Local Group Report - Lewes - Tuesday 14th December 2021

Despite the latest COVID Plan B, eleven singers considered that their presence at our SDFS meeting in The John Harvey Tavern posed no more risk to their health, that of the staff, other customers or their own families.   We maintained appropriate social distancing and mask-wearing except when seated.

Tina started with multi rounds (non-alcoholic) of "Hey-Ho Winter Snow" and "Child of Light" as a warm-up.  Then "The Holly And The Ivy",  "The Falmer Carol", an enthusiastic attempt at "Seasons Turn", another Round with "I Heard a Bird Sing" and the peculiar "Christmas Now Is Drawing Near At Hand" before a short break.

We wandered a little out of season with "Here We Come A’Wassailing","Apple Wassail", "Stir Up" (Round), "Gloucester Wassail" and started to learn "One For The Rook", returning to "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (Pentonville)".   We sang an unembellished but improving "The Parting Song" and then a very rousing "Thousands or More" and spontaneous "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".

Our thanks go to Tina for her teaching, patience and enthusiasm for keeping South Downs Folk Singers active in the east of the County and running so many open ZOOM sessions when real meetings were not an option – next ZOOM Sunday 19th, 3 – 5 pm.

Best wishes to you all through the coming Seasons of Yule, Hannukah, Christmas and the opening of the New Year, 2022.

URGENT NOTICE - Chichester Local Group session - Thursday 16th December - CANCELLED!

Mostly due to the recent news and increased concern about Covid infections, it has been decided to CANCEL this month’s Chichester session.

Please note: the Covid situation will be monitored over the Christmas period, and further changes to plans for our live singing sessions may be advisable in January.  

We will give you as much notice as possible if any further cancellations are needed, but in the meantime please treat all dates on the diary page for January as provisional - and please look at your emails and the new Blog to check for further updates early in the New Year. 

Very sorry for the short notice and any disappointment or inconvenience - but still hoping for and wishing you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.

Lewes Zoom Session

SDFS LEWES - THIRD SUNDAY OF MONTH ZOOM MEETING - ALL SINGERS WELCOME 

Next meeting - Sunday, 19th December⋅3:00 – 5:00pm

Then - Monthly on the third Sunday

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83448393748?pwd=ZG9YVmVGZlRzcVpmZkZiR2MrU3JKdz09

Meeting ID: 834 4839 3748 

Passcode: 847775

(N.B.  Until further notice, future Zoom meetings will use the same address and login details as above.)

Local Group Report - Worthing - Wednesday 8th December 2021

The Barn was ready decorated for Christmas when we gathered there for this month’s evening of festive singing.  We pretty much sang through all the seasonal songs in our song book - but left the Wassail songs for our January session.  Emily revisited an old carol, “Ideo”, which had been briefly tried by us in a Worthing session a couple of Christmas' ago.  A lovely song, agreed by all, and worth giving more time to next winter.  Emily also brought a few Rounds for us to to try, all on a winter theme, which were fun to sing and with 29 voices working together they sounded great.  As well as “Hey Ho Winter Snow" and "I Heard a Bird Sing” the additional Rounds tried were “Frost in the Morning”, and “Gather Round the Fire”.  A break allowed for mince pies and other treats to be shared (thanks for these contributions) before, duly refreshed, we sang out the rest of the evening.  We closed with seasonal good wishes between us all and hopes that the new year will bring more settled times for the SDFS, and for everyone.  

(All being well our next Worthing session will be at the Barn again on the second Tuesday in January (January 12th) - but please keep and eye on the news and diary pages of our new Blog in case of any change to plans.) 

SDFS Sings in December

Thanks to everyone who braved the cold to sing with us (including those in the audience!) at the Weald and Downland Museum’s "Advent Market" last Saturday.  The weather was kind, the shuttle bus ran on time and the singing was great!  All helping to make it a lovely day.  (Photo below)

Our Local Group sessions this month give further opportunities to sing in celebration of the winter and festive season.      

Just to remind you ….

Worthing Group meet at The Barn on Weds. 8th, this week, (7.00 for 7.30pm start) - please bring your own drinks as usual (and mince pies may appear!)  

Chichester Group will gather at "The Chichester Inn" on Thurs. 16th (7.30 for 8.00pm) - and seasonal poems, readings and favourite songs are invited to share with all.

Then Lewes Group will give you a warm welcome at "The John Harvey Tavern" on Tues. 14th (6.30pm start) for a jolly good seasonal sing!   (N.B. changed to the 2nd Tues. for this month only)

Singers are welcome to any or all of these sessions - but, if you can, please let us know if you plan to attend. Email: southdownsfolksingers21@gmail.com  

A Song to Try

Here's another one....... 

