A double act; Geoff mainly narrating and John adding to the mix with poems and traditional folk songs accompained by his 'squeezebox's, amd occasionally by Geoff and the audience!. They reminisced about past customs and folklore that lie behind our traditional celebrations at Christmas and New Year in Kent and Sussex.
They covered ‘Mummers’ and ‘Wassails’ and Mollie (traditionally played by a man) who swept up the Hooden Horse’s ‘droppings’ with a recitation in rhyme. They reminded us that traditionally in these Isles Father Christmas was dressed in green, and not red which was introduced by Coca Cola! We also learned through slides of various groups that still keep up these traditions, usually meeting in certain pubs as their ‘fathers’ did before them.
After the meeting we had traditional Christmas nibbles thanks to our Hon President, Joan Wood, and her team who contributed the delicious fare.
A great end to the branch’s 2017 season.
Sandra Marvin
Next Meeting
Friday 9th February 2018 'Some Mother's Son' by Peter Ewart