Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday February 2nd 2024

33 singers in good voice, including another two new faces, came together for our February session.  A theme for the evening, introduced by Emily, was one of revival after the winter and looking ahead towards the spring.  Our singing included choices by request and or to revisit old favourites and established songs, with also some newer material to carry us on into the year.

"Country Life” got us off to a good start as it often does, followed by another old favourite "Green Grow the Laurels” then "Lark in the Morning” (using the amended Coppers' version).   "Rosebuds in June" (with guidance from Emily to stay on the same lower note for ‘lasses’ if the original high note to finish proves difficult to reach and voices fade at that point).  "Smugglers Song”, "When Spring Comes In” and  "Hares on the Mountain” saw out the first half of the evening before we took a breather for refreshment - and to use our voices for chats instead!

With renewed vigour the "Bee Boys Song”  launched the second half, before we took on the challenge of singing all the verses of the "Song of the Sussex Downsman” with surprising success.   Looking towards its inclusion in our song sets for performance if liked by all our groups, we enjoyed again a song originally brought to us from Dave in our Chichester group, "Summer is A’commin In Again” .  Moving towards the close of the session we wound down, first with "Home Lads Home”, then "Life of a Man” and last but not least the "Parting Song”.

Thanks to everyone for turning out on a chill February evening. We hope to see you again at our next Barn session on March 7th, when with lengthening days and spring on our doorstep we can again celebrate the changing seasons with song.