0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hello, and welcome to West Yorkshire.
0:00:05 > 0:00:10This week, I'm on my way to Halifax, a town with a proud history
0:00:10 > 0:00:15and a rich musical tradition, so I wonder why they asked me to bring a scooter.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Honestly, the things I do for this programme!
0:00:21 > 0:00:22BEEP-BEEP!
0:00:22 > 0:00:28They meant THAT sort of scooter! ..Wait for me!
0:00:29 > 0:00:33This week, I discover the appeal of transport with two wheels
0:00:33 > 0:00:37and many mirrors, with wonderful hymns from Halifax Minster,
0:00:37 > 0:00:42and country music legend Glen Campbell takes a break from his world tour
0:00:42 > 0:00:45to give an exclusive performance for Songs Of Praise.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Halifax is a town shaped by its proud industrial heritage.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02The old mills and market places in the shadow of the South Pennine hills
0:01:02 > 0:01:04are reminders of the time
0:01:04 > 0:01:08when this was a major hub of the wool and cotton trade.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Nevertheless, Halifax has moved with the changing times.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14You may have heard of the small building society
0:01:14 > 0:01:16established here in 1853.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Now part of a multinational banking group,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22it's still the town's biggest employer.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Whilst some landmarks, like the handsome town hall,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29are still used for their original purpose,
0:01:29 > 0:01:33other buildings and spaces have been re-imagined and reinvented.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Like this one.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Halifax Piece Hall, opened up as a trading place
0:01:38 > 0:01:41for pieces of cloth in 1779.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44It quickly became a focal point for the people of Halifax.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Political hustings were held here,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49and it was even the starting point
0:01:49 > 0:01:52for Halifax's very first hot-air balloon ride.
0:01:52 > 0:01:57And in the mid-19th century, it was the setting for a series of Whitsuntide Sings,
0:01:57 > 0:02:01where over 30,000 gathered to raise their voices in praise to God.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04And the churches of Halifax
0:02:04 > 0:02:08continue to maintain that rich musical tradition.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13When I came to Halifax a few years ago, this building behind me
0:02:13 > 0:02:15was the parish church, but something's changed.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18It's still the same imposing building at the heart of town
0:02:18 > 0:02:21and it's still home to the same thriving community.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23It's where our hymns come from this week.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26But it's no longer the parish church. Why?
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Find out after our first hymn, At The Name Of Jesus.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Here's a riddle for you.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12When is a church still a church, but no longer a church?
0:05:12 > 0:05:17And what has a telescope, a diary and a coin got to do with its story?
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Come with me - all will be revealed.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27For over 900 years, this was the town's parish church
0:05:27 > 0:05:30until just two years ago, when in a very special service,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34it was endowed with the title "Minster Church of St John the Baptist Halifax".
0:05:34 > 0:05:37So, it's not just a church, it's a Minster church.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42The term Minster originally referred to a religious community.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Today it's an honorary title
0:05:44 > 0:05:49that can be bestowed on parish churches by their bishop.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52And the mission of Halifax's New Minster is to reach out
0:05:52 > 0:05:55through worship, social justice and education,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58and, of course, to build on its rich heritage,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01which brings me to the other clues in the riddle.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04The coin - that's to give to Old Tristram here.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Carved in wood, in 1701, it's believed that he represents
0:06:08 > 0:06:12a real-life Halifax character who once begged in the church precincts.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Doesn't look bad for his age, does he?
0:06:15 > 0:06:20The diary is a clue to another intriguing former resident of Halifax.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Anne Lister inherited nearby Shipton Hall in 1826.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27She was a prolific diary writer, and used to record
0:06:27 > 0:06:29her private thoughts using a secret code,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32which has only been deciphered in the last few years.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36And the telescope - that's in memory of William Herschel,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39a quite remarkable man by all accounts.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44He came to England from Germany in 1757, aged just 19,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47and went on to become the celebrated astronomer
0:06:47 > 0:06:50who discovered the planet Uranus.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54But besides star-gazing, he was also an accomplished musician.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58He was actually the first organist here, at Halifax Minster, as it is now.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00I'm sure he'd be very proud to know
0:07:00 > 0:07:04that this fine instrument is still being put to good use.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57I was meant to be here for two months, when I finished university. I'm here ten years later!
