis with Robin Lustig. Including reports on the resumption of Israeli attacks on Gaza after a three-hour ceasefire and the latest diplomatic moves for a longer-term truce, the call by the leader of the Liberal Democrats for all arms exports to Israel to stop, the freeze in large parts of Europe as the dispute between Russia and Ukraine over gas prices continues and Ghana showing the way for African democracy.


WED 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00g9z0t)
The Dark Flower

Episode 8

Toby Stephens reads John Galsworthy's tale of obsessive love and thwarted passion, set in the late-19th century and charting 30 years in the life and loves of a young man, Mark Lennan.

Mark, now middle aged and married, is drawn to Nell, the teenage daughter of an old friend.


WED 23:02 The Cornwell Estate (b00gdhnp)
Series 1

Jasper Lengthe

The ups and downs of life on a fictional housing estate, told from the perspective of characters played by the comedian Phil Cornwell.

Struggling actor Jasper Lengthe unexpectedly comes into some money and decides to completely redesign his flat so he can throw a dinner party for his favourite actors in the hope of finding work.


WED 23:15 The Ladies (b00glqw4)
Series 1

Episode 3

Series of comedy sketches by Emily Watson Howes set in a ladies' public toilet, featuring various female characters as they come and go.

Four girls make their first foray into the world of illegal drug taking, with horrendous consequences for one of them.

With Emily Watson Howes, Kate Donmall, Suzanne Hislop, Fran Moulds.


WED 23:30 The Man Who Was Bojangles (b00d1ypt)
4 Extra Debut. Kwame Kwei-Armah unravels the myths behind the man and soubriquet bestowed on tap dancer Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson. From August 2008.



THURSDAY 08 JANUARY 2009

THU 00:00 Midnight News (b00g9l0m)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.


THU 00:30 Book of the Week (b00gh4fq)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 on Wednesday]


THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00g9l3v)
The latest shipping forecast.


THU 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00g9l61)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


THU 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00g9l8k)
The latest shipping forecast.


THU 05:30 News Briefing (b00g9lcz)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.


THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00g9lmd)
Daily prayer and reflection with Andrew Graystone.


THU 05:45 Farming Today (b00g9lrl)
News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.


THU 06:00 Today (b00g9mgn)
Presented by Evan Davis and Edward Stourton.

Natalia Antelava analyses the likelihood of Hezbollah joining the Gaza conflict.

Hugh Pym reports on what the government can do as interest rates drop closer to zero.

Parvin Ali and Rabbi Gabriel Farhi debate the repercussions of the conflict in Gaza for European Muslims and Jews.

Management consultant Peter York and Mark Hedges, of Country Life, discuss why old English brands are being so badly hit by the recession.

Jeremy Bowen says Hezbollah has rearmed since 2006.

A turbine on a wind-farm in Lincolnshire has been badly damaged in what local residents claim was a collision with a UFO.

Mark Simpson reports on an apparent sighting of a ghost in Northern Ireland.

Thought for the day with the Rev Angela Tilby.

Gabriel Gatehouse and MP Ed Miliband discuss the UK's reliance on gas from other countries.

John Redwood and Roger Bootle debate whether interest rates should be cut.

Alastair Crook analyses the possible groups behind the rocket attacks on Israel from Lebanon.

Actors Toby Jones and Rory Kinnear discuss the current glut of movies with real-life figures as their stars.

Christopher Rodrigues of Visit Britain and Channel Five's Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi discuss how the tourism industry will cope in the recession.

MP Hazel Blears and Mark Wallace of the Taxpayers' Alliance discuss if the cabinet should meet outside London.

Jonah Fisher visits a high security prison to report on an anger management programme proving popular with inmates.

Dr Mike Grocott discusses the findings of the group of doctors who climbed Everest to conduct experiments on themselves.

Lord Hurd and Lord Hattersley discuss whether Edward Heath and James Callaghan were undervalued as leaders.


THU 09:00 In Our Time (b00gdhqf)
Darwin: In Our Time

Darwin: Life After Origins

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in 2009 and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, Melvyn Bragg presents a series about Darwin's life and work.Melvyn visits Darwin's home at Down House in Kent. Despite ill health and the demands of his family, Darwin continued researching and publishing until his death in April 1882.Featuring contributions from Darwin biographer Jim Moore, geneticist at University College London Steve Jones, Darwin expert Alison Pearn of the Darwin Correspondence Project and former garden curator at Down House Nick Biddle.


THU 09:45 Book of the Week (b00gh4fs)
And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 200 Years of British and Irish History

Episode 4

Martin Freeman reads from Charlie Connelly's travelogue in which he recreates a series of famous historical journeys through the British Isles.

Charlie follows in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie and travels to the Isle of Skye.


THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00g9nnh)
Treating eating disorders in Northern Ireland; The DNB

Is enough being done to help patients suffering from eating disorders in Northern Ireland? Plus, the criteria for inclusion in the Dictionary of National Biography.


THU 11:00 Crossing Continents (b00gdjvc)
Malaysia: Racial Supremacy No More?

For nearly four decades, ethnic Malays have benefited from positive discrimination over Malaysians of ethnic Chinese and Indian origin - which make up nearly 40 percent of the population.

But in 2008, the country's unique racial compact began to be strongly challenged from within. Mukul Devichand reports on the tensions and meets Malay, Indian and Chinese young people on the front lines of the struggle between ingrained racism and the possibility of a more equal future.


THU 11:30 The Omnipresent Mr Handel (b00gdjvf)
Social historian Peter Stead explores how George Friderich Handel, court composer to King George II and provider of opera for the aristocracy, also became, through his oratorios, a favourite of the working and middle classes.

The oratorio played a key role in the development of music festivals and choral societies from the 18th century onwards, particularly in the burgeoning industrial regions of the Wales and the north of England.


THU 12:00 You and Yours (b00g9npl)
Presented by Winifred Robinson.

The National Pensioners Convention says that 12 pensioners could die every hour from the cold. We speak to Jenny Saunders, Chief Executive of National Energy Action.

