We have a New Blog Page!

There is now a separate Blog page for the "Catches and Rounds" we've been doing at our sessions and at some events.   If you want to find your favourites, they are listed alphabetically.  Some we've had for a while are still on the Songs and Recordings Page, but will gradually be moved across to the new collection page, and any more new ones will join them there.  Enjoy!

A revived "Song to Try" again!

The words and score for "Seasons Turn" have been added to the recordings already listed on our Songs and Recordings Page.   Our Lewes group have been singing this song in their sessions, and Worthing and Chichester groups might like to try it too.

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday October 20th 2022

Fifteen stalwart singers supported the Chichester October meet-up.  Alan was vaguely in charge as usual and led the group through a repertoire of Christmas and Winter songs in readiness for the forthcoming Christmas performances.  The aim was to make sure that everyone was confident with the melodies of songs that might be used to sing out.   It was great to see Julia – one of our newer recruits and Amaryllis was again very welcome, prompting Alan on tunes he’d forgotten and providing beautiful harmony lines to many songs.  At times as a solo performer!  

An astounding 18 songs were sung through the evening, the first half including:  Holly and the Ivy, Copper’s Christmas Song, While Shepherds Watched (Pentonville version) and Poor Froze Out Gardeners (as a break from Christmas!)  Feeling confident, the group sang I Heard a Bird Sing as a round and ventured as far as three parts without collapsing in disarray which earned a round of applause from other folk in the bar area.  Hark the Herald Angels and The Angel Gabriel carols completed the first half. 

In the second half, the Christmas theme resumed with Masters in This Hall and Deck the Halls which inspired some impromptu dancing by some of the young audience in the bar.  The evening continued with Sweet Bells, Fields Lie Silent, and a further round – Child of Light and Hey Ho Winter Snow which again proved successful, even in the face of an ambitious attempt to sing them both together.  Gather Round the Fire proved a popular addition to the repertoire of rounds which had recently been introduced at Worthing.  Where Stormy Winds do Blow, Sussex Carol (with the five men present putting on a very good performance in their solo parts), The Woodcutters Song, and The Falmer Carol completed the Christmas theme.  

 

It just remained to sing the Parting Song to round off this very full evening of song.

 

Anne S

Lewes Local Group Report - Tuesday October 18th 2022

(The South Downs Folk Singers had their October meeting in the John Harvey Tavern in Lewes as planned - and the report of their session will follow as soon as possible.)

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday October 6th 2022

27 singers, including a welcome newcomer, Carol, and a welcome return visit from Margo, gathered at the Barn.  It was another busy and sociable evening, beginning with a briefing about plans for the Weald and Downland Museum’s Advent Market event on November 27th.  (More info on this and our Sing at Petworth House on December 10th will be shared with all as soon as confirmed).  Looking even further ahead to the New Year, we agreed to forgo meeting at the Barn on January 5th in favour of joining the Wassail singing in Tarring village the same evening.  Some information was also passed on to singers, from Leigh, about a talk on Hilaire Belloc by Chris Hare. 

In pre-Covid times this month would have been the SDFS AGM  - yet to be resumed as a full meeting.  In the interim, to fulfil the minimum requirement, our Treasurer Angela presented the annual accounts for information and scrutiny by singers. (Copies available to all our singers by email request).  Invitation was made to singers from any of our three local groups, to volunteer and join the SDFS committee - face to face meetings (about 3 or 4 times a year) are due to resume soon. 

Prior warning had been given to bring songs for the winter and festive season (to brush the dust off possible choices for the November and December events).  The first request made from these was “ Holly and Ivy”, then sung with festive gusto.  “The Coppers Christmas Song”; "While Shepherds Watched (Pentonville)”; “Angel Gabriel”;  “Sussex Carol” and “Sweeting Chiming Bells”  followed with equal enjoyment.  Also requested before a break were some rounds, “Hey Ho Winter Snow” and  "Gather Round the Fire, Let the bright warming cheer your heart, Hail the woodland Lord.”   

In the break Michael gave details of a new folk sing-around in Arundel, Gill shared some musical memorabilia, and we all sang Alan’s version of 'Happy Birthday’ for a new great-grandchild born today, and to our Lead and singers with October birthdays.  Our festive singing resumed with another request, "Ding Dong Merrily on High”, but this was then rejected as not yet in our existing set on the Blog (but could be a possible addition for 2023). We continued with familiar songs “Hark the Herald Angels”;  “Holly Bears a Berry”;   “Poor Froze Gardeners”  and “Where Stormy Winds do Blow”. By then time was running out, so we concluded with the gentleness of “Fields Lie Silent”.  Thanks to all present for your positive energy and a busy and enjoyable session!   Song choices for our festive events will now be finalised and we’ll doubtless revisit them, amongst others, at our next meeting at the Barn in November. 

September / October Catch-up

We've had a busy time recently with public events through September into October.  So a great big "THANK YOU" to all our singers who went those extra miles to support our performances.  Likewise 'thank you' to our Event Leads who help us prepare and who work hard to keep us on track when we're 'out and about'!  And of course, thanks to everyone across Sussex who took the time to watch and listen to us, and to our hosts at the various events for giving us such lovely opportunities to sing and share our South Downs songs.

