TODAY’S RADIO

Crossing Continents

11AM, RADIO 4 There were 23,468 road accidents in Mumbai in 2015, giving the city an unwanted reputation as India’s car-crash capital. Neal Razzell looks into this grim road death toll, and hears how many fatal accidents involve two-wheelers, but discovers that many other factors are at work.

The Double War

11.30AM, RADIO 4 Wallace Terry was, among other things, a church minister and a war correspondent, and he made audio recordings during the Vietnam War. Under the title Guess Who’s Coming Home, his battlefield tapes of the thoughts of black American soldiers were released by Motown. In this first of a two-part series, Alvin Hall plays recordings of black soldiers, who recall racism on the front line and the hostility many black veterans faced at home for ‘fighting the white man’s war’.

Ramblings

3PM, RADIO 4 The Devil’s Punch Bowl is a large natural amphitheatre in Surrey. There are many local legends as to how this great hollow was formed. On a bright sunny day, it’s a pretty place, but a bit of rain and mist can make it quite eerie. In this first of a new series, Clare Balding joins screenwriter David Nicholls on one of his regular walks to the Punch Bowl.

Tom Wrigglesworth’s Hang-Ups 6.30PM, RADIO 4

Tom makes his weekly call home to his parents in this comedy sketch show, and gets some worrying news.

The Full Works Concert 8PM, CLASSIC FM

Thomas Beecham wanted to create a world-class orchestra from Britain’s finest musicians. He set about getting the talent and finances for his vision and, 70 years ago today, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra gave their first public concert. Catherine Bott marks the event by playing some of the Royal Philharmonic’s finest recordings.

The Essay 10.45PM, RADIO 3

Magnolia trees have been flourishing for millions of years. They are, as Fiona Stafford explains here, among the oldest plants in the world, which may go some way towards explaining their exotic allure.

Alvin Hall (11.30am, Radio 4)