Our Next Event - May 1st 2022

Although some days are still chilly, the Spring is swiftly moving towards Summer - and next Sunday sees the return of 'May Day'!  A group of us from the "South Downs Folk Singers" will be celebrating and singing at 11.00 a.m. on Sunday at the "Big Opening Day" at Oldland Mill near Keymer.  

We look forward to seeing you there!  

(For more about the mill and this event, please refer to their website:  https://www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk/newsite/ )

Lewes Local Group Report - Tuesday April 19th 2022

Following our much acclaimed appearance at The Firle Garden Show on Sunday 17th, with grateful thanks to singers from our Lewes, Worthing and Chichester local groups who joined forces there, nine of us returned to the John Harvey Tavern to sing again.  Many drinkers were sitting outside in the sunshine which is a hopeful sign, but as the sun sinks below the horizon, trade drops too and so, unfortunately, the pub’s closing time remains 9pm.

We started with "Hal-n-Tow", "It Is The First Of May" and "May Day Carol", before Tina patiently taught us Alan’s "Lammas Carol" which will be a good one to use in performance sets, not only for 1st August, but for times that we are considering Harvest or Milling.  Then on to two sea songs: "Littlehampton Collier Lads" and "They Won’t Let Us Go to Sea Any More", before some serious work on "Oldland Mill" and the harmonies that Tina has written for us.  They are on the blog under “Songs and Recordings”, lyrics and three harmony lines, choose whichever you like.

After a break we returned to learn two harmonies for "Halnaker Mill" which sound hauntingly good.  We gave "Seasons Turn" a good airing (it should be brushed up for inclusion on future set lists) before finishing with "The East Sussex Drinking Song" which was a fortuitous choice because Adrian had joined us for the evening after a long absence.

 

This month’s ZOOM session with Tina was before the Firle Garden Show.  Our next SDFS gathering will be at the "Big Opening Day" at Oldland Mill, Keymer on 1st of May.

Worthing Local Group Report - Wednesday April 13th 2022

We gathered again for an April Sing with the Spring in mind and an eye on the public events we have on the SDFS calendar in next couple of weeks.  By request to start, and under Emily's guidance throughout the evening, we launched with "Country Life" moving on to "When Spring Comes In", "It Is the First of May", and "Searching For Lambs" with extra time for the harmony part.  Changing theme, "The Sussex Wedding Song "("Come Write Me Down"), sung with a gusto, prompted the suggestion that an alternative version needs to be written in which the ladies choose not to leave off pleasure to be wives but spurn the chaps instead! 

On that note, after a break we resumed with a shortened version of "Hard Times" in which Richard sang a new to us final verse, thank you Richard.  "Turtle Dove" plus lovely harmonies came next, and "Lark in the Morning".  Then "Halnaker Mill" with some interesting details from Angela about its notation.  "Sussex by the Sea" changed the mood before we returned to the land and the seasons with the "May Day Carol", "Hal an Tow" and "One For the Rook".  Thanks Emily, thanks everyone - see you in June!

Current Events - April 2022

Here we are having a 'Jolly Good Sing' at  Chichester Canal's 200th Anniversary Celebration  on April 9th. 

After a few changes to plan along the way, a good time was had by all at a busy and popular event with plenty to see and hear.   Many thanks again to the organisers for inviting us. 

For our next Event - we will be moving from West to East Sussex, to sing at the Firle Place Garden Fayre next Sunday, April 17th.  Do come along and hear us sing there in another lovely setting on what we hope will be another sunny day!

Urgent notice  

For the Attention of our Singers - due to sing at the Chichester Canal Celebrations tomorrow.

Please refer to the email message sent to all this evening - about the songs we will be singing at this Event.

Thanks, and See you there!

Please Note!

To help prepare for our singing at Firle Place on April 17th, and also at Oldland Mill on May 1st, this month's "Zoom" has been moved to the earlier date of Sunday April 10th.  

Whether or not part of our SDFS groups due to sing at these events - all comers are welcome.

The Zoom login details remain the same:

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

Meeting ID: 834 4839 3748 

Passcode: 847775

Event Reminder

Firle Place Garden Fayre on Sunday April 17th

Here is the organiser's poster for this event, to remind you that we will soon be singing again in the grounds of beautiful Firle Place.  (Click on the image to enlarge it.)

SDFSingers who have volunteered (and are now listed) for our group on the day will be supplied with entry passes - but any others visiting with us will need to purchase tickets online as described (or £10 on the gate).  Our singing times (sometime after 11.00 in the morning and again in the afternoon) will be confirmed with the event organisers on the day.  Looking forward to it being another lovely day at Firle!

Another Two Songs to Try

Some more songs offered by Alan for us to enjoy, and to try at our local sessions if we'd like to. 

You'll find the lyrics and tunes using the links below.

Lammas Carol

(July 5th 2022 - This song has been moved to our "Songs and Recordings" Page)

Please find it by using this Page Link

Love and the Ball

Lyrics

Wmp3 (Tune)