Recording for the BBC's Sunday Half Hour

On Sunday June 22 1969, the BBC broadcast an edition of Sunday Half Hour recorded in St. Andrew’s Church, Churchdown, at which the Choir sang what was thought to be the first broadcast of the great hymn, ‘How Great Thou Art’, voted the most popular hymn of all time in a recent poll.

Roy Dorrington, the choir’s first conductor wrote to Stuart K Hine, translator of the original German words and received his permission for the choir to sing the hymn using his translation.

Now, the occasion is being repeated 40 years later for a Sunday Half Hour. Last Monday night in St Andrew’s the choir recorded for the BBC eight hymns, including How Great Thou Art. According to the BBC producer, Janet McLarty, this is the first time in her career that the anniversary of the broadcast of a single hymn has been recognised.

The choir chairman, Pete Wilson said. ‘It was a great experience for us all. All the lads came dressed in their uniforms to give it a sense of occasion and they were on top form. Knowing how long recording sessions usually take we had booked the church until 11.00pm, but thanks to the efficiency of the BBC and with faultless accompaniment from pianist Pam Taverner we were all having a drink by 9.30pm.

Janet Maclarty said that in 20 years of producing religious broadcasts she has never enjoyed the occasion so much. ‘Out there in the recording van it was just like having my own private concert’, she said.

‘This choir still amazes me’, Pete added ‘On April 18 thirty of us sang to the Twickenham crowd at the EDF final between the Gloucester Cherry and Whites and Cardiff Blues and now the full choir will be heard by over half a million radio listeners. The programme was broadcast on Sunday June 21 on Radio 2 and the second part of the programme will be on Sunday August 23 at 8.30pm.

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