Songs of Praise

Aled Jones joins a gang of intrepid walkers to celebrate the power of pilgrimage on the Wales Coast Path. Now in its tenth year, coast path officer Tricia Cottnam tells Aled about their collaboration with the National Churches Trust to create nine new walking trails at various sacred heritage sites along the route. Aled joins the walkers along a 14km stretch of the path, beginning at one of these sacred heritage sites, St Dogmaels Abbey. Along the way he speaks to walker and singer Suzi McGregor, who tells him how walking the Camino de Santiago inspired her to write a song.

Further north, at St Collen's Church in Llangollen, James Lusted meets Father Lee Taylor, whose weekly Hymns and Pimms livestreams during lockdown became so popular he continued them even after churches reopened. James joins the self-proclaimed ‘warblers' at their first in-person Hymns and Pimms gathering since doors closed and talks to those who found it to be a saving grace during such tough times.

Back on the coast path, our walkers are greeted at their destination, another sacred heritage site, Holy Cross Church at Mwnt. Aled is shown inside by church organist Auriol Williams, who explains the important role the church has played for pilgrims over the centuries.