The Archers: The Duchess of Cornwall visits Ambridge

So did you listen to The Archers today?

It was a special episode with Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall making a cameo appearance on-air.

If you've never listened to The Archers, it's never too late to start!

The Archers is a very popular long-running British soap opera broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Recently, the show celebrated their 60th anniversary with a special episode that was supposed to shock everyone in Ambridge (the fictional English village) to the core. Well, it probably did shock the characters but, in my opinion, the episode had been so over-hyped that I thought it was a bit of a damp squib.

Anyway, The Archers is an entertaining radio show and I enjoy listening to it fairly regularly. I'm not a true addict though because I don't listen to every single episode.

Here's a fun introduction to The Archers by Stephen Fry:
About The Archers in three minutes

Sir Michael Caine interview on BBC Radio 1

Sir Michael Caine talks to Chris Moyles (done on 29 Sept 2010 but I just found out about the video):

A History of the World in 100 Objects - new series on BBC Radio 4

This sounds like an intriguing new project on BBC Radio 4 About A History of the World: On Monday 18th January, Radio 4 officially launches this project with the first programme in a a major new series 'A History of the World in 100 Objects', written and presented by the Director of the British Museum, Neil Macgregor. The British Museum has chosen 100 objects from its collection and now we want you to add yours. Help us build a digital museum by adding your object to this website. Just take a photo of something you own that you think tells us about a time, a place or a community. What part does your object play in a history of the world? BBC - A History of the World Radio 4 Blog - At last! A History of the World

Competition from BBC Radio 4: So You Want To Be A Scientist?

This is a cool competition for budding scientists! Material World, Radio 4's weekly science show, is searching for the BBC's Amateur Scientist of the Year. If your idea is selected, you'll be doing the experiment in your spare time, from the kitchen table or the garden shed. Plus you'll have help from the country's top researchers. Application form - tell about an idea you want to put to the scientific test. This is open to anyone who isn't a professional scientist. So You Want To Be A Scientist? - Terms & Conditions Closing date: The online entry form will be available from 20 December 2009 to 28 February 2010 and entries must be received by 11.59pm on 28 February 2010. The BBC may extend the closing date if it wishes. Late entries will not be accepted.

Americana - new programme on BBC Radio 4

Americana - a new half-hour magazine show about America on BBC radio 4 From coast to coast, Matt Frei presents an insider guide to the people and the stories shaping America today

The programme started on May 31st but (silly me) I forgot all about it and missed the first two episodes so I caught up by listening to the first two shows via BBC iPlayer.

The first programme started with a discussion with Amy Dickinson, an "agony aunt" (like Dear Abby) called "Ask Amy", a popular advice columnist. Amy said the glass is still half-full in the USA. The materialistic society is changing and people are looking for ways to find time to spend with their family that doesn't cost money.

The second part of the programme was about former US troops who, having tortured prisoners, suffer with guilt and post traumatic stress disorder. It's very sad and disturbing to listen to the report told by a psychiatrist.

The last story in the first programme was about New Orleans which still has a shockingly high murder rate ("some things never change") but it boasts some of the lowest unemployment figures in the USA. New companies are being encouraged to start up in New Orleans with tax incentives from the Louisiana state government and the availability of federal funds and through Trumpet ("...connecting businesses to opportunities").

The second programme (broadcast on June 7th) mentions the celebration of the unveiling of the statue of Ronald Reagan in Washington D.C. Matt Frei discusses the Republican party with two young Repubicans.

The next report is about Greensburg, Kansas which was flattened by a major tornado in 2007, and their decision to rebuild the community based on an eco-friendly design.

The final story is about Kareem Salama, a Muslim country singer. He was born and raised in Ponca City, a small town in Oklahoma, but his parents were born and raised in Egypt.

After listening to the first two episodes, I have mixed feelings about the show. I think it has potential to be a very interesting series but I wonder if most of the stories will really be of any interest to British listeners.

I enjoyed it but I think the subject matter is more likely to appeal to Americans more than Brits. Perhaps, I'm wrong though.

If you listened to the series so far, what are your thoughts about it?

Matt Frei presents Americana every Sunday evening at 7.15pm on Radio 4

BBC Radio 4: "Americana" starting soon

This sounds like it could be interesting: BBC pens new letter from America BBC Radio 4 is to launch a new series about life in the US, five years after the end of Letter From America, which was hosted by the late Alastair Cooke. The new weekly show, Americana, will be presented by Matt Frei, the main presenter of BBC World News America. Alistair Cooke delivered his Letter From America for 58 years Americana is due to be transmitted on Sunday evenings from late Spring. BBC Radio 4

New series from BBC Radio: America, Empire of Liberty

A new series from BBC Radio 4 - America, Empire of Liberty - charts the development of the United States, exploring three key themes: Empire, Liberty and Faith.

Free knitting pattern from BBC Radio 4 designed by Lise-Lotte Lystrup

Knit one, purl from the BBC Radio 4 Today programme is about the increasing popularity of knitting and offers a FREE knitting pattern for a jumper (sweater): Radio 4 Logo Jumper designed by Lise-Lotte Lystrup You may also be interested in a previous post I made, about an offer (from The Sunday Telegraph) for five free vintage patterns by the same designer.

Fry's English Delight:(Part Two) Quotations

The second programme of Fry's English Delight on BBC Radio 4, about Quotations (their uses and misuses, and about those who compile quotation dictionaries) was broadcast on Monday (1 September 2008) but I just listened to it today via the BBC iPlayer. It's another fascinating programme about the English language, presented by Stephen Fry.

Fry's English Delight: a new series about language on BBC Radio 4

I enjoyed listening to this fascinating new BBC series today: English Delight, Stephen Fry's three-part series about the English language. If you missed it, you can listen again via the BBC iPlayer. It's very interesting especially if you enjoy learning about the origin of words in the English language. And for those of you who don't know who Stephen Fry is: The Adventures of Mr Stephen Fry- official website Stephen Fry Biography (via The British Council contemporarywriters site) Stephen Fry (via IMDb - The Internet Movie Database)