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
- On Sussex Hills
- Old Adam
- The Nightingale
- Ha'nacker Mill
- All Things Are Quite Silent
- Hard Times Of Old England
- My Boy Jack
- Dancing At Whitsun
- Life Of A Man
- Thousands Or More
- Fathom The Bowl
- Rosebuds In June
- West Sussex Drinking Song
- Home Lads, Home
- Sussex By The Sea
What a lovely day! Singing in such a beautiful place under a warm sun and a blue sky.
ReplyDeleteWe sang through a fairly long set with undiminished feeling and gusto much to the delight of the gathered listeners. Jonny tells me we could be heard clear as bells down by the mill! It was great to hear all three groups singing together, a rich sound indeed, especially with a few more harmonies emerging, practiced or spontaneous!
Many thanks to John for arranging our participation in the day, so great to be able to sing there and to have the chance to look all around the delightful garden and the house, one of the many riches of being a part of the SDFS!
And thanks to you all for your wonderful voices, moving, delightful and rousing in equal measure. I look forward to next time!
Emily