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Paul Copley and Timothy Bateson star in a BBC Radio full-cast dramatisation of E. Nesbit's enchanting and unforgettable classic. Roberta, Peter and Phyllis lead an ordinary suburban life with Mother and Father, enjoying trips to the zoo and the pantomime. But when Father is mysteriously taken away one night, everything changes. The children must move to the country, to a little white cottage near the railway line, where eventually they find that there are plenty of adventures to be had and friends to be made - including Perks the Porter and the Station Master himself. But the mystery remains - what has happened to Father, and will he come back? The story of Roberta, Peter and Phyllis and their life in the country has never been out of print since it was first published in 1906. Charming, sentimental and unforgettable, the novel retains all its enchantment and enduring appeal in this BBC Radio full-cast dramatisation.

Widely regarded as a broadcasting classic, the 1981 BBC Radio dramatisation of The Lord of the Rings stars Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, John Le Mesurier and Peter Woodthorpe. This box set contains all three parts of the epic tale - The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him the Rings of Power - the means by which he will be able to rule the world. All he lacks in his plan for domination is the Ruling Ring, which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Frodo Baggins... Brian Sibley, one of the original dramatists, has written new opening and closing narration for the character of Frodo, played by Ian Holm. This collection also includes a bonus CD featuring Stephen Oliver's complete musical score, and a demo version of 'Bilbo's Last Song'.13 CDs. 13 hrs 15 mins.

Described by the Daily Telegraph as ‘the wizard of the talking book’, Martin Jarvis has made the voices of William and his gang of outlaws his own in these marvellous readings. Roar with laughter as the lovable rogue, hampered by the loathsome Violet Elizabeth, wreaks havoc in this hilarious collection. Includes the following stories: 'The Christmas Truce'; 'Only Just in Time'; 'The Midnight Adventure of Miss Montague'; 'William and the Musician'; 'William Leads a Better Life'; 'William and the Twins'; 'William’s Birthday'; 'William and the Little Girl'; 'The Outlaws and Cousin Percy' and 'William and the Princess Goldilocks'. ‘There’s nothing to touch them’ - Independent on Sunday.2 CDs. 2 hrs 30 mins.

Michael Hordern stars as J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, in four BBC Radio full-cast dramatisations. Tolkien''s tales of myth, mystery and rumbustious exploits have been specially adapted for radio by Brian Sibley, one of the dramatists of the highly acclaimed BBC radio production of The Lord of the Rings. In ''Farmer Giles of Ham'', having accidentally shot a giant, Farmer Giles finds his brave reputation being tested by Chrysophylax the dragon. In ''Smith of Wootton Major'', when young Smith eats a piece of cake containing a silver star, he is granted access to the magical land of Faerie. In ''Leaf by Niggle'', a thought-provoking allegory on the theme of creativity, the painter Niggle embarks on a fateful search for perfection. In ''The Adventures of Tom Bombadil'', join Tom and the Hobbits in scenes from The Lord of the Rings which were not included in the BBC Radio 4 dramatisation.

Warm and witty, direct and droll, the sharply funny Pam Ayres has been amusing and entertaining her many fans for more than 30 years since her first television appearance on Opportunity Knocks. Her humorous observations of daily life touch a chord with anybody who's ever been bewildered by the exercise craze or has yearned after the vanished Spotted Dick. In this collection, Pam reads over 50 of her best-known and loved poems, including such favourites as 'Oh I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth', 'I'm a Starling...me Darling', 'Will I have to be Sexy at Sixty?', and 'St. Tesco'. Many of the poems include a personal introduction by Pam.2 CDs. 2 hrs 5 mins.

'To begin at the beginning: it is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black...' When Richard Burton breathed the opening words of Under Milk Wood into a microphone, broadcasting history was made. For this 'play for voices' conjures up the intimate dreams and waking lives of the inhabitants of a Welsh seaside village in a remarkable way. It is bawdy and beautiful; its colourful characters lust and love, gossip and fantasise. Through the magic of language, Under Milk Wood creates a rich modern pastoral which, once heard, touches the listener with its poetry and haunts the imagination for ever. This radio drama is the completed version broadcast in 1963 which includes several passages that were omitted from the first recording in 1954.2 CDs. 1 hr 41 mins.