0:08:57 > 0:09:03Denise Keenan and her daughter-in-law Kate run the St Augustine's Centre in Halifax.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Established in the 1960s,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08to react to the needs of an increasingly diverse community,
0:09:08 > 0:09:13volunteers were soon offering advice and support to refugees and asylum-seekers.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Over the years, the centre has gone from strength to strength.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20We used to get people coming to our office door,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23to the point where there was a queue of people wanting something.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26I'd be just running round like a headless chicken.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29I'd be standing there saying, "Kate, do this!"
0:09:29 > 0:09:32And eventually we said, we need to find one afternoon a week,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35where we serve some food and we sort everyone's problems out.
0:09:35 > 0:09:41- That was the plan. - We were going to sort everyone's problems out, with volunteers.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- On the Tuesday afternoon.- And now we've got two buildings, 24/7 advice.
0:09:46 > 0:09:52We have garden activities, we have creative activities,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55we have immigration advice, careers advice.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58We have a church service downstairs.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02# We are part of God's amazing plan. #
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- You're also banging drums! - Yes, Sambalifax!
0:10:10 > 0:10:14You can sit at the table on a Tuesday, with 35 people,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18and they're all from somewhere different in the world. How amazing is that?
0:10:20 > 0:10:24'Gabriel Mlala was a teacher in his native Zimbabwe,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27'when, due to political unrest, he had to flee for his life.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31'After ten years, it's still not safe for him to return.'
0:10:31 > 0:10:33You've had such a tough life.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36You had to leave your family behind in Zimbabwe.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Yes, I left my family behind.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42I had been in South Africa for two years before I came here,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45so it is more than ten years now that I last saw my children.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47How do you cope with that?
0:10:47 > 0:10:53Sometimes I just have to cry, to take out the stress of it.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56We pray for all those who fear for their safety.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01I am so close to my family, especially my mother.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04It's the one that I think... Because she is very old now,
0:11:04 > 0:11:11and sometimes I get so much afraid that she will die, and I won't even see her.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Does God help you through that?
0:11:13 > 0:11:18Yes, I think praise has been a very good...a big part in my life.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23Because each time when I'm very down, I just kneel down and pray.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Sometimes when I wake up in the morning,
0:11:25 > 0:11:32I feel I've got the strength to just go on and on, and hopefully things will get better.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35And you sometimes wonder, when did they last have a hug?
0:11:35 > 0:11:38I'm not going to give them a hug cos it's appropriate from me.
0:11:38 > 0:11:43- I do.- But the mother figure, everybody loves the mother figure in their life.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47You sometimes think, when did they last have that bit of love
0:11:47 > 0:11:49that you need sometimes to keep you going?
0:11:49 > 0:11:51I suppose this can be a controversial issue.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54What do you say to the people who are of the view
0:11:54 > 0:11:56that asylum seekers should stay where they are?
0:11:56 > 0:12:00One thing I say to people is, this is a Christian country.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05We've got to treat people in a Christian manner.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07And we don't.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11People come here, and half of them don't even know why they're here,
0:12:11 > 0:12:15because they've paid somebody to get them out of their horrible situation.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19It would be really sad to think
0:12:19 > 0:12:24there would be hundreds of people out there not receiving God's love,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27but...you know, I'm sure something else would be here.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30And there are many charities we work with who do practical things,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34but it would be a really sad loss to this community.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- We're a bit of an oasis, really. - I see God's face in people,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43when they come in the doors, and sometimes people will walk away...
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- And you know that it's God. - Yes, there goes Jesus.
0:14:54 > 0:15:00In its heyday, this space at Piece Hall would have been alive
0:15:00 > 0:15:03with noise and colour, as traders tried to sell their wares.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06And even today, the peace of Piece Hall is sometimes shattered.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09ENGINES REV
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Before I left school, I knew that I wanted to be a somebody,
0:15:21 > 0:15:26to be part of a group, to be part of something people would look up to.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31A Mod is someone who is very smart.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36It's all about music, it's all about dancing to the music that you love.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40And it's all about girls.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43And it's all about scooters as well.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46A Mod cannot be a Mod without a scooter, in my opinion.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50I did the usual - going out, getting drunk.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54And I remember one time coming home one evening.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I had the police everywhere because I was causing that much trouble.
