SDFS at the Fernhurst Furnace Open Day - September 14th - also CANCELLED

Very sadly the currently volatile weather, particularly the forecast for tomorrow Sunday September 14th, has taken its toll again. With few singers now available for this event we will unfortunately NOT be singing at the Fernhurst Furnace Open Day as planned, and we have given our apologies to the organisers there.

The venue and event is one of our favourites, so we're sad to miss it this year - but we wish them well for tomorrow and we look forward to singing there again in September 2026.   

Lewes Priory by Candlelight - September 13th - CANCELLED

We are very sorry to say .... 

Due to the worsening weather forecast for the weekend and the likelihood of more rain falling on already sodden ground - the "Lewes by Candlelight" event this Saturday (Sept. 13th) has been cancelled.

Plans have been postponed to the following week -  Saturday September 20th, with hopes of a drier week and a fine evening then.

South Downs Folk Singers - Annual General Meeting - October 2nd 2025

Notice of the S.D.F.S. Annual General Meeting - Thursday October 2nd 2025 

This is will be held at our most central venue - the "The Barn" in Goring, near Worthing on Thursday October 2nd 2025, starting at 7.00pm.   (The full address can be found on our "Welcome" page)

It precedes our Worthing Local Group's October session - so after a short break at around 7.45, from 8.00pm the rest of the evening will be for our singing as usual. 

Singers in all 3 of our Local Groups are invited to attend this joint event.   

(Any new singers planning to attend the Worthing session for the first time - you are very welcome too but, for this month only, please be aware of the later start time for our singing.)  

The AGM is:

A forum for sharing feedback and ideas. 

it requires us to review our Constitution - and from that to reflect on 2024/5 discuss plans for 2025/26. 

It also requires us to elect the SDFS Committee/steering group officers and members for 2025/26.  

Your contributions are invited - please let us know of anything you'd like to have on the Agenda, and even if you can't attend it can be raised on your behalf. 

And - If you would like to stand for election (to a specific role or to be a general member) please contact us as soon as possible.  

Similarly - if you want to nominate, or second the proposal of, another willing singer to join the committee - please identify your and their names to go into the ballot.  (If necessary Seconders for any nominations will be invited at the meeting).  

Voting will take place at the meeting by a show of hands and carried by the majority present.  (If you cannot attend the meeting to vote but would like to have a say on who is elected - please send us the details for your contribution to be taken into account.)

It will be great to see as many singers there as possible (the Barn is big enough to take us all!) - and we look forward to getting the essential business of the meeting done, some productive discussion and planning completed - and then still have time for another Jolly Good Sing!

 

Happy Days at the Saddlescombe Farm Open Day and and the Weald and Downland Museum

With many thanks to our hosts for inviting us, and to our singers for supporting these events.

August 30th at the National Trust's lovely Saddlescombe Farm on their Open Day ....

and then September 6th - at the Weald and Downland Living Museum's during their "Threshing" event  - and happy anniversary to them for their 55th year of opening to the public!

We still have two more opportunities to enjoy 'singing out' this September .... 

Out east at Lewes Priory by Candlelight in the evening on Saturday 13th  

(Fingers crossed it doesn't rain - the event may be moved to the 20th if the weather forecast is bad - and we'll post a notice here if that's the case.)

Then out west the next day, at the Fernhurst Furnace Open Day on Sunday 14th.

Take a look at our Diary Dates page to see details of our local group sessions, and any events we have planned, for the rest of 2025 and into 2026.  

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday September 4th 2025

Some familiar faces were absent from this month's gathering but nonetheless a valiant band of 20 singers, plus one newcomer who was welcomed to the fold, made the most of our evening at the Barn. Emily couldn't be with us but had Amaryllis kindly stepped in and (supported by Angela S from the sideline) she led us through a variety of songs likely to be sung at our September events.   "All Among the Barley"; Run of the Downs"; "The Worthing Grower" (celebrating compost rather than turmuts); "Hard Times of Old England" and last but not least, the 'usual' version of "Farmer's Toast" (after some confusion about which version, 'shortened' or otherwise, would be used).

After the break and some event notices from Henny, and from one of our newer singers Elizabeth, we resumed with a celebration song planned for use at our next event - at the Weald and Downland Museum during the weekend of their 55th Anniversary.  Rather than the usual "Happy Birthday", Amaryllis suggested we use the older version brought to us a while ago by Alan.  So a brief time was given to rehearsing the words and tune of this - before directions were given to find the words and tune for it on our Blog, to continue preparation at home.   

The seasonal story of "Tommie" ( to the tune of "Fathom the Bowl" and his apple picking adventures came next, followed in similar seasonal mood by "Michaelmas" (written by our own Amaryllis, based on the tune of "Poor Froze Gardeners").  Having not sung this since Michaelmas 2024, the details in its rhythm that differ slightly to the P.F.G's. were found to be more tricky than hoped, so after a few tries all agreed it needed more time to perfect it before airing it in public again.  We moved on with "Country Life" instead, not everyone's favourite but certainly one we know very well - and on that high note we concluded the evening! 

Thank you Amaryllis, and thanks to everyone else there too!

