Songs of Praise

Josie d'Arby visits Lee Abbey retreat centre in Devon to find out why Christians take their holidays there and how it brings rest and refreshment to people from all over the world. JB Gill helps to distribute copies of the Gideons Bible around London and discovers how one of the charity's Bibles in a hotel room transformed the life of one young man. And a Christian couple explain why they spend their holidays on a canal boat studying the Bible and praying for others.

Katherine Jenkins introduces a feast of favourite hymns as the Songs of Praise presenters and the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, reveal the hymns and worship songs that mean the most to them. The archbishop explains that his favourite has always remained close to his heart because it was the first hymn he sang after experiencing the love of God for himself and becoming a Christian.

Katherine explores the beautiful surroundings of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the famous Chelsea Pensioners and designed by Sir Christopher Wren. She is shown around Wren's chapel in the heart of the community and meets a Chelsea Pensioner who is a regular in the congregation.

Chart-topping British country duo The Shires chat to Claire McCollum about growing up singing in churches and choirs and perform an exclusive version of their favourite hymn, Jerusalem.

Songs of Praise remembers Wilfred Owen, one of the greatest war poets in the English language. He was killed in action on 4 November 1918, during what became one of the very last battles of World War I. Aled Jones and Frank Field MP discuss how Wilfred Owen captured both the horrors and, as he saw it, the futility of war, outside the Birkenhead home where the poet lived from the age of four. Dame Patricia Routledge reads her favourite Wilfred Owen poem and joins the congregation to sing hymns in his memory at Christ Church in Birkenhead, where the poet attended services as a boy. Wilfred Owen enthusiast Martin Impey reveals his latest illustrations depicting the tragedy of war, and the programme meets the winner of Prince William's national poetry competition for a new work inspired by the poets of the First World War.

For a special programme on Remembrance Sunday, Katherine Jenkins is in Southampton to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Using rare diaries and newspapers from the time, Katherine discovers how the famous port city was the primary embarkation point for British forces with eight million individual troop movements recorded between 1914 and 1918.

As the birthplace of the Spitfire, Southampton also played a crucial role in achieving victory in World War Two. Katherine meets Don and Margaret, both in their 90s, who helped to build the iconic aircraft. They share vivid memories of the factory being bombed and how parts continued to be made in garages, workshops and even laundrettes across Southampton to enable the RAF to win the Battle of Britain.

Looking to the future, Sean Fletcher visits a Christian project in Slough using contemporary music to engage young people in what peace means in their generation.