On Radio 4 Now

The World Tonight

The World Tonight

22:00 - 22:45

National and international news and analysis with Ritula Shah.

Coming up at: 22:45

Book at Bedtime

View full schedule

  1. BBC Radio 4
  2. Programmes
  3. Parting Shots

Parting Shots

Matthew Parris marks the passing of the valedictory despatch, the traditional final telegram home in which British ambassadors could let their hair down and settle a few scores

Programmes:
on BBC iPlayer (5)
Previous programmes:
by series (2)
by year (8)

Last on

Series 2 The sun sets on Empire

More:
programme information

Broadcast Wed, 13 Oct 2010, 11:00 on BBC Radio 4 but not available on BBC iPlayer.

3/3. Valedictory despatches from the last outposts of the British Empire. With Matthew Parris.

Available now on BBC iPlayer

  1. Listen to the latest programme

    Series 1 Episode 5

    More:
    programme information

    Listen now (15 minutes)

    Available since Tue, 17 Nov 2009.

    5/5. Matthew Parris on valedictories which embarrassed ministers.

  2. Also available

    1. Series 1 Episode 4

      More:
      programme information

      Listen now (15 minutes)

      Available since Tue, 10 Nov 2009.

      4/5. Despatches which changed the course of history.

    2. Series 1 Episode 3

      More:
      programme information

      Listen now (15 minutes)

      Available since Tue, 3 Nov 2009.

      3/5. In their valedictories, diplomats recount the hardships of foreign service.

    3. Series 1 Episode 2

      More:
      programme information

      Listen now (15 minutes)

      Available since Tue, 27 Oct 2009.

      2/5. How diplomacy requires an ambassador to see beyond the shortcomings of foreign hosts.

    4. Series 1 Episode 1

      More:
      programme information

      Listen now (15 minutes)

      Available since Tue, 20 Oct 2009.

      1/5. Valedictories in which retiring ambassadors poked fun at the nations where they had served

Coming up

Sorry, no programmes coming up.

Buzz about this programme

Discussion on Blogs

  1. "Finland is flat, freezing and far from the pulsating centres of European life"

Links are found automatically and then selected for relevancy. Find out more or report a problem.

See all buzz for Parting Shots

More from BBC Radio 4

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2012 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.