re 'Gutter Choirs' is there a tradition of them? I assume that the name refers to groups of unemployed/blacklisted miners from south-east Wales in the late 20s, early 30s who busked cinema/theatre queus in LOndon. If that's the case my Grandfather, blacklisted by Powell Duffryn from the Merthyr pits, played the mouth-organ with one in the late 20s. It was something he was a bit ashamed of, and wouldn't have wanted to repeat I doubt. Didn't Paul Robeson write about encountering one in London, which helped start his relationship with Wales. There's certainly photos of them. My Grandad said they sang hymns- 'Calon Lan'- tune of 'Miners lifeguard' and music halls, also 'Did 'ew ever' (welsh and english). When prosperity returned he did act with my great Uncle round the Miners Halls and clubs with banjo and harmonica. They were very good, they say but I never saw them. The Red Choir come froma bit different strata and tradition. I rember individual members from Miners' support groups and CND actions at The Royal Ordinance Factory in Cardiff and so on. More in the Gutyter Choir Tradition might be the Onllwyn Choir of the 884-85 strike.