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Ann Widdecombe; Curtis Sittenfeld

Ann Widdecombe on her life and new autobiography Strictly Ann, plus fines for unmarried mothers in China, and American Wife author Curtis Sittenfeld talks about her latest novel.

Ann Widdecombe on her life and new autobiography, Strictly Ann. Fines for unmarried mothers in China. Curtis Sittenfeld: the author of American Wife talks about her latest novel Sisterland. Proposed changes to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders - will they make life safer for those affected? Ruth Corney on swimming in the Lady's Pond at Hampstead Heath.

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58 minutes

Chapters

  • Ann Widdecombe

    The former MP talks to Jenni about her autobiography Strictly Ann

    Duration: 09:29

  • Fines for unmarried mothers in China

    Journalist Tania Brannigan on plans to introduce fines for unmarried mothers in China

    Duration: 04:58

  • Swimming at Hampstead Heath

    Louise Adamson meets Ruth Corney who swims at Kenwood Ladies' Pond on Hampstead Heath

    Duration: 07:15

  • Curtis Sittenfeld

    Author Curtis Sittenfeld on her latest novel, Sisterland

    Duration: 08:32

  • Antisocial Behaviour

    Will a new government bill help to prevent antisocial behaviour amongst young people?

    Duration: 11:30

Ann Widdecombe

has never been afraid to voice her views about controversial subjects 鈥 she has spoken out on topics from abortion to fox hunting, and she converted to Roman Catholicism after the Church of England voted to ordain women priests. She was at the heart of Conservative politics for more than two decades 鈥 a minister in the Major government, before serving in the shadow cabinet under William Hague 鈥 and she is famed for saying there was 鈥渟omething of the night鈥 about her former boss Michael Howard, after she found herself undermined. Since then she has become known in recent years for her writing and her media work, including her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010. Jenni talks to Ann Widdecombe about her life and her new autobiography, Strictly Ann.

Strictly Ann is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Unmarried Mothers In China

Chinese authorities are planning to introduce fines for unmarried mothers - if a woman has a child with a married man they could be jointly liable for a fine of 162 000 yuan or 拢17 000. The new laws proposed by Wuhan province in central China have been very controversial. Initially only the mother would have been fined, but after protests this week, the authorities hastily reviewed their plans. So how are unmarried mothers treated in Chinese society?听The Guardian鈥檚 China Correspondent Tania Branigan has been following the story and joins Jenni from China to discuss.

Swimming At Hampstead Heath

Swimming At Hampstead Heath

In the next in our series about women and swimming, we visit North London for a dip in the Kenwood Ladies鈥 Pond on Hampstead Heath. Woman鈥檚 Hour reporter, Louise Adamson, meets up with Ruth Corney, who has taken photographs for a new book about swimming on the Heath. Ruth swims at the pond all year round, even in winter, but Louise met her on a warm Sunday morning听in听early summer.

Taking the Waters 鈥 A Swim Around Hampstead Heath by Caitlin Davies with photographs by Ruth Corney, is published by Frances Lincoln

Curtis Sittenfeld

Curtis Sittenfeld, author of American Wife, talks about her new novel, Sisterland - the story of twin sisters with psychic senses.听 Vi embraces her visions and Kate does her best to hide them, however the twins鈥 relationship flounders when Vi goes on television to predict a devastating earthquake.

Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld is published by Transworld Books

Anti-Social Behaviour

Everyone has the right to feel safe in their own homes and neighbourhoods, yet thousands of people around the country are still having their everyday lives blighted by anti-social behaviour. The government hopes to improve the situation with the new that鈥檚 currently working its way through the House of Commons. If passed, the bill seeks to put victims first, give power to local people, and streamline 19 existing powers, replacing them with six new ones. So will the new bill help to prevent anti-social behaviour amongst young people? Or will it make things worse? We hear from anti-social behaviour victim, Joanne Binns, and from Penelope Gibbs, Chair of the , and from Home Office Minister Jeremy Browne MP.

Swimming At Hampstead Heath

Swimming At Hampstead Heath
1925 postcard of Hampstead Heath 'Ladies' Pond', courtesy Michael Hammerson

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jenni Murray
Interviewed Guest Ann Widdecombe
Interviewed Guest Jeremy Browne
Interviewed Guest Joanne Binns
Interviewed Guest Curtis Sittenfeld
Interviewed Guest Penelope Gibbs
Interviewed Guest Ruth Corney
Interviewed Guest Tania Branigan
Producer Steven Williams

Broadcast

  • Thu 6 Jun 2013 10:00

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