Lewes Local Group Report - Tuesday 21st November 2023

Our new singing venue, The King’s Head in Lewes, is proving popular, and thirteen of us gathered there on November 21^st, completely filling the top tier of the pub. As our numbers expand we’ll have to accept Dec’s kind offer to use the larger middle tier in order to accommodate everyone.

We were pleased to welcome our newest member Celia from Lewes, returning members Ruth and Steve from Henfield, and of course all our trusty regulars. After a brief introduction from everyone Tina opened the evening explaining that she’d selected the evening’s songs to link in with Remembrance Day, winter and of course looking ahead to Christmas.  We started with the “West Sussex Drinking Song” and moved into winter with the “Fields Lie Silent”.

Tina’s reminder that no-one should sing anything with which they feel at all uncomfortable was pertinent as we went on to sing “Home, Lads Home”, “The Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun” and “My Boy Jack”, all of which commemorate those tragically lost in war.

Everyone was in fine voice and we headed towards Christmas with the new to us “Boar’s Head Carol” which Tina taught as a suggestion for next year and everybody picked up quickly, and the more familiar “Falmer Carol”. “Stir-up Sunday”,  a round written by Alan from our Chichester group, was particularly topical as this year the day for traditionally starting the Christmas pudding falls this week on 26^th. The “Woodcutter’s Song”, ”Gather Round the Fire” (another round) and “Where Stormy Winds Do Blow” kept up the seasonal theme before we returned to carols with “Ideo” (another new try out ahead of next year which was also well received).  “Old Adam” made an appearance before we finished with a rousing rendition of “Thousands or More”.

In the break Tina mentioned the Weald and Downland Living Museum event this Sunday and there was some enthusiasm for the idea of arranging a Wassail event for 2025 as there’s not time to try and arrange a public event for January 2024.

Jan

Our Next Events - Seasonal Events

As autumn gives way to winter and the 'festive season' approaches, we have a number of events and places where we look forward to sharing our seasonal songs with all.

In addition to our regular local group sessions this month, in December and on into 2024, we will be singing at the Weald and Downland Living Museum during their Advent Market on Sunday November 26th.  

Then on Saturday December 2nd you'll find us singing in the courtyard at Petworth House on one of the pre-Christmas open days there. 

Saturday December 9th sees us singing at Rustington Museum's Christmas Fayre - and on the last Saturday before Christmas, December 23rd, we'll be singing in Worthing town centre (near the Guildbourne Centre steps) singing in support of the "Worthing Lions" and Father Christmas!  

Thank you to our hosts for inviting us to these events - and we're not finished there - our first public sing of 2024 will be on January 5th at the Sompting Morris' Wassail celebrations in Tarring Village, Worthing. 

Lots to sing and lots to enjoy - so come along and enjoy the Season with us - and make your New Year's resolution to join us at one or all of our regular local group sessions through 2024! 

Another Song to Try - The Field Mouse Carol (Joy Shall Be Yours in the Morning)

Here's a sweet song - a poem from The Wind in the Willows set to music by Chris Green.  

Sung to us by Alan at the last Chichester local group session, and agreed by everyone there to put on this page for others to hear, try and enjoy it too.  So here it is!

You'll find the lyrics, tune and youtube video via the links below.

Lyrics

Tune

Video

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday November 16th 2023

Fifteen valiant SDFS singers came out on a rainy evening to sing Christmassy songs in preparation for the forthcoming SDFS Christmas events.

The evening opened with "Deck The Halls"  sung with gusto and enthusiasm and moved on to a suitably seasonal "Poor Froze Out Gardeners"  sung by all and not just the men.  "The Sussex Mummers’Carol"  followed with some discussion about gaps and whether or not to sing the last verse as a round.  "The Woodcutters Song"  proved a popular next rendition and lead up to trying out one of the newest additions to the repertoire – "When It’s Christmas Time".  All agreed that the words of the next song, "Fields Lie Silent Now", were really good, even if now slightly outdated as we seem to have rain rather than frost in December.  Which led Steve to observe that the fields round Rogate were covered in redundant Haloween Pumpkins for winter!  The "Pentonville" version of While Shepherds Watched  came next with the men singing their part well.  "Sussex Carol"  rounded off the first half after some discussion about men/women parts and what repeats there might be.
 
