

Woman's Hour
BBC Radio 4
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Episodes
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Apr 13, 2020 • 50min
Sian Clifford, Caring for a person with dementia during lockdown
A new ITV drama, Quiz, explores the Who Wants to be a Millionaire? coughing scandal of 2001. Charles Ingram, a former British Army major, his wife Diana and another contestant were found guilt of conspiring to cheat the show to win the top prize. Diana is played by Sian Clifford, who is best known for playing Phoebe Waller Bridge's TV sister Claire in Fleabag.Caring for your partner, your parent, your friend with dementia one on one can be challenging at any time but how are people coping isolated in lockdown? What are the extra pressures they face? We speak to Liz Brookes, former nurse. She lives outside of Manchester with her husband Mike, who has had vascular dementia for nine years now.EastEnders and Coronation Street are celebrating anniversaries this year. Then there's Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Rivercity, Doctors, not forgetting Holby, Casualty and all the Australian ones. Whatever's going on in real life, soap operas reflect it. So what is their appeal and how are they faring during lockdown? Comedians and real life couple Catherine Bohart and Sarah Keyworth discuss their weekly podcast You'll Do: Why we stick with the people we love, examining the real un-romanticised version of relationships.Presenter: Jane Garvey
Interviewed guest: Sian Clifford
Interviewed guest: Liz Brookes
Interviewed guest: Sally Ann Matthews
Interviewed guest: Kelly Bright
Interviewed guest: Prof Christine Geraghty
Interviewed guest: Catherine Bohart
Interviewed guest: Sarah Keyworth
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Apr 11, 2020 • 55min
Birth during Covid-19, Mary Berry’s tips for lockdown, and Grace Davidson
The Coronavirus pandemic has seen a high level of anxiety among pregnant women and their families. So, what can pregnant women expect when the time to give birth does come? Jo Mountfield is Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a consultant obstetrician at University Hospital Southampton. She explains what maternity services might look like and why mums-to-be should still seek help if they’re concerned. We also hear from a new mother who gave birth on 30th March.Running a household in the coronavirus lockdown can feel a bit like we’re back in the 1950’s. Calling over the fence to borrow a cup of sugar has once more become a reality as some foods are now in short supply, and there’s ‘rationing’ of items in supermarkets, although some of those restrictions are now lifting. But every last breadcrumb counts if you don’t want to or indeed can’t leave the house. Dietician, Priya Tew and baking legend, Mary Berry share their tips on how to maintain a healthy diet and make the most of what you’ve got.When the first world war broke out the suffragettes suspended their campaign for Votes for Women to join the war effort. Pioneering couple, Louisa Garrett Anderson and Flora Murray moved to France and set up two small military hospitals with a staff of volunteer women surgeons, medics and nurses, amidst fierce opposition. Their medical and organisational skills so impressed they were asked by the War Ministry to return to London and establish a new military hospital in the heart of London’s West End. Wendy Moore’s book 'Endell Street' is about the lives of the pioneering couple and the hundreds of remarkable women who worked with them.Grace Davidson is a British soprano who specialises in the performance and recording of Baroque music. Grace is one of the soloists on a new album for Holy Week.A durag is a type of scarf, typically used to protect and maintain different styles of black hair, like dreadlocks or braids. It can be also worn as a fashion statement, and has been a staple part of black culture. But durags have also had their fair share of controversy, with some people making affiliations to gang culture. Last week, Rihanna made history – and a statement – by wearing a durag for her photoshoot on the front cover of British Vogue. Is this a turning point for how the durag is perceived in both popular culture and high fashion? Kenya Hunt is a Fashion Director at Grazia UK. Funmi Fetto is a Contributing Editor at British Vogue and the Beauty Director at the Observer Magazine.Co-parenting can be difficult at the best of times. But the outbreak of COVID 19 and the latest government advice to stay indoors, has forced some separated families to make some difficult choices. If you and your ex-partner share the caring responsibilities of your children, what’s the best way to manage? Ex-partners, Natalie Duvall and Daniel Dubier, and single mother, Endy Mckay, join Jenni to share their experience of the last couple of weeks.Julia Samuel has worked for the last thirty years as a psychotherapist, first for the NHS and then in private practice. Her second book, 'This Too Shall Pass: Stories of Change, Crisis and Hopeful Beginnings' has just been published. She talks to Jenni about how people are coping and how to manage in this time of tremendous change.Presenter: Jenni Murray
Producer: Rosie Stopher
Editor: Kirsty Starkey