H.  

Revised version of Michaelmas

Amaryliss has added another verse to her song "Michealmas".  You'll find the revised lyrics and and the tune on the Songs and Recording page of this blog.  

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday August 21st 2025

17 singers attended the Chichester Inn for a warm August SDFS get together.

Alan acknowledged that there was an event coming up for the SDFS (Amberley Chalk Pits) but that he would still like to introduce a few potential new songs for the group to try and assess. 
 
As an Autumn season opener, the group launched into "All Among the Barley" – a popular choice, some clarification about the singing of the first line was helpful.  To follow, Gordon hadn’t been able to resist composing and reciting a new version of Turnip Hoer – The Turnup Hoer was much enjoyed by all.  It was apparently inspired by the spelling in Alan’s latest email song list!  "Jim the Carter Lad" was sung with gusto and hopefully clarified that first and second note in first and third lines are the same and the word in the last verse is “right” glad.  Alan then re-introduced a potentially new song by local composer Dave Toye "England for Me".  It was agreed as a lovely song with very good words.  This was followed by a trial of "Buttercup Joe", a suitable country song which Alan led line by line in singing practice.  A group decision was made to omit the third verse to make it more concise and Steve W agreed to include this on the SDFS Blog for future reference.  "Come Stranger Come Friend" was the next possible new inclusion to the SDFS set list, although it had been listed as potential song on the Blog for some time and tried in the past.  It was felt it needed revisiting and rehearsing (including maybe, some very good low harmonies, again, these are on the Blog).  The first half finished with a good rousing version of "Oak and Ash and Thorn", on the planned set list for the forthcoming Amberley performance.
 
Henny made a few pertinent announcements about some of the future SDFS bookings to start the second half of the evening.  Following this, Alan asked for suggestions and reverted to a selection of songs that were perhaps needing a little rehearsal for the Amberley event.  "Come Write Me Down" was much enjoyed by all in two parts (men and women).  "Green Grow the Laurels" (ladies only) followed by "Lammas Carol" were tried next.  Lammas Carol tune pitch was altered from a start note of B to A following discussion with the harmony group, who felt it was too high for them.  "Bee Boys" (also planned for Amberley) was tried and sadly dropped a whole tone by the last verse.  There was some discussion about lowering the key to avoid this and a plea by Alan to really concentrate on keeping in the start key throughout the song. Dave G noted that the last line could easily drop which then led to a lower start on the next verse.  Things stayed pretty well in tune for the next renditions of "The Brisk Young Ploughboy" and "Hal and Tow" with a “silent clapping” in the latter so as not to wake the visiting SDFS dog!  The whole evening was brought to a rousing finish with a lusty rendition of "Sussex By the Sea" and looking forward to a successful afternoon at the upcoming Amberley Chalk Pits event.
 
 
Anne Sartain

Another Month or Two of Summer Events

August has got off to a good start with our lunchtime concert sing at "Christchurch" in Worthing yesterday (August 12th), which had the addition of a few Morris tunes brought by some of the talented musicians we have in our midst, led by Alan and played as the audience arrived and during an interlude in our singing.  Definitely enjoyed by all - so thank you to them, our hosts and to all our singers at this event. 

As our Diary Dates Page has listed, we have two more public performances to look forward to this month  -  at Amberley Chalk Pits Museum on Sunday the 24th for their "Taste of Sussex" event - and then at the National Trust's Saddlescombe Farm for their Open Day on the 30th. 

Having enjoyed singing at both locations in the past we are delighted to be invited back and to visit them again.  (More details and our singing times will be on the Diary Dates page as soon as confirmed.) 

We are then into September and we'll have the pleasure of singing again at the Weald and Downland Living Museum on Saturday September 6th - and at "Lewes Priory by Candlelight" in the evening on Saturday 13th (or if it rains then on the 20th instead), 

This is closely followed by Fernhurst Furnace's Open Day on Sunday September 14th.  

And as the season gradually changes towards the autumn, the apple harvest will be celebrated in Arundel's Community Orchard on Sunday September 21st, where we will be singing in the afternoon.

So join us in marking the seasons of the year and come and see us at these events in such lovely locations - and join us at our local sessions as well to enjoy our songs there too!     

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday August 7th 2025

Our August session at the Barn was supported by 28 singers for another evening of songs - for the pleasure of singing together and to polish some of the songs we will be sharing with the public at our next events (at Christchurch in Worthing on August 12th, Amberley Chalk-pits Museum on the 24th, and also likely to be used at the NT's Saddlescombe Farm on the 30th August).

Alan and chums arrived early to run through the interlude music they will be playing as part of our performance at Christchurch, then once all singers for the evening had arrived we launched with "Jim the Carter Lad", under Emily's ever genial and careful guidance, picking up and smoothing out any variations or mistakes made to the tune.  The fun of Barbara S's version of the Turmut Hoer, "The Worthing Grower" was enjoyed and invitation given to Barbara to extend it with another verse or two.  The beautiful "Oak Tree Song" followed in all it's splendour, and we sang it twice to improve the emphasis in some lines - and simply to enjoy it again!.  Alan then took the lead for "Hal an Tow" - with Angela S highlighting a recent Radio 4 programme in which it was noted as an example of a traditional song of the 'working people'. This can be felt in its celebration of May and also in the social and satirical commentary reflecting the life and times current at its inception.  

