THE PATTERN OF THE YEAR

Published in the Sussex Express – August 2024

In the same way that Winter turns to Spring, the first week has turned to the second at the Little Arts Festival (Rushlake Green).  A fantastic collection of Arts events has been co-ordinated showcasing budding artists in visual, musical, dramatic and literary Arts, all taking place between the 1^st and the 24^th August. The majority of events are FREE to attend and accessible by just turning up! Last weekend, the festival opened with an Art exhibition giving local artists a platform upon which to display their talents. A well-attended concert by Sussex Harmony at Warbleton church, was presented in collaboration with the Sussex Family History Group. Warbleton church provided the perfect setting for the harmonies, the metrical psalms and hymns of West Gallery Quire Music or Georgian Psalmody, as well as allowing the audience to experience songs from rural county life. The music that would have been an integral part of 18^th and 19^th Century English country churches and independent chapels, relied upon the village band to accompany the services. An interesting and varied programme of musical items took the audience through the pattern of the 18^th and 19^th century Sussex rural year. Instrumental pieces, accompanied and a cappella songs/hymns; many originating locally, were interspersed with anecdotal stories and historical facts taking the listener from pulpit, through Easter and the harvest, marriage, death and to a glimpse into the songs from the pub. Sussex Harmony, a West Gallery Quire, based in Lewes, welcomes new musicians and singers. For more details see: http://sussexharmony.org.uk

Karen Cooper 2024