Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday February 16th 2023

Thirteen people gathered in the "Chichester Inn" at tables reserved especially for us. Thanks for arranging that Steve; but no flowers this time!! We sang a number of songs which included those to welcome the coming better seasons. 

"Country Life", to get our chords working, then: "When Spring Comes In", "The Nightingale", "Oh Good Ale", "One for the Rook", "Rosebuds in June", "Hal an' Tow", "Come Write me Down", and, before the break, "My Downland Remembered" (which has now been tried by all three local groups and will soon be moved to the main song list on our Blog).  Later we sang some other  favourites: "Jim the Carter Lad", "The Fields Lie Silent" and to conclude the evening, "Sussex by the Sea". 

We tried "The Cuckoo", but so many variations of this ensued that we gave up - with a request that if it's planned to do it again we should use the version on our Blog's songs page, and perhaps folk could have a browse of that in preparation. 

We also went onto slightly newer territory - when Dave G sang us a new song, "Summer is a-Coming in Again". Dave took us through the song several times. It was liked very much by those present. It will soon be added to 'Songs to Try' page on the Blog.

We had a few gos at  "Love and the Ball".  A new tune using a very early poem about stoolball, so very Sussexy.  It seemed to be liked. (It's already on the 'Songs to Try' page.) This song  prompted Steve Alberry to read a 17th Century poem about stoolball. Very funny, and he is being encouraged to read it at the SDFS "Revels" party in March, but close your ears for some parts if you are a bit prim!  (I would also like people to see and hear Gordon's juggling song and activity at the party - please Gordon!) 

We had a recording of Emily singing the chorus of a new song "The Oak Tree". We sang along with this repeatedly to learn it. The melody and words were much appreciated. Although we had the full lyrics from the internet, we decided not to sing the verses until Emily continues with the song at a Worthing session.  

Alan