English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008

Subject: efdss in 2008
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 01:53 PM

Quick Links

New EFDSS Chief Executive Announced

EFDSS Wins Heritage Lottery Grant

Office Volunteers Needed at Cecil Sharp House

New Releases

The Folk Handbook
Hardcore English
Marrowbones
Running Joak
Listen to the Band
Dance to Your Daddy
Travellers' Joy
This is what EFDSS have been doing so far in 2008.
ps ,they need office volunteers.

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: GUEST,Admiral Birdbath
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 02:09 PM

And the prize for guessing the link is ...?

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's Apprentice
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 02:30 PM

a free membership in the EFDSS and dinner with the board *LOL*

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: Gene Burton
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 02:52 PM

The EFDSS do some great work...I wish them all the best, particularly in terms of funding, volunteers etc., for the coming year.

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 06:31 PM

I second what Gene said... if you want to support English traditional music you could do far worse than join.

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: Folkiedave
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 06:36 PM

There has been a wind of change blowing through the EFDSS for a while now. The new CEO Starts in a week or so.

The publications, records and books, are excellent value for money.

They need office volunteers to help pack the publications etc.

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 05:11 AM

Harold Macmillan [winds of change speech]
Made to the South Africa Parliament on 3 February 1960:


It is, as I have said, a special privilege for me to be here in 1960 when you are celebrating what I might call the golden wedding of the Union. At such a time it is natural and right that you should pause to take stock of your position, to look back at what you have achieved, to look forward to what lies ahead. In the fifty years of their nationhood the people of South Africa have built a strong economy founded upon a healthy agriculture and thriving and resilient industries.
No one could fail to be impressed with the immense material progress which has been achieved. That all this has been accomplished in so short a time is a striking testimony to the skill, energy and initiative of your people. We in Britain are proud of the contribution we have made to this remarkable achievement. Much of it has been financed by British capital. …
… As I've travelled around the Union I have found everywhere, as I expected, a deep preoccupation with what is happening in the rest of the African continent. I understand and sympathise with your interests in these events and your anxiety about them.
Ever since the break up of the Roman empire one of the constant facts of political life in Europe has been the emergence of independent nations. They have come into existence over the centuries in different forms, different kinds of government, but all have been inspired by a deep, keen feeling of nationalism, which has grown as the nations have grown.
In the twentieth century, and especially since the end of the war, the processes which gave birth to the nation states of Europe have been repeated all over the world. We have seen the awakening of national consciousness in peoples who have for centuries lived in dependence upon some other power. Fifteen years ago this movement spread through Asia. Many countries there, of different races and civilisations, pressed their claim to an independent national life.
Today the same thing is happening in Africa, and the most striking of all the impressions I have formed since I left London a month ago is of the strength of this African national consciousness. In different places it takes different forms, but it is happening everywhere.
The wind of change is blowing through this continent, and whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. We must all accept it as a fact, and our national policies must take account of it.

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 05:22 AM

would that the people of England had a National consciousness of their folk heritage.
The Winds of change are blowing through the EFDSS.
personally, I hope that one of their long term objectives would be the reforming of local branches.
another laudable long term objective might be, in conjunction with the Morris ring,the teaching and instruction of music for playing of the morris.

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: mattkeen
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 05:27 AM

I am renewing membership of the efdss and if others are not members then I encourage them to join.

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: BB
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 02:04 PM

Dick, what do you mean by 'reforming of local branches'. I understood that there is no longer any such thing. Or do you mean 're-forming of local branches'?

Barbara

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: treewind
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 02:33 PM

I'm sure many of the old local branches are still going, even if they aren't part of the EFDSS. Suffolk Folk, for example, was an EFDSS local branch but as an autonomous body it's still going strong, organising and supporting events, running workshops, subsidising folk performers in schools and publishing the local folk magazine Mardles. We're still affiliated to the EFDSS because it's a cost-effective way of getting public liability insurance for the events we run.

Anahata

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: BB
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 02:47 PM

Yes, of course they are, Anahata. But they no longer exist officially as *branches* of EFDSS. In the old days, all the money those branches made actually 'belonged' to the main EFDSS accounts - the branches had no real control over it, which was one of the things that caused frustration amongst those involved in the local branches. It was seen as 'belonging to London'.

Barbara

Subject: RE: efdss in 2008
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 03:46 PM

yes BB.re-forming.apologies.

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 04:28 PM

I don't suppose that the likes of Suffolk Folk would be too impressed if the EFDSS at national level decided either (a) to set up a (rival) county folk organisation in Suffolk or (b) attempt to take over and direct the operations of Suffolk Folk.
That's not to say that EFDSS couldn't devise some strategy that attempted to support the regions, especially in outreach work. Indeed, the Take 6 project (HLF funding, see EFDSS website) is an excellent example of outreach into the regions!

The reasons the Districts (originally known as Branches) were abolished in the 1990s was, I think, because they represented only one aspect of folk music, dance and song (generally, social dance clubs), many of them were only preaching to the converted, and many of them were moribund or dead. The change was to allow each county to establish its own folk organisation which was more representative. That has only happened patchily.

Incidentally, I am pleased to see Captain Birdseye applauding the work of EFDSS (be careful Dick, you'll be thinking of joining next!) but it is misleading to say that the list of items in his original email is what EFDSS is doing in 2008. They took place in 2007! watch this space for the coming year!

Derek Schofield
(who may edit the EFDSS magazine, but who is just expressing his own views and ideas here).

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 05:15 PM

Derek.
I was neither applauding or criticising,I was just publicising,their information.

