0:00:03 > 0:00:04This week,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08as we prepare for Christmas, I'm in Winchester's Christmas market,
0:00:08 > 0:00:12which nestles in the shadow of the city's magnificent cathedral.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Also, you'll find out which are our presenters' favourite carols.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Welcome to Songs Of Praise.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43In today's programme, here in Winchester,
0:00:43 > 0:00:47I discover the ancient origin of the word dole...
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- Hello. Please can I have my dole? - Certainly can.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54..I meet Debbie Thrower, the former Songs Of Praise presenter who
0:00:54 > 0:00:58introduced a brand-new idea to the series 25 years ago.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01For the very first time, Songs Of Praise put
0:01:01 > 0:01:04the hymn words along the bottom of the screen.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07..and our presenters choose their favourite carols.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Many of our carols in this programme come from the Church of St Cross.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23It's part of the Hospital of St Cross - almshouses that have
0:01:23 > 0:01:28provided food and shelter here in Winchester for hundreds of years.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30I'll be finding out more later.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33But first, I want to share my favourite carol with you.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36I've chosen Once In Royal David's City because, back in 1986,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40when I was 12, I was head chorister of my school choir and,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42at our carol service in Chelmsford Cathedral,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45it was my job to sing the first verse solo.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Halfway through, I looked across and I saw my mum,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49and she was crying her eyes out.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53It was emotional, but they were tears of pride and joy.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55That's a memory that will stay with me for ever.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Sounding like something from a Dickens novel,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58the Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty nestles
0:04:58 > 0:05:03at the bottom of St Catherine's Hill on the outskirts of Winchester.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06It's said to be one of England's oldest charitable institutions.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12The hospital was founded in 1132
0:05:12 > 0:05:17as a haven place of refuge for poor men that had nowhere
0:05:17 > 0:05:21to live, so they were given this accommodation.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Traditionally, they were known as the Brothers -
0:05:24 > 0:05:26a title still in use today.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33A lot of people think that the Brothers are monks and, of course, they're not -
0:05:33 > 0:05:37they're laypeople that live in this community, which is
0:05:37 > 0:05:41rather monastic to look at, and their main obligation
0:05:41 > 0:05:45is that they must attend morning office in the chapel each day.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49And, I suppose, that's why people think that they must be monks.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Let us heartily rejoice...
0:05:51 > 0:05:54The Brothers keep many of the old traditions of St Cross alive.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Brother Tony Dyson...
0:05:57 > 0:06:02The Pay Parade is a very ancient custom and, in days of yore,
0:06:02 > 0:06:07of course, they were given money in order to look after themselves.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12But, nowadays, it's simply an old tradition and, each Monday,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16after matins, they're given a leather purse each with
0:06:16 > 0:06:20a pound coin in although, on the first Monday in the month,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23they get £1.50, so they feel very rich then!
0:06:24 > 0:06:29So this place is simply carrying on that Christian tradition
0:06:29 > 0:06:32of looking after those people in need.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37And there's another tradition still in practice here at St Cross
0:06:37 > 0:06:42that's familiar, even in the 21st century - receiving the dole.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50- Hello. Please can I have my dole? - Certainly can.- Mm! I can smell it.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53It smells very interesting. It looks quite basic. What is it, Catherine?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56It's actually a small portion of beer and some bread.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59It would be strong beer because, in the medieval times,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03when the tradition started, water was not fit for purpose,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06and white bread because they believed, in them times,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09that white was the best, and pilgrims had to have the best.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Well, I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth,
0:07:11 > 0:07:16so let me try some. Mm! Gosh, that's got a kick to it, hasn't it?
0:07:16 > 0:07:17The bread looks really basic,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21but I could see how pilgrims who have made that long journey on foot -
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- well, this would warm their hearts, wouldn't it?- It would.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Originally, they'd have got a day's supply,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28so it would have been a small loaf of bread and a flagon of beer.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- Yeah, this isn't a day's supply! - No, just a token today!