European City Guide: The European Commission is being urged to step in to stop a racket which has seen hundreds of small businesses lose money.

The Department of Health and manufacturers have reached an agreement that aims to bring down the drugs bill for the NHS. Lionel Winston David Fisher of the ABPI and Dr Bill Beeby of the BMA discuss.

The Serious Fraud Office in London has announced it will investigate the UK operations of Bernard Madoff, arrested and charged in December over an alleged $50 billion fraud. Richard Alderman of the SFO explains.

Nigel Harries of Rail Magazine and Gareth Elliot from the British Chamber of Commerce discuss the continuing disruption on the West Coast Mainline.

A tale of two recyclers - Trevor Balding is a one man band running a group of 350 can banks in and around Norfolk; Chris Dow recycles plastic bottles turning them back into food packaging for the UK market.

Writer John Killick reads the fourth of five poems fashioned from conversations with people with dementia.


THU 12:57 Weather (b00g9ph5)
The latest weather forecast.


THU 13:00 World at One (b00g9pjv)
National and international news with Martha Kearney.


THU 13:30 Costing the Earth (b00gbcfv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 21:00 on Monday]


THU 14:00 The Archers (b00g9pkt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Wednesday]


THU 14:15 Drama (b00gdw49)
Sarah Daniels - Left in Trust

By Sarah Daniels.

When a young woman decides to write a play about the founder of the National Trust, it leads her to discover secrets about her own family.

With Kenneth Cranham, Sophie Stanton.

Directed by Sally Avens.


THU 15:02 Open Country (b00g8myw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:07 on Saturday]


THU 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (b00g921t)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:55 on Sunday]


THU 15:30 Shorts (b00gdw6y)
Series 9

Pillars of the Community

Comedy by Anneliese Mackintosh.

A young woman attends a dinner party hosted by her neighbours, who seem to be hiding something.

Read by Natalie Bennett.


THU 15:45 Dear Darwin (b00gdvx8)
Episode 4

Five leading scientists address letters to Charles Darwin, expressing their thoughts on his work and legacy.

Dr Peter Bentley, who works at the cutting edge of digital biology, tells Darwin about the emerging field of evolutionary computing. Peter tells of how Darwin's elegantly simple algorithm lies at the heart of so much complexity in our world, and how abstracting it from 'wet' biology and into the digital realm allows this most powerful of natural processes to be harnessed in industry, finance, medicine and even one day perhaps to construct true artificial life; self replicating, self-designing, self-adapting, self-repairing, self-everything devices.


THU 16:00 Bookclub (b00g9f9s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Sunday]


THU 16:30 Material World (b00gdwh9)
Student Space Projects - Did the Earth Freeze Over?

STUDENT SPACE PROJECTS
Quentin Cooper learns about student contributions to front-line space projects. He meets undergraduates from the University of Leicester who are building their own satellite to study space dust, detecting nano-meteoroids in orbit around the Earth.

At the Open University at Milton Keynes, PhD students are building an experiment that will orbit the Moon as part of the European Student Moon Orbiter (ESMO), which is being designed and built by students from 29 universities in 12 countries.

DID THE EARTH FREEZE OVER?
Something strange was happening to the Earth around 700 million years ago. There’s evidence of deposits left by ice on every continent, including regions that were then near the equator. The implication that has become widely accepted over the last decade, is that the Earth froze over.

Such a ‘snowball earth’ scenario would have almost wiped out the primitive marine life of the time. There would have been no marine algae to remove volcanic carbon dioxide from the air. When the greenhouse gas had built up, about 635 million years ago, it caused rapid warming and a sudden thaw that plunged our planet into a hothouse.

The climate change is marked by a global layer of limestone as marine algae took advantage of the CO2 and warm seas. Soon afterwards the first assemblage of diverse, multicellular life forms evolved. But now, in a review article, Professor Phillip Allen of Imperial College London has called the global glaciation into doubt.

He discusses the evidence with Gabrielle Walker, author of ‘Snowball Earth’.


THU 17:00 PM (b00g9xp0)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.


THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00g9xqc)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.


THU 18:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b00dqnyw)
Series 5

The Last Miaow

Comedy series by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.

Ed Reardon, author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive email, attempts to survive in a world where the media seems to be run by idiots and lying charlatans.

Ed has rekindled his relationship with fellow author Mary Potter and they are in a record breaking second month of partnership 'bliss'. Elgar, however, is none too pleased

Ed Reardon ...... Christopher Douglas
Olive ...... Stephanie Cole
Felix ...... John Fortune
Mary Potter ...... Sally Grace
Ray ...... Simon Greenall
Jaz ...... Philip Jackson
Pearl ...... Rita May
Frank ...... Geoffrey McGivern
Ping ...... Barunka O'Shaughnessy
Stan ...... Geoffrey Whitehead

With Lewis MacLeod and Nicola Sanderson.


THU 19:00 The Archers (b00g9pkw)
After more hold ups, Mike's pleased the dividing wall is finally up at Willow Cottage.

Christopher's chatting to Alice. Neil overhears him say he'll call her back from the house phone, and points out that it still costs. Christopher insists he'll pay for every call he makes.

Helen's heard that the flat above the shop is shaping up, and calls in to see. Neil didn't take account of the walls being out, so there's a problem. One of the kitchen units just won't fit.

Tom's pleased with Hannah's new pig pen layout. Jazzer reckons he and Hannah make a good team and asks if she#s going clubbing later. Hannah doesn't think so - until she learns Chris will be there. Jazzer points out that Chris is spoken for but Hannah already knows about Alice.

The club's packed. Jazzer asks Hannah to dance but she's not in the mood - until she sees Chris and whisks him off. Chris talks about Alice. Sensing he's not enjoying the club, Hannah suggests he'd rather be elsewhere. Chris admits he's thinking of going home. Hannah says she feels the same, and doesn't hesitate when Chris offers her a lift. When Jazzer finds out, he wants to know if anyone's told Alice.

Episode written by Simon Frith.


