Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday August 21st 2025

17 singers attended the Chichester Inn for a warm August SDFS get together.

Alan acknowledged that there was an event coming up for the SDFS (Amberley Chalk Pits) but that he would still like to introduce a few potential new songs for the group to try and assess. 
 
As an Autumn season opener, the group launched into "All Among the Barley" – a popular choice, some clarification about the singing of the first line was helpful.  To follow, Gordon hadn’t been able to resist composing and reciting a new version of Turnip Hoer – The Turnup Hoer was much enjoyed by all.  It was apparently inspired by the spelling in Alan’s latest email song list!  "Jim the Carter Lad" was sung with gusto and hopefully clarified that first and second note in first and third lines are the same and the word in the last verse is “right” glad.  Alan then re-introduced a potentially new song by local composer Dave Toye "England for Me".  It was agreed as a lovely song with very good words.  This was followed by a trial of "Buttercup Joe", a suitable country song which Alan led line by line in singing practice.  A group decision was made to omit the third verse to make it more concise and Steve W agreed to include this on the SDFS Blog for future reference.  "Come Stranger Come Friend" was the next possible new inclusion to the SDFS set list, although it had been listed as potential song on the Blog for some time and tried in the past.  It was felt it needed revisiting and rehearsing (including maybe, some very good low harmonies, again, these are on the Blog).  The first half finished with a good rousing version of "Oak and Ash and Thorn", on the planned set list for the forthcoming Amberley performance.
 
Henny made a few pertinent announcements about some of the future SDFS bookings to start the second half of the evening.  Following this, Alan asked for suggestions and reverted to a selection of songs that were perhaps needing a little rehearsal for the Amberley event.  "Come Write Me Down" was much enjoyed by all in two parts (men and women).  "Green Grow the Laurels" (ladies only) followed by "Lammas Carol" were tried next.  Lammas Carol tune pitch was altered from a start note of B to A following discussion with the harmony group, who felt it was too high for them.  "Bee Boys" (also planned for Amberley) was tried and sadly dropped a whole tone by the last verse.  There was some discussion about lowering the key to avoid this and a plea by Alan to really concentrate on keeping in the start key throughout the song. Dave G noted that the last line could easily drop which then led to a lower start on the next verse.  Things stayed pretty well in tune for the next renditions of "The Brisk Young Ploughboy" and "Hal and Tow" with a “silent clapping” in the latter so as not to wake the visiting SDFS dog!  The whole evening was brought to a rousing finish with a lusty rendition of "Sussex By the Sea" and looking forward to a successful afternoon at the upcoming Amberley Chalk Pits event.
 
 
Anne Sartain

Another Month or Two of Summer Events

August has got off to a good start with our lunchtime concert sing at "Christchurch" in Worthing yesterday (August 12th), which had the addition of a few Morris tunes brought by some of the talented musicians we have in our midst, led by Alan and played as the audience arrived and during an interlude in our singing.  Definitely enjoyed by all - so thank you to them, our hosts and to all our singers at this event. 

As our Diary Dates Page has listed, we have two more public performances to look forward to this month  -  at Amberley Chalk Pits Museum on Sunday the 24th for their "Taste of Sussex" event - and then at the National Trust's Saddlescombe Farm for their Open Day on the 30th. 

Having enjoyed singing at both locations in the past we are delighted to be invited back and to visit them again.  (More details and our singing times will be on the Diary Dates page as soon as confirmed.) 

We are then into September and we'll have the pleasure of singing again at the Weald and Downland Living Museum on Saturday September 6th - and at "Lewes Priory by Candlelight" in the evening on Saturday 13th (or if it rains then on the 20th instead), 

This is closely followed by Fernhurst Furnace's Open Day on Sunday September 14th.  

And as the season gradually changes towards the autumn, the apple harvest will be celebrated in Arundel's Community Orchard on Sunday September 21st, where we will be singing in the afternoon.

So join us in marking the seasons of the year and come and see us at these events in such lovely locations - and join us at our local sessions as well to enjoy our songs there too!     

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday August 7th 2025

Our August session at the Barn was supported by 28 singers for another evening of songs - for the pleasure of singing together and to polish some of the songs we will be sharing with the public at our next events (at Christchurch in Worthing on August 12th, Amberley Chalk-pits Museum on the 24th, and also likely to be used at the NT's Saddlescombe Farm on the 30th August).

