Cornish Christmas Harmony Choir 2022 to go ahead after missing two performances due to covid.

The committee of the Cornish Christmas Harmony Choir event on Christmas Eve morning are excited that it will be going ahead this year. They will be expecting between 100-150 singers, and several thousand supporters. As it has been three years since the last performance the choir held three successful practice sessions at the Princess Pavilions to get back int the swing of things and recruit some new members.

There is a change in the start point this year, the choir will be meeting at the Mariner's (previously the Cutty Sark) from 9:00, there will be a practise around 10:00 and we will set off at 10:30 stopping at all the usual places along the street to the 7 stars. There will be a one minute silence at Church Corner to remember those members that are no longer with us.

The picture above shows joint conductors Rob Norman and "Raffy" Richardson.

Edit- At this year's performance Raffy finally retired after 70 years with the choir and 20 -25 years (he can't remember exactly) as conductor and handed the batton over to Rob.

For the latest information, please see our Facebook page ‘The Cornish Christmas Harmony Choir’

Falmouth Christmas Harmony Choir 2021 cancelled due to Covid uncertainty.

Organisers of this years Falmouth Christmas Harmony Choir event on Christmas Eve morning have said it will sadly not go ahead again this year. Chairman of the choir, Mike Varney said “Having worked closely with Public Health and Falmouth Town Council over the last 12 months there are still concerns for health and safety for those involved and members of the general public who follow this event. We have not taken this decision lightly and anyone who has attended the event before will know how popular it is, with between 100-150 singers, and several thousand supporters all crammed into the narrow streets of Falmouth. It will be impossible for any social distancing. We share in everyone’s disappointment for the need to postpone this wonderful event again this year, but the committee will work with our partners in the hope of welcoming everyone back next year! In the meantime, stay safe”

For future event updates please see our Facebook page ‘The Cornish Christmas Harmony Choir’

The committee of the Harmony Choir were sad to announce that last year, on Christmas Eve (2020) there was no performance of the Harmony Choir. Social distancing would be impossible in the crowded streets.

This was the first time in the choir's 120 year history that there hasn't been a Christmas Eve performance, not even stopping for two world wars.

The 2019 collection raised £1492.86.

Thank you for your support, we look forward to seeing you again on Christmas Eve 2021.

Next year, on Christmas Eve (2021), it will be the 122^nd  annual performance of the Harmony Choir (previously the Docks Choir) who will hopefully, virus permitting, going through Falmouth stopping along the way to entertain the public with traditional Cornish carols and raising money for local charities.

The committee of the Harmony choir would like to thank all those that turned up to sing, collect or marshall and the crowds that turned out to support us. The amount raised was £1690.02.

The committee of the Harmony choir would like to thank all those that turned up to sing, collect or marshall and the crowds that turned out to support us. The amount raised was £1612.68, the following local charities have each receive a share of the money collected. 

The committee of the Harmony choir would like to thank everyone who turned out on Christmas Eve to either sing, collect money, marshal the crowds or just listen to the beautifully sung traditional Cornish carols. This was one of the busiest Christmas Eves that I can remember and the streets of Falmouth were packed with choir supporters.

The total amount raised was £1585.92. This will be evenly split between four local charities. The cheques will be presented at social evening at Falmouth Bowling Club on Saturday 4^th February. The evening kicks off at 8pm with entertainment provided by the Oggymen. All are welcome to attend.

The Cornish Christmas Harmony Choir is looking to secure the tradition of singing Cornish Christmas carols, started by the Falmouth Docks choir in 1900, on the streets of Falmouth every Christmas eve for many years to come. The conductor Ivor “Raffie” Richardson will this year be shadowed by Rob Norman who will share in the conducting of the choir. Ivor is not laying down his baton just yet and will continue conducting the choir for the foreseeable future.  Rob will only be the 5th person to conduct the choir in its 116 year history.

Please contact choir secretary Kevin Gerry on 07843 594065 f you would like anymore information or would like to volunteer as a collector or a marshal.

Choir History

The choir was founded in 1900 as the Falmouth Docks Foundry Choir to raise money for the sick and unemployed members of the Docks’ workforce at Christmas, as there were no benefits back then, these days it is made up of members of local male voice choirs and raises money for good causes in Falmouth. This Christmas will be the choirs' 120th performance and this Falmouth tradition is 119 years old. Even two world wars couldn't stop the choir's Christmas eve performance. Did you know that during all this time there have only been five conductors. The  conducting this year will be shared between "Raffie" Ivor Richardson and Rob Norman.

To apply for a grant from the 2020 Christmas Eve collection, please contact the hon secretary  Kevin Gerry, (click on the link to email me, or write to me at Longdowns Smithy) with a brief description of who you are and what you would like to put the money towards. The closing date is November 1st 2020.

Charities must be based in Falmouth and surrounding area or be for the benefit of the people of Falmouth. We are unable to make grants to individuals or charities from outside of the area. We favour small charities where a grant of £300-£400 will make a big difference rather than large organisations where it could be a drop in the ocean.