Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday March 5th 2026

Emily led us through a list of songs proposed for the session that had been shared with singers before our gathering; this advance notice was generally appreciated.  Without any public performances due in the very near future the list was free of any specific event related 'song set' to rehearse, and gave us time to sing a song or two from our extensive SDFS collection which deserve more attention, revival and then future use.  It also gave us a chance to look beyond the grey end of winter skies and sing about brighter seasons ahead.

We began with "The Cuckoo".  We now include the fourth verse, rather than just repeat the first to finish with as we used to do. Emily offered a fifth verse to finish the song in cheerful mood; we look forward to hearing it again at a future session and to adding it to this otherwise 'trad' song.  We continued with "Ebernoe Horn Fair"- earlier than its usual summer airing, but to revive it in good time after having not sung it for a while.  Emily congratulated the few men present for the quality of their singing in this conversation song - with the women's voices making a strong response, as the narrative requires!  Using the Copper family's version of the lyrics we sang "The Lark in the Morning" with, as ever, some comments about the words, including whether or not larks rise or fly from their nests! Next was the majestic sound of "The Oak Tree" song, enjoyed by all, as were the gentle tones of "Searching For Lambs" before, by contrast, "Three Drunken Maidens" picked up the pace, and "England for Me" carried us to a break after brief repetition of  a few lines to correct and confirm the scanning.

As well as chats and quaffing, the break gave time to consider plans for our public events this year (plus the SDFS private social "Springtime Revels" on April 11th).  Sign-up sheets listing our draft programme for 2026 were available for singers to make their choices and volunteer to sing out.  (All the proposed events are listed on the Diary Dates page of this Blog - and singers from all three of our local groups are invited to let us know if they'd like to sing at any of them - and also, if they'd like to attend our "Revels" on April 11th - RSVP asap!)

Amaryllis brought a new song to us, "The Lost Lover", with lyrics written by her to the tune of "The Cruel Mother", but relating a less tragic tale. This was welcomed but it also prompted some humour in response to the rendition of a line reporting the lost lover had "gone up north". This humour reminded Emily of other songs which have intentionally raised a smile - primarily the witty "Three Moles" song written by Gordon from our Chichester group.  She hoped Gordon would be present to entertain us with it at our Revels social evening - and it was also suggested that we should all learn and use it as a SDFS group song.  

From there we welcomed the coming seasons with "Summer is A'Comin' in Again", before trying a song new to many, if not most - "Love and the Ball".  This lyric, from an old poem set to a tune by our own Alan W, tells of a couple teasingly competing with and for each other in the traditional  Sussex game (and played elsewhere too) of stoolball.  Alan introduced us to this song a while ago and it has been regularly sung in our Lewes group sessions but less so in Chichester - and not at all in the Worthing group.  When reminded of it and then tried, with guidance from Alan and Emily, it was liked and we agreed to use it more.  Discussion ensued about whether it should be sung in unison as a group or shared between male and female voices - to be tried again and concluded at future sessions.  Description and discussion about stoolball itself prompted Emily to suggest we try a small scale soft ball version of it for fun at the Revels social in April - watch this space!

As we approached the close of the session, we sang  "Come Stranger Come Friend" - and (although not in the SDFS' 'official' repertoire) followed this with a request for an old favourite, "Rolling Home", to finish.  Thanks All - and we'll be back at the Barn on Thursday April 2nd.

H.

 

Lewes Local Group Report - from Monday February 16th 2026

On arrival I found a gaming group in the upstairs room and, after checking with the landlord, found our dates had not yet been confirmed for the year. We decamped instead to Sandria’s house (many thanks to her, and to her partner who had planned a quiet night in alone with the Winter Olympics!). Some of us went on ahead to set up while others waited to taxi latecomers. There were nine of us, including two new singers from Brighton and Lewes who said they had been nervous about coming along for the first time but felt very welcomed and enjoyed the unexpected adventure!   

I’d brought along word sheets for 26 songs, mainly concerning spring and the outdoors, plus a few from the general list that I keep on rotation throughout the year and a couple of newer items. With no imminent events we took it in turns to choose. 

