Songs of Praise

Eyam (2020x29)

Uitzenddatum: Jul 19, 2020

Rev Kate Bottley visits Eyam in Derbyshire, where 355 years ago residents took the brave decision to lock down their village to prevent the spread of the bubonic plague, saving countless lives across the rest of northern England. Local historians Francine Clifford and Owen Roberts describe how this act of self-sacrifice was inspired by two rival clergymen in an act of unity. The current rector, Rev Mike Gilbert, explains how the church’s current activities have striking parallels with the past and reads the moving letter his 17th-century predecessor William Mompesson wrote after his wife’s death from the plague. In the city of Derby, Sean Fletcher meets Julio Abraham, whose charity, Derby City Mission, is at the forefront of helping the city’s homeless people in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Kate hears how recovered addict Sam is using faith and furniture-making to help redeem the lives of others. Hymns and songs, recorded before lockdown, come from St John the Baptist Church, Tideswell in Derbyshire, also known as the Cathedral of the Peak, as well as other UK churches.