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
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Morris Kit".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: London Pride Morris and Friends at Spread Eagle, Camden Town, Autumn 2025
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: London Pride Morris and Friends at Spread Eagle, Camden Town, Autumn 2025
November 11, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Morris Kit".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: London Pride Morris and Friends at Spread Eagle, Camden Town, Autumn 2025
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: London Pride Morris and Friends at Spread Eagle, Camden Town, Autumn 2025
Reposted by English Folk Dance and Song Society
Our Spring/Summer gigs season is live!
Check out the full programme and secure your tickets now: bit.ly/3LC7V73
Check out the full programme and secure your tickets now: bit.ly/3LC7V73
November 10, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Our Spring/Summer gigs season is live!
Check out the full programme and secure your tickets now: bit.ly/3LC7V73
Check out the full programme and secure your tickets now: bit.ly/3LC7V73
Our Sunday Family Barn Dances make the perfect weekend family bonding activity - and a fun way to dance off your Sunday roast!
Sun 23 Nov
3pm - 4.30pm
Book now: bit.ly/4qMI5xf
Image: Brian Slater
Sun 23 Nov
3pm - 4.30pm
Book now: bit.ly/4qMI5xf
Image: Brian Slater
Family Barn Dance
Bring all the family and take part in lively dances from Britain and beyond in a supportive and fun environment.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Our Sunday Family Barn Dances make the perfect weekend family bonding activity - and a fun way to dance off your Sunday roast!
Sun 23 Nov
3pm - 4.30pm
Book now: bit.ly/4qMI5xf
Image: Brian Slater
Sun 23 Nov
3pm - 4.30pm
Book now: bit.ly/4qMI5xf
Image: Brian Slater
The Department for Education (DfE) said it wanted to broaden the appeal of music education “to give every child a strong start in the subject” and boost the creative subjects taken at GCSE as part of its wider changes to England’s national curriculum
bit.ly/47u2eRn
bit.ly/47u2eRn
Ed Sheeran takes partial credit for move to overhaul music teaching in England
Singer-songwriter says curriculum changes reflect points raised in open letter to PM organised by his foundation
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The Department for Education (DfE) said it wanted to broaden the appeal of music education “to give every child a strong start in the subject” and boost the creative subjects taken at GCSE as part of its wider changes to England’s national curriculum
bit.ly/47u2eRn
bit.ly/47u2eRn
Huge congratulations to Steve Roud on being awarded a honorary degree by The Open University in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the study of folk song and culture!
November 6, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Huge congratulations to Steve Roud on being awarded a honorary degree by The Open University in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the study of folk song and culture!
Good news! The government has announced that it is scrapping the English Baccalaureate meaning pupils will no longer be restricted in their choice of GCSE subjects.
However, the campaigning must continue.
Join us in supporting the Arts and Minds campaign: theartsandmindscampaign.org.uk/join-us/
However, the campaigning must continue.
Join us in supporting the Arts and Minds campaign: theartsandmindscampaign.org.uk/join-us/
Join us - Arts & Minds Campaign
Arts & Minds | Putting Creativity At The Heart of The Curriculum
theartsandmindscampaign.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Good news! The government has announced that it is scrapping the English Baccalaureate meaning pupils will no longer be restricted in their choice of GCSE subjects.
However, the campaigning must continue.
Join us in supporting the Arts and Minds campaign: theartsandmindscampaign.org.uk/join-us/
However, the campaigning must continue.
Join us in supporting the Arts and Minds campaign: theartsandmindscampaign.org.uk/join-us/
This week in the English Country Dance class, I'm keen to explore great dances from more modern times with the class. I hope lots of you can come. You don't need a partner, just your dancing shoes. See you on Thursday! - Mary
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
English Country Dancing
Learn English social folk dancing (country, ceilidh, and barn dancing) and related styles from further afield
Autumn Term 2025: 25 Sept | 2, 9, 16, 23 Oct | 6, 20, 27 Nov | 4 Dec
Book now for Autumn 2...
www.efdss.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:25 AM
This week in the English Country Dance class, I'm keen to explore great dances from more modern times with the class. I hope lots of you can come. You don't need a partner, just your dancing shoes. See you on Thursday! - Mary
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Remember, Remember the 5th of November, with these photographs by Brian Shuel of 1980s bonfire activities.
