Celebrating one of Sussex's great folk song collectors

Rusper will celebrate the life of  folk song collector Lucy Broadwood at a special event on Saturday, August 22.
Lucy Broadwood courtesy of Surrey History CentreLucy Broadwood courtesy of Surrey History Centre
Lucy Broadwood courtesy of Surrey History Centre

The Lucy Broadwood Celebration will mark 91 years since her passing.

Lucy is buried in Rusper churchyard and there is a separate memorial to her within the church.

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Worthing-based Chris Hare, who is the Belloc, Broadwood and Beyond project manager, said: “We are delighted to confirm that we will be gathering together in the grounds of St Mary Magdalene’s Church at Rusper Church on Saturday, August 22 to celebrate Lucy Broadwood and to delight in picnicking together and revelling in some lovely singing and music – all at appropriate social distances of course!

“We will be unveiling the new information sign about her, as we did for Belloc at Shipley, at 2pm and then, if the weather is good we will be in the churchyard for music and singing till about 4pm.

“You and your family and friends are all most welcome.

“Please fill out the form (on https://belloc-broadwood.org.uk/lucy-broadwood-celebration-saturday-22nd-august-2020/) and include the names of all those in your party so that we have a clear record of who is attending.

“We are very aware of keeping within the recommended safety guidelines. Please be sure to maintain the 6ft distance from all of those not in your bubble.

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“Performances will be by individuals or duos and there will be no formal gathered choir singing, though we will definitely be singing a few of our project songs from our safe distances!

“If it rains we are able to go into the church 30 people at a time.

“The Plough will also be open so those of us who don’t fit into the church can go there!”

Programme of entertainment:

2pm – Plaque unveiling.

2.20pm – A choice of two songs from the project to all sing together (at appropriate distances)

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2.35pm – Martyn Wyndham Reed. Chris said: “Martyn has the most natural of singing voices, unaffected and true. His singing revives and animates old songs and gives them life again.”

2.50pm – Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll. Chris said: “They are great musicians and know many of the songs collected by the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould who was also a friend of Lucy Broadwood and a fellow collector of folk songs.”

3.20pm – Chris talk: Lucy Broadwood and Hilaire Belloc, what did they have in common?

3.30pm – Nick and Becki perform their set of music and songs.

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