0:00:04 > 0:00:08Hello. It's St David's Day this week and I've come to Port Talbot,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11home to the UK's largest steelworks, where 4,000 workers
0:00:11 > 0:00:15and the wider community await news of hundreds of redundancies.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19My fears are for the young people who are currently employed there.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21They've got mortgages, they've got young families.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25It's going to be devastating. Absolutely devastating.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29And I need a former steelworker, whose recovery from a
0:00:29 > 0:00:34life-threatening accident at work was galvanised by his male voice choir.
0:00:34 > 0:00:39When I'm singing, I find the afterglow of it all creates a situation
0:00:39 > 0:00:42where I'm almost like being back in work.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45And I'm in Britain's smallest city here in Pembrokeshire, to find
0:00:45 > 0:00:50out more about St David, patron saint of Wales.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54And Diane's in Coventry to meet the stylist who offers spiritual advice,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- as well as a shampoo and set. - Make sure you do a good job!
0:01:05 > 0:01:08We've a great selection of music from across the United Kingdom,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11including from the Land of Song. It would be rude not to, wouldn't it?
0:01:11 > 0:01:14We're going to start with that famous Welsh tune named after
0:01:14 > 0:01:16the Rhondda Valley and it comes from the same church where
0:01:16 > 0:01:20almost 55 years ago, Songs Of Praise was first broadcast.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00- NEWSREEL:- Where once, the economic blizzards of former years
0:04:00 > 0:04:03swept across Port Talbot, there now emerges the Abbey steelworks.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Opened in 1951, the Port Talbot Steelworks once employed
0:04:07 > 0:04:10tens of thousands of workers.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13But today, the company has said tough actions are needed
0:04:13 > 0:04:17in difficult market conditions. Redundancies are inevitable
0:04:17 > 0:04:20to secure the long-term future of the site -
0:04:20 > 0:04:23a real concern for the people of Port Talbot.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27We don't know what's happening yet, so we'll just wait and see.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- It's terrible. - Bad, isn't it? really bad.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Personally, I think it'll be, Port Talbot will start to die again.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36The plant, owned by the multinational conglomerate, Tata,
0:04:36 > 0:04:40is estimated to be losing £1 million a week.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Workers can only wait to hear which of them will be
0:04:42 > 0:04:45affected in the coming months.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Port Talbot has been synonymous with steel for more than 60 years.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53You can see why. It's such an imposing and impressive presence here.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56You can also see why job losses would cast a long shadow
0:04:56 > 0:04:59over the community.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03750 of the 4,000 workers are at risk.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07One man facing possible redundancy is Vince Lewis,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10who can see the blast furnaces from his home.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12- Nice to see you.- Nice to see you.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14There's no getting away from work for you.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- You practically live in the steelworks.- I know.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19I can look out my window and I know exactly what's happening.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22What does that place mean to you?
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I've been there almost 32 years, so it's a big part of my life,
0:05:25 > 0:05:26part of my family's life.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28My grandfather worked there, my father.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30My brother works there.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- My son works here, so...- Gosh.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Port Talbot, it's got a proud history in steel-making
0:05:36 > 0:05:38and long may it continue, yeah.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40People watching this programme all over the world
0:05:40 > 0:05:42without realising, maybe, will own some steel made there.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Yes, definitely, yes.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Your fridges, your microwaves, your car.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52You know, we make the finest quality steel in the world.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55You can tell that you're really, really proud of what you do.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56I am, yeah.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58I'm proud of my community, I'm proud of the town
0:05:58 > 0:06:00and I'm proud of the works, of the plant.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04How have you managed not to be too down about what's happening?
0:06:04 > 0:06:06I think I'm a naturally optimistic person
0:06:06 > 0:06:09and God willing, I think that we will prevail.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- Have you turned to your faith at all during these difficult times?- Yes.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15I'm proud of my faith.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18I was brought up Catholic and I attend Mass.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23And yes, I think saying a little prayer and asking God maybe
0:06:23 > 0:06:26to give the people with the power a little nudge in the right direction
0:06:26 > 0:06:30and maybe give us a helping hand to keep it going.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37One of the many businesses that may be affected by the job losses
0:06:37 > 0:06:41is the Docks Cafe, just down the road from the steelworks.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43I mean, I've got part-time staff.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48If jobs go, their job's going to go. You know what I mean? So...
