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
We’re delighted to announce this year’s Dance Mini Grant winners!
Crank Dance
The National Youth Folk Troupe of England (NYFTE)
Magnetic Northeast
Poppy Bastin’s Maypole Dancers
Folk Factory Dance – Sheffield
Find out more: bit.ly/3Mqf9eJ
Crank Dance
The National Youth Folk Troupe of England (NYFTE)
Magnetic Northeast
Poppy Bastin’s Maypole Dancers
Folk Factory Dance – Sheffield
Find out more: bit.ly/3Mqf9eJ
November 27, 2025 at 3:56 PM
We’re delighted to announce this year’s Dance Mini Grant winners!
Crank Dance
The National Youth Folk Troupe of England (NYFTE)
Magnetic Northeast
Poppy Bastin’s Maypole Dancers
Folk Factory Dance – Sheffield
Find out more: bit.ly/3Mqf9eJ
Crank Dance
The National Youth Folk Troupe of England (NYFTE)
Magnetic Northeast
Poppy Bastin’s Maypole Dancers
Folk Factory Dance – Sheffield
Find out more: bit.ly/3Mqf9eJ
Deadline approaching....
Last call for papers for our Broadside Day 2026.
Deadline is 1 December.
The Broadside Day is the annual one-day conference for people interested in street literature in all its fascinating aspects.
Find out more: bit.ly/3J47SQI
Last call for papers for our Broadside Day 2026.
Deadline is 1 December.
The Broadside Day is the annual one-day conference for people interested in street literature in all its fascinating aspects.
Find out more: bit.ly/3J47SQI
November 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Deadline approaching....
Last call for papers for our Broadside Day 2026.
Deadline is 1 December.
The Broadside Day is the annual one-day conference for people interested in street literature in all its fascinating aspects.
Find out more: bit.ly/3J47SQI
Last call for papers for our Broadside Day 2026.
Deadline is 1 December.
The Broadside Day is the annual one-day conference for people interested in street literature in all its fascinating aspects.
Find out more: bit.ly/3J47SQI
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Lords of Misrule and Morris".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Cambridge Morris Molly Plough Monday 2024
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Cambridge Morris Molly Plough Monday 2024
November 25, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Lords of Misrule and Morris".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Cambridge Morris Molly Plough Monday 2024
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Cambridge Morris Molly Plough Monday 2024
Lovely article speaking to our Vaughan Williams Memorial Library team about the ups and downs of maintaining our important national collection of folk music, dance and song material in the latest @folklondon.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Lovely article speaking to our Vaughan Williams Memorial Library team about the ups and downs of maintaining our important national collection of folk music, dance and song material in the latest @folklondon.co.uk
Dance groups up and down the country have been busily adding their events to our Folk Dance Calendar, so take a look to find somewhere to dance this festive season, or a weekly group to drop in to and join in the fun.
Add you own dances for free.
Browse the Folk Dance Calendar now: bit.ly/4odwrt0
Add you own dances for free.
Browse the Folk Dance Calendar now: bit.ly/4odwrt0
November 21, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Dance groups up and down the country have been busily adding their events to our Folk Dance Calendar, so take a look to find somewhere to dance this festive season, or a weekly group to drop in to and join in the fun.
Add you own dances for free.
Browse the Folk Dance Calendar now: bit.ly/4odwrt0
Add you own dances for free.
Browse the Folk Dance Calendar now: bit.ly/4odwrt0
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Morris and Church Ales".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: The Belles of London City and Betley at St John the Divine, Merton Church Ale
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: The Belles of London City and Betley at St John the Divine, Merton Church Ale
November 18, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's breaktime chat will be "Morris and Church Ales".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: The Belles of London City and Betley at St John the Divine, Merton Church Ale
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: The Belles of London City and Betley at St John the Divine, Merton Church Ale
Our friends over at @shrewsburyfolk.bsky.social have announced the first batch of artists on their line up - with more to come!
shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/line-up/line...
shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/line-up/line...
November 14, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Our friends over at @shrewsburyfolk.bsky.social have announced the first batch of artists on their line up - with more to come!
shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/line-up/line...
shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/line-up/line...
Learn to call for ceilidhs or barn dances with our friend and colleague Lisa Heywood.
Online Introduction to Ceilidh Calling courses FREE taster session on Wednesday 26th November, 7-8pm
www.tickettailor.com/events/lisah...
Online Introduction to Ceilidh Calling courses FREE taster session on Wednesday 26th November, 7-8pm
www.tickettailor.com/events/lisah...
November 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Learn to call for ceilidhs or barn dances with our friend and colleague Lisa Heywood.
Online Introduction to Ceilidh Calling courses FREE taster session on Wednesday 26th November, 7-8pm
www.tickettailor.com/events/lisah...
Online Introduction to Ceilidh Calling courses FREE taster session on Wednesday 26th November, 7-8pm
www.tickettailor.com/events/lisah...
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
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!
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.
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...
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.
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
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
Earlier this year, we announced to members our proposal to change our name from the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) to Folk England.
We want to welcome a new and wider range of people to the world of folk arts, and we know our current name acts as a hinderance to this.
We want to welcome a new and wider range of people to the world of folk arts, and we know our current name acts as a hinderance to this.
October 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Earlier this year, we announced to members our proposal to change our name from the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) to Folk England.
We want to welcome a new and wider range of people to the world of folk arts, and we know our current name acts as a hinderance to this.
We want to welcome a new and wider range of people to the world of folk arts, and we know our current name acts as a hinderance to this.