THU 19:15 Front Row (b00g9xtw)
Presented by Kirsty Lang.

Suranne Jones stars in new TV drama Unforgiven as Ruth Slater, a woman released from prison on license after serving 15 years for the murder of two policemen. Having spent half of her life imprisoned, she now faces the prospect of rebuilding her life whilst being drawn back to the scene of the crime.

Kirsty talks to Andrew Lloyd Webber about his search to find someone to represent the UK in the next Eurovision Song Contest.

Clare Beale, editor of Campaign Magazine, discusses an unusual press ad by Ladbrokes: a mock appeal to the public to help them find the single person who complained about a TV advert featuring a man skydiving with a crisp packet for a parachute.

Kirsty speaks to Benjamin Myers about his novel, Twisted Symmetry, the first of a six-book sequence entitled The Bad Tuesdays. He explains how his former careers as an army officer and as a criminal barrister provided inspiration for a story about three children, Chess, Box and Splinter, who are members of a criminal underclass.


THU 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00gf8tl)
Writing the Century: 1946-1948 - Out of the Ashes

Episode 4

Exploring the 20th century through the diaries and correspondence of real people, dramatised by Margaret Wilkinson.

Leslie throws himself into fixing up the family home and car, and Ischi writes to him about being falsely accused of promiscuity.

Leslie ...... Toby Hadoke
Ischi ...... Georgia King
Frau Engicht ...... Maggie Fox
Trevor/Policeman ...... Richard Galazka
Dad/Julich ...... Martin Oldfield
Herr Grube ...... Malcolm Raeburn

Directed by Stefan Escreet.


THU 20:00 Inside City Hall (b00gdyk6)
Shaun Ley talks to key figures who have worked inside London's City Hall about the years since the introduction of the London Mayoralty in May 2000.

The former chief executive of the Greater London Authority reveals how he bonded with Ken Livingstone, Boris Johnson admits to some surprises when he started as Mayor and the minister responsible for drawing up the legislation for the Greater London Assembly confesses to some disappointments.


THU 20:30 In Business (b00gdyk8)
Free For All

Peter Day hears from two advocates of business models that challenge the conventional wisdom about charging for goods and services.


THU 21:00 The Line Between Life and Death (b00gdyxv)
Episode 1

Jonathan Miller explores the complex questions that arise from trying to define death.

He asks what it means for something to be alive so that it can die, what counts as death for different species and, if we pass a genetic inheritance on to our children, does this mean that we are in some sense immortal? Jonathan also considers the consequences of there being no actual definition of death in UK law for medicine and ethics and why even if we avoid all risks to life we will all eventually die.


THU 21:30 In Our Time (b00gdhqf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


THU 21:58 Weather (b00g9yg6)
The latest weather forecast.


THU 22:00 The World Tonight (b00g9ylq)
National and international news and analysis with Robin Lustig. Including reports on the latest on the Gaza Conflict, a possible deal to restart Russian gas supplies to Europe and why plans to twin the town of Staines with Mauritius could hit the buffers.


THU 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00g9z0w)
The Dark Flower

Episode 9

Toby Stephens reads John Galsworthy's tale of obsessive love and thwarted passion, set in the late-19th century and charting 30 years in the life and loves of a young man, Mark Lennan.

Mark struggles against his feelings.


THU 23:00 Recorded for Training Purposes (b00gdyxx)
Series 3

Episode 1

Fast-paced sketch show about modern communication, media noise and contemporary obsessions.

With Ben Willbond, Dominic Coleman, Ingrid Oliver, Rachel Atkins, Lewis Macleod and Julie Mayhew.

Writers:
Rebecca Hobbs
Christina Martin
James McDougall
Kate Chedgey
Michael Balazo
John Dorney
Daniel Harlos
John-Luke Roberts
Matt Honeyball
James Sherwood
Mike Ryan
Michael Rees

Script editors: James Cary, Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris

Producer: Ed Morrish

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2009.


THU 23:30 The Loneliness of the Goalkeeper (b00dy5ml)
Hardeep Singh Kohli introduces a tragi-comic look at the isolated role of the goalkeeper.



FRIDAY 09 JANUARY 2009

FRI 00:00 News and Weather (b008m54x)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by weather.


FRI 00:30 Book of the Week (b00gh4fs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 on Thursday]


FRI 00:48 Shipping Forecast (b00g9l3x)
The latest shipping forecast.


FRI 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (b00g9l63)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


FRI 05:20 Shipping Forecast (b00g9l8m)
The latest shipping forecast.


FRI 05:30 News Briefing (b00g9ld1)
The latest news from BBC Radio 4.


FRI 05:43 Prayer for the Day (b00g9lmg)
Daily prayer and reflection with Andrew Graystone.


FRI 05:45 Farming Today (b00g9lrn)
News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.


FRI 06:00 Today (b00g9mgq)
Presented by Edward Stourton and Sarah Montague.

EU spokesman Ferran Tarradellas Espuny says monitors are key to a gas supply deal with Russia.

Laura Trevelyan discusses the US's abstaining from the UN Security Council vote for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Ruth Alexander investigates statistics on prostitution.

Prof John Oxford says that a strain of flu resistant to anti-viral drugs is not a real worry.

Dr Sarah Rankin, Tom Feilden and Prof Roger Pederson discuss developments in stem cell research.

Tim Franks hears from the Israelis who say that the battle goes beyond Gaza.

Thought for the day with Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner.

Tory health spokesman Andrew Lansley and Nigel Evans of the NHS discuss hospitals still using open-plan, mixed-sex wards.

Jeremy Bowen explains why the US abstained from the proposal urging a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Kevin Connolly and Prof Joseph Stiglitz discuss why the US is losing jobs at the fastest rate since the end of WWII.

James May and Jennifer Cox discuss the trouble with suitcases.

Garry Richardson interviews Sir Clive Woodward, the British Olympic Association's elite performance director and former coach of the England Rugby Union team.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor discusses the likelihood of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Isobel Hilton and James Lilley discuss how the relationship between the US and China has changed.