0:06:48 > 0:06:50At the moment, we're OK.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53But what's going to happen next month?
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Retired steel worker and local councillor Dennis Keogh knows
0:06:57 > 0:07:00just how ingrained steel is in this community.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02This town has grown
0:07:02 > 0:07:04on the back of steel-making here.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06The Sandfields estate down there -
0:07:06 > 0:07:09there are 5,000 families living down there -
0:07:09 > 0:07:11was built as a result of this steelworks,
0:07:11 > 0:07:13to house steelworkers.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15So there was a lot of money coming through here?
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- At one time, it was known as Treasure Island.- Really?
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- And Eldorado. - THEY LAUGH
0:07:20 > 0:07:22What was it like, back in the day, then?
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Well, it was an incredible place to work
0:07:25 > 0:07:27because it's like a small town in there, you know.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30There is nearly 100 miles of road in there.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32There's over 150 miles of railway line in there.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- Goodness me!- It covers an area of roughly 20 square miles.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Wow!
0:07:37 > 0:07:39And how many people work there?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41When it first opened, 22,000
0:07:41 > 0:07:43and they would come up from as far as Llanelli,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- they'd come in from Cardiff. - Goodness me!
0:07:45 > 0:07:48It had its own station at one time.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52How do you feel seeing it as it is now? It's changed a lot.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It has changed a lot and that is because of technology.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00We've increased steel production but we've reduced the manpower.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Unfortunately, that is the way.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Redundancies looming, they say.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05Unfortunately.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08What impact do you think that'll have on this community?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11My fears are for the young people who are currently employed there.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14They've got mortgages, they've got young families.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18It's going to be devastating, absolutely devastating.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21My hope is that Tata will keep the faith
0:08:21 > 0:08:23and will continue to make steel,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25because we make such good quality steel.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31We'll be back here later in the programme
0:08:31 > 0:08:33to meet some singing steelworkers who rallied around
0:08:33 > 0:08:35when one of their own was seriously injured.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38But up next, a performance by classical singing twins,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Richard and Adam.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49# I believe for every drop of rain that falls
0:08:49 > 0:08:53# A flower grows
0:08:59 > 0:09:05# I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
0:09:05 > 0:09:08# A candle glows
0:09:12 > 0:09:18# I believe for everyone who goes astray
0:09:19 > 0:09:24# Someone will come to show the way
0:09:27 > 0:09:30# I believe
0:09:30 > 0:09:34# I believe
0:09:35 > 0:09:40# I believe above a storm the smallest prayer
0:09:42 > 0:09:45# Will still be heard
0:09:46 > 0:09:52# I believe that someone in the great somewhere
0:09:52 > 0:09:57# Hears every word
0:09:59 > 0:10:04# Every time I hear a newborn baby cry
0:10:05 > 0:10:08# Or touch a leaf
0:10:08 > 0:10:11# Or see the sky
0:10:13 > 0:10:16# Then I know why
0:10:16 > 0:10:21# I believe
0:10:30 > 0:10:36# I believe above a storm the smallest prayer
0:10:36 > 0:10:40# Will still be heard
0:10:42 > 0:10:48# I believe that someone in the great somewhere
0:10:48 > 0:10:51# Hears every word
0:10:53 > 0:10:59# Every time I hear a newborn baby cry
0:10:59 > 0:11:04# Or touch a leaf
0:11:04 > 0:11:08# Or see the sky
0:11:08 > 0:11:12# Then I know why
0:11:12 > 0:11:18# I believe. #
0:11:28 > 0:11:31This year we are sending our very own church detective,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Richard Taylor, on the trail of Britain's patron saints.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Today, he's walking in the footsteps of St David. Who else?