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- It won't last me a minute!- Yeah.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- Well, thank you very much for the dole.- That's all right. Thank you.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Our next carol is from here at St Cross
0:07:39 > 0:07:41and is chosen by Katherine Jenkins.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45O Little Town Of Bethlehem is a carol that reminds me
0:07:45 > 0:07:48of Christmas and particularly midnight mass
0:07:48 > 0:07:50and being a chorister back in Neath in South Wales
0:07:50 > 0:07:54and being allowed to stay up late enough to sing all the carols
0:07:54 > 0:07:55and, of course, that amazing descant.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Well, I hope that brings back some fond memories for Katherine.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Next up, someone who knows a thing or two about carols -
0:10:28 > 0:10:30it's the Reverend Kate Bottley.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36My absolute favourite Christmas carol is
0:10:36 > 0:10:37It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40partly because we don't sing it very often,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43but mostly because it's got that wonderful line in it that says,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47"Hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing."
0:10:47 > 0:10:51And it reminds me that, in the middle of the chaos and the craziness of Christmas,
0:10:51 > 0:10:53it's to stop and remember the real message.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00From relatively modest beginnings, the Christmas market here
0:13:00 > 0:13:05in Winchester Cathedral's historic close is now in its 12th year...
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- It's really warming. Thank you.- Thank you.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11..and attracts 500,000 visitors every Christmas.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Well, I'm glad I'm here because I've still got one or two gifts to find.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17While I have a look around, here's Josie d'Arby to tell us
0:13:17 > 0:13:18about her favourite carol.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22I've chosen When A Child Is Born.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24This carol is so beautiful,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27I actually play it all year round because the birth of Christ and
0:13:27 > 0:13:30his presence on Earth remains the best news
0:13:30 > 0:13:32and the greatest gift ever.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41# A ray of hope flickers in the sky
0:13:42 > 0:13:48# A tiny star lights up way up high
0:13:50 > 0:13:56# All across the land dawns a brand-new morn
0:13:56 > 0:14:02# This comes to pass when a child is born
0:14:03 > 0:14:09# A silent wish sails the seven seas
0:14:10 > 0:14:16# The wind of change whispers in the tree
0:14:18 > 0:14:23# All the walls of doubt crumble Tossed and torn
0:14:23 > 0:14:30# This comes to pass when a child is born
0:14:31 > 0:14:38# A rosy hue settles all around
0:14:38 > 0:14:44# You've got the feel you're on solid ground
0:14:45 > 0:14:51# And for a spell or two no-one feels forlorn
0:14:51 > 0:14:57# This comes to pass when a child is born
0:15:01 > 0:15:09# It's all a dream, an illusion now
0:15:09 > 0:15:16# It must come true Sometime soon somehow
0:15:16 > 0:15:22# All across the land dawns a brand-new morn
0:15:22 > 0:15:29# This comes to pass when a child is born
0:15:29 > 0:15:33# This comes to pass
0:15:33 > 0:15:40# When a child is born
0:15:41 > 0:15:49# When a child is born. #
0:15:57 > 0:16:01The Reverend Canon Roland Riem is Vice Dean of Winchester Cathedral
0:16:01 > 0:16:03and was involved in creating the markets here.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Roland, you've brought me to this life-size Nativity scene.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11It's the focus of the market. Why have you got one here?
0:16:11 > 0:16:15This is a cathedral market and it's not just a town market.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19It's in the shadow of our cathedral church, and we have this here
0:16:19 > 0:16:22to remind us of the fact that Jesus is the centre of all our giving.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25So, long before Christmas got commercial,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27reminding us that there was a really important birth?
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Yes, and I think we're all looking for a new beginning,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34and all the celebrations that we have at Christmas are about getting back to something
0:16:34 > 0:16:38that's real and true and peaceful at the heart of our life.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39And, when you think about the Christmas scene,
0:16:39 > 0:16:42you think about that wonderful baby bringing peace
0:16:42 > 0:16:44and joy to the world, and I think that's what it's about.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Now, it's on the close. You live on the close.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48What's it like, having a market outside your front door?
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Well, it's busy and, sometimes,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53we wish that we were a little less crowded but, actually, we think of
0:16:53 > 0:16:57what good it does for our cathedral, supporting its ministry
0:16:57 > 0:16:59and mission, and all the fun that people have
0:16:59 > 0:17:02because Christmas is about joy as well as anything else.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- What sort of shops have you got here?- We've got an unusual blend.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08We've got even a charity shop that changes every few days,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11where we give the charities an opportunity
0:17:11 > 0:17:13to raise funds for their life.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18We've got nuns from Minsk who bring Christmas wares every year.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21The big question for me is, will I find something for my wife?
