Hawkstone Farmers Choir prepare for big final

Farmers will once again be in the national spotlight after the Hawkstone Farmers Choir secured a place in the final of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent following last Saturday’s public vote.

The choir, which performed Bastille’s “Pompeii” during the live semi-final, will return to television screens for the final next Saturday (30 May) at 7pm.

Originally formed by Jeremy Clarkson for an advertising campaign linked to his Cotswolds-based Hawkstone brewery, the choir has since used its growing profile to raise awareness of mental health challenges within farming communities.

See also: Farming in the spotlight as Hawkstone choir heads to BGT semis

Judge Amanda Holden praised both the performance and the message behind the group.

“Farming touches every single person in this country,” she said.

“Everything you do, mostly on your own, in tractors ploughing fields, you’re up early, you barely have people to talk to, and this choir I know has given you solace and joy and comfort and friendship, and all of that has created the most amazing music.”

The choir first attracted attention earlier this year after receiving a Golden Buzzer for their rendition of Elbow’s “One Day Like This” in one of the audition rounds of the show.

Juggling workload

Buckinghamshire beef and arable farmer Richard Heady said balancing farming with rehearsals and television appearances had been demanding.

“I’m a bit jaded,” he told Farmers Weekly. “All the highs of the weekend and then you still have a full week’s work to do in four days before we go back to London.”

Mr Heady said he had been cutting silage during the day and spraying at night to keep on top of workloads while preparing for the competition with more rehearsal on Thursday and Friday ahead.

“I’m still going to enjoy this period. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he added.

Reflecting on the semi-final result, he described the public vote announcement as “a real roller coaster”.

“Not in our wildest dreams did we ever think we would make it to the finals and I’m just so grateful that the judges understand what we’re trying to do,” he said.

Mental health awareness

The choir says it hopes the exposure will encourage more conversations around mental health in agriculture, while also raising funds for related charities.

“We’re hoping to raise awareness of poor mental health and not just bottling up emotions,” Mr Heady said.

Any potential prize money, £250,000 for the winners, would go towards rural mental health charities, he added.

Representing British agriculture

Mixed farmer Tinks Barber, from Buckinghamshire, said the experience had been “surreal”.

“We felt honoured to be representing British agriculture and rural mental health up on that stage,” she said.

She added that when they sing they all think about the people they have lost to poor mental health and those who are struggling.

“It means more than just the 34 people on stage; we are hoping that we can help raise awareness and impact thousands.”

Alex Phillimore, head of operations and communications at The Farming Community Network, welcomed the choir’s work.

“The Hawkstone Farmers Choir are helping to spark an important national conversation around mental health and wellbeing in farming, whilst highlighting the vital role community plays in bringing people together and supporting one another.”