We took a break to hear David G sing a song he has recently learned "The Bonny Hawthorn", and under his careful guidance we managed to sing it through with him. There was talk of it having originated in the south, travelled north and was now reclaimed - but it is currently known as a song from the Yorkshire Dales, which was of concern to some singers.  Many folks songs, including some already in our collection, have had such mobile histories and are claimed by various regions throughout the land and even overseas - but it will need more discussion and comment from all three of our local groups before we adopt it.  Nonetheless it could be added to our 'Other Songs to Try' page on the Blog for general interest and consideration, watch this space - but it may not make an easy fit with our performance repertoire under our 'South Downs Songs' trademark!  Before the refreshment (and chat) break, Alan offered and led us through "England for Me", a song we don't often sing which celebrates all regions of the country!

After the break we resumed with "The Rambling Comber" under Alan's direction, managing all three parts in harmony.  Emily and Alan between them then supported us in polishing details of the "Lammas Carol", before we sang "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun", as beautiful as ever, with the gradual inclusion of men's voices added to the women's but concluding in the poignancy of only women's voices in the last refrain.

"Pleasant and Delightful" - with reminders to sing "tops'l" NOT "topsail" in the last verse - was given an airing, before Amaryllis performed the solo she will be doing on the 12th at Christchurch (albeit with support on the choruses) - "Harvest Moan" to the tune of "We Plough the Fields and Scatter".  After that the evening concluded with a vibrant South Downs Folk Singers rendition of the traditional version of "Sussex by the Sea".

Thanks to all and hope to see you at our August events - and at the Barn again in September. 

H.

Lewes Local Group Report - Monday July 21st

Fourteen singers (equal numbers male and female) joined us at the Lewes Arms, including five new singers (and a dog)  with four brought along by existing singers, and one having contacted the website. As always, our introductions at the beginning found other connections and shared interests. Many of the songs tonight were our lesser-known and seasonal ones for the upcoming autumn and harvest months so several people were coming to them new or after not having sung them for a year which made it quite equal for everyone.   

We warmed up with the easy 4-part “Harvest Round” and then others from the same season “One for the Rook”, “Fields Lie Silent” and “All Among the Barley” and the beautiful and reflective “Life of a Man”. This was followed by the jauntier “Brighton Camp” with a reminder that we use the plainer tune without the “twiddly bits” that are found in some versions, and discussion followed about the location of the camp at Whitehawk Hill and its appearance in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. We ended the first part of the evening with the sad but inspiring “Brave Eleven”, the true story of a shipwreck off Shoreham Beach. 

  

In the interval we discussed events past and present and were pleased to find we already have the numbers to go ahead at Saddlescombe Farm and Lewes Priory by Candlelight, both of which have been delightful locations in previous years. 

  

We continued with “Lammas Carol”, “Seasons Turn” (with the reminder to emphasis “oh this is the one I love best” in each verse), “Loyal Lover” (collected by Lucy Broadwood, with a delicate and unusual meandering melody in the chorus), the contrasting bawdy “Three Maidens” (which I still can’t sing with a straight face no matter how hard I try), by popular demand “On Sussex Hills” with some glorious and balanced harmonies, then another old favourite “Shepherd of the Downs”  before drawing the evening to a close with “Come Stranger, Come Friend” with further lovely harmonising. 

  

As I left the pub three of the chaps were settling down to sing and play some jazzy numbers on the guitar which lives at the pub. It sounded great but sadly my bus was due, so I had to leave them to it! 

  

Our next session will be on Monday August 18th. New members 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 

  

  

  

 

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday July 17th 2025

14 singers attended the Chichester Inn for the June SDFS get together and this included two new potential singers – Julie and Ian, plus Sabina who was welcomed as a guest of Julia. 

In view of the new attendees, Alan decided to open the evening with a confident rendition of "Country Life" – one of our tried and trusted opening numbers!  "Hal and Tow" followed with a reminder to start with the chorus.  The relatively new "Rambling Comber" with harmony parts followed, remembering the unusual ending of the verse.  Alan felt that the group was doing really well with this newish song.  "Oak and Ash and Thorn" was sung twice to test the suggestion by Dave G that it needed to be sung a little more slowly.  Alan introduced a new possibility "England for Me" a song written by local songster Dave Toye which all seemed to pick up very quickly. This song is already on the SDFS Blog. With the reminder not to confuse it with the hymn, the group tried "Our Captain Cried All Hands" next which went well and all felt this should be included in the SDFS repertoire having been collected in Sussex by such a well known folk singer, Mrs Verrall.[
 
At this point, an enthusiastic visitor to the pub asked of we knew 'Jerusalem'!  To which Alan and Dave sang "Juicalem" a humerous skit written by Valmai Goodyear of Lewes Folk Club.  This was much appreciated and followed up by a rousing rendition of "Sussex By the Sea" provided a suitable finish to the first half of the evening.
 
