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Episode details

Radio 4,03 Sep 2026,57 mins

Nursery safety, Women in Norman times, Motor mechanics, Women in Film

Woman's Hour

Available for over a year

Whilst the vast majority of nurseries provide safe and caring environments, there have been a number of highly distressing cases in recent years where children have been abused or come to harm. From 1st September this year, strengthened welfare and safeguarding requirements have come into effect for early years providers in England, with the changes designed to help keep babies and young children safe. Joining Clare McDonnell to discuss are BBC investigative reporter Hayley Hassall, Jonathan Broadbery from the National Day Nurseries Association and Zoe Raven, Chief Executive of the Acorn Early Years Foundation. On Radio 4's Norman Day, we ask what it was like to live through one of the most dramatic turning points in British history and its aftermath. Historian Dr Emily A Winkler, author of Pocket Bayeux Tapestry, and author Claire Fuge whose novel The Siren's Daughter tells the extraordinary story of real-life Welsh princess Nest ferch Rhys, tell Clare what was like to be a woman in Norman Britain. Dr Louise Willcott is an NHS doctor and lifelong car enthusiast who recently launched a business, the Women’s Auto Academy, running women-only workshops teaching basic car maintenance. We talk to her and motoring journalist Maria McCarthy about the many benefits of women better understanding how our cars work. Women are being squeezed out of the film industry as they progress beyond their first films -that's according to the director of the BFI London Film Festival, Kristy Matheson. Women have directed just two of its 21 high-profile gala films this year. So what can be done to help female directors go beyond being 'one hit wonders'? Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Corinna Jones

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