A Teacher in Time

I was lucky with my teachers at my schools. They were interesting, capable, often kind and maintained the right sense of authority that made you want to learn. Dear Miss Richardson at my Primary who took me successfully through my 11 Plus was a huge influence and at my senior school Alfie Knott and a variety of English, Geography and Form teachers helped get the best from me.

Not all of them it has to be said. One or two were mean or only half-engaged and a couple were downright nasty (one sadistic - the upright ruler hitting on bare knuckles type) but they were in the distinct minority. Overall, my teachers did a very good job.

After leaving school and starting work, I continued to be lucky with various mentors and one, who remains a great friend, I count as the greatest professional influence on my career. I remain eternally grateful for his wisdom and guidance.

But over the last twenty five years, The best teacher I have had the great fortune to benefit from has been a much-loved voice on the radio. His weekly injection of knowledge and incredible detail from everything from ancient history to philosophy or from the solar system to the life-story of the whale, has entertained, enriched and fascinated me in countless ways.

He is, of course, Melvyn Bragg, the marvellous presenter of BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time since its inception in 1998 who has now stood down to be replaced by journalist Misha Glenny - his first show being on 15 January (2026).

Melvyn Bragg

Melvyn is a National Institution in the David Attenborough, Judi Dench mould and his tenure on In Our Time - quite apart from his huge influence with TV’s The South Bank Show and other programmes - has established him as a teacher par excellence. Every week over the show’s usual c45 minutes, supported by three hand-picked expert academics, Melvyn has taken us into the inner depths of a huge array of subjects. And at the end of every one, with his incredible energy, curiosity, gentle probing and at times a little insistence, the listener has always emerged with enough insight to handle any dinner party conversation and possibly the odd University Challenge question.

My first experience of Melvyn’s magic was in 2004 while on a long drive when he turned his attention to Tea - its origins up to how it came to be the drink of life in the UK and worldwide. I have been hooked ever since and every week there has been a new wonder to get to grips with. Books, historical figures, wars, great thinkers, art, inventions… you name it Melvyn has guided us through the how, why, what and where of it.

BBC Radio 4's In Our Time

Several years ago when Melvyn talked about In Our Time at an event on the South Bank, I spoke to him afterwards and said how important as a teacher he had been in my life. He demurred as is his character but I think he was really pleased with the compliment. I hope so because he deserves such praise and there must be very many thousands - millions? - of people up and down the country just like me who owe him so much.

If you have never had the pleasure of being taught by Melvyn and In Our Time - there must be those I suppose - then do yourself a very big favour and go back over the huge archive available on BBC Sounds. It will be a life-enhancing experience.

Good luck Micha Glenny on filling Melvyn’s shoes at the microphone - an unenviable task. How do you replace a legend?

Melvyn, despite his advancing years now, will no doubt continue to delight and inform on the radio waves in other, new programmes. I can’t wait.

In Our Time on BBC Sounds - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds

There’s a list of all the programmes from 1998 to now on Wikipedia