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Claire McCollum visits Olney in Buckinghamshire to celebrate 250 years of one of the most popular hymns in the world, Amazing Grace.

On 1 January 1773, John Newton’s now famous words were first performed in the parish church where he was curate. 250 years on, Claire visits that same church to discover the remarkable story behind the hymn, the extraordinary life of its composer and the reasons for the composition’s enduring power.

In Olney, Claire meets local experts who reflect on the life of John Newton, from his early years of debauchery as a sailor and then as a slave trader to his later life as a dedicated clergy man, hymn writer and abolitionist. Claire hears how a moment of epiphany at sea sparked a deep Christian that faith helped him to realise the full horror of his actions and compelled him to spend the rest of his life serving others and striving to abolish the evil of slavery.

Claire also meets 30-year-old Jordan Hattee, who shares his own experience of God’s amazing grace - when finding faith rescued him from addiction and despair.

And Mark DeLisser meets fellow choir master Craig McLeish, who has formed a new gospel choir especially for the Amazing Grace anniversary. Around a piano, they discuss the enduring power of Newton’s words and the mystery of what tune they may have first been set to. Mark then joins the gospel choir rehearsing in Newton’s church and hears why it is so special to sing the hymn in the place where it was composed, exactly 250 years on.

With hymns and songs from around the UK celebrating the grace of God.

Music featured
1. Amazing Grace – Albert Hall, Nottingham
2. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – St Patrick’s Church, Dungannon
3. Amazing Grace (He Looked Beyond My Faults) – Brenda Edwards, Llandaff Cathedral
4. This Is Amazing Grace – Aberystwyth Arts Centre
5. There Is a Wideness in God’s Mercy – St Elizabeth’s Church, Reddish
6. And Can It Be – St Pol De Leon, Penzance