In the years following the Second World War, Consett was a town rebuilding not just its streets and industries, but its spirit. In December 1948, that spirit found a new home when the Consett Citizens Club opened on Front Street — a place designed to bring young people together through culture, creativity, and community.
It was here, in 1949, that the Consett Citizens Choir was born.
The Citizens Club itself was something special. Supported by American organisations following the war, it was the only community club of its kind in the North of England. Inside, there was a coffee bar downstairs and a larger room upstairs, where rehearsals echoed late into the evening and friendships quickly formed.
Among the founding members were Arthur Agar and Mary Agar, both deeply involved in local music and performance. Mary already sang at Avenue Chapel and took part in pantomimes, while Arthur was known for his humour, confidence, and natural ability to entertain. They met through the Club, sang together in the Choir, and married just a year later.
The Choir’s first performances were modest but heartfelt. Early concerts took place at Avenue Methodist Church, including the Choir’s first annual concert in December 1949. Programmes were simple, tickets affordable, and audiences proudly local — but something important was happening.
People who had never sung before were discovering their voices. Ordinary men and women were stepping onto a stage together. In a town shaped by industry and hard work, the Consett Citizens Choir offered harmony, laughter, and a shared sense of pride.
It was the beginning of a remarkable journey — one that would take Consett far beyond Front Street.
By Raymond Agar
