The choir was founded in 1958 by the much respected Joan Bigwood. Following her death in 2000, Brian Skinner took over the baton. He had previously been the principal oboeist in the military band & symphony orchestra of the Royal Engineers in Chatham, having studied at Kneller Hall.

The Rainham Ladies have entered many festivals, winning Adult Choir of the Year at Bournemouth in 1994, 1997 & 2003. More recently, we have won classes at the Gravesham & Portsmouth Festivals. With the 'outstanding' mark of 90, we were awarded the Richards' Trophy at the 2009 Medway Festival, followed by the Championship Cup at the evening concert.

There are around 40 ladies in the choir & we perform a wide variety of songs, including light classical, traditional, folk & pop.

We have sung at many venues & on several occasions at Rochester Cathedral. In 2006 & 2009 we had the great pleasure of participating in the Festival of Brass & Voices at the Royal Albert Hall with over 1,000 other singers. This also gave us the opportunity to socialise with other choirs & sing on the cobbles at Covent Garden, much to the enjoyment of tourists. These festivals have raised vast amounts of money for Cancer Research.

The choir regularly performs with military & local bands, raising money for various charities & are happy to consider supporting events. The ladies are a sociable group, who rehearse every Monday at Twydall Junior School, Romany Road, Gillingham from 7.30 - 9.45pm.

We welcome new members, so if you are interested, please come & join us.