Growing Pains

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20171021

20210717 (BBC7)

Grace Dent slams the door and locks herself in her teenage bedroom.

Where better to rifle through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience?

Grace reminisces about the daily heartbreak and arguments of her own teenage years growing up in 1970s Carlisle.

She investigates what it was really like for the teenage boys she thought had it so easy. BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake paints a portrait of his own formative years.

Young Adult author Steven Camden goes back to the park to conjure up memories of adolescent boredom and longing.

We visit Ambridge over the decades to see how teenagers have been portrayed in The Archers on BBC Radio 4.

And Grace persuades some real life teenagers to explain their lives, lingo and of course mobile phones to her.

Along the way - with a few teenage stroppy tantrums - Grace dips into archives:

* Too Old To Rock and Roll, Too Young To Die

Documentary made by Sara Conkey in 1995, featuring the reminiscences of people who were teenagers during the Blitz

(Clips from 'Casablanca' and 'Gone With The Wind' Courtesy of Turner International)

* I Capture The Castle

Part 1 of Jane Rodgers adaptation of Dodie Smith's classic novel, starring Holliday Grainger as Cassandra Mortmain

* My Teenage Diary

Richard Herring opens up his teenage diary for Rufus Hound

* Summer with Monika

Dramatisation of Roger McGough's iconic poem about young love in the 1960's. Starring Mark McGann and Katy Carmichael.

Producer: Jessica Treen

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2017.

Grace Dent goes back to her awkward teenage years with help from the BBC archives.

From Cumbria To Ambridge

20171001

20191002 (BBC7)
20230121 (BBC7)
20230122 (BBC7)
20250104 (BBC7)
20250105 (BBC7)

Author and journalist Grace Dent locks herself in her teenage bedroom and rifles through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience.

She reminisces about the heartbreak and arguments that were an everyday part of her own teenage years growing up in Carlisle in the 1970s

Then Grace discovers what it was really like for the teenage boys she thought had it so easy, asking BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake to paint a portrait of his own formative years.

In the first of three episodes, Grace also features programmes from the BBC archives.

* ‘Too Old To Rock and Roll, Too Young To Die

* A documentary made by Sara Conkey in 1995, featuring the reminiscences of people who were teenagers during the Blitz.

* Teenage traumas and tantrums from ‘The Archers'.

Producer: Jessica Treen

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra. First broadcast in October 2017.

Grace Dent goes back to her awkward teenage years with help from the BBC archives.

Grace Dent celebrates the awkward, emotional, and unavoidable experience of adolescence.

Grace Dent rifles through the BBC radio archives to celebrate the experiences of the adolescent. From 2017.

[LISTEN NOW]

Teamwork

19890314

20230926 (BBC7)
20230927 (BBC7)

Pat fancies the idea of fostering children.

But can she convert her husband Tom and family to her way of thinking?

Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce.

Steve Wetton's six-part series featuring the Hollingsworth family.

Carpet salesman Tom and wife Pat have three children, Mark [15], Lisa [14] and Simon [12]. Pat, her older sister, Miriam - a lecturer - and their mother moved south from Yorkshire 25 years previously.

With no plans to have more children of her own, and no means of income, Pat feels that fostering may be the way forward.

Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks

Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce

Gran - Jean Heywood

Miriam - Jacqueline Tong

Mark - Richard Pearce

Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss

Simon - Nicholas Delve

Caroline Thornley - Susan Sheridan

Pat fancies the idea of fostering. But can she convert her family to her way of thinking?

Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering.

Getting It Together

19890321

20231003 (BBC7)
20231004 (BBC7)

The Hollingsworths are still debating whether to foster children.

Tom and Pat think they need to try and share more interests. Meanwhile, who is the mystery man who visits Gran every week..?

Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce.

Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family.

Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks

Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce

Gran ... Jean Heywood

Miriam - Jacqueline Tong

Mark - Richard Pearce

Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss

Simon ... Nicholas Delve

Producer Lissa Evans

Tom and Pat want to strengthen their marriage by doing more things together.

Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering.

I Capture The Castle

20191009

20230128 (BBC7)
20230129 (BBC7)
20230202 (BBC7)
20250111 (BBC7)
20250112 (BBC7)

Grace Dent locks herself in her teenage bedroom and rifles through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience.

She reminisces about the heartbreak and arguments that were an everyday part of her own teenage years growing up in Carlisle in the 1970s.

In the second of three episodes, Grace dips into the BBC Archives and come up with one of her favourite depictions of adolescence:

* 'I Capture The Castle

The first part of Jane Rodgers' adaptation of Dodie Smith's classic novel, starring Holliday Grainger.