David Aaronovitch and Ken Livingstone discuss the way the conflict in Gaza is being described.

Treeva Fenwick visits the Wadworth Brewery in Devizes, where England's last remaining master cooper is desperately seeking an apprentice.

Producer of Natural World Mike Birkhead discusses the significance of the footage that revealed how a cuckoo lays its eggs.


FRI 09:00 Desert Island Discs (b00g9cjd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:15 on Sunday]


FRI 09:45 Book of the Week (b00gh4fv)
And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 200 Years of British and Irish History

Episode 5

Martin Freeman reads from Charlie Connelly's travelogue in which he recreates a series of famous historical journeys through the British Isles.

Charlie investigates a calamitous episode in Irish history, the 1849 Doolough famine walk in County Mayo.


FRI 10:00 Woman's Hour (b00g9nnk)
Fiona Phillips on Alzheimer's; Adult children living at home

Former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips on coping with Alzheimer's disease in the family. Plus, adult children who leave home but keep coming back, and women cartoonists.


FRI 11:00 Me, Putin and Judo (b00gdz17)
Former world judo champion Neil Adams visits Russia on a quest to meet fellow judo expert and Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, hoping to gain some insight into how judo has influenced his character.

He speaks to Putin's childhood friend, the Duma member Vasily Shestakov, who co-wrote a book with Putin on the philosophy of judo. Neil also meets Putin's judo coach Anatoly Rakhlin and discovers how Russia are preparing for the next Olympics, especially now that judo has become so popular in the country as a result of Putin's example.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2009


FRI 11:30 The Castle (b00gdz3r)
Series 2

Nice to Gavotte You, to Gavotte You Nice

Hie ye to "The Castle", a rollicking sitcom set way back then, starring James Fleet ("The Vicar Of Dibley", "Four Weddings & A Funeral") and Neil Dudgeon ("Life Of Riley")

In this episode, the arrival of a new handyman, a mysterious Frenchwoman and a celebrity dance competition puts everyone in a whirl.

Cast:
Sir John Woodstock ..... James Fleet
Sir William De Warenne ...... Neil Dudgeon
Lady Anne Woodstock ..... Montserrat Lombard
Cardinal Duncan ..... Jonathan Kydd
Lady Charlotte ..... Ingrid Oliver
Master Henry Woodstock ..... Steven Kynman
Merlin ...... Lewis Macleod

and special guest
Comtesse Totti ..... Katy Brand

Written by Kim Fuller with additional material by Paul Alexander
Music by Guy Jackson

Produced and directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4.


FRI 12:00 You and Yours (b00g9npn)
Presented by Peter White.

Scores of guest houses are shutting up shop because they cannot afford to keep up with the increasing demands of fire safety officers.

Barry Hearn, Chairman of Leyton Orient and stadium expert Simon Inglis predict the future for the 2012 Olympics Stadium.

The writer John Killick reads the last of five poems fashioned from conversations with people with dementia.

BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones offers an update on some of the latest developments in home entertainment including 3D TV and paper-thin screens.

Illegal downloading has hit the music industry hard, but the problem is particularly acute with the British Asian scene.

How the economic downturn is affecting restaurants and what might happen to the sector in the coming months.

Now is the time of year when many of us start to think about our summer holidays but what if you are stuck at home because of ill health or disability? Clare Wade might have the answer.


FRI 12:57 Weather (b00g9ph7)
The latest weather forecast.


FRI 13:00 World at One (b00g9pjx)
National and international news with Brian Hanrahan.


FRI 13:30 More or Less (b00gdz3t)
Sex Workers - Babylonian Numbers - Credit Crunch Maths: Journalism

Sex Workers
"Something like 80% of women in prostitution are controlled by their drug dealer, or their pimp or their trafficker," according to former Home Office minister Fiona MacTaggart MP.

The idea that women who work in prostitution are largely in forced labour situations is one of the justifications behind a government proposal to introduce a strict liability offence of paying for sex with a woman who has been trafficked or is under the control of a pimp or her drug dealer.

It will be no defence for an accused man to say that he didn't realise that the woman had been trafficked or was "controlled for another person's gain". Men accused of this crime will be charged with rape on the basis that the woman can't be deemed to have consented.

Given the underground nature of prostitution, how do researchers know the proportion of women who are controlled by others? Presenter Tim Harford finds out how the research is done and the reliability of the statistics.

Interviewees include Professor Julia O'Connell-Davidson of Nottingham University, Hilary Kinnell of the UK Network of Sex Work Projects and Fiona MacTaggart MP.

Babylonian Numbers
The ancient civilization is famed for the Tower of Babel, the Hanging Gardens and Belshazzar's Feast - but also for the great advances it made in mathematics.

The ability to write large numbers, the way we measure time, the number of degrees in a circle and the 7 day week - we apparently owe much to Babylonian mathematics.

To find out more, Tim Harford visits the British Museum's Babylon exhibition and talks to Eleanor Robson of Cambridge University's Department of History and Philosophy of Science.

Credit Crunch Maths: Journalism
Gillian Tett of the Financial Times explains the moment she realised that nine tenths of financial activity was being largely ignored by journalists, politicians and regulators.

Until recently, media coverage of the financial markets was mainly limited to equities and mergers and acquisitions. But the credit markets, derivative markets and the market in loans repackaged into bonds were worth far more.


FRI 14:00 The Archers (b00g9pkw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Thursday]


FRI 14:15 Drama (b00gdz3w)
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Thirteen Watches

Series of four new tales of mystery and murder by Bert Coules, inspired by the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

It takes more than a vanishing pair of railway passengers and a corpse that appears out of thin air to interest a bored Sherlock Holmes. But then he learns what the dead man had in his pockets.

Sherlock Holmes ...... Clive Merrison
Dr John Watson ...... Andrew Sachs
Sir Gregory Nigel Anthony
Inspector Jones ...... Sion Probert
Harkness ...... Stuart Milligan
Sam ...... Inam Mirza
Ted ...... Robert Lonsdale
Landlady ...... Donnla Hughes
Sergeant ...... Dan Starkey

Directed by Patrick Rayner.