Apr 10, 2020 • 45min
Cervical screening; Addiction in lockdown; Soprano Grace Davidson; Julia Samuel
Cervical cancer affects more than 3,000 women a year. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have suspended routine appointments for cervical screening, while services in England are currently mixed. What is the advice for women awaiting appointments, results or referrals during lockdown? Kate Sanger, Head of Public Affairs at Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, and consultant gynaecologist Dr Christine Ekechi speak to Jenni.Grace Davidson is a British soprano who specialises in the performance and recording of Baroque music. Her purity of tone has attracted many of the leading contemporary composers to write for her, and her voice has also been featured in films such as The Hobbit and Pirates of the Caribbean. Grace is one of the soloists on a new album for Holy Week.We are all currently under pressure, but what if you are dealing with an addiction? According to the charity Action on Addiction, one in three people are addicted to something. How difficult can it be to remain sober or clean in lockdown, and what support can you still access? Jenni talks to Holly Sexton, Substance Misuse Practitioner at We Are With You and Caroline Turriff, a freelance journalist who is 15 years in recovery.Julia Samuel has worked for the last thirty years as a psychotherapist, first for the NHS and then in private practice. Her second book, This Too Shall Pass: Stories of Change, Crisis and Hopeful Beginnings has just been published. She tells Jenni about how people are coping and how to cope in this time of tremendous change.Presenter - Jenni Murray
Producer – Sarah Crawley
Guest - Kate Sanger
Guest - Dr Christine Ekechi
Guest - Julia Samuel
Guest - Grace Davidson
Guest – Holly Sexton
Guest – Caroline Turriff

Apr 9, 2020 • 45min
Covid-19 and eating disorders. Nicole Taylor, writer of the drama The Nest. Plus celebrating Passover under lockdown.
The UK’s leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders BEAT estimates that around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. They’ve seen a 30% increase for demands in services in light of the Coronavirus. With so much emphasis on food shortages and stockpiling, how are those with eating disorders going to be affected ? Listener Amy Nguyen is an Anorexia survivor, Megan Jayne Crabbe a mental health and lifestyle blogger and Jess Griffiths is one of BEAT’s Clinical Associate Trainers.Covid-19 has also seen a high level of anxiety among pregnant women. Jo Mountfield Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a consultant obstetrician at University Hospital Southampton explains what maternity services might look like and why mums to be should still seek help if they’re concerned. When the first world war broke out the suffragettes suspended their campaign for Votes for Women to join the war effort. Pioneering couple Louisa Garrett Anderson and Flora Murray moved to France and set up two small military hospitals with a staff of volunteers. It was so successful the War Ministry asked them to return to London and establish one there. Wendy Moore’s book Endell Street is about the lives of the pioneering couple and the remarkable women who worked with them. Writer Nicole Taylor talks about her new BBC Drama ‘The Nest’. And in today's Woman's Hour Corona Diary we hear from Rachel Snow-Miller about what it's like celebrating Passover under lockdown .Presenter Jenni Murray
Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Wendy Moore
Guest; Nicole Taylor
Guest; Amy Nguyen
Guest; Megan Jayne Crabbe
Guest; Jess Griffiths
Guest; Rachel Snow-Miller