  

The first three were old favourites “Hares on the Mountain”, “Oak Tree Song” and “Searching for Lambs”. Somebody then chose from the list a song we had not done at Lewes previously but which I and others had sung at the “Belloc, Broadwood and Beyond” project a few years ago – the whimsical Hilaire Belloc song “Delicate Flower” which has nothing to do with flowers and a lot to do with the alleged treachery of women!  In a similar courtly vein, next was “Love and the Ball” concerning stoolball, the predecessor of cricket, which in Regency times was played on the green outside “Ye Olde King & Queen pub” where some of us attended the Brighton sessions of the original South Downs Society project. We have singers in the group who played stoolball at school in Uckfield and at Woodingdean in Brighton (one of tonight’s new singers) as well as someone’s friend who still plays it in Plumpton. The jaunty tune (by Alan Wheeler from our Chichester group, based on an earlier poem) seems well suited to the quaint language and the love story in the poem. 

  

As we started later than usual, we had a very brief tea and comfort break then carried on, leaving any notices to be dealt with later via email.  We continued with two more seasonal songs, “Birds on the Spray” from the Copper Family and the traditional “May Day Carol”, then “Nightingale” (again, nothing really to do with the bird, but about an apparently married soldier, his fiddle and his sweetheart), and another outdoors song “Run of the Downs” with words by Rudyard Kipling describing several prominent local heights, set to a tune by Amaryllis Gunn from our Worthing group. We rounded off the evening with “Oldland Mill”, a recent song from 2009 by local singer-songwriter Stuart Leon concerning the restored mill at Keymer, where we frequently perform this song. This led to a discussion about folic acid being added to flour before we said our goodbyes and headed home. 

  

Our dates have now been confirmed at the pub for March to November (we will discuss options for December nearer the time). The next session will therefore be on Monday March 16^th when we will continue with mainly spring songs. More singers are always welcome, regardless of experience. 

  

 Tina 

 

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday February 19th 2026

12 singers attended the February 26 Chichester Inn SDFS singing session, led by Alan. 

At this session, the group would be considering some of the new material that was being proposed by Steve A for the 2027 bid to take part in the Chichester Fringe.  All being based on lesser-known material collected in the Chithurst area by Dorothy Marshall and Clive Carey. 

To start, Alan led the rousing England for Me (Dave Toye) which, with slight adjustments to the chorus, went pretty well.  Steve W agreed to adjust the words on the website to ensure that it matched what had been agreed.  This was followed by "Rambling Comber" with Alan reminding the group of the various harmonies available.  Stephen A then introduced the first of the potential Fringe material "The Young Recruit", following line by line practice, the whole song was worked out and sung.  Alan suggested it be introduced to the Worthing sessions as well.

There was discussion at this point about the necessity of attempting to keep all three groups of the SDFS (Worthing, Chichester and Lewes) singing the same versions of the SDFS songs and where possible working along similar practice lines for each session.  Tina from Lewes had sent Alan her proposed practice list and Alan undertook to do the same for Chichester.  Henny also agreed to let the Worthing group know in advance of the sessions, which songs, decided by Emily, Alan and Amaryllis, were to be practised or learned, so they could, if necessary, listen to the recordings on the SDFS blog before the practice

With this in mind, Alan then led the group in "Love and the Ball" which had been practised at Lewes but not much at other sessions.

The second half of the evening started with another of the potential Fringe songs, "Stedham Oyster Man’s Donkey".  Stephen A again demonstrated this (which is apparently a true tale from Stedham!)  There was some discussion about the length of the song and the importance of hearing the words. The group felt that it would be good to perhaps have different individuals or pairs of singers for each verse, the whole group to join in the choruses and the last verse.  Following a quick try, this idea was confirmed and also the thought that an instrument to accompany it would ensure the key was maintained!

The last part of the evening was devoted to requests.  Dave G suggested "Loyal Lover" which the group tried and then again with just the ladies who were encouraged by Alan to keep the rhythm going.  "Our Captain Cried All Hands" followed – as a song not often sung and in view of the season "When Spring Comes In" was the penultimate song of the evening before a rousing "Rolling Home" to finish. 

As a footnote to the Chichester Fringe material, Steve W is creating a new page on the blog called “The Chithurst Songs”, where lyrics and recordings will gradually be assembled. 

Anne Sartain

There's Something New on the Miscellaneous Page ...

Lyn F has let us know about a ticketed event due to be held in Goring on May 30th. 

Have a look at the Miscellaneous Page and use the link there to find out more.

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday February 5th 2026

Although the miserably wet weather on a winter evening again probably deterred some folks, we still mustered 21 singers for our February gathering.  We began with notices about possible dates for a SDFS social evening at The Barn in April or May - then a summary of the public events likely to be on our calendar this year - and last but not least, ideas for managing our song repertoire to help keep more in circulation, for our pleasure in singing them and to be ready to share them with others at our public performances.

