Sheffield carols (and others)

Subject: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 01:21 AM

I'm really enjoying listening to FolkieDave's "Thank Goodness It's Folk" radio show from this past Friday with Sheffield carols, and samples from some other traditions, including the Glen Rock (Pennsylvania) carols, and some Welsh ones (which I won't attempt to spell). (See playlist here. You can listen here -- look for part 1 of the 05/12/2008 show)

I did a little search and it looks like nobody has linked to a schedule of this year's events, although the season is well on. Check the South Riding Folk Network site, under Events Archive, Local Carols 2008.

What a lovely tradition. Wish it was much closer than than some thousands of miles!

We had some of the usual carols the weekend before last at a Victorian Christmas ball outside Phoenix -- full verses, though, instead of the usual first one or two. But, no ale there!

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 03:27 AM

Thanks for that Becky - much appreciated.

We had the BBC there this Sunday - but I understand it is for a news programme. Not sure when it will be broadcast. Anyway if any sees someone talking about the history of the carols trying to lean (unsteadily) against a bar - that's me.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:01 AM

and there's a little fat scotsman wearing an understated yellow and black rugby shirt just behind him. Believe it's to go out on BBC Breakfast time this week.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:36 AM

Rumours that he had a sign up saying "Hello" are exaggerated. The yellow and black rugby shirt was garish enough.

Besides Jim you are not fat, you are horizontally challenged!

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 06:11 AM

Leave Jim alone, he's growing! (It's just the direction that's debatable!)

Friend of a freiend turned this up:Carols in Canada. (scroll down). Turns out there's an Ecclesfield ex=pat at the bottom of it!

Local carollers of the world, enjoy your singing!

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 06:27 AM

Good job you've got a widescreen television Dave

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: greg stephens
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 06:40 AM

The Mystery Singers go out in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, round three(or so) pubs.Anybody wants to know precisely where and when can PM me. Bearing in mind that Penkhull is a local place for local people.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 06:44 AM

I know of two carolling sessions in Canada - Orange Peel (Orange Peel Morris were over here in summer) and one in Ottawa started by Shelley Posen/Ian Robb of Finest Kind.

I actually have a record of ORange Peel - I will probably play it Friday.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Les from Hull
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 06:54 AM

Maggie and I should be over to Dungworth on Sunday, and afterwards at Fagan's (Tom has happily agreed to open for us). Anybody else fancy a bit of après-Carols?

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 07:09 AM

Depends what you have in mind Maggie - I mean Les........

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Les from Hull
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 07:17 AM

Well I thought folk music might be involved. And drinking heavily.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 07:31 AM

Phew........you had me worried for a minute les!!

Dave

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 07:40 AM

Re Fagans. Moi possibly Ken J (but he's going over to Castleton later on ), Steve and Maggie from Denby Dale, Eddie Cullen is coming down from Lothersdale will be there.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Les from Hull
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:55 PM

There's four of us, Bassic and his missus are t'other two.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Cats
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:16 PM

Jon and I along with Crowdercref and Tina were at Padstow carols last Sunday. Frosty and crisp the notes hung in the open air like crystals. Wonderful.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:23 PM

My heart aches - if only they didn't clash.....However since I made it to Glen Rock I shall make it here one weekend.....

(It's been deep and crispy and even here too).

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:49 PM

Castleton on Sunday.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:56 PM

Great sing. Be there.....prior engagement so apologies, I am sorry to miss this one.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Les from Hull
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 06:51 AM

Hup!

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Les from Hull
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 09:31 AM

Gordon is now unable to come, so we'll be on the train again (never mind).

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: JohnB
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 10:42 AM

Hi Folkiedave, PM me with your snail mail address and I will send you a copy of this years effort. We sang at the Brampton Folk Club, Friday night Coffee House series last Friday (I know there is supposed to be lot's of beer but they paid us to do it dry so we couldn't refuse and we did go to a local pub after)
I recorded it and have just got my first cut at the CD on the player right now.
The other thing I could do is convert them to MP3's and email them to you.
This recording is a lot better than the one you have.
If anyone in Canada is interested, we will be at the following places;
Dec 14th Winchester Arms Orangeville
Dec 21st Sheherds Crook Georgetown
Dec28th Golden Kiwi Cambridge
We start around 2.30pm with a few instrumentals, singing starts around 3.00 and goes till about 5.30-6.00
I really must make the "REAL" carolling some year.
Orange Peel Carolers is a web page where you can see some of us, I guess I took most of the pictures cos I'm not there.
Yes one of our team Grainne is from Ecclesfield, although she didn't start the caroling, she was involved with starting Orange Peel Morris which brought a sufficient impetus of singers together to make this happen over here.
I wnted to do it as a Millenium project but never got off the ground.
Cathy gave the eventual starting thrust when she returned from Ottawa one Christmas with a book called the Canadian Pub Caroller, by Shelley Posen. The book draws heavily on the Worral Blue Book.
We use a few non Sheffield songs and tunes as well to fill out our programme.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 11:23 AM

Hi John,

Really great to hear that you are all still keeping up the old traditions. Though it should really take place in a pub. Beer is an essential to my mind........