0:11:37 > 0:11:40His saint's day is on Tuesday.
0:11:41 > 0:11:451st March is the first day of spring and it's also
0:11:45 > 0:11:48the feast day of the man known affectionately in Wales
0:11:48 > 0:11:51as Dewi Sant, St David.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55This local lad lived and worked here in Pembrokeshire
0:11:55 > 0:11:57and to find out more,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I'm on my way to the beautiful city that's named after him.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04David lived about 1,500 years ago,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07after the departure from Britain of the Christian Roman Empire
0:12:07 > 0:12:09but before the arrival of missionaries
0:12:09 > 0:12:11from the Roman Catholic Church.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15It was a period when Christians like David stood alone in Britain,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17keeping the faith against pagan rivals.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22There are some fantastic stories about David.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25His birth was predicted by the wizard Merlin.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28He was a relative of King Arthur.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31He was born during a mighty thunderstorm on the cliffs
0:12:31 > 0:12:32just along from here.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36He saved ships at sea, he raised a child from the dead
0:12:36 > 0:12:38and he cured the sick.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Whatever the legends, we do know
0:12:44 > 0:12:48that David founded a monastery and a church just over the hill
0:12:48 > 0:12:50on the spot where his cathedral now stands.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55David was a monk, an abbot and a bishop
0:12:55 > 0:12:59who spent most of his working life in this little valley.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03He and his companions led radically simple lives
0:13:03 > 0:13:05of prayer and study and work,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08eating only bread and water
0:13:08 > 0:13:10and foregoing all personal possessions.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16But how did David come to be so popular in Wales
0:13:16 > 0:13:19that he became its patron saint?
0:13:20 > 0:13:25One reason is that Welsh people do like a good speaker
0:13:25 > 0:13:28and St David was one of the very best.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31He was so persuasive a preacher that people believed
0:13:31 > 0:13:33they could see the white dove of the Holy Spirit
0:13:33 > 0:13:37sitting on his shoulder and whispering in his ear,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39and that on one occasion, a miracle took place
0:13:39 > 0:13:43when the ground that he was preaching on rose up underneath him
0:13:43 > 0:13:47to make a little hill so that people could hear him even better.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Whether Wales really needs another hill is another question.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57I'm meeting with the cathedral's dean to find out
0:13:57 > 0:14:00if you can separate David fact from David fiction.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Where did his influence come from?
0:14:04 > 0:14:07I mean, why David as opposed to any other man?
0:14:07 > 0:14:11I imagine he must've been a very charismatic character
0:14:11 > 0:14:14and I think that's evidenced by the fact that,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16you know, the cult of St David must've been
0:14:16 > 0:14:21so strong that six centuries later, they built this great cathedral.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25There's something very special about this place.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28I think it's truly amazing that after all these centuries,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32people still come here in their thousands
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and still find hope and inspiration in this place.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Do you think David does lie here?
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Well, we're not sure, but when we were restoring the shrine,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45the archaeologist did some research
0:14:45 > 0:14:47and he thinks it's as likely as not
0:14:47 > 0:14:50that there may be something contained within the shrine.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52CHURCH BELLS RING
0:14:52 > 0:14:55In a sermon that he preached shortly before he died,
0:14:55 > 0:14:59St David said, "Be joyful and keep the faith
0:14:59 > 0:15:02"and do ye the little things that you have seen me do."
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Coming up, Diane's off to Coventry to meet a hairdresser who provides
0:18:29 > 0:18:32more than the usual chitchat with your cut and blow-dry.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37But first, it's to Southampton for this popular worship song.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35I wouldn't normally travel to Coventry to get my hair done
0:20:35 > 0:20:36but at this salon,
0:20:36 > 0:20:41stylist Anthony Holder-Simms offers more than just a new hairdo.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45I'm in your capable hands. Make sure you do a good job.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48'Anthony is a partner in this busy hairdresser's
0:20:48 > 0:20:50'and he has discovered that a strong Christian faith
0:20:50 > 0:20:54'is every bit as important to his clients as his nimble fingers.'
