Steve Roud was Local Studies Librarian for the London Borough of Croydon and served as Honorary Librarian of the Folklore Society for over fifteen years. He has been researching British folklore for over thirty years and is the joint author of the Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore, plus other books on traditional drama and folk song, and the Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland, which won the Katharine Briggs Folklore Award in 2004. His publications include London Lore (2008) and The Lore of the Playground (2010). He also compiles the Folk Song Index and the Broadside Index, two internationally acclaimed computer databases of traditional folk and popular song. He lives in Sussex.

Steve Roud

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Chris Packham

Lionel Kelleway

Brett Westwood

Wildlife presenter Chris Packham leafs through the Living World archives, revisiting classic episodes and bringing them up to date 
 
For over half a century, landmark natural history series Living World has provided an inspiring introduction to the flora and fauna of Great Britain and beyond. Filmed on location at key ecological sites, it sees BBC wildlife presenters joined by guest experts for enthusiastic discussions and close encounters with our native wildlife. 
 
These classic archive programmes have all been specially selected by Chris Packham, who introduces each episode and gives us an overview of the places, people and species featured on the show. Twenty are hosted by veteran broadcaster Lionel Kelleway, with the remaining two presented by Brett Westwood. Accompanied by ornithologists, biologists and a host of other specialists, they take us on a tour around the British Isles in search of amazing plants and animals. 
 
Among their discoveries are swifts, stag beetles, sticklebacks and red squirrels - as well as the endangered white-clawed crayfish; the slumbering dormouse or 'seven-moth sleeper'; the diminutive wren (known as the King of the Birds) and the under-appreciated wasp (more benign and beneficial than people realise). In addition, they hunt for crabs in a Scottish rockpool; take a festive look at mistletoe; await the arrival of roosting rooks and listen to the call of the booming bittern. 
 
Full of fascinating facts and surprising stories, this carefully curated collection will transport you to Britain's mountains, moorlands, woodlands and coasts, immersing you in the wonder and importance of our natural world. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by Andrew Dawes 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
Swifts 3 May 2015 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Chris Perrins 
Mayfly and the Chalkstream 12 July 2015 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mike Ladle 
The Stag Beetle Hunt 26 July 2015 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Jonathon Spencer and Roger Key 
The Seven-Month Sleeper 11 October 2015 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Michael Woods 
Water Vole 18 October 2015 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Rob Strachan 
Lichens of Scotland 25 October 2015 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Brian and Sandy Coppins 
Herons 8 November 2015 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway 
The Wader with the Crest 10 January 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Andy Wilson 
A Life of Slime 17 January 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mary Seddon 
Rooks and a Winter Roost 24 January 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Joe Cullum and Ian Henderson 
Sticklebacks 12 June 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Iain Barber 
The Highland Midge 19 June 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Alison Blackwell 
The Ways of the Wasp 21 August 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Tom Ings 
Catching Crabs 11 September 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Stephen Wiseman 
Crayfish 4 December 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Martin Frayling 
Red Squirrels 11 December 2016 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Jason Reynolds 
A Very Berry Christmas 18 December 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Jonathan Briggs 
Wren Hunt 25 December 2016 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Matthew Evans 
Fieldfares in a Winter Orchard 1 January 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Steve Dodd and Dave Cocker 
Freshwater Pearl Mussels 5 March 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mary Seddon 
Toads (The Toad) 12 March 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Julia Wycherley 
Booming Bitterns 19 March 2017 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Ian Hawkins and Ken Smith 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Chris Packham’s Living World from the Archives

A BBC Radio 4 nature series

Chris Addison

Award-winning comedian Chris Addison explores the funny side of human evolution and Western civilisation in two BBC Radio 4 spoof lecture series 
 
Chris Addison – the thinking idiot's pretend anthropologist – takes us on a comic journey through the vast and rich subject of human history in these eight hilarious comedy lectures. Aided by Professor Austin Herring (aka Geoffrey McGivern), Dan Tetsell and Jo Enright, who put their considerable talents to use in sketches illustrating the lectures, he examines how Homo sapiens became Top Species, charts the rise and fall of the Western world and looks at what’s next for the future of mankind. 
 
In the Sony Gold Award-winning show The Ape that Got Lucky, he muses on the topics of Language and Communication, Social Development, Science and Progress and Man or Monkey. He asks why it’s fortunate the original human language developed in Africa rather than England; tells the real story of why our brains are so big; considers how many things, including penicillin and the light bulb, have been discovered by accident and reflects that a lot of the characteristics we imagine to be uniquely human are really just animal ones. 
 