Now when I was in Canada this year I found some great pubs and even one in Kingston On. that had hand pumped beer! I would have thought somewhere would exist that would let you in for a sing!!

Snail mail address sent and thanks for thinking of me - much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: JohnB
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 04:32 PM

Folkiedave, this was a gig we could not refuse, even without beer.
We got the takings less expenses, so we did good with around 100 people attending.
The other three gigs we are doing are ALL in pubs, one gives us free beer and in the other we are actually sponsored by the local micro brewery, Grand River Brewing, who make a very palatable Dark Mild.
So we will make up for it at our other locations.
JohnB who will mail you the CD this weekend.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Cats
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 12:06 AM

Folkiedave, The Padstow Carols always take place in the streets with the very occasional visit to sing one or two in the pubs. We are frequently provided with mulled wine and mince pies by people whose houses we stop nearby or outside. Singing outside on the top of the hill overlooking the harbour, when it is clear and frosty is an amazing experience, every note hangs in the air.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 04:37 AM

Free beer for carol singers. I think it is fair to point out that whilst I will suggest to the landlord of the Royal Hotel that he introduces this innovative idea, it may not be taken up this year.

Or next year......

Or the year after...............

Having said all that - two years ago the Biennial Festival of Carols had free beer. Fortunately Jim McDOnald didn't have a ticket so supplies lasted.

Cats I am determined to get to Padstow for a sing one year - the visit to Sheffield for the Millenium Festival still resonates in the memory, but these things are best done in their natural surroundings.

However I do refer you to my article about the Glen Rock carollers here which ends:

"By his own admission Dave is an enthusiastic rather than talented singer".

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: MC Fat
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:38 AM

Oooh Dave I don't drink that much. I spill mostof it. By the way good job I went to fagans last night Tom had forgotten and was going to close as normal at 3.30pm every thing is all right now and he's ready for us coming

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Les from Hull
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:50 AM

Good-oh! Teg reckons she might come in some time after 6 with some of the lads after their missionary work in Barnsley.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Cats
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:19 AM

It wasn't meant as a criticism, folkiedave, just an explanation to those who didn't know.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: greg stephens
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 06:30 AM

The Mystery Singers traditional Monday night excursion is tomorrow, as follows:(well, it's traditional as of this year, it's always been a Thursday before)
Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent
8.30 The Terrace
9.30 The Marquis of Granby
10 till closing The Greyhound

All times approximate. Songsheets might(or might not) be available.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 01:23 PM

Never saw it as a criticism - sorry if it looked like that. Great sing today - packed out.

Never drunk so little - couldn't get to the bar!!

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Cats
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 02:08 PM

If anyone is in Cornwall for Christmas, we are going to revive the tradition of singing in the streets in Rillaton and Rilla Mill. All voices welcome. PM me for details

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: JohnB
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 09:52 PM

We did our session today, had some people come who saw us last Friday (without beer) they thought today was better.
Several jugs of appreciation from the management too.
What's wrong with those Sheffield publicans? probaly too many singers, they wouldn't sell any beer at all. We also collected
150$Can for a local women's shelter too.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 03:34 AM

As the Sheffield singing takes place exclusively in the pubs, for periods of several hours at a time, and usually involves the entire clientele who are stuffed like sardines into the place, providing free beer would be tantamount to inviting bankruptcy.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 04:05 AM

Expressed very well Ruth. PAcked like sardines was not in it yesterday.

I was physically unable to get to the toilet - which in itself was a good thing - it forced em to drink less!!

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 06:27 AM

Folkiedave - whilst I appreciate it was probably a slip of the fingers, the image of how you not being able to get to the toilet forced EVERYONE ELSE to drink less is not one I wish to invite into my head!

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 06:28 AM

He was clearly stood in front of the bar all day as a result! :)

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 06:46 AM

As any fule know - I SIT at the window as far from the bar as one can get - and have done for the past twenty years or so. In view of my advancing years I am now entitled to a "reserved" seat. How else would the kitchen staff know where to deliver my sandwich - which arrives on the dot of 1.00 pm.

