Past Forward - A Century Of Sound

Episodes

TitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
1984, Comrade Dad2022010420220114 (R4)Public historian Greg Jenner watches a BBC sitcom from the 1980s, Comrade Dad, which imagines that the British government has been taken over by Soviet Communists. He speaks to television producer and historian Taylor Downing and author Naomi Alderman about Cold War panic, Thatcher's Britain and what fictional dystopias reveal about our concerns - past and present.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Produced by Eliane Glaser for BBC Wales

Greg Jenner explores fictional dystopias past and present.

Christmas 19452022010520220121 (R4)Greg hears an archive clip from 24th December 1945 - when people in Bethnal Green were interviewed by Wynford Vaughan-Thomas about their plans for Christmas that year - for many, the first celebration with their families for several years.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Featuring historian Martin Johnes -- and Vi Davis, Gloria Lacey and Juliet Middleton.

Thanks to Dail Francois and all at the Sundial Centre, Bethnal Green.

Greg Jenner dives into the BBC archive to explore what it says about who we are now.

Dinner Is Served2022031820220321 (R4)
20220513 (R4)
Historian Greg Jenner hears an evocative fragment of archive recorded at Smithfield Market in 1935, and reflects on British food culture and supply chains then and now, with his guests, the food historian Annie Gray and Professor of Food Policy at City University Tim Lang

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Produced by Megan Jones

Greg Jenner dives into the BBC archive to explore the changes between then and now.

England V Argentina 19982022011420220506 (R4)On 30th June 1998 the news featured the build up to a certain FIFA World Cup football match - England v Argentina - on which the life and career of a young David Beckham would turn. Greg talks to Liza Betts and Jonathan Hirshler about the aftermath.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Producer: Dan Potts

Greg Jenner hears a clip from 1998 about a forthcoming football match.

Get Out Of My Pub2022032220220520 (R4)Greg Jenner looks at the evolution of the pub across the last half century, after hearing a clip from 1976 of a man saying that men ‘aren't very keen' on women joining them for a game of darts in the bar. He's joined by Dr Thomas Thurnell-Read and Rhondell Stabana, to discuss changes in drinking culture and alcohol-free bars.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Produced by Dan Potts

Greg Jenner explores the evolution of the pub across the last half century.

If People Can't Let Slip...2022011220220225 (R4)A businessman in trouble, a scandal about racist slurs recorded in secret: Greg Jenner seeks the help of Professor Steven Fielding and Sathnam Sanghera to navigate his way around a short news item from 1977.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Producer: Martin Williams

Historian Greg Jenner digs into the BBC archive.

Kitty Hart-moxon2022011120220218 (R4)Public historian Greg Jenner listens to an archive interview with the veteran Holocaust survivor Kitty Hart-Moxon and then speaks to Kitty, now aged 95. They reflect on human brutality, human survival and the importance of preserving Holocaust memories. Greg also speaks to the historian Zoe Waxman about the challenges of remembering and representing the Holocaust as the event itself fades into history.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Producer: Eliane Glaser

Greg Jenner speaks to the veteran Holocaust survivor Kitty Hart-Moxon.

Life On The Canals2022033120220702/03 (R4)Greg Jenner explores a fragment of archive about the last working canal boatmen in the 1960s, and speaks to writer Julian Dutton and boat-dwellers Jo and Vic about the new era of life on Britain's waterways.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Produced by Amelia Parker

Greg Jenner explores a fragment of archive revealing life on narrowboats in the 1960s.

Listen With Mother2022032820220611/12 (R4)Public historian Greg Jenner enjoys a clip from 1950 of the iconic radio show Listen with Mother, and reflects on the ways children's entertainment has changed since then with Professor Kate Lacey and Kay Benbow

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Producer: Megan Jones

Greg Jenner hears clips from the BBC archive and asks what they mean in 2022.

Louie Hooper Sings Lord Rendall2022032520220604/05 (R4)Greg Jenner hears a recording of the song Lord Rendall (sometimes known as Lord Randall) by Somerset folk singer Louie Hooper.

The recording was made in 1942 by the pioneering radio producer Douglas Cleverdon.

With his guests, the playwright Nell Leyshon and Tom Gray from the band Gomez, Greg explores the idea of musical ownership and how musicians are remunerated today.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Producer: Martin Williams

Greg Jenner hears a folk ballad recorded in Somerset in 1942.

Mary Whitehouse2022010620220128 (R4)Public historian Greg Jenner listens to an archive clip of Mary Whitehouse, the vocal critic of sex on screen, delves into the history of privacy with historian David Vincent, and asks to what extent private space and intimate relationships can be preserved in the digital age with writer and digital journalist Sophia Smith Galer.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Produced by Eliane Glaser for BBC Wales

Greg Jenner explores the history of privacy and intimacy on screen, at home and online.

Match Point2022011020220211 (R4)Today's jumping off point is a slither of audio from 1935.

