| 00:00 | 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:15Laurie Taylor looks at chess communities and the competitive culture of the self-made men.(R) 00:45Bells from the High Cathedral of Saints Peter and Mary, Cologne, Germany.(R) 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:301/5Robert Penn begins his search for the perfect tree in woodland near his South Wales home.(R) 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:302/5Robert Penn fells an ash tree and begins his quest to find as many uses for it as he can.(R) 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:303/5Robert Penn takes a piece of his ash tree to Britain's best-known wood turner.(R) 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:15A reflection on the meaning of Christmas, with theologian and writer Tina Beattie. 00:305/5A year after his Ash tree was felled, Robert has one final project - a writing desk.(R) 00:48The latest shipping forecast.
| 00:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 00:15In Lagos, Wana Udobang meets writers reflecting on the issues of contemporary Nigeria.(R) 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. 05:43A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Cardinal Vincent Nichols. 05:45The farmers clearing up after the floods. 05:56The latest weather forecast for farmers. 05:58Michael Palin presents the Asian koel's arrival to an Indian orchard.(R)
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Cardinal Vincent Nichols. 05:45Six hundred flood hit farmers will have their annual support payment claims fast-tracked. 05:58Michael Palin presents the avian record breaking ostrich in the Kalahari Desert(R)
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Cardinal Vincent Nichols. 05:45Should a vital antibiotic of 'last resort' for humans be banned on farms? 05:58Michael Palin presents the Mauritius kestrel, from the island of Mauritius.(R)
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Cardinal Vincent Nichols. 05:45Why blackcurrant bushes need to chill a bit more this winter. Presented by Caz Graham. 05:58Michael Palin presents the secretive chowchilla from Queensland, Australia.(R)
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day, with Cardinal Vincent Nichols. 05:45Sarah Swadling joins the winter narcissi harvest on the Isles of Scilly. 05:58Michael Palin presents the northern cardinal from a New York's Central Park.(R)
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:30The latest news from BBC Radio 4. 05:43A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with the Rev Mary Stallard. 05:45A listener on why knitting is a life saver, and another on his photo of 2015.
| 05:20The latest shipping forecast. 05:43Bells from the Church of St Andrew, Stratton in North Cornwall. 05:45Chris Bowlby looks at the life and career of actress Maggie Smith.(R)
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| 06:00 | 06:00Morning news. Includes Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.
| 06:00Morning news. Includes Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather, Thought for the Day
| 06:00Morning news. Includes Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather, Thought for the Day.
| 06:00Morning news. Includes Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.
| 06:00Comedian Rory Bremner and presenter Brett Westwood tell stories of Earth's natural history(R)
| 06:00News headlines, plus a look at the papers. 06:04The latest weather forecast. 06:07Helen Mark learns how theatre is revisiting landscape stories in Devon's Tale Valley. 06:30Charlotte Smith looks back at the 2015 farming year. 06:57The latest weather forecast.
| 06:00The latest national and international news. 06:05Sarah Cuddon reflects on the special qualities of candlelight. 06:35In the far north of Scotland, Joyce Campbell is preparing her sheep for a hard winter. 06:57The latest weather forecast.
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| 07:00 | | | | | 07:00Commander Chris Hadfield is interviewed by Kirsty Young for Desert Island Discs.(R) 07:45Martin Freeman reads John Cheever's classic Christmas tale about the power of giving.
| 07:00Morning news. Includes Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day. 07:45Commentary on the opening day of the first Test between South Africa and England in Durban
| 07:00The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers. 07:10A Sunday programme special on the relationship between religion and art. 07:15Commentary on the second day of the first Test between South Africa and England in Durban.