Happy Apple Day! Here is an apple themed song collected by Cecil Sharp from children at Langford School in 1911: "Rosy apple, lemon pear, a wreath of roses she shall wear.
Gold and silver by her side, I don’t know who will be her bride" archives.vwml.org/records/CJS2...
Gold and silver by her side, I don’t know who will be her bride" archives.vwml.org/records/CJS2...
October 21, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Happy Apple Day! Here is an apple themed song collected by Cecil Sharp from children at Langford School in 1911: "Rosy apple, lemon pear, a wreath of roses she shall wear.
Gold and silver by her side, I don’t know who will be her bride" archives.vwml.org/records/CJS2...
Gold and silver by her side, I don’t know who will be her bride" archives.vwml.org/records/CJS2...
Following its hit first outing in 2024, our glittering social dance fusion event, Bhangra Ceilidh, is back by popular demand!
Sat 29 Nov
7pm-10pm
Book now: bit.ly/47iRN1E
Wishing you all a happy and prosperous Diwali
Sat 29 Nov
7pm-10pm
Book now: bit.ly/47iRN1E
Wishing you all a happy and prosperous Diwali
October 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Following its hit first outing in 2024, our glittering social dance fusion event, Bhangra Ceilidh, is back by popular demand!
Sat 29 Nov
7pm-10pm
Book now: bit.ly/47iRN1E
Wishing you all a happy and prosperous Diwali
Sat 29 Nov
7pm-10pm
Book now: bit.ly/47iRN1E
Wishing you all a happy and prosperous Diwali
Broadside Day 2026: Call for Papers.
We are inviting proposals of 20-minute presentations for the next Broadside Day conference, this time held at @sheffielduni.bsky.social with @cfrc-folklore.bsky.social
Deadline for submissions 1 December 2025
Find out more: bit.ly/3J47SQI
We are inviting proposals of 20-minute presentations for the next Broadside Day conference, this time held at @sheffielduni.bsky.social with @cfrc-folklore.bsky.social
Deadline for submissions 1 December 2025
Find out more: bit.ly/3J47SQI
October 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Broadside Day 2026: Call for Papers.
We are inviting proposals of 20-minute presentations for the next Broadside Day conference, this time held at @sheffielduni.bsky.social with @cfrc-folklore.bsky.social
Deadline for submissions 1 December 2025
Find out more: bit.ly/3J47SQI
We are inviting proposals of 20-minute presentations for the next Broadside Day conference, this time held at @sheffielduni.bsky.social with @cfrc-folklore.bsky.social
Deadline for submissions 1 December 2025
Find out more: bit.ly/3J47SQI
Our friends at @candocodance.bsky.social are running classes (between 20 Oct & 28 Nov) at Clod Ensemble, London. They invite disabled and non-disabled dancers to explore improvisation, and expand their movement practice.
Find out more and book your £5 tickets:
candoco.co.uk/events/compa...
Find out more and book your £5 tickets:
candoco.co.uk/events/compa...
October 16, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Our friends at @candocodance.bsky.social are running classes (between 20 Oct & 28 Nov) at Clod Ensemble, London. They invite disabled and non-disabled dancers to explore improvisation, and expand their movement practice.
Find out more and book your £5 tickets:
candoco.co.uk/events/compa...
Find out more and book your £5 tickets:
candoco.co.uk/events/compa...
STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY FROM EFDSS
At the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) we strive to create an open culture of belonging where everyone feels safe, represented and respected.
Folk is for Everyone.
At the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) we strive to create an open culture of belonging where everyone feels safe, represented and respected.
Folk is for Everyone.
October 7, 2025 at 12:12 PM
STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY FROM EFDSS
At the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) we strive to create an open culture of belonging where everyone feels safe, represented and respected.
Folk is for Everyone.
At the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) we strive to create an open culture of belonging where everyone feels safe, represented and respected.
Folk is for Everyone.
📢We are searching for the next Artistic Director for the National Youth Folk Ensemble. 🎼
This is a freelance role for an exceptional folk music performer and educator to lead on the artistic vision of the National Youth Folk Ensemble.
Apply before 9am, Monday 17 November
bit.ly/3KtWdeh
This is a freelance role for an exceptional folk music performer and educator to lead on the artistic vision of the National Youth Folk Ensemble.
Apply before 9am, Monday 17 November
bit.ly/3KtWdeh
October 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
📢We are searching for the next Artistic Director for the National Youth Folk Ensemble. 🎼
This is a freelance role for an exceptional folk music performer and educator to lead on the artistic vision of the National Youth Folk Ensemble.
Apply before 9am, Monday 17 November
bit.ly/3KtWdeh
This is a freelance role for an exceptional folk music performer and educator to lead on the artistic vision of the National Youth Folk Ensemble.
Apply before 9am, Monday 17 November
bit.ly/3KtWdeh
We're offering five Dance Mini Grants of £500 to support folk dance activity in England.
We are seeking proposals from individuals and groups / organisations who need support for new folk dance projects, or to diversify the audience for existing dance projects.
Apply now bit.ly/42jsCu6
We are seeking proposals from individuals and groups / organisations who need support for new folk dance projects, or to diversify the audience for existing dance projects.
Apply now bit.ly/42jsCu6
October 1, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We're offering five Dance Mini Grants of £500 to support folk dance activity in England.
We are seeking proposals from individuals and groups / organisations who need support for new folk dance projects, or to diversify the audience for existing dance projects.
Apply now bit.ly/42jsCu6
We are seeking proposals from individuals and groups / organisations who need support for new folk dance projects, or to diversify the audience for existing dance projects.
Apply now bit.ly/42jsCu6