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Episode 17

Episode 17 of 19

Sian Williams and an opinionated and informed panel of guests get to the heart and soul of the big stories of the week.

1 hour

Programme 17, 2nd November 2014

For centuries Britons have travelled the world either on military campaigns, exploring or just sheer wanderlust.ÌýÌý In the course of those global wanderings, they collected objects – sometimes of great value or significance – that were duly brought home.Ìý Many such treasures have ended up in British museums, including the Elgin Marbles.Ìý There have been calls for them and others to be returned to their countries of origin. Should they be returned or is the UK the best place for them?

That is our vote this week :ÌýShould Britain return its historic treasures?ÌýÌýÌýÌý

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Also in the programme:Ìý The coming week is for remembering. Remembering the 453 British servicemen and women who died in the campaign inÌý Afghanistan and, in seven days, Remembrance Sunday, whenÌý the nation salutes the fallen across the generations. In particular, this year of course - on the 100th anniversary of its outbreak - the nearly one million members of British and Commonwealth forces killed in the First World War. But whilst we rightly honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, what of the ethos that drives us to conflictÌý and how we deal with its aftermath.ÌýÌýIs war glorified?

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Parish churches are aÌýsymbol of the English countryside.Ìý But with empty pews and spirallingÌýmaintenanceÌýcosts, theÌýexistence of many is being questioned.ÌýThe Church of EnglandÌýisÌýselling 20 a year.Ìý Should they be preserved as part of our heritage, orÌýShould the Church of England downsize?

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And,ÌýSian speaks toÌýAdil RayÌýthe creator and star of Britain’s first Muslim sitcom,ÌýCitizen Khan.Ìý He talks about his family, faith and Ìýcreating that self-appointed pillar of the community, Mr Khan.

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The panel of guests joining Sian Williams includes:Ìý former newsreader Michael Buerk; Ìýtheologian Francesca Stavrakopoulou; novelist Kishwar Desai; Ìýformer British Army officer Major Tim Cross; Sikh treasure hunter Davinder Toor; and Canon of Exeter Cathedral Anna Norman Walker. Ìý

Credit

Role Contributor
Presenter Sian Williams

Broadcast

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