Woman's Hour

Barbara Taylor Bradford; Police conduct; Knitting Banxy; Astronaut Nicole Stott


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Barbara Taylor Bradford's latest novel A Man Of Honour is a prequel to her first - the 1979 blockbuster A Woman of Substance. It's the story of Shane O'Neill who leaves County Kerry in 1899 at the age of 13 and travels to Leeds to work for his uncle. Known as Blackie on account of his dark hair and eyes, he is a handsome and ambitious grafter - and when he meets young servant Emma Harte on a foggy moor a great friendship begins. Barbara joins Emma in studio.

Misogyny and misconduct in the police force has been placed under the microscope following the murder of Sarah Everard in March. Wayne Couzens, a serving Metropolitan police officer, raped and murdered Sarah after kidnapping her in a fake arrest. Couzens is also believed to have been in a WhatsApp group with five police officers who are currently being investigated for gross misconduct, having allegedly shared "discriminatory" messages - including misogynistic content. Claire Bassett is the Deputy Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and has been leading a wider investigation into inappropriate use of group chats and social media across the police force. She says she’s found there to be a harmful “canteen culture" online.

Space tourism is now more of a reality. Last month, at the age of 90, William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in Star Trek became the oldest person to venture into space on Jeff Bezos second human spaceflight. But for millions of us it is still just a pipedream. But not for my next guest - Nicole Stott who has done it - not once but twice - first in 2009 and then in 2011. The former NASA astronaut and engineer spent over 3 months living and working on the International Space Station and travelling on the space shuttle. In her new book Back to Earth she chronicles her experience in space, and how lessons there could help people on earth. She joins Emma to describe her earthrise moment, and why we must all become crew members not passengers to fight climate change.

People living in Syston, Leicestershire have been treated to an incredible life-size knitted soldier that has appeared at the War Memorial Clock Tower. Created to honour Remembrance Day tomorrow, it is the work of the mysteriously named "Knitting Banksy", an anonymous woman who has been surprising locals with her stunning creations. Apart from the knitted soldier, she has also created 23 post box toppers, earning fans across social media and even from celebrities such as Line of Duty actor Stephen Graham. Joining Emma is Samantha Noble, reporter for BBC East Midlands Online, who's been in contact with Knitting Bansky.

Image: Barbara Taylor Bradford

Credit: Julian Dufort

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