Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday August 4th 2022

After some notices to update plans for our public events from August to December - we launched our singing with "Oak and Ash and Thorn" which got our voices exercised and our hearts beating a little faster.  Keeping the upbeat mood "Jim the Carter Lad" followed, with the claps after "crack, crack" still proving a challenge for some!  Emily led us through the "Lammas Carol" and introduced some high and low harmonies which made it even lovelier. "Oldland Mill" came next, with "So now the sails are turning" needing some attention to stop the sails carrying us away into the tune of the chorus.  Spreading the beats in "tur-ur-ning" ensured we kept on track for the rest of the verse. "One for the Rook" went smoothly before we rehearsed "Searching for Lambs", a gentle song but still at a good pace, to help settle in the harmonies.  After a break we resumed with "Come Write Me Down" (otherwise known as "The Sussex Wedding Song") and another couple from the old song book: "Fathom the Bowl" and "Ale Glorious Ale".  Now that we're in August and the end of harvest approaches, Emily reminded us of another lovely song, "All Among the Barley", which we enjoyed reviving with hopes of using it at events as the seasons change.  We went back to the "Lammas Carol" plus harmonies again, before concluding with good old "Thousands or More".  Time had run out for any more, but we agreed to give space to "My Downland Remembered"(another of Alan's songs), and to trying the Copper Family's words to "Lark in the Morning", next month.  See you then!