Squibbing, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, Bridgwater, November 1984, by Brian Shuel.
Tar Barrel Rolling, Ottery St Mary, 5th November 1986, by Brian Shuel.
Squibbing, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, Bridgwater, November 1984, by Brian Shuel.
Tar Barrel Rolling, Ottery St Mary, 5th November 1986, by Brian Shuel.
November 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Remember, Remember the 5th of November, with these photographs by Brian Shuel of 1980s bonfire activities.
Squibbing, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, Bridgwater, November 1984, by Brian Shuel.
Tar Barrel Rolling, Ottery St Mary, 5th November 1986, by Brian Shuel.
Squibbing, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, Bridgwater, November 1984, by Brian Shuel.
Tar Barrel Rolling, Ottery St Mary, 5th November 1986, by Brian Shuel.
The Library will be closed from 10 to 14 November
The Library will be closed for the whole week commencing Monday 10 November.
We will be open again on Saturday 15, 10.30am - 4pm.
Library staff will still be working during this period, so please continue to contact us by email.
The Library will be closed for the whole week commencing Monday 10 November.
We will be open again on Saturday 15, 10.30am - 4pm.
Library staff will still be working during this period, so please continue to contact us by email.
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The Library will be closed from 10 to 14 November
The Library will be closed for the whole week commencing Monday 10 November.
We will be open again on Saturday 15, 10.30am - 4pm.
Library staff will still be working during this period, so please continue to contact us by email.
The Library will be closed for the whole week commencing Monday 10 November.
We will be open again on Saturday 15, 10.30am - 4pm.
Library staff will still be working during this period, so please continue to contact us by email.
This week's Classic Folk episode includes:
O'Hooley & Tidow
@martynjosephwales.bsky.social
Davy Graham
@willharmonicas.bsky.social
Kyson Point
@elizacarthy.bsky.social
Culverake
Lou Killen
@fayhield.bsky.social
Frankie Archer
Pentangle
Archie Fisher
+ more!
www.efdss.org/listen
O'Hooley & Tidow
@martynjosephwales.bsky.social
Davy Graham
@willharmonicas.bsky.social
Kyson Point
@elizacarthy.bsky.social
Culverake
Lou Killen
@fayhield.bsky.social
Frankie Archer
Pentangle
Archie Fisher
+ 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
November 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
This week's Classic Folk episode includes:
O'Hooley & Tidow
@martynjosephwales.bsky.social
Davy Graham
@willharmonicas.bsky.social
Kyson Point
@elizacarthy.bsky.social
Culverake
Lou Killen
@fayhield.bsky.social
Frankie Archer
Pentangle
Archie Fisher
+ more!
www.efdss.org/listen
O'Hooley & Tidow
@martynjosephwales.bsky.social
Davy Graham
@willharmonicas.bsky.social
Kyson Point
@elizacarthy.bsky.social
Culverake
Lou Killen
@fayhield.bsky.social
Frankie Archer
Pentangle
Archie Fisher
+ more!
www.efdss.org/listen
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Fools".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
November 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Fools".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
We've collaborated with AJ Allen on choreography for contemporary Morris Dancing in the past, for our project exCHANGES, so we can highly recommend his new monthly Morris sessions taking place in Brighton at the Jamie Watton Creative Space: southeastdance.org.uk/whats_on/mon...
Monthly Morris Sunday Sessions
| South East Dance
Exploring Morris as a collective and collaborative dance form
southeastdance.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
We've collaborated with AJ Allen on choreography for contemporary Morris Dancing in the past, for our project exCHANGES, so we can highly recommend his new monthly Morris sessions taking place in Brighton at the Jamie Watton Creative Space: southeastdance.org.uk/whats_on/mon...
