Aled Lewis Evans Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol

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-Today we're in North-east Wales

-visiting spiritual locations...

-..where the soul can find peace.

-Welcome to

-Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.

-# Soli Deo gloria

-# Soli Deo gloria

-# Soli Deo gloria #

-On our journey today,

-we are joined by Aled Lewis Evans.

-He recently published a book

-called Llwybrau Llonyddwch...

-..where he visits places which have

-a spiritual significance to him.

-Since we're in North-east Wales...

-..Aled will accompany us

-to some of the locations nearby.

-Well, Aled, it's nice being out

-in the open air...

-..surrounded by the beauty

-of Flintshire.

-We'll be visiting locations

-you highlighted in your book.

-What inspired you to write the book?

-They're places I would visit

-for some peace and time to myself.

-They're all on people's doorsteps.

-I've gathered them all together

-in this book.

-I hope people are inspired by them.

-I'm looking forward to the journey

-we're having today.

-Let's turn to our first hymn

-of the evening.

-We head to Bethesda chapel, Mold...

-..for the hymn Pa Le, Pa Fodd

-Dechreuaf Foliannu'r Iesu Mawr.

-Well, Aled,

-we're in the middle of a field.

-It's a remote location.

-Why has something as special

-as this been built here?

-In the ninth century,

-when it was built...

-..people would visit this stone

-to be healed.

-According to some,

-it was a stone of lamentation.

-Others associate the stone

-with Saint Cwyfan.

-There's a church in Dyserth,

-near here, dedicated to Cwyfan.

-Monks from Basingwerk Abbey

-would visit the stone.

-We'll be visiting that site later.

-They would come here for penance.

-There must have been some kind

-of institution around here.

-This is our first stop today, Aled.

-It must be a stone that's been

-important across the centuries.

-Yes, it's been here

-since the ninth century.

-There are patterns

-from different periods on the cross.

-It's part of the Pilgrim's Way

-to Bardsey Island.

-I have a feeling people

-visited the stone on their journey.

-We turn to a psalm next

-which tells of the desire...

-..to have tranquillity

-in the presence of God.

-Here's Fel Yr Hydd

-sung by Mirain Evans.

-# As the deer panteth for the water

-# So my soul longs after you

-# You alone are my hearts desire

-# And I long to worship You

-# You alone are my strength,

-my shield

-# To You alone may my spirit yield

-# You alone are my hearts desire

-# And I long to worship You

-# I want you more

-than gold or silver

-# Only You can satisfy

-# You alone are the real joy giver

-# And the apple of my eye

-# You alone are my strength,

-my shield

-# To You alone may my spirit yield

-# You alone are my heart's desire

-# And I long to worship You

-# You're my friend

-and You're my brother

-# Even though you are a King

-# I love You more than any other

-# So much more than anything

-# You alone are my strength,

-my shield

-# To You alone may my spirit yield

-# You alone are my hearts desire

-# And I long to worship You #

-This is a very spiritual location,

-Aled. Where are we?

-This is St Winefride's Well

-in Holywell.

-They say Holywell

-is the Lourdes of Wales.

-This is much older than Lourdes.

-This has been holy water...

-..since the well was established

-in the seventh century.

-Winifred's head was severed and fell

-to the ground during an altercation.

-A spring rose from the ground.

-Many people visit the well

-and bathe in the water.

-What is so special about this water?

-I've been here when people

-are in the water.

-There's a special atmosphere here.

-If people have experienced problems

-with their skin or have illnesses...

-..they bathe in the water...

-..and they believe they are

-touched by the hand of Winefride...

-..as they do so.

-Do people regularly bathe here?

-Many people visit the well,

-in busloads.

-34,000 every year.

-There's a Sunday

-at the end of June every year...

-..when the well welcomes pilgrims

-from all over the world.

-There's graffiti from 1734 near the

-well which testifies to a healing.

-There's graffiti from the ages

-on the walls.

-It's a very special place.

-It's stayed exactly the same

-over the years...