With Emily's support and guidance we began our singing with a few songs from those chosen by Tina (our lead in Lewes) for a lunchtime performance in Brighton some of us would be singing at the next day.  Foremost was  "The Brave Eleven", which uses a traditional folk tune and the words of a poem commemorating a shipwreck off Worthing a hundred years ago.  It is regularly sung by Tina with the Lewes Group but is not known by many in the Worthing Group.  However, most of the singers due to contribute to the Brighton event knew the song from their singing sessions with our 'cousin' group the 'Secret Shore Singers', where it features as a sea song.  So for some we polished off the rust to get the tune and pace right, and for newcomers it was an introduction to the song - and maybe it will be used more often at future sessions at the Barn.

From there we returned to more familiar territory with a few more songs also on the set list for Brighton: "Home Lads Home", "Hard Times" and "Where Stormy Winds Do Blow" - all were revisited and refreshed in readiness.  After a refreshment break, the collection of dues and yet more time to chat, "Three Drunken Maidens" enabled us to make a definite move away from the sombre or wintery songs we had opened with.  Our thoughts also turned towards brighter days ahead with "When Spring Comes In".  A mixture of requests filled the rest of the evening - "Life of a Man", "England for Me", "Old Adam" and "The Lark in the Morning" (the latter, by popular demand, using the words Alan gave us when first introducing the song).  These took us towards "The Parting Song" and the close of the session.

March now beckons, with clocks going forward, longer daylight and, we hope, better weather!  We'll be at the Barn again for our next sing there on March 5th - hope you can join us then.

H. 

SDFS Singing at Brighton Unitarian Church - Friday February 6th - Lunchtime Concert 12.30 - 1.15pm

On Friday February 6th, between 12.30 and 1.15, a group of "South Downs Folk Singers" will be singing at a lunchtime concert held in the Brighton Unitarian Church  (New Road, Brighton BN1 1UF - near the Theatre Royal).

We are pleased to be making this return visit after having enjoyed singing there last year - and we are looking forward to singing some seasonal songs for everyone there. 

Here are links to the Church's own Facebook page and website for more information about this event, and others on their February to May programme. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1347923317378624&set=pcb.1347924160711873&__cft__[0]=AZYTMPBo0MNZEdvArJjJQGUyL6J90G9onA2kY3oEGfBKAOkMssSW8-

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https://www.brightonunitarian.org.uk/friday-lunchtime-concerts?fbclid=IwY2xjawPovRdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETAyTUFQMFBRcVZZNjNWY0gwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHueErMEgGyslDz_1I6leXNFdt6kIs-pwpV0H6qw6y2cjvlpUVmjOxg6hiJsX_aem_iEIMySM-xXLoqKC1IPIprA

(Then keep a look-out on this page and our Diary Dates page on this SDFS Blog, and on the SDFS Facebook page, for news of more SDFS sessions and events as the year progresses.) 

 

Lewes Local Group Report - Monday January 19th 2026

Some minor issues arose at the start. Brighton & Hove Albion were playing at the Amex with long queues on the A27 and shortages of parking spaces in Lewes, and the upstairs room had a notice that it was reserved for a panto! After a quick check with bar staff it turned out to be an old notice and, although our reservation wasn’t in the 2026 diary, the room was free so we could go ahead.  

Eight of us made it this month - five men and three women so a balance of voices. There were only two apologies for illness and sickness so here’s hoping some of the others will reappear in February. The third Monday is the so-called “Blue Monday”, supposedly the most depressing day of the year, but it’s a good reason to get out for some refreshment of body, mind and soul with a good sing and chat! 

  

We started with the setlist for Brighton Unitarian Church on Friday February 6^th    where the programme contains songs of reflection, winter and wassailing, and we spent some time practising harmonies for most of them. As nobody had any particular issues or preferences, we tackled them in alphabetical order. 

  

In the first half of the evening, we sang “All Things are Quite Silent”(a woman singing about her sailor husband being press-ganged into war); “Apple Tree Wassail”;  “Brave Eleven” (a shipwreck off Worthing); “Hard Times of Old England” (military returners struggling to find employment); “Here We Come A-Wassailing”; “Home Lads Home”(remembering men and horses lost in WW1); “Life of a Man” (our natural life span); and “My Downland Remembered” (a poem set to music by Alan Wheeler from our Chichester group, concerning his ancestor who was transported to Australia for the theft of wheat). 

