Westminster.Abbey.Complete.BBC.Series.EN.SUB.MPEG4.x264.WEBRIP.[MPup]
Format: MPEG-4
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AudioCodec: AAC
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An unprecedented look behind the scenes of one of Britain's most iconic landmarks, following the lives of the people who work, worship and live in this unique community over the course of a year
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Westminster.Abbey.s01e01.Episode.1
A look behind the scenes of the 1,000 year-old Abbey, following those who work and worship there. The new man in charge of upkeep takes part in an ancient initiation ceremony.
The plumber, the librarian, and the Abbey's press office 'tweeter' offer their insights into the inner workings of the place where royalty are married, crowned and buried.
The dean explains the Abbey's spiritual mission. He and his colleagues are also the guardians of a thousand-year-old World Heritage Site. The new man in charge of upkeep, architect Ptolemy Dean, attends an ancient initiation ceremony in which he promises to preserve the building and its treasures.
The 30 boy choristers who sing in the Abbey's world-famous choir go from competing to sing a high solo in the Ash Wednesday service to being asked to sing in Downing Street. International stars and singers including Rufus Wainwright and Hugh Masekela make guest appearances in the commonwealth service, attended by the Queen. On Easter Sunday, the people in the Abbey, a local community and a national institution, come together for a joyous celebration.
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Westminster.Abbey.s01e02.Episode.2
A look behind the scenes of the thousand-year-old abbey. The choir prepares for a historic Papal Mass in Rome and building work on a new cafe unveils some archaeological surprises.
The unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at one of Britain's most iconic landmarks follows the choir of Westminster Abbey as they prepare for a historic visit to Rome to sing with the Sistine Chapel Choir in the Papal Mass in St Peter's Basilica. For the Abbey Choir and the Sistine Chapel Choir, rehearsing and performing together is a significant moment in the history of both the Catholic Church and the Church of England.
The choir received this invitation from Pope Benedict XVI after his historic visit to the abbey in 2010. The Dean of Westminster reflects movingly on his hopes towards reconciliation between the two churches.
On a more intimate note, minor canon the Rev Dr James Hawkey and his fiancee Carol Ripley tie the knot. This is the first wedding to take place at the high altar of the abbey since the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The Venerable Dr Jane Hedges, one of the first women to be ordained and the first female canon appointed at Westminster Abbey, explains the central role of tourism. Finally, continuing the abbey's Benedictine tradition of hospitality, building for a new cafe is underway and in the process unveils a few archaeological surprises.
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Westminster.Abbey.s01e03.Episode.3
This final episode sees how the workforce confronts the challenge of taking this 1,000-year-old institution into the 21st century, while maintaining the traditions of the past.
The third programme in this unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at one of Britain's most iconic landmarks sees how the workforce of 250 people confront the challenge of taking a 1,000-year-old institution into the 21st century, while maintaining the traditions of the past.
The new intake of eight-year-old choristers at the abbey choir school talk about what it is like to be trained to sing in one of the most famous choirs in the world.
At the other end of the age spectrum, war veterans and relatives of the fallen speak movingly about what the abbey means to them as a place to remember the sacrifices made in World War II and later conflicts.
Senior judges talk openly as they take part in an ancient ceremony marking the start of the new legal year.
Reflecting the abbey's role in national life, this final episode explores the importance of the abbey as a place of memorial and reveals that it is in the gift of the dean to nominate those Britons who have made a significant contribution to the nation to be remembered.
As surveyor of the fabric, Ptolemy Dean explores some of the hundreds of memorials which adorn the abbey. The dean explains why, in 2012, he has chosen to pay tribute to Octavia Hill, a radical Victorian social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust.
The endless cycle of renewal at the abbey is symbolised in the preparations for one of the busiest times in the Christian calendar, Christmas. We see the arrival of the abbey's Christmas trees and the annual carol concert attended by hundreds of members of the public.