The follow-up series Civilization sees Chris explaining why Western civilisation is on its last legs, and pondering how we can build ourselves a new one. Over four themed episodes – Controlling the Universe, Cities and Laws, A Working Society and A Sense of Identity – he investigates the ways we’ve tried to influence our physical environment; the flaws in our urban democratic system; the rocky road we’ve travelled over the past 5,500 years and how ‘culture’ gives civilisation a sense of identity. And most importantly, he reveals why he chose to spell ‘civilisation’ with a Z… 
 
 
Cast and credits 
Starring Chris Addison, with Geoffrey McGivern, Jo Enright and Dan Tetsell 
Written by Chris Addison and Carl Cooper 
Produced by Simon Nicholls 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 4-25 August 2005 (The Ape That Got Lucky), 5-26 April 2006 (Civilization) 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Chris Addison: A BBC Radio Comedy Collection

The Ape That Got Lucky & Civilization

Will Young

Dermot O’Leary

Sue Perkins

Monty Don

Bird lovers including Will Young, Samuel West, Dermot O'Leary, Greta Scacchi and Sue Perkins introduce us to their favourite birds - plus, Alison Steadman presents The Twelve Tweets of Christmas 
 
Since 2013, Tweet of the Day has been a daily delight for early risers, with its 90 seconds of beautiful birdsong and fascinating ornithological stories. But what of the people who tune in to this avian chorus? In this collection, we bring to the airwaves the conversational voices of an array of wildlife enthusiasts, all eager to recount their encounters with birds - among them 'Birdgirl' Mya-Rose Craig, writers Joe Harkness, Amy Liptrot, Melissa Harrison and Mark Cocker, Springwatch host Lindsey Chapman and the staff at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, the RSPB, BirdLife International and the British Trust for Ornithology. Together, they guide us through the year, from May to March, and introduce us to the birds that have inspired them. 
 
We also hear from some unexpected celebrity sources, who share stories of the birds that catch their eyes - and their ears. Will Young tells us about seeing a Woodland Kingfisher as a child in South Africa; Sue Perkins recalls coming face to face with a Great Horned Owl and Greta Scacchi reveals her fondness for the magnificent Goldfinch. 
 
Other famous names include Samuel West, who counts the turkey-like Capercaillie and the dapper, white-bibbed Dipper among his ten picks; and Dermot O'Leary, whose five choices include 'the Alsatian of the skies', the Greater Black-Backed Gull. Jimi Goodwin, the lead singer in Doves, swerves his band's titular bird in favour of the Cuckoo and the Mallard; while musician Fyfe Dangerfield celebrates the two birds that gave his bands their names - Guillemots and Gannets - along with eight others, and uses his own birdsong recordings to experiment in music. 
 
Also featured is The Twelve Tweets of Christmas, in which Alison Steadman provides a selection of festive editions inspired by the well-known carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by Maggie Ayre, Miles Warde, Tom Bonnett, Eliza Lomas, Mark Ward, Karen Gregor, Tim Dee, Sarah Blunt and Andrew Dawes 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Tweet of the Day

A Year of Bird Lovers

Award-winning wildlife presenter Brett Westwood explores our relationship with birds and reptiles, and their impact on human culture and society 
 
Ever since the first prehistoric artist etched animal paintings onto a cave wall, humans have been inspired by the living world. It has enriched our lives in science, art, literature and music, defining society at every level across the globe. In these 13 episodes from Radio 4's groundbreaking Natural Histories, presenter Brett Westwood looks at two remarkable types of animals: birds and reptiles, who share a common ancestor and are often thought to belong to the same group. 
 
His imagination takes flight as he considers the rich, tangled life of the cuckoo; soaks in the sound bath of a nightingale's song; and probes the paradox of the pigeon with fellow presenter Verity Sharp. Brett also explores a bird that has become a byword for male beauty: the peacock, and guides us through the history of the ethereal swan, from ancient Greece to Swan Lake to Putin's Russia. Plus, he analyses birds' eggs as a symbol for new life, a metaphor for the origin of the universe - and a delicious staple of cookery. Turning to the reptile world, Brett tracks down nature's master of disguise, the chameleon; learns how the crocodile can boast of being a god, a sports logo, a sly trickster and a comic book hero; and marvels at the magnificent dinosaurs, who ruled the earth for 160 million years and still captivate us today. 
 