Apr 8, 2020 • 40min
Economic impact of Covid 19 on women, Co-parenting under lock-down, Sheila Rock
A range of think tanks and international organisations have warned that women could be hit harder by the economic fall-out from the Covid 19 Pandemic. The World Economic Forum is concerned that it could exacerbate existing financial inequality between men and women. The Women and Equalities House of Commons select committee has launched an inquiry into the potentially unequal impact of Covid 19 and responses to it. And, in recent days the government has extended its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to allow parents with caring responsibilities and domestic employees the possibility of being furloughed. Jenni talks to Clare McNeil, Associate Director at the Institute for Public Policy Research and to Sophie Walker, CEO of the Young Women’s Trust about the economic experiences of womenCo-parenting can be difficult at the best of times. But the outbreak of COVID 19 and the latest government advice to stay indoors, has forced some separated families to make some difficult choices. If you and your ex-partner share the caring responsibilities of your children, what’s the best way to manage? Ex partners Natalie Duvall and Daniel Dubier, and single-mother Endy Mckay join Jenni to share their experience of the last couple of weeks.Sheila Rock’s photos are the defining images of the British punk scene of the 70’s and 80’s – from The Clash to Blondie, she photographed them all. Since then, she’s gone on to photograph horses, Tibetan monks, and more recently, British seaside-goers. She joins Jenni to discuss capturing British spirit and culture.Play is crucial for young children to develop social skills and a sense of self. But with potentially months of lockdown and school closures ahead, will there be long-term consequences to being separated from their peers? Are only children more at risk than those with siblings? And how well are family relationships able to adapt and cope with prolonged isolation? Ali Lacey and a team of researchers from the University of Sussex are starting a new study to find out – and they’re inviting Woman’s Hour listeners to get involved - tinyurl.com/vagdn2vPresenter: Jenni Murray
Producer: Caroline Donne
Interviewed guest: Clare McNeil
Interviewed guest: Sophie Walker
Interviewed guest: Natalie Duvall
Interviewed guest: Daniel Dubier
Interviewed guest: Endy Mckay
Interviewed guest: Sheila Rock
Interviewed guest: Ali Lacey

Apr 7, 2020 • 46min
Mary Berry, Lynda La Plante
Running a household in the Coronavirus lockdown can feel a bit like we’re back in the 1950’s. Calling over the fence to borrow a cup of sugar has once more become a reality as some foods are now in short supply, and there’s ‘rationing’ of items in supermarkets, though some of those restrictions are now lifting. But every last breadcrumb counts if you don’t want to or indeed can’t leave the house. Jane asks dietitian Priya Tew and baking legend Mary Berry for their tips on how to maintain a healthy diet and make the most of what you’ve got. Mary also gives us her recipe for lockdown birthday cake.MARY BERRY’S ‘LOCKDOWN’ BIRTHDAY CAKEVICTORIA SANDWICH
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE SPONGE
• 225g baking spread
• 225g caster sugar
• 225g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 4 large eggs
FOR THE FILLING AND TOPPING
• About 4 tbsp raspberry or strawberry jam
• A little caster sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
Makes 6-8 slices
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas mark 4. Cut 2 greaseproof paper circles, grease the sandwich tins with baking spread and put the circles inside. Grease the circles.
2. Place the baking spread in a large mixing bowl, then add the caster sugar, self-raising flour and baking powder. Crack the eggs one at a time and then add to the bowl.
3. Using the electric mixer on slow speed, beat for 2 minutes until smooth. The mixture will be soft enough to drop off the beaters when you lift them up.
4. Divide the mixture equally between the prepared tins and level the surfaces with a palette knife or spatula. Place in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes.
5. The cakes are ready when they are risen and pale golden. The tops should spring back when lightly pressed. Cool for about 2 minutes; loosen the edges with a knife.
6. Push the cased out of the tins on their bases, invert them and remove the bases. Cool the cakes the right way up on a rack. Soften the jam with a palette knife.
7. When the cakes are cold, remove the lining papers and invert one cake layer onto a plate. Spread with jam, put the other layer on top and sprinkle with caster sugar.
This recipe is taken from: Baking Bible (BBC Books)The charity Citizens Advice has found that almost half of survivors of domestic abuse have had their post intercepted, opened or hidden by the perpetrator. This has resulted in missed medical treatments, isolation from vital support networks and billions in cost to survivors as a result of hidden bills or credit taken out in their identity. How can these victims of domestic abuse - and their families - receive better support? Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs is the Chief Executive of Surviving Economic Abuse. Anne Pardoe is a Policy Manager at Citizens Advice. Shana experienced economic abuse herself.
What’s it like losing your dream job to Coronavirus? In today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, we hear from 21 year old Elizabeth who lives near Bude in Cornwall. She’d started working as a singer on a cruise ship when the Covid-19 crisis left her back on dry land and helping out on the family dairy farm. Although she wants to stay positive about getting back out to sea, she talks to Jane about the prospect of taking on the farm should anything happen to her parents.
Lynda La Plante speaks to Jane about Buried, the first in her latest series of crime thriller books
Presenter: Jane Garvey
Producer: Caroline Donne
Interviewed guest: Mary Berry
Interviewed guest: Priya Tew
Interviewed guest: Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs
Interviewed guest: Anne Pardoe
Interviewed guest: Lynda La Plante

