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Burghley House

Aled Jones talks to Lord Julian Fellowes about faith and the Downton Abbey movie. He also explores the Christian history of Burghley House in Lincolnshire.

Aled Jones visits the magnificent Burghley House near Stamford in Lincolnshire. Often described as the finest Elizabethan house in all of England, Aled discovers how Christianity is woven through Burghley’s 450-year history and explores some of its most spectacular features including the ornately painted hell staircase and heaven room.

From one fine country house to another – ahead of the premiere of the Downton Abbey movie, Aled meets its creator and writer Lord Julian Fellowes. In Brompton Oratory, a chapel where Lord Fellowes often worships, he tells Aled about the film and his Catholic faith.

And back in Lincolnshire, Sean Fletcher marks 45 years since the disaster at the Flixborough chemical plant. He meets survivor John Irvine, who was blinded in the explosion, and finds out how he came to faith in the years that followed.

Music
Now Thank We All Our God – St Martin’s Church, Stamford
Father of Everlasting Grace – Methodist Central Hall,. Westminster
I Vow to Thee My Country – All Saints’ Church, Northampton
Strength Will Rise – St Elisabeth’s Church, Reddish
My Guardian Angel – Elan Catrin Parry
O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go – St Martin’s Church, Stamford
The Day Thou Gavest – St Martin’s Church Stamford

35 minutes

Stories

The History of Burghley House
Aled meets curator Jon Culverhouse to explore the magnificent Burghley House and its remarkable collection of art and artefacts. They visit the busy working chapel and hear about the time Queen Victoria and Prince Albert came for a baptism. Aled then meets operations manager Lucy Johnsrud to experience the stunning hell staircase and adjoining heaven room

Lord Julian Fellowes and the Downton Abbey Movie
Aled meets Lord Julian Fellowes at the Brompton Oratory in London to discuss his Catholic faith, his writing and the forthcoming Downton Abbey Movie

The Flixborough Disaster
Sean Fletcher visits the North Lincolnshire village of Flixborough to hear about the chemical plant explosion 45 years ago that killed 28 people. He meets John Irvine who lost his sight that day and how he came to Christianity in the years that followed.

Rob Shaw – Burghley House Guide
Back at Burghley House Aled meets Rob Shaw who has been a tour guide at Burghley House for nearly 30 years. He speaks of his love for the house, how he came to faith.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Aled Jones
Presenter Sean Fletcher
Executive Producer Cat Lewis
Executive Producer Emyr Afan
Producer David Waters
Series Producer Matthew Napier
Production Company Avanti Media

Broadcast