0:20:54 > 0:20:58What is it about hairdressers in general that makes people
0:20:58 > 0:21:01confide in them so much that it's almost like a confessional?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03They start talking to you
0:21:03 > 0:21:05and sometimes they tell you
0:21:05 > 0:21:07things in their life that's happened to them
0:21:07 > 0:21:09and then they will just let off steam about everything,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11regardless of what's going on at home,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14what's going on with their children, what's going on at work.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16But there's times when I know that people have come
0:21:16 > 0:21:19and you can just see that they are dealing with some stuff
0:21:19 > 0:21:22and a lot of people just break down in front of me.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25But soon, Anthony realised that people wanted to chat
0:21:25 > 0:21:28about more spiritual matters.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30The Bible talks about the head is the covering
0:21:30 > 0:21:34so with that, people can come to for us to be their covering
0:21:34 > 0:21:37so that when they feel like they're lost or
0:21:37 > 0:21:39they feel like they can't do this, they can come to us
0:21:39 > 0:21:42and we can just pray with them so that they can
0:21:42 > 0:21:45know that there is a God and there is a God in their situation.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Word got around and before he knew it,
0:21:48 > 0:21:53Anthony had his own mini-church in the room above the salon.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58They started to come and tell their family members, tell their friends
0:21:58 > 0:22:01'and Thursday nights they just kept coming and coming and coming.'
0:22:01 > 0:22:05# Praise, praise
0:22:05 > 0:22:07# Praise, praise... #
0:22:07 > 0:22:10And so Anthony and his team are styling
0:22:10 > 0:22:13their own brand of passionate praise and worship
0:22:13 > 0:22:15with a growing congregation.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19# My chains are broke
0:22:19 > 0:22:21# My chains... #
0:22:21 > 0:22:23'I love singing with all my heart
0:22:23 > 0:22:24'and I love hairdressing.'
0:22:24 > 0:22:28I believe that I can actually talk to people more
0:22:28 > 0:22:31so I can evangelise to people about the word of God.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34We do their hair and we do what we need to do with them
0:22:34 > 0:22:35and make them look great,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38but there's no point just making them look great
0:22:38 > 0:22:41when inside, they're bleeding, inside they're down.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42In Jesus' name, Amen.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Like when you have a child - to me, hairdressing is my child.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54It's something that no matter what's going on, it will bring me through,
0:22:54 > 0:22:55through God.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57So people now know that this is the salon
0:22:57 > 0:22:59where you have your hair done
0:22:59 > 0:23:02and your heart, soul and spirit sorted out.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05When you work with people in anything, it's hard.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07But if God is for me,
0:23:07 > 0:23:08and he's told me to do this,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10no matter what...may come my way,
0:23:10 > 0:23:12I know that God's got my back
0:23:12 > 0:23:14because I'm doing his work.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01MALE VOICE CHOIR SINGS
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Earlier in the programme, we saw how news of hundreds of job losses
0:25:08 > 0:25:12at the largest steelworks in the UK is having a far-reaching effect
0:25:12 > 0:25:15on the morale of Port Talbot and the surrounding area.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25I'm here at one of the locals,
0:25:25 > 0:25:27trying to keep their spirits up with song.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35THEY SING IN WELSH
0:25:40 > 0:25:43'The 80-strong Kenfig Hill Male Voice Choir
0:25:43 > 0:25:45'is made up of men from across the community,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48'including steelworkers past and present.'
0:25:57 > 0:25:59They sound brilliant.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08For choir member Michael Down,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11his presence here might be described as a miracle.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Three and a half years ago, he sustained life-threatening injuries
0:26:14 > 0:26:16after an accident at the steelworks.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20# Amen. #
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Take us back to that day in August, if you don't mind.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28What exactly happened?
0:26:28 > 0:26:33On that day, I was on a machine and somehow,
0:26:33 > 0:26:35the machine broke into speed
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and I was caught by the machine
0:26:37 > 0:26:39and dragged in
0:26:39 > 0:26:41and spun around...
