Farmers’ Choir spreads Christmas cheer and raises thousands for local charities

The Farmers’ Choir has enjoyed a highly successful and uplifting Christmas season, delighting audiences across Northern Ireland with a programme of festive music, warm humour and community spirit — while raising thousands of pounds for local charities along the way.

The choir’s Christmas celebrations began with a festive concert in First Larne Presbyterian Church, hosted by Larne Foodbank.

Performing a range of much-loved Christmas favourites, the choir entertained a warmly receptive audience while helping to raise vital funds for those in need. The event, supported by Larne Port, Saint Gobain, RES and MillicentPharma, raised a total of £2,012.25 for the foodbank.

The festive programme continued with a beautifully presented carol service at St Patrick’s Parish Church, Kilrea, where the church was filled with the familiar sound of Christmas carols and Bible readings recounting the story of Christ’s birth.

The service was led by Rev Gary Millar, who delivered a thought-provoking message inspired by the popular carol ‘O Holy Night’.

A large congregation attended the service, which was warmly received and provided a meaningful start to the Christmas season for many. A retiring offering raised £2,190, which will be donated to two local charities — Northern Ireland Hospice and Life Beyond.

The evening concluded with a delicious supper served in the neighbouring church hall, allowing attendees and choir members to share fellowship and festive goodwill.

The Farmers’ Choir then took to the stage for two hugely entertaining concerts at The Braid, Ballymena, performing to packed houses on both nights. Audiences were treated to a vibrant and varied programme that showcased the choir’s strong vocal blend, confident delivery and infectious enjoyment of the music.

One of the standout highlights was the ever-popular “The Farmer’s Twelve Days of Christmas”, which had audiences laughing, applauding and fully engaged, reinforcing the choir’s reputation for blending musical excellence with light-hearted fun.

Throughout the Christmas programme, the choir was expertly led by Musical Director Barkley Thompson, whose direction continues to bring out the very best in the ensemble. The performances were further enhanced by accompanist Roseanna Hunter, whose musicianship added depth and polish to each concert.

Adding further colour to the concerts at The Braid, the Farmers’ Choir was joined by The Maine Weavers and Alan McPherson, whose lively instrumental contributions across a range of instruments were enthusiastically received by audiences.

The collaborative performances added another dimension to the evenings, while choir members, families, friends and supporters enjoyed catching up over refreshments after the events.

The choir also expressed its gratitude to United Feeds, Hutchinson Engineering, Kilrea and Winshar Flowers for their continued generosity in supporting the Christmas programme.

The floral displays created by Winshar Flowers were later donated to Andena Residential Care, Ballymena, Camphill Care Home, Ballymena, and Massereene Manor Care Home, Antrim, extending the festive spirit beyond the concert halls.

Rounding off an already memorable season, choir members were delighted to take part in ‘Grassmen’s’ Christmas celebrations, with Gareth Gault and the Grassmen team recording the choir performing ‘Little Donkey’.

The video has been widely enjoyed on social media, providing an additional festive highlight — and choir members were pleased to receive a Grassmen woolly hat in recognition of their efforts.

Following a busy and rewarding Christmas schedule, members of the Farmers’ Choir are now looking forward to a well-deserved break before rehearsals begin for their Spring Concert.

To keep up to date with the Farmers’ Choir, NI, follow the choir on Facebook.