Our December session was in the company of a Christmas tree and some seasonal sparkle at the Barn. We began with a few notices before the singing - including the announcement that our SDFS “Revels” party evening for all our singers and their family and friends, is making a post Covid comeback - on March 25th 2023. Not a winter wassail this time - but on ‘Lady Day’ as a celebration of the coming Spring! (More details for our singers will follow in the new year.)
Our singing started with a couple of the songs used at the recent Weald and Downland Advent Market, and we were warmed by the positive feedback from Emily and others about how much our performance there had been enjoyed. We sang the "Holly and the Ivy" and "Sweet Chiming Bells", and then moved to other seasonal songs, not in any current event sets - starting with trying all the verses of the "Falmer Carol". Quite a long one in its entirety, so we trimmed it a little by having fewer chorus intervals. It’ll need some more attention next year, but agreed its local history makes it one we should keep in the frame for future performances, and our enjoyment. "Masters in the Hall" was nominated to sing next - another one liked by some folks but not by others. Then, one offered in previous years but hardly tried since - “Ideo" - and agreed to add it to the 'songs to try' reminder list for next year. Attention turned next to January festivities and the Wassail songs we love. Starting with the "Gloucester Wassail" (this time using verses 1,4, 5,6 and 10), and the "Apple Tree Wassailing Song". In the break Emily shared details of the ‘wassail' event at Sullington Barn on January 21st, after which our singing resumed with birthday good wishes to Sheila!
Continuing with the seasonal songs, we enjoyed “Here We Come A-wassailing", the "Moon Shone Bright", and the "Sugar Wassail”. Alan sang for us, and then we tried, "Wassail the Silver Apple", which is a little different to the other wassail songs we do, well liked by all, and certainly one we’d like to use more often. We finished our singing with a rousing rendition, in multiple parts, of Alan’s 'Wassail Around”. The evening concluded with seasonal good wishes all round too, plus a reminder that there will be no Worthing session at the Goring Barn on January 5th. (We will instead be gathering to contribute to the Sompting Morris’ Wassail in Tarring Village, starting at 8pm.) Our usual Worthing local group sessions will resume at the Goring Barn in February (Feb. 2nd).
Come and join us in 2023 - or maybe see you before then at Petworth House on Dec.10th!
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