FRI 15:00 Gardeners' Question Time (b00gdzkc)
Eric Robson chairs the popular horticultural forum.

Anne Swithinbank, Chris Beardshaw and John Cushnie are guests of Pentyrch Open Gardens near Cardiff, with advice on gardening on a budget.

Including the Gardeners' Question Time gardening weather forecast.


FRI 15:45 Dear Darwin (b00gdvwx)
Episode 5

Five leading scientists address letters to Charles Darwin, expressing their thoughts on his work and legacy.

Prof Baruch Blumberg received the 1976 Nobel Prize for his work on viral infection. He and his colleagues discovered the Hepatitis B virus, diagnostic methods for its detection, and the vaccine. The vaccine, the first anti-cancer vaccine, is now one of the most commonly used world-wide and has prevented many cases of disease and death. He describes the central issues that viruses - unknown to Darwin - raise for biologists looking at the role of cooperation in the history of life; and further, how evolution proved to be fundamental in his later work for NASA, searching for life elsewhere in the universe.


FRI 16:00 Last Word (b00gf2dm)
Matthew Bannister presents the obituary series, analysing and celebrating the life stories of people who have recently died. The programme reflects on people of distinction and interest from many walks of life, some famous and some less well known.


FRI 16:30 The Film Programme (b00gf2dp)
In an extended interview, Francine Stock talks to Danny Boyle about his award-winning Mumbai drama, Slumdog Millionaire.

Alfonso Cuaron, the director of Y Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban discusses his first movie that forms part of a new collection of short films by the likes of Guillermo Del Toro and Alexander Sokurov.


FRI 17:00 PM (b00g9xp2)
Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Plus Weather.


FRI 18:00 Six O'Clock News (b00g9xqf)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.


FRI 18:30 The News Quiz (b00gf2dr)
Series 67

Episode 1

Sandi Toksvig chairs the topical comedy quiz. The panel includes Jeremy Hardy, Fred MacAulay and Phill Jupitus.


FRI 19:00 The Archers (b00g9pky)
Shula's considering going to a handbell session at the vicarage. She can't keep letting the situation with Usha come between her and the church.

Will takes Nic to Casa Nueva. They feel strange at first but Will suggests he could come back at the end of the month if Nic wanted to move back in with the kids. It's too quick for Nic. She remembers being lonely and doesn't think she could live there again until she passed her test. Nic assures Will that she loves him and they've got the rest of their lives to look forward to. Will agrees - and the first thing he should do is give her some driving lessons.

Jazzer quizzes Hannah about last night. She's quick to tell him that all Chris talked about was Alice. They hope Alice appreciates how lucky she is to have Chris.

Ryan's been offered a job but needs a personal reference. Alistair can't give a true reference without mentioning the gambling but realises this is a real chance for Ryan to get out of his mess. He agrees to do it. But if Ryan's successful, he must use his wages to get himself straight. Ryan promises Alistair he won't forget this. He won't let him down.

Episode written by Simon Frith.


FRI 19:15 Front Row (b00g9xty)
Presented by Kirsty Lang.

Religion on Television.
In a submission to Ofcom by the Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, Anglican Bishop of Croydon, and the Rt Revd John Arnold, Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, the BBC was criticised for its perceived failure to value religious programming sufficiently.

Kirsty speaks to Commissioning Editor for Religion and Multicultural for Channel 4 Aaqil Ahmed and series producer for BBC Religion Graham Johnston about the different approaches they have taken when making recent religious documentaries.

Bromley By Bow Centre.
Kirsty visits the Bromley By Bow health centre, in East London, where Dr Sam Everington gives her a tour of the unusual range of on-site facilities: the centre is also home to a potter, a stained-glass artist, a sculptress, furniture and crafts workshops, a sculpture-park, an internet café and more.


FRI 19:45 15 Minute Drama (b00gf8tn)
Writing the Century: 1946-1948 - Out of the Ashes

Episode 5

Exploring the 20th century through the diaries and correspondence of real people, dramatised by Margaret Wilkinson.

The black market is rife in Germany and prisoners of war are making their way back from Russian camps. Ischi wonders what kind of welcome she will find if she is ever able to get to England.

Leslie ...... Toby Hadoke
Ischi ...... Georgia King
Mother ...... Maggie Fox
Helga ...... Lucy Egerton
Trevor ...... Richard Galazka
Dad ...... Martin Oldfield
Herr Grube ...... Malcolm Raeburn
Rylda ...... Tahira Dar

Directed by Stefan Escreet.


FRI 20:00 Any Questions? (b00gf2g9)
Jonathan Dimbleby chairs the topical debate in Enfield, Middlesex. The panel includes the Liberal Democrats housing spokesperson Sarah Teather, author and columnist AN Wilson, shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert and employment minister Tony McNulty.


FRI 20:50 A Point of View (b00gf5df)
A weekly reflection on a topical issue from Harold Evans.


FRI 21:00 Hunting the Beagle (b00gf5dh)
Biologist and maritime historian Dr Robert Prescott searches for the final resting place of the ship aboard which Charles Darwin began to formulate the ideas which would eventually become his theory of evolution. He begins his journey at Woolwich Dockyard in London, where the Beagle's voyage began.


FRI 21:58 Weather (b00g9yg8)
The latest weather forecast.


FRI 22:00 The World Tonight (b00g9yls)
With Robin Lustig. A look at Israel's strategy as the attacks on Gaza continue. Plus the problems on the west coast main rail line, and Tintin's 80th birthday.


FRI 22:45 Book at Bedtime (b00g9z0y)
The Dark Flower

Episode 10

Toby Stephens reads John Galsworthy's tale of obsessive love and thwarted passion, set in the late-19th century and charting 30 years in the life and loves of a young man, Mark Lennan.

Mark must choose between his wife and his new passion.


