The Hilltown Pub Sing is pleased to offer this special
one-day English Village Carol Workshop!
Led by Laurel Swift and Alex Cumming
November 23, 2025
1:00-4:00 pm
Worthington Historical Society
6 Williamsburg Road
Cost $25 (scholarships available)
In small English village pubs singers continue a centuries-old tradition of secular Christmas carol singing. Older than the familiar Victorian carols, and excluded from church services, these village carols are performed in local pubs. These songs are a unique form of holiday cheer and community expression and have been gaining in popularity in New England due to their vibrancy and as an artform developed & practiced in community.
On November. 23, 2025, folk musicians and teachers, Laurel Swift and Alex Cumming, will teach some of these lively and melodic carols. English Village Carols are easy to sing and Laurel and Alex’s teaching style requires no previous musical training. Printed music will be available but attendees will not need to read music.
Participants will learn melody and bass lines and be welcome to add harmonies. The songs hold plenty of repetition for ease of joining in. Participants can then sing the carols during the Yule Sing, on December 11th at Sena Farm Brewery in Worthington, MA. The carols will also be sung at holiday sings in Greenfield, Brattleboro and Lebanon, NH.
If you aren’t familiar with English Village Carols (sometimes called Sheffield Carols), check out some of the links below:
Laurel Swift is an English musician, singer, dancer, & teacher rooted in folk arts. She has performed with the bands Gadarene and The Gloworms and is the founder of the dance company, Morris Offspring. Swift has choreographed dance for film and theatre, developed multiple youth and community folk arts projects. Since arriving in the US, Laurel has performed in both Revels Boston & Revels North. Swift also teaches fiddle, song, & traditional dance at folk camps & local events.
Alex Cumming is a traditional singer, accordionist, pianist, and dance caller originally from Somerset, England and now based in Brattleboro. Alex has performed extensively across the UK and the US, bringing traditional songs and tunes to life with his engaging stage presence and deep knowledge of folk traditions. Alex plays in a duo with Audrey Jaber, the award-winning UK based band The Teacups, Celtic trio Bellwether (ft. Eric McDonald & Louise Bichan), and the contra dance bands Crossover and Red Case Band.
