The Orchestra - a previously unpublished image.

It's a fair bet that most households in Burnley were tuned in to BBC 1 on Sunday night, the 31st January 1971, to see the "Songs of Praise" programme recorded at St Peter's Parish church in mid-December. However, the man responsible for organising the ecumenical service, the Bishop, the Rt Rev. Richard C. C. Watson, missed the broadcast when it clashed with his preaching appointment of evensong at Blackburn Cathedral. It should have been screened the previous Sunday but was put back. The curate of St Peter's, the Rev. P. Dearden, who sang in the St Peter's choir for the broadcast, said after viewing the programme: "It amazes me that there is so much musical talent in Burnley. I thought it was excellent. It sounded good and lively, and was far too short. I was amazed that so many people from various churches of all denominations in the town, as well as secular organisations, were there."

Several churches held their evening services in the afternoon to enable people to watch the programme. Among the 550 people who attended the service were the Mayor and Mayoress, Ald. and Mrs E. J. Willis, and Mrs Dan Jones, wife of Burnley's MP. The organist was Mrs Bernice Webster, and the choirs and orchestra were under the musical direction of Mr Robert Atherton. Each item was announced by interviewer Geoffrey Wheeler, and the final prayer and blessing were given by the Bishop. The programme went without a hitch, with good reception and good close-up shots.

Search the website using the words - Songs of Praise - to see the story of the filming day.