PLEASE NOTE - LEWES LOCAL GROUP - CHANGE OF VENUE

The South Downs Folk Singers Lewes Local Group will be moving to a new venue at:

"The Kings Head", 9 Southover High Street, Lewes  BN7 1HS 

Starting from the next session on Tuesday 18th July 2023. 

We will be arriving from 7pm to meet the manager Dec and start singing at 7:30-10pm as usual. We hope to see as many of you as possible for our first session in our new home. 

Lewes Local Group Report - Tuesday June 20th 2023

It was a small but enthusiastic group that met in the John Harvey Tavern for our monthly song session, with lots of “apologies for absence” due to the holiday season but we still managed to create a good sound, and just as importantly, to enjoy singing together.  We were pleased to welcome back Jo, who hasn’t been able to join us for quite a while.  She slotted in as though she’d never been away and we hope she’ll be able to become a regular singer once again.

There was a brief, discreet discussion about the email Tina had sent to all singers who have attended pub sessions or events within the past year, asking for peoples’ thoughts about a possible new venue.  She has received some responses and will feed back to the group after a week to give everyone time to respond. 

Tina had prepared a list of possible seasonal songs for us to choose from, favouring those we didn’t practice last month, and we began with “Ebernoe Horn Fair”, in preparation for singing at Petworth Park for the summer solstice.  Lord Egremont (of Petworth) presents the prizes at the fair so this was an essential on the songlist.  “Ha’nacker Mill” followed and Tina took us through a high and a low harmony which will be lovely additions to the tune, with a little more practice. We continued with “Green Grow the Laurels” and then “Come Stranger, Come Friend”.  We had some discussion about when this was written, estimating mid 20^th century and having just checked the website for further information, Ron Spicer who wrote it, lived from 1929 to 1996.

On a bird theme we continued with “Nightingale” and “Magpie” before “Seasons Turn” which we all enjoyed despite it relating properly to the beginning of spring. “Rosebuds in June” was a special request, followed by “Bee Boys” and “Turtle Dove”.  We finished a good evening with a rousing rendition of “Thousands or More” and look forward to hearing the group consensus about our future venue.

Jan

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday June 15th 2023

Twelve stalwart singers came out on a hot June evening to a fairly quiet venue, where we entertained those that passed through on the way to sit in the outdoor spaces.  A topical political song by Steve A got everyone in light hearted mood for the start as Alan explained that he had selected songs to practice that hadn’t been sung recently plus a couple for review by the group.

"Sussex By the Sea" with alternative words by Amaryllis started the practice proper – due to be sung the following day at Parham House Sussex Day.  "My Downland Remembered" followed, including the requested extra verse to lengthen it which everyone agreed went well.  Alan introduced a possible new song, "England for Me" by local musician Dave Toye which in fact had been on the SDFS website for quite a while.  The group quickly picked this up and thought it would make a good addition to the set lists.  His second introduction "Bold Reynolds" by the same writer, the group thought not suitable for choir singing.  "Bee Boys Song" with discussions about the technicality of bee-keeping followed and the first half rounded off with "Brighton Camp" and finally "The Loyal Lover", a lovely popular song.  
 
Following well needed refreshment, the second half of the evening continued with "Ebernoe Horn Fair" (a must to sing at the forthcoming Petworth House booking as Lord Egremont of Petworth presents the prizes at the fair).  "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun" plus a new song introduced a month or two ago by Dave G - "Summer Is A Coming In Again".  The latter much appreciated by all present.  Following the idea of singing “old” original songs from the early days of the choir at the forthcoming ten year celebrations in Worthing, "The Cruel Mother" was fairly quickly abandoned but followed by the more eagerly sung "Three Drunken Maidens" (from the Isle of Wight) which Steve W agreed to put on the “songs to try” part of the website.  As a final flourish before heat exhaustion set in, the group sang "Pleasant and Delightful" without a single set of words to be seen!
 

Anne S

South Downs Folk Singers sing at Amberley Museum World Environment Day

On Saturday 3rd June, fifteen of our singers spent a very pleasant day singing our traditional Sussex songs to visitors at the Amberley Chalk Pits Museum. We sang outside the Village Green Store and were warmly applauded by the stallholders opposite, who were there to encourage us to be more environmentally friendly in all that we do. Passengers on the old “Southdowns” Bus waved to us from the windows as they passed by. Thanks to Alan for leading the singing and conducting us so well, and to Steve W for his introductions. And a big thankyou to the Museum for inviting us. Can we do it again please?