As everyone headed off for a well earned break, there was a decision NOT to cancel the December Chichester meet-up on 21 December and Steve checked that the pub were still happy for us to come. Everyone agreed to bring a special Christmas poem/song or even instruments to make it a lively session.
 
Alan took the opportunity to sing "Field Mice Carol" from the Wind in the Willows and all present thought it should be added to the “Other Songs to Try” page of this Blog.
 
"Holly and the Ivy (Sans Day Carol)" opened the second half of the evening and was sung so well that Alan decided the group needed a little more of a challenge and the group tried "When It’s Christmas Time"  a Brighton Carol introduced relatively recently.  Latin was attempted in "Ideo"  with Alan making the point to follow the timing used at the recent Worthing practice.  "Master’s in This Hall"  followed, after comments that it hadn’t gone particularly well when sung last year at Chichester.  It was sung really well following a slight lowering of key and there was discussion about the possibility of a drum accompaniment to help keep the song dynamic!  "Coppers Christmas Song"  and "Moon Shone Bright" followed.  The latter possibly being a bit “weaker” as it hadn’t been sung very often, was sung twice for confidence building!  "When Stormy Winds Do Blow"  was an appropriate comment on the weather outside before the evening finished with  "The Parting Song".
 
Alan complimented all on some very good singing and reminded the group to watch whoever was leading whilst out and be prepared for maybe different keys and timing - and with that, the Chichester branch of the SDFS was launched towards it’s Christmas performances for 2023.
 
Anne S
 
For anyone interested in hearing Alan, Anne, and their friends in "Cotillion" sing ....

There will be a Christmas performance with "Cotillion" in Sompting Church on Saturday 9th December.  Start Time: 2.00 pm, to run with a break for about 90 minutes.                           

                                               

"A Sussex Christmas" is a combination of seasonal Songs,  narration and join in carols.  The organisers usually provide some kind of refreshment during the break.  Tickets in aid of Sompting Church on the door.

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday November 2nd 2023

Sadly there was no Worthing Local Group session at the Barn this month.  

The impact of the recent stormy weather here, which didn't calm during the day as much as we'd hoped, the resulting concerns about travel to and from the session, and the apologies for absence received from a number of singers, led us rather late in the day to decide it would be much better to be safe than sorry.  So the session was cancelled, notices were posted, texts were sent, calls were made - and we stayed safe, dry, and maybe singing, at home.

Sadly this disappointed hopes of having another jolly good sing together to cheer us as the days shorten and darken at this time of year.   But our songs in celebration of the season changing from autumn into winter, songs of Remembrance, and songs heralding the Festive Season, will still be there to enjoy at either or both of our other local groups' sessions in Lewes and Chichester this month - and at our next Worthing meeting at the Barn on December 7th.  (See the Diary Dates page on this Blog for more details.)

May the elements be on our side for safe travel to all of them - but just in case, before you attend, do keep a look out for notices if plans have had to change.  

Stay safe and keep singing!

H.

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday October 19th 2023

Fourteen stalwart singers came out on a rainy evening to a fairly quiet venue, where we entertained and probably surprised those that passed through the bar, with a selection of Christmas songs and carols which as Alan explained, was in preparation for the forthcoming SDFS Christmas events.
 
The evening opened with "Coppers Christmas Song" – a good rendition, familiar to all.   There was some discussion at the end about the last few words, were we wishing everyone a Happy Christmas, New Year or Winter? The  "Pentonville"  version of While Shepherds Watched followed, well sung by all.  Having confidently started, the group tackled a new offering from the Lewes Group –  "Now Christmas is Come".  Dave G was enthusiastic about the new possibilities and confidently led the group through this and followed it with  "When It’s Christmas Time (Ring Bells Ring)".  The group were not keen on the latter but nevertheless tackled it under Dave’s excellent tutelage.  Again there was some discussion about line scanning in some verses.  "In The Bleak Mid-Winter"  followed with the group confidently singing this well known carol where it was felt that harmonies were definitely required to enhance and liven it up.  The group sang with equal confidence "The Angel Gabriel"  to conclude the first half of the evening.
 
