73-4 Winter 2011

The centenary of the English Folk Dance Society has been celebrated throughout the year with articles on different aspects of the folk dance revival over the last hundred years.

This issue carries an article on the actual founding, ‘Earliest Days’, by editor Derek Schofield, and also a feature on the present state of the folk dance scene, and prospects for the future – ‘Folk Dance: Present and Future’. Pecsaetan Morris from Sheffield are showcased in a feature.

The centenary was celebrated at Cecil Sharp House on 12 November with a National Gathering and there’s a spread of photographs from the event.

Michael Barraclough, an Englishman now living in the States, contributes his ‘Letter from America’ on the subject of English country dancing in the USA.

The Singer, Song and Source series features James Findlay, a young singer, guitarist and fiddle player who was on the 2010 BBC Young Folk Musician Award. His song is ‘I Am a Rover’ and the article on the source, Benjamin Holgate from Leeds who sang the song to Frank Kidson, has been written by John Francmanis.

The EFDSS’s President, Shirley Collins, contributes an article ‘You Never Heard so Sweet’ about Topic Records’ new series of recordings under the title The Voice of the People. Shirley is one of the compilers of the CDs.

There are two EFDSS Gold Badge award citations, for Vic Gammon and Jim Coleman.

This issue also includes a list of almost 150 folk festivals in England and Wales taking place in 2012. The list, with additions as notified, is also available here: www.efdss.org/festivals/2012

Plus all the regular features – Festive Round-up, EFDSS Matters, Lives Remembered, news, reviews and dance events.

Sound Files

‘I Am a Rover’ sung by James Findlay, from his album Sport and Play. With thanks to Fellside Recordings.