RADIO CHOICE

THE blackened ruins of Grenfell Tower seem to give their own lament when the wind picks its way through the empty windows and up and down the stairways. Mike Long, minister of Notting Hill Methodist Church, presents a GOOD FRIDAY MEDITATION (RADIO 4, 3PM) on the nature of grief and lament in the shadow of this tragedy.

RAVENS swoop and shrill around the summit of Cima Verde in northern Italy, and the high frozen slopes make their own eerie noise. Snow fields melt into the high pastures, and capercaillies’ strange courtship dance can be heard as the sun rises. A nightingale gives its last performance of the night, tawny owls hoot their goodnights as dawn arrives, and a chorus of birdsong fills the valley below. The awardwinning wildlife recordist Chris Watson captures these

sounds for

SOUNDSTAGE (RADIO 4, 3.30PM),

as night gives way to day. HENRY BLOFELD, the former cricket commentator who delivered wit, wisdom and ball-by-ball reports from the press box, has got himself a holiday job. For the next four evenings over the Easter weekend, he will be playing us music inspired by the British Isles.

BLOWERS AROUND BRITAIN (CLASSIC FM, 9PM)

will feature old favourites as less familiar works, and Henry (pictured) will also share memories of his travels and his thoughts on what makes Britain great.