Exploring English Folk Dance with Mike Heaney and Chloe Middleton-Metcalfe.
Our new Online Library Course as part of The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Folk Uncovered strand, starts on 19 February.
Thursday evenings, 7.30pm
19 Feb - 2 Apr
Online
Book now: bit.ly/4oEyEhw
Our new Online Library Course as part of The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Folk Uncovered strand, starts on 19 February.
Thursday evenings, 7.30pm
19 Feb - 2 Apr
Online
Book now: bit.ly/4oEyEhw
Folk Uncovered: Online Library Course - Exploring English Folk Dance
with Mike Heaney and Chloe Middleton-Metcalfe
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Exploring English Folk Dance with Mike Heaney and Chloe Middleton-Metcalfe.
Our new Online Library Course as part of The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Folk Uncovered strand, starts on 19 February.
Thursday evenings, 7.30pm
19 Feb - 2 Apr
Online
Book now: bit.ly/4oEyEhw
Our new Online Library Course as part of The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Folk Uncovered strand, starts on 19 February.
Thursday evenings, 7.30pm
19 Feb - 2 Apr
Online
Book now: bit.ly/4oEyEhw
However you mark the changing of the seasons; with Samhain, Punkie Night, Halloween, #Dusking or any other ritual event, wishing you cosy autumnal nights!
Image: Punkie Night, Hinton, October 1983, by Brian Shuel, the VWML collection.
Image: Punkie Night, Hinton, October 1983, by Brian Shuel, the VWML collection.
October 31, 2025 at 12:21 PM
However you mark the changing of the seasons; with Samhain, Punkie Night, Halloween, #Dusking or any other ritual event, wishing you cosy autumnal nights!
Image: Punkie Night, Hinton, October 1983, by Brian Shuel, the VWML collection.
Image: Punkie Night, Hinton, October 1983, by Brian Shuel, the VWML collection.
"Across the U.K., young people are finding joy in the revival of traditional cultural practices like ceilidh, Morris and barn dancing, and taking an increasing interest in Pagan customs—from celebrating the solstice to wassailing."
i-d.co/article/meet-the-kids-bringing-back-pagan-britain/
i-d.co/article/meet-the-kids-bringing-back-pagan-britain/
Meet the Kids Bringing Back Pagan Britain
From Morris dancers in Day-Glo to TikTok troubadours and stone-circle pilgrimages, a new generation is rediscovering Britain’s folk traditions—but how are they resisting the trap of nationalism?
i-d.co
October 31, 2025 at 11:55 AM
"Across the U.K., young people are finding joy in the revival of traditional cultural practices like ceilidh, Morris and barn dancing, and taking an increasing interest in Pagan customs—from celebrating the solstice to wassailing."
i-d.co/article/meet-the-kids-bringing-back-pagan-britain/
i-d.co/article/meet-the-kids-bringing-back-pagan-britain/
Reposted by English Folk Dance and Song Society
SAVE ARTS EDUCATION🚨
Today we deliver an urgent message to government - the Curriculum and Assessment Review must put the arts back at the heart of the curriculum, signed by 1300+ arts professionals.
Read the open letter in The Times ⬇️
www.thetimes.com/article/c365...
Today we deliver an urgent message to government - the Curriculum and Assessment Review must put the arts back at the heart of the curriculum, signed by 1300+ arts professionals.
Read the open letter in The Times ⬇️
www.thetimes.com/article/c365...
October 31, 2025 at 8:45 AM
SAVE ARTS EDUCATION🚨
Today we deliver an urgent message to government - the Curriculum and Assessment Review must put the arts back at the heart of the curriculum, signed by 1300+ arts professionals.
Read the open letter in The Times ⬇️
www.thetimes.com/article/c365...
Today we deliver an urgent message to government - the Curriculum and Assessment Review must put the arts back at the heart of the curriculum, signed by 1300+ arts professionals.
Read the open letter in The Times ⬇️
www.thetimes.com/article/c365...
Last chance to apply for a £500 Dance Mini Grant
We are seeking proposals from individuals and groups / organisations who need support to embark on a new folk dance project or develop something new.
Deadline: Monday 10 November 2025, 5pm.
Apply now bit.ly/42jsCu6
We are seeking proposals from individuals and groups / organisations who need support to embark on a new folk dance project or develop something new.
Deadline: Monday 10 November 2025, 5pm.
Apply now bit.ly/42jsCu6
October 30, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Last chance to apply for a £500 Dance Mini Grant
We are seeking proposals from individuals and groups / organisations who need support to embark on a new folk dance project or develop something new.
Deadline: Monday 10 November 2025, 5pm.
Apply now bit.ly/42jsCu6
We are seeking proposals from individuals and groups / organisations who need support to embark on a new folk dance project or develop something new.
Deadline: Monday 10 November 2025, 5pm.
Apply now bit.ly/42jsCu6
Reposted by English Folk Dance and Song Society
The Black British Folk Takeover at @efdss.bsky.social was curated by @angelcakepie2.bsky.social. It sounded right up our street so we asked her to tell us a little more. You can read all about it here: www.nationalfolkloresurvey.co.uk/news/the-bla...
October 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The Black British Folk Takeover at @efdss.bsky.social was curated by @angelcakepie2.bsky.social. It sounded right up our street so we asked her to tell us a little more. You can read all about it here: www.nationalfolkloresurvey.co.uk/news/the-bla...
Pleased with this review in The Morning Star of our Black British Folk Takeover event. morningstaronline.co.uk/article/blac...
Black folk takeover
Black British Folk TakeoverCecil Sharp House★★★★★Despite folk music’s association with protest there is a perception that its performers and audiences are overwhelmingly white. However folk music is r...
morningstaronline.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Pleased with this review in The Morning Star of our Black British Folk Takeover event. morningstaronline.co.uk/article/blac...
This week's episode of Classic Folk includes tracks by:
@gmatkin.bsky.social
Donovan
George Sansome
@barbaradickson.bsky.social
Coope, Boyes & Simpson
The Copper Family
@bellowhead.bsky.social
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Lacey Street Blues Band
Fotheringay
and many more
www.efdss.org/listen
@gmatkin.bsky.social
Donovan
George Sansome
@barbaradickson.bsky.social
Coope, Boyes & Simpson
The Copper Family
@bellowhead.bsky.social
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Lacey Street Blues Band
Fotheringay
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
October 28, 2025 at 12:48 PM
This week's episode of Classic Folk includes tracks by:
@gmatkin.bsky.social
Donovan
George Sansome
@barbaradickson.bsky.social
Coope, Boyes & Simpson
The Copper Family
@bellowhead.bsky.social
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Lacey Street Blues Band
Fotheringay
and many more
www.efdss.org/listen
@gmatkin.bsky.social
Donovan
George Sansome
@barbaradickson.bsky.social
Coope, Boyes & Simpson
The Copper Family
@bellowhead.bsky.social
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Lacey Street Blues Band
Fotheringay
and many more
www.efdss.org/listen
The National Youth Folk Ensemble have released an EP!
Some tunes are traditional, others were created by tutors or ensemble members; all have been developed by the members of the National Youth Folk Ensemble under Artistic Director Jo Freya @jofreya.bsky.social
soundcloud.com/efdss-1/sets...
Some tunes are traditional, others were created by tutors or ensemble members; all have been developed by the members of the National Youth Folk Ensemble under Artistic Director Jo Freya @jofreya.bsky.social
soundcloud.com/efdss-1/sets...
