With several regulars absent due to illness, shielding, train difficulties and other events (gospel singing, pub carols and dancing, we’re a busy lot!) there were twelve singers at the John Harvey Tavern tonight. We welcomed returning singers Ruth & Steve who sang with us several years ago when we were at The Royal Oak and have also sung with local group “Shepherds Arise”.
After warming up with the lively “Country Life” we then marked the Remembrance period with “Follow Me ‘Ome” representing the life and loss of a soldier and “Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun” depicting the women left behind to carry on traditions. Next was “Caburn Hill” in two equal parts harmony with the composer Dave Turner leading one part and Tina leading the other.
Turning to Christmas we sang the familiar “Falmer Carol” (“See Seraphic Throngs”) and then two new ones from the list to try for next year. “Now Christmas is Come”, is a lively carol collected by Lucy Broadwood from the “Singing Baker of Cuckfield”. In contrast “The Sinners’ Redemption” is more unusual but equally lovely in a minor key. Singers picked them both up very quickly and enjoyed singing them.
In the break we discussed the session time. The pub is now opening later, and all present agreed to revert to our later starting time (Nick had already expressed a preference for this via email, due to timing of travel from Bexhill after work). Sessions will therefore be 7:30-10pm starting from December. Jan passed on thanks from her mother, other care home residents and staff after our small group sing in Henfield. Other singers thanked Jan for the convivial gathering afterwards at her house, including excellent cakes. Now Margo has departed we are looking for a volunteer(s) for the admin support role and to represent Lewes at the SDFS Committee. Jan agreed to write future Local Group session reports for the Blog. Others will give further thought to the other roles and a general appeal will go out by email.
After all the “business”, back to the singing, and we restarted with “On Sussex Hills”. More Christmas songs followed. “When it’s Christmas Time (Ring Bells Ring)” is another new one to try, a jolly modern song by Glen Redman of Brighton Morris & Brighton Pub Carols, which mentions the ancient Yule, Saturnalia and misrule as well as Christmas, so something for everyone there. Then “Gather Round the Fire” (a newish winter round) and “While Shepherds Watched” (to the Pentonville tune). We rounded off another evening together with “East Sussex Drinking Song” and “Come Stranger, Come Friend”.
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