0:00:03 > 0:00:06I'm flying above the Cornish coastline with the crew of
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Britain's very first air ambulance service,
0:00:09 > 0:00:1130 years old this year.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15They've rescued people in all sorts of trouble inland and out at sea,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18including this thankful teenager.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21The people at our church, I know they prayed from me.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23We visit a gardening scheme linked to Cornwall's Eden Project
0:00:23 > 0:00:26that's helping people grow in confidence.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28It's really changed my life.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31And I'll be clowning around in church.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49Our music today includes hymns from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
0:00:49 > 0:00:52but we start in England.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55In Leicester, in fact, with O Praise Ye The Lord.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11Cornwall Air Ambulance, based at Newquay Airport, has completed
0:03:11 > 0:03:16more than 26,000 missions since its launch back in 1987.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19And, as a result, hundreds of lives have been saved.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29Steve Garvey is one of the team bringing help to those in urgent need.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31We get a lot of visitors in the summer months and the roads
0:03:31 > 0:03:33become quite significantly congested.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35We've got the beaches,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38the moorlands, and there are some very rural areas that are up to an
0:03:38 > 0:03:41hour and a half from the nearest hospital here in Cornwall and
0:03:41 > 0:03:44we can make those journeys in 15 to 20 minutes, so that brings
0:03:44 > 0:03:48a lot of speed, getting the patient to definitive care a lot quicker.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50We deal with the more critical incidents at times,
0:03:50 > 0:03:54which can bring a great deal of sadness but can also bring
0:03:54 > 0:03:57a great deal of joy when you're able to treat someone and make
0:03:57 > 0:03:59their rough day a lot better.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06The Eastwood family know this all too well.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Harriet got into difficulties on a day out with her grandparents
0:04:10 > 0:04:12while her mum was at work.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16It was the end of the summer holidays when I was nine.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19We went down to Caerhays Beach and me and my sister thought it would
0:04:19 > 0:04:20be a great idea to go in the sea,
0:04:20 > 0:04:25even though it was cold and it was really rough.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32I just remember being taken out really quickly and I could see
0:04:32 > 0:04:34my sister at the shore and she was waving to me
0:04:34 > 0:04:38and I was trying to wave back with one hand and then, like,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42I felt my feet not being able to touch the bottom any more and
0:04:42 > 0:04:47I just remember seeing the sky and then darkness.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54The people on the beach ran to the cafe there and they rang for 999
0:04:54 > 0:04:57and, you know, the air ambulance then arrived
0:04:57 > 0:05:02a few minutes later and took Harriet off to Treliske Hospital in Truro,
0:05:02 > 0:05:07which would have been about 45 minutes to an hour on
0:05:07 > 0:05:10the road but I believe it was about five minutes in the air.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Jackie was at work teaching when she received the call that every
0:05:14 > 0:05:16parent dreads.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20I arrived at the hospital, I saw my husband and my mum and their
0:05:20 > 0:05:26faces were really long and my first words were, "Has Harriet died?"
0:05:26 > 0:05:31Because I just didn't know and at that point I didn't know.
0:05:31 > 0:05:37Obviously, the news of the accident spread round our village and people
0:05:37 > 0:05:42got in contact with our minister who arrived like a whirlwind.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44She came straight into the hospital and...
0:05:44 > 0:05:47I remember her coming into my ward and just bursting the doors
0:05:47 > 0:05:48open and running in.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51That was one of the strongest memories I have
0:05:51 > 0:05:52of being in hospital.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54And you had a lot of support from the local church.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56We did, we did, we did.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00And lots of people praying for us and praying for Harriet.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04The people at our church, every Sunday, they do pray for people
0:06:04 > 0:06:09who have accidents around Cornwall, and I know they prayed for me.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12The impact of the rescue on the Eastwoods has been huge.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16As well as fundraising as a family to show their gratitude,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19mum Jackie has changed careers...
0:06:19 > 0:06:22and now helps to keep the service going.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24We could see that there was an avenue there, you know,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26to help other people.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28That's how I sort of got involved, really,
0:06:28 > 0:06:32and I sort of got a job and I was working two days
0:06:32 > 0:06:35a week for the charity and then when they decided to open this
0:06:35 > 0:06:39building, I sort of, like, transferred into a full-time job.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44The skills I've got as a teacher were used for the charity.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48I go out giving talks in schools and assemblies and things like that,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51getting as many people involved in the charity as possible.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Because, you know, for little amounts,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56it keeps the helicopter flying.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00And I love people and working with volunteers.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02They are doing that for nothing.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05How does your Christian faith help you in what it is you do and
0:07:05 > 0:07:06have to do here?
