0:00:02 > 0:00:04BIG BEN CHIMES THE HOUR
0:00:07 > 0:00:12We're a week into the new year and it should be a memorable one for all of us.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16The eyes of the world are going to be on this great city and its most famous resident.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19That's as the Olympic Games come to town,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22and also we prepare for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Now, the view from down here is quite good already
0:00:24 > 0:00:27but if you get up there it's even better.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37So this week we meet the golden man behind the Games.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41We hear what it's like to sing at the Queen's coronation.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43And there's music from across the country.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59From up here, you get the perfect view of London,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03a city that's at the very heart of some of the biggest events of 2012.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07You'll have to trust me on this,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09but the Olympic Park is over there somewhere.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12It's a huge year for sport and, for someone like me,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15who you might have spotted on your Football Focus sofa on the BBC,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19personally, I can't wait for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games
0:01:19 > 0:01:20as part of London 2012.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Down there is Buckingham Palace
0:01:23 > 0:01:26and Her Majesty the Queen has got quite a big bash lined up
0:01:26 > 0:01:29in June of this year to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36This week, we look forward to some of those huge events of the next 12 months
0:01:36 > 0:01:38and we meet some of the people behind them.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46All our music has been chosen with these events in mind.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Our first hymn reflects on the years that have passed
0:01:48 > 0:01:52and the belief that God is with us every step of the way.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38This year people around the world
0:04:38 > 0:04:41will be celebrating a very special occasion.
0:04:41 > 0:04:4560 years ago, the young Princess Elizabeth's life
0:04:45 > 0:04:47would change for ever when she became Queen.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51A year later, it was her coronation and it took place here at Westminster Abbey.
0:04:51 > 0:04:58# Zadok the Priest
0:04:58 > 0:05:06# And Nathan the Prophet
0:05:06 > 0:05:14# Anointed Solomon King. #
0:05:14 > 0:05:19There were over 7,000 people crammed into this amazing building,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23each one of them craning to catch a glimpse of the new Queen.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28# And all the people rejoic'd
0:05:28 > 0:05:30# Rejoic'd... #
0:05:30 > 0:05:33It was so spectacular and so wonderful
0:05:33 > 0:05:39that I don't think at the age of 10 I was really able to grasp it,
0:05:39 > 0:05:45but in terms of the occasion, the pageantry,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48the music, the spectacle,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50it was a wonderful day.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54David Overton was a chorister in Westminster Abbey Choir
0:05:54 > 0:05:57and one of the youngest people at the coronation.
0:05:57 > 0:06:03We had to be in the Abbey as choristers very early, about eight o'clock,
0:06:03 > 0:06:11and it was some time before the ceremony started, before the Queen arrived.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15We had been given sandwiches, ham sandwiches,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18and barley sugars and an apple.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21We found that in our cassock pocket.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25But of course that was meant to last us through the day,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28through the eight hours that we were going to be in the Abbey.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33It lasted us about half an hour! We polished those off.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Even now, so many years on, do you still feel privileged
0:06:36 > 0:06:40that you were able to be there and be part of that great day?
0:06:41 > 0:06:46Yes, but the privilege was not just being part of the coronation.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51The privilege was being in the choir,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54being a chorister in Westminster Abbey,
0:06:54 > 0:07:01which is the most wonderful start of any musical life,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05of a spiritual life,
0:07:05 > 0:07:10and it's not just the coronation that you take away with you,
0:07:10 > 0:07:17it's the joy of singing every day for five years
0:07:17 > 0:07:20in one of the most wonderful churches
0:07:20 > 0:07:25with one of the most wonderful musical traditions in the world.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30# For ever, for ever, for ever
0:07:30 > 0:07:31# Amen, Amen
0:07:31 > 0:07:34# Allelujah, allelujah. #
0:07:34 > 0:07:36As well as lasting memories,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40David also has some personal treasures from that special day.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Well, this is my coronation book.
0:07:45 > 0:07:51This has got the words and the music of everything I sang on the day,
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- one or two autographs of the people who I thought were important. - Did you get the Queen in there?
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- No, I'm afraid I haven't got the Queen.- There's still time!
