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
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