South Downs Folk Singers “Winter Revels” – our winter party!

Our next annual gathering to cheer us during the short days of winter will be at a new venue and slightly later in the year than previously held.

On Saturday 2nd February 2019 we will be meeting in the old Sussex barn attached to the English Martyrs Church in Goring (map link), on the corner of Goring Way and Compton Avenue. Postcode: BN12 4UE.

There is limited parking at the church, but no restrictions in the nearby residential roads. The venue is also near to the route and stops of the 700 Coastliner bus service and not far from Goring-by-Sea railway station.

The fun will begin at 7.30pm – but please note – due to an early evening service in the adjacent church please DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 7.00pm. Similarly, when leaving the party please be respectful of the surroundings and the quiet of the neighbouring area.

All South Downs Folk Singers, plus their family and friends, are very welcome to attend. Tickets are £2.50 each. Numbers are limited, so to avoid disappointment secure your place in advance by contacting Margo, via the South Downs Folk Singers email (or maybe see her at some local singing sessions).

Please bring food to share and your drinks of choice – and, as ever, your voices and a readiness to join in song!

Other contributions are also invited to add to the pleasure of the evening – your songs, readings, music and dance – any and all are welcome. (Please let Margo know if you’d like to contribute.)

One extra note this year – the Barn is a much-loved Grade II listed building, so special care must be taken not to damage the flint walls, wood pillars and beams or the flooring. We have been advised that shoes likely to mark the floor (especially high heels) are NOT welcome! (SDFS will be liable for the cost of any damage.) A reasonable request that we don’t expect will be hard to meet, or in any way limit the pleasure of the evening.

So we look forward to seeing you there – to salute the winter and look forward to the return of spring in 2019!

The Graffham Christmas Concert – Sunday 16th December 2018

Twenty-one singers turned out on a cold and wet December Sunday to present a special “Christmas Celebration in Word and Song” in St Giles Church, Graffham. It was a joyful event enjoyed by all and we have received high praise and thanks from the vicar, the Revd Vivien Turner, and from many of the 70-strong congregation. The traditional country style of the carols and readings was described as being “earthy” but succeeding in raising everyone’s spirits to the heavens and thereby encouraging some enthusiastic community singing! Thank you to everyone who participated.

Don’t forget that we will be meeting in the Chichester Inn in West Street, Chichester on Thursday night 20th December at 8.00pm. You are warmly encouraged to bring along instruments, your own favourite Christmas songs and poems, and be ready to perform your party pieces, as this will be less of a rehearsal and more of a Christmas Sing! See you there!

(The photo is courtesy of Ginny Barrett, a friend from the village)

Hove U3A, A big thank you!

Here's a thank-you note we received after the SDFS sang for the U3A AGM in Hove on 21st November 2018:

Dear Emily and John

Thank you so much both to you and all the singers for such a splendid journey through the world of South Downs songs at our AGM last Wednesday. I never did get to meet you personally John but I assume you were there! And Emily, you managed the whole proceedings with your usual charisma and professionalism.

I had very positive feedback from all our members afterwards and the 'join in' songs at the end worked really well and were much enjoyed by everybody. Several people were also showing an interest in joining the SDFS!

Please could you convey my thanks to all the singers as above. I know that our new Chair, Phil Robinson, has also written to say thank you but I wanted to add my own thanks as it was I who had originally contacted John about the possibility of this performance earlier in the year.

I'm sure we will be asking you back at some time in the future....

With all good wishes

Jackie F
Formerly Chair, now Vice-Chair, of Brunswick, West Hove & Portslade U3A

Local Group Report – Worthing – Wednesday 5th December 2018

The singing was launched from within the assembled crowd of 40 voices, to draw us together and open another evening of preparation for and celebration of this festive season. Deck the Halls warmed us up before we moved on to some of the songs planned for use at the Petworth event on 12th December. Pentonville, Falmer Carol, Sweet Chiming Bells and Masters of this Hall were all enjoyed before Emily led us through a new round, (although known to some) I heard a Bird Sing, which was lovely. After a break, more chat and some notices we resumed with a run through of Ideo, another carol which was liked by all and may be considered for use next year. This was followed by Angel Gabriel, Hark the Herald Angels and Holly and the Ivy. We finished with a couple of songs simply for us to hear and enjoy – Shepherds Arise performed by Brian, and We Should Not Curse the Winter from Dave and Sue. Thank you all. When closing the evening we confirmed our next meeting at Ye Olde House at Home will be on Wednesday 2nd January 2019. An excellent way to start the New year!

SDFS at 'Turning Tides' Ending Local Homelessness

Update 21st December 2018: Here is the set list, a repeat of our W&DLM set.

First Set:

1. The Angel Gabriel
2. Sussex Carol
3. Falmer Carol
4. The Holly and the Ivy
5. Sugar Wassail
6. Righteous Joseph
7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
8. The Fields Lie Silent
9. Pentonville (While Shepherds Watched)

Second Set:

1. Masters in this Hall
2. Wassail! (Gloucestershire)
3. The Moon Shone Bright
4. The Holly Bears a Berry
5. Where Stormy Winds Do Blow
6. Coppers' Christmas Song
7. A Round for the Festive Season
8. Sweet Chiming Bells
9. Deck the Hall

Saturday 22nd December 2018 at 12.30pm
St Paul's Centre, Worthing

Emily has arranged for us to support this two-week St Clare's Community Hub initiative on this day of song and music by various performers.

We will be performing a seasonal song set from 12.30 - 1.15pm top and tailed by other performers, so please arrive about half an hour before we are on. If you have lanyards please wear them. As at Petworth dark trousers/skirts, coloured tops, tinsel/hats etc. at personal discretion.

The songs will be taken from the ones we have performed at recent performances.

Thirty singers have signed up so far.

Being the last Saturday before Christmas, parking in central Worthing will be at more of a premium than usual especially as the multi-storey car park area by the Station is being redeveloped (it used to be the cheapest for the day).

Unless you are coming in by public transport exclusively, parking outside the Residents' Parking Zones and catching the bus or walking in would probably be best.

There is a perhaps a possibility of singing elsewhere in the central shopping area afterwards, if there is a consensus on the day with those taking part, depending on the weather and personal inclination.

Emily will be singing general seasonal songs at The Coast Cafe, Splash Point from 7.00pm which you are welcome to join in with.

Further information about Turning Tides: website — Facebook — Twitter

John C

SDFS sing at the Weald and Downland Museum Christmas Market

A large number of us South Downs Folk Singers attended the Weald & Downland Living Museum recently where we entertained the crowds by singing a super selection of seasonal songs and winter carols. We sang with jollity and enthusiasm and were ably conducted as usual by Emily. Thank you to everyone who participated!

David G

Music Workshop: Singing the Songs of Henry Burstow

Saturday 26th January
Holy Innocents Church, Southwater

Singers may be interested in this singing workshop which will be led by Alex Hodgkinson, Director of Music at Christ’s Hospital, to celebrate the folk music of Horsham singer Henry Burstow, as arranged by Lucy Broadwood. Further details, including how to book, are available here.

Please note that SDFS are not involved in any way with the organisation of this event.