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| 08:00 | | 08:45Susan Hulme reports from Westminster.
| 08:45Sean Curran reports from Westminster.
| | 08:00Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence and two young players speak within the rules of Just a Minute. 08:301/2Much-loved characters from TS Eliot's verse collection are brought to life by Jeremy Irons
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| 09:00 | 09:00Andrew Marr with Kevin Fong, Martin Rees, Carole Haswell and Stephen Baxter. 09:45From Northern Ireland - The day of the Lord: Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11.
| 09:00Today's debates about online privacy have 17th-century precedents. With Jonathan Freedland 09:305/5What does the popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey say about how women see themselves?(R) 09:45Christian worship with a Bible reading, prayer and music, led by Katharine Longworth.
| 09:00Libby Purves meets actor Carmen Munroe, composer Denis King and Ralph Montagu.. 09:45Christian worship with a Bible reading, prayer and music, led by Canon Stephen Shipley.
| 09:00Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the scientist Michael Faraday. 09:45Live from King's College Chapel, Cambridge.
| 09:00Bishop Nick Baines preaches in Ripon Cathedral. 09:455/5A year after his Ash tree was felled, Robert has one final project - a writing desk.
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| 10:00 | 10:00Lucy van Pelt, Baroness Verma, homelessness, Little Green Dress, Memory. 10:451/5It is 1877, and Gilbert and Sullivan cast comedian George Grossmith in their new opera.
| 10:00What the removal of barriers to close-combat roles will mean for women on the frontline. 10:452/51878. HMS Pinafore looks set to fail in a London heatwave. Can Grossmith save the day?
| 10:00The programme joins Ely Cathedral's girl choristers as they get ready for a service. 10:413/51884. After a successful run of operas, tempers fray when Princess Ida fails to catch fire 10:55A mentoring relationship in the Cub Scouts grew into friendship
| 10:00Jenni Murray is joined by jazz singer Liane Carroll who performs live. 10:454/5It is 1885, and Grossmith is now the toast of the Savoy Opera.
| 10:00Jenni and Jane host a Christmas party with sparkling conversation and festive treats.
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| 11:00 | 11:00Petroc Trelawny on Cornwall's disused chapels and the changing identity of the county 11:305/5The Anthony Hancock Strolling Players with a cautionary tale of Christmas as it might be.
| 11:00Jim Al-Khalili brings three scientists together to solve a problem facing society. 11:30The stories behind 1988's 'Fairytale of New York' by the Pogues.
| 11:00Miranda Sawyer explores the magic of the school nativity play. 11:303/4A kidnap by two daft, 1930s' con men goes awry.
| 11:00India's Parsi population is declining. Can Parsis be persuaded to make more babies? 11:30Comedian and actor Isy Suttie explores the phenomenon of ASMR, or 'brain tingles'.
| 11:155/5It is 1889, and after 12 years at the Savoy Opera, Grossmith decides to go solo. 11:30Christmas creeps up on Arthur, leaving him little time to plan his festive arrangements.
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| 12:00 | 12:00National and international news and the shipping forecast. 12:04Folkestone begins to recover from a major landslide and the Wilsons develop little rituals 12:15The man who has bought a ticket into space: when will tourists take off? 12:57The latest weather forecast.
| 12:00National and international news and the shipping forecast. 12:04David Lloyd George visits Newcastle, and it is Dorothea's first day at the Bevan. 12:15We would like to know how you have coped with loneliness. 12:57The latest weather forecast.
| 12:00National and international news and the shipping forecast. 12:04In Folkestone, Albert tries to lift the curse on the house of Wilson. 12:15The pet shops are full of Christmas gifts, but which should you avoid giving to your dog? 12:57The latest weather forecast.
| 12:00National and international news and the shipping forecast. 12:04The Turkish attack the British Indian garrison at Kut al Amara, and Marion meets a soldier 12:15You and Yours discusses whether Britain's biggest charities can save their reputations. 12:54Sam Taylor presents the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Save the Rhino.(R) 12:57The latest weather forecast.
| 12:00National and international news and the shipping forecast. 12:04Adeline Lumley makes a Christmas wish. 12:152/2Much-loved characters from TS Eliot's verse collection are brought to life by Jeremy Irons 12:301/2Joanna Lumley looks back at June Whitfield's first radio appearances.(R)
| 12:01The latest shipping forecast. 12:04Commentary on the opening day of the first Test between South Africa and England in Durban
| 12:01The latest shipping forecast. 12:04Commentary on the second day of the first Test between South Africa and England in Durban.
