Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday June 1st 2023

Quite a few event notices were given at the start of our evening, reflecting how busy we'll be in June with four public performances in a month.  Then, under Emily's guiding hand, we revisited some of what we'll be singing at the first of these events - Amberley Museum on June 3rd.  We began with what has become a good warm-up and fanfare, "Country Life", before moving on to "When Spring Comes In"; "One For the Rook" and "My Downland Remembered" (choosing this time not to repeat the last first verse at the end).  A change of scene had us singing a round in three parts "As Me I Walked ..." which we hope to engage our audience in on the day.  The first half of our evening was completed with "The Nightingale", the "Sussex Wedding Song" and the "Bee Boys Song" - before a break and more shared news of other local events, including the new Worthing Festival and some dates at Horsham Folk Club.  

Our singing resumed with "Turmut Hoers"; "Life of a Man" and "Oak and Ash and Thorn" before trying another round with summer words to the "Banberry Ale" tune, which some were familiar with, this time talking of "Ripening Strawberries Juicy and Bright".  (If not already on the Rounds Page of our Blog, the two sung this evening soon will be.) 

To finish the evening, by request, we sang two songs both with the shadow of warfare, and separation from home and loved ones, woven into them.  First "Ladies Go Dancing" with its wistful tone and gentle pace, and then by contrast "Sussex By the Sea" in its louder marching rhythm - on which note we marched home after another enjoyable evening of song.

We'll at the Barn for a sing with a difference at our next session on Thursday July 6th - 7.30pm

We hope that our South Downs folk singers from all three of our local groups will gather in this central location to join in an evening of songs by request, old and new, to celebrate the 10 years since the "South Downs Folk Singers" began.  

We considered having a summer picnic gathering somewhere on the Downs - but fearing the weather could fail us and rain stop play, we've opted instead to use the lovely Sussex Barn already available to us - and guaranteed dry!

We're asking singers to bring some sweet or savoury snacks (no more than easy to eat 'finger-food') to share, and drinks of their own choice, to have in the break and add to the evening's enjoyment. 
 

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