Farmer finds new purpose through choir after herd loss
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In County Antrim, Northern Ireland, dairy farmer Mervyn Kelso turned to singing with the Farmers' Choir after bovine tuberculosis forced him to sell his entire herd of cattle.
The loss of his animals in 2021 and the death of a long-time friend deeply affected Mervyn, but his sister encouraged him to join the choir as a way to cope.
Mervyn and his wife Ruth found the choir to be a welcome distraction from the loneliness and stress of farming, a profession that has become increasingly isolated due to automation and difficulty finding labor. The choir provided not only a creative outlet but also a new social network, with Ruth making friends through rehearsals, concerts, and traditional Irish gatherings called céilís.
The Farmers' Choir’s success grew after performing at the King’s Coronation concert, where Mervyn met Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, a fellow farmer’s son. The choir is now nominated for the Making Music UK volunteer group of the year award, and Mervyn has passed much of the farm work to his sons while rebuilding his herd, finding joy and well-being in singing.
