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Isle of Wight

Aled Jones visits the Isle of Wight, meeting Christians on land and at sea, while Kate Bottley is in Birmingham on the day Cardinal Newman becomes a saint.

Aled Jones travels to the Isle of Wight, famous for music festivals, yacht racing and as the family home of Queen Victoria.

On the day that Cardinal John Newman is declared a saint, the Rev Kate Bottley finds out all about him by visiting one of his enduring legacies, the Oratory in Birmingham, and she talks to members of the Catholic church about the significance of his canonisation to Christians everywhere.

Aled takes to the sea around the Isle of Wight with Christian sailing couple Rick and Angie Ganley, whose adventures at sea have brought them closer to God. Rick tells the story of how his faith helped him through a near death experience, and both reflect on the peace and proximity to God they enjoy whilst out on the water.

Also in the programme we hear from a Christian who lives on the Isle of Wight and has dedicated her life to writing and illustrating books about Jesus for children. We learn about the history of Northwood House, which was transformed from a luxurious summer residence into a stately home and then into a sanctuary for an exiled order of nuns and the wounded of two world wars.

There’s congregational singing from the grounds of Northwood House and two hymns written by Cardinal John Newman, to mark the day of his canonisation.

Music
Will Your Anchor Hold – The Wight Proms, Isle of Wight
Praise to the Holiest in the Height – Our Lady’s Church, York
The Lord’s My Shepherd - The Wight Proms, Isle of Wight
I, the Lord of Sea and Sky – The Wight Proms, Isle of Wight
Lead, Kindly Light – Arundel Cathedral
God I Look to You – Aberystwyth Arts Centre
The Day Thou Gavest – The Wight Proms, Isle of Wight

34 minutes

Stories

The Canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman
The Rev. Kate Bottley meets Monsignor Roderick Strange and Fr Anton Guziel at Birmingham’s Oratory of Saint Philip Neri to find out about the life of its founder Cardinal John Henry Newman, who on the 18th of October this year will be canonised as a Saint by Pope Francis. We find out why this event is particularly significant and we visit Newman’s study and private Chapel at the Oratory.

The History of Northwood House
Aled Jones travels to Northwood House on the Isle of Wight, to meet Northwood Historian Tim Wander, to learn about the varied history the house has experienced over the years and how it as acted as a sanctuary for so many. We also hear about the Christian connections it has, as in 1901 a community of exiled Benedictine nuns moved to the estate.  

Sailing, the Sea and Faith
Aled Jones goes sailing with Rick and Angie Ganly, Christian skippers who have spent their lives on the sea, even taking their young daughter across the Atlantic. They explains why sailing is so popular on the Isle of Wight and how their faith informs their day to day actions on and off the sea.

Christian Artist 
We meet Christian Artist and Illustrator, Eira Goldsworthy whose art work has help spread the gospel across the world. Her books have been translated into more than 30 different languages and are read by children all over the globe we learn how her desire to tell children about Jesus spread like wildfire.  

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Aled Jones
Presenter Kate Bottley
Executive Producer Cat Lewis
Executive Producer Emyr Afan
Producer Jonathan Davies
Series Producer Matthew Napier
Production Company Avanti Media

Broadcast