Alan and chums arrived early to run through the interlude music they will be playing as part of our performance at Christchurch, then once all singers for the evening had arrived we launched with "Jim the Carter Lad", under Emily's ever genial and careful guidance, picking up and smoothing out any variations or mistakes made to the tune.  The fun of Barbara S's version of the Turmut Hoer, "The Worthing Grower" was enjoyed and invitation given to Barbara to extend it with another verse or two.  The beautiful "Oak Tree Song" followed in all it's splendour, and we sang it twice to improve the emphasis in some lines - and simply to enjoy it again!.  Alan then took the lead for "Hal an Tow" - with Angela S highlighting a recent Radio 4 programme in which it was noted as an example of a traditional song of the 'working people'. This can be felt in its celebration of May and also in the social and satirical commentary reflecting the life and times current at its inception.  

We took a break to hear David G sing a song he has recently learned "The Bonny Hawthorn", and under his careful guidance we managed to sing it through with him. There was talk of it having originated in the south, travelled north and was now reclaimed - but it is currently known as a song from the Yorkshire Dales, which was of concern to some singers.  Many folks songs, including some already in our collection, have had such mobile histories and are claimed by various regions throughout the land and even overseas - but it will need more discussion and comment from all three of our local groups before we adopt it.  Nonetheless it could be added to our 'Other Songs to Try' page on the Blog for general interest and consideration, watch this space - but it may not make an easy fit with our performance repertoire under our 'South Downs Songs' trademark!  Before the refreshment (and chat) break, Alan offered and led us through "England for Me", a song we don't often sing which celebrates all regions of the country!

After the break we resumed with "The Rambling Comber" under Alan's direction, managing all three parts in harmony.  Emily and Alan between them then supported us in polishing details of the "Lammas Carol", before we sang "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun", as beautiful as ever, with the gradual inclusion of men's voices added to the women's but concluding in the poignancy of only women's voices in the last refrain.

"Pleasant and Delightful" - with reminders to sing "tops'l" NOT "topsail" in the last verse - was given an airing, before Amaryllis performed the solo she will be doing on the 12th at Christchurch (albeit with support on the choruses) - "Harvest Moan" to the tune of "We Plough the Fields and Scatter".  After that the evening concluded with a vibrant South Downs Folk Singers rendition of the traditional version of "Sussex by the Sea".

Thanks to all and hope to see you at our August events - and at the Barn again in September. 

H.

Lewes Local Group Report - Monday July 21st

Fourteen singers (equal numbers male and female) joined us at the Lewes Arms, including five new singers (and a dog)  with four brought along by existing singers, and one having contacted the website. As always, our introductions at the beginning found other connections and shared interests. Many of the songs tonight were our lesser-known and seasonal ones for the upcoming autumn and harvest months so several people were coming to them new or after not having sung them for a year which made it quite equal for everyone.   

We warmed up with the easy 4-part “Harvest Round” and then others from the same season “One for the Rook”, “Fields Lie Silent” and “All Among the Barley” and the beautiful and reflective “Life of a Man”. This was followed by the jauntier “Brighton Camp” with a reminder that we use the plainer tune without the “twiddly bits” that are found in some versions, and discussion followed about the location of the camp at Whitehawk Hill and its appearance in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. We ended the first part of the evening with the sad but inspiring “Brave Eleven”, the true story of a shipwreck off Shoreham Beach. 

  

In the interval we discussed events past and present and were pleased to find we already have the numbers to go ahead at Saddlescombe Farm and Lewes Priory by Candlelight, both of which have been delightful locations in previous years. 

  

We continued with “Lammas Carol”, “Seasons Turn” (with the reminder to emphasis “oh this is the one I love best” in each verse), “Loyal Lover” (collected by Lucy Broadwood, with a delicate and unusual meandering melody in the chorus), the contrasting bawdy “Three Maidens” (which I still can’t sing with a straight face no matter how hard I try), by popular demand “On Sussex Hills” with some glorious and balanced harmonies, then another old favourite “Shepherd of the Downs”  before drawing the evening to a close with “Come Stranger, Come Friend” with further lovely harmonising. 

  

As I left the pub three of the chaps were settling down to sing and play some jazzy numbers on the guitar which lives at the pub. It sounded great but sadly my bus was due, so I had to leave them to it! 