  

During the break we discussed invitations to sing at three events in the summer, all in our Eastern part of Sussex. Two are new: Newhaven Fort on July 11^th and “These Hills” a beer and folklore festival at Glynde Place on August 8^th. The other is a return to Alfriston Clergy House where we have enjoyed singing twice in the past. This will be part of a year of events to mark the 130^thanniversary of the National Trust acquiring the property (their first) and they open from Easter to August. Singers present tonight liked the sound of all three events, so we await firmer information.   

We continued with “Parting Song” (does what it says on the tin, although not yet the end of the evening); “Poor Froze-Out Gardeners” (broadsheet ballad of workers laid off in winter and resorting to begging, which contains one of my very favourite lines about sowing little cabbages with a dibble and a line and always makes me smile despite the sad subject); “Sugar (Sussex) Wassail” (with its jaunty tune based partly on “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen”); “Where Stormy Winds do Blow” (shepherds on the frosty and snowy Downs looking forward to the warmth of the ale house). 

  

Having got through the Unitarian set list, singers chose favourites from the general list, and we did “Ale Glorious Ale” and  “Magpie” (David Dodds’ tale of the “devil’s bird” of local folklore) before finishing with the ever popular Copper Family song “Thousands or More”.  Sorry to Rosie as we ran out of time and her choice of “Seasons Turn” will be fitted in next month. 

  

Our next session will be on Monday February 16^th. We will be continuing with cold season songs but also starting to include some spring ones too, so a good time for regular members to venture out and for any new singers to come along for the first time. Email us if you want to know more or just turn up on the night with your voice and your enthusiasm! 

  

 Tina 

  

 

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday January 15th 2026

Nine singers met in a quiet "Chichester Inn" for the first session of this new year.  Having not met in December there was some catching up to do - including further discussion about preparation of a programme to offer to the Chichester Fringe in 2027.  

Stephen A reminded us of the research he has done about the traditional songs collected in the late 1800s and early 1900s from the Chithurst area, by song collector Dorothy Mitchell and others,  (Henny noted that, by coincidence, the EDFSS had recently aired an online talk about Dorothy Marshall's life and interest in traditional songs, dances and customs.). There was agreement that we try and learn a selection of these songs, initially at the Chichester sessions with a programme for the Fringe in mind - but to be shared with other Singers in our other groups in due course.

To warm up our voices, and cut through any mid-winter gloom, we sang "Summer is A'Commin' in Again" - before turning to the words Stephen A had supplied for the "The Young Recruit" and the simple notes for the tune he had recorded on his phone.  After a few faltering attempts we began to pick it up - not flawless but a good start.  Discussion of other "Chithurst Songs" reminded us of ones already known to the SDFSS but rarely used, that could be revived - including "The Stedham Oyster Man" (not sung at this session) and "Valiants All" which we did then manage to sing through.

With plans for more songs and work on these ahead at future sessions - the rest of this evening was used for requests and a few wassail songs.  So "Song of the Sussex Downsman"; "On Sussex Hills" and "Where Stormy Winds do Blow" - then "Silver Wassail"; "Here We Come A'Wassailing" and the "Jacobstowe Wassail" were enjoyed, interspersed with more chat and top-up refreshments.

In addition, those who knew it were reminded of and sang a song celebrating the tradition of "Pace Egging" - shame it's origins are not in the South Downs (but it would be great if we could 'adopt' it!)  A very sociable and productive evening came to a suitable close with the "Parting Song" - and thanks to Stephen A and Alan for their able facilitation.

Lewes Local Group Report – from Monday December 15th 2025

Several singers were sick or dancing out with Ouse Valley Morris in Newhaven so in the end there were eight of us present at the Lewes Arms this month - six men and two women, which meant our harmonies were not as even as usual. 

I’d planned to spend the first hour upstairs going through the set list for the Brighton Unitarian Church lunchtime concert in February, before going down to lead some carol and wassail singing in the pub itself. In the event, only three of us who will be singing at BUC were there tonight, and some of the other singers were less familiar with the seasonal items, in particular the newer ones, so we shifted the main focus to running through the carols and wassailing songs instead.

When we moved downstairs we found some confusion about which group of carol singers we were and about the best place from which to sing. There were a few drinkers keen to join in who took word sheets and sang along but they were spread between the three separate bar areas, and there were also large festive groups from the Chess Club and the Film Group who were more keen on chatting than singing. So it was quite a logistical feat to agree which songs to sing and to conduct our singers plus the drinkers scattered around the pub to keep everyone in time. I thought wistfully of the Brighton Pub Carol singers who are accompanied by loud musicians and a conductor who stands on a table to get everyone’s attention! But it was all good fun and we sang for around an hour before having an early night. 

The song which got the biggest cheer - as is often the case - was when the audience listened while we sang as an encore “Thousands or More” in four part harmony to round off the evening.
Between the two parts of the evening we sang the following, in some cases twice:
“Angel Gabriel”, “Brave Eleven”, “Coppers’ Christmas Song”, “Deck the Hall”, “Ditchling Carol”, “Falmer Carol”, “Field Mouse Carol”, “Friendly Beasts”, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” (the new tune)”, “Here We Come A-Wassailing”, “Holly & the Ivy” (the folkie tune), “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”, “Moon Shone Bright”, “My Downland Remembered”, “Stir Up” (the round), “Sussex Carol”, “Thousands or More”, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, “When it’s Christmas Time” and “While Shepherds Watched” (to the Pentonville tune). 
Our next session will be on Monday January 19th. New members are always welcome. Email us if you want to know more or just turn up on the night with your voice and your enthusiasm.
 Tina

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday January 8th 2026

Moving our first session of 2026 from New Year's Day to the following Thursday gave us another opportunity to sing in the lovely acoustic of the church next door to the Barn.  This had been kindly offered to us because the Barn was booked by the Sussex Folk Orchestra (SFO) for their regular rehearsal.  Sadly the coughs, colds and stormy weather of this winter season limited our number to a dozen - but nonetheless we met with Emily to enjoy some seasonal songs together - before joining forces with the SFO in the Barn to conclude the evening. 

"Country Life" warmed us up, followed by the challenge and delight of a variety of seasonal Rounds - "I Heard a Bird Sing"; "Hey Ho Winter Snow"; "Child of Light" and, with its creator Alan present, "Wassail All Your Apple Trees"- which will be the one used at the Findon Valley Orchard's Wassail event we'll be attending on Saturday 17th (2pm.).

Other wassail songs followed, and will be used on the 17th - starting with the "Gloucester Wassail" (on this occasion using the Dobbin, Filpail, Broad Mary and Lily White Frock, verses from the many available). The "Sussex" or "Sugar Wassail"; the "Silver Wassail" and "Here We Come A-Wassailing" followed, before "The Woodcutter's Song" conjured the warmth of log fires in winter.

Emily invited Alan to recite for us his poem about the old varieties of Sussex apples, enriched by rendering it in a Sussex accent, which was much enjoyed and applauded.  The Winter continued to be celebrated in our next two songs - "Poor Froze Gardeners" and "Fields Lie Silent".   Alan then shared with us plans made with Eileen (SFO lead) for the Findon Valley Wassail - and introduced us to a verse and the chorus (already known to a few of us) of "Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl" which will be used by the SFO on the 17th.

By then it was time, as agreed, to join the SFO in the Barn, to sing through the songs we will share at Findon - "Sussex Wassail", "Here We Come A-wassailing", "Gloucester Wassail", "Landlord Fill the Flowing Blowl" - and Alan's "Wassail All Your Apple Trees" Round.  In the Round it was agreed the split into only two parts - the Orchestra playing as part one and us singing as part two.  

Time ran out for any more songs or rehearsal together - and so another enjoyable and productive evening closed.  The SDFS will be back in the Barn as usual for our February session (on Feb. 5th), not with the SFO this time but still with singers and songs for another seasonal sing - by then looking towards the end of Winter and the return of Spring!
 

Thank You from Sompting Village Morris for Wassailing in Tarring

Dear Emily, and South Downs Folk Singers

Thank you so much for the lovely Wassail singing at the Sompting Village Morris event on Mon 5 Jan, in Tarring. 

We had the most spectacular evening, with the procession of flaming torches, and a large appreciative crowd to cheer us on. There was such a mass of onlookers in the Vine garden, but the Wassail songs resonated through the trees, adding to the
magical tradition of the evening.  I hope the singers enjoyed the event as much as we did.

Please save the date for the singers to come and perform again at next year's Wassail - this will be on Tues 5 Jan 2027.

Thank you again for bringing the Wassail songs to such a memorable evening.

Lyn Thomas
(Bag) Sompting Village Morris

bag@somptingvillagemorris.org.uk
www.somptingvillagemorris.org.uk

Wassail! Wassail! (The Gloucester Wassail) - Short Version

Alan has offered us a shortened version of the Gloucester Wassail, which reflects the verses we usually sing.

You'll find all the lyrics of this shortened version on this link and on our "Songs and Recording" page.