Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday November 6th 2025

To start the evening Emily chose a couple of songs from those suggested by Alan for the "Weald and Downland Advent Market" event (where we will be singing on November 23rd.).  So we warmed up with "The Woodcutters Song" then "The Holly and the Ivy"- before a pause to welcome and introduce Mick Bolton, the organiser of a 'Pub Carols' session in Worthing on December 15th.   He briefed everyone about the plans he has for the carols (at the Richard Cobden pub), and for a preparation session on November 10th (at St Andrew's Church Hall) - both are open to anyone interested, as far as space allows!  For our interest, and accompanied by his melodeon, he then sang for us - "Rolling Downwards" a carol from the Baptist tradition in the U.S.A.  Other more familiar carols, and some unfamiliar to us as a group, also featured on his song sheets and will be used at the Pub Carols.  

Mick stayed until our half-time break - singing with us the "Falmer Carol" (all but the third verse, as suggested by Alan) - and, led by Amaryllis, her arrangement of the "Friendly Beasts" - with bells (jingled by Henny) added to the "dooby dos" between verses.  "The Fields Lie Silent" set a peaceful winter scene before "Pentonville" took us back to familiar carols - and to a refreshment break. 

During the break, information was shared by Emily (on behalf of Leigh and Shirley) about a talk Chris Hare will be giving in December, on the life of Sussex folk-song collector Lucy Broadwood. (Please see the "News" and "Miscellaneous" pages of this Blog for more details.)  

Our singing resumed with "The Field Mice Carol" - with harmony arrangements on the last two lines of the verses, suggested and led by Alan. (Recordings of these can be found with the song on this Blog.)  "Sweet Bells", "The CoppersChristmas Song" and "When It's Christmas Time" all followed - and, with time pressing towards and beyond 9.30 pm, we managed to fit in "The Angel Gabriel" and "Masters in the Hall" (at a brisk pace) to finish.  Thanks again to Emily. Alan, Amaryllis and Mick, and all our singers, for another enjoyable and productive evening.