The 17th annual Sussex Shape Note singing was held in Staplefield Village Hall, using the Sacred Harp (1991 edition) and Alternative Harmony, a booklet of other shape note tunes. The class was called to order by the co-chairs, Tony Singleton and Jill Thompson leading 276. Leaders: Rachel Jordan 52t; Sarah Hill 49t; Tom Gerber 70b; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 34b; Edwin Macadam 527; Toby Goss 86; Steve Fletcher 99; Guy Hayes 101b; Steve Welch 147b; Una Nicholson 314; Nick Hall 231; Sheila Girling Macadam 157; Tony Singleton 163b; Jill Thompson 299; Rachel Jordan 50t; Tom Gerber 159; Sarah Hill 135; Toby Goss 210; Cath Saunt 171; Guy Hayes 285; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 47t; Steve Welch 489; Steve Fletcher 216; Adrian Bolge 107; Sheila Girling Macadam 151.

RECESS

Tony Singleton called the class to order leading 496. Leaders: Edwin Macadam 550; Una Nicholson 515; Nick Hall 546; Jill Thompson 178; Tom Gerber 236; Sarah Hill 187; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 134; Toby Goss 547; Cath Saunt 350; Guy Hayes 511; Steve Fletcher 189; Rachel Jordan 391; Adrian Bolge 40; Nick Hall 455; Steve Welch 50b; Sheila Girling Macadam 500; Una Nicholson 155; Edwin Macadam 528; Tony Singleton 198.   

LUNCH RECESS

Toby Goss called the class to order leading 288. Leaders: Jill Thompson 504; Tom Gerber 503; Steve Fletcher ‘Immensity’ (Alt.H.); Guy Hayes 436; Adrian Bolge 501

Jill Thompson conducted the Memorial Lesson with Tony Singleton leading 457 and Steve Fletcher reading the names: Gill Povey, Roy Jones (Old Marston), Patricia Price (Sutton, Surrey), Peter Linwood (Florida), Harold Pigott (Barking, Essex), Cherry Welch (Gomshall), Edith May Wiggins (aged 100, Lewes), Sir Terry Pratchett (Broad Chalk), Flo Charles (Port Talbot), Joyce Denevers (Dorking), Marjorie Franks (Chandlers Ford), Evelyn Quine (Bridgend), Frances Walker, Beryl Green (Beckenham), Robert Walker (Eastbourne), Olga Dellaway (St.Thibery, France).  Jill Thompson led 48t for the Sick and Housebound Lesson with Steve Fletcher reading the names: Mike Spittal (London), Jackie Saunders (Eynsham), Paula Mogensen (Billericay), George Reed (Bedford), Peter Zander (Lewes), Dave Cooper (Kings Lynn, Norfolk), Richard Spong (Brighton), Jane Davies (New Forest), Bill Ten Bokum. The memorial was closed.

Leaders: Cath Saunt 111b; Nick Hall ‘Idumean Road’ (Alt.H.); Steve Welch New England (Alt.H.); Sarah Hill 278t; Edwin Macadam 444; Una Nicholson 228; Sheila Girling Macadam 211; Tony Singleton 117; Rachel Jordan 193; Jill Thompson 497.

RECESS

Steve Fletcher called the class to order leading 65. Leaders: Edwin Macadam 453; Sarah Hill 206; Adrian Bolge 36b; Jill Thompson 128; Steve Welch Firm Hope (Alt.H.); Una Nicholson 452; Toby Goss 306; Nick Hall 44; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 122; Tony Singleton Walpole (Alt. H.); Rachel Jordan 564; Guy Hayes 121; Sheila Girling Macadam 114.

The secretary reported that 38 had attended and 79 songs had been sung. Thanks were extended and announcements made.  It was noted that the 2016 Sussex Shape Note singing would be held on Saturday, 12th March 2016. Jill Thompson and Tony Singleton led 347 as the closing song and the class was dismissed.

Co-chairmen--Jill Thompson and Tony Singleton;   Secretaries--Sarah Hill, Mary Welch and Nick Hall.