Apr 6, 2020 • 48min
Keeping in touch with grandchildren, Rihanna's durag Vogue cover
With most families self-isolating how should we explain the sudden absence of close family members to very young children? Listener Glynis is 73 and self-isolating alone. She used to see her 26 month old granddaughter regularly but has now completely disappeared from her life. Will her granddaughter be feeling abandoned and confused? Is she too young to really notice? Lynne Hipkin is a Clinical Psychologist who works with children and families and will be explaining how everyone can accommodate these recent changes to our lives.Durags, black culture and high fashion. This week, Rihanna made history – and a statement – by wearing a durag for her photoshoot on the front cover of British Vogue. Is this a turning point for how the scarf is perceived in both popular culture and high fashion? Kenya Hunt is a Fashion Director at Grazia UK. Funmi Fetto is a Contributing Editor at British Vogue and the Beauty Director at the Observer Magazine.Young workers and women have been hardest hit by the shutdown of large sectors of the economy, according to research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
We hear from the Deputy Director Robert Joyce. The American podcast Criminal has over 5.5 million downloads each month, and 133 episodes to date. Each episode tells a different real life story, ranging from Jolly Jane the notorious woman poisoner, to the tale behind the phrase Stockholm syndrome. Phoebe Judge, host and co-creator, joins Jane to talk podcasting, women criminals, and why people find true crime so fascinating?Novelist Sarah Vaughan on her new book, Little Disasters - a psychological thriller about the impossibility of understanding what’s going on in the mind of another. It explores the judgement of mothers, the loneliness some women feel and the need to reach out even when someone appears to be coping just fine.Presented by Jane Garvey
Produced by Jane ThurlowInterviewed guest: Lynne Hipkin
Interviewed guest: Robert Joyce
Interviewed guest: Funmi Fetto
Interviewed guest: Kenya Hunt
Interviewed guest: Phoebe Judge
Interviewed guest: Sarah Vaughan

Apr 4, 2020 • 56min
Working from home, Care workers and Covid-19, DIY hair care
We're being told to work from home if we can, so how is it going? Anna Harris who works for a marketing and advertising agency, and Caroline Whaley, the co-founder of a coaching consultancy aimed at women and leadership, discuss. Lara Lewington from BBC Click offers some tips and advice for staying in touch via tech. The Lives of Houses is a collection of essays which asks what a house can tell us about the person who lived there. Hermione Lee describes why we are so fascinated by the homes of famous literary figures. The Government has issued new guidelines on the personal protective equipment that should be used by NHS staff on the frontline. It's also said that it's important for social care staff to feel safe, and the new guidance will offer them information and reassurance. Christina McAnea, Assistant General Secretary of UNISON which represents thousands of workers in the sector, and Margaret Hodge MP for Barking and Dagenham, discuss. Kayleigh Llewyellyn is the writer and creator of a new BBC comedy drama series called In My Skin. Based on her own story of growing up in Wales, it follows 16 year Bethan as she negotiates her school life, sexuality, and hiding her mother’s mental illness from her friends and teachers.What does social distancing look like in one of the more remote parts of the UK? We find out through The Woman's Hour Corona Diaries with Angela Crawford from the Isle of Lewis. DIY hair care: the Dos and the Don'ts. Tanya Harrison is the founder of Harrison Hair Studio in Liverpool. She shares some tips if you’re eager to have a go yourself.Presenter: Jane Garvey
Producer: Dianne McGregor

