SDFS at N.T. Bateman's, Burwash, East Sussex, Sunday 2nd August 2015

Here's a message from John for all singers who are performing at Bateman's on 2nd August:

Dear Singers,

We have been invited to sing two sets for the event commemorating the centennial of the First World War at this fine 17thC house and gardens, that was the home of Rudyard Kipling and his family (My Boy Jack). Emily and Amaryllis will be leading us.

The site opens to the public from 11.00 hrs so we need to be there at the latest by 10.45 hrs. We will meet in the car park adjacent to the ticket office and then proceed in a group to our first set's location TBC. Our first set will commence at 11.15 hrs till 12.00 hrs and then there will be a break for various noisy events and the Heathfield Silver Band to perform their set. We then sing our second set at 14.30 hrs in the Mulberry Garden on the SW corner of the house.

If you still have poppies from last year's remembrance events then please wear them, otherwise the same combinations of dress as at last month's Alfriston event will be great.

There will be a practice session at the Beechwood Hotel on the 29th July from 19.30 hrs.

As it's quite a distance to the venue, car sharing has been suggested, as we will have parking allocated for us. So if you are volunteering for the day please when you email John Crane at southdownsfolksingers@gmail.com to confirm, please state whether you are able to give a lift to other singers, or would like a lift and where you are coming from, and then we may be able to match you up. I personally have two spaces available starting from Littlehampton.

I will not be able to reply to your email acceptances until next Sunday as I am at the Vernacular Architecture Conference in Cumbria, so bear with me until then.

Here's hoping that we can field a good turnout, as it will be our first National Trust site, with perhaps more to follow as the word spreads.

John C

Song List

1. On Sussex Hills
2. Old Adam
3. The Nightingale
4. Ha'nacker Mill
5. All Things Are Quite Silent
6. Hard Times Of Old England
7. My Boy Jack
8. Dancing At Whitsun
9. Life Of A Man
10. Thousands Or More
11. Fathom The Bowl
12. Rosebuds In June
13. West Sussex Drinking Song
14. Home Lads, Home
15. Sussex By The Sea