An international cast of suspects, all passengers on the crowded train, are speeding through the snowy European landscape when a bizarre and terrible murder brings them to an abrupt halt. One of their glittering number lies dead in his cabin, stabbed a mysterious twelve times. There is no lack of clues for Poirot - but which clue is real and which is a clever plant? Poirot realises that this time he is dealing with a murderer of enormous cunning and that in a case frought with fear and inconstencies only one thing is certain - the murderer is still aboard the train waiting to strike again... John Moffatt stars as Hercule Poirot, with a stellar cast including Joss Ackland, Sylvia Syms, Francesca Annis, and Siân Phillips.Soon to be released as a film, directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Penelope Cruz, Olivia Coleman, Dame Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley, Derek Jacobi, and Michele Pfeiffer, The Murder on the Orient Express is a perennial classic.

Don’t panic! The Hitchhiker’s saga returns once again with a full-cast dramatisation of Mostly Harmless, the fifth book in Douglas Adams’s famous ‘trilogy in five parts’.‘A radio event... the great original cast has been reassembled’. Gillian Reynolds, The Daily TelegraphWhile frequent flyer Arthur Dent searches the universe for his lost love, Ford Prefect discovers a disturbing blast from the past at The Hitchhiker’s Guide HQ. Meanwhile, on one of many versions of Earth, a blonder, more American Trillian gets tangled up with a party of lost aliens having an identity crisis. And just when Arthur thinks he has found his true vocation on the backwater planet of Lamuella, the original Trillian turns up with more than a little spanner in the works. A stolen ship, a dramatic stampede and a new and sinister Guide lead to a race to save the Earth … again. But this time, will they succeed?Simon Jones returns as Arthur, Geoffrey McGivern as Ford, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox, Susan Sheridan as Trillian, Sandra Dickinson as Tricia McMillan, and Stephen Moore as Marvin. William Franklyn is the Book, Rula Lenska is also the Book and Samantha Béart is Random. Guest stars include Miriam Margolyes, Griff Rhys Jones, John Challis, Roy Hudd, Saeed Jaffrey, and Jonathan Pryce.This extended CD edition features 40 minutes of material not heard on BBC Radio 4.Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins approx.

Diehard Dad's Army fan Phill Jupitus has selected four of his favourite episodes from the sitcom that captured the heart of a nation. As Jupitus says, 'There are episodes here you will be familiar with and some you may never have heard, but what I can promise is that they are all achingly funny.' 'The Man and the Hour' is the first ever episode of the series, in which Mainwaring barks out, 'Come on Adolf, we're ready for you!'; 'My British Buddy' finds Mollie Sugden guest starring as a Walmington inhabitant besotted with the new GIs in town; 'Time on My Hands' finds a German airman snagged by his parachute on the town hall clock; and in 'A Soldier's Farewell' Mainwaring dreams he is Napoleon at Waterloo, with Wilson an elegant Duke of Wellington... Providing stalwart support to the stars are John Laurie, James Beck, Arnold Ridley, Ian Lavender and Bill Pertwee.2 CDs. 1 hr 53 mins.

What is the connection between a Bear of Very Little Brain and a honey pot? Usually it's the very sticky paw of Winnie-the-Pooh, as he takes a break between adventures for 'a little something'. Alan Bennett gives A.A. Milne's characters the voices you felt they were always meant to have in this collection of stories about Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Owl. Hear all about the fun they have as they lay a Heffalump trap, celebrate Eeyore's birthday, invent the game of Poohsticks and welcome Kanga and Baby Roo to the forest - among many other entertaining escapades.6 CDs. 6 hrs.

When Kay Harker meets a mysterious Punch and Judy man on his way home for Christmas, he little realizes that he is about to be plunged into adventure. The old man entrusts Kay with a strange puzzle box - the Box of Delights - before suddenly disappearing. Kay soon discovers two things: the box can transport him through time and space, and there is a plot to steal it. He must battle heroically against terrifying forces of evil in order to win the day... This thrilling BBC Radio adaptation boasts a stellar cast, including Donald Sinden, Lionel Jeffries, Spike Milligan and Celia Imrie.3 CDs. 3 hrs.

