Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday September 15th 2022

Eleven stalwart singers attended this month's SDFS Chichester group meeting.  Alan led the evening, with occasional leadership from Amaryllis, who will be leading a forthcoming event and who was a most welcome addition to the Chichester meeting!

We opened with a seasonal song, "All Among the Barley", that some folk had recently not felt ready to sing out, and Alan demonstrated a couple of tune points.   Anne and Steve managed to hold the base part that had been taught at Worthing.  Following this, all present felt they would be happy to sing it out.  "Lammas Carol" was sung with confidence and kept the group in seasonal mode.  Alan reminded all that some parts had been introduced by Emily and these can be found on the SDFS Blog along with the tune (which may need a revised recording).  "Oak and Ash and Thorn"  followed and gained applause from the bar – what a great song, well sung last night by our group!  

 

Delving into some less well known parts of the repertoire, the group tried "The Loyal Lover" which hadn’t been sung a great deal recently.  Perhaps this is not a song for a noisy outside venue and possibly the starting note was also a bit low.   Amaryllis sang her new composition "Michaelmas" – again in keeping with the season.  This great little song, to the tune of "Poor Froze Out Gardener" was much appreciated by all present and certainly should be included in the official repertoire.  It can be found on the SDFS Blog and will be included in the upcoming W&D 'Michaelmas' event set list (Oct.1st).  On the theme of upcoming set lists (for the Stanmer event on Sept.18th), the group tried "Hannaker Mill", with some discussion about whether or not verses 2 and 3 should be “run together”.  Before a well earned break, the group tried "My Downland Remembered", a newish composition presented by Alan.  There was discussion about adding a harmony to enhance the last line of each verse.  Alan provided one and Steve duly recorded it to add to the song's Blog listing.

 

The second half opened with the "Woodcutter’s Song" in preparation for Winter set lists!  Amaryllis then led "Hares on the Mountain" at a brisk pace and all agreed it went well at that speed.  She later led "Life of a Man", and then "Smuggler’s Song"; all are going to be included in forthcoming events.   Alan turned to the newly introduced version of "The Lark in the Morning".  As in the Worthing group's session, a few changes to the wording were proposed for ease of singing.  Henny outlined plans for displaying any such changes suggested for a song on the song's lyrics sheet on the 'Songs to Try' page of the Blog (colour coded per local group and dated to identify the origin).  Alan led "One for the Rook" with full actions which was much enjoyed.  The evening finished on the suitable theme of "The Parting Song", enthusiastically supported by all.

 

Lewes Local Group Report - Tuesday September 13th 2022

10 of us gathered at The John Harvey Tavern, sadly our first session without Margo since her move to Wales. It was good to have Beryl and Amaryllis with us from Worthing, plus Nick from Bexhill and several points in between. Cathy joined us again and brought along her husband Joe this month.

This was a week earlier than usual, to fit in a practice before the Stanmer Village Permafest event on 18th and in preparation for this we ran through  “Bee-Boy’s Song”, “Twanky Dillo”, “West Sussex Drinking Song”, “Sussex Wedding Song”, “Oak, Ash & Thorn”, “Brisk Young Ploughboy”.

During the break we discussed the venue. The JHT has now confirmed there will be a £25 room hire fee which would mean reverting to passing round the pot at sessions. It was agreed to meet here in October, but also to explore other venues.   Jan mentioned we have been asked to sing again at her mother’s retirement home in Henfield (possible dates in October or November to be confirmed, and more details will be sent to singers).  

After the break we spent some time on newer songs  “A Lammas Carol” and “Michaelmas”, then returned to the seasonal favourite “Fields Lie Silent”  before ending with “East Sussex Drinking Song” and “Thousands or More”.

SDFS sing at the Fernhurst Furnace Open Day 2022

A dozen enthusiastic singers came together to sing our Sussex folksongs in the countryside at the annual historic Fernhurst Furnace Day. Ably led by Alan we presented a selection of rousing songs in three performances. We sang for the blacksmith and the brewer and were well received by all who heard us, especially those queuing for their lunch! It was a very enjoyable event and we trust we will be asked to perform again here next year.

Dave G.

Lewes Local Group - Reminder

Just a reminder to anyone interested in singing at our Lewes Local Group session this month - it will be happening a week earlier than usual this month, on Tuesday evening  September 13th.

Same place  - "The John Harvey Tavern" in Lewes,  same time - 6.30 until 9.30pm.

Join us there if you can!

(You can find more details about our Local Group sessions and our public events on the Diary Dates and New Singers pages of this Blog.)  

A Song to Try

Here's a new song offered by Amaryliss Gunn -  "Michaelmas",  sung to the tune of ’Poor Froze-out Gardeners’

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

Lyrics

Tune

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday September 1st 2022

Meeting and greeting filled the Barn until we drew the gathering together with "Twanky Dillo".  After a pause for a brief notice of interest to singers, and some feedback from recent public events, we resumed singing with the Copper's version of the "Lark in the Morning" (same tune different words) in which the prince and king in the last verse were displaced in favour of the "lark upon the wing"!  The "Lammas Carol" received some polishing, and moving from summer to autumn harvest we did the same for "All Among the Barley".  In the break various local notices were shared before returning to discussion about and more songs for our next events.  "Oldland Mill", "One for the Rook" and "Brisk Young Ploughboy" were sung, then "Hares on the Mountain" one not used for a while. The "East Sussex Drinking Song" had an airing in West Sussex, before reviving another song,"The Song of the Sussex Downsman" keeping up a good pace throughout. 

Casting our thoughts ahead to Michaelmas at the Weald and Downland Museum - Emily and Amaryllis sang for us Amaryllis' lyrics to her Michaelmas song set to the tune of "Poor Froze-Out Gardeners".  These lyrics and a recording from Amaryllis will soon be on the Blog as a 'Song to Try' and practise at home before the W&D event in October.  Farewells at the end of the evening included a fond farewell to Margo, as her much heralded move is now most definitely happening - Bon Voyage Margo, thank you again and please come back and sing with us any time you like!