0:08:00 > 0:08:06Here we are, the wonderful introduction of Zadok The Priest,
0:08:06 > 0:08:12sung every coronation since George II in 1727.
0:08:12 > 0:08:18So that is your actual coronation book from which we sang.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21This is the coronation medal.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23All the choristers, all the singers
0:08:23 > 0:08:26and all the participants got one of these.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- I'm interested to know who's written this in here. - That is my dear mother's writing.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34As soon as the medal arrived, she wrote my name on it.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37When you look back now, is there a single moment
0:08:37 > 0:08:40that you remember, that you cherish, that you will never forget?
0:08:40 > 0:08:47At the coronation service, one of the prayers that's in the red book
0:08:47 > 0:08:53talks about grant the Queen a long life, grant her a long reign.
0:08:54 > 0:09:00Well, that prayer has been granted and how magnificently has the Queen,
0:09:00 > 0:09:0560 years later, continued to do such a wonderful job?
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Our next hymn was part of that coronation service all those years ago
0:09:12 > 0:09:15and I'm sure it will be sung up and down the country
0:09:15 > 0:09:18in Jubilee celebrations this year too.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24The lighting of beacons dates back many centuries.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26First used as a warning of invasion,
0:11:26 > 0:11:31they now take on a more ceremonial role, marking significant occasions like the millennium.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35This year our skies will be alight once more.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40Well, on 4th June we are aiming to light 2,012 beacons
0:11:40 > 0:11:44across the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Commonwealth,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48the overseas realms, in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55Bruno Peek's been responsible for planning many beacon ceremonies,
0:11:55 > 0:11:59but this year lighting so many beacons will be an extra special challenge.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04One of the things we're very keen on is getting the Church involved
0:12:04 > 0:12:06right across the nation in lighting beacons.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09So they'll be on village greens, on church towers,
0:12:09 > 0:12:13on high hilltops, all different manner of locations.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18The beauty of the event is that we have so many different types of people taking part,
0:12:18 > 0:12:24from schools to those who own stately homes, to the man in the street.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28It's really interesting the numbers and different types of communities
0:12:28 > 0:12:32bringing the country together in one common celebration.
0:12:37 > 0:12:43Where you've got people coming together through celebration or even through sad times,
0:12:43 > 0:12:45a flickering flame is such a symbol
0:12:45 > 0:12:49of bringing people together in peace and friendship.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56As Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever believes in me will never walk in darkness."
0:12:56 > 0:13:01And if you believe in our monarch, what a wonderful way to celebrate
0:13:01 > 0:13:04through coming together, through fire and through light,
0:13:04 > 0:13:09because it's always been a great symbol of peace and friendship.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12So when people see that light burning,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15it really touches their hearts.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Just think, our Queen will be standing there on that night
0:13:18 > 0:13:24and she'll be thinking to herself, "Look, these 2,012 communities are coming together.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26"They've taken all this time, all these months,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29"all these years to plan this celebration just for me."
0:13:29 > 0:13:31What a wonderful feeling.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53# The light of the world made history begin
0:13:53 > 0:13:57# Spoke time into being Caused planets to spin
0:13:57 > 0:14:01# Flung galaxies wide through infinite space
0:14:01 > 0:14:06# To sing of his splendour and fathomless grace
0:14:06 > 0:14:09# Come, come, daughters and sons
0:14:09 > 0:14:13# Look to the light of the world
0:14:13 > 0:14:17# Sing, sing praises to him
0:14:17 > 0:14:21# Simply believe you will receive
0:14:21 > 0:14:24# Mercy and love without measure
0:14:32 > 0:14:35# The light of the world preached justice for all
0:14:35 > 0:14:40# Defying the proud and defending the poor
0:14:40 > 0:14:43# Then humbled himself to death on a cross
0:14:43 > 0:14:47# To crush the oppressor and rescue the lost
0:14:47 > 0:14:51# Come, come, daughters and sons
0:14:51 > 0:14:55# Look to the light of the world
0:14:55 > 0:14:59# Sing, sing praises to him
0:14:59 > 0:15:03# Simply believe you will receive
0:15:03 > 0:15:07# Mercy and love without measure
0:15:24 > 0:15:28# The light of the world still shines on the earth
0:15:28 > 0:15:32# With gifts of forgiveness The hope of new birth
0:15:32 > 0:15:35# So open your heart Don't hide in the night
0:15:35 > 0:15:40# Step out of the darkness and into his light
0:15:40 > 0:15:43# Come, come daughters and sons
0:15:43 > 0:15:48# Look to the light of the world
0:15:48 > 0:15:51# Sing, sing praises to him
0:15:51 > 0:15:55# Simply believe you will receive
0:15:55 > 0:15:59# Mercy and love without measure
0:15:59 > 0:16:04# Mercy and love without measure. #
0:16:11 > 0:16:16It's hard to believe it's almost seven years since we heard this news.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20The Games of the 30th Olympiad in 2012 are awarded
0:16:20 > 0:16:23to the city of London!
