All Things Considered

BBC Radio Wales

5.0 (2)
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
EVERY TWO WEEKS

Religious affairs programme, tackling the thornier issues of the day in a thought-provoking manner

3 DAYS AGO

The Assisted Dying Bill

At the end of this month, MP’s will debate and vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour member behind the proposal, says that the current ‘status quo is not fit for purpose’ as it leads to people ‘having very harrowing, very distressing deaths – both for themselves and for their family.’ But, is the legalising of assisted dying the best answer to this dilemma? Would there be adequate safeguards? And when traditional Christian teaching has always affirmed that human life is sacred, how much of the argument is still swayed by religious faith? In the studio to discuss these issues are Dr Idris Baker, a palliative medicine consultant in Swansea and a Church elder; Kathy Riddick – Wales coordinator for Humanists UK; and Rev Simon Walkling – a United Reformed Church minister and former hospice chaplain.

28 min
10 NOV

The Salvation Army in Wales

Jonathan Thomas looks at the history and work of the Salvation Army in Wales as it celebrates 150 years since its first mission to Cardiff, followed later by missions to Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and many other towns around Wales. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Roberts is the Army's current leader in Wales, and he gives his account of some of the movement's early days, as well as outlining its work today. Captain Canon Kathryn Stowers is the Army's Ecumenical Officer for Wales, and she talks about the organisation's radical views on the empowerment of women - it was women who led the Army's early missions to Merthyr, for example. Professor Paul O'Leary of the University of Aberystwyth has studied street processions in Wales, and explains why evangelising on the streets was such a provocative initiative that challenged Victorian notions of respectability. Historically the Salvation Army's uniform has been a huge part of its identity, but as Jennifer Le Zotte explains, there is more to this than meets the eye: in reusing secondhand clothing there was something challenging about this uniform. Even more intriguing is the special uniform for the so-called 'Slum Sisters' who tended to the needs of the very poor. She describes this as 'cross-class drag'! For many of us the Salvation Army is synonymous with brass bands, and Jonathan visits the band of Canton Cardiff Corps to speak to their bandmaster, and to make his own practical contribution!

28 min
3 NOV

Isaac Watts @ 350

Roy Jenkins looks at the life, work and continuing influence of Isaac Watts, the great hymn-writer who was born in Southampton 350 years ago. Of the six or seven hundred hymns he composed a good handful are sung each week in services across the denominations, and some have become fixed points in worship for Easter, Christmas and even Remembrance Sunday. Ironically, some have made their way into Anglican hymnaries, despite the fact that Watts and his family faced severe privations for not worshipping at an Anglican church - his father was imprisoned on several occasions for being a 'dissenter'. Certain hymns (notably 'Joy to the World') have been translated into many languages, including Cherokee, German, French, Zulu Welsh. Celebrated in his day as a profound thinker, poet and logician Watts' influence is felt far and wide for introducing the practice of making emotionally expressive hymns an integral part of worship.

28 min
27 OCT

Carwyn Graves

Delyth Liddell meets writer, gardener and amateur ecologist Carwyn Graves at the heritage apple orchard at the Bishop's Park in Abergwili, Carmarthen. They discuss faith, Carwyn's passion for Welsh food and why it matters to preserve Welsh heritage apple varieties. 'Tir: a History of the Welsh Landscape', Carwyn's latest book, explores Welsh history and landscape from the ffridd, or mountain pasture, to the rhos, or wild moorland. They discuss why rewilding has become such a divisive topic in Wales, and explore Carwyn's perspective that it is the human story that is crucial to the landscape of Wales. Carwyn shares his love of Welsh food with Delyth, from Lava bread to Welsh Cakes, and how this has inspired a new venture 'Cegin y Bobl' or the 'People's Kitchen.' He is a founding Trustee for the charity that launches this autumn, teaching cooking skills to community groups and primary schools. https://www.ceginybobl.co.uk Restoration of the Walled Garden and heritage apple orchard in the Bishop's Park is managed by the Tywi Gateway Trust, https://parcyresgob.org.uk

28 min
25 AUG

My 50 Years in Religious Broadcasting 2/2

Roy Jenkins reflects further on his broadcast career, and recounts some memorable moments in such diverse places as Russia, South America, South Africa, Hong Kong and Israel.

27 min
18 AUG

Roy Jenkins - My 50 Years in Broadcasting 1/2

The first of two special editions of All Things Considered to mark Roy Jenkins' 50 years in religious broadcasting. Across his career, Roy has been involved in a vast number and variety of programmes. Today, he looks back on just a few which have made some kind of mark on him. We hear archive footage from across Roy's career, as well as the stories behind some of these memorable programme-making experiences. Join us again next week, when Roy will reflect on some of the fascinating encounters had had making radio in other countries. This programme was first broadcast in June 2024.

28 min

6 Episodes

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Religious affairs programme, tackling the thornier issues of the day in a thought-provoking manner

Creator

BBC Radio Wales
Years Active

2006 - 2024
Episodes

6
Rating

Clean
Show Website

All Things Considered
Provider

BBC Studios Distribution Limited has identified itself as a trader for this podcast and confirmed that this product or service complies with European Union law. Address 1 Television Centre 101 Wood Lane London London W12 7FA United Kingdom Phone Number +44 7590176301 Email greg.styger@bbc.com