"One for the Rook" - offered by Alan and tried out at the Chichester group's November session.  You'll   find the lyrics and tune using the links below.  If all three of our groups like it enough it could be included in our SDFS performance repertoire. 

(May 12th 2022 - This song has been moved to our "Songs and Recordings" Page) 

Please find it by using this Page Link

Local Group Report - Chichester - Thursday 18th November 2021

A select group of Westerners gathered for the second post-lockdown session of the Chichester group. As well as going over a number of songs in preparation for the Advent event at Weald & Downland, we sang the "The Parting Song" and "One for the Rook".  Hope to see these two fine songs added to the repertoire.

Next session is on December 16^th when we will be spared the need to prepare for a performance, so party turns will be the order of the day and there may even be an instrument or two. 

Local Group Report - Lewes - Tuesday 16th November 2021

Ten singers socially distanced themselves in the John Harvey Tavern but the singing produced some close harmonies.  Alex joined us for the first time, having found us on-line during lockdown, so we hope that he found our style suits him.  We started with "Country Life" to get us going and visited "Ladies Go Dancing" and "Home Lads Home" as a reminder of the November Commemorations.  Then it was straight into as many of the songs on the set list for WDLM event on 4^th December as we could:  "Sweet Chiming Bells", "Hark The Herald Angels Sing", "The Angel Gabriel", "I Heard a Bird Sing", "The Copper’s Christmas Song", "The Holly Bears a Berry", "Righteous Joseph", "Masters In This Hall", and "Poor Froze-Out Gardeners" and finishing with a run through of "The Parting Song" and finally "Thousands or More" as the Pub closes at 9 pm these days.

(Footnote:  The Brighton Pub Carols have decided to have two sessions this year and walk the streets of Hanover on Saturday 18th and near the Level on Tuesday 21st December, but you need to register your intention to participate via Facebook; obviously no rehearsals.)

Local Group Report - Worthing - Wednesday 10th November 2021

We were at The Barn in Goring again for our second regular session since resuming live singing indoors.  30 singers gathered and we welcomed old friends and new faces.  Emily led us through a variety of songs, including requests and some with a forward view to the festive season when we will again be singing for the public.  "Country Life" got us started, then going on to "The Woodcutters Song", "The Smugglers Song" and "Poor Froze Gardeners".  Alan from our Chichester group have offered “The Parting Song” as one to try if we like it, and Emily led us through it.  It was met with general approval and will likely be sung again at future sessions.  (For reference, it is on the 'Songs to Try' page of this Blog.)  "Sweet Chiming Bells” was the first of the festive songs requested, then "Hark the Herald Angels", and good old “The Holly and the Ivy".  We spent some time enjoying the round "I heard a Bird Sing" in two then three parts, which was lovely - and also, when Emily reminded us of it, “Hey Ho Winter Snow”.  “Masters of This Hall”, “The Sussex Mummers Carol” and While Shepherds Watched to the “Pentonville” tune were given an airing before we closed the evening suitably enough with “The Parting Song” again.  Next session - Dec. 8th at The Barn. 

Worthing Local Group Session

Just a reminder - our next Worthing Sing will be at The Barn, on Wednesday November 10th.  From 7.15 for a 7.30 start.  

If you've not already done so, please let us know by email if you're planning to attend.  Hope to see you there!

Lewes Zoom Session

SDFS LEWES - THIRD SUNDAY OF MONTH ZOOM MEETING - ALL SINGERS WELCOME 

Next meeting - Sunday, 21 November⋅3:00 – 5:00pm

Then - Monthly on the third Sunday

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83448393748?pwd=ZG9YVmVGZlRzcVpmZkZiR2MrU3JKdz09

Meeting ID: 834 4839 3748 

Passcode: 847775

A Song to Try

"The Parting Song" -  offered by Alan and Anne from the Chichester group for us to try, to sing for fun and if we all like it, to include in our repertoire of songs for performances.   

(Feb 20th 2022 - This song has been moved to our "Songs and Recordings" Page) 

Please find it by using this Page Link

We're Back!

The Southdowns Folksingers have resumed 'live' singing in all three of our local groups, at Worthing, Chichester and Lewes. Future session dates can be found on our "Diary Dates" page and details of the local group venues are on our Welcome page.

Whilst Covid continues we ask that if you plan to attend any of our sessions please let us know in advance via our email address, southdownsfolksingers21@gmail.com .