Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday January 19th 2023

I can almost copy the opening line from the Lewes Group before Christmas where 8 apologies had reached us before we left home and similarly on arrival, we found the pub didn’t have us in the diary and there were several folk finishing their meals in the usual space we occupied!  However 11 of us eventually settled around a large coffee table and embarked on a determined effort to rehearse the set list being proposed for the forthcoming Sullington Barn event.  (A small girl sitting nearby was delighted with our efforts).

 Anne attempted to keep law and order in the absence of Alan’s singing voice and get everyone started at the same time, although Alan managed vigorous conducting and hoarse instructions.  The group warming to the theme of winter wassails and seasonal songs, managed to run through the whole Sullington set list and included four rounds – "Hey Ho Winters’ Snow", "I heard a Bird Sing", "Gather Round the Fire" and Alan’s "Wassail Round".  Other seasonal songs were attempted, including "Wassail All Over the Town", "Sugar Wassail", "Poor Froze Out Gardeners" etc.  We all got to grips quite successfully with a good up-beat version of the "Silver Apple Wassail" – some of our group hadn’t encountered it at all before.  The "Jacobstowe Wassail" was explored via internet and mobile phones and we all agreed it was a great song but that we were unlikely to sound like Steeleye Span without a fair amount of rehearsal!

 

Meanwhile, the diners had finished and gone home, some offering appreciative remarks about the entertainment and we ended up as usual but this time from the comfort of our sofas, reclaiming our space and finishing a useful revision of seasonal songs.

 

Anne S

Lewes Local Group Report – Tuesday December 20th 2022

This was another small but determined gathering which nearly didn’t happen at all! 11 apologies had reached me before I left home - ranging from pub carols, Covid, dark nights, working late, shielding, dodgy weather, other illness, A27 closure – so I got the bus over from Brighton with some trepidation. On arrival I found the pub didn’t have us in the diary and there were already several other drinkers in the room we use so it couldn’t be reserved for our use.

4 other singers arrived, making 3 men and 2 women in total, so we decided we had enough balance and enthusiasm to carry on with the session and enjoy ourselves anyway. We started tucked away in a corner singing quietly but the other drinkers said they were enjoying hearing us and were very complimentary so we then sang louder.

We each in turn chose our favourites and also tried one of the new proposed songs. So we got through “Coppers’ Christmas Song”, “Sweet Chiming Bells”, “Poor Froze-Out Gardeners”, “Masters in this Hall”, “Wake Ye Shepherds” (the new one), “Good King Wenceslas”, “Falmer Carol”, “Fields lie Silent”, “On Sussex Hills” and “Seasons Turn” from the Christmas and cold weather songs and carols. Ray and I gave a close harmony rendering of “White Christmas” and we then closed with “Parting Song”.

As they cleared up around us at closing time the bar staff said what a lovely sound we had made and we headed out in high spirits but hoping for a few more singers to keep us company next month!

For Your Interest ....

Here is a message from one of our singers, Lyn .... thanks Lyn.

SDFS members might be interested in this BBC Radio 3 programme: "Music Planet" about Martin and Eliza Carthy.  It starts with a rousing rendition of "Country Life". 

(Go to BBC IPlayer "Sounds" and a search request for 'Radio 3 "Music Planet" Martin and Eliza Carthy' should find it.)

Enjoy!