0:07:06 > 0:07:09I've been involved in church all my life,
0:07:09 > 0:07:14from primary school upwards, and I think that that stood
0:07:14 > 0:07:16me in good stead for this particular role that I do.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I don't know, it's sort of, perhaps, God has brought me round to this,
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- I don't know. - He's found the right spot for you.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Here in Cornwall, they're very proud of their tradition and culture
0:09:37 > 0:09:40and Britain as a whole is very ethnically and culturally diverse,
0:09:40 > 0:09:44which is reflected in many church congregations.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47So it may come as a surprise that there has been a 20-year gap
0:09:47 > 0:09:51since the last black bishop was appointed to the Church of England.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54The most recent, Bishop Woyin Karowei Dorgu,
0:09:54 > 0:09:57was consecrated Bishop of Woolwich earlier this year...
0:09:58 > 0:10:00..and Pam Rhodes has been to meet him.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Do you think, in this day and time that, actually,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09having a black bishop is something very special?
0:10:09 > 0:10:14At a time when diversity and racial issues are not very easy in
0:10:14 > 0:10:16our country,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19I think it does a lot for the celebration of our
0:10:19 > 0:10:25multicultural nature, of the church and the multicultural nature
0:10:25 > 0:10:26of our community as well.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30I think the church has moved on in many ways
0:10:30 > 0:10:34in terms of its quintessential English nature.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39It makes provision for people of all theological backgrounds,
0:10:39 > 0:10:44all traditions, to meet the needs of the local congregation.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50Bishop Dorgu was born and raised in Nigeria where his parents had
0:10:50 > 0:10:53a profound effect on his faith.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57My father became a Christian in the early part of the 20th century
0:10:57 > 0:10:58as a young man.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03Because he told us the story of how his auntie would not give him
0:11:03 > 0:11:06dinner after school because he had become a Christian.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11And so for three days, he was locked out of the house
0:11:11 > 0:11:13because he had become a Christian.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16And my mother was also a first-generation Christian in
0:11:16 > 0:11:17her family.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21So I am really grateful to God for that because,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25but for their faith, I wouldn't be here today.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30Faith clicked in for me at about the age of 19 when I was just
0:11:30 > 0:11:32starting my medical studies.
0:11:32 > 0:11:38But the idea of ordination was something I ran away from.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39But I didn't get far.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45After a big struggle, I realised that God had been preparing
0:11:45 > 0:11:49me all my life for what he was calling me to do.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53So I gave up medical practice at that point and went to
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Bible college to study theology.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Leaving a successful career in medicine behind,
0:11:58 > 0:12:03Karowei was to commence his 20-year career in the church.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Today, he's taking his first confirmation ceremony since
0:12:07 > 0:12:12his consecration, here at St Saviour's & St Olave's School in Suffolk.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17Some of you may know that I have only been a bishop for 12 days.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20So I'm a baby bishop. So please bear with me.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Do you think that your appointment might encourage
0:12:25 > 0:12:29a new generation to connect again with the church and its teaching?
0:12:29 > 0:12:30I believe so.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Just by meeting a vicar or a bishop like myself,
0:12:34 > 0:12:39who is able to speak their language, talk to them in cultural terms
0:12:39 > 0:12:43that they can understand, and then connect them with the local parish.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48And it also gives them a new sense of ownership and
0:12:48 > 0:12:53a new sense of participation in whatever is happening.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56I baptise you in the name of the Father and of
0:12:56 > 0:12:58the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01It's really good to have a black bishop.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Not to be rude,
0:13:03 > 0:13:08but I thought he would be, like, a bit big and, like, old.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10...and of the Holy Spirit.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14I think having a black bishop reaches out to the wider community
0:13:14 > 0:13:17because it shows that, like, other ethnic groups can,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20like, do something big as well.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23It's like a coming of age for us.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26A day to remember for them and a day to remember for me.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30And a day to remember for the wider community.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43The Eden Project is one of Cornwall's most popular
0:16:43 > 0:16:47tourist destinations, attracting over a million people each
0:16:47 > 0:16:52year to see plant species from all over the world in its huge biomes.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56But it also runs an outreach programme called People and Gardens
0:16:56 > 0:17:00that's having very beneficial effects on people's wellbeing.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05Vegetables grown here supply Eden's kitchens and veg bags for local people.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07So, Ken, is it all right to have a little bit of look around?
