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 choirmaster of St. Peters Church Aylesham, and the choir has now been based in the village for 75 years. In this time the choir has given more than 2000 concerts in 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.

Address: c/o 7 Durnford Close, St. Stephens, Canterbury , Kent, CT2 7RY
Telephone: 01227 453007
Fax: 01227 830186
Website: http://snowdown-choir.co.uk/