Cherries, ghosts and village fetes – Sara’s round trip of the South Downs
August 1, 2019
Sara Clifford has been on a whistlestop tour of the South Downs.
She was a woman on a mission – to discover people’s stories, anecdotes, legends, myths and musings that make this National Park such a special place.
From chocolate-box villages to vibrant pubs, tireless volunteers to bright-eyed schoolchildren, Sara smiles broadly as she recalls her incredible journey over the past few months, all the interesting characters she has encountered, and her newfound love…the great British fete.
And now, having spoken to well over 500 people across the Downs, the playwright has weaved the stories together into a quirky one-person one-hour show that will be performed in venues across the region during September.
“It’s been fantastic – I’ve absolutely loved it!” beams Sara, who became the Writer in Residence for the National Park earlier this year in a partnership with Inn Crowd, managed by Applause Rural Touring and supported by Arts Council England.
“I love the South Downs anyway and, living in Lewes, I’ve always felt very lucky to be in the heart of the National Park.
“I used to come down to Winchester as a child so I knew that side of the National Park fairly well. But it’s the bit in the middle that I’ve now discovered!
“I’ve found its diversity amazing – you have the coast in East Sussex, to the rolling hills, and then dense woodland with sun-dappled lanes.”
The hundreds of people who chatted with Sara put pen to paper to write Downs-inspired poems that have been used to influence the show.
During her travels, Sara learned several interesting facts about the National Park and was intrigued by people’s reactions when she shared her newfangled knowledge.
She explains: “A lot of people didn’t know the South Downs was formed from the chalky remains of tiny sea creatures in a primeval ocean.
“I discovered that Winchester had two cathedrals at one point, the Old Minster and the New – but the new one was built so close that the two choirs were clashing with each other. I came across the delightful bee orchid – a flower that looks and smells like a bee to another bee!
“I also learned a lot about local ghosts and legends. Each place seems to have its own local legend! There was a clanking woman in Winchester’s High Street and apparently there’s a silver coffin at the top of Firle Beacon.
“Did you know that the Romans brought cherries over and would spit out the cherry stones so we ended up with roads lined with cherry trees?”
And it’s this humble fruit that sets the scene for Sara’s show, which will be delivered by local actor and comedian Jo Neary and directed by Anna Crilly.
Entitled Cherry Soup – True, and not so true, tales of the South Downs, Sara bills it as “sweet and sour and a little unexpected”.
“The story is a cherry seller sitting by the road in a creaky camping chair and people stop by and tell their stories,” explains Sara.
“It’s a mixture of stories, a bit of music, and hopefully it will be quite humorous in places for the audience.
“I didn’t want it to be a nostalgic piece about the countryside and preserving it.
“Yes it has to be conserved, but the South Downs also needs to be dynamic and open to new people coming in with new ideas. It’s not a museum piece! It’s a living, breathing space with many different kinds of people within it. My show reflects this and I hope as many people as possible can spare an hour to come and see it!”
Sara’s adventure has whetted her appetite for more – she’s going to become a guided walk leader in Newhaven.
And, as well as the people, the strawberries and cream of village fetes will be the enduring memory of her trip.
“I went to lots of village fetes – I’ve got a bit obsessed with them!” laughs Sara, who has the chutneys in her kitchen cabinet to prove it. “They’re a melting pot of different people and a great celebration of South Downs life.”
2019 Tour Dates
* Please note each venue will have its own show policy – please check for up-to-date show information and entry, and advice on under-18s*
Thursday 5th September 8pm The White Hart, Pulborough, RH20 1DS
Friday 6th September 8pm The Bluebell, Cocking, GU29 OHU
Wednesday 11th September 8pm The Railway Inn, Winchester, SO22 5AE
Thursday 12th September 8pm The Hollist Arms, Lodsworth, GU28 9BZ
Saturday 14th September 8pm The Hope Inn, Newhaven BN9 9DN
Sunday 15th September 1pm Depot Cinema, Lewes, BN7 2JS
Thursday 19th September 8pm The Plough and Harrow, Litlington, BN26 5RE
www.ploughandharrowlitlington.co.uk
Wednesday 25th September 8pm Slindon Forge Village Shop & Cafe, BN18 OQT
Thursday 26th September 1pm Hogmoor Inclosure, Phoenix Arts Centre, Bordon, GU35 0FJ
https://www.phoenixarts.co.uk/
For further details visit https://inncrowd.org.uk/writers-in-residence/