Alan Bennett reads A.A. Milne's much-loved stories about a small bear and his friends. What is the connection between a bear of very little brain and a honey pot? Usually it's the very sticky paw of Winnie the Pooh, as he takes a break between adventures for a little something. In these five stories, taken from the book 'Winnie-the-Pooh', Pooh goes visiting and gets into a tight place, Eeyore loses a tail, Piglet meets a Heffalump, Eeyore has a birthday and gets two presents, and an expedition is mounted to the North Pole! As usual they are accompanied by Kanga, Roo, Rabbit and Owl - to say nothing of Pooh's very clever young human friend, Christopher Robin. Now with a musical introduction, Alan Bennett's delightful readings bring each and every character in the forest to life.

'There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.' When the Water Rat invites the unassuming Mole to spend his first day ever in a boat on the river, and wise Badger comes along for the ride as well, so begins a marvellous season of adventure for the three friends. Mr Toad (he of Toad Hall) completes a happy foursome, but his tendency to get into hot water leads him into some rather hair-raising scrapes of his own. From an idyllic riverside picnic to a snowy encounter in the Wild Woods, and from poop-pooping in Toad's shiny new motor car to fighting against the massed ranks of Stoats, Weasels and Ferrets in a battle for Toad Hall, there's never a dull moment when they are all together! In his own inimitable style, Alan Bennett gives voice to each and every character in Kenneth Grahame's beguiling novel.3 CDs. 3 hrs.

A compilation of radio and TV archive material from the '60s and '70s featuring interviews with J R R Tolkien, his relatives and colleagues in which he talks about The Lord of the Rings, his other Hobbiton books, life as an academic, correspondence received from fans and his views on the 20th century. Presented by Brian Sibley.

Were you terrified of the Daleks? Has the familiar Doctor Who theme ever sent a shiver down your spine? Did Saturday teatimes once mean gathering around the television to see where the TARDIS had landed each week? If so, Doctor Who at the BBC is for you. Nicholas Courtney (Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart in the series) traces the development of this incredibly successful series, which first hit our TV screens in 1963. As well as a galaxy of classic moments from the series, he introduces some of the great and good who helped make this series a national institution – including many of the actors who’ve played the Doctor and his companions, and some of the series’ most prolific writers and producers. Meanwhile Elisabeth Sladen – the Doctor’s trusty assistant Sarah Jane – travels back in time to discover some little-heard radio gems. There’s a 1974 location report from Dartmoor, The Ed Stewart Show broadcast live from Longleat in 1983, Radio 1’s Newsbeat on the recovery of a missing episode, and rare archive interviews with Terry Nation, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Mary Tamm, Douglas Adams and even the mutt-shaped K9. A wealth of comedy is also represented with clips from Hello Cheeky, Week Ending, The Skivers and Dead Ringers. The TARDIS is waiting, and the Doctor’s friends are at the controls – so hop on for a ride, and revisit the scary and fantastic glory days of Doctor Who.

Laugh yourself silly with this compilation of some of the most hare-brained, mind-stretching games ever to grace a quiz show: ''Cheddar Gorge'', ''Gargle Gargle'', ''Bedtime Stories'', ''Good News Bad News'', ''Tag Wrestling'' and of course the legendary ''Mornington Crescent''. Spectacularly clueless as ever are Chairman Humphrey Lyttelton and panellists Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Willie Rushton (not forgetting the scorer, the lovely Samantha). It''s the antidote to panel games. They''re game. Are you?

The award-winning series Dead Ringers is back with highlights from its second television series. A huge hit on BBC Radio 4, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Kevin Connelly, Mark Perry and Phil Cornwell star once again in the best impression comedy on TV. In this startling and hysterical alternate universe, David Dickinson is ''Auction Man'', Mastermind gets ''sexed up'', and Simon Schama and David Starkey battle it out - literally - in order to become television''s leading historian. In other wicked moments, Delia Smith demonstrates How to Spectate, Ellen MacArthur tries her hand at some mundane chores, and Carry On Matron gets a Hollywood makeover. Others joining Tony Blair, George W. Bush, Ozzy Osbourne, Gandalf and Greg Dyke include card-playing comedy duo Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. So, take a ringside seat for another TV swipe at the famous - and infamous - courtesy of Dead Ringers.