  

Our next session will be on Monday August 18th. New members are always welcome to join us, whether seasoned performers or new singers. Drop us an email if you want to know more or just turn up on the night. 

  

Tina 

  

  

  

 

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday July 17th 2025

14 singers attended the Chichester Inn for the June SDFS get together and this included two new potential singers – Julie and Ian, plus Sabina who was welcomed as a guest of Julia. 

In view of the new attendees, Alan decided to open the evening with a confident rendition of "Country Life" – one of our tried and trusted opening numbers!  "Hal and Tow" followed with a reminder to start with the chorus.  The relatively new "Rambling Comber" with harmony parts followed, remembering the unusual ending of the verse.  Alan felt that the group was doing really well with this newish song.  "Oak and Ash and Thorn" was sung twice to test the suggestion by Dave G that it needed to be sung a little more slowly.  Alan introduced a new possibility "England for Me" a song written by local songster Dave Toye which all seemed to pick up very quickly. This song is already on the SDFS Blog. With the reminder not to confuse it with the hymn, the group tried "Our Captain Cried All Hands" next which went well and all felt this should be included in the SDFS repertoire having been collected in Sussex by such a well known folk singer, Mrs Verrall.[
 
At this point, an enthusiastic visitor to the pub asked of we knew 'Jerusalem'!  To which Alan and Dave sang "Juicalem" a humerous skit written by Valmai Goodyear of Lewes Folk Club.  This was much appreciated and followed up by a rousing rendition of "Sussex By the Sea" provided a suitable finish to the first half of the evening.
 
The second half was opened with four verses of "The Jolly Woodcutter" with a reminder to repeat the last line at the end.  Following a request from Alan for suggestions, Dave G introduced a potential new song 'The Bonny Hawthorn' to the group.  He undertook to teach this to both Chichester and Worthing groups to see if it was liked by the SDFS.  The requests proceeded through "The Nightingale", "Three Drunken Maidens" (much enjoyed by all!), "On One April Morning" – which needs a bit more work and "The Rosebuds in June" which is well known by all.
 
To finish a busy evening, the group sang by request "The Parting Song" before leaving with a general feeling of a few hours well spent in good company!  
 
 
Anne S

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday July 3rd 2025

We welcomed two new and many familiar faces to another summer evening of song at the Barn.  With Emily leading us we launched with "On Sussex Hills", before continuing with a mix of songs  - old favourites, revivals and some most likely to be used at our summer events.  "Old Adam" was next, before "The Cuckoo" (using the additional fourth verse instead of repeating the first verse to finish).  Then "Hal an Tow", followed eagerly by "Three Drunken Maidens" (with some light-hearted talk of making this the tale of three maidens from Worthing - or Lewes or Chichester - on a visit to the Isle of Wight!)   With Worthing still in mind we revived the version of "The Turmut Grower" written by our own Barbara S -"The Worthing Grower" which proudly declares the enjoyment and value of compost and composting.

A break in proceedings for refreshments and chat also enabled sharing a few notices about summer events in the Worthing area.  Amongst these was news of a bellringing 'wagon' planned for the Seafront Fair on the Prom later this month (to invite folks to have a go and encourage them to join a team of bellringers - as with Morris dancing it seems new joiners are in very short supply!

Our singing resumed with "Halnaker Mill" - with due notice to bringing the mood and meaning of the words into our singing.  "Tommie" (about scrumping apples, and sung to the tune of Fathom the Bowl) was used next - new to many but sung quite easily.  A bigger tree was celebrated next in the beautiful "Oak Tree Song", always enjoyed for its imagery and sound.  From there "The Mermaid" took us out to sea with Michael and Steve W serving as our local crew and taking the lead on the verses.  Having survived a possible shipwreck, and even though now past midsummer, we sang "Summer is A'coming In Again", using our own Alan W's substitute verses to finish.  The "Smugglers Song" was the first of a few requests, after which the other two served to close the evening with "The Parting Song" and "Thousands or More". 

Thanks Emily and All.  

A New Item is now on our Miscellaneous Page

The Towner Gallery in Eastbourne is hosting an event which may be of interest to us and you  - "The South Downs Songbook"- to find out more, please check our 'Miscellaneous Page' .