I daren't tell you who did stand in front of the bar all lunchtime. And in the case of MC Fat - behind the bar.

And everyone else drank their hearts out for the landlord as far as I could see. Truth is, as well as being packed like sardines (not really Mr. Fire OFficer, just and expression you understand) I was off to a somewhat drunken post-carol Christmas meal. I will give you a rough idea how inebriated the cook was - I got served vegetarian haggis.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 08:53 AM

Hurrah! I just found the two CDs of Sheffield carols I bought at the festival the other week. Downloading them now...the carollers of Dungworth will be rocking my iPod on Christmas day!

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 09:34 AM

I see that the Country Dance & Song Society (U.S.) sells the Smithsonian-Folkways cd, "English Village Carols: Traditional Christmas Carolling from the Southern Pennines", which looks like a worthy purchase... only $10 by download...

Happy caroling!

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 09:53 AM

That's one of the ones I bought. I have to say, the CD is particularly worth having because it contains a booklet of notes by Ian Russell. Dunno if you'll get them with the download...

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:21 PM

And is also suitable (Smithsonian-Folkways) because it contains a selection of carollers from various areas. At $10.00 it is indeed a bargain. Even with the state of our own currency at the moment.

2.05 dollars to the £ - oh! how we laughed two Xmases ago!

And a word of warning Ruth, I am singing on the Dungworth record. Now listen carefully...........

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:23 PM

I wondered who was responsible for that off-key tenor harmony...

:D

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:34 PM

Bass mi old Ruthie, bass.........Course it may have sounded like a tenor to you.......

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: JohnB
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:50 PM

Ah that's the secret, we had 24 singers out yeterday, THEY are the one's who get the refreshments.
As usual it's the case of not being appreciated in your own area.
We had the lowest turnout of "listeners" we get, because we are singing in the town in which we are based. The other places we sing, which are up to 1 1/2 hour drive away we get far more people out.
The Golden Kiwi being the best, where it is difficult to get to the bar and I would say that the majority of the patrons join in to some extent, BUT the core singers (that's us)get sponsored by the local brewery and last year we even got free food from the Landlord/Owner of the Kiwi.
I guess we aren't doing it right, but it's the closest thing we can do to what we imagine the REAL thing to be.
I know it's different because we don't play the symphonies, several of us do play instruments though, so we do some instrumentals to fill things out. We also do introductions for the songs and try to impart a bit of lernin to our audience. I think what we do is a bit more performance oriented but we don't have the volume of people who know the tunes (which includes ourselves, hence the instrumentals). This I would think is why we get supplied with vocal lubrication.
Anyhow Folkiedave the CD is in the mail, let us know what you think of our effort and feel free to give anyone you wish a copy.
We would appreciate a couple of nice comments to be included in any critique (if you can find anything nice) anyhow we think it's not too bad for a bunch of Morris Dancers.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 23 Nov 09 - 03:16 AM

Can anyone point me in the direction of a website giving a list of this year's dates / venues for the Sheffield Carols please?. Google isn't being very helpful (or maybe I just haven't woken up properly yet!).

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Nov 09 - 05:05 AM

You can find one here.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: EnglishFolkfan
Date: 23 Nov 09 - 09:19 AM

Just an update on the Smithsonian-Folkways cd mentioned in an earlier post:

"English Village Carols: Traditional Christmas Carolling from the Southern Pennines"

this now up and available on Spotify (hope the link works: if not type in the title to search)

http://open.spotify.com/album/2BwmzH07RS0WWivL3awASB

Is available via the EDFSS online shop too
http://folkshop.efdss.org/CDs+%252526+Cassettes/English+Village+Carols.html

I think most of Smithsonian Folkways back catalogue is now up on Spotify and I have discovered lots of very new to me. Hope @Spotify makes it way to the US soon.

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: GUEST,BBP at work
Date: 23 Nov 09 - 10:06 AM

Folkie Dave - thanks for the link, that was exactly what I was searching for!.

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Les from Hull
Date: 23 Nov 09 - 06:54 PM

Maggie and I will be at Dungworth on Sunday (with our good mate Pippa) and afterwards at Fagans. Hope to see some of our friends there!

Subject: RE: Sheffield carols (and others)
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 23 Nov 09 - 09:44 PM

I've been told by some good friends who live in Coal Aston (nr Dronfield)that they have or had a similar tradition there. Some other friends say that it's died out now. Does any kind Catter know about this? (Sorry, I'm a mere Nottinghamian, we only go in for green tights and robbery dahn there).