Dave

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday June 1st 2023

Quite a few event notices were given at the start of our evening, reflecting how busy we'll be in June with four public performances in a month.  Then, under Emily's guiding hand, we revisited some of what we'll be singing at the first of these events - Amberley Museum on June 3rd.  We began with what has become a good warm-up and fanfare, "Country Life", before moving on to "When Spring Comes In"; "One For the Rook" and "My Downland Remembered" (choosing this time not to repeat the last first verse at the end).  A change of scene had us singing a round in three parts "As Me I Walked ..." which we hope to engage our audience in on the day.  The first half of our evening was completed with "The Nightingale", the "Sussex Wedding Song" and the "Bee Boys Song" - before a break and more shared news of other local events, including the new Worthing Festival and some dates at Horsham Folk Club.  

Our singing resumed with "Turmut Hoers"; "Life of a Man" and "Oak and Ash and Thorn" before trying another round with summer words to the "Banberry Ale" tune, which some were familiar with, this time talking of "Ripening Strawberries Juicy and Bright".  (If not already on the Rounds Page of our Blog, the two sung this evening soon will be.) 

To finish the evening, by request, we sang two songs both with the shadow of warfare, and separation from home and loved ones, woven into them.  First "Ladies Go Dancing" with its wistful tone and gentle pace, and then by contrast "Sussex By the Sea" in its louder marching rhythm - on which note we marched home after another enjoyable evening of song.

We'll at the Barn for a sing with a difference at our next session on Thursday July 6th - 7.30pm

We hope that our South Downs folk singers from all three of our local groups will gather in this central location to join in an evening of songs by request, old and new, to celebrate the 10 years since the "South Downs Folk Singers" began.  

We considered having a summer picnic gathering somewhere on the Downs - but fearing the weather could fail us and rain stop play, we've opted instead to use the lovely Sussex Barn already available to us - and guaranteed dry!

We're asking singers to bring some sweet or savoury snacks (no more than easy to eat 'finger-food') to share, and drinks of their own choice, to have in the break and add to the evening's enjoyment. 

 

Events to Look Forward to in June

The South Downs Folk Singers will be busy during June with a number of summer events we have been invited to sing at - in a variety of locations across West Sussex.

Saturday June 3rd:  We'll be at the Amberley Chalk Pits Museum, taking part in their Environment Day.   

Sunday June 11th:  You can find us in a mixed programme of musical performances happening in the Warwick Street precinct at the centre of Worthing during the new Worthing Festival.  

Friday June 16th:  Sees us returning to rural surroundings at Parham House, for their Sussex Day event in their lovely grounds and gardens.  

Wednesday June 21st : Takes us further west, to sing and celebrate the Summer Solstice in an evening event in the grounds of Petworth House.  (NB. this is a National Trust ticketed event.)

(Our singing times (when confirmed) can be found on the "Diary Dates" page of the Blog - and more details of each occasion can be found by consulting the respective event organisers' own websites.) 

And after all that ..... we will have reached Midsummer - how time flies when having fun!  But there will be more to come - and we'll be looking ahead to what and where we'll be singing in July, August and September.  Watch this space and our "Diary Dates" page.

So come along and see us at any or all of these great events - and maybe even join us at one of our local group sessions too! (Just check the SDFS local group details on the "Welcome" page of this Blog, choose one to suit and drop us an email to let us know you when you plan to come along.)

 

Another Lovely Sing - Rustington Museum May 24th 2023

Thank you to Rustington Museum for inviting us to sing, and talk about, our South Downs Songs for you at one of your regular meetings yesterday.  

It was a lovely evening of song and good company and we all enjoyed it - and hope the audience did too.   

It was great when some extra voices joined with ours for a chorus or two - and, towards the close of of our programme, when we all came together in singing a "round" or "catch", which made for a loud and hearty sound! 

So thanks again to our hosts and to everyone there for listening and for joining in.

