Championing the folk arts
Photo by Craig Newman, courtesy of Folk Dance Remixed
Education
We increase access to the folk arts by encouraging participation, celebrating diversity and promoting equality
Library and Archive
We manage the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library – England’s national folk music library and archive
EFDSS is as indispensable as the music it champions
Peggy Seeger
Our census of dance callers is now live! We'd love you to take part if you're over 18 and call for social folk dancing of any kind. The 20 minute survey will ask about topics like: what brought you into calling, what sorts of events you call for, and what helped you on your journey to becoming a caller. Compete the survey via link in bio - Dance Caller Census is now open or Latest News #DanceCaller #FolkDance @lisah.dance Image: Lisa Heywood calling, photographer Rosie Reed Gold
A recipient of one of our Dance Mini Grants, The Sheffield Youth Folk Festival is the first of its kind, and is a day-long celebration of folk and traditional cultures from across Sheffield. on 20 June. Celebrating 10 years of Folk Factory, @soundpostmusic’s youth groups have joined forces with Welcoming Cultures, to present a diverse day of song, dance, music, fashion and culture, showcasing the importance of folk and traditional heritage to Sheffield's young people today. Book your ticket and find out more from @soundpostmusic
Ada's memories of the National Youth Folk Ensemble and musical journey since then are so inspiring…! If you're aged 12–18 and this sounds like something you want to get involved in, come along to our FREE Open Days in London, Exeter and Leeds (27, 28, 29 May). Find out more and secure your free place via the link in bio
How incredible does Leandro's National Youth Folk Ensemble experience sound?! If you're aged 12–18 and this sounds like something you want to get involved in, come along to our FREE Open Days in London, Exeter and Leeds (27, 28, 29 May). Find out more and secure your free place via the link in bio
Follow the @nationalyouthfolk National Youth Folk Ensemble from warm-up stretches, sound checks and rehearsal through to last month's packed out gig at @cecilsharphouse; and @josax123 being awarded an EFDSS Gold Badge for her work as the Ensemble's Artistic Director, by children's author Michael Morpurgo. What a night! Photos by Roswitha Chesher @roswithaphotographyuk What to be involved next time? Come along to the National Youth Ensemble Open Days Find out more - link in bio
Deadline approaching! ⏳⏲📣 Apply now for a Creative Bursary for Folk Musicians: Full Bursary with Residency ● a bursary of up to £2,000 ● research facilities at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (online and in person) and support from library and archive staff. ● up to five days of rehearsal space at Cecil Sharp House, London. Applicants that wish to work elsewhere will be considered but no additional funding for space hire will be available. ● additional funding for Access needs. Research Bursary ● a bursary of £500 ● research facilities at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (online and in person) and support from library and archive staff. Deadline for applications: Sunday 31 May 2026. Find out more and apply now: https://bit.ly/4cYCT4z
This Saturday we are continuing the May-time Festivities. The Merrie Merrie Month of May The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library at Cecil Sharp House Saturday, 16 May 2026 1-4pm (Drop in) FREE Sumer icumen in so join us in the Library on a deep dive into all things May. From bringing in the May to Jack in the Green, Rogationtide, Whitsun and everything in between. 📷 Photos 📃 Archival documents 📚 Books 🎵 Music 📽️ Video recordings And a chance to make your own 🌿May Garland!🌿 The summer is a-coming in And winter’s gone away O! Find out more - link in bio Image: Garland Day, Castleton, 29 May 1900 See less
Our next Folk Education Development Day is taking place at The Folk of Gloucester We're thrilled to announce our line up of presenters: Alex Merry @alexmerryart (Boss Morris , artist and Illustrator) will talk about folk drama and new traditions and participation, Steve Rowley (Glos Folk) who will talk about cultural heritage and how to make it accessible and relevant to today. Deborah Gordon, Sarah Snell-Pym @snellpym and Jane Springham (Gloucester Storytelling Café); Ally Goff @collaborativeartist (textile/mixed media artist and facilitator) and Sorrel Wilde @sorrelsings (Gloucester Folk Choir and Sing Yourself In) Wednesday 17 June 11am - 5pm FREE! Book your Free place now - link in bio
