Thanks, Malcolm, it's very kind of you to say that. If you can ever battle down to Lewes you'll be more than welcome.

We had a very good time at Michelham Priory this afternoon. Despite filthy weather the Great Barn was full, and the mulled wine and mince pies did a lot to drive out the cold and lubricate the voices. Every time we do this I've felt a prickle behind the eyes when at the end Shirley reads Bob Copper's account of the family Christmas night in Rottingdean and we launch into Shepherds Arise.

We will be taking the show out again next Christmas and hope to add newly-researched carols from Sussex manuscripts, as well as other dance tunes from the same sources. If anyone's planning events for Christmas 2014 and isn't too far from Lewes, do bear us in mind.

Valmai (Lewes Saturday Folk Club)