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday May 18th 2023

As Alan and Ann were way on a well-earned break, it was a small, but select, group that met in Chichester this May. We were very ably led by Dave and we managed, at pace, to work our way through most of the Rustington Museum event set-list Alan had supplied. Beginning with an ever vibrant rendition "Country Life" then moving swiftly on to "When Spring Comes in"; "Rosebuds in June"; "Lammas Carol"; "Field Lies Silent"; "Jim the Carter Lad"; and "Twanky Dillo".  

A refreshment break and well earned breather brought us to the second half - and completion of the list with: "Fathom the Bowl"; "Ale Glorious Ale"; "On Sussex Hills"; "The Smugglers Song"; "My Downland Remembered"; "Come Write Me Down (Sussex Wedding Song)"; "The Turtle Dove"; "Pleasant and Delightful" - and last bit very much not least, "Thousands or More". With time limited we only missed maybe one or two of the best known choices in the set - and even if we say so ourselves, and especially with so few of us there, we sounded pretty good!

Another enjoyable session, and we'll be back for more at the "Chichester Inn" on June 16th.

Lewes Local Group Report - Tuesday May 16th 2023

Ten of us gathered on a beautiful warm dry evening at the John Harvey Tavern, including a returning singer Steve, from Henfield.  As always Tina had prepared a list of possible songs to refresh and asked for favourites. We started the session with “Constant Lovers” and “Fathom the Bowl” before moving on to Alan’s beautiful tune for the poem “My Downland Remembered”.  Angela played a recording of the lovely harmony Amaryllis has written to it and we agreed it would be good to learn.

Enjoying the summer weather, we moved on with “Rosebuds in June”, “Hal an Tow” (not a South Downs Song but a popular addition at this time of year) and “May Day Carol”.  Next came “Our Captain Cried All Hands” (collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams) before we sang “Rolling in the Dew”!

After a break to re-fill our glasses we sang “It is the First of May” and “Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun” before returning to Alan’s setting of another poem,  “Love and the Ball” about the Sussex game of stoolball. “Old Adam” came next and the poignant “They Won’t Let Us Go to Sea Anymore”.

During the break Tina updated everyone about the potential move to a different venue. We also discussed singing at the Stanmer Fete (in October), Jan’s Mum’s care home in Henfield, and the idea of celebrating our 10^th anniversary with a picnic on Highdown Hill, which was greeted with enthusiasm. 

We finished a happy evening with “East Sussex Drinking Song”, “Farmer’s Toast” and “Parting Song”.  Another uplifting Tuesday sing.

Jan

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday May 4th 2023

Our Worthing session in May had the added interest of singing under the amazing ceiling of the church in Goring next to the old Sussex barn where we usually meet.  Election day meant the Barn was a poling station but our hosts at the Church very kindly offered us the church instead. After time to marvel at the paintings on the ceiling and the sunlit colours of the stained glass windows, and to appreciate other features in the church - we settled along the pews to hear a few notices and event reminders, before lifting our voices as well as our eyes (to that ceiling again!) as we warmed up with “Country Life”.

Emily then led us through a number of songs likely to be used at our next public event at  Rustington Museum on May 24th - “ The Brisk Young Plough Boy “; “Where Stormy Winds do Blow“; “Lammas Carol“; and “My Downland Remembered “.  Also some rounds - “Ah Poor Bird” and “Hey Ho Money Have I None”, which hopefully will be equally as much fun when sung with the audience at Rustington. 

After a well earned break and time to chat we resumed with some songs suggested by Emily or requested from the group. Whilst the month is still with us these began with “ It is the First of May”; “Hal anTow” and the “May Day Carol“ - before continuing with “Old Adam”; “The Song of the Sussex Downsman“ and by popular request “The Oak“, albeit only the chorus (but with high and low harmonies) since not everyone had the verse lyrics available.  For a rousing finish we ended with "Thousands or More", our enjoyment of which was all the more for the wonderful acoustics provided by our temporary home in the church.  It was a shame to end the evening and to leave these special surroundings - so many thanks again to our hosts for enabling us to sing there. 

Rest assured - for our next session we will be back in the familiar and equally welcoming surroundings of the old Barn next door, on Thursday June 1st - so we can look forward to more songs and good company there.