Issue No. 78 April 2018

Sussex Pie

A FREE magazine for Folk Dance and Song in Sussex

Thank you to Horley & Meadvale Club, Seaford Traditional and Shoreham FDC

for their generous donations

The Sussex Pie is published by the Sussex Folk Association for the distribution of information relating to Traditional Music, Dance and Song in the county.

SusFA is affiliated to the

English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS),

Tel. 0207 485 2206

2 Regents Park Road, London NW1 7AY

email: info@efdss.org

Message from the Editor Here’s the 78th Sussex Pie. Who’d have thought it? You’ll find that this issue of Sussex Pie is stuffed with news from the clubs. It was very nice to hear from Elizabeth Munday who sent an article about Magham Down Club. Congratulations go to the club on reaching its 70th Anniversary! Heathfield Club also reaches a milestone anniversary this year. Heathfield has notched up 40 fun packed years. Well done! I was also interested to read the piece from ‘Nid’ Barnes about Seaford Traditional and the explanation of why the club members decided to choose the name “Traditional.” I’ve recently been involved with activities other than folk dancing and thought it would be a grand opportunity to do some recruiting for my home club from amongst my new friends. As soon as I mentioned the words “folk dancing” to a very nice couple, they immediately said that they wouldn’t be interested in skipping around waving hankies! So of course I tried to emphasise that what we mostly do is have a lot of fun, walking around to music and occasionally stepping when we’re feeling a bit frisky. Sadly, my new friends already had a fixed idea in their heads of what happens at a folk dance club. Yes, there are some very skilled and knowledgeable dancers amongst us and it’s great when style and substance come together to reveal the rich treasury that we own. EFDSS does what it can to nurture our cultural legacy but perhaps it may not have done much for the image of the dance clubs, where we enjoy the traditional social dance of the last 400 years. The mainstream media only seems to focus on the curious traditions when it comes to folk dance and social media is still predominantly the realm of the youngsters. If the case is that club membership numbers are falling as the older generation becomes too frail to take part, perhaps we only have ourselves to blame for not projecting a more popular image, one which illustrates the high social value of this stimulating medium of interaction. So what do you think? If this bit of stuffing in the pie has given you indigestion or caused you to splutter into your mug of Yorkshire tea, you know what to do - sussexpie@yahoo.co.uk

Sally Course, Editor

Copy deadline for the September issue – 31st July 2018

Chairman’s Chat

I hope everybody, including dancers, who came to the Callers Workshop enjoyed themselves, and

your callers are now helping call on club evenings.

AGM 21st May: We shall be looking for a new Secretary at the AGM – Maureen has decided to

stand down after many years’ service on the committee. We only have two committee meetings a

year, plus the AGM – can you offer your services? We need a minute taker for these three

meetings, plus a bit of correspondence for hall/band booking.

The next SUSFA event after the AGM will be the Playford Ball at Sedgwick Hall. Looking forward

to seeing some of you there, or at your club in the future.

Bob Weddell

Sussex

PLAYFORD BALL

Saturday 9th

June 2018

7.30 – 10.30

SEDGWICK PARK

Horsham, RH13 6QQ

ROSEMARY HUNT

& ORION'S RING

Tickets £10 * American Supper

Costume optional

Tickets and further details from

Maureen on 01403 741431

email maureen.kettle@btinternet.com

or June on 07908 353968

News from the Clubs

MAGHAM DOWN FOLK DANCE CLUB

The club was formed in the Autumn of 1948. Joyce Russell had moved down to Magham Down

with her parents and assisted her father in running of the Post Office and Stores. Some of the

villagers decided something needed to be organised to “entertain” the Land Army Girls who were

working on the local farms and particularly Tendring Fruit Farm owned by Mary Bear’s family.

Joyce and Mary decided a folk dance club would be good and so Magham Down Folk Dance

Club was formed and flourished with young men coming to dance with the young Land Girls and

some of the older ladies bringing their young children along, including June Axon and Doreen

Elphick. June, in fact says, she was dragged along after the land girls had gone and the young

lads departed, leaving the club depleted. The club met on Tuesday evenings in the village hall

next to the Red Lion Pub and Saturday night dances were held two or three times a year.

