It seems to me like I have known some of their names for ever.

I can’t remember what day of the week it was on when “the radio” was my Mums old Roberts radio (powered by batteries only slightly smaller than a housebrick) but it seems to have formed part of my radio listening and, with the demise of Letter from America, is the place I turn to when I want to listen to how words should be used.

It was no surprise to me that I came out from Stanfords bookshop in Covent Garden with an anthology of fifty years of writings from the programme. Not just a travel book From Our Own Correspondent records history and the world as it changes. From the major moments (like 9/11) to small sketches observing life on a Russian train or in an Indian bookshop From Our Own Correspondent

Most poignant to me was the report from Frank Gardener, filed the day before he was shot and his cameraman Simon Cumbers killed.

So, if you want to join me and get to know Kate Adie, Emma Jane Kirby, Tim Llewellyn and Daniel Lak visit the BBC FOOC site and listen to the show …