0:26:41 > 0:26:43and I was bashed about a bit.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- What injuries did you sustain them? - Ah...
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Multiple fractures of my skull.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54I lost my ear, my arm, though it's back on now.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56I broke my neck,
0:26:56 > 0:27:00- I broke my leg and my hip... - Goodness me!
0:27:00 > 0:27:03She was told I wouldn't speak, I wouldn't see,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05I wouldn't talk, anything.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I was lucky to be alive.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10And I'm really grateful for... whatever...
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Whoever saved me.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- Who do you think saved you? - God, I think.- Really?
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Yes, I think so.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19He says that God saved him.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21- Who did you turn to? - Well, this is it.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24I didn't have the faith to think
0:27:24 > 0:27:26everything was going to be all right.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28I didn't know.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32And I remember being in the hospital, in the chapel
0:27:32 > 0:27:35and then I was just laid down in the chapel,
0:27:35 > 0:27:40literally on the floor and, um... I didn't have any answers.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44I just felt I really was at the foot of the cross and it's...
0:27:44 > 0:27:46I have turned everything over to you.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50I think, when trauma happens,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53it chucks you out of your little bubble
0:27:53 > 0:27:56and your comfort zone that you're in,
0:27:56 > 0:28:02and you are forced to find a way through it, really.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06And...it's made us better people.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- Which is...- Stronger people.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12A bit of an anomaly, but it's made us,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15we feel it's made us better people.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16APPLAUSE
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Just 15 months after the accident,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Michael received a standing ovation when, remarkably,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24he was able to rejoin the choir.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27When you're up there with the boys now, singing, how do you feel?
0:28:27 > 0:28:28Marvellous.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32I find the connection with the people around me
0:28:32 > 0:28:36and the afterglow of it all creates a situation
0:28:36 > 0:28:38where it's almost like being back in work.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44And I find it really... well, absolutely rewarding.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Well, listen, I think you're a huge inspiration,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- how you can even just be smiling. - I hope I am, I hope I am.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52- You are.- I hope I inspire other people to walk the walk.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02# Now I've been to the Highlands of Scotland
0:29:02 > 0:29:08# To Paree and the fountains of Rome
0:29:08 > 0:29:11# But wherever I go
0:29:11 > 0:29:13# In my heart I still know
0:29:13 > 0:29:17# There's just one place that I call my home
0:29:20 > 0:29:25# There is a land that's dear to me
0:29:25 > 0:29:29# And it's called the land of song
0:29:31 > 0:29:36# And it will be eternally
0:29:36 > 0:29:40# The land where I belong
0:29:42 > 0:29:46# A land full of warmth and laughter
0:29:46 > 0:29:51# From the people you find in there
0:29:51 > 0:29:56# And when they sing, they can raise the rafters
0:29:56 > 0:30:01# With the hwyl that will fill the air
0:30:04 > 0:30:08# And of this land, I'm proud to be
0:30:08 > 0:30:14# Yes, I'm proud to be a part
0:30:14 > 0:30:18# Its history, its melodies
0:30:18 > 0:30:23# Are written on my heart
0:30:23 > 0:30:27- # So sing - Let the voices thunder
0:30:27 > 0:30:29# Sing, sing
0:30:29 > 0:30:33# Till they're heard in the deeper vales
0:30:33 > 0:30:38# Of the land you are proud to be born in
0:30:38 > 0:30:42# The glorious land
0:30:42 > 0:30:46# Of Wales
0:30:46 > 0:30:49# Wales
0:30:49 > 0:30:53# Wales. #
0:30:55 > 0:30:57And that's almost it for this week.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00My thanks to the community here, for their warm welcome.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02I really didn't expect anything else.
0:31:02 > 0:31:03Next week, it's Mothering Sunday
0:31:03 > 0:31:06and we'll be meeting the grandmothers
0:31:06 > 0:31:08who are full-time carers to their own grandchildren.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Until then, it's our closing hymn for Lent.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Hwyl fawr. Goodbye.