Bognor rugby players perform for Songs of Praise

The special world cup edition of Songs of Praise is set to air on October 11

But for one day at least Bognor’s rugby players swapped the scrums for the song sheet when they performed in front of the Songs of Praise cameras.

Players of all ages from Bognor Rugby Club gathered on Saturday for a special performance of Jerusalem, which is set to be broadcast on television next month.

The BBC cameras also filmed interviews in Felpham at St Mary’s Church and at Blake’s Cottage, where William Blake famously wrote the poem ‘And did those feet in ancient time’ which was put to music to make the Jersusalem hymn.

The Rugby World Cup is currently taking place and a special edition of Songs of Praise is set to air on the BBC on October 11.

Bob May from Bognor Rugby Club said: “It was incredibly unusual for us but it was a matter of pride in our club that we were selected.

“We had about 50 turn up aged from eight upwards and it was for a special world cup edition of the programme.”

The TV cameras also filmed a staged rugby match, and did interviews at St Mary’s church and Blake’s Cottage.

Rachel Searle from The Big Blake Project: “I am particularly excited as it means both Felpham and Bognor got to celebrate the area’s authentic link with Jerusalem.

“We contacted Song of Praise last November asking them to do something about Jerusalem at the cottage where it was written as Blake loved to walk and his visions came as he walked along our coast and across our downs.”

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