By the time I joined the club in the early 60’s there was already live music lead by Mary Bear

playing a concertina. They started playing for Barn Dances and became the Magham Ranters.

At one time the Band were playing out nearly every Saturday night. Live music still continues

every other week. In the late 60’s the club moved from Magham Down to Hellingly Village Hall

after a confrontation between the Pub Landlord and a very highly regarded Saturday night caller

about the parking of cars on the pub forecourt. For many years the club hired and filled a big

coach one Saturday night in February to attend the Royal Albert Hall Annual Folk Festival which

showcased all aspects of folk dance and music. On several occasions June and her partner

Trevor, Doreen and her husband Melvyn and Roger and I represented Sussex in the display

given by “Dancers from the Counties” filling the whole of the dance arena.

So we continue. Numbers have fluctuated over the years and we are trying hard at the moment

to encourage new members to join our very happy, enjoyable, fun evenings.

Elizabeth Munday, January 2018

A Message from Judith Rankin of Seaford and District Folk Dance Group

Thank you to everyone who came to our charity tea dance in

January. It was very well supported and we were able to send £161 to

the DEC Emergency Appeal for People Fleeing Myanmar.

Regular Club Meetings The majority of these clubs publish details on the website www.interfolk.co.uk MONDAY

Seaford & District Folk Dance Group. (Every Monday except August & Bank Holidays.) 7.45pm Sutton Hall, Downs Leisure Centre Sutton Road, Seaford BN25 4QW Tel: Judy Rankin 01323 890759

Keymer Folk Dance Club (1st, 3rd, 5th Mondays, Sept-April) 7.30 – 9.30 United Reformed Church Hall, 23 Keymer Road, Hassocks BN6 8AB Tel: Sue Joseph 01273 845188, www.keymerfolkdanceclub.com

Shoreham. 8 pm Monday (not Public Holidays).

St. Julians Hall, Rectory Road BN43 6EB. Tel: Keith Calver 01903 208851 www.shorehamfolkdance.org.uk

TUESDAY

Hastings & St. Leonards Country Dance Club 7.45-9.45pm. St. Matthews Church Centre, London Rd. St Leonards on Sea TN37 6PD. Tel: Janice Bolton 01424 753684 www.hastingscountrydanceclub.org.uk

Heathfield Folk Dance Group 7.30 – 10.00 every Tuesday

St. Richards Church Hall, Park Road, Heathfield TN21 8DT Tel: Joy Charlesworth 01435 873551 www.heathfieldfolk.org.uk

Magham Down 7.45-9.45pm. every Tuesday Hellingly Village Hall, Hellingly, Hailsham BN27 4DT Tel: Elizabeth Munday 01323 841127

Horley & Meadvale 8.00 every Tuesday Sept – June Empire Hall, Victoria Road, Horley, (telephone Rita for directions) Tel: Rita Hendy 01342 843629 East Grinstead 8.00-10.00, alternate Tuesdays (see advertisement)

Trinity Methodist Church, Lingfield Rd. East Grinstead RH19 2HA

Tel: Gill Jones 0208 7773572 Lindfield 8.00-10.00 (1st & 3rd Tuesday Sept.-July) Ashenground Community Centre, Southdown Close, Haywards Heath, RH16 4JR Tel: Mike Fairweather 01444 482741

Worthing Grasshoppers. 7.45 (2nd 4th Tuesday.) St. Laurence’s Church Hall, Sea Place, Goring. BN12 4BY Tel: Sonja Horton 01903 236568

Downsway Playford. 8.00-10.00 (3rd, 5th Tuesdays) St. Laurence’s Church Hall, Sea Place, Goring BN12 4BY Tel: Maureen Reed 01403 741431

DANCE DIARY April

Sat 7th Shoreham FDC Saturday Evening Dance St Peter’s Hall, West St. Shoreham BN43 5WG 7.30-10.30 £7 American Supper Sean Goddard with Sue and Peter Hall

Keith Calver 01903 208851

Sat 14th Hastings at Ninfield Memorial Hall TN33 9EE. 7.30 -10.30 Price £4.50. American supper Caller Walter White

Janice Bolton 01424 753684

Sat 21st Heathfield FDG Spring Dance 7.30 – 10:30 Bodle Street Green Village Hall BN27 4UB. Sean Goddard with recorded music. £4.50. American Supper.

