Local Group Report – Lewes – Tuesday 19th February 2019

Several apologies from long-standing singers who have had to travel to all corners of the world, but our numbers were boosted by three new singers who have returned to The John Harvey Tavern to share our repertoire and enhance the sound that drifts through the pub. Tina had prepared a flexible running order so that we were able to air a wide variety of songs as we head into spring and summer, not all of which we sing regularly at venues.

The Constant Lovers, Oh, Good Ale, The Bee Boy’s Song, Green Grow the Laurel, Ha’nacker Mill, The Brave Eleven, Hares on the Mountain, Life of a Man, Rosebuds in June, Jim The Carter Lad, Twanky Dillo, Sussex by the Sea, Old Adam, The Magpie, The Nightingale, Song of The Sussex Downsman, A Smuggler’s Song, Littlehampton Collier Lads, They Won’t Let Us Go To Sea Any More, Pleasant and Delightful, the Woodcutter’s Song and Thousands Or More!

The newcomers are quick learners and managed to keep up with the introduction of this medley of songs. It won’t be long until they know the lot without word sheets like the rest of us (wish we could)!

Local Group Report – Worthing – Wednesday 6th February 2019

The songs intended for use at the "Worthing Seed Swap" event on 9th February shaped our evening at Ye Olde House at Home. We revisited Country Life, the adapted ‘compost' version of The Turnip Hoer, Poor Froze Out Gardeners, Oak, Ash and Thorn, The Brisk Young Ploughboy (without the second verse) and The Farmer’s Toast – before taking a well earned break. The planned song set was then concluded with The Bee Boy’s Song, On Sussex Hills, Rosebuds in June and last but not least, The Woodcutter’s Song. This left enough time for Alan to revisit the song Our Captain Cried All Hands which he had introduced us to at our January session. After renewed discussion about the tune and its similarity to the hymn To Be a Pilgrim, we made a start on learning it under Alan’s careful direction – with more to come at next month’s meeting.

Cotillion Performing in Ditchling

Cotillion is performing its folk show 'The Last Trip Home' at 7.30pm, Saturday 2nd March, in the Unitarian Chapel (The Old Meeting House), Ditchling (map link – note the entrance is in The Twitten). This 90-minute show is a mixture of songs, tunes, poetry and anecdotes concerning the change from the use of horses and oxen to engine power. Tickets at the door.

Worthing Sow and Grow Event – Saturday 9th February 2019

There must have been at least 30 of us who attended Transition Town Worthing’s “Seed Swap and Spring Fair” event at Oak Grove College on Saturday. As well as looking around the various stalls and displays and partaking of delicious refreshments in the Rosie Cafe, we really enjoyed singing two sets of songs in the foyer. Stationed on the staircase we raised the roof with our singing and entertained not only the audience standing round but also the crowds who could hear us in the Main Hall. The songs, which included Country Life, the Worthing Grower, Poor Froze out Gardeners and the Bee-Boy’s Song, all had a close connection to Gardening and Farming and were introduced by Dave G. We were expertly conducted by Alan who gave us our starting notes and kept us all in time. Many thanks to all who came to support this jolly annual event.

Winter Revels – Saturday 2nd February 2019

The snow kept clear of Goring-by-Sea, so 51 of us arrived at Jupp’s Barn for our best Winter Celebration yet. The new venue is perfect for us and the heating system really works. Thank you to everyone who came and joined in with the food and fun. The tables were overflowing with delicious offerings. After the bring and share feast, we were entertained by lots of singers; so thank you to Richard B, Julie O, Dave W, and a select group of Whispering Woods, to our wordsmith, Amaryllis, and to Leigh for sharing the photograph of her Great-great grandfather who lived at Jupp’s Farm and most probably worked in the barn and then sat and sang outside with the others when harvest was home. Dave and Sue, Alan and Anne and Keith accompanied their various songs on guitars, whistles, mandolin and melodeon before providing some dance tunes so that Emily could “teach” the majority of us some country dance steps. The evening came to an end all too soon but then we have to remember that some of the group had travelled from further up the Arun and Adur valleys and from Petersfield in the West to Saltdean in the East and wanted to be home before midnight.