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23/10/2016

To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, Aled Jones hears from two people speaking for the first time about the day that changed their lives and shocked the world.

To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, which claimed the lives of 144 people, including 116 children, Aled Jones hears from two people speaking for the first time about the day that changed their lives and shocked the world.

Music:

Love Divine from Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff
Jesu Lover of My Soul from St David's Cathedral, Cardiff
Hymn Song performed by Alexander Armstrong
Now Behold the Lamb from the Hackney Empire, London
All Through the Night from St German's Church, Cardiff
Aberfan Hymn from Morriston Tabernacle, Swansea
Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah from Tabernacle Chapel, Cardiff.

35 minutes

Last on

Sun 23 Oct 2016 16:15

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • W P Rowlands

    Love Divine

    Choir: Choir and Congregation of Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff. Conductor: Tim Rhys-Evans. Featured Artist: Sachin Gunga. Music Arranger: Paul Leddington Wright. Lyricist: Charles Wesley.

    Tune: Blaenwern Composer: W P Rowlands

  • Joseph Parry

    Jesu Lover Of My Soul

    Choir: Choir and Congregation of St David's Cathedral, Cardiff. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright. Featured Artist: Daniel Cook. Featured Artist: St. Davids Cathedral Choir. Lyricist: Charles Wesley.

    Tune: Aberystwyth Composer: Joseph Parry

  • Peter Skellern

    Hymn Song

    Featured Artist: Alexander Armstrong. Featured Artist: Simon Chamberlain. Featured Artist: Caroline Dale. Featured Artist: Andrew Parker. Featured Artist: Rita Manning. Featured Artist: Miranda Dale. Featured Artist: Amateur boy sopranos from Trinity School, Croydon.

    Composer: Peter Skellern

  • Kirk Franklin

    Now Behold The Lamb

    Conductor: Maxine Brooks. Featured Artist: Eric Jackson. Featured Artist: Birmingham Community Gospel Choir.

    Composer: Kirk Franklin

  • Trad.

    All Through The Night

    Featured Artist: Siobhan Owen. Lyricist: John Ceiriog Hughes.

    Composer: Trad

  • Robert Lowry

    Aberfan Hymn

    Conductor: Jeffrey Howard. Featured Artist: Treorchy Male Choir. Featured Artist: Huw Williams. Music Arranger: Rev. Gareth Hill.

    Tune: Dim ond Iesu Composer: Robert Lowry

  • John Hughes

    Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

    Lyricist: William Williams. Lyricist: Peter Williams.

    Tune: Cwm Rhonda Composer: John Hughes

Stories

Rev. Irving Penberthy 

Rev. Irving Penberthy was the minister of Zion Methodist Church in Aberfan at the time of the disaster, he offered prayers and support on the day of the disaster and explains how even today he copes with the emotional memories that day brings.

Alexander Armstrong

Pointless presenter Alexander Armstrong explains how important growing up as a chorister was in shaping his career. He sings Peter Skellern’s ‘Hymn Song’  accompanied by choristers from Trinity School, Croydon.

Gospel Choir of the Year 2016 

David Grant looks forward to the competition taking place at the Hackney Empire in London when 6 amateur gospel choirs from across the UK compete to win the trophy.  

Siobhan Owen

Adelaide based singer/harpist Siobhan was born in Wales in the small town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, to a Welsh father and Irish mother. A classically trained singer from the age of 9, Siobhan took up harp in 2008 after being invited by French singer/harpist Cecile Corbel (who she met on Myspace) to sing at her Adelaide Fringe Festival show. Siobhan was so inspired by Cecile’s accompaniment of her singing, that she decided she needed to learn this instrument herself! In 2010 Siobhan presented her own Adelaide Fringe Festival show "Celestial Echoes" to great acclaim.

Siobhan has produced 4 indie albums.  The latest is ‘Storybook Journey’.

 

Sheila Lewis

On 21 October 1966 after a period of heavy rain a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan moved down through the village engulfing a farm, a row of houses and a primary school. 116 children and 28 adults were killed. Sheila Lewis and her family lived in Aberfan, and on the day of the disaster, the last day of school before half term, her eldest daughter Sharon was lost.  Sheila talks to Aled recalling the day, and explaining how her faith has helped her cope in the 50 years since. 

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Aled Jones
Series Producer Matthew Napier
Producer Sian Salt

Broadcast