Joy Charlesworth

01435 873551

May

Sat 12th

Hastings at Ninfield Memorial Hall TN33 9EE. 7.30-10.30 Price £4.50. American supper Caller Paul Garner

Janice Bolton 01424 753684

Sun 13th Shoreham FDC Cream Tea Dance 3-6pm £5 Pulborough Village Hall Swan View RH20 2BF John Portlock with recorded music

Keith Calver 01903 208851

Mon 21st SusFA AGM 7.30 United Reformed Church Hall Hassocks followed by dancing

Maureen 01403 741431

June

Mon 4th Keymer Folk Dance Club Summer Dance Ditchling Green & Barn 7-10pm American Supper £3 Live band

Sue Joseph 01273 845188

Sat 9th

Sussex Playford Ball Sedgwick Park Horsham RH13 6QQ £10 7.30-10.30 Rosemary Hunt & Orion’s Ring American Supper Costume optional.

Maureen 01403 741431

Sat 9th

Heather Thorne`s `Significant Birthday` dance. All welcome, at Ninfield Memorial Hall TN33 9EE 7.30 to 10.30pm. Sean Goddard & Highly Strung. No entry charge & the buffet will be catered R.S.V.P. Heather.

Heather Thorne. 01424 842690.

Sat 16th Magham Down FDC Tea Dance, Emmanuel Church Hall, Hawkswood Road, Hailsham, BN27 1UL. 2 – 5 pm, £5 incl. tea. Callers: Walter White & Elizabeth Munday. Live Music

Elizabeth Munday 01323 841127

Sat 23rd Eastbourne FDC Summer Tea Dance 2:30 - 5:30 St Andrew's Church Hall, Seaside, Eastbourne, BN22 7RY cream tea Walter White calling £5.00

Lynda and Mike 01323 640599

July

Sun 8th Shoreham FDC Cream Tea Dance 3-6pm £5 Pulborough Village Hall Swan View RH20 2BF Carol Hewson with recorded music

Keith Calver 01903 208851

Sat 14th Hastings at Ninfield Memorial Hall TN33 9EE. 7.30 -10.30 Price £4.50. American supper Caller Kate & Doug Eaton

Janice Bolton 01424 753684

September

Sat 8th Hastings at Ninfield Memorial Hall TN33 9EE. 7.30 -10.30 Price £7 American supper Carol Hewson and The Joneses

Janice Bolton 01424 753684

21st-23rd Residential Dance Weekend, Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea, PO4 0RN Ivan Aitkin with Sue & Peter Hall

Janet 01273 557868

Sat 29th Seaford Tea Dance 3-6 St. Luke's Church Hall BN25 3TH Walter White with recorded music £5 American tea

Judy 01323 890759

October

Sat 6th Shoreham FDC Saturday Evening Dance St Peter’s Hall, West St. Shoreham BN43 5WG 7.30-10.30 £7 American Supper John Turner with Sue & Peter Hall

Keith Calver 01903 208851

Sat 13th Hastings at Ninfield Memorial Hall TN33 9EE. 7.30 -10.30 Price £4.50. American supper Caller TBA

Janice Bolton 01424 753684

Sat 20th Heathfield FDC Autumn Dance, Bodle Street Village Hall, BN27 4UB Highly Strung and Walter White. American Supper £TBC

Joy Charlesworth

01435 873551

Sat 27th Magham Down FDC 70th Anniversary Dance

November

Sat 3rd Bexhill Autumn dance at Ninfield Memorial Hall TN33 9EE] 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Walter White & Highly Strung. £7. American supper

Heather Thorne 01424 842690

Sat 10th Hastings at Ninfield Memorial Hall TN33 9EE. 7.30 -10.30 Price £7. American supper, Caller Ivan Aitken and JIP

Janice Bolton 01424 753684

Sat 17th Seaford Tea Dance 3-6 St. Luke's Church Hall, BN25 3TH Sean Goddard and The Footnotes £7 American Tea

Judy 01323 890759

December

Sat 1st Eastbourne FDC Winter Dance American Supper £5.00. St Andrew's Church Hall, Seaside, Eastbourne, BN22 7RY Caller Janice Bolton.

