RADIO CHOICE

GOLF has gone into a steep decline, with many youngsters seeing it as a sport for pensioners and dodgy businessmen. Mark Hodkinson presents IN THE ROUGH: GOLF’S UNCERTAIN FUTURE (RADIO 4 (FM), 11AM), looking behind the statistics and finding out what golf clubs are doing to bring in new members.

SHAKESPEARE’S Fear No More The Heat O’ The Sun is often read at funerals, bringing consolation to mourners. Gerald Finzi set it to music, and the baritone Simon Keenlyside (pictured) opens tonight’s RADIO 3 IN CONCERT (7.30PM) with this gravely beautiful piece. Simon will be accompanied on the piano by Malcolm Martineau for songs by Finzi, Sibelius, Poulenc and Mahler.

CAROLINE HERSCHEL might have spent her life in

household drudgery if her mother had had her way. Born in Hanover in 1750, Caroline was burdened by domestic duties while just a child. Her education was patchy, but she had a talent for music and was able to join her brother, William, in Bath to pursue a career in singing. William became increasingly obsessed with astronomy, as did Caroline, who went on to become the first female professional scientist in Britain. For this week’s SCIENCE STORIES (RADIO 4, 9PM), Naomi Alderman looks at Caroline’s life and gives details of the eight comets she discovered.