Weaving together nature, history, biology and biography, these fascinating programmes illuminate the complex connections between human beings and our feathered and scaly friends, revealing the unexpected ways we have interacted with them, and how they have changed the way we see the world. 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Verity Sharp (Pigeon) 
Produced in partnership with the Natural History Museum, London 
Producers: Andrew Dawes, Sarah Blunt, Melvin Rickarby, Tim Dee, Tom Bonnett, Sarah Pitt 
Series producer: Mary Colwell 
 
Episode guide 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
Birds Eggs 1 September 2015 
Peacock 31 July 2018 
Parrots 22 September 2016 
Hornbill 13 October 2015 
Honeyguide 18 October 2016 
Swallow 3 October 2017 
Cuckoo 8 August 2017 
Nightingale 12 September 2017 
Swan 25 September 2018 
Penguin 18 September 2018 
Dinosaurs 28 July 2015 
Crocodiles 29 September 2015 
Chameleon 11 October 2016 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Natural Histories: Birds and Reptiles

A BBC Radio 4 nature collection

Award-winning wildlife presenter Brett Westwood explores our relationship with mammals, and their impact on human culture and society 
 
For as long as humans have existed, animals have got under our skin, enthralling us with their wildness, enriching our lives and influencing art, literature, science and religion. And we feel perhaps the deepest connection with mammals, as we too are members of this same vast group. In these engrossing episodes from Radio 4's landmark series, Natural Histories, Brett Westwood tells the stories of 10 of the most mesmerising mammals, illuminating the often surprising ways they have shaped society. 
 
Looking at our closest relatives, monkeys and apes, he discovers how they reflect our humanity, and how, from King Kong to the PG Tips chimps, we have exploited them for entertainment. Meeting an enthusiastic lurcher named Trevor, Brett finds out how dogs have changed us and vice versa, as he unpacks our close companionship with man's best friend. Drawing on tales of Dracula and Batman, he investigates our obsession with bats, and, in company with Verity Sharp, he gets up close to one of the weirdest, most endangered primates on Earth: the aye-aye. Plus, Brett experiences the magic of sloths with Joanna Pinnock; examines what a furry stuffed toy can teach us about our association with bears; and analyses how our perception of the enigmatic whale has undergone a transformation, from feared beast to icon of conservation. 
 
Packed with fascinating facts about the biology and cultural history of each animal, this carefully curated collection celebrates the wonder and infinite variety of mammals, and shows how our past, present and future are inextricably intertwined with theirs. 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Joanna Pinnock (Sloth) and Verity Sharp (Aye-Aye) 
Produced in partnership with the Natural History Museum, London 
Producers: Tom Bonnett, Melvin Rickarby, Sarah Blunt, Beth O'Dea 
Series producer: Mary Colwell 
Additional sound recordings of Narwhals courtesy of Dr Susanna Blackwell, Greeneridge Sciences Inc. 
 
Episode guide 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
Monkeys And Apes 2 June 2015 
Bears 8 September 2015 
Whales 17 November 2015 
Elephant 27 September 2016 
Bat 1 August 2017 
Giraffe 7 November 2017 
Reindeer 21 November 2017 
Dog 4 September 2018 
Sloth 18 October 2019 
Aye-Aye 29 November 2019 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Natural Histories: Mammals

David Attenborough

David Attenborough, Britain’s voice of natural history, narrates his early adventures in Indonesia, New Guinea and Northern Australia. 
 
David Attenborough first appeared in front of a television camera in the 1950s when, together with London Zoo's Curator of Reptiles, Jack Lester, he persuaded the BBC to mount and film an animal-collecting expedition. The result was Zoo Quest. Specially recorded for audio, David Attenborough’s early adventures are sometimes life-threatening, often hilarious and always totally absorbing. The warmth and enthusiasm that have made him a broadcasting legend are instantly apparent here as he recounts this magical journey. 
 
This collection includes three volumes from Attenborough’s chronicles of his early expeditions: 
 
In Zoo Quest For A Dragon, Attenborough tells of the crew’s hazardous boat trip with a gun-smuggling captain and the terror of erupting volcanoes. He also depicts for the listener some of the incredible sights he and his team witnessed – breathtaking butterflies, taking tea with Charlie the orang-utan and the the voyage to the little-known island of Komodo to capture the elusive Komodo Dragon. 
 