Rani is delighted to hear that her favourite author, Gregory P. Wilkinson, is doing a signing at a local bookshop. When he agrees to be interviewed for the school newspaper, she is even more thrilled. And, when the old man presents her with his journal, full of notes and sketches from his ‘Wraith World’ books, her happiness is complete. But all too soon her elation turns to horror, as the worlds of fiction and reality collide. Can Sarah Jane save Rani, Clyde and Luke from a creature beyond their wildest nightmares? Elisabeth Sladen, who stars as Sarah Jane in the CBBC TV series, reads this exclusive audio story by Cavan Scott and Mark Wright. The cover photograph shows Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane with Anjli Mohindra as Rani, Tommy Knight as Luke, and Daniel Anthony as Clyde.

All five episodes of the Radio 4 full-cast detective drama written by Philip Palmer. Originally broadcast as the ‘Woman’s Hour’ drama during the week commencing 22 June 2009. The story takes place in the present day, and centres on notorious art forger Daniel Ballantyne, newly released from prison but now dying, who is telling his life''s story to an art critic and journalist, Jessica Brown, to help her write a book about forgery. But Jessica soon comes face to face with the darker side of the art world and finds herself trapped in a game of cat-and-mouse, in which her reputation, and her life, are in jeopardy. Starring David Schofield as Daniel Ballantyne and Indira Varma as Jessica Brown. Also featuring Matt Addis, Jonathan Keeble, Belinda Lang, John Biggins, Malcolm Tierney, Philip Fox and Benjamin Askew. Directed by Toby Swift. WARNING: this recording contains scenes which some listeners may find disturbing.

These four brand new shows, made up of a delightful mix of poems, personal stories and sketches, are themed around the seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Pam is once again joined by actors Felicity Montagu and Geoffrey Whitehead for sketches about topics including the May elections, spring cleaning, keeping cool, wedding gifts, Parents'' Evening, bonfires, competitive ailments and the Twelve Days of Christmas. Poems include ''I Was Standing by the Cow'', ''Heaps of Stuff'', ''No Alarm on the Flight Deck'', ''That Perfect Swimsuit'', ''The Harvest Hymn'' and ''Insomnia''. Full of fabulous material, this will amuse and entertain Pam Ayres fans all year round.

The BBC Radio comedy set in an 18th century Cornish village - written by Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain and produced by Jan Ravens. Stars Lucy Speed. From February to March 2003. In this complete first series, Tamsyn Trelawny''s band of 18th century Cornish smugglers try to outwit customs officers, a hairy folk band helps Tamsyn and the Cornish smugglers to escape the law and Tamsyn tries to keep her love-life out of the scandal rags. Also, when a new rival appears in town, Tamsyn tries to quit then, finally, Tamsyn joins customs men to stop Courageous Kate from marrying her dad.

The BBC Radio comedy set in an 18th century Cornish village - written by Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain and produced by Jan Ravens. Starring Sheridan Smith. From April to May 2004. In the complete second series, smuggler Tamsyn Trelawny wants to win ''Peasants Personality of the Year'', her head is turned by hunky new band of outlaws ''Boyz 2 Rob'' and Tamsyn tries to escape from the clutches of French revolutionaries. It’s also Jesters'' Relief Week - but must Cornish smuggler Tamsyn raise funds for Devonians? Also, smuggler Jago is kidnapped. But can he survive in polite city society? And, lastly, there’s a surprise for Tamsyn - and confusion aboard a boat to France.

A collection of the very best sketches from Series One and Two of Harry Enfield's Television Programme, featuring unforgettable characters such as the Slobs, the Old Gits, Mr Nice But Dim, Smashie and Nicey, Lee and Lance, and Mr Don't Wanna Do That. Starring Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse.