June into July

After starting June with our very enjoyable participation in the Chichester Fringe (many thanks to our hosts and to all our singers there) - and then celebrating Sussex Day on the 15th with the good folks of Chiddingly - unfortunately, due to illness and other commitments amongst our busy singers, we have had to withdraw from the last of our midsummer events, in Bevendean on June 28th with many apologies to all.   

Our public events will resume on Sunday July 6th with another celebration - this time at Salvington Mill on the slopes above Worthing, where we will be contributing to their Annual Fete and special anniversary event with some songs at 3.00pm. 

Thereafter we will in Bevendean for another event on July 12th - before looking ahead to another three events in August and nine in September!  Plenty to choose from, as well as our own Local Group sessions happening each month across the South Downs area, where new singers are always welcome (but please drop us an email first to let us know you're coming). 

Just check our Diary Dates page for more details and come and find us at an event or a session before the summer fades .......  and when it does there will still be more on offer in the autumn and winter! 

So - there's always something to look forward to with the "South Downs Folk Singers"!

  

ALERT - Chichester Local Group's June Session Today - CANCELLED !

Due to the number of competing commitments, holidays and other reasons,  preventing our facilitators and many singers from attending - our SDFS Local Group Meeting at the "Chichester Inn" this evening (June 19th) has been cancelled.  The summer solstice season can get very busy! 

We are very sorry for the late notice and any disappointment or inconvenience caused.

If you were hoping to attend - please do come along to our next meeting, booked for the third Thursday in July (July 17th) - when we will resume with more songs and singing together then.  

(Our other local groups' sessions and our programme of public events are running as planned - all details are available on the Diary Dates page of this Blog.)

Lewes Local Group Report – Monday June 16th 2025

Ten of us came to the Lewes Arms, including two new singers and a spectator from Brighton, Hove and Uckfield, who were brought along by existing singers. Our introductions at the beginning threw up several interesting connections where they knew and had sung or played with others present too. We missed those absent due to illness or holidays (Malta sounded lovely. 

The songs were firstly lesser-known items that some of us will be performing at the two upcoming Bevendean events (Farm Green archaeological dig open day on June 28^th and Community Garden celebration at the end of the “Wild Walks” programme on July 12^th) and the song for Whitsun which had just passed on 9^th June. Then we took turns to choose our favourites from the 25 possible songs I had suggested.

In the first half we sang “East Sussex Drinking Song”,  “Poor Froze-Out Gardeners”,  “One for the Rook”  (not the correct season for the previous two but they will be performed at Bevendean Garden), “Hard Times of Old England”,  “Sing You Now After Me” ( the Thomas Ravenscroft 15^th century Sussex round in five parts, which we will be using for audience participation at Bevendean Farm, where a mediaeval farm site is being excavated), “Turmut Hoer”,  “Magpie”,  “Rosebuds  in June” , and  “On Sussex Hills”.

During the break, discussion included various places where we sing and play; where to buy instruments in Aldeburgh; someone’s ongoing folk-based project they are writing about a neuroscientist; and should someone buy a hammered dulcimer (yes, obviously!). One person, who had dashed straight from work without eating, collected and enjoyed his supper order (shout out to Big Fish round the corner).

We discussed our new poster which is now online on several sites in Lewes, Brighton and East Sussex, and has been mailed out to singers to circulate. A couple of singers took hard copies to put up in their areas and I said if anyone else wants copies printed off, let me know and I can post some out to them.

We eventually got back to singing with a new song to everyone at Lewes, “Harvest Round” which is the other to be used for audience participation at Bevendean Farm. This has words by Alan Wheeler from our Chichester group, set to the tune we also use for “Child of Light” at Christmas time. This was quickly learned and sung in four parts. With the hard work out of the way, we turned to our favourite more well-known songs (to some of us anyway, they were less well-known to the new singers, but they kept up very well). We did “Hares on the Mountain”, “Ladies go Dancing at Whitsun”, “Bee-Boy’s Song”,  “Farmer’s Toast”, “My Downland Remembered”,  “Smuggler’s Song”, and “Country Life”.

We ended with “Thousands or More”. During lockdown, when meeting online we would sing “With my bottle and friend you will find me on Zoom” and looked forward to evenings like today when we could once again sit around the table and sing face to face.

As I left the pub, they were putting our new poster up in the front window. A satisfying evening all round.

Our next session will be on Monday July 21^st. New singers are always welcome to join us, whether seasoned performers or new singers. Drop us an email if you want to know more or just turn up on the night.

 

Tina