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With Cathy Macdonald

Rethinking the wording of much loved hymns; keeping a serious illness a secret; what charity and the act of giving means; and the ethics of dramatising a real life serial killer.

We have met incredible challenges these past few months, but we’ve also seen individuals who have gone above and beyond to support their local communities. Presenter and author Konnie Huq is helping to find and celebrate some of the nation’s unsung heroes during lockdown. She joins Cathy, along with one of the Edinburgh nominees, Tariq Rasheed.

Magnus Macfarlane-Barrow set up Mary’s Meals in his father’s shed in Argyll in 2002. It’s a charity that provides children with one meal every school day in some of the world’s poorest communities. He tells Cathy what charity, generosity and the act of giving means to him, subjects he has explored in his book, ‘Give: Charity and the Art of Living Generously’.

With the ongoing debate over whether it’s time to rethink the words and sentiments of traditional songs and anthems such as Land of Hope and Glory, Cathy looks at how some of our favourite hymns have been changed, dropped or defended over the years, with John Bell, hymn writer and the Church of Scotland minister who led the Committee responsible for redrafting the Kirk’s latest hymn book, and Philip Blackledge, musician, singer and Rector of Holy Trinity, Melrose.

We recently sadly marked the passing of actor Chadwick Boseman who died of cancer - but nobody knew he had been diagnosed with the disease. Debbie Wilby shares the story of her daughter Leah who died of cancer at the age of 15, but had chosen not to share her diagnosis with close friends and neighbours. Reverends John Bell and Philip Blackledge join Debbie to explore what compels some to share the experience of their illnesses, while others keep it hidden.

Instead of the annual live event, Jashn-e Rekhta, the biggest gathering to celebrate Urdu poetry and arts is taking place online this weekend - which means it’s accessible to Urdu lovers where ever they are in the world, and that includes Dr Alina Mirza, Associate Director of the UK Asian Film Festival in Glasgow.

And is it morally right to dramatise the lives of real-life serial killers? TV producer David Strachan, and Fiona Walker, presenter of Â鶹ԼÅÄ Scotland’s true crime podcast The Doorstep Murder, discuss the ethical questions that arise from doing so, and take a look at the new television drama Des, starring David Tennant as Dennis Nilsen, the Fraserburgh-born serial killer.

1 hour, 55 minutes

Last on

Sun 6 Sep 2020 10:00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio Scotland

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Music Played

  • Sonny & Cher

    MUSIC I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher

    • Duets - 36 Of The World's Greatest Ev.
    • Telstar.

  • George Harrison

    MUSIC Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) - George Harrison

    • Living In The Material World.
    • Apple.
    • 2.

  • Eddi Reader

    MUSIC The Girl Who Fell In Love With The Moon - Eddi Reader

    • Simple Soul.
    • Rough trade.
    • 11.

  • The Staple Singers

    MUSIC If You're Ready (Come Go With Me) - The Staple SIngers

    • Sweet Soul Music.
    • Universal.
    • 23 / 2.

  • Boy George

    MUSIC My God - Boy George

    • (CD Single).
    • Kobalt.
    • 001.

  • Leon Bridges

    MUSIC Coming Â鶹ԼÅÄ - Leon Bridges

  • Patty Griffin

    MUSIC Shine A Different Way - Patty Griffin

    • Servant of Love.
    • Thirty Tigers.
    • 013.

  • Ray LaMontagne

    MUSIC You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne

    • (CD Single).
    • 14th Floor Records.
    • 1.

  • Strawberry Switchblade

    MUSIC Since Yesterday - Strawberry Switchblade

    • Strawberry Switchblade.
    • Korova.
    • 1.

  • The Communards

    MUSIC Never Can Say Goodbye - The Communards

    • Now That's What I Call Music 1987.
    • Now.

Broadcast

  • Sun 6 Sep 2020 10:00
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio Scotland