National Youth Folk Ensemble - Cohort 9 (2025)
Tracks created by the National Youth Folk Ensemble 2024/25 and recorded in August 2025. Some tunes are traditional, others were originally created by tutors or ensemble members; all have been develope
soundcloud.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The National Youth Folk Ensemble have released an EP!
Some tunes are traditional, others were created by tutors or ensemble members; all have been developed by the members of the National Youth Folk Ensemble under Artistic Director Jo Freya @jofreya.bsky.social
soundcloud.com/efdss-1/sets...
Some tunes are traditional, others were created by tutors or ensemble members; all have been developed by the members of the National Youth Folk Ensemble under Artistic Director Jo Freya @jofreya.bsky.social
soundcloud.com/efdss-1/sets...
Our friends at SLS 360 are holding an I.D.E.A.L Network event at Rich Mix, London on Thursday 5 February.
The event is designed for those leading on inclusion in the music education and cultural arts space including and music teachers.
Find out more and book your ticket
www.sls360.org/events
The event is designed for those leading on inclusion in the music education and cultural arts space including and music teachers.
Find out more and book your ticket
www.sls360.org/events
Events | SLS360
www.sls360.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Our friends at SLS 360 are holding an I.D.E.A.L Network event at Rich Mix, London on Thursday 5 February.
The event is designed for those leading on inclusion in the music education and cultural arts space including and music teachers.
Find out more and book your ticket
www.sls360.org/events
The event is designed for those leading on inclusion in the music education and cultural arts space including and music teachers.
Find out more and book your ticket
www.sls360.org/events
This Sunday: the premiere of In Time: Dónal Lunny, telling the story of one of Ireland’s most influential musicians.
His collaborations with the English folk scene (Elvis Costello, Andy Irvine, Anne Briggs) highlight the enduring connections between our musical traditions on these islands.
His collaborations with the English folk scene (Elvis Costello, Andy Irvine, Anne Briggs) highlight the enduring connections between our musical traditions on these islands.
In Time: Dónal Lunny (15*) + ScreenTalk with director Nuala O'Connor | Barbican
The first film account of Dónal Lunny, detailing his contribution to Irish culture and music, and framing him as one of Ireland's most outstanding artists.
www.barbican.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This Sunday: the premiere of In Time: Dónal Lunny, telling the story of one of Ireland’s most influential musicians.
His collaborations with the English folk scene (Elvis Costello, Andy Irvine, Anne Briggs) highlight the enduring connections between our musical traditions on these islands.
His collaborations with the English folk scene (Elvis Costello, Andy Irvine, Anne Briggs) highlight the enduring connections between our musical traditions on these islands.
Our friends at the Traditional Song Forum are calling for papers on Women in Folk Song.
Get all the details here: tradsong.org/tsf-spring-c...
Get all the details here: tradsong.org/tsf-spring-c...
October 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Our friends at the Traditional Song Forum are calling for papers on Women in Folk Song.
Get all the details here: tradsong.org/tsf-spring-c...
Get all the details here: tradsong.org/tsf-spring-c...
Not long now until our Traditional Tunes and Popular Airs Conference
2 days of presentations on:
ballad operas and theatrical works, religious music, broadside balladry, music hall, the pleasure gardens, domestic music-making, and children’s songs.
8 & 9 Nov
bit.ly/4ol4a4J
2 days of presentations on:
ballad operas and theatrical works, religious music, broadside balladry, music hall, the pleasure gardens, domestic music-making, and children’s songs.
8 & 9 Nov
bit.ly/4ol4a4J
October 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Not long now until our Traditional Tunes and Popular Airs Conference
2 days of presentations on:
ballad operas and theatrical works, religious music, broadside balladry, music hall, the pleasure gardens, domestic music-making, and children’s songs.
8 & 9 Nov
bit.ly/4ol4a4J
2 days of presentations on:
ballad operas and theatrical works, religious music, broadside balladry, music hall, the pleasure gardens, domestic music-making, and children’s songs.
8 & 9 Nov
bit.ly/4ol4a4J