Farmers' Choir Finds Solace and Community After Herd Loss

When bovine tuberculosis led to the loss of his entire herd, dairy farmer Mervyn Kelso faced a profound sadness, characterized by empty fields and the silence of the milking yard. This traumatic period, which also coincided with the death of a long-time friend, left Kelso struggling on his County Antrim farm.

In November 2021, Kelso lost his first batch of cows. By March 2022, after two more rounds of removals, his farm was entirely without its milking or adult stock. The Department of Agriculture had decided to buy out the herd.

Kelso and his wife, Ruth, relied on their faith to persevere. Kelso, who had sung in church, decided to join the Farmers' Choir when it restarted in nearby Ballymena in the autumn of 2022. He described the experience as rewarding and a welcome relief from the challenges of farming.

"Farming is one very lonely job, even more lonely than it was a generation ago, because labour is so difficult to get," Kelso said. "And it's a very dangerous job, especially for a man who's working on his own. It has the effect of depressing you, and that's why being involved in such a thing as a choir or any social event outside farming is good for anyone."

Barkley Thompson, the musical director of the choir, noted that the group helps fill a social void in rural life, which has become more pronounced with increased automation in farming. Thompson, who grew up on a dairy farm, remembered a time when neighbors actively helped each other during busy periods like harvest. He stated that social isolation and loneliness are often unspoken issues in rural communities, making the choir's role particularly important.

"It's not just about the singing. It's about the friendship," Thompson said.

National Recognition and Royal Encounters

Nine members of the Farmers' Choir, including Mervyn and Ruth Kelso, were invited to sing at the King's Coronation concert. During this event, they met the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Mervyn also had a memorable encounter with Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, whose father was a sheep farmer. Terfel reportedly stopped to speak with the choir members, recognizing their connection to farming.

Following the Coronation appearance, Barkley Thompson observed an increase in choir membership. He highlighted the choir's significance in rural communities, stating that both teachers and farmers face unique stresses. "They go into their practice, they just leave - and I leave myself - feeling so much happier and upbeat," he said.

The Farmers' Choir is the only group from Northern Ireland nominated for the Making Music UK volunteer group of the year award. Thompson described it as the only rural choir among the nominees.

Rebuilding and Looking Forward

Mervyn Kelso has largely handed over the daily operations of the farm to one of his two sons, providing assistance as needed. The herd began rebuilding in the summer of 2022, with the first heifers arriving from Denmark a few months later. "We had started off from zero, built right up to what we see here today," Kelso said, crediting the tremendous effort of himself and his sons.

With more time available, Kelso continues to find solace and joy in singing. "You always come out of that singing feeling far, far better than you went into it," he reflected. "And that's the key to living, isn't it?"