44 Singers from across all three of our local group gathered at the Barn for a special evening of songs, to celebrate and reminisce about the 10 years since the "South Downs Folk Singers" began at the end of the "South Downs Songs Project" in 2013. The Barn was decked with bunting and fairy lights (thank you Emily) and the side tables were laden with plenty of sweet and savoury snacks brought by one and all to enjoy in our extended social break. Sadly the Songs Project's creator and lead, Chris Hare, and his wife Ann (who with our current lead Emily made up "Emily and the Hares", who sang and taught the songs in the project workshops) could not be with us, but their names were cited in dispatches and thanks were given to them in their absence. Happy reunions and greetings started as soon as the doors opened and - after words of welcome from Henny to all our singers, and special thank yous to those who have made particular contribution to the SDFS across our 10 years - it was over to Emily as our lead and the celebratory singing began.
All the songs sung during the evening were selected by popular demand - with an associated mixture of delight, nostalgia and an occasional wry smile. "Twanky Dillo"(the very first song taught at the workshops), "The Nightingale" and "Fathom the Bowl" came first - interspersed with shared memories of learning them - and they primed us well for tackling and completing the many verses of "Cruel Mother". This song had been top of the request list for its history, its lilting tune and the challenge of singing it - but it attracted a few wry smiles and a sense of achievement when getting to the end! "The Sussex Wedding Song" lifted the mood and pace again - before a generous break from the songs to enjoy the good company and the plentiful refreshments that had been brought to share.
We resumed singing with "On Sussex Hills", then paused to listen to an alternative version of "Shepherd of the Downs" created and sung by Amaryllis with Sydney - which challenged the original lyrics by describing instead the shepherd's fondness for his sheep exceeding any he might have for a fair maid! The "Turmut Hoer" and his fondness for turnips came next, before Stephen A took the lead in singing through "Valiants All" with support from singers who knew it - another long song not often used by us, but a favourite of Stephen's. "Country Life" came next, with thanks to Shirley B for introducing it to the Chichester local group in their early years - and it was good to have Shirley singing it with us again.
Some gentle songs from the favourites list came next, with "Rosebuds in June", "Eileen Aroon" and "Fields Lie Silent" - all sounding rich and beautiful with so many voices coming together in the lofty Barn. As the time passed over towards the close of the evening it seemed more than appropriate to finish with one of our best loved favourites "Thousands or More", much loved by the Copper Family too.
And so the singing concluded, the bunting was taken down and farewells were made. Thank you to the helpers on the night, to Emily for leading us and to everyone who attended for making it such a lovely occasion - now onward and upwards for the next 10 years, at least!
Hx
And a Message from Emily.....
It was really lovely to have the opportunity to all be together (with a few fondly missed exceptions) for a revelling in 10 years of the SDFS.
I enjoyed singing through the old faves and not so faves and was struck by that pleasurable feeling that you get when singing with people you have sung with for so many years that it is all familiar and easy and effortless. A rare and precious thing indeed.
And I woke with lots of things crowding into my thoughts that I wish I'd said and didn't!
I was so busy trying to remember the words and enjoying all the familiar faces that these important things didn't have the space to enter my thoughts. But there they all were, flooded into the front of my thoughts when I woke up!
So I'd like to share them now and am sorry I didn't share them on Thursday!
I'd like to acknowledge how lovely it is that this group of most excellent people are still gathering to sing, undaunted by lockdowns and changing venues and the passing of a decade.
How wonderful it is that, through song, so many friendships have been made, friendships that might not have flowered if it wasn't for the shared love of singing the good old songs.
How marvellous is the committee, keeping all the official ness flowing along with your particular skills and knowledge, making decisions and choices that have enabled the SDFS as an official group to be organised, present at so many places for the sharing of song and strong in its unswerving intention to bring these songs to listeners everywhere (almost!) Thanks to John C to who's unceasing efforts in the gig finding department have created so many memorable and delightful days for us all.
How brilliant the Blog is, almost lost with the loss of dearest Keith and then remade with no little effort and countless hours by Steve and Henny. And it is now a brilliant resource of songs and a record of how the SDFS has grown and evolved over the years. Thank you!
It is lovely how the three groups across the area are all thriving and providing so much pleasure. Thanks hugely to Tina and Alan and Steve for being so brilliant in your leading and teaching and organising. It was lovely to see people from all three groups singing together. I was struck by how Brill we sound!
I have had to take a step back from leading over these last couple of years because of increasing commitment in my other work and with Home educating and I am grateful to Alan and Amarylis for stepping into the role of leading so willingly and excellently.
And thanks to Tina for making such a remarkable document of all the songs we have learned and know, SO many! And for finding gigs and always leading over in the east.
It is delightful to see, through the recent gig at Rusington, how the SDFS is evolving it's delivery possibilities. I hope that there will be more of these informative and brill performances.
And thanks to all the singers who have offered songs, written by themselves or found and suggested. Always enriching the repertoire and making it unique.
And finally and especially, thanks to Henny. You are wonderful! A source of constancy, wisdom, calm and diplomacy in our midst, the author of thousands of emails keeping us all connected, informed and aware of all the ever fluctuating details.
Thank you for holding the Chair for sooooooo long, in spite of perhaps fancying handing it over sometimes!
Thanks for your time and skill and passion over these years. I wanted to say this on Thurs but am aware of your slight preference for staying out of the attention. I regret listening to that thought now!
Please remember, each time you sit at the computer to write yet another email that we so appreciate it. The SDFS wouldn't exist as it does without your effort, skill and time. THANK YOU!
Thank you all, you are all wonderful, it is a pleasure singing with you all these years
Em XX
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