Wednesday, July 2, 2025
A New Item is now on our Miscellaneous Page
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
June into July
Thursday, June 19, 2025
ALERT - Chichester Local Group's June Session Today - CANCELLED !
Due to the number of competing commitments, holidays and other reasons, preventing our facilitators and many singers from attending - our SDFS Local Group Meeting at the "Chichester Inn" this evening (June 19th) has been cancelled. The summer solstice season can get very busy!
We are very sorry for the late notice and any disappointment or inconvenience caused.
If you were hoping to attend - please do come along to our next meeting, booked for the third Thursday in July (July 17th) - when we will resume with more songs and singing together then.
(Our other local groups' sessions and our programme of public events are running as planned - all details are available on the Diary Dates page of this Blog.)
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Lewes Local Group Report – Monday June 16th 2025
Ten of us came to the Lewes Arms, including two new singers and a spectator from Brighton, Hove and Uckfield, who were brought along by existing singers. Our introductions at the beginning threw up several interesting connections where they knew and had sung or played with others present too. We missed those absent due to illness or holidays (Malta sounded lovely.
The songs were firstly lesser-known items that some of us will be performing at the two upcoming Bevendean events (Farm Green archaeological dig open day on June 28th and Community Garden celebration at the end of the “Wild Walks” programme on July 12th) and the song for Whitsun which had just passed on 9th June. Then we took turns to choose our favourites from the 25 possible songs I had suggested.
In the first half we sang “East Sussex Drinking Song”, “Poor Froze-Out Gardeners”, “One for the Rook” (not the correct season for the previous two but they will be performed at Bevendean Garden), “Hard Times of Old England”, “Sing You Now After Me” ( the Thomas Ravenscroft 15th century Sussex round in five parts, which we will be using for audience participation at Bevendean Farm, where a mediaeval farm site is being excavated), “Turmut Hoer”, “Magpie”, “Rosebuds in June” , and “On Sussex Hills”.
During the break, discussion included various places where we sing and play; where to buy instruments in Aldeburgh; someone’s ongoing folk-based project they are writing about a neuroscientist; and should someone buy a hammered dulcimer (yes, obviously!). One person, who had dashed straight from work without eating, collected and enjoyed his supper order (shout out to Big Fish round the corner).
We discussed our new poster which is now online on several sites in Lewes, Brighton and East Sussex, and has been mailed out to singers to circulate. A couple of singers took hard copies to put up in their areas and I said if anyone else wants copies printed off, let me know and I can post some out to them.
We eventually got back to singing with a new song to everyone at Lewes, “Harvest Round” which is the other to be used for audience participation at Bevendean Farm. This has words by Alan Wheeler from our Chichester group, set to the tune we also use for “Child of Light” at Christmas time. This was quickly learned and sung in four parts. With the hard work out of the way, we turned to our favourite more well-known songs (to some of us anyway, they were less well-known to the new singers, but they kept up very well). We did “Hares on the Mountain”, “Ladies go Dancing at Whitsun”, “Bee-Boy’s Song”, “Farmer’s Toast”, “My Downland Remembered”, “Smuggler’s Song”, and “Country Life”.
We ended with “Thousands or More”. During lockdown, when meeting online we would sing “With my bottle and friend you will find me on Zoom” and looked forward to evenings like today when we could once again sit around the table and sing face to face.
As I left the pub, they were putting our new poster up in the front window. A satisfying evening all round.
Our next session will be on Monday July 21st. New singers are always welcome to join us, whether seasoned performers or new singers. Drop us an email if you want to know more or just turn up on the night.
Tina
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday June 5th 2025
H.
Monday, June 9, 2025
Lewes Local Group Report – Summary - March 17th, April 21st and May19th 2025
Small but enthusiastic groups gathered for our usual third Monday sessions over the spring months. Eight singers came to our usual venue at the Lewes Arms on March 17th. On April 21st the pub was busy with Easter Monday drinkers and diners, so five of us decamped to the Railway Land Nature Reserve, where our singing was aided by crisps and vegan beer kindly provided by Eva and James. We sang at what we call the Magpie Tree, so named because during lockdown we sang here (carefully socially distanced) and when we sang Dave Dodd’s beautiful song “The Magpie” two of them sang overhead. This time we saw one walking along the ground but none in the tree. Back at the Lewes Arms on May 19th there were seven singers. In total there were twelve different singers, including a new singer, but not all present at the same time.
Monday, May 26, 2025
South Downs Folk Singers at the Chichester Fringe - Sunday June 1st
It's less than week to go before we'll be singing at the Canal Basin Cafe at 7.00pm on Sunday June 1st - to share songs for all seasons in a programme of songs, readings and music to chart "The Turning Year".