A sports commentator, a tennis match.

Greg Jenner seeks guidance from writer and inveterate tennis fan Geoff Dyer, and then turns to Angela Carroll of Leeds University Business School, an expert on celebrity endorsement.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward alights somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Producer: Martin Williams

Greg Jenner hears a clip from 1935 featuring Fred Perry.

Omnibus 1, From Lambeth Walk To Porton Down20221125Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Presenter Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and explores the changes between then and now.

In this omnibus edition, Greg is presented with five fragments of archive. The first is from 1939 about a dance craze - The Lambeth Walk. Greg turns to Stephen Fry for help in finding out what it was and how it brought happiness to a world in crisis, and talks to choreographer Dannielle 'Rhimes' Lecointe about the freedom of collective dance. A fragment of a BBC sitcom from 1984, Comrade Dad, sparks a discussion with historian Taylor Downing and author Naomi Alderman about Cold War panic, Thatcher's Britain and what fictional dystopias reveal about the concerns of our time. Then Greg hears an interview from 24th December 1945 with people in East London about their plans for Christmas after years of war, and talks to historian Martin Johnes, and Bethnal Green residents Vi Davis, Gloria Lacey and Juliet Middleton at the Sundial Centre about celebrations past and present. A clip of the veteran campaigner Mary Whitehouse from 1982 leads Greg to delve into the history of privacy with historian David Vincent, and ask to what extent private space and intimate relationships can be preserved in the digital age with writer and digital journalist Sophia Smith Galer. Finally, he questions whether a 1962 clip of the government laboratory Porton Down tells the whole story, talking to Guardian journalist Rob Evans and Agnes Arnold-Forster about the medical ethics of the cold war era.

Greg Jenner dives into the BBC archive to explore changes over the past century.

Omnibus 220221202Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Presenter Greg Jenner hears archive clips for the first time at the top of the programme, and explores the changes between then and now.

In this omnibus edition, Greg is presented with five fragments of archive. The first is of Ernest Marples, transport minister in the 1960s, discussing the emerging challenges of car congestion and pollution in Britain's cities, and Greg speaks to the writer Lynsey Hanley and historian Joe Moran about the rise of car culture since then. On 30th June 1998 the news featured the build up to a certain FIFA World Cup football match - England v Argentina - on which the life and career of a young David Beckham would turn. Greg talks to Liza Betts and Jonathan Hirshler about the aftermath and how much we've moved on. Then Greg seeks the help of Professor Steven Fielding and Sathnam Sanghera to navigate his way around a short news item from 1977 which concerns a businessman in trouble, and a scandal about racist slurs recorded in secret. A slither of archive from 1935 references triple Wimbledon champion Fred Perry, and to find out more about him Greg talks to writer and inveterate tennis fan Geoff Dyer. Finally Greg listens to an archive interview with the veteran Holocaust survivor Kitty Hart-Moxon and then speaks to Kitty herself, now aged 95. They reflect on human brutality, human survival and the importance of preserving Holocaust memories.

Greg Jenner dives into the BBC archive to explore changes over the past century.

Omnibus 320221209Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Presenter Greg Jenner hears archive clips for the first time at the top of the programme, and explores the changes between then and now.

In this omnibus edition, Greg is presented with five fragments of archive. In the first, he hears an evocative fragment of archive recorded at Smithfield Market in 1935, and reflects on British food culture and supply chains then and now, with his guests, the food historian Annie Gray and Professor of Food Policy at City University Tim Lang. Next, a breakfast TV show leads Greg to discover a 1990 innovation that allowed blind people to access newspapers, and speaks to accessibility engineer Leonie Watson and author and disability campaigner Dr Amit Patel about the evolution and implications of digital voice technology. Then, after hearing a man in 1976 saying that men ‘aren't very keen' on women joining them for a game of darts in the bar, he's joined by Dr Thomas Thurnell-Read and Rhondell Stabana to discuss changes in drinking culture and alcohol-free bars. A fragment of 1961 sitcom Citizen James sparks a discussion with social historian Carol Dyhouse and social entrepreneur Daisy Cresswell about generational differences between teenagers and their parents. Finally, Greg hears a recording of the song Lord Rendall (sometimes known as Lord Randall) by Somerset folk singer Louie Hooper, made in 1942. With his guests, the playwright Nell Leyshon and Tom Gray from the band Gomez, Greg explores the idea of musical ownership and how musicians are remunerated today.

A BBC Wales production for Radio 4

Greg Jenner dives into the BBC archive to explore changes over the past century.

Omnibus 420221216Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Presenter Greg Jenner hears archive clips for the first time, and explores the changes between then and now.