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| 13:00 | 13:00Rigorous analysis of news and current affairs, presented by Mark Mardell. 13:45Roger Law discovers how Korean potters became so skilled at ceramics.
| 13:00Rigorous analysis of news and current affairs, presented by Mark Mardell.. 13:45Seoul is the place to go for anyone who wants plastic surgery, and Roger wants to know why
| 13:00Rigorous analysis of news and current affairs, presented by Mark Mardell.. 13:45Roger Law visits the 'Hollywood of Seoul' to find out how their movies get made.
| 13:00Rigorous analysis of news and current affairs, presented by Mark Mardell. 13:45Roger visits the island of Jeju, home to a remarkable selection of unusual museums.
| 13:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 13:15Caroline Nin listens to those drawn to sing the music of the legendary French performer.(R) 13:45In the last in the series, Roger tries some Korean food for Christmas Day.
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| 14:00 | 14:00It is a big day for Eddie.(R) 14:15A drama of estranged brothers, with music created from the sounds of the Somerset Levels.(R)
| 14:00David feels vulnerable.(R) 14:152/4Chief Constable Murray Craddock is outraged when an exotic dancer arrives in Leith.
| 14:00There is a gathering at Keeper's Cottage.(R) 14:154/10Epic historical saga set in the richest, most powerful city on earth.
| 14:00Does Rob have Christmas all wrapped up?(R) 14:15The Madness front man tells his funny and moving true-life story.
| 14:00It is Christmas Eve in Ambridge.(R) 14:15Tony Robinson narrates a new adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic poem.
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| 15:00 | 15:00Tom Sutcliffe chairs another contest of lateral thinking and cryptic connections. 15:30Tim Hayward discovers the secret underground culture of 'dirty trifle'.(R)
| 15:00Jay Rayner hosts the culinary panel from Stonehenge.(R) 15:30Georgie Fame answers audience questions about his album, 'Rhythm & Blues at the Flamingo'
| 15:00Sarah Montague looks at the role of parents in early years learning. 15:301/3Professional listeners reveal how there is far more to listening than hearing.(R)
| 15:00Christmas carols and readings from the candlelit chapel of King's College, Cambridge.
| 15:00The Queen's Christmas message to the Commonwealth and the nation. 15:05The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 15:15Siouxsie Sioux celebrates Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 15:45By Eugene O'Hare. In wintry Newry, an elderly man embarks on a new adventure.
| | 15:452/2Tanika Gupta's glorious adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma set in mid 19th Century India.
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| 16:00 | 16:00Jane Godber explores the UCAS personal statement - how close to the truth is it?(R) 16:30Ernie Rea and guests explore the pagan origins of Christmas.
| 16:00Michael Blastland examines current events through the lens of psychology. 16:30Matthew Parris meets financial guru Alvin Hall, whose hero is James Baldwin.
| 16:00A special programme on rituals, at Christmas and beyond. 16:30Including Robin Esser, reporting on migration, Formula 1 and the BBC, plus stories of 2016
| 16:30Francine Stock presents a festive edition with the best films of the year.
| 16:00Miriam Margolyes and Mark Haddon discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.(R) 16:27Brian Cox and Robin Ince and special guests look at the science in Doctor Who. 16:55Old Rugby League heads on very young shoulders.
| 16:10Highlights of the Radio 4 Christmas Day party. Jane Garvey presents.
| 16:00The best new fiction and non-fiction, talking to writers and unearthing lost classics. 16:30Paul Farley hears new poems from two new poets, Sam Riviere and Emily Berry.
