Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday July 2nd 2026

We welcomed two new singers this month for a summer evening of songs at the Barn, with the Barn doors open for some cooling air.   But before our singing, the session began with a few notices - including the sad news from Emily that, due to increased demands on her time, our August session will be her last with us. Sadness, albeit with a lot of understanding too, and mostly huge appreciation for what Emily has contributed to the South Downs Folk Singers, were shared in the responses from those present.  Emily reflected upon her time with the SDFS and recalled her involvement with the original South Downs Songs Project workshops, and noted how little she knew about the songs then and how much, with us, she has learned and enjoyed since. She then invited and suggested song choices from the still growing SDFS songs collection for us to sing together this evening.  

Some - "One for the Rook"; "All Among the Barley" and "Lammas Carol" - were also with an eye on a future event Alan will be leading ("Celebration of Sussex" at the Amberley Chalk Pits Museum, August 29th).  One other suggested by Alan was not well known to many of us, so he performed it as a solo - "Season's Turn" - with some support on the choruses.  Thereafter songs were by request, with a mix of some from our early days and favourites that have been added since. These began with one of the oldest from the original Songs Project, and taught to us there by Emily (not forgetting Ann and Chris Hare!)  - "Old Adam".   Followed by more choices - "The Nightingale"; "Turmut Hoers"; "Drink Me Brave Boys" and "Shepherd of the Downs".

After a convivial break we resumed with "Birds on the Spray" and "The Oak Tree Song"  before "Run of the Downs" (albeit with a little confusion about the verses).  Another song from the 'old days' of the Songs Project followed, "Ebernoe Horn Fair" then one added since "Searching for Lambs".  For it's place in the history of the South Downs we sang the "Song of the Sussex Downsman"- in the early 1900's it's writer Arthur Beckett campaigned successfully to ensure their protection, which much later enabled them now to be a National Park.  In singing this we also remembered a much missed and respected fellow singer and friend of the SDFS. Keith, for his musical knowledge and his exacting care in how this song should be sung. 

As the evening moved towards its close we sang another 'classic' from the Copper songbook and our Songs Project days - "Thousands or More" -  before the last but not least for the evening "The Parting Song".  It tells of the joy of singing together, the sadness of parting and hopes of meeting again, which we will do in August to sing more songs - and to bid farewell to Emily as our lead.