0:16:25 > 0:16:28That's one of those days you always remember where you were,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31and after years in the making we're almost there.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35You can see the Olympic Park is very much taking shape behind us here.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39You get the idea that something big is going to happen here rather soon.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50The Games will feature a huge variety of sports, from archery to wrestling.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Here at the amazing Aquatic Centre, the great British public
0:16:53 > 0:16:56will get the chance to cheer on diver Tom Daley,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58who will do his business down there.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08And someone who knows what it's like to win gold at the Olympic Games
0:17:08 > 0:17:09is Lord Coe.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- I thought I'd see you here. - How are you?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- Its 2012, the year is here. - Not long now.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20So in terms of nerves, worries, are you happy that we're now in 2012
0:17:20 > 0:17:23and you can almost think about it being this year?
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- This is the year of the Olympics. - It's quite a sobering thought.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29We've done the countdown from seven years.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Then when we were bidding it was a couple more years on top of that.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Really, now we're not counting in years.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40We're barely counting in weeks and months now. So it's close.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42It's quite a responsibility that thousands in here,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45billions watching at home, around the world,
0:17:45 > 0:17:49and their memories of 2012, how they remember this year,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52may well be down to what they see achieved in this very place.
0:17:52 > 0:17:58Oh, I hope that we are able to say to you that we delivered a fantastic Games, great sport.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03That tends to happen when the best athletes of their generation come head to head.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08I guess I see this through the eyes of a former competitor,
0:18:08 > 0:18:13because every time you see an athlete walk out here during a Games,
0:18:13 > 0:18:14you have to remember that
0:18:14 > 0:18:18they've probably given up, devoted, half their young lives to that one moment.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22So you can't by conscience give them anything other
0:18:22 > 0:18:27than the very best level of service that you can possibly provide them.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32It's not just athletes who are preparing.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35The Church is also getting ready to champion the Games.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38This is a great opportunity for the Church
0:18:38 > 0:18:40to be seen to be doing what it's good at.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44What the Church is really good at is giving care and hospitality
0:18:44 > 0:18:46and concern to the community.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51The Church in this country is the largest provider of voluntary services
0:18:51 > 0:18:55and when the Games comes along the Church will do what it's good at.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59We've got this great project called the Athlete Family Homestay
0:18:59 > 0:19:04which makes it possible for the families of athletes to stay and be hosted in homes.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08They couldn't otherwise come and watch their family members take part.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13We launched it last year with a great do in Trafalgar Square,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15with real excitement.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18It's something that if you've just got a room
0:19:18 > 0:19:21and can be hospitable and kind and caring and welcome people,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24it's a real gift to the Games from the churches.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30Our next piece of music, sung by previous school choir finalists,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33sums up the spirit of the Olympics.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Once the Olympics is finished,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08it's the turn of our Paralympians to go for gold.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12This year is really exciting.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17We found out in 2005 that the Olympics and Paralympics
0:22:17 > 0:22:20were going to be held in London, and ever since then
0:22:20 > 0:22:23we've all known what the long-term goal would be
0:22:23 > 0:22:27and we've been working really hard ever since then
0:22:27 > 0:22:31to get ourselves to a position where we could represent Great Britain
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and give a really good account of ourselves in London.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37So we're really excited.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Goalball was devised as rehabilitation
0:22:40 > 0:22:42for visually impaired World War II soldiers
0:22:42 > 0:22:46and now is one of the most popular sports at the Paralympics.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Goalball is a really fun game to play.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52It's really fast-paced and energetic.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55It's really challenging, especially when you're new to the sport,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58because you're having to use different senses.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03Having shades on for the first time for many people is a great challenge.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Just being able to orientate themselves around court
0:23:07 > 0:23:12and listen to the bells in the ball can be really difficult.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17So it's a really different sort of sport.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19How did you personally get into goalball?
