Songs of Praise

Reading (2020x5)

Uitzenddatum: Feb 02, 2020

Katherine Jenkins visits Reading to discover its fascinating Christian history. She explores the ruins of Reading Abbey, once one of the finest churches in Europe, which also has an important role in the history of English music. Katherine hears how a 13th-century manuscript from Reading Abbey contains the oldest English song with musical notation to be sung as a round, and how it could be performed as both a popular song in English or as a hymn of praise in Latin. Kate Bottley visits the magnificent snowdrop gardens of Colesbourne Park in Gloucestershire. She discovers that these simple little flowers were brought to England from Europe and the Middle East by monks because they are a powerful symbol of the Christian feast of Candlemas, which is celebrated on 2 February. Members of the Reading Community Gospel Choir – who recently won the Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year competition – share what being in the choir means to them. For some, singing gospel together has completely changed their lives and brought them to faith. And finally Katherine explores an unexpected treasure in Reading Museum – a full scale replica of the Bayeux Tapestry. She meets the volunteer 'stitchers' who repair and maintain many artefacts in the museum and keep alive the same embroidery techniques used to make the original nearly 1,000 years ago. They reveal how a group of Victorian ladies from Staffordshire made the replica, and Katherine speaks to Dr Anna Henderson about the significance of the tapestry and what part faith played in the events of 1066. With many hymns and songs from Reading Town Hall, including another chance to see the winning performance from Reading Community Gospel Choir.