Two hundred people - women of seventy, boys of seventeen - spread over two measured acres of sandy beach and digging like mad through a hot summer's day. From time to time they had to be forced to rest, because their muscles, old and young, were driv

British Rail launched its new ‘HST’ high-speed train service – the fastest diesel trains in the world. Reporter Lucy Mathen jumped on board for a preview, enjoying a cuppa on the way, and arriving four minutes early into Cardiff.

On 28 August this year, a very special 50th anniversary celebration took place in a tiny, remote island group 110 miles off the west coast of Scotland. The last of the St Kildans returned to the island of their birth, some for the first time since it

British parents spend £200 million a year on toys. How much do their children get out of it? What are the best toys for children at various points in their development? Judith Davis investigates.

The science programme for children reports on AARON, an artificial intelligence program which can create paintings.

Pete Postlethwaite, star of the film Brassed Off explained how he prepared for playing the role of a colliery band leader, when in real life he couldn’t read music. The film which told the story of the fictional Grimley Colliery Band, used musicians

Dame Esther Rantzen, broadcaster, campaigner and charity founder, has died aged 86.

"A lot of friends will be sad to see the end of these trips on the Fifies."

"The most serious threat to Windows may not be from the regulators, but from real competition."

When she was eighteen, Jocelyn Secchi wanted to be an actress. Her father is a solicitor, her mother runs a hairdressing business, and they live in a cottage near Lymington in the New Forest. Jocelyn was educated at a convent, a boarding school, and

"Bridge has a reputation for being an extremely difficult game, but in fact it's not - it's mostly a rather simple game, much muddied by mystique."

Only a century ago, many of the sounds we now take for granted as music could not even have been imagined - let alone played. Today, synthesisers, computers and multitrack recording techniques give the composer amazing scope and freedom.

One day last week, some 6,000 firefighters from all over the country converged on the Houses of Parliament, demanding an enquiry into the Fire Service.

🪟 Which window will it be?

That's Life! reports from Teignmouth in Devon, where the council's new bin collection policy has drawn the ire of local residents.

Dudley born Lenny Henry, star of the sit-com Chef! gave professional chef John Burton-Race a crash course on how to make, and eat, a west midlands speciality - the Balti.

Grapevine follows a group of teenagers in Nottingham who - in a bid to stave off boredom, stay out of trouble and give young people in the area something to do and somewhere to go - have started campaigning for their own youth centre on the Ainsley E

The launch of BBC Two in April means that many British viewers now have a choice of three television channels, making a television set a more desirable purchase than ever before, but also a more complicated one. If you are thinking of buying a televi

"All this land of South Armagh is a countryside of mystery and magic and wonder."

Your future is being created now - for better or for worse?

*This programme contains attitudes of it's time.*

"Our product development routines are really scientific routines, and although we do employ a certain amount of art in choosing flavours and textures, we are really working to a scientific plan."

"The team that beat mighty Burnley, and humiliated even mightier Leeds."

“Smoother driving is the best way of driving.”

James Burke introduces a report on the use of computer aided design by architects in California. Narrated by Derek Cooper.

Whilst promoting his latest film ‘Good Morning Vietnam’, actor Robin Williams talked about growing up with British comedy thanks to his father, and his appreciation of comedians like Morecambe and Wise.

"Job sharing - where two people split one full-time job between them - enables people like Eddie and Susie to combine the complexities of home life and bringing up children with a career."

'Skylark'- Cecil Duston - is a stonemason who works the cream-white building stone from quarries which scar his home of Portland at the southernmost tip of Dorset. Years ago he helped to reface London's Regent Street, more recently to create our new

*Warning: This programme is of its time. Stunts featured should not be replicated under any circumstances.*

Your future is being created now - for better or for worse?

The War of the Roses comes to the mining village of Cudworth near Barnsley, as native Lancastrian Russell Harty meets Yorkshireman Michael Parkinson, for a trip back to his roots.

“We used to get about 90 pence for three hours work…”

"These are tough maidens... you can't fix the floor - that stays hard, routines or no routines."

"A day that I'll never forget for the rest of my life!"

At just twelve years of age, Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan became the 35th hereditary chief of the Clan MacLennan. The Lowdown follows young Ruairidh as MacLennans from all around the world come to support their new chief at a stirring clan gather

*WARNING: This film contains distressing scenes. Viewers may find this film frightening and upsetting*

Each year, from March to October, 250 painters set about the task of painting the nation's electricity pylons. The work is uncomfortable and carries considerable health risks. Kirkham Jackson's film follows a team of four painters who remain undeterr

What sort of jobs are there for girls in a modern self-service store, and how do you get one? The BBC film unit goes to a grocery store in a New Town to find out.

After beginning a career as a journalist in New York, Gloria Steinem founded Ms. Magazine, a feminist publication which focused on women’s experiences and concerns, from equal pay to fighting discrimination.

"Where Kent clasps Essex in a concrete handshake, ninety feet beneath the Thames."

John Noakes and Valerie Singleton demonstrate Auto Tutor, a new driving simulator - "a car you can drive without moving an inch" - that has been designed as a driving aid for learner drivers.

Tony Wilkinson reports on Reuben Reubens, an avid collector of hundreds of banjos who, ironically, can't find time to learn how to play one. Poor Doreen.

The Lowdown, a documentary strand for young people, follows the progress of the latest intake of boys at the Football Association's School of Excellence at Lilleshall, Shropshire.

An examination of the world of the Nun.

The silicon chip, unnoticed by most of us a few years ago, is now something everybody has heard about, few understand and many are beginning to fear. Is it really the basis for a revolution as profound as the industrial revolution? And what kind of r

Film on the subject of "growing up" in Scotland during the first half of the twentieth century, as remembered by Mary Baxter, Jean Gray, Finlay J. Macdonald, Jimmy Reid and Billy Connolly.

*Contains upsetting scene*

"Liverpool had the Beatles, London had Carnaby Street, Manchester is now flying the fashion heights with the flares."

During an interview in 1983, Dolly talked about how her religious family reacted to her iconic sense of style, and her hopes that she will carry on doing as she pleases into later life.

Villagers in Bonsall, Derbyshire were attending a 21st birthday party with a difference. The celebrations were for a much loved Morris Minor 1000 which was still going strong, and apparently wanted to visit France.