TODAY’S RADIO

Mastertapes 3.30PM, RADIO 4

Shirley Collins brought out an album of traditional songs in 1970, called Love, Death And The Lady. Austin John Marshall, her husband at the time, produced the album, and the unhappy state of their marriage cast a shadow over the recording. Most of the songs are dark, and one of them, The Oxford Girl, is downright creepy. The tracks reflected Shirley’s unhappy frame of mind, causing the singer to remark: ‘It wasn’t easy music to listen to – I’m surprised anybody bought it at all.’ Shirley talks to John Wilson, and takes questions from a studio audience about the album. Don’t Log Off 4PM, RADIO 4

Hank lives in Arkansas, and plays the harp; he would occasionally get in touch with the broadcaster Alan Dein to talk about his life and his wife, Norma. Then, Hank and Brian Cox (11pm, Radio 4) Norma’s life took a bad turn. Hank had to have heart surgery, and Norma was diagnosed with cancer. Hank started to record every detail of the couple’s life, including poor Norma’s final hours. This afternoon, we hear Hank telling his story to Alan in a moving interview. File On 4 8PM, RADIO 4

The Brexit vote has been a boon to some businesses – such firms, many of them operating on Britain’s high streets, are aiding illegal migrants. In this programme, we hear an undercover reporter getting advice on how to get hold of fake documents, and an outwardly respectable firm offering to produce documentation to circumvent the UK’s immigration rules. The Infinite Monkey Cage 11PM, RADIO 4

The fundamental laws of nature and physics apply across the cosmos – and in a humble cup of tea. In a new series of the comedy science show, Brian Cox and Robin Ince give an informed but entertaining account of the science of everyday life. Listen To The Band 11.30PM, RADIO 2

Frank Renton has a stack of new albums from the world of brass band music to play tonight, including work from Philip Sparke (Of Myths And Monsters) and a new CD from tuba star Les Neish. SJ