Quest in Paradise describes his next animal collecting and filming trip to New Guinea, home of the exotic Birds of Paradise. David tells of his adventures during the trip: being an onlooker at a formal lovemaking ceremony, seeing the skills of ritual axe making, trying to master pidgin English and witnessing a ‘sing sing’ at which hundreds of tribesmen came together from all parts of the country. 
 
In Quest Under Capricorn, David Attenborough ventured to the Northern Territory of Australia. In his first expedition to the other side of the world, he meets Aborigines, goes walkabout in the bush, and learns the craft of the artists of Arnhem Land. 
 
Also included is David Attenborough In His Own Words, a collection of interviews taken from the BBC radio and TV archives.

David Attenborough: The Early Years Collection

The BBC Collection

Lucy Cooke

Lucy Cooke examines the survival strategies adopted by animals to gain an evolutionary advantage 
 
Award-winning broadcaster, bestselling author and zoologist Lucy Cooke has produced and presented numerous natural history shows on TV and radio, and has been tipped by The Times as 'the next David Attenborough'. In this BBC Radio 4 series, first broadcast under the title The Power Of..., she delves into the animal kingdom, exploring what gives certain species the evolutionary edge over their rivals. 
 
Over the course of 8 episodes, she probes the science behind our seeming obsession with all things cute; unleashes her inner sloth to discover the surprising benefits of being slow; learns that honesty isn't always the best policy, whether you're a chimp, a squid or even a human being; and finds out why being small can give you step up on the evolutionary ladder. 
 
She also investigates the animal communities that thrive on co-operation and peaceful behaviour, and considers why it works for them; looks at the power of celibacy and meets nature's ultimate self-cloning sisters; discovers how some species make a success out of going solo; and asks why it can pay to stir once the sun goes down - and whether future survival for many diurnal animals may depend on a nightlife. 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Lucy Cooke 
Produced by Alexandra Feachem, Beth Eastwood and Adrian Washbourne 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
The Power of Cute 17 May 2016 
The Power of Sloth 26 December 2017 
Power of Deceit 6 August 2019 
Power of Petite 13 August 2019 
Power of Peace 20 August 2019 
The Power of Celibacy 4 January 2021 
The Power of One 11 January 2021 
The Power of Night 18 January 2021 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The Evolutionary Edge

Award-winning wildlife presenter Brett Westwood explores our relationship with fish and invertebrates, and their impact on human culture and society 
 
Throughout the ages, human beings have had a profound fascination with the natural world. It has influenced all aspects of our civilisation, from science and religion to music, art, literature and film. These 12 episodes, taken from Radio 4's epic series Natural Histories, find presenter Brett Westwood exploring two major groups of animals - fish, who have lived on Earth for over 450 million years, and invertebrates, who make up 97 percent of all species worldwide - to find out how our perception and representation of them has changed over time. 
 
Beginning with one of our most iconic predators, he dives into the world of sharks, showing how Jaws gave them a reputation as fearsome killers - and signed the death warrant for millions of their number. Brett also meets the closest thing to an alien lifeform: an octopus, discovering how the sea monster of historical myth is now emerging as an animal worthy of respect and understanding. Plus, he goes in search of the obscure burbot, Britain's forgotten freshwater fish; looks at the rise and demise of the flea circus; and explains why we have eulogised the butterfly from time immemorial. Meanwhile, author Lia Leendertz uncovers the story of bees, looking at ancient Greek poetry, Victorian moral allegory, and the laws and superstitions around beekeeping... 
 
Taking in documentary, biography and fiction, these riveting programmes will delight, surprise and amaze. You'll never look at fish and invertebrates in the same way again... 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Lia Leendertz (Bee) 
Produced in partnership with the Natural History Museum, London 
Producers: Sarah Blunt, Andrew Dawes, Beth O'Dea, Sarah Pitt, Maggie Ayre, Tom Bonnett 
Series producer: Mary Colwell 
 
Episode guide 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
Sharks 9 June 2015 
Eel 22 August 2017 
Burbot 7 July 2015 
Octopus 15 August 2017 
Leech 2 August 2016 
Earthworm 25 July 2017 
Snail 5 September 2017 
Fleas 10 November 2015 
Beetles 27 October 2015 
Bee 25 October 2019 
Butterflies 16 June 2015 
Cricket 1 November 2016 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Natural Histories: Fish and Invertebrates

Collected together for the very first time, this is the complete Series 1 and 2 of Life Stories, written and presented by Sir David Attenborough. 
 