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 06:27 PM

Careful, Dick - you'll be in charge of publicity next.

Dick Miles, EFDSS Marketing Mananger - who'da thunk it?

Ruth Archer
(who, though a farmer's wife, is only expressing her personal opinions here)

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 06:47 PM

I see English Dance and Song are on My Space.
perhaps Cecil Sharp should join,I am sure he would get many friends.

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 07:04 PM

English Dance and Song is down with the kids. It's a well-known fact.

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 20
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 07:16 PM

Ruth,

Since Pip has done so well in the Young Farmer's speaking contest should she not be joining Borsetshire Morris and thus extend her surrent lifestyle?

And David is not too old to morris dance.

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 03:12 AM

Pip regularly reads EDS. At the moment she's passionately interested in the appearance of skylarks in folk ballads of the 19th century, and is hard at work preparing an article for the next issue - precocious little snit.

Borsetshire Morris, as you well know, is a Ring side. It'll be a cold day in Penny Hassett before the likes of Pip will be dancing with them.

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Fidjit
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 03:19 AM

The magazine EDS has a very good on line link now with some downloadable music. Check it out

You should also all be members.

This years Folk Music Journal is a gem !!

Sabine Barine-Gould and Lucy Broadwood to the fore.

Do you know that Lucy would be 150 years old this year August 9th. Something should be going on at Broadstairs perhaps.

Join the I Love Lucy Brigade

Hey there was a lot going on before C# got involved

Chas

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Fidjit
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 03:20 AM

Hey Ruth see you at Cheltenham ??

Chas

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 20
From: treewind
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 03:34 AM

Derek: "That's not to say that EFDSS couldn't devise some strategy that attempted to support the regions ... [the regional branches] represented only one aspect of folk music, dance and song (generally, social dance clubs)"

For what it's worth, Suffolk Folk would probably be very happy to be involved in any regional support from the EFDSS, and while it may have been mainly a social dancers organisation in the past (I don't know, I wasn't there then), it certainly isn't now.

Anahata

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 03:35 AM

Depends on whether lambing has started, and if I can get Eddie to cover the milking...

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Surreysinger
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 06:35 AM

Fidjit
Careful - you're nicking our trademark there!! Must see about registering it somewhere...The "I Love Lucy Show" is the secondary (private) name we're giving to our show "Listen and You Shall Hear" which we (that's me, Ralphie and Derby Ram) are currently getting together to celebrate Lucy's 150th birthday on 9th August this year - more details at this Myspace link

Lucy definitely needs celebrating this year - she was the person that Ralph Vaughan Williams (50 years dead this year - 19 days after Lucy's birthday) acknowledged as having been almost single handedly responsible for ensuring the existence of the Folk-Song Society for nearly a quarter of a century - and without the FSS there would undoubtedly be no EFDSS as we know it now.... go Lucy!!! (sorry - inveterate partisan speaking here....)

(Oh and thanks EFDSS for publishing Dave Gregory's article on her! )

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Fidjit
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 09:31 AM

Sorry Irene, but hey! I'm on your side.

You have my full backing.


Chas

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Surreysinger
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 11:17 AM

Hi Chas
No probs whatsoever - it's much appreciated on behalf of Team Lucy that you gave her a mention [grins]as I feel that the considerable importance of the work that she carried out before C# and RVW came on the scene is quite often forgotten. (In 1904 it was all _three_ of them that got together to make plans to fan up the dying embers of the Folk-Song Society). Any backing for her is muchly appreciated !! (I am of course being extremely partisan again.....)

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: GUEST,Surreysinger at work
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 01:51 PM

One thing I should have said - I've now been a member of the EFDSS for more years than I care to remember, having joined as a student. I'd strongly urge anyone who cares about traditional music, song or dance to become a card carrying member ... if nothing else you get a very informative regular magazine and a journal publication. I look forward with interest to seeing what the Society gets up to this year!!

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 05:49 PM

I look forward with interest to seeing what the Society gets up to this year!!.
Ruth Archer was suggesting making Dick Miles, EFDSS marketing manager.
Ruth Archer,s, head has clearly been turned by rustic trysts behind the cowshed.

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 05:59 PM

entirely your mad fantasy, Dick - nowt to do with me!

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 20
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 06:01 PM

She usually uses the Randolph in Oxford. But I have to warn you Dick - high-maintenance woman if ever I met one. I couldn't keep her in melodeons, never mind about books.

How Daaaaayvid manages I'll never know.

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 20
From: John Routledge
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 06:33 PM

Just written out membership cheque - your first recruit Surreysinger :0)

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 20
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 03:07 AM

Well done John, come on folks get in there and make a difference.

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Surreysinger
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:30 AM

Yay!! Good on you John .... one less for Dick to work on as Marketing and/or Publicity Manager, eh??? :-) Can't claim credit for your cheque writing habits though ... others have made the suggestion before me, I'm pretty sure!!!

Subject: RE: English Folk Dance and Song Society (efdss) 2008
From: Fidjit
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 10:31 AM

Yes well done John.

I mean the magazine alone is worth that. Then there's the Folk Music Journal. Some folk clubs etc., let you in cheaper too. Money in the bank.

As you've joined just now, you should get some of 2007's magazines and the latest journal.

Happy reeading.

Roll up! Roll up!

Come and Buy, Come and Buy.
Be you poor or Gent er e eye
Gather round the Broadside man
And lay your money down

There are ballads long and short
And the best of every sort
For a single pawty penny
All the News from London Town

Chas

PS. Bit more than a penny now I know, but well worth it.