Lynda and Mike 01323 640599

Sun 2nd Shoreham FDC Cream Tea Dance 3-6pm £5 Pulborough Village Hall Swan View RH20 2BF John Portlock with recorded music

Keith Calver 01903 208851

Sat 8th Hastings at Ninfield Memorial Hall TN33 9EE. 7.30 -10.30 Price £4.50. American supper Caller Sean Goddard

Janice Bolton 01424 753684

January – December 2019

Jan 19th Seaford Tea Dance 3-6 St. Luke's Church Hall, BN25 3TH Judy 01323 890759

March 16 Seaford Evening Dance Judy 01323 890759

April 27 Heathfield Spring Dance Joy Charlesworth

01435 873551

Sept 28 Seaford Tea Dance Judy 01323 890759

Oct 19 Heathfield Autumn Dance. Joy Charlesworth

01435 873551

Nov 16 Seaford Tea Dance Judy 01323 890759

WEDNESDAY Herstmonceux. 8.00-10.00 every Wednesday, Bodle Street Village Hall, The Causeway, BN27 4UB Tel: 01323 832294 Mannings Heath. 7.30 (2nd Wed.) Village Hall, Golding Lane. Mannings Heath RH13 6JU Tel: Ruth Gwilliam 01403 750844

Seaford Traditional Folk Dance Group 10:15 – 12:15 every Wednesday St Peter’s Church Hall, Belgrave Road, Blatchington, Seaford BN25 2EE

THURSDAY Bexhill. 8.00 (not Aug) St Peters Community Centre, Old Town Bexhill TN40 2HE Tel: Heather Thorne 01424 842690

Bexhill International. 7:30-9:30pm (1st & 3rd Thurs.) Little Common Methodist Church Hall, Church Hill Ave. Little Common TN39 4SG Tel: Heather Edwards 01424 222382 Chichester. 8.00-10.00 (1st, 3rd, 5th Thurs) (see advertisement) The Fishbourne Centre, Black Boy Lane, Fishbourne PO18 8BE Tel: Sue Frost 01243 552539 www.chifdg.weebly.com Eastbourne 8.00-10.00 St Andrews Church Parish Hall, (rear of 360 Seaside) BN22 7RY Mike and Lynda Merchant Tel: 01323 640599

FRIDAY Felpham & Middleton. 7.30-9.30 Small Jubilee Hall, Elmer Road, Middleton-on-Sea PO22 6EH Tel: Janet 01243 265010 Worthing International 7:30-9:45 United Reform Church, Barrington Road, Worthing BN12 4EA Tel: Helen Doswell 01903 535366

.

The Sub-Editor’s Column I’ve been told to stop paddy pawing Her computer keyboard. She says I have to keep up with the rest of the world and get my own! I understand the function of a mouse – you just keep bashing it until it stops moving. She’s told me to publish these “useful links”. Humph. Can you eat them?

Jack “the Cat” McAlley Scottish Dance Clubs www.rscss.org American Square Clubs www.uksquaredancing.com Hampshire folk www.fash.org.uk All South East Folk www.folksoutheast.co.uk Dance Events www.areyoudancing.com Tune and Song Groups www.lewessaturdayfolkclub.or/LAFC/sessions.php All Folk Stuff in Sussex www.susfa.interfolk.co.uk Another Folk Diary www.setandturnsingle.org.uk

We’ve Been Together Now for Forty Years

HEATHFIELD FOLK DANCE CLUB

Heathfield Folk Dance Group are celebrating forty years. – Christopher and Phyllis Gifford formed the

group, initially at Heathfield Further Education Centre on 19th September 1977. With Chris playing and

Phyllis teaching, musicians and dancers were attracted to both dance and play folk music. This continued

until July 1978 when due to falling attendances, the classes closed. After the classes closed, April

Cottage, Chris and Phyllis’s home, was used to practice dance and music. As the group attracted new

members, they moved to Waldron Church Hall in Heathfield in January 1979. The Club was officially

formed on 30th January 1979

During this time, we had a very successful sixteen couple display team, who amongst other things,

danced at the first Chiddingly Festival. A very successful eighteenth-century ball was held at the Boship

Farm Hotel on November 1979.