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Yeah, yeah, let's go. Well, this is our field...
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Ken Radford founded People and Gardens after battling
0:17:13 > 0:17:17depression and finding voluntary work on a nature reserve.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21It certainly helped me and I knew that that kind of life would
0:17:21 > 0:17:24help others and things developed from there.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Adult social care identified a group of people in the community who
0:17:28 > 0:17:31didn't really fit in the statutory environments, such as day care,
0:17:31 > 0:17:35but had all expressed a desire to work and asked
0:17:35 > 0:17:37me if I would set up a project to meet their needs.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39What space have you created here, then,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43for the vulnerable people that you work with?
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Well, it's the space for people to be able to come in without
0:17:46 > 0:17:49feeling judged by anybody,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52without feeling that they have to explain who they are, what they
0:17:52 > 0:17:57feel, like constant assessments that take place in our society today.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- Hi, Matt, how are you getting on? - I'm doing all right.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05What sort of work do you get involved in?
0:18:05 > 0:18:07I get involved with everything, like,
0:18:07 > 0:18:12- hoeing and brambling and potting and stuff.- Yeah.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16What do you like about being here and being in the gardens?
0:18:16 > 0:18:19It's really changed my life, really.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23I didn't do much gardening before I came here.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26So you've learned all this since you've been here?
0:18:26 > 0:18:29I enjoy working with all my friends, planting all the veg
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- and that.- It means a lot to me.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37It gets you out in the job and into the community and working
0:18:37 > 0:18:39with new people, different people.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42I've been watching you, you're having a laugh here, aren't you?
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Yeah, we really love a giggle. Anything we do.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55He's got a habit, hasn't he - Matt? He's a character, like you said.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- He's got a very good character. - Oh, cheers, man.
0:18:58 > 0:19:05I have this deep belief in people, I believe in God and I believe
0:19:05 > 0:19:08that we all have a responsibility to each other.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11That's the bottom line on this planet
0:19:11 > 0:19:14and, sadly, it isn't happening at the moment.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16And I just know that, for the people we've got here,
0:19:16 > 0:19:21we do our bit. We can't change the world but we can help to try.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24And what about the friends you've made here and the banter that you
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- guys all have?- They're good, they are.- Yeah.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Best friends, I could call them.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32That's it, lovely. Back you go.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Ken's a nice person, and he's got a heart...heart of gold.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Now, what I want you to do, Jake,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40you look down there and I'll turn it on and you tell me when it's coming.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45So this is part of your Christian faith in action, what you're doing?
0:19:45 > 0:19:49Oh, absolutely. When you've seen the joy on the people's faces today,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53the satisfaction that they are achieving something
0:19:53 > 0:19:56worthwhile but have control of what they're achieving,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59that's something going on that I can't define.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05# Precious Lord
0:20:05 > 0:20:07# Take my hand
0:20:07 > 0:20:12# Lead me on, let me stand
0:20:12 > 0:20:14# I'm tired
0:20:14 > 0:20:17# I'm weak
0:20:17 > 0:20:22# I'm worn
0:20:22 > 0:20:26# Through the storm through the night
0:20:26 > 0:20:31# Lead me home to the light
0:20:31 > 0:20:34# Take my hand
0:20:34 > 0:20:36# Precious Lord
0:20:36 > 0:20:41# Lead me home
0:20:41 > 0:20:43# When my way
0:20:43 > 0:20:46# Grows drear
0:20:46 > 0:20:50# Precious Lord, linger near
0:20:50 > 0:20:53# When my life
0:20:53 > 0:20:58# Is almost gone
0:21:00 > 0:21:02# Hear my cry
0:21:02 > 0:21:05# Hear my call
0:21:05 > 0:21:09# Hold my hand, lest I fall
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- # Take my hand - Take my hand
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- # Precious Lord - Lord, lead me home
0:21:15 > 0:21:19# Lead me home
0:21:19 > 0:21:24# When the darkness appears
0:21:24 > 0:21:29# And the night draws near
0:21:29 > 0:21:33# And the day is passed
0:21:33 > 0:21:38# Passed and gone
0:21:38 > 0:21:43# At the river I stand
0:21:43 > 0:21:48# Guide my feet, hold my hand
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- # Take my hand - Take my hand
0:21:51 > 0:21:52# Precious Lord
0:21:52 > 0:21:57# Lord, lead me home
0:21:57 > 0:22:00# Lead me home
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- # Precious Lord - Precious Lord
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- # Take my hand - Take my hand