The second half was opened with four verses of "The Jolly Woodcutter" with a reminder to repeat the last line at the end.  Following a request from Alan for suggestions, Dave G introduced a potential new song 'The Bonny Hawthorn' to the group.  He undertook to teach this to both Chichester and Worthing groups to see if it was liked by the SDFS.  The requests proceeded through "The Nightingale", "Three Drunken Maidens" (much enjoyed by all!), "On One April Morning" – which needs a bit more work and "The Rosebuds in June" which is well known by all.
 
To finish a busy evening, the group sang by request "The Parting Song" before leaving with a general feeling of a few hours well spent in good company!  
 
 
Anne S

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday July 3rd 2025

We welcomed two new and many familiar faces to another summer evening of song at the Barn.  With Emily leading us we launched with "On Sussex Hills", before continuing with a mix of songs  - old favourites, revivals and some most likely to be used at our summer events.  "Old Adam" was next, before "The Cuckoo" (using the additional fourth verse instead of repeating the first verse to finish).  Then "Hal an Tow", followed eagerly by "Three Drunken Maidens" (with some light-hearted talk of making this the tale of three maidens from Worthing - or Lewes or Chichester - on a visit to the Isle of Wight!)   With Worthing still in mind we revived the version of "The Turmut Grower" written by our own Barbara S -"The Worthing Grower" which proudly declares the enjoyment and value of compost and composting.

A break in proceedings for refreshments and chat also enabled sharing a few notices about summer events in the Worthing area.  Amongst these was news of a bellringing 'wagon' planned for the Seafront Fair on the Prom later this month (to invite folks to have a go and encourage them to join a team of bellringers - as with Morris dancing it seems new joiners are in very short supply!

Our singing resumed with "Halnaker Mill" - with due notice to bringing the mood and meaning of the words into our singing.  "Tommie" (about scrumping apples, and sung to the tune of Fathom the Bowl) was used next - new to many but sung quite easily.  A bigger tree was celebrated next in the beautiful "Oak Tree Song", always enjoyed for its imagery and sound.  From there "The Mermaid" took us out to sea with Michael and Steve W serving as our local crew and taking the lead on the verses.  Having survived a possible shipwreck, and even though now past midsummer, we sang "Summer is A'coming In Again", using our own Alan W's substitute verses to finish.  The "Smugglers Song" was the first of a few requests, after which the other two served to close the evening with "The Parting Song" and "Thousands or More". 

Thanks Emily and All.  

A New Item is now on our Miscellaneous Page

The Towner Gallery in Eastbourne is hosting an event which may be of interest to us and you  - "The South Downs Songbook"- to find out more, please check our 'Miscellaneous Page' .

June into July

After starting June with our very enjoyable participation in the Chichester Fringe (many thanks to our hosts and to all our singers there) - and then celebrating Sussex Day on the 15th with the good folks of Chiddingly - unfortunately, due to illness and other commitments amongst our busy singers, we have had to withdraw from the last of our midsummer events, in Bevendean on June 28th with many apologies to all.   

Our public events will resume on Sunday July 6th with another celebration - this time at Salvington Mill on the slopes above Worthing, where we will be contributing to their Annual Fete and special anniversary event with some songs at 3.00pm. 

Thereafter we will in Bevendean for another event on July 12th - before looking ahead to another three events in August and nine in September!  Plenty to choose from, as well as our own Local Group sessions happening each month across the South Downs area, where new singers are always welcome (but please drop us an email first to let us know you're coming). 

Just check our Diary Dates page for more details and come and find us at an event or a session before the summer fades .......  and when it does there will still be more on offer in the autumn and winter! 

So - there's always something to look forward to with the "South Downs Folk Singers"!

  

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.)

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 28^th and Community Garden celebration at the end of the “Wild Walks” programme on July 12^th) and the song for Whitsun which had just passed on 9^th 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 15^th 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 21^st. 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

 

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday June 5th 2025

We opened this month's session with some future event notices, as we often do, and three new singers were welcomed to the fold.  We also thanked Alan for all his work on preparing and leading the very successful Chichester Fringe performance he'd steered to its completion the previous Sunday  Unfortunately due to other demands on her time Emily was unable to be with us - but Alan and Amaryllis had already kindly agreed with her to facilitate the evening between them. 

Alan set off with "Hal an Tow", "The Cuckoo" (sung twice to refine the timing and tone - and with cuckoo calls added by Amaryllis to finish!), and then the "Sussex Wedding Song" with men and women taking turns to sing verses in conversation.  Amaryllis took the reins for "Searching for Lambs" and the "Smugglers Song", before Alan resumed with "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun".

Angela S was then invited to contribute by guiding us through the "Song of the Sussex Downsman" - which many felt we should sing more often in our sessions and also use it at our public events, given how vividly it describes various locations and landscape features across Sussex.  

The mid-time break concluded with a few notices from different singers with news about local events of interest beyond the SDFS (at the Creative Heart centre in Littlehampton on June 28th - Worthing Festival's music weekend on 21/22nd June, and a programme of Heritage Walks in Worthing and other local areas). 