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| 17:00 | 17:00News interviews, context and analysis. 17:54The latest shipping forecast.
| 17:00Eddie Mair with interviews, context and analysis. 17:54The latest shipping forecast.
| 17:00Coverage and analysis of the day's news. 17:54The latest shipping forecast.
| 17:00News interviews, context and analysis. 17:54The latest shipping forecast.
| 17:00Penelope Keith presents her favourite funniest readings to the Radio Theatre audience. 17:56The latest shipping forecast.
| 17:00A review of the mobile booth's summer spent travelling the UK to gather conversations. 17:54The latest shipping forecast. 17:57The latest weather forecast.
| 17:00Henry Dimbleby unravels the deep-seated attachment of the British to eating meat.(R) 17:40Chris Bowlby looks at the life and career of actress Maggie Smith.(R) 17:54The latest shipping forecast. 17:57The latest weather forecast.
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| 18:00 | 18:00Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini get 8 year bans after an ethics enquiry 18:304/6Jack Dee, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden are joined by Sandi Toksvig.
| 18:00UK military are deployed to Helmand as reports suggest the Taliban could take Sangin 18:30Frank Skinner, Hugh Dennis, Ellie Taylor and Dan Schreiber try not to be funny.
| 18:00Economic growth has slowed markedly, taking the City by surprise. 18:306/6The doorbell interrupts an already unconventional Wrigglesworth family Christmas.
| 18:00Further storm worries for flood hit Cumbria. A woman died when a car hit a coffee shop. 18:15Father Christmas helps bring about a feminist Christmas whether he wants to or not. 18:304/4Tina brings us right up to date with a (slightly) festive look at where she is today.
| 18:00Army deployed amid further flood fears in Cumbria. 18:15It.'s 'Operation Christmas' with Pam Ayres and Geoffrey Whitehead. 18:30Politicians, media pundits and celebrities are given a Christmas roasting.
| 18:00Met Office warns of danger to life after rivers overwhelm defences in north-west England 18:15Clive Anderson and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
| 18:00Rivers are overflowing and hundreds of people have been evacuated due to heavy rainfall. 18:15Film critic and broadcaster Antonia Quirke chooses her BBC Radio highlights.
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| 19:00 | 19:15Arts news, interviews and reviews with guests Tony Jordan and Ron Howard. 19:451/5It is 1877, and Gilbert and Sullivan cast comedian George Grossmith in their new opera.(R)
| 19:00There is a gathering at Keeper's Cottage. 19:15Samira Ahmed talks to Sarah Phelps about Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. 19:452/51878. HMS Pinafore looks set to fail in a London heatwave. Can Grossmith save the day?(R)
| 19:00Does Rob have Christmas all wrapped up? 19:15Jennifer Lawrence on her new film Joy, and a cultural look ahead to 2016. 19:453/51884. After a successful run of operas, tempers fray when Princess Ida fails to catch fire(R)
| 19:00It is Christmas Eve in Ambridge. 19:15Michael Palin on the quest for Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi. 19:454/5It is 1885, and Grossmith is now the toast of the Savoy Opera.(R)
| 19:00Will Eddie's Christmas surprise be a hit or a turkey? 19:15Samira Ahmed talks to the comedian, actor and music hall veteran Roy Hudd. 19:455/5It is 1889, and after 12 years at the Savoy Opera, Grossmith decides to go solo.(R)
| 19:00Chris Bowlby looks at the life and career of actress Maggie Smith. 19:15Mariella Frostrup and guests discuss the pleasures of reading.
| 19:00Will all be alright on opening night? 19:15Ambridge Am Dram Queen Lynda Snell presents Tim Firth's comedy drama smash hit.
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| 20:00 | 20:00The Philosopher's Arms asks whether speech can harm. 20:30The risks people take in rural Cambodia to get basic healthcare.(R)
| 20:00Henry Dimbleby unravels the deep-seated attachment of the British to eating meat. 20:40Guide dog passport problems, coping with parties, and blind soldiers in WWI.
| 20:00Comedian Rory Bremner and presenter Brett Westwood tell stories of Earth's natural history
| 20:00Thousands of migrants are stuck in Vienna. Will they ever realise their European dreams? 20:30Peter Day visits the Chinese city that makes most of the world's Christmas decorations.
| 20:00Lucy Powell offers a quiet celebration of the rich and various virtues of silence.(R)
| 20:00Jay Rayner, self-confessed greedy pig, gets serious about porkers.
| 20:452/3Three new stories about the wonderful world of wine.
