0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:00 > 0:00:05- Today we're in North-east Wales - visiting spiritual locations...
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- ..where the soul can find peace.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10- Welcome to - Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:17 > 0:00:22- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:25 > 0:00:30- # Soli Deo gloria #
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- On our journey today, - we are joined by Aled Lewis Evans.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50- He recently published a book - called Llwybrau Llonyddwch...
0:00:50 > 0:00:55- ..where he visits places which have - a spiritual significance to him.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- Since we're in North-east Wales...
0:00:59 > 0:01:05- ..Aled will accompany us - to some of the locations nearby.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- Well, Aled, it's nice being out - in the open air...
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- ..surrounded by the beauty - of Flintshire.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20- We'll be visiting locations - you highlighted in your book.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- What inspired you to write the book?
0:01:23 > 0:01:29- They're places I would visit - for some peace and time to myself.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- They're all on people's doorsteps.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- I've gathered them all together - in this book.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- I hope people are inspired by them.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42- I'm looking forward to the journey - we're having today.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- Let's turn to our first hymn - of the evening.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- We head to Bethesda chapel, Mold...
0:01:49 > 0:01:53- ..for the hymn Pa Le, Pa Fodd - Dechreuaf Foliannu'r Iesu Mawr.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- Well, Aled, - we're in the middle of a field.
0:03:51 > 0:03:52- It's a remote location.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- Why has something as special - as this been built here?
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- In the ninth century, - when it was built...
0:04:01 > 0:04:07- ..people would visit this stone - to be healed.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- According to some, - it was a stone of lamentation.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16- Others associate the stone - with Saint Cwyfan.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21- There's a church in Dyserth, - near here, dedicated to Cwyfan.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- Monks from Basingwerk Abbey - would visit the stone.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- We'll be visiting that site later.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- They would come here for penance.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- There must have been some kind - of institution around here.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- This is our first stop today, Aled.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- It must be a stone that's been - important across the centuries.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- Yes, it's been here - since the ninth century.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- There are patterns - from different periods on the cross.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- It's part of the Pilgrim's Way - to Bardsey Island.
0:04:55 > 0:05:01- I have a feeling people - visited the stone on their journey.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- We turn to a psalm next - which tells of the desire...
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- ..to have tranquillity - in the presence of God.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- Here's Fel Yr Hydd - sung by Mirain Evans.
0:06:49 > 0:06:56- # As the deer panteth for the water
0:06:56 > 0:07:03- # So my soul longs after you
0:07:03 > 0:07:09- # You alone are my hearts desire
0:07:09 > 0:07:16- # And I long to worship You
0:07:17 > 0:07:23- # You alone are my strength, - my shield
0:07:23 > 0:07:31- # To You alone may my spirit yield
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- # You alone are my hearts desire
0:07:38 > 0:07:45- # And I long to worship You
0:07:52 > 0:07:59- # I want you more - than gold or silver
0:07:59 > 0:08:06- # Only You can satisfy
0:08:07 > 0:08:12- # You alone are the real joy giver
0:08:13 > 0:08:19- # And the apple of my eye
0:08:20 > 0:08:26- # You alone are my strength, - my shield
0:08:26 > 0:08:33- # To You alone may my spirit yield
0:08:34 > 0:08:40- # You alone are my heart's desire
0:08:41 > 0:08:48- # And I long to worship You
0:08:55 > 0:09:01- # You're my friend - and You're my brother
0:09:02 > 0:09:08- # Even though you are a King
0:09:08 > 0:09:15- # I love You more than any other
0:09:15 > 0:09:22- # So much more than anything
0:09:23 > 0:09:29- # You alone are my strength, - my shield
0:09:30 > 0:09:37- # To You alone may my spirit yield
0:09:38 > 0:09:44- # You alone are my hearts desire
0:09:45 > 0:09:54- # And I long to worship You #
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- This is a very spiritual location, - Aled. Where are we?
0:10:10 > 0:10:15- This is St Winefride's Well - in Holywell.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- They say Holywell - is the Lourdes of Wales.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- This is much older than Lourdes.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- This has been holy water...
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- ..since the well was established - in the seventh century.
0:10:31 > 0:10:37- Winifred's head was severed and fell - to the ground during an altercation.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- A spring rose from the ground.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44- Many people visit the well - and bathe in the water.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- What is so special about this water?
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- I've been here when people - are in the water.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- There's a special atmosphere here.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59- If people have experienced problems - with their skin or have illnesses...
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- ..they bathe in the water...
0:11:02 > 0:11:06- ..and they believe they are - touched by the hand of Winefride...
0:11:07 > 0:11:08- ..as they do so.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- Do people regularly bathe here?
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Many people visit the well, - in busloads.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- 34,000 every year.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23- There's a Sunday - at the end of June every year...