There will be a short pause in our event calendar before we're be back to sing at the Weald and Downland Living Museum again at their Advent Market on Sunday November 27th.  Soon after that we'll be singing in support of the National Trust's Christmas open days at Petworth House on Saturday December 10th.  Do come along to share in the fun - and join us in singing some of the songs! 

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday September 15th 2022

Eleven stalwart singers attended this month's SDFS Chichester group meeting.  Alan led the evening, with occasional leadership from Amaryllis, who will be leading a forthcoming event and who was a most welcome addition to the Chichester meeting!

We opened with a seasonal song, "All Among the Barley", that some folk had recently not felt ready to sing out, and Alan demonstrated a couple of tune points.   Anne and Steve managed to hold the base part that had been taught at Worthing.  Following this, all present felt they would be happy to sing it out.  "Lammas Carol" was sung with confidence and kept the group in seasonal mode.  Alan reminded all that some parts had been introduced by Emily and these can be found on the SDFS Blog along with the tune (which may need a revised recording).  "Oak and Ash and Thorn"  followed and gained applause from the bar – what a great song, well sung last night by our group!  

 

Delving into some less well known parts of the repertoire, the group tried "The Loyal Lover" which hadn’t been sung a great deal recently.  Perhaps this is not a song for a noisy outside venue and possibly the starting note was also a bit low.   Amaryllis sang her new composition "Michaelmas" – again in keeping with the season.  This great little song, to the tune of "Poor Froze Out Gardener" was much appreciated by all present and certainly should be included in the official repertoire.  It can be found on the SDFS Blog and will be included in the upcoming W&D 'Michaelmas' event set list (Oct.1st).  On the theme of upcoming set lists (for the Stanmer event on Sept.18th), the group tried "Hannaker Mill", with some discussion about whether or not verses 2 and 3 should be “run together”.  Before a well earned break, the group tried "My Downland Remembered", a newish composition presented by Alan.  There was discussion about adding a harmony to enhance the last line of each verse.  Alan provided one and Steve duly recorded it to add to the song's Blog listing.

 

The second half opened with the "Woodcutter’s Song" in preparation for Winter set lists!  Amaryllis then led "Hares on the Mountain" at a brisk pace and all agreed it went well at that speed.  She later led "Life of a Man", and then "Smuggler’s Song"; all are going to be included in forthcoming events.   Alan turned to the newly introduced version of "The Lark in the Morning".  As in the Worthing group's session, a few changes to the wording were proposed for ease of singing.  Henny outlined plans for displaying any such changes suggested for a song on the song's lyrics sheet on the 'Songs to Try' page of the Blog (colour coded per local group and dated to identify the origin).  Alan led "One for the Rook" with full actions which was much enjoyed.  The evening finished on the suitable theme of "The Parting Song", enthusiastically supported by all.

 

Lewes Local Group Report - Tuesday September 13th 2022

10 of us gathered at The John Harvey Tavern, sadly our first session without Margo since her move to Wales. It was good to have Beryl and Amaryllis with us from Worthing, plus Nick from Bexhill and several points in between. Cathy joined us again and brought along her husband Joe this month.

This was a week earlier than usual, to fit in a practice before the Stanmer Village Permafest event on 18th and in preparation for this we ran through  “Bee-Boy’s Song”, “Twanky Dillo”, “West Sussex Drinking Song”, “Sussex Wedding Song”, “Oak, Ash & Thorn”, “Brisk Young Ploughboy”.

During the break we discussed the venue. The JHT has now confirmed there will be a £25 room hire fee which would mean reverting to passing round the pot at sessions. It was agreed to meet here in October, but also to explore other venues.   Jan mentioned we have been asked to sing again at her mother’s retirement home in Henfield (possible dates in October or November to be confirmed, and more details will be sent to singers).  

After the break we spent some time on newer songs  “A Lammas Carol” and “Michaelmas”, then returned to the seasonal favourite “Fields Lie Silent”  before ending with “East Sussex Drinking Song” and “Thousands or More”.

SDFS sing at the Fernhurst Furnace Open Day 2022

A dozen enthusiastic singers came together to sing our Sussex folksongs in the countryside at the annual historic Fernhurst Furnace Day. Ably led by Alan we presented a selection of rousing songs in three performances. We sang for the blacksmith and the brewer and were well received by all who heard us, especially those queuing for their lunch! It was a very enjoyable event and we trust we will be asked to perform again here next year.

Dave G.

Lewes Local Group - Reminder

Just a reminder to anyone interested in singing at our Lewes Local Group session this month - it will be happening a week earlier than usual this month, on Tuesday evening  September 13th.

Same place  - "The John Harvey Tavern" in Lewes,  same time - 6.30 until 9.30pm.

Join us there if you can!

(You can find more details about our Local Group sessions and our public events on the Diary Dates and New Singers pages of this Blog.)