0:17:21 > 0:17:24You certainly will, and it's a shame she isn't here to direct you!
0:17:28 > 0:17:30For our next carol, it's time
0:17:30 > 0:17:33for one of our longest-serving presenters to choose.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36My carol is one of the world's favourites which,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38for a long time, was thought to have been
0:17:38 > 0:17:42written by the man behind the Reformation, Martin Luther.
0:17:42 > 0:17:43Except that probably wasn't true.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47In actual fact, it was written about 400 years later
0:17:47 > 0:17:51in the 1880s by members of the Lutheran Church in America
0:17:51 > 0:17:54for their children to sing in a Christmas concert.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57What is true is that this is a carol that brings out
0:17:57 > 0:18:00the child in all of us - Away In A Manger.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Have you heard your favourite carol yet? If not, there are more to come.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Here's Connie Fisher with her Christmastide favourite,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14and maybe this one will be yours, too.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19For me, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas
0:20:19 > 0:20:22without hearing my favourite carol.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25It reminds me of growing up, singing in the Pembrokeshire Youth Choir.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27In The Bleak Midwinter -
0:20:27 > 0:20:30we used to sing it at every Christmas concert, and I loved it.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41# In the bleak midwinter
0:20:41 > 0:20:45# Frosty wind made moan
0:20:45 > 0:20:49# Earth stood hard as iron
0:20:49 > 0:20:53# Water like a stone
0:20:53 > 0:20:57# Snow had fallen, snow on snow
0:20:57 > 0:21:00# Snow on snow
0:21:02 > 0:21:06# In the bleak midwinter
0:21:06 > 0:21:09# Long ago
0:21:12 > 0:21:16# What can I give him
0:21:16 > 0:21:20# Poor as I am?
0:21:20 > 0:21:24# If I were a shepherd
0:21:24 > 0:21:28# I would bring a lamb
0:21:28 > 0:21:33# If I were a wise man
0:21:33 > 0:21:36# I would do my part
0:21:36 > 0:21:41# Yet what I can I give him
0:21:41 > 0:21:49# Give my heart. #
0:21:57 > 0:22:01We've had an amazing 222 Songs Of Praise presenters
0:22:01 > 0:22:03in our 56 years on air,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06and one of them is now part of the cathedral community here.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Welcome to Songs Of Praise from Westminster Abbey.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14Twice a week, the Abbey Choir
0:22:14 > 0:22:18sings for visitors in the nave, and someone who was a chorister...
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Debbie, it's lovely to meet you.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23What have you been doing since you were presenting on Songs Of Praise?
0:22:23 > 0:22:25I've become a lay canon here at Winchester Cathedral,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27a member of Chapter as well, which is
0:22:27 > 0:22:30the sort of executive board which helps run the cathedral.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32What does being a lay canon entail?
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Well, it's a voluntary role, but you are a member of Chapter,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39so about eight people run the cathedral, if you like,
0:22:39 > 0:22:43and several of us are laypeople, so not members of the clergy.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45But it's just wonderful to be involved in everything,
0:22:45 > 0:22:49really, from recruitment to how you run the Christmas market.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54And it's quite a big jump from being a presenter.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56What inspired you to make that move?
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Well, I've always had a strong Christian faith.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01While I was still working full-time in broadcasting,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04I trained as a licensed lay minister, a reader,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08and, since then, I've also become a chaplain to older people.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11And it's really about supporting people, older people,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13people in the second half of life, in the community.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15So we do go into care homes,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19but we also visit people who are struggling to live independently.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Now, I'm one of the newest Songs Of Praise presenters.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- It's a real pleasure meeting you and hearing your stories.- And you, too.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30I've met some inspiring people and been to some incredible places.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Can you pick out one highlight from your time on Songs Of Praise?