-..and it's an unique location

-in Wales.

-There are special ruins,

-surrounded by trees.

-You could almost miss it.

-Where exactly are we?

-The busy A55 is nearby...

-..and people often pass

-this location.

-This is Basingwerk Abbey.

-It was home to Cistercian monks

-from the 12th century.

-There were beautiful stained glass

-windows, lead on the roof.

-Some of the windows have survived.

-One of them is the Jesse window

-in Llanrhaeadr...

-..it came originally from here.

-Because it's on the border,

-it attracted the Welsh and English.

-There was a thriving

-poetic community here...

-..there was

-the Black Book of Basingwerk.

-Flint Castle is also nearby.

-There was a strong influence

-from England here after 1282.

-It's a truly enchanting location.

-It's at the head of the

-Pilgrim's Way to Bardsey Island.

-Watts Dyke is nearby

-and it's wonderful.

-People should visit this place

-during the Urdd Eisteddfod.

-It is a wonderful place.

-Thank you for bringing us here.

-We now turn to the pupils

-of Ysgol Maes Garmon...

-..as they perform Trysor.

-Music by the school's head of music

-Nia Wyn Jones...

-..and the words by Iwan Huws.

-# Today

-# The dawn brightened my day

-# And in the heat

-of its magical colours

-# My heart was filled with joy

-# Today

-# I heard the voices of the birds

-# In the harmony of their melody

-# Was the majesty of their song

-# But the greatest value for me

-# More than the world's gold,

-believe you me

-# The greatest treasure for me

-# Is to be with you

-# My special friends,

-my dearest friends

-# From the incomparable company

-comes a steadfast bond

-# I treasure my friends,

-so warm and committed

-# Despite the world's beauty

-# And its great riches

-# Being a friend of yours

-# Is more valuable to me

-# Tonight

-# The moonlight is my lantern

-# To brighten up my night

-# And life is so quiet

-# Tonight

-# The stars shine brightly

-in the sky

-# Twinkling, full of cheer

-# They fill the night sky

-# But the greatest value for me

-# More than the world's gold,

-believe you me

-# The greatest treasure for me

-# Is to be with you

-# My special friends,

-my dearest friends

-# From the incomparable company

-comes a steadfast bond

-# I treasure my friends,

-so warm and committed

-# Despite the world's beauty

-# And its great riches

-# Being a friend of yours

-# Is more valuable to me

-# Some live a lonely life

-# Without company,

-their life is empty

-# Their life is empty

-# But there is another hope

-# Friends are the greatest

-treasure of all

-# My special friends,

-my dearest friends

-# From the incomparable company

-comes a steadfast bond

-# I treasure my friends,

-so warm and committed

-# Despite the world's beauty

-# And its great riches

-# Being a friend of yours

-# Is more valuable to me

-# You are my treasure #

-Thank you, Lord,

-for reviving these special places.

-For Maen Achwyfan,

-St Winefride's Well...

-..Basingwerk Abbey

-and Talacre beach.

-For the opportunity of revival

-and a broadened perspective...

-..in the middle of life's

-trials and tribulations.

-Near Talacre lighthouse,

-we remember Jesus' challenge to us.

-To be the light of the world.

-We will take that light with us

-in our everyday lives.

-Amen.

-With the backdrop of

-Talacre lighthouse and the beach...

-..this is a wonderful place.

-The lighthouse

-has been there since 1819.

-The first light

-was created by a candle.

-It's been a home

-and a lighthouse exhibition.

-This beach is a forgotten gem.

-People visit the beach

-but it's never packed.

-You can also find

-some tranquillity here.

-As you mentioned earlier...

-..there's a special place

-for light in the Christian faith.

-Light and hope.

-Jesus said,

-"I am the light of the world."

-He challenged us to be the light

-of our world by doing his work.

-Thanks, Aled, it's been a pleasure

-to join you on this journey.

-You've chosen our final hymn.

-I would like to hear

-Mi Wn Fod Fy Mhrynwr Yn Fyw.

-Thank you.

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

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