Harvest

Claire McCollum travels through the glorious rolling fields of Somerset to celebrate harvest, exploring the deep connections between faith, farming and community with favourite harvest hymns from Holy Trinity Church, Bridgwater.

The journey begins in the Quantock Hills at Stream Farm, a fully organic, pasture-fed estate spanning 260 acres. Here, Claire meets farmers Will and Charlotte, who left their city careers in London to set up a share-farming model inspired by scripture. Rather than managing the land as a single operation, the farm is divided into independent businesses run by self-employed share farmers. Claire lends a hand checking on their rare-breed Dexter cattle and discovers their stream-fed rainbow trout enterprise. Will and Charlotte explain how their entire theological foundation is built on biblical hospitality and environmental stewardship, teaching everyone on the farm to 'keep looking up' to appreciate the beauty of creation.

We also meet the community at Pink Cottage Patch in Dorset, a market garden operating under the faith-based collective Ecclesia Farms. Founded by Michael French, the garden utilises a completely sustainable zero dig method to regenerate once-derelict land. Michael opens the gates every Thursday to volunteers, families and local house church members to harvest an abundance of fresh produce.

With hymns and songs celebrating God’s creation and giving thanks for the harvest season:

1. We Plough the Fields and Scatter - Holy Trinity Church, Bridgwater
2. Great Are You Lord – Gas Street Church, Birmingham
3. Autumn Days - Victoria Hall, Bolton
4. Great Is Thy Faithfulness - The Priory, Little Wymondley
5. For the Gifts of Heaven - Holy Trinity Church, Bridgwater
6. It Is Well with My Soul - Laura Mvula
7. All Things Bright and Beautiful - Holy Trinity Church, Bridgwater