In the ruins of medieval castle, deep in rural 1930's Suffolk, funny, intelligent 17 year old Cassandra Mortmain attempts to capture her family's life in a journal.

From BBC Radio 4 in 2015.

Producer: Jessica Treen

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra. First broadcast in October 2017.

Grace Dent goes back to her awkward teenage years with help from the BBC archives.

Grace Dent celebrates the awkward, emotional, and unavoidable experience of adolescence.

Grace Dent rifles through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience.

In the ruins of a medieval castle, deep in rural 1930's Suffolk, funny, intelligent 17 year old Cassandra Mortmain attempts to capture her family's life in a journal.

From BBC Radio 4 (2015).

[LISTEN NOW]

Secrets

19890328

20231010 (BBC7)
20231011 (BBC7)

Pat and Tom are at the final interview stage for fostering, but are haunted by secrets...

Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce.

Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family, who feel fostering may be their way forward.

Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks

Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce

Gran - Jean Heywood

Caroline - Susan Sheridan

Mark - Richard Pearce

Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss

Simon - Nicholas Delve

Carol Turner - Marcia King

Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering.

Pat and Tom hit the final interview stage for fostering, but are haunted by secrets. Stars Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. From 1989.

Teenage Diary And Summer With Monika

20191016

20230204 (BBC7)
20230205 (BBC7)
20230209 (BBC7)
20250118 (BBC7)
20250119 (BBC7)

Grace Dent locks herself in her teenage bedroom for one last time, and rifles through the BBC Archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience.

Grace concludes reminiscing about the heartbreak and arguments that were an everyday part of her own teenage years growing up in Carlisle in the 1970s.

She takes Young Adult author Steven Camden back to the park to conjure up memories of adolescent boredom and longing and persuades some real-life teenagers to explain their lives, lingo and of course mobile phones to her.

In the last of three episodes, Grace dips into the BBC Archives and come up with one of her favourite depictions of adolescence:

* 'My Teenage Diary

Richard Herring opens up his teenage diary for Rufus Hound

* 'Summer with Monika

Dramatisation of Roger McGough's iconic poem about young love in the 1960s.

Starring Mark McGann and Katy Carmichael.

Producer: Jessica Treen

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra. First broadcast in October 2017.

Grace Dent goes back to her awkward teenage years with help from the BBC archives.

Grace Dent celebrates the awkward, emotional, and unavoidable experience of adolescence.

Grace Dent rifles through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience.

[LISTEN NOW]

Trial And Error

19890404

20231017 (BBC7)
20231018 (BBC7)

Sudden news from the fostering agency sends Pat into a spin along with the smooth running of the household.

Tom's pub quiz and Mark's romantic hopes are also up in the air.

Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce.

Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family, who feel fostering may be their way forward.

Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks

Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce

Gran - Jean Heywood

Miriam - Jacqueline Tong

Caroline Thornley - Susan Sheridan

Mark - Richard Pearce

Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss

Simon - Nicholas Delve

Rebecca - Cara Kelly

Quiz compere - Dominic Rickhards

Pat's dream comes true - and she is all consuming - while Mark makes romantic plans.

Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering.

Pat's priority is her new arrival and everyone feels put out. Mark tries to arrange a secret date. Stars Sharon Duce. From 1989.

Better Luck Next Time

19890411

20231024 (BBC7)
20231025 (BBC7)

Will Pat and Tom be able to deal with the emotions of fostering their first baby?

Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce.

Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family, who feel fostering may be their way forward.

Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks

Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce

Gran - Jean Heywood

Miriam - Jacqueline Tong

Caroline Thornley - Susan Sheridan

Mark - Richard Pearce

Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss

Simon - Nicholas Delve

Miss Crabbe - Melinda Walker

Nurse - Eva Stuart

Careers Officer - Simon Cuff

Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering.

Will Pat and Tom be able to deal with the emotions of fostering their first baby? Stars Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. From 1989.

Room For One More

19890418

20231031 (BBC7)
20231101 (BBC7)

A new fostering challenge for Pat and Tom.

Not a baby, but a 13 year old boy called Jason.

Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce.

Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family, who feel fostering may be their way forward.

Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks

Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce

Gran - Jean Heywood

Miriam - Jacqueline Tong

Caroline Thornley - Susan Sheridan

Mark - Richard Pearce

Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss

Simon - Nicholas Delve

Jason - Christian Robinson

A new fostering challenge for Pat and Tom - and it's not a baby.

Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering.