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| 21:00 | 21:00Jim Al-Khalili and three scientists tackle air pollution from dirty vehicle emissions.(R) 21:30Andrew Marr with Kevin Fong, Martin Rees, Carole Haswell and Stephen Baxter.(R)
| 21:001/3Professional listeners reveal how there is far more to listening than hearing. 21:30Today's debates about online privacy have 17th-century precedents. With Jonathan Freedland(R)
| 21:00Christine Nicol explores the meaty problem of eating aliens. How would you decide? 21:30Libby Purves meets actor Carmen Munroe, composer Denis King and Ralph Montagu..(R)
| 21:00New Horizons Pluto update;friendly predatory bacteria;Christmas in the lab;human ancestry 21:30Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the scientist Michael Faraday.(R)
| 21:00The first omnibus edition of Season 6 of this epic drama series set in Great War Britain.
| 21:001/2Nothing delights Emma more than interfering in the romantic lives of others(R)
| 21:00A scientist, a diver, a marchioness and a singer - memorable lives from 2015 are recalled. 21:26Esther Rantzen presents an appeal on behalf of ChildLine.(R) 21:30Peter Day visits the Chinese city that makes most of the world's Christmas decorations.(R)
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| 22:00 | 22:00Yanis Varoufakis on Podemos gains in the Spanish election. 22:451/5It is almost Christmas, but Binny is struggling to find her festive spirit.
| 22:00An Afghan activist tells the programme that sending more foreign troops is not a solution. 22:452/5A divorced father is determined to give his two young sons a Christmas to remember.
| 22:00A special report looking on whether more should be done for the migrants in Calais. 22:453/5All the most famous pop star in the world wants is a normal family Christmas.
| 22:00Senior BBC correspondents discuss 2015 with Ritula Shah. 22:454/5Even in an airport of stranded passengers you can experience the true meaning of Christmas
| 22:00Groucho Marx meets his comedy match in a young fast-talking fan.(R) 22:455/5Oliver's dad makes a rather unusual request on New Year's Eve. He wants 20 trees.
| 22:00The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. 22:15Romcom by Peter Souter about fear of flying, starring Ruth Jones and Stephen Tompkinson.(R)
| 22:00Paddy O'Connell assesses what stories and personalities really mattered in 2015 and why.
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| 23:00 | 23:00Georgie Fame talks to John Wilson about his 1963 album, 'Rhythm & Blues At The Flamingo' 23:301/5Piers Plowright returns to the small Welsh village he was evacuated to during World War II(R) 23:45Sean Curran reports from Westminster.
| 23:003/4The sketch show written by the public. 23:303/5Piers Plowright goes for a drive with his two daughters in a Morris Minor.(R) 23:45Mark D'Arcy reports from Westminster.
| 23:006/6Anita Dobson plays a rock star's wife with a deeply buried secret. 23:154/6Even the most successful writers have, at some point, had to take jobs to pay the bills.(R) 23:304/5Piers Plowright goes for a winter swim in the men's pond on Hampstead Heath.(R) 23:45Nabokov's beautiful Christmas story of loss and redemption. Read by Robert Glenister.(R)
| 23:00It's Christmas Eve at Alcoholics Anonymous and Andy is waiting for the others to turn up. 23:30The first Mass of Christmas, live from Brentwood Cathedral in Essex.
| 23:00Comic poet Tim Key celebrates Christmas, via the medium of poetry. 23:30Matthew Parris meets financial guru Alvin Hall, whose hero is James Baldwin.(R) 23:55The minor irritations and the major pluses of sisterhood.
| 23:00Tom Sutcliffe chairs another contest of lateral thinking and cryptic connections. 23:30Paul Farley hears new poems from Wendy Cope and Lachlan Mackinnon at their home in Ely.(R)
| 23:009/13Catherine Burns introduces tales about family history, growing up and surprises in prison. 23:50Howard Jacobson would sooner see Radio 4's Thought for the Day more, not less, religious.(R)
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