The tandem facilitation continued with Alan or Amaryllis leading us by turns for "Rambling Comber", "Rolling in the Dew", and then "Our Captain Cried All Hands" which we haven't sung in Worthing for a while.   Some requests followed - although no-one took up Alan's suggestion that the individual choosing a song should also have a go at leading it!  So we took our start notes from Alan for the "Turmut Hoer" and Amaryllis for "Rosebuds in June" before singing these old favourites to finish on, and the evening closed with more "Thank Yous" to Alan and Amaryllis, and Angela S, for their valuable contributions.  

More next month - see you then !

H. 

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 17^th. On April 21^st 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 19^th there were seven singers. In total there were twelve different singers, including a new singer, but not all present at the same time. 

  

Over the three sessions we covered 28 different songs from our spring, summer, outdoors and sea themed lists.   

  

Some of them were sung twice, either because of the different singers present, or to practise some harmonies for upcoming performances. These were: “Bee-Boy’s Song”, “Country Life”, “East Sussex Drinking Song”, “Ha’nacker Mill”, “It is the First of May”, “May Day Carol”, “Nightingale”, “Oldland Mill”, “On Sussex Hills”, “Pleasant and Delightful” and “When Spring Comes In”.

  

The others were: “Ale Glorious Ale”, “Birds on the Spray”, “Brave Eleven”, “Constant Lovers”, “Eileen Aroon” (an Irish guest song for St Patrick’s Day, shoehorned in as it was allegedly Hilaire Belloc’s favourite song which many of us learned during the original South Downs Songs Project), “Fathom the Bowl”, “Green Grow the Laurel”, “Littlehampton Collier Lads”, “Love and the Ball” (concerning stoolball, the precursor to cricket, which James recalled playing at school in Uckfield), “Magpie”, “Oak Tree Song”, “Rosebuds  in June”, “Searching for Lambs”, “Smuggler’s Song”, “Sussex Wedding Song”, “They Won’t Let Us Go to Sea Any More” (I decided the previous week to sing this, not realising how prescient it was given the new furore over fishing quotas on the very day we were singing it, just as when it was written in Hastings all those years ago) and, last but never least, “Thousands or More”.

  

In between we also had a lot of discussion about past and future events, the origins and history of the songs, and compared notes about the various other musical groups we sing and play with in other places. 

  

We will be back at the Lewes Arms on Monday June 16^th. New singers are always welcome to join us, whether you are an old hand, new to folk music or somewhere in between. With 100 plus local songs in our repertoire, and more being added all the time, there’s something for everyone, why not come and give it a try! 

Tina

 

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!

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday May 15th 2025

13 singers attended the Chichester Inn for the May SDFS get together.
 
With the appearance at the Chichester Fringe evening approaching, Alan checked that all had received the latest copy of the proposed programme that we would be performing and said that this evening would concentrate on any material that was planned that people felt a little uncertain about.
 
With that in mind, the evening opened with the well-known "Country Life" which everyone sang lustily without the aid of words – a good morale boosting song!  "Hal and Tow" followed with a reminder that everyone should clap together just once at the beginning and that it would start with a chorus, again a great rendition by all.  Alan invited Julia and Nichola to perform their intended solo song "The Holly King and the Oak King" to great acclaim by all, who agreed they performed it beautifully and it was a really good song.  The newly introduced "Rambling Comber"  with full harmonies followed.  It was agreed that in order to get an appropriate “gap” in the lines, that the preceding word needed to be lengthened to two beats.  That seemed to keep the group together at this point.  "Summer is a Coming in Again" provoked a seasonal discussion about Spring flowers and after a further rendition of Julia and Nichola’s song, so they could practice, the group discussed the logistics of meeting up for the Fringe event.  It was decided to meet at the Canal Café at 6.30 pm and to wear the usual “corporate” colours for the SDFS of blue, green and touches of yellow.
 
Following a well-deserved break the group re-convened for the second half of the evening, with Alan asking for requests, either from the planned Fringe programme or any other songs that people felt needed a rehearsal.  Steve A requested "Searching for Lambs" (to be sung at the Fringe).  This was sung confidently with Alan commenting on the particularly nice harmonies introduced by Amaryllis and her group.  "Bee Boys Song" requested by Nichola came next incorporating the suggestion by Dave G that there be not too much of a “swoop” in the opening notes. Dave G suggested "Lammas Carol" and it was decided this was best sung not in “polka” time as suggested once by Mick Ryan to Alan!  Henny asked for ""Sugar Wassail" which went well.  Steve A aided and abetted by Alan read the poem "Sompting Shearer’s Beer" which gave rise to a lively discussion about pubs in Sompting!  

"When Spring Comes In" suggested by Lyn followed.  At this point Henny wondered if Alan had a plan in case the set “over-ran” the allotted time for the Fringe performance.  Alan assured her he did and it may mean leaving out some material but he would judge on the night.  Further discussion about whether to have men only singing "Turmut Hoer" followed with separate men/ladies split.  It was felt there were enough men involved to carry this.  Dave G requested that the group sing "Fields Lie Silent," with particular request that it not be sung too slowly.  The evening finished with a discussion about starting notes for the last item on the Fringe Programme – Dave G’s hearty rendition of "Golia".  It was essential that all should be able to successfully join in the responses.  With  a start note of B,  this was successfully sung as a finishing flourish to another busy singing evening at the Chichester Inn.
 