0:15:57 > 0:16:03The police came knocking on our door, and I looked at my mum,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05and I could see the sadness in her eyes.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08And I started to cry.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12And I cried buckets, and I said, "Mum, I can't stop drinking."
0:16:12 > 0:16:18And I said, "I am going to church." You could hear a pin drop.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22It was scary. It was unusual for me.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Because one thing I noticed is that when I walked into this church,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30people were talking to each other.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32And they seemed to have a smile on their faces,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35as if they were enjoying the church.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40I could feel God's presence everywhere.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42I looked upon God,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45and I could see with my eyes that he was pure,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48he was holy, he was right.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51And when I looked at my own heart and my own life,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53I could see all the wrong
0:16:53 > 0:16:56and the terrible things that I'd done in the past.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01At that point, I got up and I walked to front of the church,
0:17:01 > 0:17:07and I shook the minister's hand, and I lifted my head and prayed to Jesus.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10And I said, "Jesus, I will follow you."
0:17:12 > 0:17:18And even to this day, after 25 years, I'm still learning to walk with God.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23I don't have it all together, I am not perfect. I'm just forgiven.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Becoming a Christian did not stop Phill from becoming a Mod
0:17:29 > 0:17:33and he set about forming a group for those who shared both his faith
0:17:33 > 0:17:35and his love for scooters.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42We came up with the idea of the British Christian Scooterist's Association.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44We even designed a logo.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48The association is set up for Christians,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52and if they have any problems, we're there for them.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53And what do you do?
0:17:53 > 0:17:55We go to rallies,
0:17:55 > 0:18:00and we go there to let them know that there is more to life
0:18:00 > 0:18:03than just listening to music, there is more to life
0:18:03 > 0:18:06than just drinking.
0:18:06 > 0:18:12And we wanted to let the world know that Jesus Christ is alive
0:18:12 > 0:18:17and very much in the business of changing people's lives for the better.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07# There's been a load of compromising... #
0:20:07 > 0:20:09When it comes to the world of country music,
0:20:09 > 0:20:13there are few bigger stars than Glen Campbell.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15His career has spanned five decades,
0:20:15 > 0:20:20and produced huge hits such as Witchita Lineman and Rhinestone Cowboy.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23# Like a rhinestone cowboy
0:20:25 > 0:20:29# Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo... #
0:20:29 > 0:20:31He's still playing and recording today.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35But a few months ago, Glen was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38With his wife Kim, he spoke to Songs Of Praise
0:20:38 > 0:20:43shortly before he performed in Yorkshire as part of his final world tour.
0:20:43 > 0:20:50Well, I'm one of 12 kids. And Daddy, he played and sang.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52He had a harmonica. He'd do all that.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56So, all the kids just kind of picked up on it.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- You used to have all-day singing. - Oh, yeah.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04- Picnic on the ground, and singing. Go to church on Sunday. - Singing at a church on Sunday.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09They didn't do allow musical instruments at the Church of Christ,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11where Mama went, so I went on down to the other one!
0:21:11 > 0:21:14And at the Baptist church, they didn't allow dancing!
0:21:14 > 0:21:17They didn't allow dancing! I said, "Boy!"
0:21:17 > 0:21:21I looked all over the Bible and I never saw any of those things!
0:21:21 > 0:21:26After perfecting his guitar playing on his uncle's radio show,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Glen moved to California, just as rock'n'roll was taking off.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34He formed his own bands, and then joined a group of session musicians
0:21:34 > 0:21:37who gained a reputation as the best in the business.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40They became known as the Wrecking Crew.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45The Wrecking Crew was a bunch of guys... We played everybody's songs.
0:21:45 > 0:21:51- We used to start off with Sinatra, Dean Martin, the Beach Boys... - The Monkees.- The Monkees!
0:21:52 > 0:21:55I really enjoyed doing that,
0:21:55 > 0:21:59cos I was playing with the best players on Earth - literally.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03I was playing in Las Vegas.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Elvis would do a month, we'd do a month.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08It was a lot of fun, I really got to know Elvis.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10You'd go to see his show, he'd go to see yours.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- He played on Viva Las Vegas. - Right, I played on Viva Las Vegas.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18And Elvis and I became friends. Boy...
