Solent Waves
December 2002/January 2003 Issue 254
Editorial Material

Seasonal Greetings, and thanks to all who sent me get well wishes (how did you get to know so quickly?). There’s nothing like a few days viewing the world from your hospital bed, hearing of other people’s troubles much worse than your own, for making you appreciate your own good luck. I’ve danced since I was three, but if that were no longer possible I would still have the pleasure of music and song. Aren’t we Folkies lucky to have such an absorbing interest. Anyway, I’m back home now, my ‘dicky ticker’ under control, and looking forward to December’s crop of parties and dances.

It was good to see that the Andover project has been such a success this year. Una Boulton has worked for about eight years with an enthusiastic headmistress holding an annual day of dance with a few local schools. With the injection of lottery funds it became possible to involve as many as 22 schools, and made it a day that all the children will never forget. There have been three follow-up meetings for teachers. Una tells me that some teachers who had seen the photos and a video of the Andover day at Padnell School, Cowplain, were inspired to start making plans, and try for a Lottery grant for their own area. It just needs a few enthusiasts like that, and it brings so much enjoyment to the children.

Havant Borough has appointed Anna Dewhurst as Arts Development Officer, and is developing an Arts strategy to help local community arts events and projects, particularly for young people. There is a meeting on Wednesday 4th December at 6.30pm with a special presentation by the Senior Awards Officer from Awards for All on the funding scheme and how you can apply. Whatever area you live in there is bound to be someone you can apply to for help so, if you’ve an idea about promoting some aspect of Folk, don’t hibernate - make plans and budgets now. The New Year is fast approaching.

A few recent successes to finish with. Congratulations to Waterlooville FDC on a great dance evening to celebrate 25 years. Likewise to James Arnott for the successful start of the Jane Austen Dance Group in Winchester. Many thanks, too, to John Hale for giving us such an interesting workshop of Charles Bolton dances. Don’t miss the next Soberton workshop on 26th January 2003 when we welcome Rosemary Hunt and family.

Best wishes to you all for a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year from all of us on the FASH committee.

WATERLOOVILLE CELEBRATION

The Waterlooville Folk Dance Group celebrated their 25th anniversary in October and marked this with a Celebration Folk Dance Evening held in style on October 28th.

The committee organised this evening with the added bonus of live music from Stoney Ridge and caller Nigel Barrell. The hall was suitably decorated in a silver theme with a large celebration cake provided by a daughter of one of the members.

Many friendships were re-kindled and nostalgia freely exchanged. The founder member of the group, Beryl Lishley, was guest of honour and was presented with flowers and a plant as a token of thanks for her efforts which have lead to a very thriving and friendly club continuing in her footsteps. Many other former members were also present for this occasion.

Over one hundred members and friends enjoyed the evening dancing to a wonderful variety of dances called by Nigel who has himself at least 20 year’s association with the club. An American supper was enjoyed by all with a wonderful array of food supplied by generous members. A chorus of Happy Birthday rounded off the evening, together with promises of other celebrations at perhaps forty or fifty years.

CHRISTMAS COMPETITION

This year I thought that I would set you the task of devising some alternate words for a couple of ‘list’ songs - ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, and ‘Green Grow the Rushes-O’. Ideally, your lists should be (vaguely) folk-related, but if you wish to branch out into the realms of sport or politics feel free (but no mixing, please). For ‘Green Grow the Rushes-O’ you can use the last line ‘One is one and all alone…’ so you only need to dream up eleven new lines, but for ‘The Twelve Days’ you need to find new versions for all twelve. Lines should use the same metres as the original song, or as close as possible. I have printed versions of the original songs below as a reminder. You can send in as many versions of either or both songs. No prizes, but I’ll print all I can.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

On the twelfth day of Christmas my truelove sent to me,
Twelve Drummers Drumming,
Eleven Pipers Piping,
Ten Lords a-leaping,
Nine Ladies dancing,
Eight Maids a-milking,
Seven Swans a-swimming,
Six Geese a-laying,
Five Gold Rings,
Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

GREEN GROW THE RUSHES-O

I’ll sing you twelve-o, Green grow the rushes-o.
What is your twelve-o?
Twelve for the Twelve Apostles,
Eleven for th’Eleven that went to Heaven and
Ten for the Ten Commandments.
Nine for the Nine Bright Shiners.
Eight for the April Rainers.
Seven for the Seven Stars in the sky and
Six for the Six Proud Walkers.
Five for the Symbols at your door and
Four for the Gospel Makers.
Three, Three the Rivals.
Two, Two the Lily-White Boys, dressed up all in green (ho-ho).
One is One and all alone and evermore shall be so!

FLEET INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCERS

Fleet International Folk Dancers enjoy folk and national dances from many European countries (and some further afield), particularly traditional line and circle dances from south-eastern Europe and some eastern Mediterranean countries, for which no partners are needed. Dances are taught or talked through at most of our sessions. They are great fun and reasonably authentic, having been collected in the countries of origin, or brought here by visiting teams and teachers. The music is often very beautiful melodically, and is sometimes played on unusual instruments not found in the modern orchestra or band! Always the music fits the dance with which it has evolved. We meet in Fleet on most Tuesdays. For further information ring me on 01252 614663.

EDITORIAL

I’ve got a horrible feeling that I’m turning into an institution (all those who murmured "mental" can leave the room now). This is my forty-ninth issue of Solent Waves as editor. That’s over a third of a Pennycook (Peter and Elizabeth produced 143 issues) and only one more to the big Five-Oh.

I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for sending in your articles, dance dates and all the other bits and pieces that go into Solent Waves. Please keep them coming. How about telling everyone about your club, like Fleet International has done this month?

Please also try to remember to send in items in plenty of time. Copy date is the 10th of the month preceding issue. I can sometimes accommodate late copy, but don’t bank on it.

Anyway, another year is nearly over. Where did it go? I’ve just enough space left to send you all Christmas Greetings and my Best Wishes for the New Year.