Come along and see us - tickets are available from the Chichester Fringe online: www.chichesterfringe.co.uk - and, if not sold out, also on the door.
See you there!
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday May 15th 2025
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Even more to see, and hear, on the Miscellaneous Page
Monday, May 12, 2025
Alert to look at a new item on our Miscellaneous Page ....
Friday, May 9, 2025
Events Review and Events to Come
Our Miscellaneous Page has a new entry posted today (about an event featuring the Copper Family) - just take a look.for more details ....
And, as our own SDFS event calendar moves from spring into summer - we thank all the hosts of the events at Petworth House, Firle Garden Show, Stanmer Village's Blossom Day in April, and most recently Oldland Mill and the Stork Festival in Storrington this month, for some lovely occasions and for inviting us to contribute.
Now looking ahead to June - our performance at the Chichester Fringe festival, at 7pm on June 1st is fast approaching. Tickets for this event are still available from the Fringe website www.chichesterfringe.co.uk - and also (if any are left!) at the door on the day.
Thereafter we look forward to a variety of other dates and locations where we will be taking our songs this summer. Please consult our Diary Dates Page for fuller details of where and when we'll be singing out - and not forgetting our local group sessions each month (addresses of where we meet are on our Welcome and New Singers pages).
Lots to choose from ..... Do come along - and we'll see you there!
Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday May 1st 2025
Emily opened this month's session with more information about the "Stork Festival" (to be held in Storrington on May 5th) where some of us would be singing. She outlined suggestions for what we might sing there, for us to try in the session and help decide on the set list. For the most familiar songs on her proposed list she again encouraged us to set aside lyric sheets and sing from our memories and hearts.
Another Event of Interest to look out for .....
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday April 17th 2025
Songs tackled for the first half of the performance were: Country Life, Sugar Wassail (including the last verse), On Sussex Hills, Bee Boys Song, followed by Amaryllis re Wassailing the bee hives One for the Rook, When Spring Comes In, Searching for Lambs (with men and women taking different verses), Rambling Comber (a great attempt with two harmonies – although it was noted that the timing still needed careful attention in parts), Summer is a Coming In Again (Dave to sing the opening “So” to start the chorus), Hal and Tow (Dave on drum with a sharp finish). Ladies Go Dancing, and to finish, Rosebuds in June.
These, with interspersed narration by Steve W, a poem, Sompting Shearer’s Beer by Steve A and great traditional saying on Wassailing by Dave after Sugar Wassail, made up a good first half lasting approximately 43 minutes which is about the right length for the first half.
After a well-earned break, and a practice at beer drinking, the second half started with a lovely duet by Julia and Nichola – The Holly King and the Oak King. Then proceeded following the planned narrative intro with the following songs: Lammas Carol, Farmer’s Toast (our version) (with a repeat of the last line in the chorus at the end), Turmut Hoer, Dark December (lead by Dave with guitar accompaniment), Fields Lie Silent, Thousands or More and finally a rousing Golia to end.
All agreed, the programme seemed to work pretty well with the second half being approximately 30 minutes. There was some discussion at the end of the evening about whether to encourage “audience participation” – possibly resolved by Alan deciding he would pick and choose which songs might best work for this possibility!
Anne S
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Spring Into Summer Update
Having just had a gloriously sunny spring day last weekend to sing at the National Trust's Spring Festival at Petworth House, West Sussex, (thank you again to our hosts) - we now look forward to singing at the "Garden Show at Firle House" in East Sussex on Easter Sunday, April 20th.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday April 3rd 2025
28 singers gathered, with Emily returned to lead us, for our April session at the lovely Sussex Barn. We welcomed a new face to the fold - and hope that Sarah will enjoy more sessions with us in the future. Sadly it was Jan's last session before her move, but we were glad she had found time from all her packing to come and sing with us.
Friday, April 4, 2025
ALERT !
We will be back at our usual venue for our May session.
(For full details, please view our Diary Dates page.)
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday March 20th 2025
The object of the evening was to continue to rehearse material that was going to be sung at the Chichester Fringe event this coming June. Alan outlined that the start song was that old favourite that the group perform really well – "Country Life". He also suggested to general agreement that the group could add emphasis to the chorus by punching the air in every chorus. So, with that in mind the first song was launched, rowdily sung and given full actions! "Sugar Wassail" followed in keeping with the seasonal progress of the planned Fringe programme with some tips on counting to ensure that the gaps in the song are clearly defined. Dave G gave a splendid wassail recitation at the end and it was agreed that implements to make a noise as per the Wassailing tradition could be brought along.
