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The Last Post

Since ancient Egyptian times, Pigeon Post carried messages of love and war. Can it survive the internet? With Tim Pigott-Smith.

Since it first crossed the deserts of ancient Egypt, the Pigeon Post has been used to carry our messages of love and war.

In India there is one remaining service, defying cyclones and floods to deliver urgent police messages.

But, is the Pigeon Post is now under threat from emails and instant communication. Will it survive?

Featuring:

Dr Jean Hansell, author of ‘The Pigeon in History’
David Matthews, Senior Lecturer in Urdu at the University of London
Officers of the Orissa State Police
Members of the Orissa Philately Association

Reader: Tim Pigott-Smith

Producer: Mark Rickards

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2003.

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 23 Sep 202202:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Broadcasts

  • Thu 27 Jan 201114:30
    BBC Radio 7
  • Sat 10 Dec 201107:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 8 Jun 201307:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 20 Feb 201806:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 20 Feb 201813:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 20 Feb 201820:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 21 Feb 201801:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 22 Sep 202214:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 23 Sep 202202:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra