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Pioneering Women

Rev Kate Bottley visits Mansfield College in Oxford to learn about Constance Coltman, the first woman to be ordained in a UK denomination over a century ago.

One hundred years since British women over the age of 30 first got the vote, Rev Kate Bottley celebrates pioneering Christian women. She visits Mansfield College in Oxford to learn about Constance Coltman, the first woman to be ordained in a UK denomination over a century ago. Josie d'Arby gains exclusive access to an exquisite 400-year-old church altar cloth which experts say is from a skirt actually worn by Queen Elizabeth I. Josie also meets Ruth Awogbade, who launched her own Christian fashion magazine. And all this week's music, from across the UK, is inspired or written by women.

Music:
Blessed Assurance - LSO St Lukes, London
In Heavenly Love Abiding - St German's Church, Cardiff
What a Beautiful Name - St Catherine's Pontypridd
Before the Throne - Enniskillen
Take My Life and Let it Be - Romsey Abbey
He Will Hold Me Fast from Belfast - Kristyn Getty
Tell Out My Soul - St John the Baptist, Tideswell.

35 minutes

Stories

Constance Coltman Part 1
The Story of Constance Coltman, first woman ordained in a UK denomination over 100 years ago -- and Joan, who was taught by Constance in Sunday School.

Christian Magazine MAGNIFY
Christian pioneer who started her own women's magazine.

Queen Elizabeth I Alter Cloth
Josie d'Arby visits Hampton Court Palace to see a new discovery of Elizabethan Christian history -- an Altar Cloth made from clothing almost certainly worn by Queen Elizabeth I.

Constance Coltman Part 2
Kate Bottley meets URC minister Jenny Mills who was inspired by the life of Constance Coltman, and explores what being called to ordained ministry means today.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kate Bottley
Presenter Josie d'Arby
Executive Producer Cat Lewis
Executive Producer Emyr Afan
Producer Mark Warburton
Series Producer Matthew Napier
Production Company Avanti Media

Broadcast