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Come for an Afternoon of Singing...

Pagan Carols and Solstice Songs

Re-connect...

with the pre-Christian tradition of celebrating the Winter Solstice, when the light returns with the newly-growing days.

Join the merry throng!

Come with your friends and sing a wonderful collection of original, reclaimed and traditional Midwinter songs, led by Selena Mara and Laura Marshall.

All welcome, songs will be taught by ear, with lyric sheets. We'll have a break with delicious hot mulled cider, so it will be a cosy community celebration too.

It's happening on Saturday 16th December, from 3-5pm at Dartington Village Hall.

Tickets are £10 in advance, £12 on the door.

Get My Tickets

Join us for a delightful evening of Midwinter songs!

Here is a list of the the songs we will be singing.

Many of those you recognise the names of, have been re-written to make them reflect the festival as a seasonal celebration rather than telling the stories of Christianity. Others have been restored or reclaimed by Norman Iles or Tim Hawthorn. Two were written by myself, a couple more written by my friends, and others gathered along the way.

Now make ye merry gentlemen
The Holly and the Ivy
The Greensleeves Carol
Here is the Spark
Somerset Wassail
Welcome Yule
Winter Solstice
The Best of Trees
Green Grows The Holly
Pat-a-pan
Light is Returning
Seed of Light
Magic Circle
Carol of the Unconquered Sun
Levy Dew
Let's Raise the Rafters on Midwinters Day

No experience is necessary to attend the workshop. We'll be singing for our own enjoyment, to celebrate the season and the returning of the Sun's light on the shortest day of the year!

Half-way through the workshop we'll have a short break during which I'll be serving hot mulled cider for sale at £2 a mug. And we'll be eating together a selection of tasty seasonal tea-time snacks that WE ALL BRING TO SHARE...such as mince pies and cream, home-made cookies or cake.

This was a really lovely aspect of the workshop in previous years. So it really feels like a community celebration, not just a singing workshop; as there will be more time to connect with each other, meet new people and chat with your friends.

Selena has run this workshop once a year since 2017, excluding Covid gaps.

A Previous Workshop...

One of our previous participants, Jenny, says:

'I loved gathering in the cosy village hall to sing the Pagan Carols and Solstice Songs. There was a warm, friendly feel to the workshop, and the songs were a great mixture of old and new, fun and heartfelt.

Selena's mandolin added a magical touch to the sound of our uplifted voices. A meaningful, musical way to come together locally and celebrate the winter solstice!'

The Dance of the Wheel Of The Year

This an image of Selena's A3 poster which is an eternal calendar showing the 8 Pagan or Celtic Seasonal Festivals. There is a song printed around the illustration which is my song of the same name.

Copies of these will be available for sale at £4.99 and we will be singing the Winter Solstice verse of the song.