A novelist, a racehorse trainer, a swimmer and film star, a key figure in the Warsaw Pact and 'the fastest granny on water'
Matthew Bannister on novelist Iain Banks, racehorse trainer Sir Henry Cecil, swimmer and film star Esther Williams and the powerboat racing Countess of Arran.
Matthew Bannister on
The Scottish novelist Iain Banks - author of The Wasp Factory and The Crow Road - who also wrote science fiction
Sir Henry Cecil - one of the most successful flat racing trainers of recent times. Willie Carson pays tribute.
Hollywood's swimming superstar Esther Williams,
Marshall Viktor Kulikov - one of the last of the Soviet military commanders. He played a key role in the crisis that led to martial law being imposed in Poland.
And the Countess of Arran - a powerboat racer known as the fastest woman on water. She reached 103 miles per hour in a rocket-like boat on Lake Windermere in 1980.
Last on
Iain Banks
Matthew听spoke to the playwright Maxton Walker and live in the studio to Nick Barley, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Born 16 February 1954; died 9 June 2013 aged 58.
Sir Henry Cecil
Matthew spoke to the former jockey Willie Carson and to the 大象传媒鈥檚 horse racing correspondent, Cornelius Lysaght.
Born 11 January 1943; died 11 June 2013 aged 70.Esther Williams
Film writer Karen Krizanovich pays tribute.
Born 8 August 1921; died 6 June 2013 aged 91.Viktor Kulikov
Matthew spoke to The Independent鈥檚 former Moscow correspondent Rupert Cornwell.
Born 5 July 1921; died Moscow 28 May 2013 aged 91.The Countess of Arran
Last Word spoke to her son, the Earl of Arran and to power boat expert John Puddifoot.
Born 20 July 1918; died 16 May 2013 aged 94.听
听
Rory Morrison
Born 5 August 1964; died 11 June 2013 aged 48.
Credit
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Matthew Bannister |
Broadcasts
- Fri 14 Jun 2013 16:00大象传媒 Radio 4
- Sun 16 Jun 2013 20:30大象传媒 Radio 4
Podcast
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Last Word
Radio 4's weekly obituary programme
