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

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

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/

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...

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.

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.

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

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...

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

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.

"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/

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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

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.

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...

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

Just a reminder folks that the current Classic Folk at www.efdss.org/listen will remain live until next week. This is due to technical issues experienced last week that delayed its availability.

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.

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...

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

📢 GIG ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Legendary ballad singer and guitarist Martin Carthy, joined by a very special guest, returns to our iconic stage in February. 25 February 2026 Tickets now on sale: bit.ly/4qrgwcX

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

Good luck to the legendary Martin Carthy at tonight's Mercury Prize Awards! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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...

This week's (slightly belated) episode of Classic Folk includes: Fairport Convention @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social Shirley Collins Arthur Knevett - Playing at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social on 29 Oct. Martin Simpson @oysterband.bsky.social efdss.org/listen

Oh wow! Off Beat Film Festival are showing an collection of Doc Rowe's favourite folky films! www.tickettailor.com/events/offbe...

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.

Announcing our 2026 Library Lectures series. The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library annual online lectures on contemporary and historical folk music, song and dance. Book all 4 lectures for the price of 3. bit.ly/46EhbzR

📢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

Free Taster Session for young musicians on Sun 5 Oct, 2pm-5pm Bring along your own instruments for a day playing together with other young musicians and see if joining the London Youth Folk Ensemble is for you. @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social 2 Regent’s Park Road, London NW1 7AY

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 knew if we kept singing sea shanties for long enough they'd become 'Cool' again. www.dw.com/en/britains-...

Our Black British Folk Takeover is one of The Londonist's Things To Do In London This Weekend! londonist.com/london/weeke...

Connection Online: Focus on Virtual and Hybrid Learning Tuesday 7 Oct, 2pm-5pm, Online Book for free bit.ly/4gkqxnw

Hoping @swmandc.bsky.social and the Oldham Dancing Diyas had a wonderful time dancing in Barcelona for La Mercè festival? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Interview with Angeline Morrison @angelcakepie2.bsky.social EFDSS Board member and Curator of our Black British Folk Takeover event taking place at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social on 4 October www.afridiziak.com/interviews/a...

This week's Classic Folk episode features tracks from: The Magpie Arc Johnny Collins, Dave Webber & Pete Watkinson @theunthanks.bsky.social Pentangle Leonard Cohen and many more! www.efdss.org/listen

Calling all callers for the social folk dance census! We are conducting a census to find out more about social folk dance callers in the 21st century. Whether you’re a seasoned expert, or just call occasionally for fun, we want to hear from you! subscribepage.io/jOCE8E

Jo Sealy's exhibition The Black Artisans looks great on the walls of Cecil Sharp House We're thrilled to be able to share with visitors to the House these powerful portraits of Black British craftspeople at work. The exhibition closes on 11 October Free entry

This week's Classic Folk is now live, and includes: Runrig @samsweeney.bsky.social @theyounguns.bsky.social @winterwilson.bsky.social Pete Cooper & Richard Bolton Roy Bailey with Martin Simpson & John Kirkpatrick Peter & Barbara Snape with Poppy Weatherall and many more www.efdss.org/listen

How magical is Suntou Susso's sublime voice and kora playing? Catch him at Cecil Sharp House next Wednesday 1 Oct, moved into our iconic Kennedy Hall due to exceptional demand. Wed 1 Oct bit.ly/3UkKT5Q

Morris Dancing classes start this evening! Tuesdays 6:30pm at Cecil Sharp House. This week's break chat will be "Roots of Morris Dancing". www.efdss.org/learning/adu... Image: Morris with Taborers in St John the Baptist Church, Peterborough which dates from the 15th century like English Morris.

Get free cashback for English Folk Dance And Song Society when you shop online! Sign up and your favourite retailers will donate every time you shop – at no extra cost to you. Plus, join today and we could win a bonus £250 donation: join.easyfundraising.org.uk/folk/zp7ggx/...