| 00:00 | 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:15Laurie Taylor explores 'The Tipping Point' in new research at Durham University. 00:45The bells from Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire. 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:301/5From a turn-up for the books to avocado, via gambling in medieval France. 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:302/5The links between the proof of a pudding, sausage-shaped poison and feisty heroines. 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:303/5The Etymologicon takes a festive turn with the origins of turkey, punch and champagne. 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:304/5The Etymologicon looks at the link between Jack Robinson, Thomas Derrick and guillotines. 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:305/5The Etymologicon takes us to Venice, ancient Rome and the Hudson River. 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
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| 01:00 | 01:00BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
| 01:00BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
| 01:00BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
| 01:00BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
| 01:00BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
| 01:00BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
| 01:00BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
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| 05:00 | 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43Prayer and reflection with Bishop Dr Joe Aldred. 05:45Caz Graham finds out why cheese made in Stilton can't be marketed as Stilton cheese. 05:57The latest weather forecast for farmers.
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43Prayer and reflection with Bishop Dr Joe Aldred. 05:45Why scientists think a pink flowering plant could be the key to sustainable meat and milk.
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43Prayer and reflection with Bishop Dr Joe Aldred. 05:45The Red Tractor label's turkey standards are criticised by animal welfare campaigners.
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43Prayer and reflection with Bishop Dr Joe Aldred. 05:45Caz Graham hears from a farmer who thinks the rules on selling raw milk are out of date.
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43Prayer and reflection with Bishop Dr Joe Aldred. 05:45The welfare of reindeer at Christmas attractions and the evolution of Christmas dinner.
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:30The latest news from BBC Radio 4. 05:43Prayer and reflection with Bishop Steven Croft. 05:45Emilia Fox, Rory Kinnear, Diana Rigg and Kenneth Cranham read short stories.
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43The bells from the Parish Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Pier Head, in Liverpool. 05:45Emily Buchanan profiles the archbishop of Canterbury, poet and scholar Rowan Williams.
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| 06:00 | 06:00Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.
| 06:00Debating criticisms of HMRC, eurozone collapse, foster care, perfect names and encores.
| 06:00Including Yesterday in Parliament, Sports Desk and Thought for the Day.
| 06:00Including Yesterday in Parliament, Sports Desk and Thought for the Day.
| 06:00Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.
| 06:00News headlines, plus a look at the papers. 06:04The latest weather forecast. 06:07Assessing a 60-year-old project on the Farne Islands, home to grey seals. 06:30Caz Graham meets a Shropshire goose and turkey farmer preparing 500 Christmas orders. 06:57The latest weather forecast.
| 06:00The latest national and international news. 06:05Mark Tully asks what we can learn by taking a child's eye view of Christmas. 06:35The farmers donating tonnes of food to help feed thousands in need on Christmas Day. 06:57The latest weather forecast.
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| 07:00 | | | | | | 07:00With John Humphrys and Justin Webb. Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day
| 07:00Sheila Dillon with the stories of this year's BBC Food and Farming Awards finalists. 07:50Lisa Jardine reflects on the power of music to move, especially at Christmas. 07:57The latest weather forecast.
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| 08:00 | | | | | | | 08:00Edward Stourton presents a special Christmas edition. 08:55Maureen Lipman presents the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of the charity Carers UK. 08:57The latest weather forecast.
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| 09:00 | 09:00Andrew Marr on the idea of Christmas with Claire Tomalin, Giles Fraser and Susan Hill. 09:451/5From a turn-up for the books to avocado, via gambling in medieval France.
| 09:00Lord Robert Winston on IVF, the House of Lords and scientists' ethical responsibilty. 09:30Lucy Kellaway explores the complexities of having considerable personal wealth. 09:452/5The links between the proof of a pudding, sausage-shaped poison and feisty heroines.
| 09:00Lively and diverse conversation with Libby Purves and guests including Martha Fiennes. 09:453/5The Etymologicon takes a festive turn with the origins of turkey, punch and champagne.
| 09:00Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Daniel Defoe's seminal novel Robinson Crusoe. 09:454/5The Etymologicon looks at the link between Jack Robinson, Thomas Derrick and guillotines.
| 09:00Scriptwriter Julian Fellowes is interviewed by Kirsty Young for Desert Island Discs. 09:455/5The Etymologicon takes us to Venice, ancient Rome and the Hudson River.
| 09:00Sian Williams with adventurer Steve Backshall and Julian Lennon's Inheritance Tracks.
| 09:00From Emmanuel Church, Didsbury, carols, readings and prayers for Christmas morning.
