Angelique Kidjo, John Browne, Helen Kirwan-Taylor, Oliver Horovitz

06/04/14 • 41 min

Libby Purves meets St Andrews golf caddie Oliver Horovitz; Lord John Browne of Madingley; artist and journalist Helen Kirwan-Taylor and singer and activist Angelique Kidjo.

A golfer and caddie since the age of 12, Oliver Horovitz decided to spend his gap year at the University of St Andrews before going to Harvard. In his book, An Amerian Caddie in St Andrews, he tells how he joined the caddie training programme on the Old Course of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews. An American Caddie in St Andrews is published by Elliot and Thompson.

John Browne (Lord Browne of Madingley) was CEO of BP from 1995 until 2007. His book, The Glass Closet - Why Coming Out is Good Business, examines the risks and rewards of coming out in business. The book explores his own experience as a closeted gay man in the oil industry and features interviews with gay and lesbian people who tell different stories of working for corporations around the world. The Glass Closet - Why Coming Out is Good Business is published by WH Allen.

Helen Kirwan-Taylor is an artist and journalist. She was introduced to art as a form of therapy to help her cope with the death of her sister who was killed in 1973. Helen's solo exhibition, WORDS, features word sculptures and prints and is inspired by language and the etymology of words. The pieces use cardboard, wood, glass, leather and draw on influences from psychology, art, fashion and literature. WORDS is at Themes and Variations in Notting Hill, London.

Angelique Kidjo is a Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and activist from West Africa. She is performing at The Other Ball in aid of the charity Arms Around the Child. She's also appearing at the EFG London Jazz Festival later in the year. Her latest album Eve - released on 429 Records - celebrates the power of African women, particularly the women she grew up with in her native Benin.

Producer: Paula McGinley.

Libby Purves meets St Andrews golf caddie Oliver Horovitz; Lord John Browne of Madingley; artist and journalist Helen Kirwan-Taylor and singer and activist Angelique Kidjo.

Producer: Paula McGinley.

Previous Episode

Sir Roy Strong; Venetia Williams; Polly Bolton; Marcus Brigstocke

Libby Purves meets Sir Roy Strong; comic Marcus Brigstocke; horsewoman Venetia Williams and singer Polly Bolton at the Hay-on-Wye Festival.

Venetia Williams is a horse trainer who specialises in National Hunt Racing. A keen and successful amateur jockey in her youth, Venetia achieved ten jump-racing wins between 1986 and 1988 during which time she also rode in the Grand National. In 1988 Venetia's race-riding career ended following a near-fatal fall in which she sustained a broken neck. Unable to ride, she progressed into the art of training. In 2009 she trained 100/1 shot Mon Mome to win the Grand National.

Sir Roy Strong is an historian, lecturer, columnist and writer. He was director of the National Portrait Gallery from 1967 to 1973 and of the Victoria and Albert Museum from 1974 to 1987. His new book Remaking A Garden - The Laskett Transformed is the story of how he remodelled his renowned garden as a tribute to his late wife. Remaking A Garden - The Laskett Transformed by Sir Roy Strong with photographs by Clive Boursnell is published by Frances Lincoln.

Marcus Brigstocke is a comedian, actor and writer. Winner of the BBC's New Comedy Award in 1996, his new show Je M'accuse explores elements of his life. The show highlights his stints as a podium dancer and oil rig worker to his childhood eating disorder and love of musical theatre.

Polly Bolton is a folk singer and song teacher. She began singing professionally in 1970 in an acoustic folk-rock band, Dando Shaft. She has recorded with singer Alan Stival and Show Of Hands. She runs singing workshops and leads community choirs and likes to experiment acoustically by singing outside - in gorges, on hillsides and by streams.

Next Episode

Rebecca Front, Tom Karen, David Pulvertaft, David Stuart MacLean

Libby Purves meets Rear Admiral David Pulvertaft, an expert on ships figureheads; designer and inventor Tom Karen; writer David Stuart MacLean and actor Rebecca Front.

Rear Admiral David Pulvertaft first developed an interest in warship figureheads during his naval service and since retiring has spent nearly 20 years researching the subject. A new exhibition at Tate Britain, British Folk Art, features examples of brightly coloured ships' figureheads including the striking HMS Calcutta. Figureheads of the Royal Navy by David Pulvertaft is published by Pen & Sword Books.

Tom Karen is an industrial designer and inventor. He was the managing director of design company Ogle Design which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Dubbed "the man who designed the Seventies," Tom is behind a range of products including the Reliant Robin; the Bond Bug; the Landspeeder from Star Wars and the Marble Run children's toy. An exhibition of Tom's work, Inspiration in 5000 Sketches, is at the University of Cambridge.

In 2002 writer David Stuart MacLean found himself on a station platform in India with no ticket, no passport and no idea of who he was. He was so agitated and tormented by hallucinations that he had to be restrained, he couldn't remember his family or what had brought him to India. In his book, The Answer to the Riddle is Me, he tells the story of this terrifying episode and his long recovery. The Answer to the Riddle is Me - A Memoir of Amnesia is published by Short Books.

Rebecca Front is a BAFTA-winning actor and writer. She is best known for her work in television comedy series such as The Thick of It and Grandma's House and dramas including Lewis and Death Comes to Pemberley. Her book, Curious - True Stories and Loose Connections, draws on experiences in her life from the near death by drowning of her father to the uninvited house guest who refused to leave. Curious - True Stories and Loose Connections is published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson.

Producer: Paula McGinley.