0:22:18 > 0:22:23He had more charisma than anybody I have ever seen in my life.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26And I've always admired him for that.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30He was just as nice a guy as you'd ever want to run into.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32He was just awesome.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35# Viva Las Vegas! #
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Well, when I first met Glen, on our first date, we went out to eat,
0:22:39 > 0:22:43and he bowed his head to say a prayer before the meal began,
0:22:43 > 0:22:45and I thought, "Yes!"
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Cos I had been asking the Lord to send me a Christian man.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53So, we had a great date... But as the night progressed,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56I realised that he had a terrible drinking problem.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58It wasn't terrible! I was enjoying it!
0:22:58 > 0:23:01I should have added, "Be specific when you pray!"
0:23:01 > 0:23:03# Amazing Grace... #
0:23:03 > 0:23:08We had a lot of dark valleys that we had to walk through.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12But I knew that he was seeking God, and so I prayed a lot,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15and we found a good church in Phoenix.
0:23:15 > 0:23:23# Cos I once was lost And Lord, but now I'm found... #
0:23:23 > 0:23:28This past year, we received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's for Glen.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- Short-term memory was beginning to...- Oh, yeah.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35- ..go away.- I didn't want to remember all that stuff that was in my past!
0:23:35 > 0:23:40- I was glad I was forgetting it! - So, we're just taking it day by day.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44It's been a slow and gradual process.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46We're just trying to enjoy life,
0:23:46 > 0:23:51and prepare for tomorrow but not worry about tomorrow.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54And God is faithful, and we're just going to trust in him
0:23:54 > 0:23:57- and rely on him for the future. - Amen.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01She'd make a good preacher, wouldn't she? HE LAUGHS
0:24:05 > 0:24:09# I've tried and I have failed, Lord
0:24:10 > 0:24:14# I've won and I have lost
0:24:17 > 0:24:20# I've lived and I have loved, Lord
0:24:22 > 0:24:26# Sometimes at such a cost
0:24:29 > 0:24:33# One thing I know
0:24:34 > 0:24:37# The world's been good to me
0:24:39 > 0:24:42# A better place
0:24:43 > 0:24:46# Awaits, you'll see
0:24:51 > 0:24:55# Some days I'm so confused, Lord
0:24:57 > 0:25:01# My past gets in my way
0:25:03 > 0:25:07# I need the ones I love, Lord
0:25:09 > 0:25:12# More and more each day
0:25:16 > 0:25:19# One thing I know
0:25:21 > 0:25:23# The world's been good to me
0:25:25 > 0:25:28# A better place
0:25:29 > 0:25:34# Awaits, you'll see
0:25:37 > 0:25:43# Oooh ooh-ooh ooooh
0:25:45 > 0:25:48# A better place. #
0:25:55 > 0:25:59When visiting Halifax, you're only ever a few minutes away
0:25:59 > 0:26:02from some splendid Yorkshire countryside.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05The peace and tranquillity of being out in the country
0:26:05 > 0:26:08has always struck a chord deep in the human spirit.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Something perhaps most famously expressed in the 23rd Psalm.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15David's words of green pastures and still waters
0:26:15 > 0:26:18have been set to music countless times through the ages,
0:26:18 > 0:26:23but recently, churches have come to treasure the setting we're about to hear next.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27It was written by a worship leader who grew up a few miles from here, Stuart Townend.
0:29:54 > 0:30:01Heavenly Father, we thank you for the people that enrich our lives.
0:30:01 > 0:30:07For the different communities that give us a sense of belonging.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11Help us always to remember that we are one family.
0:30:11 > 0:30:17And to strive to reflect your love and your light to those around us.
0:30:17 > 0:30:18Amen.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26The peace of God which passes all understanding.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God
0:30:30 > 0:30:32and of his son, Jesus Christ.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,
0:30:36 > 0:30:40the Son and the Holy Spirit
0:30:40 > 0:30:44be among you and remain with you always.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46ALL: Amen.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53It's time to say goodbye to the Minster town of Halifax,
0:30:53 > 0:30:56and the people who've shared their stories.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57But not before our final hymn,
0:30:57 > 0:31:00which celebrates the great story of our faith.
0:31:00 > 0:31:05It's time for me to head home. Till next week, see you.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34Next week, in a special programme for Remembrance Sunday,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37we'll be in the garrison town of Colchester.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40I'll be meetings soldiers recently returned from Afghanistan,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44and discover how the Royal British Legion began 90 years ago.
0:33:55 > 0:34:01Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:34:01 > 0:34:06E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk