From: Howard Jones
Date: 29 Dec 21 - 11:02 AM
"In particular, it's not clear whether the new name signifies an intention to represent the traditions of other cultures which now make up a significant part of our society. The Society seems to prefer "English" to mean "in England" rather than "belonging to England", so that seems possible. On the one hand, these are now part of English society and therefore part of contemporary English folk arts. On the other, these communities may prefer that the safeguarding of their traditions is best left in their own hands.
No one thinks it wrong that Comhaltas concentrates on Irish traditional music, or that other communities should want to preserve their own traditions, indeed this is seen as something to be encouraged. Why then should the English tradition be treated differently? It is probably more at risk than many of these other traditions, since most English people have forgotten about it, and it is at best ignored and and worst ridiculed. I would feel very let down if the EFDSS decided this is no longer important."

To an extent hybridisation is already being encouraged by EFDSS. They have sponsored various groups (do I remember a Morris team working with Ballet students to put on a performance / Fok dancers and Street dancers) Can't find anything on the website, though the first page is interesting.. No mention of English unless you scroll a long way down,and a big thing about diversity & inclusiveness.

It's an interesting question, how much we should try to keep styles separate and 'traditional' (which often means 'how I was taught it x years ago) or should we welcome change. Some may 'tut' when people who enjoy twirling in Zesty Contra then start twirling in Playford back-to-backs.
So many folk tunes crop up almost the same from different parts of Europe.
Was there ever such a thing as 'English Folk'?