The second half opened with  "Ideo", well sung and remembered by all with a discussion about the best speed it should be sung and Alan reminded all to watch the conductor whilst singing out!  This was followed by a song from the “to try” list  "The Boar’s Head Carol"  which was much enjoyed by all.  Steve A had amazingly found a link to Sussex in a Roman reference in the song!  To continue the Latin theme, Dave G was prompted to sing "Gaudete" which was quickly enhanced in the chorus by the group who added top and bottom harmonies to rousing effect!
 
Alan then invited suggestions from the floor as we had tried all the potential new material.  This resulted in  "Deck the Halls"  sung with gusto and a rendition of  "Sussex Mummers Carol"  after discussion about which verses to sing and an excellent round in three parts on the last verse. Henny had found an older version which was interesting.  Dave G requested "Falmer Carol", so he could try out the bass harmony and after discussions, the group settled on singing four verses with chorus between each, to which the base harmony by the men went well.  Henny had found references to other local carols and suggested it would be very appropriate for the SDFS to try and sing them. "The Ditchling Carol"  was one such example and all listened to a couple of versions via Steve’s mobile!  
 
To round off a very productive evening, the two new carols from Lewes were tried once more with increasing confidence ready for the Christmas season!
 
Anne S
 

A Seasonal Song to Try

Here's another ancient seasonal song, well know and loved across the land, offered by Dave Garrard for our enjoyment -  "Guadete".   

You'll find the lyrics using the link below.  Dave has provided both the English version (page 1) and the original latin (page 2)

(Feb 3rd 2024 - This song has been moved to our "Songs and Recordings" Page) Please find it by using this Page Link

Lewes Local Group Report – Tuesday October 17th 2023

10 singers made their way to the Kings Head, including new singer Celia, and tackled the usual mix of old and new, seasonal, and general songs. 

We started out with old favourites “On Sussex Hills” and “Poor Froze Out Gardeners” with references to snow, wind and seasonal unemployment.  There are four remembrance songs in our repertoire and, as in previous years, we sang two tonight and will sing the other two in November.  “All Things Are Quite Silent”, sung mainly by the women, is a plaintive lament from the point of view of a wife whose husband was pressganged into the Navy in the Napoleonic Wars.  The contrasting robust “Follow Me ‘Ome”, sung mainly by the men, is a setting of a Kipling poem where soldiers mourn the loss of a comrade.  We had another look at “Oak Tree Song”, a suggested new song and then “Run of the Downs” to the new tune written by Worthing member Amaryllis a couple of years ago.  She said tonight she’s unsure if she still likes this tune but was met with loud cries of approval from other singers who love it! We had a second go at one we started last month, “Summer is a-Coming in Again”, another suggested new song which isn’t set in summer, but in winter looking forward.  The first half ended with “Coppers Christmas Song”, not really about Christmas but more about changes in nature and the coming turn of the year. 

After the comfort and socialising break, we sang three of our slower and more reflective pieces – “Lammas Carol”, “Life of a Man” and “My Downland Remembered” (including the new verse about the sea journey to Australia).  This was followed by “Seasons Turn” which talks about all the seasons, saying for each of them, “oh THIS is the time I love best”.  We spent some time on another newish song “All Among the Barley” before singing by request “Hard Times of Old England” and winding up a very pleasant and tuneful evening with “East Sussex Drinking Song” and “Come Stranger Come Friend”.
 
Tina
 
 

The Fittleworth Harvest Supper (October 7th 2023) - with many thanks to Alan, our lead for this Event

18 of us crammed onto a stage amidst haybales and chairs to entertain guests at the village Harvest Supper.  We chose songs that had some connection with harvest time, Steve W acting as our song-announcer.   Our scratch band of two guitars, one concertina, a flagelolet, a recorder and a melodeon played folk tunes as the guests were entering and finding their places in a beautifully decorated village hall.  