In this omnibus edition, Greg is presented with five fragments of archive. The first is of one of the earliest editions of iconic radio show Listen with Mother from 1950, and he reflects on the ways children's entertainment has changed since then with Professor Kate Lacey and Kay Benbow. Next there's a fragment of archive about the last working canal boatmen in the 1960s, and Greg speaks to writer Julian Dutton and boat-dwellers Jo and Vic about the new era of life on Britain's waterways. To find out more about the background to a news interview with Welsh women trying to save Ebbw Vale steelworks in 1975, he talks Professor Louise Miskell about how important women were in political activism in Wales in the 1970s, and to Sophie Williams about how she approaches activism in 2022. Then a clip from a 1963 documentary about the growth in large urban redevelopment projects in the UK prompts him to unpack the past and present of such schemes with Otto Saumarez-Smith and Andrew Carter from the Centre for Cities. Finally, Greg sees a clip from the 1970s containing dour predictions for the future of the Outer Hebrides and seeks help in explaining its prognosis from Professor of Sustainable Rural Development Frank Rennie and the co-founder of the North Uist Distillery Kate Macdonald.

Greg Jenner dives into the BBC archive to explore changes over the past century.

Porton Down2022010720220204 (R4)Greg Jenner looks at a 1962 clip of the government laboratory Porton Down and asks Guardian journalist Rob Evans whether it tells the whole story, explores the medical ethics of the cold war era with Agnes Arnold-Forster, and looks at how more deferential times helped secrets to be kept for so long

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Wales

Public Historian Greg Jenner digs into the BBC Archive.

Rebuilding Britain2022032920220618/19 (R4)Greg Jenner watches a clip from a documentary from 1963 about the growth in large urban redevelopment projects in the UK and seeks assistance in unpacking the past and present of such schemes from Otto Saumarez-Smith and Andrew Carter from the Centre for Cities.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Producer: Martin Williams

A 1963 clip prompts Greg to explore the rapid rebuilding of UK town centres in that decade

Save Our Steelworks2022040120220709 (R4)Greg Jenner hears an archive clip of Welsh women trying to save Ebbw Vale steelworks in 1975. He talks Professor Louise Miskell about how important women were in political activism in Wales in the 1970s, and to Sophie Williams about how she approaches activism in 2022.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Producer: Dan Potts

Greg hears a piece of 1970s archive from Wales.

Talking Technology2022032320220527 (R4)Greg Jenner discovers a 1990 innovation that allowed blind people to access newspapers, and speaks to accessibility engineer Leonie Watson and author and disability campaigner Dr Amit Patel about the evolution and implications of digital voice technology.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Produced by Amelia Parker

[Image description: Presenter Greg Jenner stands holding a microphone - the left side of his body is styled like it's 1922, his right side 2022]

Greg Jenner looks at the evolution of digital voices and their role in accessibility.

The Corncrake And The Croft2022033020220625/26 (R4)Greg Jenner watches a clip from the 1970s containing dour predictions for the future of the Outer Hebrides and seeks help in explaining its prognosis from Professor of Sustainable Rural Development Frank Rennie and the co-founder of the North Uist Distillery Kate Macdonald.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Producer: Martin Williams

Greg Jenner watches a clip from a 1977 film about life on Uist in the Outer Hebrides

The Lambeth Walk2022010320220107 (R4)Hearing a clip from 1939 about the dance craze of the day, the Lambeth Walk, Greg Jenner turns to Stephen Fry for help in finding out what it was and how it brought happiness to a world in crisis, and talks to choreographer Dannielle 'Rhimes' Lecointe about the freedom of collective dance.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Wales

Greg Jenner dives into the BBC archive to explore what it says about who we are now.

The Teen Age2022032420220528/29 (R4)Greg Jenner hears a clip from 1961 sitcom Citizen James, and chats to social historian Carol Dyhouse and social entrepreneur Daisy Cresswell about generational differences between teenagers and their parents.

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time, and looking at how far we've come since then.

Produced by Amelia Parker

Greg Jenner examines parent-teenager conflict through the lens of a 1961 sitcom.

Traffic2022011320220429 (R4)Greg Jenner watches an archive clip of Ernest Marples, transport minister in the 1960s, discussing the emerging challenges of car congestion and pollution in Britain's cities. Greg speaks to the writer Lynsey Hanley and the historian Joe Moran about the rise of car culture in Britain. What is the particular appeal of the private car, how does the rise in car ownership relate to the rise of the environmental movement, and what is their vision for how we'll get from A to B in the future?

Marking the centenary of the BBC, Past Forward uses a random date generator to alight somewhere in the BBC's vast archive over the past 100 years. Public historian Greg Jenner hears an archive clip for the first time at the top of the programme, and uses it as a starting point in a journey towards the present day. The archive captures a century of British life in a unique way - a history of ordinary people's lives, as well as news of the great events. Greg uncovers connections through people, places and ideas that link the archive fragment to Britain in 2022, pulling in help from experts and those who remember the time - and sometimes the speakers themselves, decades later - along the way. What he discovers are stories, big and small, that reveal how the people we were have shaped the people we have become.

Producer: Eliane Glaser

Greg Jenner reflects on the history, present and future of motoring in Britain.