Apr 3, 2020 • 50min
Care workers and COVID-19; Silent Solutions; Anne Scott-James; Corona diary – Pauline
The Government has issued new guidelines on the personal protective equipment that should be used by those on the NHS frontline. It has also said that it is important for social care staff to feel safe, and that the new guidance will give them information and reassurance. But how do the army of women working to provide care in care homes and care to vulnerable adults in their own homes feel? You may have heard us on Tuesday talk about the sad expectation that violence within the home is likely to increase because of our current lock-down.
One way of alerting emergency services that you're in trouble is by using the code 55 on the phone. Lucy Hadley from Women's Aid explains how it works.In 1953 pioneering journalist Anne Scott-James started to write a weekly column for the Sunday Express newspaper. 'The Anne Scott-James Page' set the bar for a new way of writing. She perfected the art of the short, sharp column - filled with her views on men, children, fashion, beauty and anything else that took her fancy. Anne’s daughter, the writer Clare Hastings, provides an insight into the first female star of London's Fleet Street. In today’s Woman's Hour Corona Diaries, we hear from Pauline in Morecambe. She tells Jane how if you live alone but aren’t classified as vulnerable, it’s easy to slip through the net when you need a helping hand.Is isolation the perfect time to experiment with your hair? Or a reason to leave well alone until it’s in the hands of a professional? We discuss DIY hair care - the Dos and the definitely DON'Ts. Tanya Harrison is the founder of Harrison Hair Studio in Liverpool. She’s set up a virtual hair clinic for her clients and tells us what kind of questions they’ve had and shares some tips if you’re eager to have a go yourself.Presenter – Jane Garvey
Producer – Sarah Crawley
Guest – Margaret Hodge MP
Guest – Christina McAnea
Guest - Lucy Hadley
Guest – Pauline Vaughan
Guest – Tanya Harrison
Guest – Clare Hastings

Apr 2, 2020 • 44min
Women in detention; Kayleigh Llewellyn; Regula Ysewijn; Corona diary – Angela Crawford
With the government announcement that low risk, pregnant women prisoners, and those in mother and baby units are to be released we hear from Dr Kate Paradine, Chief Executive of Women in Prison and Natasha Walter, Director of Women for Refugee Women. They discuss their concerns and reveal the fears of women in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, where a COVID 19 case has already been confirmed.Coronavirus has finally reached the Outer Hebrides. So for our second instalment of the Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, Jenni speaks to Angela Crawford from the Isle of Lewis. How is this news affecting island life? What does social distancing look like in one of the more remote parts of the UK? And how do people feel about supplies and medical care away from the mainland? Kayleigh Llewyellyn is the writer and creator of a new BBC comedy drama series In My Skin. Based on her own story of her childhood years in Wales, it follows 16 year Bethan as she negotiates her school life, sexuality, and hiding her mother’s mental illness from her friends and teachers. She’s also one of the writers on the fourth series of Killing Eve. She joins Jenni to discuss.Regula Ysewijn’s new book ‘Oats in the North, Wheat from the South’ is a love letter in recipes to the history and heritage of British baking culture. Each of the recipes are accompanied by stories of landscape, legends and traditions of Great Britain. Regula joins Jenni to talk about how the diverse climate of the British Isles influenced the growth of cereal crops and the development of a rich regional baking identity.Presenter - Jenni Murray
Producer – Sarah Crawley
Guest - Dr Kate Paradine
Guest - Natasha Walter
Guest - Angela Crawford
Guest - Kayleigh Llewyellyn
Guest - Regula Ysewijn