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Oh, I loved my time on Songs Of Praise.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I think one of the most memorable was the time in Olney
0:23:38 > 0:23:42when we actually, for the very first time, Songs Of Praise
0:23:42 > 0:23:45put the hymn words along the bottom of the screen.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Tonight, we begin a new chapter in the history of Songs Of Praise.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Over the past few years, you, our viewers,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55have been writing to us in ever greater numbers,
0:23:55 > 0:23:59asking for the words of the hymns to be put on the screen.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00Well, I'm happy to announce
0:24:00 > 0:24:04that from tonight, the words will be displayed on the screen.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08There was some reluctance, was it going to be a good move or not?
0:24:08 > 0:24:10But, actually, people now think that they've always been there.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Now, all the Songs Of Praise presenters are picking
0:24:13 > 0:24:15their favourite carols this week.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17As a former Songs Of Praise presenter, I think you can, too.
0:24:17 > 0:24:18Oh, what an honour.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Well, what I'd like to pick is John Rutter's
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30# Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
0:24:30 > 0:24:34# I would my true love did so chance
0:24:34 > 0:24:37# To see the legend of my play
0:24:37 > 0:24:41# To call my true love to my dance
0:24:41 > 0:24:47# Sing, oh! My love Oh! My love, my love, my love
0:24:47 > 0:24:51# This have I done for my true love
0:24:51 > 0:24:55# Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
0:24:55 > 0:24:59# I would my true love did so chance
0:24:59 > 0:25:02# To see the legend of my play
0:25:02 > 0:25:06# To call my true love to my dance
0:25:06 > 0:25:12# Sing, oh! My love Oh! My love, my love, my love
0:25:12 > 0:25:16# This have I done for my true love
0:25:20 > 0:25:24# Then was I born of a virgin pure
0:25:24 > 0:25:27# Of her I took fleshly substance
0:25:27 > 0:25:31# Thus was I knit to man's nature
0:25:31 > 0:25:35# To call my true love to my dance
0:25:35 > 0:25:41# Sing, oh! My love Oh! My love, my love, my love
0:25:41 > 0:25:45# This have I done for my true love
0:25:49 > 0:25:53# In a manger laid and wrapped I was
0:25:53 > 0:25:56# So very poor, this was my chance
0:25:56 > 0:26:00# Between an ox and a silly poor ass
0:26:00 > 0:26:04# To call my true love to my dance
0:26:04 > 0:26:11# Sing, oh! my love Oh! My love, my love, my love
0:26:11 > 0:26:15# This have I done for my true love
0:26:22 > 0:26:26# Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
0:26:26 > 0:26:30# I would my true love did so chance
0:26:30 > 0:26:33# To see the legend of my play
0:26:33 > 0:26:37# To call my true love to my dance
0:26:37 > 0:26:43# Sing, oh! my love Oh! My love, my love, my love
0:26:43 > 0:26:48# This have I done for my true love
0:26:48 > 0:26:57# This have I done for my true love. #
0:27:06 > 0:27:10The Winchester Cathedral choristers in fine voice there.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Now, singing so many carol services over Christmas,
0:27:13 > 0:27:14it's a busy time for them.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17But right in the heart of the Christmas market, here is
0:27:17 > 0:27:21an ice rink, and who can blame the choristers for having some fun?
0:27:22 > 0:27:25For our next carol, it's over to JB Gill,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27another new presenter on the Songs Of Praise team.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Let's find out what he has chosen.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32I grew up loving Christmas,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36and one of my favourite parts was always going to the Nativity play.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38I used to enjoy being a part of them,
0:27:38 > 0:27:40and now that I have my own little boy,
0:27:40 > 0:27:44I'm going to love him being involved in his first Nativity play,
0:27:44 > 0:27:45and singing, hopefully,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47While Shepherds Watch as well.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58Next week, it's Christmas Eve,
0:29:58 > 0:30:01and we'll be celebrating with The Big Sing
0:30:01 > 0:30:03from the Royal Albert Hall in London
0:30:03 > 0:30:05so there'll be more of your best-loved carols,
0:30:05 > 0:30:08and special performances from Katherine Jenkins and JB Gill.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Well, my time here in Winchester is almost up.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17We're back at the Church of St Cross for our final carol,
0:30:17 > 0:30:20one of the nation's favourites, O Come All Ye Faithful.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Until next week, goodbye.