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- # Lead me home - Lead me home
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- # Let me stand - Let me stand
0:22:12 > 0:22:14# I am tired
0:22:14 > 0:22:16# I am weak
0:22:16 > 0:22:21# I am worn
0:22:21 > 0:22:26# Through the storm through the night
0:22:26 > 0:22:31# Lead me home through the light
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- # Take my hand - Take my hand
0:22:33 > 0:22:36# Precious Lord
0:22:36 > 0:22:40# Lord, lead me home
0:22:41 > 0:22:43# Take my hand
0:22:43 > 0:22:45# Lead me home
0:22:45 > 0:22:48# Precious Lord
0:22:48 > 0:22:50# Lead me home
0:22:50 > 0:22:53# Precious Lord
0:22:53 > 0:22:55# Lead me home
0:22:55 > 0:22:59# Lead me home. #
0:23:07 > 0:23:11In a moment, David Grant takes us to meet one of Britain's
0:23:11 > 0:23:13funniest congregations but, first,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17it's off to Northern Ireland for this traditional favourite.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39While there is always lots of fun to be had at the seaside,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42churches are places that we go to for things that are much
0:25:42 > 0:25:44deeper than just entertainment.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47But David Grant has managed to find a church where clowning
0:25:47 > 0:25:49around is all part of the fun.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Each year, hundreds of clowns from across the UK
0:25:55 > 0:25:57attend a church service in East London
0:25:57 > 0:26:01to celebrate the gift of joy and laughter.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02The service started in 1946,
0:26:02 > 0:26:07so I'm attending the 71st Clown Service.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09I've got no idea what I'm letting myself in for.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12SQUEAKING
0:26:12 > 0:26:16It's one of the most unusual church services you'll ever see,
0:26:16 > 0:26:20and it's arranged by the organisation Clowns International.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22How hard is it to put it together?
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Well, it's very difficult organising clowns,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29because they're like free-range chickens.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33Even the vicar's got her hands full with this congregation.
0:26:33 > 0:26:34I'm going to read you a story.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38CHEERING
0:26:38 > 0:26:42One hot afternoon, Adam and Eve...
0:26:42 > 0:26:45I front an organisation called Holy Fools, which is
0:26:45 > 0:26:48the National Christian Clowning and Entertaining Association.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50I storytell, I do the basics of juggling.
0:26:50 > 0:26:55The Christian faith needs to be shared in a fun way.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Do you feel that in a way that maybe what you're doing
0:26:58 > 0:27:03is just a modern-day equivalent to parables, to storytelling?
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Yes, it is. The greatest storyteller was Jesus.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10I'm an elephant and I'm OK.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Well, he's a church mouse.
0:27:12 > 0:27:13He can tell the Christmas story,
0:27:13 > 0:27:15because his great-great-great-great -
0:27:15 > 0:27:19I can't remember how many greats - grandfather was in that stable
0:27:19 > 0:27:21and saw everything happen.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27It's a bit embarrassing to ask you this,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29but do you think I'd make a good clown?
0:27:29 > 0:27:31You know, I think you'd make a brilliant clown.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32You've got that look about you.
0:27:32 > 0:27:33I look like a clown!
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Some people look to be funny, you look to be funny.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38You don't even need make-up.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42A warning to ourselves not to take ourselves too seriously.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Thank you, clowns.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- How's it looking? - I think it's great.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52David Grant from Songs Of Praise.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Having been a clown for 46 years,
0:27:57 > 0:28:00which is amazing, really, cos I'm only 27.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04# Sing Hosanna
0:28:04 > 0:28:06# Sing Hosanna
0:28:06 > 0:28:07# Sing Hosanna... #
0:28:07 > 0:28:10We laugh about three times a day, which is really not enough.
0:28:10 > 0:28:15It's... Laughter blows the dust off your soul!
0:28:15 > 0:28:18What I also see is the church celebrating
0:28:18 > 0:28:20that laughter is a gift of God.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22It's a gift, and it's free!
0:28:22 > 0:28:24ALL: ..for thine is the kingdom,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28Amen.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Well, it turns out I didn't quite cut it as a clown,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34so they've escorted me out of the service.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38This has been absolutely nuts, all kinds of mayhem,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41but fantastic and moving, and fun!
0:28:41 > 0:28:42All right, all right...
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Don't cause more... Do you mind?
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Next week, we're on Guernsey in the Channel Islands,
0:30:41 > 0:30:46but for today, our final piece of music is a song of praise
0:30:46 > 0:30:49set to a beautiful tune, sung by a Welsh congregation.