One of the nation's most popular presenters, Sir David examines 40 marvels of the natural world from his extraordinary and pioneering experiences. 
 
What was Sir David's first pet? Which animal would he most like to be? How did he track down a giant earthworm? Why does he respect rats? And what did he do when confronted by a ten-foot-long reptile? 
 
His enthusiasm is as infectious as ever, and conveys a unique fascination on topics as diverse as the sloth, monstrous flowers, the platypus, dragons, the fire salamander, the coelacanth, the dodo, bird's-nest soup and the large blue butterfly. So listen to these stories to find out the real reason why animals sing, the story behind a 150-million-year-old feather, and what it is about snakes that really unnerves Sir David. 
 
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

David Attenborough's Life Stories

The Complete Collection

Becky Ripley

Emily Knight

Science meets storytelling in this brilliant BBC radio series exploring the mystery and astounding complexity of the natural world 
 
'Mindboggling in the best possible way' Independent.ie 
 
Presenters Becky Ripley and Emily Knight mull over a multitude of bewildering and brain-teasing questions as they try to make sense of what we humans are all about - with a little help from some other species. What can the swirling patterns in a starling murmuration tell us about the way our ideas spread? Can ants teach us anything about avoiding a pandemic? And how could a brainless, single-cell slime mould help to solve our trickiest problems? 
 
Journeying into the realms of philosophy, they break down the illusion of self via the humble sea sponge, examine individualism through the colonial Portuguese man o' war and find out who controls our thoughts and actions - us, or the creatures living inside us... They also take lessons in love and fidelity from the tiny vole, discover what dog poo can teach us about navigation, and investigate the diversity of the gender spectrum, aided by birds, bees, angler fish and dragon lizards. 
 
Packed with staggering facts about the animal kingdom - and ourselves - this amazing series will blow your mind and open your eyes to the astonishing wonders of nature. 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

NatureBang

The secret life of nature

Melvyn Bragg

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss 25 scientific pioneers who have shaped the development of science over 500 years 
 
'Exemplifies what Radio 4 is all about, and what makes it world class' The Guardian 
 
One of the bedrocks of Radio 4, In Our Time has entertained and fascinated millions of listeners since it was first broadcast in 1998. Each week, Melvyn Bragg and a panel of leading academics discuss the big ideas that form the intellectual agenda of our age, traversing an eclectic spectrum of topics from the alphabet to Absolute Zero. 
 
This specially curated collection introduces us to 25 of the best minds who have shaped the fields of science over the past five centuries. Beginning with an introductory episode, 'The Scientist', it encompasses pioneers such as mathematicians Blaise Pascal, Carl Friedrich Gauss, Ada Lovelace and Emmy Noether; astronomers Johannes Kepler and William and Caroline Herschel; chemists Rosalind Franklin and Dorothy Hodgkin; and physicists Ernest Rutherford and Paul Dirac. Among the other famous names featured are Michael Faraday, Louis Pasteur, Thomas Edison, Alan Turing and the Curies, as well as the great naturalist Charles Darwin, who is the subject of a 4-part special devoted to his life and work. 
 
Science students, In Our Time fans and lovers of learning will relish these captivating, wide-ranging discussions, giving us unparalleled insight into the remarkable individuals whose ideas and inventions have transformed our world. 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Melvyn Bragg 
Produced by Victoria Brignell, Thomas Morris, John Goudie and Simon Tillotson 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
The Scientist 24 October 2002 
Johannes Kepler 29 December 2016 
Pascal 19 September 2013 
Robert Boyle 12 June 2014 
Emilie du Châtelet 4 February 2021 
Lamarck and Natural Selection 26 December 2003 
William and Caroline Herschel 11 November 2021 
Pierre-Simon Laplace 8 April 2021 
John Dalton 27 October 2016 
Humboldt 28 September 2006 
Carl Friedrich Gauss 30 November 2017 
George and Robert Stephenson 12 April 2018 
Michael Faraday 24 December 2015 
Ada Lovelace 6 March 2008 
Maxwell 2 October 2003 
Darwin: On the Origins of Charles Darwin 5 January 2009 
Darwin: The Voyage of the Beagle 6 January 2009 
Darwin: On the Origin of Species 7 January 2009 
Darwin: Life After Origins 8 January 2009 
Louis Pasteur 18 May 2017 
Pitt-Rivers 28 February 2013 
Thomas Edison 9 December 2010 
Rutherford 19 February 2004 
Emmy Noether 24 January 2019 
The Curies 26 March 2015 
Alan Turing 15 October 2020 
Rosalind Franklin 22 February 2018 
Paul Dirac 5 March 2020 
Dorothy Hodgkin 3 October 2019 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