Anne Sartain 

Even more to see, and hear, on the Miscellaneous Page

A link to hear more about a new book of folk tunes and harmonies can be found on our increasingly busy Miscellaneous page - well worth a look and a listen. 

Alert to look at a new item on our Miscellaneous Page ....

Some broadcasts of interest to folk fans are starting on Radio 3 at 9.45 this evening.

(And in case you miss the programmes, here's the link to hear them....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006x3hl/episodes/player)

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.

We launched with "On Sussex Hills" and "Country Life" before the new season was celebrated in the "May Day Carol", "Hal an Tow"  and  "Summer is a'Coming In Again".   We revisited "The Oak Song" with all the harmony parts - and agreed we were a little rusty on these so maybe not ready for singing it out on the 5th.   The " West Sussex Drinking Song" took us back to firmer ground before we paused for a break.  The second half opened with the " Stork Song", (written by Eileen S for the Stork Festival) which raised the roof with its tune and its message.  "Farmers Toast"  followed - after some debate about how long or short to make it, and opting to sing the version shortened by fewer choruses but including all the verses.  At his request Alan W suggested we sing the "Rambling Comber" with reminders and support from him to ensure inclusion of the silent beats, not held notes, in some lines.  "One For the Rook" and "Magpie"  brought us to "Thousands or More" and then a couple of requests to finish, "It Is the First of May" and "Searching for Lambs".

And so we concluded, with Emily's song set tried and evaluated for our sing out in Storrington the next Monday, and all the songs sung in the session enjoyed in good company.  We'll be back for more singing at the Barn on June 5th - with no doubt "Rosebuds in June" at the top of our next seasonal list!

 

Another Event of Interest to look out for .....

There's a new post on our "Miscellaneous Page" for an event in August - tickets are available now.....

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday April 17th 2025

The evening was set aside as rehearsal and timing exercise for the June Chichester Fringe appearance and seventeen members of the “cast” duly came along to what turned out to be a busy evening.
 
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

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.  

We hope we will see you there - and also at any or all of our other events elsewhere at this time of year.   Details are on the Diary Dates page of this Blog but here's a summary….. 

"Stanmer Village Apple Blossom Day" on Sunday April 27th 

"Old Mill Open Day" in Keymer on Sunday May 4th -  and -  

"The Stork Fair" in Storrington on Monday May 5th.

Then on Sunday June 1st we'll be singing for the Chichester Fringe Festival - singing at the  Chichester Canal Basin Cafe at 7.00pm. 

 

(This a ticketed event payable to the Fringe - please refer to the Fringe's own website for details:  www.chichesterfringe.co.uk).

We have more dates and venues on our Diary Page calendar for the rest of the year - so plenty of chances to come and share in our South Downs Songs and Singing - and watch this page for regular news and posts.  

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.

After some introductions, and brief reminders from Henny about the next few public events on our calendar (Petworth House being the first of these on April 12th), we launched into "Country Life".  Emily urged those of us who have been singing this song for months if not years, to avoid referring to lyric sheets whilst we sang (with dispensation given to any newcomers to the songs)!  This 'rule' carried over for "Rosebuds in June", "Pleasant and Delightful", "The Nightingale" and "Green Grow the Laurels" - all of which were sung with increasing confidence and enthusiasm, perhaps boosted by finding how well we managed without the support (or distraction) of song books!

Some song books reappeared for the next few songs - starting with "Hares on the Mountain". There was discussion about the interpretation, pace and volume of this song, reaching some agreement on it being better if sung briskly and brightly but with the second line of each verse a little softer than the first.  "Lark in the Morning" also provoked discussion, again, about which version we should use, the variations in the words and how best to scan the timing of some lines. The 'Coppers' version' was the one selected to sing, albeit with some characteristic SDFS tweaks within it!  "Searching For Lambs" concluded the first half of our session - with little or no discussion but our usual enjoyment in singing it.   

The break included the some delicious chocolate cakes generously made and brought by Jan as her farewell - many thanks Jan and we wish you well in your new home! Thereafter we resumed singing with "Jim the Carter Lad", including whip-cracking hand claps to punctuate the chorus.  Then "The Cuckoo" - with more discussion, this time about the additional verse (now available on the SDFS Blog) and also about holding the note on some words and at the end of some lines.  Emily mentioned she has another verse to add, if liked, which she will bring for us to try at a future session.

We took a pause from singing together to hear Emily sing "The Stork Song", created by Eileen S, for use when a group led by Emily perform at the 'Stork Fair' event in Storrington on May 5th.  With Emily's guidance we sang it through and will do so again at next our Barn session on May Ist - May Day!  Alan then suggested and supported work on the "Rambling Comer" to include all three parts, which are gradually bedding in. To conclude the session we invited Jan to choose a song - and we sang "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun", it being one of her favourites..

Bon voyage Jan and thanks all.

H.