FRI 23:00 Great Lives (b00gd3f0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:30 on Tuesday]


FRI 23:30 Crisis on the Top Shelf (b00f6rvm)
Rowan Pelling looks at the history of top-shelf magazines in Britain, their changing content, society's attitude toward them and their future in the face of internet competition and declining sales. She looks at the effect that the rise of 'lads mags', the feminist movement and the increasing sexualisation of society have had on adult magazines.




LIST OF THIS WEEK'S PROGRAMMES
(Note: the times link back to the details; the pids link to the BBC page, including iPlayer)

15 Minute Drama 19:45 MON (b00gbc98)

15 Minute Drama 19:45 TUE (b00gf8tw)

15 Minute Drama 19:45 WED (b00gf8tj)

15 Minute Drama 19:45 THU (b00gf8tl)

15 Minute Drama 19:45 FRI (b00gf8tn)

A Box of Wittgensteins 14:45 SUN (b00g9dgp)

A Point of View 08:50 SUN (b00g45y2)

A Point of View 20:50 FRI (b00gf5df)

Advertising: The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Clothes On! 20:00 MON (b00gbc9b)

Ali Abbas: In His Own Words 13:30 SUN (b00g4g9j)

Anthony Trollope - Orley Farm 21:00 SAT (b01102gl)

Anthony Trollope - Orley Farm 15:00 SUN (b00g9f9q)

Any Questions? 20:00 FRI (b00gf2g9)

Art Made in China 05:45 SAT (b008th99)

Bells on Sunday 05:43 SUN (b00g8t8m)

Bells on Sunday 00:45 MON (b00g8t8m)

Beyond Belief 16:30 MON (b00gbc94)

Beyond Westminster 11:00 SAT (b00gp4j8)

Birds and the Battlefield 11:00 TUE (b00gbf2j)

Book at Bedtime 22:45 MON (b00g9z23)

Book at Bedtime 22:45 TUE (b00g9z0r)

Book at Bedtime 22:45 WED (b00g9z0t)

Book at Bedtime 22:45 THU (b00g9z0w)

Book at Bedtime 22:45 FRI (b00g9z0y)

Book of the Week 00:30 SAT (b00g441n)

Book of the Week 09:45 MON (b00g9ng0)

Book of the Week 00:30 TUE (b00g9ng0)

Book of the Week 09:45 TUE (b00gh4fn)

Book of the Week 00:30 WED (b00gh4fn)

Book of the Week 09:45 WED (b00gh4fq)

Book of the Week 00:30 THU (b00gh4fq)

Book of the Week 09:45 THU (b00gh4fs)

Book of the Week 00:30 FRI (b00gh4fs)

Book of the Week 09:45 FRI (b00gh4fv)

Bookclub 16:00 SUN (b00g9f9s)

Bookclub 16:00 THU (b00g9f9s)

Brain of Britain 23:00 SAT (b00g4g4p)

Brain of Britain 13:30 MON (b00gb0bw)

Brand Cuba 17:00 SUN (b00g4ywr)

Broadcasting House 09:00 SUN (b00g9cbv)

Case Notes 21:00 TUE (b00gd3g1)

Case Notes 16:30 WED (b00gd3g1)

Correspondents' Look Ahead 13:10 SAT (b00gq1dm)

Costing the Earth 21:00 MON (b00gbcfv)

Costing the Earth 13:30 THU (b00gbcfv)

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! 11:30 WED (b00gd4sy)

Crisis on the Top Shelf 23:30 FRI (b00f6rvm)

Crossing Continents 20:30 MON (b00g3fg4)

Crossing Continents 11:00 THU (b00gdjvc)

Dear Darwin 15:45 MON (b00g9xhy)

Dear Darwin 15:45 TUE (b00gdvwv)

Dear Darwin 15:45 WED (b00gdvws)

Dear Darwin 15:45 THU (b00gdvx8)

Dear Darwin 15:45 FRI (b00gdvwx)

Desert Island Discs 11:15 SUN (b00g9cjd)

Desert Island Discs 09:00 FRI (b00g9cjd)

Drama 14:15 MON (b007tc9c)

Drama 14:15 TUE (b00gd258)

Drama 14:15 WED (b00gd54t)

Drama 14:15 THU (b00gdw49)

Drama 14:15 FRI (b00gdz3w)

Ed Reardon's Week 18:30 THU (b00dqnyw)

Excess Baggage 10:00 SAT (b00g8mz6)

Farming Today This Week 06:30 SAT (b00g8myy)

Farming Today 05:45 MON (b00g9lrz)

Farming Today 05:45 TUE (b00g9lrg)

Farming Today 05:45 WED (b00g9lrj)

Farming Today 05:45 THU (b00g9lrl)

Farming Today 05:45 FRI (b00g9lrn)

Femme Fatale: The Story of Nico 11:30 TUE (b00gd1t0)

From Our Own Correspondent 11:30 SAT (b00g8mz8)

Front Row 19:15 MON (b00g9yg0)

Front Row 19:15 TUE (b00g9xtr)

Front Row 19:15 WED (b00g9xtt)

Front Row 19:15 THU (b00g9xtw)

Front Row 19:15 FRI (b00g9xty)

Gardeners' Question Time 14:00 SUN (b00g9dbq)

Gardeners' Question Time 15:00 FRI (b00gdzkc)

Go4it 19:15 SUN (b00g9fvj)

Great Lives 16:30 TUE (b00gd3f0)

Great Lives 23:00 FRI (b00gd3f0)

Home Planet 15:00 TUE (b00gd25b)

Hunting the Beagle 21:00 FRI (b00gf5dh)

In Business 21:30 SUN (b00g47qy)

In Business 20:30 THU (b00gdyk8)

In Living Memory 23:02 SUN (b009kjh0)

In Our Time 09:00 MON (b00g9z9x)

In Our Time 21:30 MON (b00g9z9x)

In Our Time 09:00 TUE (b00gbf2g)

In Our Time 21:30 TUE (b00gbf2g)

In Our Time 09:00 WED (b00gd3wy)

