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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.