We turned our last sing of the year at the Chichester Inn into a jolly Christmas Party when 14 singers came along armed with poems and songs to recite or sing. We lit candles on the tables and Sue G asked Nick the landlord to provide some crisps, nuts and mincepies for us to nibble in the interval. After a rendering of the Boar’s Head Carol we went around the circle inviting everyone to do their party piece or request a carol. So we sang many of our favourite songs: Sweet Chiming Bells, Sugar Wassail, the Holly and the Ivy, Pentonville, Masters in this Hall, Hark the Herald Angels, the Sussex Carol, the Holly bears a Berry, and the Coppers Christmas Song to name but a few. Stephen A recited John Masefield’s London Town with its message of getting back to the countryside: “London Town of all towns I'm glad to leave behind!” Gordon gave us a lovely Christmas poem he had written, which reminded us of the real messages we get from Christmas cards. There was a hilarious “Christmas Health & Safety Announcement” from Alwyn, who also read us Robert Frost’s beautiful poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Keith, accompanying himself on guitar, got us all singing I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas and later sang Ring on, Christmas Bells. Sue and Dave sang two songs about the cold: Little Jack Frost and Old Jacky Frost is Knocking at your Door. Geraldine requested Bob Dylan’s Must be Santa but we couldn’t oblige, so we sang Shane MacGowan’s Fairytale Of New York instead! Finally we had a go at Shepherds Arise and parted singing We wish you a merry Christmas.
It was a most enjoyable evening. Thanks to everyone for their excellent contributions. We’ll meet again on Thursday 17th January 2019 at the Chichester Inn. Hope to see lots of you there!
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