Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday October 2nd 2025

Singers assembled at the Barn early for the SDFS Annual General Meeting - before our usual singing session. There had been a number of apologies - including Emily who was very sorry not to be there, but needs at home prevented her from joining us.  The meeting comprised singers from all three of our Local Groups - and it proved to be a busy one, with various topics up for discussion in addition to the usual annual reports and elections.  Thank you to everyone for their contributions. 

After a break, our singing started a bit later than estimated, but we still had time enough for Alan and Amaryllis to turn our attention towards songs for the winter and festive season. 

With plans in mind for our performance at the Weald and Downland Museum's Advent Market on November 23rd, Alan led us for "Falmer Carol"; "When It's Christmas Time"; "Field Mouse Carol"; "Pentonville" and, by popular demand, "Sweet Chiming Bells".  None have been sung by us as a group since this time last year, but they were revived with relative ease, especially the last two favourites.  Alan's survey of singers present demonstrated that not all knew "Season's Turn"- nor did they have the lyrics available. (They are on the SDFS Blog).  So we did not sing it, but added it to the 'need to learn' list - for more use next year we hope.  He then sang for us "Sing We the Virgin", which was appreciated, but generally not favoured as an addition to our performance songs at this time.  

Amaryllis took the reins for "Friendly Beasts", set to her new calypso style tune, with all singers together highlighting the "I" start to each verse.  Whilst singing, the rhythm led some to add 'dooby doos' in the intervals between the verses - resulting in a slightly jazz feel to the song as well.  This was liked and taken up for all to do together - using a finger click immediately following each one (Doo,click - Bdoo, click - Bdoo,click - Bdoo,click).  (This has now been added to the "Other Songs to Try" page on our Blog).  

Our singing for the evening concluded with "The Woodcutters Song", with Amaryllis leading and keeping up a brisk and bright pace with the warming vigour of a winter walk!  And on that posiitive note we headed home on a not at all chilly early autumn evening - with more winter and festive songs to look forward to at our November session.  Thanks all.   

H