The SDFS was given a table for itself where cottage pies were eaten, with veggie alternatives available.   After clearing away the first course we climbed back on the stage.  Dave G presented a lively short history of the SDFS and the aims of the group.  Following this, a short poem was recited about harvest which led into three punchy shorter songs before we descended to eat our desert. 

Then once more to the stage for an hour’s worth of relevant songs.  During this session Chris, our own historian who had scoured many archives, presented anecdotes concerning the village and its inhabitants, many of them well-known. This created quite a noise amongst the guests, with, ’I knew him, I didn’t know that, surely that can’t be true, that’s where I live now’.  

Amaryllis sang a humorous solo to the tune of, ‘We Plough the Fields and Scatter’, "Harvest Moan" by Sid Kipper. The audience joined us in a chorus read from their chorus sheets.  They sang with gusto also joining in the choruses of "The Turmut Hoer" and "One for the Rook". 

Then a very beautiful poem, read by Anne, about the geese sensing the Winter to come and setting off to the South.  This was followed by a round with audience participation to the tune of 'Wassail All Your Apple Trees'. A poem about the local pub, "The Swan", fitted perfectly into the round.  The song the "Lammas Carol" was preceded by an interesting introduction by Steve, who also quoted a poem spoken at Lammas which explains how to know the person you will fall for. The song was accompanied by a drum to give it bit of a more-full sound. 

We finished with "The Parting Song" and a cry of GOLIER. 
ALAN

Worthing Local Group Report (including the SDFS AGM) Report - Thursday October 5th 2023

We gradually assembled 31 singers for our session at the Barn, which started early to accommodate the necessary proceedings of the SDFS’ Annual General Meeting (the first since 2019 and the Covid gap).  Officers' reports were given, committee elections held (unfortunately without confirmation of a new Chairperson), and generous words were expressed to the outgoing Chair' ( gratefully received and much appreciated by H.)   

Some general discussion followed from comments and queries made about our public events, the introduction of new material for our performances, and the ongoing problem of managing the limited time available at our monthly sessions.  Suggestion was again made that we arrange occasional extra sessions or workshops to learn new songs, develop harmonies, and for special event rehearsals.  (We have two such sessions already booked to prepare for our Yuletide events - in addition to enjoying our seasonal songs at the SDFS local sessions in the next few months.)  All ideas and suggestions shared at the AGM will be considered with our leads and singers at our local groups (and with our Events Man, John, who was unable to attend this meeting) - and opportunities will be explored to take them forward if we can. 

Once the time allotted for the AGM had run over, and out, we took a breather to quench thirsts and rearrange tables and chairs - for our singing to commence.  Emily was unable to join us this evening but Alan generously offered to step up and lead, which he did with his usual positive and energetic approach - many thanks Alan!

 

We set off with  “Ale Glorious Ale”,  "Farmer’s Toast”  and  "Brisk Young Plough Boy”.  A solo from Alan followed, with some support from a few singers familiar with the song,  “Love and the Ball”  (about stool ball) to revive it in a Worthing session (it's probably better known in our Lewes and Chichester groups).  We all came together again to sing  “The Oak Tree”,  the "Lammas Carol”  (at the briskish pace preferred by its creator Alan), and then, maybe a little prematurely,  “The Parting Song”.  By request and in tune with Alan’s suggestions,  “All Among the Barley”  and  “The Turtle Dove”  were enjoyed and preceded another welcome solo from him, "Three Drunken Maidens”.  The latter was remembered by some from its first airing at a Worthing session in 2019 (pre-Covid) and enjoyed by all, and positive feedback suggested it would be a lively one to add to our performance repertoire.

We continued with  “Oak, Ash and Thorn”,  “The Constant Lovers"  and  "One for the Rook”, before Alan sang for us the story of  “Bold Reynard”.   The mood involved by its sad ending may have prompted the last request of the evening,  “Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun”  which brought a busy evening to a gentle close.   Thanks again to Alan and everyone who stayed the course - and hope we’ll see you for our next full evening of songs at the Barn on November 2nd.

H.