"On Sussex Hills" sung in the usual robust fashion was followed by "The Bee Boys Song", after which Amaryllis led her small “harmony” section into some lovely harmonies and completed the song with a great rendition of a traditional beehive wassail text from 19C Amberley. A very competent "One for the Rook" came next followed by "When Spring Comes In". The latter – appropriate as the first day of Spring was actually upon us, was partially tried again at a slightly faster pace which improved it, with a note to remember to keep up the pace at the start of each new verse. Men and Women sang appropriate verses of the next song "Searching for Lambs" following the familiar discussions about varying words! Alan recapped all parts to "Rambling Comber" which seemed to go pretty well as the first attempt at singing all three parts together. A busy first half was rounded off with our version of "Summer Is A-Coming In" with agreement to leave out the chorus at the end and finish by repeating the last line slowly.
The second session of the evening, started out with a hearty rendition of "Hal and Tow" including all to clap once in the chorus which also formed the start of the song, rather than the verse. "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun" was sung by ladies with some accompaniment by the men, followed by the well known "Rosebuds in June" which was sung extremely competently and led on to the "Lammas Carol" which again went well with a small review of some of the notes in a couple of lines. "Farmers Toast" – with a reminder that we were performing the “shortened” version came next which worked well. A resounding performance of "Turmut Hoer" was next before Dave G’s lovely version with guitar accompaniment of "Dark December" to which the group joined in the chorus with harmonies beginning to be introduced.
"The Fields Lie Silent was the penultimate offering before a rousing "Thousands or More" encore, brought to an end a very successful evening. The group having performed really well across the eighteen songs tried this evening.
Anne Sartain
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
"South Downs Folk Singers" at the Chichester Fringe - Sunday June 1st 2025
The Chichester Fringe programme of events has just been launched and tickets are on sale NOW
For full details of our appearance - and to secure yourself a ticket - please go to the Fringe's own website: www.chichesterfringe.co.uk
Please share this exciting news with family and friends, and..... DON'T DELAY, BOOK TODAY!!
Monday, March 10, 2025
The Cuckoo
(You can find the updated lyrics on our Songs and Recordings page by clicking on this page link.)
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday March 6th 2025
25 of us met at the Barn for this month's session. Unfortunately Emily was needed at home so couldn't join us but sent good wishes to all in her absence. Alan and Amaryllis kindly agreed to lead us through a goodly mix of songs and they took turns to introduce them and guide us. Henny began the evening by giving Em's apologies and sharing some notices, including additional details and reminders about this year's programme of SDFS public events (already on our Blog Diary page), with an invitation to singers to volunteer to sing at them. (The first of these will be singing at Petworth House again, on April 12th as part of their Spring Festival; Amaryllis will be leading and will soon prepare two sets of songs to sing at 12.00 noon then 2.00pm.)
Friday, March 7, 2025
"Shine Radio", Petersfield - Interview with and about the "South Downs Folk Singers"
Folk singing for joy and remembrance | Petersfield's Shine Radio
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Lewes Local Group Report - Monday February 17th 2025
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
And Another Post on the Misc. Page ....
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
A New Post has landed on the Miscellaneous Page
With Spring just around the corner - booking has now started for a "Wassail" concert planned for December! Check our Misc. Page for more details.....
Monday, February 24, 2025
Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday February 20th 2025
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday February 6th 2025
Thanks to everyone - and see you at our next Barn session on March 6th.
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Lewes Local Group Report - Monday January 20th 2025 (with update from Monday December 16th 2024)
As our regular pub venue was unavailable for our last session of the year in December, eleven singers were instead hosted by Mac and Margaret at their home in Saltdean. We took turns in choosing from the “cold weather and winter” collection with nineteen carols, wassailing and other seasonal songs being sung, in between much convivial conversation and enjoyment of the very welcome mince pies and chocolates kindly provided on the house. Many thanks again to M&M for a lovely evening.
On the other side of the festive season, ten singers reassembled in January back at our upstairs room at the Lewes Arms. Despite it being Blue Monday, reportedly the most depressing day of the year in the Northern hemisphere, and this year also having Donald Trump’s return inauguration to cap it off (!), we were all in good spirits and shared cheerful greetings. There was a slight blip when the pub didn’t have our booking carried forward in the new diary so that we needed to wait for some diners, together with a couple of chess players who had spilled over from the club meeting downstairs, to finish up before we could start our singing. One of the chess players expressed an interest though and said she may return for a future session.