In Our Time: 25 Pioneers in the History of Science

A BBC Radio 4 Collection

Lindsey Chapman

Peter France

Michael Scott

Wildlife presenter Lindsey Chapman relives selected archive highlights from the popular nature series 
 
For over five decades, Living World has been introducing audiences to the astonishing diversity of British wildlife. Its veteran presenters have travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles, venturing far and wide with their microphones to immerse the listener and capture the excitement of getting close to nature. 
 
Hosted by Lionel Kelleway, Brett Westwood, Peter France and Michael Scott, these 15 archive episodes are hand-picked by Lindsey Chapman, who also gives an introduction to each one, bringing us up to date on developments since the initial broadcast. Recorded on location in some very special places, from South Harris in the Outer Hebrides to the River Exe in Devon, the programmes all feature guest experts with specialist knowledge of the local environment and its flora and fauna. 
 
Guiding our presenters through a particular habitat, they discuss the species who have made it their home, and set out to track them down. While a quest to find the great yellow bumblebee proves problematic, they revel in seeing a hen harrier on the wing; encounter the world's largest slug; experience a remarkable raven roost and catch a rare glimpse of wild boar. Plus, they discover the biology behind pigeon migration; learn why jays are key to the rejuvenation of the UK's forests and take a timeline walk from sea edge to dry land along Dungeness' shifting shingles. 
 
Full of amazing sights, sounds and stories, this specially curated collection will take you on an awe-inspiring journey through Britain's natural world, and encourage you to embark on your own wildlife adventures. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by Andrew Dawes 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
The Machair of the Western Isles 10 June 2018 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Martin Scott 
Catch the Pigeon 17 June 2018 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Chris Armstrong 
Woolston Eyes 24 June 2018 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Brian Martin 
Blackbirds 1 July 2018 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Will Cresswell 
Hen Harrier 23 September 2018 
Presented by Brett Westwood wth Iolo Williams 
The World's Largest Slug 30 September 2018 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with John Walters 
Underwater Architects 7 October 2018 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Ian Wallace 
The Oak Tree Planters 14 October 2018 
Presented by Brett Westwood with John Tulley 
Dungeness 21 October 2018 
Presented by Peter France with Erica Towner and David Harper 
Avocet 9 December 2018 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Malcom Davies 
Caledonian Pine Forest 16 December 2018 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Roy Dennis 
Winter Ravens 23 December 2018 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Leo Smith and Tom Wall 
Wild Boar 30 December 2018 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Dr Martin Goulding 
The Green Isle 3 March 2019 
Presented by Michael Scott with Dave Dick and Peter Moore 
Stoats 11 March 2019 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Robbie MacDonald and Becky Wright 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Lindsey Chapman’s Living World from the Archives

Sarah Pitt

Joanna Pinnock

Trai Anfield

Chris Sperring

Paul Evans

Miranda Krestovnikoff

Wildlife presenter Brett Westwood revisits selected highlights from the Living World archive 
 
Since 1968, the BBC's iconic Living World has been introducing listeners to the best natural history Britain has to offer. Its veteran presenters have criss-crossed the country in all weathers and through all terrains, in search of remarkable species and extraordinary stories. 
 
Introduced and updated by Brett Westwood, these classic archive programmes are hosted by Lionel Kelleway, Trai Anfield, Chris Sperring, Paul Evans, Peter France, Joanna Pinnock, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Sarah Pitt and Brett himself. Each show is filmed on location, in places ranging from Dartmoor to the Celtic rainforest, and features a guest naturalist eager to share their expertise with the presenters and us. 
 
Together, they uncover an array of natural wonders, including the elegant black-tailed godwit, the enigmatic glow worm and the industrious mason bee that makes its nest in a snail shell. They also hunt for adders in Loch Lomond, experience the sights and sounds of a Sika deer rut and a starling eruption, witness the small bands of Red Admiral butterflies flying in from the sea and find that night time is the right time for mountain hares. 
 
