Spring Events in the East – Firle, Stanmer Village, Oldland Mill – April and May

We recently enjoyed taking part in three very different but equally enjoyable Spring events in East Sussex.

 

Firle Garden Show – Sunday April 21^st

It's always a pleasure to sing in such lovely surroundings and there were good crowds as usual at this popular event. We had a balanced group of singers from all three local groups. Our two sets were planned to take place at the grassy park area by the fountain immediately outside the house but, although it was mostly sunny, the wind meant our voices were not carrying as well as expected and the announcer could not be heard well either. As a result, we moved location and sang the second set down in the refreshment area which worked much better. As usual here, our closing number “Sussex by the Sea” received the best reaction.  A good time was had by all, including sampling the many interesting stalls, other musical performances and excellent refreshments. 

 

Stanmer Village (Brighton) “Apple Blossom Day” – Sunday April 28^th

This is one of a number of seasonal apple related events held here during the year in this beautiful park on the outskirts of Brighton with the characterful Stanmer Village and One Garden nurseries. We initially had a good number of singers listed for this event but unfortunately last-minute illnesses and the A27 closure decimated our numbers.  On the day, however, a small but determined number of us from the Lewes local group made it through. On arrival Christian from the Permaculture Trust was very helpful in sorting out a parking issue with an overzealous council employee, and in agreeing a backup plan of singing in a large barn if we needed cover due to bad weather. In the event the threatened storms held off and we had glorious sunshine for both sets, in an idyllic setting in the orchard under the trees which were in very pretty blossom. We were a quintet for the first set and a quartet for the second, as one singer was also there with Brighton Folk Choir and had to go off to rehearse with them. Both sets went well with audiences of adults, children and dogs and a highlight was the audience learning and then singing along with the chorus of “East Sussex Drinking Song”. We enjoyed chatting to a volunteer scything the grass in time with the music and to the children’s storyteller as well as partaking of the scrumpy and apple pie. We look forward to coming back for Harvest Day in the Autumn.

 

Oldland Mill Open Day – Sunday May 5^th

This is another beautiful site up on the hills above Keymer in a splendidly renovated Sussex windmill. The A27 closure had ended (phew) and we had a good, balanced number of singers from far afield. The shuttle bus from the park and ride and the Morris sides from Ditching and Hammersmith manoeuvring around each other at the turnaround point at the end of the narrow lane from the main road up to the mill all added to the bustle and atmosphere. Our set in a gazebo directly outside the mill was well received by the audience seated on the benches and at nearby tables. Organiser Juliet said they especially appreciate hearing local singer Stuart Leon's song “Oldland Mill” in its home setting. It is always equally magical for us to sing about the millers from Oldland waving across to those at Jack and Jill mills visible a few miles away on the horizon at Clayton. We sang two May songs and recalled a previous visit when we sang "It is the First of May" on the appropriate day, but the Fifth of May is near enough! The audience joined in on some of the choruses, notably “Thousands or More” (although there was light rain, rather than sunshine when we got to part about “bright Phoebe”). Another memorable event in glorious surroundings.