A new fostering challenge for Pat and Tom. Not a baby, but a 13 year old named Jason. Stars Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. From 1989.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
		20171021	20210717 (BBC7)	Grace Dent slams the door and locks herself in her teenage bedroom. Where better to rifle through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience? Grace reminisces about the daily heartbreak and arguments of her own teenage years growing up in 1970s Carlisle. She investigates what it was really like for the teenage boys she thought had it so easy. BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake paints a portrait of his own formative years. Young Adult author Steven Camden goes back to the park to conjure up memories of adolescent boredom and longing. We visit Ambridge over the decades to see how teenagers have been portrayed in The Archers on BBC Radio 4. And Grace persuades some real life teenagers to explain their lives, lingo and of course mobile phones to her. Along the way - with a few teenage stroppy tantrums - Grace dips into archives: * Too Old To Rock and Roll, Too Young To Die Documentary made by Sara Conkey in 1995, featuring the reminiscences of people who were teenagers during the Blitz (Clips from 'Casablanca' and 'Gone With The Wind' Courtesy of Turner International) * I Capture The Castle Part 1 of Jane Rodgers adaptation of Dodie Smith's classic novel, starring Holliday Grainger as Cassandra Mortmain * My Teenage Diary Richard Herring opens up his teenage diary for Rufus Hound * Summer with Monika Dramatisation of Roger McGough's iconic poem about young love in the 1960's. Starring Mark McGann and Katy Carmichael. Producer: Jessica Treen Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2017. Grace Dent goes back to her awkward teenage years with help from the BBC archives.
01	From Cumbria To Ambridge	20171001	20191002 (BBC7) 20230121 (BBC7) 20230122 (BBC7) 20250104 (BBC7) 20250105 (BBC7)	Author and journalist Grace Dent locks herself in her teenage bedroom and rifles through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience. She reminisces about the heartbreak and arguments that were an everyday part of her own teenage years growing up in Carlisle in the 1970s Then Grace discovers what it was really like for the teenage boys she thought had it so easy, asking BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake to paint a portrait of his own formative years. In the first of three episodes, Grace also features programmes from the BBC archives. * ‘Too Old To Rock and Roll, Too Young To Die * A documentary made by Sara Conkey in 1995, featuring the reminiscences of people who were teenagers during the Blitz. * Teenage traumas and tantrums from ‘The Archers'. Producer: Jessica Treen Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra. First broadcast in October 2017. Grace Dent goes back to her awkward teenage years with help from the BBC archives. Grace Dent celebrates the awkward, emotional, and unavoidable experience of adolescence. Grace Dent rifles through the BBC radio archives to celebrate the experiences of the adolescent. From 2017. [LISTEN NOW]
01	Teamwork	19890314	20230926 (BBC7) 20230927 (BBC7)	Pat fancies the idea of fostering children. But can she convert her husband Tom and family to her way of thinking? Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. Steve Wetton's six-part series featuring the Hollingsworth family. Carpet salesman Tom and wife Pat have three children, Mark [15], Lisa [14] and Simon [12]. Pat, her older sister, Miriam - a lecturer - and their mother moved south from Yorkshire 25 years previously. With no plans to have more children of her own, and no means of income, Pat feels that fostering may be the way forward. Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce Gran - Jean Heywood Miriam - Jacqueline Tong Mark - Richard Pearce Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss Simon - Nicholas Delve Caroline Thornley - Susan Sheridan Pat fancies the idea of fostering. But can she convert her family to her way of thinking? Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering.
02	Getting It Together	19890321	20231003 (BBC7) 20231004 (BBC7)	The Hollingsworths are still debating whether to foster children. Tom and Pat think they need to try and share more interests. Meanwhile, who is the mystery man who visits Gran every week..? Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family. Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce Gran ... Jean Heywood Miriam - Jacqueline Tong Mark - Richard Pearce Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss Simon ... Nicholas Delve Producer Lissa Evans Tom and Pat want to strengthen their marriage by doing more things together. Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering.