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- ..when the well welcomes pilgrims - from all over the world.
0:11:27 > 0:11:33- There's graffiti from 1734 near the - well which testifies to a healing.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- There's graffiti from the ages - on the walls.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- It's a very special place.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- It's stayed exactly the same - over the years...
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- ..and it's an unique location - in Wales.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- There are special ruins, - surrounded by trees.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- You could almost miss it.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Where exactly are we?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- The busy A55 is nearby...
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- ..and people often pass - this location.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- This is Basingwerk Abbey.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- It was home to Cistercian monks - from the 12th century.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- There were beautiful stained glass - windows, lead on the roof.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- Some of the windows have survived.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- One of them is the Jesse window - in Llanrhaeadr...
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- ..it came originally from here.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34- Because it's on the border, - it attracted the Welsh and English.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- There was a thriving - poetic community here...
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- ..there was - the Black Book of Basingwerk.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- Flint Castle is also nearby.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- There was a strong influence - from England here after 1282.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- It's a truly enchanting location.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56- It's at the head of the - Pilgrim's Way to Bardsey Island.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- Watts Dyke is nearby - and it's wonderful.
0:15:59 > 0:16:05- People should visit this place - during the Urdd Eisteddfod.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- It is a wonderful place. - Thank you for bringing us here.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- We now turn to the pupils - of Ysgol Maes Garmon...
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- ..as they perform Trysor.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- Music by the school's head of music - Nia Wyn Jones...
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- ..and the words by Iwan Huws.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- # Today
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- # The dawn brightened my day
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- # And in the heat - of its magical colours
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- # My heart was filled with joy
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- # Today
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- # I heard the voices of the birds
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- # In the harmony of their melody
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- # Was the majesty of their song
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- # But the greatest value for me
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- # More than the world's gold, - believe you me
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- # The greatest treasure for me
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- # Is to be with you
0:17:02 > 0:17:08- # My special friends, - my dearest friends
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- # From the incomparable company - comes a steadfast bond
0:17:13 > 0:17:19- # I treasure my friends, - so warm and committed
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- # Despite the world's beauty
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- # And its great riches
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- # Being a friend of yours
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- # Is more valuable to me
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- # Tonight
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- # The moonlight is my lantern
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- # To brighten up my night
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- # And life is so quiet
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- # Tonight
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- # The stars shine brightly - in the sky
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- # Twinkling, full of cheer
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- # They fill the night sky
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- # But the greatest value for me
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- # More than the world's gold, - believe you me
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- # The greatest treasure for me
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- # Is to be with you
0:18:16 > 0:18:21- # My special friends, - my dearest friends
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- # From the incomparable company - comes a steadfast bond
0:18:27 > 0:18:32- # I treasure my friends, - so warm and committed
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- # Despite the world's beauty
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- # And its great riches
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- # Being a friend of yours
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- # Is more valuable to me
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- # Some live a lonely life
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- # Without company, - their life is empty
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- # Their life is empty
0:18:55 > 0:18:59- # But there is another hope
0:19:00 > 0:19:05- # Friends are the greatest - treasure of all
0:19:06 > 0:19:11- # My special friends, - my dearest friends
0:19:11 > 0:19:16- # From the incomparable company - comes a steadfast bond
0:19:17 > 0:19:22- # I treasure my friends, - so warm and committed
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- # Despite the world's beauty
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- # And its great riches
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- # Being a friend of yours
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- # Is more valuable to me
0:19:38 > 0:19:43- # You are my treasure #
0:19:50 > 0:19:54- Thank you, Lord, - for reviving these special places.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59- For Maen Achwyfan, - St Winefride's Well...
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- ..Basingwerk Abbey - and Talacre beach.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- For the opportunity of revival - and a broadened perspective...
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- ..in the middle of life's - trials and tribulations.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- Near Talacre lighthouse, - we remember Jesus' challenge to us.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- To be the light of the world.
0:20:21 > 0:20:27- We will take that light with us - in our everyday lives.
0:20:27 > 0:20:28- Amen.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- With the backdrop of - Talacre lighthouse and the beach...
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- ..this is a wonderful place.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- The lighthouse - has been there since 1819.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- The first light - was created by a candle.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- It's been a home - and a lighthouse exhibition.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- This beach is a forgotten gem.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- People visit the beach - but it's never packed.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- You can also find - some tranquillity here.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- As you mentioned earlier...
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- ..there's a special place - for light in the Christian faith.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- Light and hope.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- Jesus said, - "I am the light of the world."
0:21:16 > 0:21:22- He challenged us to be the light - of our world by doing his work.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27- Thanks, Aled, it's been a pleasure - to join you on this journey.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- You've chosen our final hymn.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- I would like to hear - Mi Wn Fod Fy Mhrynwr Yn Fyw.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35- Thank you.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:24:28 > 0:24:28- .