RADIO CHOICE

BUDDHISM is underpinned by the Four Noble Truths. The very essence of the Buddha’s teachings, they are concerned with suffering — the four are the truth of suffering, the truth of cause of suffering, the truth of end of suffering and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss these truths as A HISTORY OF IDEAS (RADIO 4, 12.04PM) continues to consider what it takes to live a ‘good life’.

RICHARD HARDING made life better for so many people. He was a consultant anaesthetist and specialist in intensive care. Despite having a happy home and family, Richard found himself in the grips of depression and, at the age of 47, committed suicide. His widow, Kate, is joined by Clare Balding on a walk along Hergest Ridge in

Herefordshire — a favourite place of Richard’s — for this week’s RAMBLINGS

(RADIO 4, 3PM). As they walk, Kate talks about her husband and about the high rate of suicide among medical professionals.

THE young Jane Birkin left England for Paris, and fell for the Gallic charm of Serge Gainsbourg. They made films and songs together, including the steamily cheesy Je T’Aime. In the first of the two-parter CARTE BLANCHE — JANE BIRKIN

(RADIO 2, 9PM), Vincent Niclo asks Jane (pictured in 1969) about her early career and her life with Gainsbourg.