Woman's Hour - 17/12/2008

Presented by Jenni Murray. Sir Michael Parkinson talks to Jenni about his childhood, his career and about the women who influenced him in his life. Are we putting economic needs before our children's welfare by relying on formal childcare? Jenni is joined by the psychologist and childcare expert Dr Penelope Leach and Anna Lines from the campaign group Full Time Mothers. Jenni discusses the various guises of Fairy Godmothers with the actress Lesley Joseph and Dr. Diane Purkiss, Fellow and Tutor in English at Keble College, Oxford. Ceilidhs are currently extraordinarily popular social events, attracting huge numbers of participants of all ages. Judi Herman went along to join the dancers at Haddenham Village Hall in Buckinghamshire, accompanied by the psychologist Nadine Field. Plus drama: A Small Town Murder Crime mystery by Scott Cherry, featuring police family liaison officer Jacqui Hartwell. Jacqui disagrees with her boss, DI Long, about the identity of the killer. Jacqui ...... Meera Syal Ellen ...... Barbara Flynn DI Long ...... Maureen Beattie Neil ...... David Horovitch Heather ...... Kellie Shirley Max ...... Jo Kloska.