ALERT !

Lewes Local Group Session – Monday April 21st - temporary re-arrangement. 

Our usual venue is unavailable this month - so we will be singing earlier than usual - 7pm to 9pm - at the "Railway Land Nature Reserve" in Lewes.

Please meet at 6:45pm outside the Linklater Pavilion, Railway Lane BN7 2FG (just inside the reserve).  We will be singing at a spot a little further into the reserve, near what we have named the "Magpie Bush".

We will be back at our usual venue for our May session.

(For full details, please view our Diary Dates page.)

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday March 20th 2025

15 singers came along to a corner of the Chichester Inn for the March SDFS get together.

 

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

"South Downs Folk Singers" at the Chichester Fringe - Sunday June 1st 2025

The "South Downs Folk Singers" are pleased to announce...... 

A group of us will be singing at the Chichester Canal Basin Cafe at 7.00pm on Sunday June 1st  - as part of the Chichester Fringe 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!! 

The Cuckoo

"The Cuckoo", a song first used by us during our early days in the 'South Downs Songs' project and already listed on our Songs and Recordings page, now has a fourth verse (author unknown). 

We have been in the habit of singing the first verse again to conclude the song - but now instead we have this end of season departure verse as a conclusion to compliment the herald of springtime in the first. 

Have a look - and enjoy a sing!

(You can find the updated lyrics on our Songs and Recordings page by clicking on this page link.)

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.) 

Our singing at this session began with Alan leading with "When Spring Comes In" - a suitable celebration of the recent up-turn in our weather and the joys of spring arriving at last!  Amaryllis took her first turn with "Life of a Man" reminding us in a different way of our life cycle and seasons' changing.  We headed for the hills after that, with Alan "Searching for Lambs" and Amaryllis with "Hares on the Mountain".  We sang the latter together, men and women, with the repeat line in each verse sung softly like an echo.  Continuing the spring theme we looked towards May with "Hal an Tow" - and Alan encouraged a united and positive single hand clap to punctuate the pause in the first line of the chorus (i.e. Hal an tow, (clap) jolly rumbalo) - which seemed to work well and added to the vibrancy of the song. 

Continuing with our tandem leads we sang "Lark in the Morning" - after a discussion about which lyrics to use. We ultimately chose the one based on the Coppers' version without chorus intervals. (This is on the 'Other Songs to Try' page of the SDFS Blog, but will soon to be added to the main 'Songs...' page).  Next came "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun" with a reminder to ensure use of the extra lift in the notes of 'go' in the last line when just women's voices end the song. 

We sang "The Cuckoo" with a light bright touch, led by Amaryllis, remembering to pace the timing to hold the note a little at the end of the third line in each verse, and also to give emphasis in the last line of each verse on 'summer', 'bring'  and 'maiden'.  We sang it with a repeat of the first verse to conclude the song on a more cheery note - but Angela S then shared with us some alternative lines she has which might serve better - "And when her time is come her voice we don't hear, and where she goes we do not know until another year'.  (These will soon be added to the song on the Blog.) 

After a break with various drinks and chats, we continued with a mix of songs suggested by Alan or Amaryllis or by general request.  Starting with "Summer is Acommin' In Again", and "My Downland Remembered", before Alan suggested "The Rambling Comber" including its low and high harmonies which are now beginning to bed in.  "One for the Rook", now a firm favourite, was prefaced by details shared by Steve and Henny of their recent contact with Paul (an associate and friend of the song's writer, Mike Barber), who has endorsed our use of the song saying that he and Mike's family are pleased to know his songs are being used, this being a fitting epitaph to Mike who died a few weeks ago.  With this in mind we sang the song with our usual pleasure and gusto.  

As the clock ticked on, two more requests followed to conclude the evening - "Rosebuds in June" and last but not least the "Parting Song".

Many thanks to Alan and Amaryllis for their generous efforts - and to all the singers who turned up in the face of winter colds and other bugs, multiple works or diversions on the roads just now, and all the other demands in their busy lives -  to support another jolly good sing at the Barn!    See you in April !   

"Shine Radio", Petersfield - Interview with and about the "South Downs Folk Singers"

Please use the link below to find and enjoy the interview with three of our singers (Sue, Stephen and Viv) from our Chichester Local Group, recently broadcast on "Shine Radio" in Petersfield.  

Thank you to all of them for their fine performance on our behalf and to Mike Waddington from "Shine Radio" for providing the link. 

 Folk singing for joy and remembrance | Petersfield's Shine Radio

 

Lewes Local Group Report - Monday February 17th 2025

Half term, along with work, illness and a bereavement, kept the numbers down to 9 today, men outnumbering women for once (6:3) but the latter were experienced singers and harmonisers who more than held their own. Between talk of dogs, cough sweets and road works, we managed 18 songs from our spring, summer and outdoorsy list.  