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I got into goalball when I was 16.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27I went to a boarding school for visually impaired people just for sixth form.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31They played it there and that's where I discovered goalball for the first time.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33I hadn't heard of it before.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36I played it once, absolutely fell in love,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39and very quickly became totally obsessed with it.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42As a Christian, is there a spiritual element
0:23:42 > 0:23:45to the way that you play or think about playing your sport?
0:23:45 > 0:23:52I very much see goalball as my way of showing worship to God.
0:23:52 > 0:23:59I believe that some people are gifted with talents like singing
0:23:59 > 0:24:03or can produce amazing pieces of art.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Sport and particularly goalball is my talent
0:24:07 > 0:24:10and I love being able to put my all into that talent
0:24:10 > 0:24:13and investing in it as much as I can.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17I definitely feel that I'm playing my best goalball
0:24:17 > 0:24:20when I'm in tune with the Holy Spirit.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25When I have made my prayers before the start of a game,
0:24:25 > 0:24:31I definitely feel a relaxation that I don't feel if I forget to do that.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36How important is it for you to have a sport that you can be so clearly deeply involved in?
0:24:36 > 0:24:39I went through a phase in life when I was about 12 or 13
0:24:39 > 0:24:42where I really wanted to be healed
0:24:42 > 0:24:47and I didn't want to be visually impaired.
0:24:47 > 0:24:54I remember going to church a few times and praying with the vicar about it,
0:24:54 > 0:24:58believing that I would be healed.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Obviously I wasn't.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05But I definitely feel that from that moment onwards
0:25:05 > 0:25:10God was with me in all of the key decisions
0:25:10 > 0:25:15and it brought me to where I am now.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Actually I am really glad that I can't see very well
0:25:19 > 0:25:27because it meant that I would be able to play goalball, go to the Paralympics.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31If I'd been healed of my sight I wouldn't have met my wife
0:25:31 > 0:25:37and, yes, it's just turned out so much better than I ever could have dreamed when I was 13.
0:27:53 > 0:28:00Thank you, Lord, for the service our Queen has given during the past 60 years,
0:28:00 > 0:28:07for her unswerving sense of duty and her loyalty to our country,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09setting an example to her people
0:28:09 > 0:28:12through her graciousness and Christian values.
0:28:19 > 0:28:24Lord, we pray for those who are preparing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28Lead us towards the love of Christ, who is more than gold,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31today and forever. Amen.
0:28:43 > 0:28:50# Deep peace of the running wave to you
0:28:50 > 0:28:58# Deep peace of the flowing air to you
0:28:58 > 0:29:07# Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
0:29:07 > 0:29:15# Deep peace of the shining stars to you
0:29:15 > 0:29:24# Deep peace of the gentle nights to you
0:29:24 > 0:29:32# Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
0:29:32 > 0:29:39# Deep peace of Christ
0:29:39 > 0:29:54# Of Christ, the light of the world to you
0:29:54 > 0:30:09# Deep peace of Christ to you. #
0:30:20 > 0:30:23So we've looked at some of the big events of 2012
0:30:23 > 0:30:26and hopefully you'll get to go to some of those yourself.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28It's not just about the showpiece events,
0:30:28 > 0:30:31also those moments which are far more personal.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Our final hymn looks back with thanks at what God has given us
0:30:34 > 0:30:37and looks forward with hope.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Next week Aled is on a magical mystery tour of Calderdale.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21He explores the unique landscape of this part of West Yorkshire
0:33:21 > 0:33:24using unusual means of transport.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28And there are some wonderful hymns from Halifax Minster.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:33:40 > 0:33:44E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk