English Folk Dance and Song Society
@efdss.bsky.social
The national organisation for folk music, song and dance in England. Based at Cecil Sharp House
"Part of the charm of folk songs is that they were passed down through different people, so although we don't know much about Harriet (Verrall), we can get a sense that she was really part of the community.
bit.ly/4sauTD6
bit.ly/4sauTD6
How a beloved Christmas carol was born in a Sussex hamlet
How did words first written nearly 350 years ago become a beloved Christmas carol?
bit.ly
December 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
"Part of the charm of folk songs is that they were passed down through different people, so although we don't know much about Harriet (Verrall), we can get a sense that she was really part of the community.
bit.ly/4sauTD6
bit.ly/4sauTD6
You have a while longer to enjoy the 700th episode of of Classic Folk, we are pausing for the Christmas break and you can expect the next episode of Tuesday 6th January.
This week's episode of Classic Folk is now live!
And features track by:
@jezlowe.bsky.social
@judycollins.bsky.social
@theyounguns.bsky.social
@duncanchisholm.bsky.social
and many more!
www.efdss.org/listen
And features track by:
@jezlowe.bsky.social
@judycollins.bsky.social
@theyounguns.bsky.social
@duncanchisholm.bsky.social
and many more!
www.efdss.org/listen
Listen: Classic Folk
Classic Folk with Mike Norris
Classic Folk is unique.
It mines a rich seam of wonderful folk and roots music and song from around 75 years of recordings.
From the great source singers to the legends o...
www.efdss.org
December 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM
You have a while longer to enjoy the 700th episode of of Classic Folk, we are pausing for the Christmas break and you can expect the next episode of Tuesday 6th January.
Reposted by English Folk Dance and Song Society
Christmas past comes alive as Sheffield pubs, halls and theatre celebrate hyper-local carols
Christmas past comes alive as Sheffield pubs, halls and theatre celebrate hyper-local carols
Crucible’s production of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol incorporates festive songs from the area, where aural traditions stay strong
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Christmas past comes alive as Sheffield pubs, halls and theatre celebrate hyper-local carols
Did 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' lyrics once say 'colly birds' instead of 'calling birds'?
bit.ly/4paZWw7
bit.ly/4paZWw7
Did 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' lyrics once say 'colly birds' instead of 'calling birds'?
“Colly birds” appeared in versions of the song as early as the late 18th century.
bit.ly
December 22, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Did 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' lyrics once say 'colly birds' instead of 'calling birds'?
bit.ly/4paZWw7
bit.ly/4paZWw7
Start 2026 off right with a Family Barn Dance!
No experience necessary!
Sun 11 Jan
3pm-4:30pm
Cecil Sharp House, London
Book now: bit.ly/4j3t1rE
Image by Brian Slater
No experience necessary!
Sun 11 Jan
3pm-4:30pm
Cecil Sharp House, London
Book now: bit.ly/4j3t1rE
Image by Brian Slater
December 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Start 2026 off right with a Family Barn Dance!
No experience necessary!
Sun 11 Jan
3pm-4:30pm
Cecil Sharp House, London
Book now: bit.ly/4j3t1rE
Image by Brian Slater
No experience necessary!
Sun 11 Jan
3pm-4:30pm
Cecil Sharp House, London
Book now: bit.ly/4j3t1rE
Image by Brian Slater
'The artists tapping into the mystery of the ancient and elemental' from @crackmagazine.bsky.social
We've hosted gigs by many of the artists mentioned at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social! including; Daisy Rickman, Tristwch Y Fenywod, Goblin Band, Jacken Elswyth, Muco
crackmagazine.net/article/long...
We've hosted gigs by many of the artists mentioned at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social! including; Daisy Rickman, Tristwch Y Fenywod, Goblin Band, Jacken Elswyth, Muco
crackmagazine.net/article/long...
The artists tapping into the mystery of the ancient and elemental
A new wave of artists is illuminating the present day with often strange, experimental music that blends traditional and elemental sounds with notions of queerness, ancestry, diaspora and resistance –...
crackmagazine.net
December 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
'The artists tapping into the mystery of the ancient and elemental' from @crackmagazine.bsky.social
We've hosted gigs by many of the artists mentioned at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social! including; Daisy Rickman, Tristwch Y Fenywod, Goblin Band, Jacken Elswyth, Muco
crackmagazine.net/article/long...
We've hosted gigs by many of the artists mentioned at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social! including; Daisy Rickman, Tristwch Y Fenywod, Goblin Band, Jacken Elswyth, Muco
crackmagazine.net/article/long...
Folk Education Development Day: Adapting Folk Dance with Older People
Professional development day for artists, educators, practitioners, callers, organisers in folk dance
FolkActive, Mary Panton, @peopledancinguk.bsky.social
21 Mar, 11am - 5pm
Cecil Sharp House, London NW1
Book now: bit.ly/48D5E4x
Professional development day for artists, educators, practitioners, callers, organisers in folk dance
FolkActive, Mary Panton, @peopledancinguk.bsky.social
21 Mar, 11am - 5pm
Cecil Sharp House, London NW1
Book now: bit.ly/48D5E4x
Folk Education Development Day: Adapting Folk Dance with Older People
Join us for this lively informal conference and practitioner development day presented by our Folk Education Network in partnership with our Dance Development Programme.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Folk Education Development Day: Adapting Folk Dance with Older People
Professional development day for artists, educators, practitioners, callers, organisers in folk dance
FolkActive, Mary Panton, @peopledancinguk.bsky.social
21 Mar, 11am - 5pm
Cecil Sharp House, London NW1
Book now: bit.ly/48D5E4x
Professional development day for artists, educators, practitioners, callers, organisers in folk dance
FolkActive, Mary Panton, @peopledancinguk.bsky.social
21 Mar, 11am - 5pm
Cecil Sharp House, London NW1
Book now: bit.ly/48D5E4x
Reposted by English Folk Dance and Song Society
It's time for the big reveal... The special guest joining Martin Carthy in February is none other than Eliza Carthy!
Tickets have been flying even before this news so head to our website to secure yours while you still can.
Wed 25 Feb bit.ly/4qrgwcX
Tickets have been flying even before this news so head to our website to secure yours while you still can.
Wed 25 Feb bit.ly/4qrgwcX
December 16, 2025 at 4:54 PM
It's time for the big reveal... The special guest joining Martin Carthy in February is none other than Eliza Carthy!
Tickets have been flying even before this news so head to our website to secure yours while you still can.
Wed 25 Feb bit.ly/4qrgwcX
Tickets have been flying even before this news so head to our website to secure yours while you still can.
Wed 25 Feb bit.ly/4qrgwcX
The December issue of English Dance and Song, our Members' magazine is out now.
If you would like to receive copies through your door 3 times a year, sign up now!
bit.ly/3ME7gTq
Starter Members can read EDS magazine online in the Members' Area of the website.
If you would like to receive copies through your door 3 times a year, sign up now!
bit.ly/3ME7gTq
Starter Members can read EDS magazine online in the Members' Area of the website.
December 16, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The December issue of English Dance and Song, our Members' magazine is out now.
If you would like to receive copies through your door 3 times a year, sign up now!
bit.ly/3ME7gTq
Starter Members can read EDS magazine online in the Members' Area of the website.
If you would like to receive copies through your door 3 times a year, sign up now!
bit.ly/3ME7gTq
Starter Members can read EDS magazine online in the Members' Area of the website.
Meet Cohort 10 of the National Youth Folk Ensemble!
You can find all of the Ensemble’s current favourite bits of music of the Meet the Ensemble page on the EFDSS website.
All of the photos are by Roswitha Chesher
bit.ly/4s0P3zw
You can find all of the Ensemble’s current favourite bits of music of the Meet the Ensemble page on the EFDSS website.
All of the photos are by Roswitha Chesher
bit.ly/4s0P3zw
Meet the Ensemble
Meet the National Youth Folk Ensemble 2025/26...
bit.ly
December 16, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Meet Cohort 10 of the National Youth Folk Ensemble!
You can find all of the Ensemble’s current favourite bits of music of the Meet the Ensemble page on the EFDSS website.
All of the photos are by Roswitha Chesher
bit.ly/4s0P3zw
You can find all of the Ensemble’s current favourite bits of music of the Meet the Ensemble page on the EFDSS website.
All of the photos are by Roswitha Chesher
bit.ly/4s0P3zw
This week's episode of Classic Folk is now live!
And features track by:
@jezlowe.bsky.social
@judycollins.bsky.social
@theyounguns.bsky.social
@duncanchisholm.bsky.social
and many more!
www.efdss.org/listen
And features track by:
@jezlowe.bsky.social
@judycollins.bsky.social
@theyounguns.bsky.social
@duncanchisholm.bsky.social
and many more!
www.efdss.org/listen
Listen: Classic Folk
Classic Folk with Mike Norris
Classic Folk is unique.
It mines a rich seam of wonderful folk and roots music and song from around 75 years of recordings.
From the great source singers to the legends o...
www.efdss.org
December 16, 2025 at 10:46 AM
This week's episode of Classic Folk is now live!
And features track by:
@jezlowe.bsky.social
@judycollins.bsky.social
@theyounguns.bsky.social
@duncanchisholm.bsky.social
and many more!
www.efdss.org/listen
And features track by:
@jezlowe.bsky.social
@judycollins.bsky.social
@theyounguns.bsky.social
@duncanchisholm.bsky.social
and many more!
www.efdss.org/listen
Last week, Cambridge University Library launched the open call to recruit the community panel for an exciting new project - Black British Voices: Black British Collections - to research and design the Library’s 2027 exhibition and public programme.
Read more: bit.ly/3XN1UHL
#blackbritishmusic
Read more: bit.ly/3XN1UHL
#blackbritishmusic
Black British Voices: Black British Collections
Join a community panel to shape Cambridge University Library's 2027 public exhibition and programme
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Last week, Cambridge University Library launched the open call to recruit the community panel for an exciting new project - Black British Voices: Black British Collections - to research and design the Library’s 2027 exhibition and public programme.
Read more: bit.ly/3XN1UHL
#blackbritishmusic
Read more: bit.ly/3XN1UHL
#blackbritishmusic
Arts & Minds Campaign's latest research shows that the government has a long way to go to fully restore the status of the arts in schools. Despite the scrapping of the EBacc, only 7% of heads plan to increase the time spent on arts subjects in the next 2 years.
bit.ly/48QzAJo
bit.ly/48QzAJo
Restoring The Value Of Arts Subjects: Investment And Further Reform Is Needed, Say School Leaders - Arts & Minds Campaign
Arts & Minds | Putting Creativity At The Heart of The Curriculum
theartsandmindscampaign.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Arts & Minds Campaign's latest research shows that the government has a long way to go to fully restore the status of the arts in schools. Despite the scrapping of the EBacc, only 7% of heads plan to increase the time spent on arts subjects in the next 2 years.
bit.ly/48QzAJo
bit.ly/48QzAJo
The arts champion on his quest to preserve our disappearing craft traditions – and the scarecrow painting that left him in tears: bit.ly/44UcoJ6
James Fox: ‘The crafts are always revived in times of crisis’ | The Observer
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The arts champion on his quest to preserve our disappearing craft traditions – and the scarecrow painting that left him in tears: bit.ly/44UcoJ6
A Big Thank You to everyone who donated to our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge!
We reached our target a few hours before the deadline, raising slightly over £14,000, including Gift Aid. This will help to fund bursaries and other essential funding for youth folk activities across England.
We reached our target a few hours before the deadline, raising slightly over £14,000, including Gift Aid. This will help to fund bursaries and other essential funding for youth folk activities across England.
December 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
A Big Thank You to everyone who donated to our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge!
We reached our target a few hours before the deadline, raising slightly over £14,000, including Gift Aid. This will help to fund bursaries and other essential funding for youth folk activities across England.
We reached our target a few hours before the deadline, raising slightly over £14,000, including Gift Aid. This will help to fund bursaries and other essential funding for youth folk activities across England.
Welcome to our four new trustees working together voluntarily with the team at the English Folk Dance and Song Society to promote the folk arts and support our position as the national development organisation
for the genre. Marcie Hopkins, Jeremy Iles, Angharad Cooper and Drew Hill,
bit.ly/3MmgRhz
for the genre. Marcie Hopkins, Jeremy Iles, Angharad Cooper and Drew Hill,
bit.ly/3MmgRhz
Announcement of New Board Members
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Welcome to our four new trustees working together voluntarily with the team at the English Folk Dance and Song Society to promote the folk arts and support our position as the national development organisation
for the genre. Marcie Hopkins, Jeremy Iles, Angharad Cooper and Drew Hill,
bit.ly/3MmgRhz
for the genre. Marcie Hopkins, Jeremy Iles, Angharad Cooper and Drew Hill,
bit.ly/3MmgRhz
This week's Classic Folk episode features:
@steeleye-span.bsky.social
The Watersons
@barbaradickson.bsky.social
Daoirí Farrell
Said The Maiden
Purcell's Polyphonic Party
@merryhellband.bsky.social
Sandra Kerr
Cassie and Maggie MacDonald
The Galway City Ramblers
www.efdss.org/listen
@steeleye-span.bsky.social
The Watersons
@barbaradickson.bsky.social
Daoirí Farrell
Said The Maiden
Purcell's Polyphonic Party
@merryhellband.bsky.social
Sandra Kerr
Cassie and Maggie MacDonald
The Galway City Ramblers
www.efdss.org/listen
Listen: Classic Folk
Classic Folk with Mike Norris
Classic Folk is unique.
It mines a rich seam of wonderful folk and roots music and song from around 75 years of recordings.
From the great source singers to the legends o...
www.efdss.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This week's Classic Folk episode features:
@steeleye-span.bsky.social
The Watersons
@barbaradickson.bsky.social
Daoirí Farrell
Said The Maiden
Purcell's Polyphonic Party
@merryhellband.bsky.social
Sandra Kerr
Cassie and Maggie MacDonald
The Galway City Ramblers
www.efdss.org/listen
@steeleye-span.bsky.social
The Watersons
@barbaradickson.bsky.social
Daoirí Farrell
Said The Maiden
Purcell's Polyphonic Party
@merryhellband.bsky.social
Sandra Kerr
Cassie and Maggie MacDonald
The Galway City Ramblers
www.efdss.org/listen
There’s still time to donate as part of @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge
help us to raise vital funds to support our youth folk activities.
Young folk musicians will get what could be a life-changing
opportunity.
Donate by midday today, for the future of folk.
bit.ly/4pT7C6V
help us to raise vital funds to support our youth folk activities.
Young folk musicians will get what could be a life-changing
opportunity.
Donate by midday today, for the future of folk.
bit.ly/4pT7C6V
December 9, 2025 at 10:47 AM
There’s still time to donate as part of @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge
help us to raise vital funds to support our youth folk activities.
Young folk musicians will get what could be a life-changing
opportunity.
Donate by midday today, for the future of folk.
bit.ly/4pT7C6V
help us to raise vital funds to support our youth folk activities.
Young folk musicians will get what could be a life-changing
opportunity.
Donate by midday today, for the future of folk.
bit.ly/4pT7C6V
We’re nearly at the end of our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge. Thanks to your incredible support, we’re 77% of the way to our target.
Please help us to raise a final £2,710, with all donations going directly towards supporting our youth folk activities.
Donate now: bit.ly/4pT7C6V
Please help us to raise a final £2,710, with all donations going directly towards supporting our youth folk activities.
Donate now: bit.ly/4pT7C6V
December 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
We’re nearly at the end of our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge. Thanks to your incredible support, we’re 77% of the way to our target.
Please help us to raise a final £2,710, with all donations going directly towards supporting our youth folk activities.
Donate now: bit.ly/4pT7C6V
Please help us to raise a final £2,710, with all donations going directly towards supporting our youth folk activities.
Donate now: bit.ly/4pT7C6V
Donate to the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge and help us make our Youth Folk activities accessible for all.
From now till Tue at noon, every £1 you donate will be DOUBLED!
Watch Carl sharing what being in the Ensemble meant to him.
Donate now: bit.ly/4pT7C6V
www.youtube.com/shorts/W5cm9...
From now till Tue at noon, every £1 you donate will be DOUBLED!
Watch Carl sharing what being in the Ensemble meant to him.
Donate now: bit.ly/4pT7C6V
www.youtube.com/shorts/W5cm9...
Carl: National Youth Folk Ensemble - The Big Give #christmaschallenge #folkmusic
YouTube video by English Folk Dance and Song Society
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Donate to the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge and help us make our Youth Folk activities accessible for all.
From now till Tue at noon, every £1 you donate will be DOUBLED!
Watch Carl sharing what being in the Ensemble meant to him.
Donate now: bit.ly/4pT7C6V
www.youtube.com/shorts/W5cm9...
From now till Tue at noon, every £1 you donate will be DOUBLED!
Watch Carl sharing what being in the Ensemble meant to him.
Donate now: bit.ly/4pT7C6V
www.youtube.com/shorts/W5cm9...
Day 3 of our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge
Until Tue 9 December every donation will be doubled.
We’re hoping to raise £12,000 to ensure that our folk music activities are available to all young people
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
www.youtube.com/shorts/VHbhW...
Until Tue 9 December every donation will be doubled.
We’re hoping to raise £12,000 to ensure that our folk music activities are available to all young people
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
www.youtube.com/shorts/VHbhW...
Ada: National Youth Folk Ensemble - The Big Give #christmaschallenge #folkmusic
YouTube video by English Folk Dance and Song Society
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Day 3 of our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge
Until Tue 9 December every donation will be doubled.
We’re hoping to raise £12,000 to ensure that our folk music activities are available to all young people
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
www.youtube.com/shorts/VHbhW...
Until Tue 9 December every donation will be doubled.
We’re hoping to raise £12,000 to ensure that our folk music activities are available to all young people
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
www.youtube.com/shorts/VHbhW...
Congratulations to Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell, from the first cohort of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, whose album Tomorrow Held has been nominated for @soundrootsuk.bsky.social Folk Album of the Year Award 2025. The winner will be unveiled at a ceremony on Tue 17 March: bit.ly/44Isk11
December 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Congratulations to Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell, from the first cohort of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, whose album Tomorrow Held has been nominated for @soundrootsuk.bsky.social Folk Album of the Year Award 2025. The winner will be unveiled at a ceremony on Tue 17 March: bit.ly/44Isk11
Here’s Leandro on Day 2 of the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge. Until Tue 9 December every donation will be doubled.
We’re hoping to raise £12,000 to ensure that our folk music activities are available to all young people
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
www.instagram.com/reel/DRzwwWe...
We’re hoping to raise £12,000 to ensure that our folk music activities are available to all young people
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
www.instagram.com/reel/DRzwwWe...
December 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Here’s Leandro on Day 2 of the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge. Until Tue 9 December every donation will be doubled.
We’re hoping to raise £12,000 to ensure that our folk music activities are available to all young people
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
www.instagram.com/reel/DRzwwWe...
We’re hoping to raise £12,000 to ensure that our folk music activities are available to all young people
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
www.instagram.com/reel/DRzwwWe...