Immersive, inviting and informative, this specially curated collection will provide fascinating insight into Britain's wonderful wildlife, and inspire you to seek out your own encounters with nature. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by Andrew Dawes 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
Nest Finder of Dartmoor 11 June 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mark Lawrence 
Adders of Loch Lomond 18 June 2017 
Presented by Trai Anfield with Chris McInerny 
A Shell Nesting Bee 2 July 2017 
Presented by Trai Anfield with John Walters 
Glow Worms 9 July 2017 
Presented by Chris Sperring with Robin Scagell 
Waxcap Grasslands 24 September 2017 
Presented by Paul Evans with Dr Gareth Griffiths and Bruce Langridge 
The Late Arrivals 8 October 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Richard Fox 
Sika Deer 22 October 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Dr Anita Diaz 
Godwits 17 December 2017 
Presented by Chris Sperring with Pete Potts 
Ancient Holly 24 December 2017 
Presented by Joanna Pinnock with Sara Bellis and Carl Pickup 
Ponds in Winter 31 December 2017 
Presented by Miranda Krestovnikoff with Jeremy Biggs 
Mountain Hares 7 January 2018 
Presented by Sarah Pitt with Derek Yaldon 
The Snowdrop 4 March 2018 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Christine Skelmesdale 
A Starling Eruption 11 March 2018 
Presented by Trai Anfield and Simon Clarke 
Essex Geese 18 March 2018 
Presented by Peter France with Graeme Underwood and Chris Tyas 
The Celtic Rainforest 25 March 2018 
Presented by Paul Evans with Ray Woods 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Living World: Through the Seasons

Wildlife presenter Brett Westwood revisits selected highlights from the Living World archive 
 
Since 1968, the BBC's iconic Living World has been introducing listeners to the best natural history Britain has to offer. Its veteran presenters have criss-crossed the country in all weathers and through all terrains, in search of remarkable species and extraordinary stories. 
 
Introduced and updated by Brett Westwood, these classic archive programmes are hosted by Lionel Kelleway, Trai Anfield, Chris Sperring, Paul Evans, Peter France, Joanna Pinnock, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Sarah Pitt and Brett himself. Each show is filmed on location, in places ranging from Dartmoor to the Celtic rainforest, and features a guest naturalist eager to share their expertise with the presenters and us. 
 
Together, they uncover an array of natural wonders, including the elegant black-tailed godwit, the enigmatic glow worm and the industrious mason bee that makes its nest in a snail shell. They also hunt for adders in Loch Lomond, experience the sights and sounds of a Sika deer rut and a starling eruption, witness the small bands of Red Admiral butterflies flying in from the sea and find that night time is the right time for mountain hares. 
 
Immersive, inviting and informative, this specially curated collection will provide fascinating insight into Britain's wonderful wildlife, and inspire you to seek out your own encounters with nature. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by Andrew Dawes 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
Nest Finder of Dartmoor 11 June 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mark Lawrence 
Adders of Loch Lomond 18 June 2017 
Presented by Trai Anfield with Chris McInerny 
A Shell Nesting Bee 2 July 2017 
Presented by Trai Anfield with John Walters 
Glow Worms 9 July 2017 
Presented by Chris Sperring with Robin Scagell 
Waxcap Grasslands 24 September 2017 
Presented by Paul Evans with Dr Gareth Griffiths and Bruce Langridge 
The Late Arrivals 8 October 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Richard Fox 
Sika Deer 22 October 2017 
Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Dr Anita Diaz 
Godwits 17 December 2017 
Presented by Chris Sperring with Pete Potts 
Ancient Holly 24 December 2017 
Presented by Joanna Pinnock with Sara Bellis and Carl Pickup 
Ponds in Winter 31 December 2017 
Presented by Miranda Krestovnikoff with Jeremy Biggs 
Mountain Hares 7 January 2018 
Presented by Sarah Pitt with Derek Yaldon 
The Snowdrop 4 March 2018 
Presented by Brett Westwood with Christine Skelmesdale 
A Starling Eruption 11 March 2018 
Presented by Trai Anfield and Simon Clarke 
Essex Geese 18 March 2018 
Presented by Peter France with Graeme Underwood and Chris Tyas 
The Celtic Rainforest 25 March 2018 
Presented by Paul Evans with Ray Woods 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Showing results for: ‘Steve Roud’

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