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Episode details

Radio 4,16 Jan 2026,28 mins

Claudette Colvin, Ian Balding, Gerry Gable, Bob Weir, Juliet Robertson

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Matthew Bannister on Claudette Colvin the American civil rights campaigner who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus, nine months before Rosa Parks’ celebrated protest. Ian Balding, the racehorse trainer who saddled many winners for Queen Elizabeth II. Gerry Gable, the anti-fascist activist and co-founder of Searchlight magazine, who wasn’t afraid to break the law in his relentless pursuit of the far right. Juliet Robertson, the Scottish educationalist who was a passionate advocate for outdoor teaching. And a tribute to Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir from Don Felder of The Eagles. Interviewee: Brough Scott Interviewee: Andy Bell Interviewee: Don Felder Interviewee: David Cameron Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies Assistant Producer: Catherine Powell Researcher: Jazz George Editor: Glyn Tansley Archive used: Claudette Colvin interview, Outlook, BBC World Service, 23/02/2018; The Epsom Derby, Commentary, BBC One, 02/06/1971; Ian Balding interview, A View from the Boundary, BBC Radio 4, 26/07/2003; Gerry Gable, Witness History, BBC World Service, 12/10/2021; The Light and The Darkness War - documentary, BBC Radio 4, 16/03/1995; Life, Death and the Outdoors with Juliet Robertson, Scotland Outdoors, BBC Radio Scotland, 24/09/2025;

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