As in the December session, with no particular gig on the immediate horizon I went round the room for everyone to choose their favourites from the Christmas, wassail, winter and general songs. Since we have a couple of recently joined singers who are knowledgeable about music in general but relatively new to the folk scene, we spent some time, during introductions at the start and also between songs, talking in detail about the history of SDFS and about the songs, song collectors and folk as a genre, along with some personal anecdotes and memories about the songs and previous events, and ideas for future events*.
In the first part of the evening, we sang “Here We Come a-Wassailing”, “Home Lads Home”, “Wassail the Silver Apple”, “East Sussex Drinking Song”**, “The Magpie”, “Where Stormy Winds do Blow”, “The Woodcutter’s Song”, “One for the Rook”, “The Boar’s Head Carol”, “Hard Times of Old England” and “Sugar (Sussex) Wassail”.
After a slightly prolonged break due to the queue at the downstairs bar, we kicked off again. To get round the circle twice we agreed to sing a bit beyond our usual finishing time and got through the following: “Parting Song”, “The Turnip/Turmut Hoer”, “Hares on the Mountain”, “Seasons Turn”, “The Oak Tree Song”, “Fields Lie Silent” and “Life of a Man”.
I then had the final choice of “Thousands or More” before we set off home at 10:15p.m. Another lovely evening with good company and good singing.
From next month we will begin looking ahead to spring and beyond and I will send out suggested songs in advance of the February, March and April sessions.
Tina
*Fi and Rosie have suggested the possibility of singing at an apple pressing event at Wallands Primary School in Lewes in October and will obtain more information.
**One of our newer singers James works for a Lewes Brewery, and pointed out that there are now three, rather than one (Harvey’s of course) as in the original song which was written by our own Adrian Figgess in 2013 as a counterpoint to Hilaire Belloc’s “West Sussex Drinking Song”. Adrian was present this evening and agreed this change to his lyrics in verse 2: “They once had nine breweries – SIX more than they’ve got now!”(instead of eight more).
Monday, February 3, 2025
Farmer's Toast - A Shortened Version
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday January 16th 2025
13 singers turned out on a cold January day to start the new SDFS singing year. Alan confirmed that following the visit of a representative from the 2025 Chichester Fringe, the SDFS had been invited to perform in this event on 1st June 2025. It had been decided that as this was a Chichester based event, and a limited number of places owing to venue size that singers would be drawn from regular attendees at the Chichester SDFS practices. An early request for Chichester singers had produced 17 volunteers which was about the right number required. The singers would be included in the advertising material for the Chichester Fringe and so the evening started with an attempt to obtain a suitable photograph!
Monday, January 13, 2025
A "Thank You" for our Singing
Thank you to the South Downs Folk Singers who came along (in fairly inclement weather) to sing for the Sompting Wassail in Tarring.
Despite some annoying drizzle, there was a good audience, and we managed to go ahead with the procession, the blessing of the apple trees, and the Mummers' play, all out in the open air. It was lovely to hear the sound of the Wassail songs as the procession made its way into the Vine garden, and many members of the audience joined in the songs with enthusiasm.Many thanks again and we hope that the South Downs Folk Singers will be willing to join the celebration next year, when the date will be Monday 5th January 2026.
Sompting Village Morris
New Items on our Miscellaneous Page
If you are interested in folk dances as well as folk songs and music - do have a look!
Friday, January 10, 2025
Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday January 2nd 2025
On the second day of 2025 and for our first Worthing SDFS session of the New Year, the Barn welcomed us again with its fairy lights and Christmas Tree, still there to see out the season's festivities. 18 singers gathered on a chilly evening, with icy roads out and about which had perhaps deterred a few of our 'regulars'. Emily was needed at home so unable to join us for this session, but Alan nobly stepped up as our guide for an evening of wassailing songs ("Sugar Wassail", "Gloucester Wassail", "Here We Come A'wassailing", "Apple Wassail" and "Silver Wassail") and other seasonal choices by request ("Sweet Chiming Bells", "The Field Mouse Carol", "Sussex Mummers Carol", "Moon Shone Bright", "Fields Lie Silent" and for a finale, "Thousands or More").
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Findon Valley Community Orchard Wassail - Saturday January 4th 2025 - Podcast report
Some of our South Downs Folk Singers supported the first ever Findon Valley Community Orchard Wassail held yesterday, and offered a few songs in celebration of the newly planted fruit trees to encourage them to grow and prosper in future years.
You can listen to the Worthing Podcast article about the event here - which features an interview with our very own Alan Wheeler!
Many thanks again to Alan and the singers there for our first sing out of the New Year!
Saturday, January 4, 2025
A Song To Try - The Folk Songs of Old England
Here's an amusing alternative of the traditional song "Hard Times of Old England" written by Lyn Ford, entitled "The Folk Songs of Old England".