The Buntingford Winter Sing has been run at the Crown in Buntingford (near Royston), Herts. for seven years. It takes place over a weekend in November. There no official guest list, so it is a relaxed, informal weekend with all singers, musicians, poets and storytellers welcome.
The weekend will be a mixture of 'theme' and a few 'open' sessions. In the theme sessions, you will be invited to find a song, tune or recitation to fit the theme. Or perhaps the song can be made to fit with a devious explanation! Anyway, it should be a chance to have a good sing/play and to have some fun along the way. So, we hope you will enjoy this weekend of music and merriment, whether joining in the sessions or just listening.
Sample Program (2003)
Friday
8 - 9.30pm Open Session
9.30 - 11pm Let the Rafters Roar (Chorus Songs)
Saturday
10.30 - 12.00Noon Noah's Ark (Songs including Animals)
12.00 - 3.30pm Trains and Boats and Planes (Travel Songs)
3.30 - 5pm Afternoon Concert
5.00 - 6.30pm Home and Hearth (Songs about Home)
7.30 - 9pm Cheer up me Lads (Songs positive and cheerful)
9.00 - 10pm Numbers Game (Songs must have a number in the title or first line)
10.00- 11.00 Light and Lively (Chorus Songs)
Sunday
10-30 - 12.30pm Storytelling Workshop
12.30 - 2pm Connections (Each ditty must have a connection to the previous one)
2.00 - 3pm Ten Thousand Miles (Songs of parting)
My comments I attended for the full weekend in 2003, there was a good mix of accompanied and unaccompanied singing, poetry and story telling, the themed sessions were a great idea, during the weekend there were about 50 people attended, some for the whole weekend and others for a few sessions. For such a good weekend I would have liked to have seen more there, the room was capable of accomodating about 40, the largest group was Saturday about 25. An excellent free weekend, cost being covered by raffles, good pub, food and beer. Next year be there.
Average Attendance 20+
Price of next Weekend Free (Indoor Camping £5)
Next Weekend Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November 2005
