Gold Badge Awards

The English Folk Dance and Song Society’s Gold Badge is the highest award the organisation can confer, and recognises important contributions to cultural life in England.

It is awarded to those who have made unique or outstanding contributions to the broad range of folk arts, and/or those who have given exceptional support in furthering the aims of EFDSS (to support and develop ‘English folk dances and songs, other folk music, folk talks and folk drama’, in the words of the Society’s articles).

Awards may be made in one of three categories.

• Category 1: Those who have made unique or outstanding contributions to the broad range of folk arts in England, delivered in ways to include but not limited to folk dance, music, song and storytelling.
• Category 2: Those who have rendered distinguished service to the aims of the English Folk Dance and Song Society through their exceptional contribution. This category may include but is not limited to those who have contributed as educators, collectors, researchers, music promoters/managers, media entities, and so on.
• Category 3: Those who have a particular profile within the wider national cultural sector in England – crossing over from what has historically been considered ‘English Folk’ into mainstream culture – in ways which resonate with the aims and ambitions of the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

 
Across all Categories, the Gold Badge is made to recognise cultural communities and activities that are firmly rooted in the modern cultural life of England.

More than 150 awards have been made since the Gold Badge was first created in 1922. Many award holders are household names in the folk arts, and others are less well known but work tirelessly behind the scenes or in their local communities.

Nominate someone for the Gold Badge Award

How do I nominate someone for an award?

Anyone who lives and/or practises in England can be nominated, provided they meet the criteria outlined in one or more of the above categories.

Anyone can make a nomination, which should be seconded (supported) by one other person. Nominations can be made at any time but are normally considered in the spring, with new awards announced in the late summer.

Nominations can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by letter to EFDSS company secretary, c/o Cecil Sharp House, preferably using the Word doc here.

Always try to provide the following information:

• Name, address and telephone number of the person being nominated
• Name, address, email and telephone number of the person making the nomination, and the seconder
• A short summary of the nomination
• In detail, how they meet the criteria outlined in the category/categories above, along with appropriate evidence as to why the person nominated should receive the award
   

When making a nomination, keep these points in mind:

• The Gold Badge Panel is made up of diverse individuals who may not know anything about the person nominated. Be sure to include all relevant information pertaining to their eligibility and excellence, as this is what they will be basing their decisions on.
• Don’t consult the person you want to nominate. It is important that neither they nor their family is aware that they might be a candidate for an award.
• It’s not necessary to include multiple nominations of the same person; a proposer and seconder is enough.
• There is no need to write a formal statement (citation). But you may wish to suggest the name of a person who could write a citation if the award is made.
• Awards cannot be made posthumously, because the recipient has to agree to accept the award.
   

How much information do I need to include in a nomination?

As a basic guide, please:

• Make clear the areas or roles in which the nominee has worked
• Describe their contribution and how it has made an impact
• Note when and where they were involved
• Make a list of notable achievements and highlights
• Show how the nominee has excelled, and stands out from others doing similar things
• Tell the Gold Badge Panel if others have recognised their contribution (in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, a media award, or an honorary degree, for example). The prior receipt of such an award will not prevent EFDSS awarding its Gold Badge.
   

How are award holders selected?

The Board of the English Folk Dance and Song Society appoints a small awards committee (The Gold Badge Panel), which confidentially discusses each nomination. The Panel will normally meet in the spring. Awards will not necessarily be made every year.

How are successful nominees informed of the award?

Following endorsement by the Board, we’ll write to the nominee asking whether they wish to accept the award.

The announcement of the awards, once the recipients have accepted, will be widely announced in English Dance & Song magazine and other relevant media.

Where a nominee has not been selected, the nominator will be informed in writing. Nominations will not be automatically reconsidered in future years, and a new nomination must be received. Details of unsuccessful nominees remain confidential.

Where is the award presented?

The Gold Badge will usually be presented at a public event. EFDSS will always consider the nominee’s wishes when choosing a suitable occasion.

Gold Badge Award holders

 PDFs of the contemporary citations are linked from names where available. We intend to add further citations in due course.