AROUND THE DIOCESE: BBC Songs of Praise visits Hexham

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 19, 2007

BBC One's Songs of Praise will be visiting Hexham later this year. Plans are underway for special recordings of hymns and music in Hexham Abbey at the end of October. These will form the basis for three Songs of Praise programmes from Northumberland to be broadcast in 2007 and 2008.

Members of local churches and choirs have been invited to take part in the recordings. "We're hoping for an excellent turnout of enthusiastic singers who enjoy singing hymns," said BBC producer Pamela Hossick. "We're delighted to be recording in Hexham Abbey, it's a stunning and inspiring building which I'm sure will appeal to our viewers".

The last Songs of Praise programme to come from Hexham Abbey was back in 1988. This time round the BBC will be recording a programme for Advent Sunday, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Royal School of Church Music, plus filming for two programmes about Hexham and Northumberland. The Rector of Hexham, Canon Graham Usher, said: "I am delighted that the BBC have approached us to make three Songs of Praise programmes which will celebrate both our inspiring heritage as well as the vibrancy and variety of Tynedale's Christian community." BBC researchers will also be visiting the area later in the year to find potential interviewees for the programmes, which are scheduled for broadcast in December 2007, February 2008 and May 2008. If you'd like to take part in the recordings on 30th and 31st October, there are limited tickets available. You can apply for tickets in writing to Hexham Abbey (Please write stating the names of people requiring tickets, a contact address and telephone number to: Songs of Praise Tickets, Hexham Abbey, Beaumont Street, Hexham, NE46 3EW). Children need to be over 10 due to the length of recording times. You can find out more information about Songs of Praise at: bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise

Contact Canon Graham Usher 01434 602031.