Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday March 21st 2024

A small but enthusiastic eight singers, plus a couple of interested parents of one of our number, came along to take part in this month’s Chi SDFS.

 
The theme of the evening was definitely “Spring” in spite of the weather and fittingly opened with "Hal and Tow" including a new opening verse and some discussion about inclusion of the St George’s verse and the timing in certain lines.  Increasing the tempo the second time around seemed to improve the feel of it.  "Oak and Ash and Thorn" followed with gusto and Steve confirmed with some authority that Alder was definitely used in clog making!  In keeping with the theme of the evening "When Spring Comes In" came next with comment about the slightly odd arrangement of chorus and verse and discussion about the way “sweet retire” had probably replaced “sweet attire” as it came down the years.  "Searching for Lambs" came before farming topics "One for the Rook and Ale Glorious Ale" and whether or not our MPs in Parliament needed a copy of the song.  The first half was rounded up with old favourite "Rosebuds in June and It is the First of May".
 
Alan was unable to resist singing Bold Sir John in the interval – fairly quickly recognised as a masterpiece of word play from the pen of the late Ronnie Barker.
 
Numbers depleted by a further departure, it was decided that the evening would finish a little earlier than usual and the second half opened with "The Nightingale" - generally felt to be the SDFS Anthem!  "May Day Carol" followed and then the relatively new addition to the repertoire "Summer is a Coming In Again".  Alan was pleased to report that he’d had a conversation with the composer Mick Ryan who had given his permission for the SDFS to sing it out and even complimented Alan on his two additional verses.  "Three Drunken Maidens" was the next offering with discussion about timing in verse 3 and this was followed by "Come Stranger Come Friend".  To finish off, "The Parting Song" made a change from the usual Rolling Home.  
 
Just as the choir was departing, a couple visiting from the Midlands arrived and expressed great disappointment that we’d finished singing, to which Dave G led a rousing "Country Life" which they joined in with enthusiasm!
 
Anne S