Songs of Praise comes to Cound, Shropshire

Friday 19th November 2010, 2:00PM GMT.

Presenter Pam Rhodes filming Songs of Praise at St Peters Church in Cound.

BBC producers today praised the generosity of Shropshire residents as they turned out in force in Edwardian clothing to film the Christmas edition of Songs of Praise.

Presenter Pam Rhodes and nearly 200 people packed into St Peter’s Church, in Cound near Shrewsbury, last night for an Edwardian-themed Christmas concert.

Today the church will be redecorated and brought back to the modern day for a second day of filming which will be for the Lent edition of the show due to be aired next March.

BBC producer Karen Hannah today said they could not have found a more beautiful place to film and they had been touched by the generosity of Shropshire people.

She said: “This production has been particularly special for us. We have filmed many programmes but it is the first time we have attempted an Edwardian theme.

“There was a moment when we first opened the doors and the film crews stood in silence, we were gob-smacked. Everyone has put in a tremendous amount of effort.

“It is such a beautiful and unspoilt location and we have received a lot of help from everyone. It has been a really fun experience and we are very grateful to have filmed here.

“But there is much more filming to do today, we have some children’s choirs from local schools performing and the Lent service to follow.”

John Cuffley, church warden, said: “The Rev Judy Davies said a short prayer before the singing began yesterday and the whole experience has been just marvellous. The congregation have really done us proud with their outfits and the singing has been fantastic.”