Gold Badge Awards

The English Folk Dance and Song Society Gold Badge celebrates the very best in folk art. It is awarded to those who have made unique or outstanding contributions to the art or science of folk dance, music or song, and/or those who have given exceptional support in furthering the aims of the Society.

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

Nominate someone for the Gold Badge Award

Do you know an unsung hero of folk? Or has your hero not yet been recognised with a Gold Badge?

How do I nominate someone for an award?

Anyone can make a nomination, which should be seconded (supported) by one other person. Nominations can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or in writing to EFDSS company secretary, c/o Cecil Sharp House.

Nominations can be made at any time but are normally considered in the spring, with new awards announced in the autumn.

There is no form to complete but you should 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
• The reasons, along with appropriate evidence, why the person nominated should receive the award

When making a nomination, keep these points in mind:

• 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.
• Don’t canvass lots of people to write in to support the nomination. It is the quality of the evidence provided that is important, not the size of postbag.
• 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.
• Award holders will have made a difference and/or brought distinction to the world of folk. 

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

In some cases the name of the person may be all that is required, but more information must be given about those who are not so well known nationally. If you are in doubt as to how much the Awards Committee might already know about your candidate, please ask the company secretary.

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 Awards Committee 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, which confidentially discusses each nomination. The committee 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 have accepted, will be made in English Dance & Song magazine and elsewhere.

Where a nominee has not been selected, the nominator will receive a letter. 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