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| 10:00 | 10:00Jane Garvey presents a phone-in about the first night with a new baby. 10:451/15Research assistant Roland Michell finds some letters that could change literary history.
| 10:00Sophie Dahl cooks the perfect bread and butter pudding; foster care; angels; play dates. 10:452/15Roland asks Maud Bailey for help in his quest to unravel the mystery behind the letters.
| 10:00Celebrating, informing and entertaining women. Presented by Jenni Murray. 10:453/15Roland and Maud are in the house where Christabel LaMotte spent the last years of her life
| 10:00Marriage and family stability, switched-off female voters, and celebrity fashion. 10:454/15Mortimer Cropper, a collector of Ash memorabilia from Harmony City, New Mexico, is in town
| 10:00What's the appeal of living and working in the North and South Poles? 10:455/15Roland and Maud have opened a Pandora's Box and the chase is on to unravel the mystery.
| 10:00John McCarthy discusses travel biography at this year's Cheltenham Literature Festival. 10:30Stage and science collide to show how laboratory research could make fairytales a reality.
| 10:00Tony and Pat wait nervously, and the stags and hens hit town.
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| 11:00 | 11:001/3Stories from the year that changed the face of the Middle East with the BBC's Jeremy Bowen 11:304/4Giles meets some leftover post-Soviet rocket fuel. What could possibly go wrong?
| 11:002/3Stories from the year that changed the face of the Middle East with the BBC's Jeremy Bowen 11:30The story of two Polish composers, Andrzej Panufnik and Witold Lutoslawski.
| 11:003/3Jeremy Bowen hears from people who have witnessed the repression in Syria. 11:30This is an ode to radio, rare records and anyone who's sought solace in the wireless.
| 11:00Who are the thousands of people discovered in mass graves in Indian Kashmir? 11:30Karen Krizanovich revisits the career defining book of Cosmo editor Helen Gurley Brown.
| 11:00Agnes Poirier explores the role of the body which protects the French language. 11:304/6A storm is gathering in the town, and Esther has a big question for Ken and Keith.
| 11:00George Parker of the Financial Times chairs the Week in Westminsiter round-up of the year. 11:30Kate Adie presents reports from South Africa, Nepal, France, Ukraine and Serbia.
| 11:15Kirsty Young presents listeners' castaway choices. With Bill Bailey and Jo Whiley.
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| 12:00 | 12:00Drink drivers, a new contract for dentists and changes to food labelling laws. 12:57The latest weather forecast.
| 12:00How do we reverse the trend of childhood obesity? Call You and Yours with Julian Worricker 12:57The latest weather forecast.
| 12:00Pester power, battery cage hens, petrol theft, car sounds, Co-op energy. 12:57The latest weather forecast.
| 12:00Excessive delivery charges, deep vein thrombosis targets, and christmas present or bribe? 12:57The latest weather forecast.
| 12:00Consumer news with Peter White. 12:57The latest weather forecast.
| 12:00Paul Lewis and an expert panel predict your financial future for 2012. 12:301/8It's Christmas - a festive review of the week's news, chaired by Sandi Toksvig. 12:57The latest weather forecast.
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| 13:00 | 13:00Martha Kearney presents the national and international news. 13:4511/15In 1870, the telegraph system came under the control of the post office.
| 13:00Martha Kearney presents national and international news. 13:4512/15In 1914, the post office was called upon to play a vital role in the country's war effort.
| 13:00Shaun Ley presents national and international news. 13:4513/15In the 1930s, the GPO was a model employer, offering staff a secure career path.
| 13:00Shaun Ley presents national and international news. 13:4514/15When a national post code system was introduced in the 1970s, it met with resistance.
| 13:00Shaun Ley presents national and international news. 13:4515/15As it sits on the brink of privatisation, what does the Royal Mail mean today?
| 13:00Bond is Back. Toby Stephens returns as 007 with a glittering cast led by Ian McKellen.(R)
| 13:006/6From Watford Colosseum, with Andy Hamilton on the panel and Jack Dee in the chair. 13:30Tim Hayward presents a special food quiz edition recorded at the Abergavenny Food Festival
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| 14:00 | 14:00Tony and Pat wait nervously. 14:15By Donna Franceschild. Comedy drama about a young homeless man in rural Scotland.
| 14:154/4McLevy sets out to prove that a celebrated stage magician is a jewel thief.
| 14:00Jazzer is in a bolshie mood. 14:151/2Simon comes to London and gets caught up in wicked Hanoverian plots to overthrow the King.(R)
| 14:00Lower Loxley gears up for a new arrival. 14:152/2To save the King, Simon and Sophie must suffer shipwreck, wolves and a balloon escape.(R)
| 14:00The stags and hens hit the town. 14:15Festive comic drama by Adam Beeson based on a short story by Gogol.(R)
| 14:30Kenneth Steven explores Robert Frost's iconic poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.
| 14:00A Scot, invalided in 1918, writes a book about the eccentricities of the English.
