From the Sandford St Martin Trust

The Sandford St Martin Trust today announced the winners
of its annual broadcasting awards, with detection rather than divinity winning the prestigious Premier Television Award for religious broadcasting.

Judges chose [Poirot actor] David Suchet’s In the Footsteps of St Paul (made for BBC One) over the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan William’s valedictory tour of Canterbury Cathedral, Goodbye to Canterbury (made for BBC Two).

With the letters of Paul providing the clues, Suchet traced St
Paul’s journey, uncovering his influence over the development of early Christianity. It was also first choice for the Radio Times’ Listeners Award whose readership voted it their 'religious programme of the year'.

The Premier Radio Award was won by Hearing Ragas (made for BBC Radio 4), which told violinist Professor Paul Robertson’s remarkable story of the Indian ragas he heard from with a coma, and the healing effect that Sir John Tavener’s music had
on him in his recovery.

A new Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award – chosen by trustees for a programme which did the most to bring an awareness of religion into ordinary life – went to the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, masterminded by Danny Boyle with the
powerful script of Frank Cottrell Boyce.

Speaking about the new award, trustee Caroline Chartres said: "The Olympics Opening Ceremony depicted, brilliantly, what it means to be British in the 21st century, acknowledging and celebrating the beliefs that have helped to make us who
we are."

A Personal Award went to the retiring Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks for his advocacy not only of the Jewish faith but of the significance of religion. From his 1990 Reith Lectures, The Persistence of Faith, through his informed comment on science and current affairs, to his regular Radio 4 Thought for the Day slots, Lord Sack has been a powerful advocate for religious broadcasting.

Receiving his award he said: "Broadcasting forces us to share our faith with people of other faiths, or no faith
at all. I hope religion never loses its voice in the public domain, the voice of faith that we need to hear whether we agree with it or not; the voice that speaks to the better angels of our nature."

Reflecting on the quality of submissions in 2013, The Rt Rev Nick Baines, Bishop of Bradford and Chair of the Sandford St Martin Trust said: "In a complex society like ours, there is a great need for programmes that interpret, explore and explain human motivations. These awards exist to encourage commissioning editors and programme-makers to continue to make bold and distinctive programmes that engage with the profound and important questions and help us better  understand the world we live in."

For the full list of the award winners and entries click here

[Editor's note: The award ceremony was held at Lambeth Palace and the Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award was presented by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby]