Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday May 21st 2026

Alan was away but David kindly offered to lead us for our May session at the "Chichester Inn". A dozen singers gathered and we enjoyed singing our way through fourteen songs -. opening with  "Country Life" then "Twanky Dillo", a couple of old favourites, before another well suited to our venue, "Ale Glorious Ale".

"Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun" was shared between men and women's voices as we always do and it was as lovely as ever - but we had a few problems with the new tune used for "Run of the Downs" so decided it was best left for another day!  Instead we shared another gentle downland song "Searching for Lambs" before two old favourites from our original 'South Downs Songs' project repertoire - "Ebernoe Horn Fair" before we took a refreshment break, and 'Rolling in the Dew" when resuming refreshed  We haven't sung them for a while and both were a little faltering to begin with until their tunes came flowing back.

Stephen A  was invited to take the notional baton to update and progress our work on songs from the "Chithust Collection" being assembled towards a possible programme for the Chichester Fringe Festival in 2027.  (They can be found under a dedicated tab on our SDFS Blog.)   We sang the most familiar of these, the jaunty but sad tale of the "Stedham Oysterman's Donkey", before also singing "Saucy Sailor" then "Valiants All" - with ongoing discussion about the different versions of "Saucy Sailor" and the imagery in the words of "Valiants All".  

With more Chithust songs, and probably discussions about them, to come at future sessions we moved on with a song adopted from the 'Belloc and Broadwood Songs Project' - the "Turtle Dove" - before "Sussex by the Sea" changed the pace and mood.  As a bit of an afterthought and by popular request, we sang "Rosebuds in June" for our finale - and all enjoyed singing it again after not perhaps having done it and ourselves justice when it was last shared!  So on that positive note we concluded with thanks to David, Stephen and all!

We'll be back at the Inn on June 4th - and we hope to welcome back Alan and Anne after their triumphant appearance with "Cotillion" in the Chichester Fringe Festival the evening before. (Tickets still available!) 

H.

A Song to Try - St.George the Knight

Alan has offered a song for us to try, "St.George the Knight" written by John Kirkpatrick.  You'll find it on our "Other Songs to Try' page.

Lewes Local Group Report – Monday May 18th 2026

Ten singers were at the Lewes Arms tonight, including a welcome return by founder member Adrian, now newly recovered from injury. Most of us will be at Alfriston Clergy House next week so we sang through many of the songs on the setlist.

We’d sung through half of the Alfriston songs last month so the first batch today consisted of ones I’d identified as least known and/or needing most attention and these were “Ebernoe Horn Fair”(an oldie not sung for a while), “England for Me” (one recently learned),  then back to old favourites “Farmer’s Toast”, “Green Grow the Laurel”, “Hares on the Mountain”, “Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun”, “Rolling in the Dew”, “Run of the Downs” and “Turtle Dove”. 

 

In the break we discussed singing at Saltdean Lido on the afternoon of June 20^th (a smaller event this time with a longer one planned to follow in 2027, seven of us can do this one, emails to go out to others shortly), Brunswick Festival in August (I’ve now spoken to someone who confirmed our invitation but we don’t yet know whether 15^th or 16^th), a future singing tour of local “painted churches” either in October/November or next year (Nick is going to take this forward),  harmony workshops (Ce will host and will come back with dates) and singing out with Ouse Valley Morris in place of our pub session in December (Ce & Rosie to take forward).

 

We then went round taking turns to choose from others on the set list and got through “West Sussex Drinking Song”, “East Sussex Drinking Song” (Adrian’s answer to Belloc’s West Sussex version with Adrian solo on the verses and all joining in on the chorus), “On Sussex Hills” (more Belloc!), “Rosebuds in June”, and “Smuggler’s Song” before rounding off a very pleasant and tuneful evening with “Thousands or More”.

 

Our next session will be on Monday June 15^th and we always welcome new singers. We’re a group who come together to learn, enjoy and share the songs rather than a formal choir with the expectations that can sometimes come with that. Come along for a free taster session any time, just bring your voice and your enthusiasm.

 

Tina

Another Event of Interest is now on the Miscellaneous Page

Our very own Alan and Anne, with their chums Linda and Bonnie, form the folk group "Cotillion". 

Have a look at our Misc. Page for details of their show in June.

Two Songs to Try - To Be A Farmer's Boy and Oats and Beans

You'll find two songs, "To Be a Farmer's Boy" and "Oats and Beans'" have been added to our "Other Songs to Try' page.

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday May 7th 2026

Twenty-six singers gathered in the church next to our usual venue, whilst the Barn was in use as a poling station for the local elections.  Sadly Emily was unable to be there - or to sing at all, having lost her voice and needing to rest it - but we were, as ever, fortunate to have Alan and Amaryllis there to pick up her baton.   

From the variety of songs suggested as options for the evening, we managed to sing 15 songs and enjoy listening to 2 more. Our usual semi-circle formation was necessarily changed to fit the straight lines of the pews in the beautiful church setting - but with the very open space and acoustic where our voices rise to the amazing ceiling, spreading across two blocks of the central parallel pews made it a little hard to hear each other.  So it was agreed that if singing there again we should try using the right angle created by just the end of the central pews and the pews to the side.

In the first part of the evening we opened with "Twanky Dillo" before "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun"; "Rambling Comber"; "Rosebuds in June"; "Follow Me Home" (joining men's and women's voices on the verses and the choruses); "May Day Carol"; "Our Captain Cried All Hands"; "Three Drunken Maidens"; "The Jolly Woodcutter", and the new song created by Amaryllis to the tune of 'Cruel Mother' - "The Loyal Lover".

In a break from singing together, Stephen A. spoke about plans underway in our Chichester SDFS local group to prepare a show for submission to the 2027 Fringe Festival in Chichester. (Application to perform at the Fringe opens in the autumn this year.) 

The plan being for a SDFS performance using the traditional songs famously collected in the Midhurst and Chithurst area.  Stephen has already gathered a large number of these and he is leading preparation of a narrative for the programme.   He advised that, if the application is successful, any singers (from any or all of our three local groups) interested in participating will need to make a commitment to attend the Chichester local group sessions to learn the songs - and also to attend some extra rehearsals to prepare the performance.  (The number of singers needed for the performance is not yet known and may be limited and shortlisted nearer the time, depending on the venue and other specifications as directed by the Fringe organisers.)

The songs identified for the performance will also be available for our Worthing and Lewes groups and all our singers to enjoy them as South Downs Songs - there is already a new songs tab on our Blog for the "Chithurst Songs" where they will be posted as they become available, with melody lines and lyrics that can be downloaded.  Stephen was persuaded to sing one of the songs for us - one which is already in our repertoire on the Songs and Recordings page of the Blog, but rarely used these days - "The Stedham Oysterman's Donkey' - a sad but humorous tale!

Our singing resumed with a solo presentation from Alan, "St. George the Knight'" which was liked by many and may be added to the Blog's 'Other Song to Try' page - to be reviewed at a future session.  Thereafter we joined our voices to sing Barbara S' revised version of "Turnip Hoers" - "The Worthing Grower" - with Barbara explaining her addition of an extra verse to suit the cider making season. "Love and the Ball", "Run of the Downs" and "England for Me" brought us to a close, with many thanks to Alan, Amaryllis and all, for our evening of song.

We'll be back in the Barn as usual for our next session on June 4th.

Another Miscellaneous Page Alert

Chris Hare, writer and historian, who created and managed the 'South Downs Songs Project' (which launched us as the "South Downs Folk Singers") - has written a new book!  

Please consult our Misc.Page for more details. 

New post on our Miscellaneous Page

Have look to find outline details of an event due to be held at the University of Sussex on June 19th 2026, about Sussex Heritage and its Future.  

Of personal interest to the SDFS, Chris Hare, originator of the "South Downs Songs" project (from whence we came in 2013) and other songs projects since then, will be giving a talk there on the subject of folk songs.

Lewes Local Group Report - Monday April 20th 2026

Seven regulars were joined by four new singers this evening (from Seaford, Lewes and two from Storrington although they may go to Worthing in future as it’s nearer to them). Other apologies were received due to work and Morris dancing. Our singer from Bexhill needed to leave early for his train, so we agreed to sing straight through to 9pm before taking a break.

We started off with more of the songs for imminent events at Stanmer, Oldland Mill and Alfriston Clergy House. First was the Copper Family’s ”When Spring Comes In” (with a reminder to pronounce “love-lie” in the local way, and a singer mentioning the Coppers’ album “Come Write Me Down” available on Spotify). This was followed by “May Day Carol”, “Oldland Mill” (with Ray explaining how it was written by his friend Stuart Leon and how we came to be invited to sing it at the mill, which we now do each year, the next time being 3^rd May) and Kipling’s “Bee Boy’s Song” (with a singer letting us know that Rosie Hodgson & Rowan Piggott, whose harmonies we use, now have a whole CD of songs relating to bees)

 

We agreed to try a new song, which has been sung previously at Chichester and Worthing but not yet at this session, “England for Me” which was learned quickly, liked and enjoyed.

 

Back on familiar ground we continued with “Country Life”, “Ale Glorious Ale, “Ha’nacker Mill” (one new singer is reading Belloc’s book “The Four Men”, while another’s parents are buried next to Belloc at West Grinstead), “Smuggler’s Song”, “Magpie” (after we mentioned how David Dodds wrote it after hearing an old lady say “Good morning, Mr Magpie, how’s your wife today?” another new singer said she had heard that you should also blow it a kiss to drive away sorrow), “Pleasant and Delightful” and “Rosebuds in June”.

Next, we looked at the other new song on my list, “Buttercup Joe”. Again, this was quite simple to learn, it reminded us of others in our collection, and it was well received.

 

Our last batch of songs consisted of “East Sussex Drinking Song” (with an explanation of its origins as Adrian Figgess’s answer to Belloc’s West Sussex original, and the wistful reference to the Beechwood Hall Hotel in the last verse),  “It is the First of May”, “Nightingale”, “On Sussex Hills”, and “Thousands or More”.

 

By now it was 9:50pm. I commented that I was surprised and impressed that we had got through all the songs on my proposed list, including two new ones, and asked if we should take requests to fill the last ten minutes. At this point we realised that we had sung through without taking the agreed break at 9pm and everybody had been too polite to mention it so ended early!

 

We had a good balance of high and low voices with some glorious harmonies, a very satisfying session all round.

 

Our next session will be on Monday May 18^th and we always welcome new singers. Come along for a free taster session any time, just bring your voice and your enthusiasm.

 

 

 Tina

 

Change of Venue for the Worthing Group Session in May

Please Note - The Worthing Local Group will NOT be using the Barn for its session on May 7th.

The Barn is being used as a poling station for the local elections - so for this month only we have been kindly offered and will be using the church next-door for our singing instead.  The acoustics are lovely and the singing will be just as good!

(To join us please come to the front door of the church - NOT via the Barn.)

So still at the same time, and postcode, but temporarily in a different setting - and we'll be back in the equally lovely Barn again, as usual, for our meeting in June. 

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday April 16th 2026

9 singers attended the March 26 Chichester Inn SDFS singing session.  A small but enthusiastic group led by Alan.  
 
Alan announced that at this session, he would be trying material that was proposed for the Fishbourne event, coming up on 2^nd May and Steve A would continue introducing the proposed songs for next year’s Chichester Fringe bid – Steve W confirmed that these are now located on a new part of the SDFS Blog – The Chithurst Songs. 
 
So to start the evening off in a rousing fashion, the group sang "Ale Glorious Ale" – sung with feeling!
There was a discussion about "The Young and Saucy Sailor" in relation to Fishbourne and this was removed from the potential set list as it was felt not enough people would know it, although it had been tried at Chichester on a few occasions.  "The First of May" was sung enthusiastically and all agreed it was a fitting song for the Fishbourne event – the day after May Day.  
 
Steve A then introduced the first of the potential Chithurst songs – "Valiants All".  He led the group through the song and following a fair amount of discussion, sorted out the various word scanning issues that arose.  He stressed the need for all to use the same timing and following this, the group had another go at the song and it seemed to be progressing pretty well.  He followed this with the more familiar "Stedham Oysterman’s Donkey" which certainly Chichester attendees had tried in the past.  It was agreed that the version of the song that has been on the SDFS website for sometime was the one that would be used.
 
For the last song of the first half, the group tried "The Cuckoo" and after some discussion about words to stress, felt confident that this could be included in the Fishbourne set.
 
Before the start of the second half of the evening, Henny checked with Alan the song list for Fishbourne and it was decided to add "Rose Buds in June" as a reserve.  
 
Carrying on with the new Chithurst possibilities, Steve A introduced "Mayner’s Whip" by singing it through.  It was felt that the tune was possibly a bit tricky for the choir and Henny suggested trying the words to the tune of Three Drunken Maidens with a further suggestion from Alan that perhaps Steve could recite this old traditional local tale as a poem with all singing the last lines to this tune.  This arrangement seemed to work very well!
 
As a great finale the group finished with "Oak and Ash and Thorn" – a further proposal for singing at Fishbourne on 2 May.
 
 
Anne Sartain 

Spring into Summer 2026

As the seasons continue to turn and Spring moves into summer, our SDFS public performances resume with a number of events in April, May and into June.

On Sunday April 26th  we will singing at the "Apple Blossom Day" in Stanmer village, near Brighton, - singing at 2.00pm

Then in West Sussex, on Saturday May 2nd we'll be at a springtime event at Fishbourne Roman Palace, near Chichester - singing at 12.00 and again at 2.00pm.

Back in East Sussex - Sunday May 3rd sees us at Oldland Mill, near Keymer again for their open day - singing at 1.45pm.

And still in East Sussex on Saturday May 23rd, we'll be performing at the National Trust's Alfriston Clergy House in support of their anniversary celebrations - singing at 12.00 and 2.00pm.

Then looking ahead to Sunday June 14th - we'll be back to sing at the Weald and Downland Living Museum, near Singleton north of Chichester- at 12.00 and 2.00pm 

All these and other events we have planned for 2026 are listed on the Diary Dates page of this Blog (and they will be flagged on this post page as the year goes on) - and our local group sessions continue each month in Lewes, Worthing and Chichester. 

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday April 2nd 2026

With songs suggested by both Alan and Amaryllis and Emily's leadership when singing them, we enjoyed a dozen songs from our SDFS repertoire old and new. The sociable mood was set by "Ale Glorious Ale" to start, followed by an old favourite from our songs original project days "Come Write Me Down" (aka the "Sussex Wedding Song") with men's and women's voices in the conversation. 

The Spring season and approach of May was then celebrated in song by "Hal an Tow", "It is the First of May", "When Spring Comes In" and the "May Day Carol".   A rural theme continued with "Searching for Lambs" and "Brisk Young Ploughboy".  "Birds on the Spray" was next on the list, but few singers were familiar with it and so on this occasion preference was given to other options, with agreement to come back to it at a future session.  So we moved on with "Hares on the Mountain", another song shared between men and women' voices in a teasing conversation. 

A break gave time for chat and refreshment - and reminders about coming events, our social gathering at the Barn on April 11th, and an invitation to join with others in reviving the "Stork Song" at this year's Stork Fair in Storrington on June 23rd. 

"Riding on a Donkey" opened our second half - a song revised with new verses by Alan specifically for use at an event we attended at East Clayton Farm (where donkeys and donkey walks feature ). It has since become a favourite and has a seasonal reference in it alluding to the donkey's role in Palm Sunday.  "Rambling Comber" followed with harmonies revived to enhance it - and finally, from various choices still on the proposed list but with time running out, "Turtle Dove" was agreed to and sung as our last song of the evening.

Our next Worthing SDFS group session will be on May 7th - BUT - watch this space, because May 7th is now also a local election day and the Barn may be in use as a poling station.  We will confirm an alternative venue as soon as known - this may be the church next door, which has kindly been made available to us in the past - but this is yet to be confirmed.. 

 

A Song to Try - The Lost Lover

Amaryllis has offered a new song, "The Lost Lover" for us to try.  

You'll find the lyrics, written by Amaryllis, on our "Other Songs To Try" page. 

The song is sung to the traditional tune “Cruel Mother” (Trad. Roud No.9), which you'll find on our 'Songs and Recording" page.

Lewes Local Group Report - Monday March 16th 2026

There were eight of us tonight, including the return of the two new singers from last time, with five apologies received from others prevented by illness, dog sitting and Morris dancing. We started with seasonal spring and outdoors songs and worked our way alphabetically through those likely to be on the set lists at Stanmer Apple Blossom Day, Oldland Mill and Alfriston Clergy House. Some of these were repeats from last month so we could check and practise harmonies. 

  

First was Kipling’s “Bee Boy’s Song”, then “Birds on the Spray” from the Copper Family’s collection and “Country Life” with my usual reminder that the vibe we are looking for is more Poldark and less Songs of Praise. “Ha’nacker Mill” was sung after a discussion about Hilaire Belloc (not known to all present) and a recommendation to look out for his own poignant rendition of this online. Similarly, with “It is the First of May” we mentioned the charming video online featuring the woman with her guitar. To take us to the break, we turned to a general favourite popular at any time of year, David Dodds’ “Magpie” and we recounted for the newer singers the story of how he wrote it after being in a car with an old lady who greeted a passing bird in the traditional country way “Good morning, Mr Magpie, how’s your wife today?”. This led to a discussion of the TV series “The Detectorists” which featured the song, and then to the more recent “Small Prophets” by the same writer. 

  

During the break there was further wide ranging discussion regarding the social for all three groups on April 11^th; the suggestion from the committee regarding other events such as a canal barge trip e.g. at Chichester (welcomed); anyone else willing to join me as a Lewes rep on the committee (no); a possible harmony workshop in Lewes (generally keen, perhaps a Saturday combined with a trip to Lewes Folk Club in the evening); a suggestion for a singing tour of local “painted churches”; who could lead a session if I were unavailable at any time (3 people tentatively agreed to give it a go); a reminder to bring new local songs to teach others; and the discovery that one of the new singers knows the man in the red jacket who was at our Brighton Unitarian Church event and invited us to the Brunswick Festival (she gave me his mobile number to take this forward). 

  

Back to the singing we carried on with others from the probable set lists: “May Day Carol”, “Oldland Mill”, “On Sussex Hills”, “Pleasant and Delightful”, “Run of the Downs”, and ”When Spring Comes In”. The remaining time was then filled with singers’ choices of “Green Grow the Laurel”, “Hal an Tow”, “Loyal Lover” and ending, as we often do, with, “Thousands or More”. 

  

Our next session will be on Monday April 20^th, and more singers are always welcome. Come along for a free taster session any time, just bring your voice and your enthusiasm. 

  

 Tina

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday March 19th 2026

Some confusion over dates, a tyre puncture on the way to Chichester, and assorted other causes or commitments somewhat limited the number of singers meeting for our March sing at the "Chichester.Inn".  Nonetheless it was good to share the evening and some songs (chosen by request) with those able to be there.  

Although he was having a busy week, Alan was there to advise and assist (thanks for this Alan) - and the first request was for one of his songs "Lammas Carol", not chosen by him but benefitting from his expert direction.  "England For Me" was next, followed by "To Be a Farmers Boy" which has been rather neglected and not often sung by us.  Alan spoke about "Bold Reynard", another song we haven't used.  He noted that a dislike of fox hunting has deterred its use - although the song's narrative is actually about an old and unwell fox seeking his own death. A sad song either way… but an interesting perspective to maybe reconsider, and then adopt it after all.

With invitation and encouragement from the group, Julia and Nicola revisited for us their beautiful duet of a song (written by Julia) used at the Chichester Fringe event we did last summer - "The Holly King and the Oak King" - which was much appreciated.  With a refreshment break incorporated at some point, the rest of the session continued with "Love and the Ball"; "Loyal Lover"; "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun" and "Fields Lie Silent". A look towards the return of spring cited at the end of the last of these prompted the next request, "It is the First of May". 

Nearing the end of our session we went back to a song from our early South Downs Songs repertoire, "Old Adam", before a song added in the recent past,"The Rambling Comber" - and to conclude our mixed bag of choices, we managed the "Song of the Sussex Downsman" before heading our ways home.

A Special Item is now available via the Miscellaneous Page

Chris Hare, who led the South Downs Songs project, has sent us a link to some film from the celebratory event held to mark the end of the Songs project in 2013.  It well describes the origins and 'roots' of the "South Downs Folk Singers" - which we are still trying to honour all these years later!

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.