The opening of the new Kent Coalfield, at the start of the 20th Century, brought miners, from all over the British Isles, anxious to find work. Many were from South Wales and Yorkshire, and they brought with them strong choral traditions. Soon the collieries at Snowdown, Betteshanger, Tilmanstone and Chislet all boasted male voice choirs, and in 1948, all four choirs combined to give a concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London. Sadly, the Snowdown Choir is now the only one left.
The Snowdown Choir was formed
in 1929 by John Yorath, a Welshman, who was the choir-master of St. Peter's
Church Aylesham, and the choir has now been based in the village for 80
years. In this time the choir has given more than 2000 concerts at venues, as
small as Tilmanstone church and as large as The Albert Hall, in towns and
villages in England, Wales and Cornwall as well as France, Belgium and
Holland. During these events, the choir has raised an estimated £750,000 for
worthy causes.
Although originally a miner's choir, the closure of the coalfield means that
we now draw our members from all walks of life and from a wide area of Kent.
(Some of our singers do a round trip of over 50 miles to attend practices.)
Snowdown Colliery
in the 1940's.
FRIENDS OF THE CHOIR.
Why not become a Friend of our choir? For a minimum donation of £10 per year, we will send you information updates about the choir's activities, four newletters every year and a complimentary ticket to any concert we organise ourselves. - What a bargain!
For more information about our Friends
scheme and an application form
please contact: Peter Heavens our General Sec.