@offbeatfilm Festival screening of 'A Basket Full of Eggs' at the @mothclub on Sunday 10 May The film was made as part of our Gypsy, Romani and Traveller project (with the Universities of East Anglia and Sheffield, and Romani production company @patrin_films ) is being screened as part of the Offbeat Folk Film Festival. It's part of the event which starts at 6.30pm, Looking In, 'an evening of films about wider and more diverse voices in folk', which features seven shorts. Find out more and book via @offbeatfilm
Jeff Warner plays concertina, banjo, guitar and several “pocket” instruments, including bones and spoons, connecting 21st-century audiences with the everyday lives – and artistry – of 19th-century Americans. Among America's foremost interpreters of folk music, multi-instrumentalist Jeff brings songs from the lumber camps, fishing villages and mountaintops of America to London for an intimate show. Wed 13 May | 7.30pm @cecilsharphouse Book now - link in bio #TradNight
English Country Dancing Class - Maypole session The EFDSS Maypole will be set up for at least the first half the evening to get those traditional celebrations of to a good start while having some Spring or Maytime dances in the other half. This session will be lead by @mike.ruff.music author of The Maypole Manual as well as Morris Hey, Mike’s Quick and Simple Barn Dance Book and his soon to be released A Dance Through History – a History of English Country Dance and so it is more than likely that some of the dances from those books will appear. Thu 30 Apr 7:30pm-9:30pm Cecil Sharp House Book now - Link in bio Image: Ickwell, Bedfordshire, date unknown. Photo Vaughan Williams Memorial Library collection
Wootey Maypole Dancers! Poppy Bastin was awarded one of our Dance Mini Grants last year and has been using the funds to teach Maypole Dancing to pupils at Wootey Infant and Junior Schools in Alton, East Hampshire @wooteyschools You can see the Maypole dancing for yourself at the Spring Garden Fayre in Alton Saturday 16 May 10am-3pm Maypole dancing: 12 noon Alton Public Gardens, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1JL
English Country Dancing Class - Maypole session The EFDSS Maypole will be set up for at least the first half the evening to get those traditional celebrations of to a good start while having some Spring or Maytime dances in the other half. This session will be lead by Mike Ruff @mike.ruff.music , author of The Maypole Manual as well as Morris Hey, Mike’s Quick and Simple Barn Dance Book and his soon to be released A Dance Through History – a History of English Country Dance and so it is more than likely that some of the dances from those books will appear. Thu 30 Apr 7:30pm-9:30pm @cecilsharphouse Book now - link in bio Illustration by Isabel Greenberg @isabel_greenberg
'Th’ Coaler' by Walter Emsley The Song That Shaped Me: Jennifer Reid @jenniferballadss "I love singing [Walter Emsley's] work as the audience is left with a feeling akin to standing at the bar unsure if they’re next to be served or not. 'Th’ Coaler' is a real workman’s song, in that it states the truths of the situation and puts on no airs or graces. It is graceful in guiding you to the point but it doesn’t come to your aid in understanding it. If you’ve a mind to put yourself in that bloke’s shoes then this is the place to do it." Read more - Link in Bio - Latest News Jennifer Reid will be performing 'Th’ Coaler' as part of 'Songs for the Workers' at @cecilsharphouse on Thursday 7 May. Book now - Link in Bio - Cecil Sharp House Spring/Summer Season 2026
Save the Date! Our next Folk Education Development Day will be a Focus on Gloucestershire. Wednesday 17 June at @thefolkofgloucester , GL1 2PG This day will focus on the vibrant folk education practice in and around Gloucestershire! Spotlighting the wonderful array of folk music, dance, storytelling and crafts education practice - expect presentations, short workshops, and opportunities for discussion with others involved in these sectors. So far the Speakers confirmed are: Alex Merry @alexmerryart (@boss.morris artist and Illustrator) will talk about folk drama and new traditions and participation, Steve Rowley (Glos Folk) who will talk about cultural heritage and how to make it accessible and relevant to today. More to come. Watch this Space. Book your Free place - Link in bio