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| 15:00 | 15:00Chaired by Russell Davies. With four contestants from the North of England. 15:30Dan Saladino explores the past, present and future of the most British of drinks, gin.
| 15:00Which plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere most effectively? 15:30Stewart Henderson explores the musical heritage of tin mining, plus collective nouns.(R)
| 15:00Paul Lewis and a panel of guests take calls on paying for long-term care. 15:30The results from a scientific study of UK stress levels: how stressed are we as a nation?
| 15:00Assessing a 60-year-old project on the Farne Islands, home to grey seals. 15:27Michael Buerk presents the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of the charity I CAN. 15:30Mariella Frostrup continues Open Book's celebration of funny books and funny writers.
| 15:00A festive edition with Tenterden & District Horticultural Society, chaired by Eric Robson. 15:451/3A young couple struggle to find the money for a special Christmas present for each other.
| 15:00Christmas carols and readings live from the candlelit chapel of King's College, Cambridge.
| 15:00The Queen's Christmas message to the Commonwealth and the nation. 15:05The latest news from BBC Radio 4. 15:15A festive edition with Tenterden & District Horticultural Society, chaired by Eric Robson.
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| 16:00 | 16:00Richard Coles on the inspiration to artists of darkness and the Northern lights in Norway. 16:30Dara O'Briain joins the Infinite Monkeys Robin Ince and Brian Cox for science/comedy chat.
| 16:00The language of the financial markets. Michael Rosen returns for a new series on words. 16:30Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
| 16:00The rise and fall of the Anti Psychiatry movement. Also, the cultural prominence of Freud. 16:30How tabloid culture has changed since the announcement of the Leveson Inquiry.
| 16:00Daniel Craig talks to Francine Stock about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. 16:30New planets, brain chips, amateur scientists, Christmas trees and sexy robins.
| 16:00Matthew Bannister on Kim Jong-il, Chris Athey, Russell Hoban, Cesaria Evora, Vaclav Havel. 16:30Tim Harford discusses income inequality and discovers the maths in magic.
| 16:30Rebecca Ferguson, North Korea update, Sports Personality Award: where are all the women?
| 16:00Peter Curran questions Sandi Toksvig, John McCarthy, Caroline Quentin and Arthur Smith. 16:30Giles Fraser travels to Bethlehem to reveal the true origin of Christmas.
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| 17:00 | 17:00Eddie Mair presents the day's top stories.
| 17:00Eddie Mair presents the day's top stories.
| 17:00Eddie Mair presents the day's top stories.
| 17:00Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair.
| 17:00Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair.
| 17:00Ritula Shah presents a fresh perspective on the day's news with sports headlines. 17:30Emilia Fox, Rory Kinnear, Diana Rigg and Kenneth Cranham read short stories. 17:54The latest shipping forecast. 17:57The latest weather forecast.
| 17:00Melvyn Bragg with a special programme of his favourite poetry and prose.
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| 18:00 | 18:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4. 18:306/6From Watford Colosseum, with Andy Hamilton on the panel and Jack Dee in the chair.
| 18:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4. 18:303/6Mark Steel visits Basingstoke to talk roundabouts and a shopping centre record.
| 18:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4. 18:304/6Victoria Coren Mitchell gets Germaine Greer, Phil Hammond and Rufus Hound to commit heresy
| 18:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4. 18:304/6The Questers help King Baldwin the Jovial, who is being terrorised by a terrible creature.
| 18:00National and international news from BBC Radio 4. 18:301/8It's Christmas - a festive review of the week's news, chaired by Sandi Toksvig.
| 18:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 18:15Clive Anderson presents a special Christmas edition of Loose Ends.
| 18:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 18:12Maureen Lipman presents the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of the charity Carers UK. 18:15John Waite makes his selection from the past seven days of BBC Radio.
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| 19:00 | 19:15Interview with Jennifer Saunders and the verdict on the latest Mission: Impossible film. 19:451/15Research assistant Roland Michell finds some letters that could change literary history.
| 19:00Jazzer is in a bolshie mood. 19:15Michelle Yeoh on The Lady; book cover design in the digital age; music picks of 2011. 19:452/15Roland asks Maud Bailey for help in his quest to unravel the mystery behind the letters.
| 19:00Lower Loxley gears up for a new arrival. 19:15Paul Merton on the Artist; Adele's producer Paul Epworth; new neon artwork for Salford. 19:453/15Roland and Maud are in the house where Christabel LaMotte spent the last years of her life
| 19:00The stags and hens hit the town. 19:15Mark Lawson unwraps a selection of new interviews with the arts headline-makers of 2011. 19:454/15Mortimer Cropper, a collector of Ash memorabilia from Harmony City, New Mexico, is in town
| 19:00Pat gets away from it all. 19:15Mark Lawson unwraps more new interviews with arts headline-makers of 2011. 19:455/15Roland and Maud have opened a Pandora's Box and the chase is on to unravel the mystery.
| 19:00Emily Buchanan profiles the archbishop of Canterbury, poet and scholar Rowan Williams. 19:15Tom Sutcliffe and his guests review the week's cultural highlights.
| 19:00There's stunning news for Tom and Helen. 19:151/6Games galore! Angus Deayton with Fred MacAulay, Josie Long, Miles Jupp and Nick Helm. 19:453/3By Helen Dunmore. A baby in a crib. Why cry?