Phyllis and Chris moved away, and the Club carried on under the leadership of Janet Nuttall and the

band (We were lucky to have live music every week at that time) being led by Gill Howell.

On the tenth anniversary of the group in 1987 Chris and Phyllis were invited to a party as guests of

honour. A plaque was presented to Phyllis on this occasion.

The display team continued, and the Group took part in many community events. We always took part in

the annual pancake race and had a float in many Heathfield Carnival processions. They always had a

quirky touch and the Mary Mary quite contrary theme had the pansies mincing along with hand bags. Mrs

Beetons Cookbook had a real wood burning stove complete with chimney. We were threatened with

banning by the organisers for too much water being squirted at all and sundry. We usually arranged

transport for the Eastbourne International Folk Festival.

Over the years we have seen many celebrities teaching and calling and we thank them all for their time,

good humour and dedication. Folk customs such as Jumping over the fire, Maypole, Morris and Sword

dancing have been tried, some on a regular basis. We were inducted into the mysteries of circle dancing

on one memorable evening. On one evening a year, for some years, we opened our doors to disabled

people and they gave us as much pleasure as I hope we gave them.

We would like to thank all who have participated in the 40 years of making the Heathfield Folk Dance

Club a great success. A warm welcome awaits you should you have a free Tuesday evening. Here’s to

the fiftieth anniversary.

Seaford Traditional Folk Dance Group

This local group evolved from The Seaford Playford Dance Group which I’m sure some of you will remember. After Miss Phyllis retired Kate and Doug Eaton were the callers for several years, travelling each week from their home in St. Leonards initially and then Crawley Down. When Doug’s work forced a move to Ipswich and several members left at the same time, the future of the group looked rather bleak but a change of name, caller and meeting time has kept it going. Numbers fluctuate, as is the case with all dance clubs but we carry on regardless, have fun, enjoy each others’ company and continue to extend our repertoire. We welcome visitors, prospective new members and the occasional grandchild each year and intend to continue for as long as we possibly can. Club details: Wednesday mornings 10:15 – 12:15 St Peter’s Church Hall, Belgrave Road, Blatchington, Seaford.

Nid Barnes, Caller Seaford TFDG

CALLERS' WORKSHOP

Sunday 18th

March 2018

10:30am – 3:00pm

Pulborough Village Hall

RH20 2BP

Another chance for callers, both new and experienced,

to get together and share

advice on all aspects of calling.

Of course we will also need dancers!

Admission £2. Bring own picnic lunch.

More details from Maureen 01403 741431 or Bob 01293 536887

**********************************************

Advance notice:

AGM Monday 21st May 2018

7.30pm

URC Hall, Hassocks

Everyone welcome to an evening of dancing – and, oh yes, there will also be

a (hopefully short) meeting reviewing the folk activities in Sussex of the past

year.

EAST GRINSTEAD FOLK DANCE CLUB

Trinity Methodist Church, Lingfield Road RH19 2HA

Alternate Tuesdays, 8-10 pm

May 1st May 15th May 29th

June 12th June 26th

July 10th

August Closed

New Dancers always welcome—Guest Callers

Information: Gill Jones 020 8777 3572 Ros 01342 321373

CHICHESTER FOLK DANCE GROUP

5 April John Portlock 19 April Club Callers

3 May Nigel Beaton 17 May Club Callers 31 May Nigel Beaton

7 June Club Callers 21 June Nigel Beaton

1st, 3

rd and 5

th Thursdays, 8-10 p.m.

at The Fishbourne Centre, Blackboy Lane,

Fishbourne, near Chichester, PO18 8BE

http://chifdg.weebly.com/

Various and diverse dance themes,

with guest callers and instruction over the winter months. ♫

October 28th

Sue Bradshaw

Ladies’ Day - dances from female callers

♫

November 25th

Kate & Doug Eaton

Tba

Pulborough Village Hall, RH20 2BP £7 Times :10:30am - 3:30pm

Further details from Janet Douglas 01243 265010

Bring a picnic lunch.

DIY Tea and Coffee available all day

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SusFA

Sunday

Workshops