Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday July 18th 2023

Ten singers came along to the Chichester evening session and we were delighted to meet Jess, a potential new SDFS member who had found us on the internet!  We almost persuaded a couple of ladies who were looking for their “Friendship Group” to join us and a further young lady joined us for a couple of songs with some effective harmonies – saying that she’d learned a lot of the songs at her University Folk Club.  Great news that folk is still appearing in Universities!

The first half started rousingly with "Ale Glorious Ale" which our new recruit ably joined in.  "All Among the Barley" followed – rehearsed as it hadn’t been sung for some time. This, along with the following "Lammas Carol" was early preparation for Autumn performances.  "My Downland Remembered" and "Farmer’s Toast" rounded off the first half along with much discussion about boats involved in transportation to Australia!

Following well needed refreshment, the second half of the evening opened by popular request with "Oak and Ash and Thorn" which again our new recruit seemed to know.  It continued in it’s theme of nature with "One for the Rook" (incorporating a discussion about crows versus rooks) and "The Oak Tree Song", a new suggestion from Emily.  Alan guided the group through it and will send a report of the group’s thoughts back to Emily etc.  Steve requested "Thousands or More", followed by "Country Life" and "The Nightingale" as further familiar songs for joining in.  A song introduced originally by Dave G was tried next - "Summer is a Coming in Again".  This by popular request as the Chi group thought it would make a great addition to the repertoire being such a lively song for audiences.   To round off the session and reflect the worsening summer weather, the evening concluded with a confident rendering of "Stormy Winds Do Blow".

N.B. - Following a discussion of likely very low attendance at an August session, it was decided to CANCEL the AUGUST MEETING at the Chichester Inn, have a summer break, and reconvene on Thursday September 21st.  

Anne S