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.