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
Our first Trad Night of 2026 is coming: Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham.
The uncannily compatible duo produce a striking a cappella harmony sound in their interpretations of traditional English songs.
Wed 21 Jan
@cecilsharphouse.bsky.social
Book now bit.ly/49HFMoI
The uncannily compatible duo produce a striking a cappella harmony sound in their interpretations of traditional English songs.
Wed 21 Jan
@cecilsharphouse.bsky.social
Book now bit.ly/49HFMoI
January 14, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Our first Trad Night of 2026 is coming: Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham.
The uncannily compatible duo produce a striking a cappella harmony sound in their interpretations of traditional English songs.
Wed 21 Jan
@cecilsharphouse.bsky.social
Book now bit.ly/49HFMoI
The uncannily compatible duo produce a striking a cappella harmony sound in their interpretations of traditional English songs.
Wed 21 Jan
@cecilsharphouse.bsky.social
Book now bit.ly/49HFMoI
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's break time chat will be "Molly Dancing".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Cambridge Morris Molly Lord and Lady Plough Monday 2025
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Cambridge Morris Molly Lord and Lady Plough Monday 2025
January 12, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's break time chat will be "Molly Dancing".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Cambridge Morris Molly Lord and Lady Plough Monday 2025
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Cambridge Morris Molly Lord and Lady Plough Monday 2025
Don't miss this weekend's Family Barn Dance, a chance to fulfil new year resolutions to be more active and to spend more time with the family, that is actually fun!
Sun 11 Jan,
3pm-4:30pm
Book now: bit.ly/4j3t1rE
Sun 11 Jan,
3pm-4:30pm
Book now: bit.ly/4j3t1rE
January 9, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Don't miss this weekend's Family Barn Dance, a chance to fulfil new year resolutions to be more active and to spend more time with the family, that is actually fun!
Sun 11 Jan,
3pm-4:30pm
Book now: bit.ly/4j3t1rE
Sun 11 Jan,
3pm-4:30pm
Book now: bit.ly/4j3t1rE
Twelfth Night at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.
Old Twelfth Night -Saturday 17 January, 1-4pm
Learn about the history and traditions of Twelfth Night: the best part of Christmas you may never have heard of!
Expect music, entertainment, and perhaps even a little sip of delicious wassail!
Old Twelfth Night -Saturday 17 January, 1-4pm
Learn about the history and traditions of Twelfth Night: the best part of Christmas you may never have heard of!
Expect music, entertainment, and perhaps even a little sip of delicious wassail!
January 7, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Twelfth Night at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.
Old Twelfth Night -Saturday 17 January, 1-4pm
Learn about the history and traditions of Twelfth Night: the best part of Christmas you may never have heard of!
Expect music, entertainment, and perhaps even a little sip of delicious wassail!
Old Twelfth Night -Saturday 17 January, 1-4pm
Learn about the history and traditions of Twelfth Night: the best part of Christmas you may never have heard of!
Expect music, entertainment, and perhaps even a little sip of delicious wassail!
Don't miss the first of this year's Library Lectures.
Tuesday 13 Jan, 7:30pm
Dorothy Marshall and the Women of West Sussex - talk by Dr Elizabeth Bennett
It's online, so you can stay indoors in the warm!
Book now:https://bit.ly/4qaaaOw
Image: Chithurst Tipteerers 1912
Tuesday 13 Jan, 7:30pm
Dorothy Marshall and the Women of West Sussex - talk by Dr Elizabeth Bennett
It's online, so you can stay indoors in the warm!
Book now:https://bit.ly/4qaaaOw
Image: Chithurst Tipteerers 1912
January 6, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Don't miss the first of this year's Library Lectures.
Tuesday 13 Jan, 7:30pm
Dorothy Marshall and the Women of West Sussex - talk by Dr Elizabeth Bennett
It's online, so you can stay indoors in the warm!
Book now:https://bit.ly/4qaaaOw
Image: Chithurst Tipteerers 1912
Tuesday 13 Jan, 7:30pm
Dorothy Marshall and the Women of West Sussex - talk by Dr Elizabeth Bennett
It's online, so you can stay indoors in the warm!
Book now:https://bit.ly/4qaaaOw
Image: Chithurst Tipteerers 1912
First Family Barn Dance of the year!
Live music inspires the dancing and friendly callers guide the moves with simple instructions and gender-free calling.
No experience necessary!
Sun 11 Jan
3pm-4:30pm
Cecil Sharp House, London
Book now - bit.ly/4j3t1rE
Live music inspires the dancing and friendly callers guide the moves with simple instructions and gender-free calling.
No experience necessary!
Sun 11 Jan
3pm-4:30pm
Cecil Sharp House, London
Book now - bit.ly/4j3t1rE
January 2, 2026 at 5:27 PM
First Family Barn Dance of the year!
Live music inspires the dancing and friendly callers guide the moves with simple instructions and gender-free calling.
No experience necessary!
Sun 11 Jan
3pm-4:30pm
Cecil Sharp House, London
Book now - bit.ly/4j3t1rE
Live music inspires the dancing and friendly callers guide the moves with simple instructions and gender-free calling.
No experience necessary!
Sun 11 Jan
3pm-4:30pm
Cecil Sharp House, London
Book now - bit.ly/4j3t1rE
They say it's hard to tell in Black and White, but suggest Moulton Morris Men. If you are on Facebook the Group 'How Many Morris Dancers are on Facebook?' is a great resource, they might even be able to recognise individual dancers if you are very lucky!
January 2, 2026 at 10:26 AM
They say it's hard to tell in Black and White, but suggest Moulton Morris Men. If you are on Facebook the Group 'How Many Morris Dancers are on Facebook?' is a great resource, they might even be able to recognise individual dancers if you are very lucky!
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 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.
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.
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
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...
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House
2 Dec is the last until 13 Jan. This week's breaktime chat will be "Winter Cheer".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Odiham Mummers Dec 2024, Poacher Inn
2 Dec is the last until 13 Jan. This week's breaktime chat will be "Winter Cheer".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Odiham Mummers Dec 2024, Poacher Inn
December 2, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Have fun dancing at the morris class Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House
2 Dec is the last until 13 Jan. This week's breaktime chat will be "Winter Cheer".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Odiham Mummers Dec 2024, Poacher Inn
2 Dec is the last until 13 Jan. This week's breaktime chat will be "Winter Cheer".
www.efdss.org/learning/adu...
Image: Odiham Mummers Dec 2024, Poacher Inn
December 1, 2025 at 5:36 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
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