📣Calling all Folk Musicians Apply now for a Creative Bursary: Full Bursary with Residency ● a bursary of up to £2,000 ● research facilities at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (online and in person) and support from library and archive staff. ● up to five days of rehearsal space at Cecil Sharp House, London. Applicants that wish to work elsewhere will be considered but no additional funding for space hire will be available. ● additional funding for Access needs. Research Bursary ● a bursary of £500 ● research facilities at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (online and in person) and support from library and archive staff. Deadline for applications: Sunday 31 May 2026. Find out more and apply now - link in bio - Latest News
English Country Dancing - St George's Day Learn English country, ceilidh and barn dancing, and related social folk dance styles from further afield, led by experienced tutor/callers and accompanied by live music. No need to bring a partner and open to dancers of all levels of experience including absolute beginners. Suitable for people 16 years plus. Young people aged 12 to 15 may attend when accompanied by a participating, responsible adult over 18 years of age. This class sees the return of Mike Ruff where he was Tutor for seven years. He will be revisiting many of his old favourites that were loved by the classes at the time. Dances from 17th to 21st centuries with varying complexity to suit those who are attending and making sure that we all have fun. On April 23rd most of the dances will be from different counties of England to celebrate St Georges Day. Mike is author of 'The Maypole Manual' as well as 'Morris Hey', 'Mike’s Quick and Simple Barn Dance Book' and his soon to be released "A Dance Through History – a History of English Country Dance" and so it is more than likely that some of the dances from those books will appear. Book now - link in bio
National Youth Folk Ensemble Open Days We’re getting excited for the National Youth Folk Ensemble’s Open Days. Taking part in these free days is a brilliant way to play folk music as part of a band, meet the tutor team, and find out more about the Ensemble. @cecilsharphouse London - 27 May 2026 @exeterphoenix - 28 May 2026 Leeds Conservatoire @leedsmusicdrama - 30 May 2026 > Take part in a band for a day > Develop your creativity > Play by ear > Learn from inspiring professional musicians > Explore folk music with other young people > Find out about the National Youth Folk Ensemble Find out more and Book - link in bio
Tomorrow! ‘The Catterwauling Scrapes of Thrashing Fidlers’: Explorations in the history of English Vernacular Fiddle Players, 1600-1900 This online lecture from @thevwml will focus on English fiddle players from the 17th to the 19th century, their position and role in society, the quality of their performances, and social attitudes to fiddle players. The talk will finish with some thoughts on the decline of vernacular fiddle playing in the period. The talk will be illustrated by fiddle tunes and source material. Talk by Vic Gammon, with Sheila Gammon (Reader) and Bridget Enever (Fiddler) Tue 14 Apr, 7:30pm On Zoom Book now - link in bio Image: Fiddle Etching by David Deuchar, Wellcome Collection
Arts and Minds: what's next for arts in schools? We are pleased to be hosting and partnering this important event which will bring together the cultural and education sectors to discuss next steps for ensuring best possible access to the arts for young people in state education. We are delighted that alumni from the National Youth Folk Ensemble will be performing. Cecil Sharp House, London 27 April, 10am-3pm Free, tickets limited Book via @theartsandmindscampaign
The Merrie Merrie Month of May The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library @thevwml at @cecilsharphouse Saturday, 16 May 2026 1-4pm (Drop in) FREE Sumer icumen in so join us in the Library on a deep dive into all things May. From bringing in the May to Jack in the Green, Rogationtide, Whitsun and everything in between. 📷 Photos 📃 Archival documents 📚 Books 🎵 Music 📽️ Video recordings And a chance to make your own 🌿May Garland!🌿 The summer is a-coming in And winter’s gone away O! Find out more - link in Bio - Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Image: Garland Day, Castleton, 29 May 1900
Resource of the Month: Working by Ear A booklet of ideas and resources for learning and teaching music by ear, produced for us by Rob Harbron @concertinarob and Miranda Rutter @mirandarutter7 , based on their experiences while working with secondary school students at Hanham Wood Academy. The resource also includes the students’ performance as part of that project, and a collection of audio recordings of the tunes. Link in bio - Resource Bank: free educational materials
continues to be custodian of the people’s shared cultural history
Eliza Carthy
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