02	I Capture The Castle	20191009	20230128 (BBC7) 20230129 (BBC7) 20230202 (BBC7) 20250111 (BBC7) 20250112 (BBC7)	Grace Dent locks herself in her teenage bedroom and rifles through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience. She reminisces about the heartbreak and arguments that were an everyday part of her own teenage years growing up in Carlisle in the 1970s. In the second of three episodes, Grace dips into the BBC Archives and come up with one of her favourite depictions of adolescence: * 'I Capture The Castle The first part of Jane Rodgers' adaptation of Dodie Smith's classic novel, starring Holliday Grainger. In the ruins of medieval castle, deep in rural 1930's Suffolk, funny, intelligent 17 year old Cassandra Mortmain attempts to capture her family's life in a journal. From BBC Radio 4 in 2015. Producer: Jessica Treen Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra. First broadcast in October 2017. Grace Dent goes back to her awkward teenage years with help from the BBC archives. Grace Dent celebrates the awkward, emotional, and unavoidable experience of adolescence. Grace Dent rifles through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience. In the ruins of a medieval castle, deep in rural 1930's Suffolk, funny, intelligent 17 year old Cassandra Mortmain attempts to capture her family's life in a journal. From BBC Radio 4 (2015). [LISTEN NOW]
03	Secrets	19890328	20231010 (BBC7) 20231011 (BBC7)	Pat and Tom are at the final interview stage for fostering, but are haunted by secrets... Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family, who feel fostering may be their way forward. Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce Gran - Jean Heywood Caroline - Susan Sheridan Mark - Richard Pearce Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss Simon - Nicholas Delve Carol Turner - Marcia King Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering. Pat and Tom hit the final interview stage for fostering, but are haunted by secrets. Stars Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. From 1989.
03	Teenage Diary And Summer With Monika	20191016	20230204 (BBC7) 20230205 (BBC7) 20230209 (BBC7) 20250118 (BBC7) 20250119 (BBC7)	Grace Dent locks herself in her teenage bedroom for one last time, and rifles through the BBC Archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience. Grace concludes reminiscing about the heartbreak and arguments that were an everyday part of her own teenage years growing up in Carlisle in the 1970s. She takes Young Adult author Steven Camden back to the park to conjure up memories of adolescent boredom and longing and persuades some real-life teenagers to explain their lives, lingo and of course mobile phones to her. In the last of three episodes, Grace dips into the BBC Archives and come up with one of her favourite depictions of adolescence: * 'My Teenage Diary Richard Herring opens up his teenage diary for Rufus Hound * 'Summer with Monika Dramatisation of Roger McGough's iconic poem about young love in the 1960s. Starring Mark McGann and Katy Carmichael. Producer: Jessica Treen Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra. First broadcast in October 2017. Grace Dent goes back to her awkward teenage years with help from the BBC archives. Grace Dent celebrates the awkward, emotional, and unavoidable experience of adolescence. Grace Dent rifles through the BBC Radio archives to celebrate the awkward, emotional, and unfortunately inevitable adolescent experience. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Trial And Error	19890404	20231017 (BBC7) 20231018 (BBC7)	Sudden news from the fostering agency sends Pat into a spin along with the smooth running of the household. Tom's pub quiz and Mark's romantic hopes are also up in the air. Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family, who feel fostering may be their way forward. Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce Gran - Jean Heywood Miriam - Jacqueline Tong Caroline Thornley - Susan Sheridan Mark - Richard Pearce Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss Simon - Nicholas Delve Rebecca - Cara Kelly Quiz compere - Dominic Rickhards Pat's dream comes true - and she is all consuming - while Mark makes romantic plans. Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering. Pat's priority is her new arrival and everyone feels put out. Mark tries to arrange a secret date. Stars Sharon Duce. From 1989.
05	Better Luck Next Time	19890411	20231024 (BBC7) 20231025 (BBC7)	Will Pat and Tom be able to deal with the emotions of fostering their first baby? Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family, who feel fostering may be their way forward. Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce Gran - Jean Heywood Miriam - Jacqueline Tong Caroline Thornley - Susan Sheridan Mark - Richard Pearce Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss Simon - Nicholas Delve Miss Crabbe - Melinda Walker Nurse - Eva Stuart Careers Officer - Simon Cuff Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering. Will Pat and Tom be able to deal with the emotions of fostering their first baby? Stars Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. From 1989.
06	Room For One More	19890418	20231031 (BBC7) 20231101 (BBC7)	A new fostering challenge for Pat and Tom. Not a baby, but a 13 year old boy called Jason. Starring Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. Steve Wetton's series featuring the Hollingsworth family, who feel fostering may be their way forward. Tom Hollingsworth - Ray Brooks Pat Hollingsworth - Sharon Duce Gran - Jean Heywood Miriam - Jacqueline Tong Caroline Thornley - Susan Sheridan Mark - Richard Pearce Lisa - Tika Viker-Bloss Simon - Nicholas Delve Jason - Christian Robinson A new fostering challenge for Pat and Tom - and it's not a baby. Pat has to persuade husband Tom and three teenage children to consider fostering. A new fostering challenge for Pat and Tom. Not a baby, but a 13 year old named Jason. Stars Ray Brooks and Sharon Duce. From 1989.