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| 20:00 | 20:002/3Professor Hugh Cunningham explores the lives of the 'deserving' and 'undeserving' poor. 20:30Tales of discontent and reform from Guangzhou, China's mega-city of migrants.
| 20:00Anita Anand investigates a new system designed to work out who is and isn't fit for work. 20:40UK Braillists strike back. And cooking for Christmas - watch out for the fairy dust!
| 20:002/4Mariella Frostrup and guests on talking to children about sex. 20:45James Lange argues that YouTube videos can be a vital tool for sociology - and science.
| 20:00Simon Cox investigates whether proposed changes to medical trials can make a difference. 20:30Joe Pine discusses his idea of Infinite Possibility and what it means for modern business.
| 20:00The wildlife conservation programme Saving Species discusses human population and nature. 20:50Lisa Jardine reflects on the power of music to move, especially at Christmas.
| 20:00Mariella Frostrup and her line-up of comedians and authors debate their funniest book.
| 20:00Tim Harford discusses income inequality and discovers the maths in magic. 20:30Matthew Bannister on Kim Jong-il, Chris Athey, Russell Hoban, Cesaria Evora, Vaclav Havel.
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| 21:00 | 21:00The Higgs particle, pairing scientists with MPs, amateur scientists and moon art. 21:30Andrew Marr on the idea of Christmas with Claire Tomalin, Giles Fraser and Susan Hill.
| 21:00The results from a scientific study of UK stress levels: how stressed are we as a nation? 21:30Lord Robert Winston on IVF, the House of Lords and scientists' ethical responsibilty.
| 21:00What should be in a Hippocratic Oath for scientists? 21:30Lively and diverse conversation with Libby Purves and guests including Martha Fiennes.
| 21:00When are mentally ill patients really free to make decisions about their treatment? 21:30Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Daniel Defoe's seminal novel Robinson Crusoe.
| 21:003/3In 1870, the telegraph system came under the control of the post office.
| 21:002/2Pantagruel and his morally dubious friend Panurge try to discover if marriage is for them.
| 21:00When a tornado lands Dorothy in Oz, she must battle her way to get back home...(R)
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| 22:00 | 22:00Ritula Shah presents national and international news and analysis. 22:451/10Fanny Logan's story of her beloved aristocratic cousins.
| 22:00Ritula Shah presents national and international news and analysis. 22:452/10Fanny is anxious about meeting her beloved aunt Emily's husband-to-be.
| 22:00Robin Lustig presents national and international news and analysis. 22:453/10Aunt Sadie needs to find some young men to invite to Louisa's ball.
| 22:00Robin Lustig presents national and international news and analysis. 22:454/10Fanny Logan's aristocratic cousin Linda Radlett falls in love, to the dismay of her family
| 22:00Robin Lustig presents national and international news and analysis. 22:455/10Linda's marriage does not turn out as she had hoped. Read by Diana Quick.
| 22:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 22:15Sheila Hancock reads the poems that UA Fanthorpe sent as Christmas greetings. 22:451/3A psychiatrist wakes a child from a coma by describing chocolate pudding.(R)
| 22:00Eddie Mair looks back at an extraordinary year of news stories from 2011.
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| 23:00 | 23:00Dominic Arkwright and guests discuss Birmingham, its flaws and its fabulousness. 23:30Sean Curran with the day's top news stories from Westminster.
| 23:00Dara O'Briain joins the Infinite Monkeys Robin Ince and Brian Cox for science/comedy chat. 23:30Susan Hulme with the day's top news stories from Westminster.
| 23:002/4Someone has been kidnapped... Yikes! Nick tackles the hostage negotiations. 23:30Sean Curran presents the day's top news stories from Westminster.
| 23:003/4Louisa is thrown into her past with memories she'd rather forget. 23:301/2How science fiction has been used to examine relationships between the sexes.(R)
| 23:00Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes. 23:302/2How science fiction has examined the different ways of continuing the human race.(R)
| 23:00Chaired by Russell Davies. With four contestants from the North of England. 23:30The first Mass of Christmas live from York Minster led by the Archbishop of York.
| 23:00Daniel Craig talks to Francine Stock about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. 23:30Mark Tully asks what we can learn by taking a child's eye view of Christmas.
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