This series explores how Prime Ministers have used their power and responded to the great challenges of their time and how they made the job what it is today. Nick Robinson explores the life and times of the following: Sir Robert Walpole, the first and longest-serving prime minister; Lord North, remembered as the prime minister who lost America; Sir Robert Peel, who put national interest before party; Lord Palmerston, who cultivated a cavalier image and dominated mid-Victorian politics; Benjamin Disraeli, who turned his skills as a novelist to politics and became Britain's first Jewish-born prime minister; David Lloyd George, a Welsh radical who set up the early welfare state, became a presidential PM in the First World War and split the Liberal party; Stanley Baldwin, the first prime minister to master radio broadcasting, whose notion of Englishness shaped inter-war Britain and Clement Attlee, who lacked any charisma, but created the modern welfare state and managed the big political beasts in his Cabinet. Extract from speech by Lloyd George: British Library Board. All Rights Reserved.

Gwen and Rhys are on the run. Rhys was hoping this meant a windswept cottage on a cliff top, but he's had to settle for a miserable caravan in the isolated village of Rawbone. With the locals taking an unhealthy interest in their daughter, Gwen and Rhys start to realise that something is very wrong. As they uncover the village's terrible past, Gwen discovers that Torchwood will never leave her behind, and now she and Rhys stand alone in defence of the Earth. And the children of Rawbone can only bring her closer to the secret forces that want her out of the way. Clare Corbett, Kai Owen, Katherine Fenton, Joe Jameson, Carole Boyd, Michael Stevens and Susie Riddell are the readers of this thrilling multi-voice narration. Based on the hit series created by Russell T. Davies and written by James Goss, First Born is a prequel to Torchwood: Miracle Day; starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles as Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper, with Kai Owen as Rhys Williams.

Battlefields is what every Richard Holmes fan has been waiting for. Richard Holmes skilfully clarifies the complexities of four major World War 2 military campaigns: El Alamein, Italy, Arnhem and the Battle of Britain (the Main Offensive). In this fascinating and brilliantly articulated study of war, he recreates what it was really like to be in the midst if bloody conflict from letters, diaries and interviews with soldiers awarded campaign medals for their heroism during World War 2.

California 1936. Florence Owens Thompson and her family have joined the thousands of migrant workers flocking across America in search of work. Homeless, desperately hungry and faced with the threat of mob violence, her hopeful resolution is quickly fading. Photographer Dorothea is following the migrants to their make-shift refugee camps, desperate to find the image which will capture the extent of their hardship, to bring about a change in American policy and hearts. A chance meeting with Florence could bring about the image she is looking for. Although inspired by a true story, certain events and characters have been created or changed for dramatic effect. Starring Teresa Gallagher as Dorothea and Anne Wittman as Florence, with Ian Porter, Kerry Shale, Allen Lidkey, Oliver Lee and Kathryn Hunt. Music by Pat Mo Sheeran. Written by Michael Symmons Roberts. Directed by Susan Roberts. Producer: Charlotte Riches.

Jude lives in a henhouse with no roof, in the bankrupt Republic of Squanderland. Purchased for ten million euro at the height of the credit bubble, his henhouse has been rated the asset in Europe most likely to default. To solve this small but symbolic problem and restore confidence in the markets, Europe's leaders need a plan. Sadly, putting a roof on Jude's henhouse quickly escalates out of control. Soon they are committed to building a roof over the entire country, half a mile above the startled voters... But what happens when a structure that's too big to fail finally fails? To the horror of Europe's bankers and politicians, Jude comes up with a dramatic (and rather romantic) solution to the Eurozone crisis... Starring Rory Keenan as Jude, with Dermot Crowley, James Lailey, Adjoa Andoh, Clare Corbett and Stephanie Flanders. Written by Julian Gough. Director Di Speirs.

The story of how Britain's Olympic journey started 400 years ago - in the Cotswolds. It was once thought that the modern Olympics was the brainchild of Baron Pierre de Coubertin alone and put into action in Greece in 1896. The man himself encouraged the myth. But in this programme former England cricketer Ed Smith goes back to the real rebirth of the Olympic, or rather the 'Olympick', idea and the games held by Captain Robert Dover on the hill above the Cotswold town of Chipping Campden - exactly four hundred years ago, in 1612. With the former Olympic sprinter and historian Peter Radford as his guide, Ed picks his way through the Cotswold games story and questions why Robert Dover's name is only the merest footnote in the Modern Olympic story. And, he asks, why was it that Britain should nurture both the ideas and events that took place every year on Kingcombe Plain, later to be renamed Dover's Hill? Producer: Tom Alban.