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The arrival of a new Controller at Radio 4 has prompted some of the leading radio critics to ponder what changes to the schedule might be made as a result.

wonders whether we need You and Yours five days a week.

questions whether You and Yours really merits an hour each day.

That was very much an issue back in 1998 when the programme was first doubled in duration and the World at One was shortened, but these days it's rare for a listener to question our right to occupy our current place in Radio 4's daily line-up. Interestingly there were similar doubts in the Ö÷²¥´óÐã about the merits of consumer journalism when You and Yours was first introduced in 1970.

Virtually no early editions of the programme have been preserved by the Ö÷²¥´óÐã - the first complete edition in the archive was broadcast on 7th May 1971. The very first script shows presenter Joan Yorke tackling "modern" packaging, measles vaccination and buying your first home. Undeterred, by the lack of old material, we're in the process of finalising the programmes to mark our 40th anniversary. The series will be part social history and part crystal-ball gazing. And we still want to hear your reflections on the 1970-2010 period.

On Monday October 4th, it's 40 years to the day since You and Yours was born and Julian will be looking at a product which has done as much as most to transform our lives during the programme's lifetime - the telephone. In 1970 some customers were only just getting the facility to direct dial abroad - today you can use your phone to watch television or access the internet. Using your phone to call someone, is so old hat!

Next up is a similar job on travel steered by Winifred. That's due on Friday October 15th and will start from the days when a tour operator had to get government permission to offer a four day break in Majorca for just £18.

Peter will be bringing his own expertise to a programme which assesses the changes for people with a disability which will air on Wednesday October 20th. Next up is food on Thursday October 28th where Winifred will bring you farmers pleading poverty and demanding we join the EEC, plus campaigners worried about the rise and rise of the supermarket. Plus ca change!

Julian rounds up the series on Monday November 1st with a programme on energy which features concerns about a world oil crisis, an impending oil crisis and the introduction of natural gas into UK homes.

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