In Our Time 21:30 WED (b00gd3wy)

In Our Time 09:00 THU (b00gdhqf)

In Our Time 21:30 THU (b00gdhqf)

In Touch 20:40 TUE (b00gd3fz)

Inside City Hall 20:00 THU (b00gdyk6)

Irreplaceable 22:15 SAT (b00g502w)

Just a Minute 12:00 SUN (b00g4g4y)

Just a Minute 18:30 MON (b00gbc96)

Last Word 20:30 SUN (b00g44gh)

Last Word 16:00 FRI (b00gf2dm)

Laura Solon - Talking and Not Talking 18:30 TUE (b00c1d22)

Listeners Look Ahead 14:00 SAT (b00g45y0)

London's Fashion Spectacular 23:30 MON (b00d9nq7)

London's Fashion Spectacular 23:30 TUE (b00dghml)

Loose Ends 18:15 SAT (b00g8p2y)

Maadai-Kara 16:30 SUN (b00g9fp9)

Material World 16:30 THU (b00gdwh9)

Me, Putin and Judo 11:00 FRI (b00gdz17)

Micky Flanagan: What Chance Change? 23:00 TUE (b00gd3hj)

Midnight News 00:00 SAT (b00g466b)

Midnight News 00:00 SUN (b00g8smn)

Midnight News 00:00 MON (b00g9l1g)

Midnight News 00:00 TUE (b00g9l0h)

Midnight News 00:00 WED (b00g9l0k)

Midnight News 00:00 THU (b00g9l0m)

Money Box Live 15:00 WED (b00gd54w)

Money Box 12:00 SAT (b00g8mzb)

Money Box 21:00 SUN (b00g8mzb)

More or Less 20:00 SUN (b00g4490)

More or Less 13:30 FRI (b00gdz3t)

Music Feature 15:30 SAT (b00g4vv1)

Music Feature 13:30 TUE (b00gkz7q)

News Briefing 05:30 SAT (b00g466p)

News Briefing 13:00 SAT (b00g8mzg)

News Briefing 05:30 SUN (b00g8t8k)

News Briefing 05:30 MON (b00g9ld7)

News Briefing 05:30 TUE (b00g9lcv)

News Briefing 05:30 WED (b00g9lcx)

News Briefing 05:30 THU (b00g9lcz)

News Briefing 05:30 FRI (b00g9ld1)

News Headlines 06:00 SUN (b00g8t8p)

News and Papers 06:00 SAT (b00g66k0)

News and Papers 07:00 SUN (b00g920b)

News and Papers 08:00 SUN (b00g927c)

News and Weather 22:00 SAT (b00g8p54)

News and Weather 00:00 FRI (b008m54x)

Obama: Professor President 20:00 TUE (b00gfqbd)

On Your Farm 06:35 SUN (b00ghn00)

Open Country 06:07 SAT (b00g8myw)

Open Country 15:02 THU (b00g8myw)

PM 17:00 SAT (b00g8p2m)

PM 17:00 MON (b00g9xq5)

PM 17:00 TUE (b00g9xnw)

PM 17:00 WED (b00g9xny)

PM 17:00 THU (b00g9xp0)

PM 17:00 FRI (b00g9xp2)

Pick of the Week 18:15 SUN (b00g9frh)

Prayer for the Day 05:43 SAT (b00g466r)

Prayer for the Day 05:43 MON (b00g9lm6)

Prayer for the Day 05:43 TUE (b00g9lm8)

Prayer for the Day 05:43 WED (b00g9lmb)

Prayer for the Day 05:43 THU (b00g9lmd)

Prayer for the Day 05:43 FRI (b00g9lmg)

Profile 19:00 SAT (b00g8p30)

Profile 05:45 SUN (b00g8p30)

Profile 17:40 SUN (b00g8p30)

Q & A by Vikas Swarup 00:15 SAT (b007vl21)

Q & A by Vikas Swarup 00:15 SUN (b007vlry)

Q & A by Vikas Swarup 00:15 MON (b007vlvl)

Radio 4 Appeal 07:55 SUN (b00g921t)

Radio 4 Appeal 21:26 SUN (b00g921t)

Radio 4 Appeal 15:27 THU (b00g921t)

Recorded for Training Purposes 23:00 THU (b00gdyxx)

Saturday Drama 14:30 SAT (b00g8n5s)

Saturday Live 09:00 SAT (b00g8mz4)

Saturday Review 19:15 SAT (b00g8p32)

Says on the Tin 11:30 MON (b00gb0bt)

Secret Lives 20:45 WED (b00gd5m2)

Selection of BBC World Service Programmes 01:00 SAT (b00g466j)

Selection of BBC World Service Programmes 01:00 SUN (b00g8sy4)

Selection of BBC World Service Programmes 01:00 MON (b00g9l8c)

Selection of BBC World Service Programmes 01:00 TUE (b00g9l5x)

Selection of BBC World Service Programmes 01:00 WED (b00g9l5z)

Selection of BBC World Service Programmes 01:00 THU (b00g9l61)

Selection of BBC World Service Programmes 01:00 FRI (b00g9l63)

Shipping Forecast 00:48 SAT (b00g466f)

Shipping Forecast 05:20 SAT (b00g466m)

Shipping Forecast 17:54 SAT (b00g8p2r)

Shipping Forecast 00:48 SUN (b00g8sy2)

Shipping Forecast 05:20 SUN (b00g8syx)

Shipping Forecast 17:54 SUN (b00g9fr9)

Shipping Forecast 00:48 MON (b00g9l5v)

Shipping Forecast 05:20 MON (b00g9lcs)

Shipping Forecast 00:48 TUE (b00g9l3q)

Shipping Forecast 05:20 TUE (b00g9l8f)

Shipping Forecast 00:48 WED (b00g9l3s)

Shipping Forecast 05:20 WED (b00g9l8h)

Shipping Forecast 00:48 THU (b00g9l3v)

Shipping Forecast 05:20 THU (b00g9l8k)

Shipping Forecast 00:48 FRI (b00g9l3x)