  

A rousing “Country Life” was followed by Irish interloper “Eileen Aroon” (given honorary Sussex residence thanks to it, allegedly, being a Hilaire Belloc favourite). The Copper family’s “The Birds on the Spray” and “When Spring Comes In” both involved pleasant harmonies and led Tina to wish we were recording the session. Ken said he would oblige when next here in April. The more recent creation “Oldland Mill” led to another, “Oak Tree Song” before “The Nightingale’’ ended the first half, though there was some discussion as some of the lyrics suggesting ‘ale’ rather than ‘pale beer’ would have to be drunk in India - India Pale Ale was invented for that very purpose as ale spoiled on the trip! Who said folk songs had to be factual anyway. 

  

 After the short drink and toilet break “Pleasant and Delightful” kicked us off and was followed by the oldest song in the set: “Love and the Ball”, concerning the local sport of stoolball, based on a poem by Robert Herrick, a 17^th century lyric poet and Anglican cleric and set to music by Alan Wheeler. “My Downland Remembered”, another of Alan’s adaptations of an existing poem, tells of a man transported to Australia for the theft of unwinnowed oats (what would have been the sentence if the grain he pinched had sprouted?). “Fathom the Bowl”, “Sussex Wedding Song” and “On Sussex Hills” generated more harmonies. After “Searching for Lambs” we dreamed of “Rosebuds in June” and “Green Grow the Laurel”. Kipling’s “Bee-Boy’s Song” took us to a rousing Copper send-off with “Thousands or More”. 

  

Pleasant company. Good beer. Great harmonies. A treat. 

  

Ken 

  

And Another Post on the Misc. Page ....

A rather belated post - offering a link to a podcast from the Findon Valley Wassail held on January 4th, where a few of us sang and our own Alan W was interviewed - do have a look and a listen!  

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.....

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday February 20th 2025

15 singers came along to a corner of the Chichester Inn for the February gathering and managed to hold their own with a good singing practice despite a joyful young party at the neighbouring tables!

Alan started the evening with a reading from “A Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect” by W E Parish (1875), describing the singing of folk songs by Sussex folk and the local songs in non-too complimentary terms.  It was generally agreed that the SDFS must do it’s best to disprove these comments.  

"Hal and Tow" was the first song tried, starting with a chorus, using the more recently added first verse and with helpful clapping at the appropriate points and a view that this should be sung reasonably briskly for best effect.  "Bee Boys" followed with advice from Dave G that a smile whilst singing the word “bees”, helped keep everyone in tune and together.  Harmonies were a feature of the next song – "Rambling Comber" which should in the end comprise three parts but in this instance the tune plus a base harmony showed great promise.  "Turmut Hoer" sung with gusto, led on to Dave G performing a very lovely version of Graeme Miles song "Dark December" (n.b. not on the SDFS Blog), with guitar accompaniment.  The group quickly learned the chorus and added their voices to good effect.  Everyone agreed that this would make a great contrast to the unaccompanied songs planned for the Chichester Fringe event.  The first half of the evening finished with an especially shortened version of "Farmer’s Toast" which had been specially adapted to fit in with the Fringe event programme.  It was also decided to repeat the last line to give a good finish.

After a well-earned break, the second half opened with "Lammas Carol" plus some interesting bits of background to Lammas.  The ladies in the group then attempted "Ladies Go Dancing" with a helpful reduction in starting note to A the second time around.  The men aided and abetted with a “hum” in the usual places.  A 'through the year' version of "Summer Is a-Coming in Again" came next, followed by male and female alternate singing in "Searching for Lambs".  A lusty rendition of "One for the Rook" completed the evening's planned programme and was followed by requests, comprising; "Rose Buds in June", "When Spring Comes In" and finally the old favourite finishing song, "Rolling Home".  

That plus a rather cheeky birthday song from Les in celebration of Alan’s forthcoming birthday, provided a good rounding off to a busy and enjoyable evening of singing in Chichester.

Anne S

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday February 6th 2025

Our February session got off to a lively start as Emily launched us with some of the songs from our original song books - and encouraged that we sing these without reference to the lyric sheets in everyone's folders (with some allowance for singers not with us back in the day who may be less familiar with what had been learned then by ear).  Most were in any case known to us all from more recent use and, with paper prompts or without, we sang our way through them with gusto - "Country Life", "Sussex Hills", and "Ale Glorious Ale" - all produced a rich sound and set us up well for more.  

The "Bee Boys Song" and "One for the Rook" followed, before Alan suggested we continue focus on the changing seasons and the promise of spring and summer ahead - so next came "When Spring Comes In", "Searching for Lambs" and "Summer is A'Comin' in Again".  Before the break Emily reminded us a spring time round Alan had brought to us - "The Summer is Near"(which is on the rounds and catches page of the SDFS Blog) - known to some by its first line Rambling Rolling Downs.   

Our second half began with Alan and Emily revisiting a song still fairly new to us, "The Rambling Comber" - with Alan guiding a small group to learn the low harmony part.  High harmonies were also tried a little - and all parts deserve more attention at future sessions to perfect this lovely song.  More harmonies accompanied the "Oak Tree Song" which enriched an already beautiful song.  more requests followed with "My Downland Remembered", "Green Grows the Laurels" and last but not least, back to another old favourite (again without relying on our word sheets!) - "Fathom the Bowl".

Thanks to everyone - and see you at our next Barn session on March 6th. 

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).