Shipping Forecast 05:20 FRI (b00g9l8m)

Shorts 15:30 TUE (b00gd25d)

Shorts 15:30 WED (b00gd5hq)

Shorts 15:30 THU (b00gdw6y)

Six O'Clock News 18:00 SAT (b00g8p2w)

Six O'Clock News 18:00 SUN (b00g9frf)

Six O'Clock News 18:00 MON (b00g9xqk)

Six O'Clock News 18:00 TUE (b00g9xq7)

Six O'Clock News 18:00 WED (b00g9xq9)

Six O'Clock News 18:00 THU (b00g9xqc)

Six O'Clock News 18:00 FRI (b00g9xqf)

Snow in Libya 11:00 WED (b00gd3zj)

Something Understood 06:05 SUN (b00g8t8r)

Something Understood 23:30 SUN (b00g8t8r)

Soul Music 10:30 SAT (b00dnjrn)

State of Mind 21:00 WED (b00gd5vf)

Sunday Worship 08:10 SUN (b00g9c2x)

Sunday 07:10 SUN (b00g920d)

The Archers Omnibus 10:00 SUN (b00g9cbx)

The Archers 19:00 SUN (b00g9frt)

The Archers 14:00 MON (b00g9frt)

The Archers 19:00 MON (b00g9pl0)

The Archers 14:00 TUE (b00g9pl0)

The Archers 19:00 TUE (b00g9pkr)

The Archers 14:00 WED (b00g9pkr)

The Archers 19:00 WED (b00g9pkt)

The Archers 14:00 THU (b00g9pkt)

The Archers 19:00 THU (b00g9pkw)

The Archers 14:00 FRI (b00g9pkw)

The Archers 19:00 FRI (b00g9pky)

The Archive Hour 20:00 SAT (b00g8p34)

The Archive Hour 15:00 MON (b00g8p34)

The Castle 11:30 FRI (b00gdz3r)

The Cornwell Estate 23:02 WED (b00gdhnp)

The Film Programme 16:30 FRI (b00gf2dp)

The Food Programme 12:32 SUN (b00g9d42)

The Food Programme 16:00 MON (b00g9d42)

The Ladies 23:15 WED (b00glqw4)

The Late Story 00:30 SUN (b007qw89)

The Line Between Life and Death 21:00 THU (b00gdyxv)

The Loneliness of the Goalkeeper 23:30 THU (b00dy5ml)

The Man Who Was Bojangles 23:30 WED (b00d1ypt)

The Media Show 13:30 WED (b00gd54r)

The Missing Penny 00:30 MON (b009s0z6)

The News Quiz 18:30 FRI (b00gf2dr)

The Now Show 12:30 SAT (b00g44gr)

The Omnipresent Mr Handel 11:30 THU (b00gdjvf)

The Railway Children 19:45 SUN (b00g9fvl)

The World This Weekend 13:00 SUN (b00g9d46)

The World Tonight 22:00 MON (b00g9z0p)

The World Tonight 22:00 TUE (b00g9yll)

The World Tonight 22:00 WED (b00g9yln)

The World Tonight 22:00 THU (b00g9ylq)

The World Tonight 22:00 FRI (b00g9yls)

Thinking Allowed 16:00 WED (b00gd5hs)

Today 07:00 SAT (b00g8mz2)

Today 06:00 MON (b00g9ms8)

Today 06:00 TUE (b00g9mgj)

Today 06:00 WED (b00g9mgl)

Today 06:00 THU (b00g9mgn)

Today 06:00 FRI (b00g9mgq)

Together against the Odds 11:00 MON (b00g9zys)

Unreliable Evidence 20:00 WED (b00gd5hx)

Walker of the Downs 23:30 SAT (b00g45zr)

Weather 06:04 SAT (b00g8myt)

Weather 06:57 SAT (b00g8mz0)

Weather 12:57 SAT (b00g8mzd)

Weather 17:57 SAT (b00g8p2t)

Weather 00:12 SUN (b00g8smq)

Weather 06:57 SUN (b00g9208)

Weather 07:58 SUN (b00g9279)

Weather 12:57 SUN (b00g9d44)

Weather 17:57 SUN (b00g9frc)

Weather 21:58 SUN (b00g9fvn)

Weather 05:57 MON (b00g9z9v)

Weather 12:57 MON (b00g9pjn)

Weather 21:58 MON (b00g9ylj)

Weather 12:57 TUE (b00g9ph1)

Weather 21:58 TUE (b00g9yg2)

Weather 12:57 WED (b00g9ph3)

Weather 21:58 WED (b00g9yg4)

Weather 12:57 THU (b00g9ph5)

Weather 21:58 THU (b00g9yg6)

Weather 12:57 FRI (b00g9ph7)

Weather 21:58 FRI (b00g9yg8)

Weekend Woman's Hour 16:00 SAT (b00g8p2k)

Westminster Hour 22:00 SUN (b00g9fvq)

Will Smith's Midlife Crisis Management 18:30 WED (b00gd5hv)

Woman's Hour 10:00 MON (b00g9nl9)

Woman's Hour 10:00 TUE (b00g9nnc)

Woman's Hour 10:00 WED (b00g9nnf)

Woman's Hour 10:00 THU (b00g9nnh)

Woman's Hour 10:00 FRI (b00g9nnk)

Word of Mouth 23:00 MON (b00g6gdf)

Word of Mouth 16:00 TUE (b00gd3dy)

World at One 13:00 MON (b00g9pkp)

World at One 13:00 TUE (b00g9pjq)

World at One 13:00 WED (b00g9pjs)

World at One 13:00 THU (b00g9pjv)

World at One 13:00 FRI (b00g9pjx)

You and Yours 12:00 MON (b00g9nps)

You and Yours 12:00 TUE (b00g9npg)

You and Yours 12:00 WED (b00g9npj)

You and Yours 12:00 THU (b00g9npl)

You and Yours 12:00 FRI (b00g9npn)

iPM 17:30 SAT (b00g8p2p)