Our Dance Development programme aims to support the development and flourishing of English folk dance in areas such as youth and adult learning, participation, and practitioner development.
We want more people – and a wider range of people, in communities across England – to experience and enjoy English folk dance.
News, November 2023: Jen Cox appointed as Dance Development Manager, starting on 4 December
Thank you to our supporters
We kick-started this Dance Development programme in 2015 thanks to generous legacies received from the late Rita Smyth and Jennifer Millest.
We now need additional funding to continue this important initiative. If you may be able to help, please
Or you can donate to Dance Development online now.
What is English folk dance?
English folk dance encompasses a rich diversity of dance forms that have developed over many centuries in communities throughout England. These traditions are alive and thriving as part of a living and evolving tradition, alongside many other forms of traditional dance present in England today.
Folk dance styles include:
- Morris: Cotswold, border, North West, molly and carnival
- Sword: rapper and longsword
- Percussive: clog and step dance
- Social: ceilidh, barn, country, Playford and Cornish
- Other: maypole, broom dancing and hobby horse
Discover more in our Beginners’ Guide to English Folk Dance.
Support for the grass roots
In November 2021, and again in November 2022, we awarded five Mini Grants to support social folk dance organisers who wished to return to dancing in person.
Resource Bank
Our Resource Bank of free, downloadable teaching and learning materials includes many resources for folk dancing.
Ongoing and upcoming events
We offer training and networking opportunities for folk dancers, educators and callers to develop their skills in dancing, teaching and leading in varied settings.
As well as running the Folk Education Network and other professional development opportunities for educators, we deliver one-day training courses. We are continuously developing new partnerships with dance organisations to deliver these courses and events around the country.
A few past events
For several years we have taken folk dance to every young dancer taking part in One Dance UK’s U.Dance National Festival.
Thank you so much for your wonderful contributions to the U.Dance National Festival 2023. Both the ceilidh and the clogging workshops went down an absolute storm – the participants LOVED them. Thank you for bringing such an energetic and engaging element to the festival – Laura Nicholson, One Dance UK
#DancePassion 2019 – award-winning clog dancer Laura Connolly's workshop was streamed by the BBC in 2019 as part of their #DancePassion event. Watch the video
How To Teach English Social Folk Dance – sharing knowledge and skills in teaching in schools, community settings and adult learning.
Keeping Folk Dancers On Their Feet – an introduction to safe and effective dance practice.
Steps for Success: English Social Folk Dance Today – a national conference at Cecil Sharp House in March 2018, presented in partnership with People Dancing. Find out more and watch the film.
Work with Young People
Folk dance is an inclusive, accessible, sociable and fun dance form. Working with young people is important because they are able to learn valuable skills and knowledge, inspiring the next generation of folk dancers.
Folk Dance in Schools – this short film shows different folk dance styles in creative learning projects at all key stages in schools across England.
We create partnerships and championing youth folk dance across the country, including with One Dance UK’s U.Dance national youth dance festival.
Dance Resources
We produce many high quality resources for teachers and dance educators.
Free online Resource Bank
Folkshop – books and CDs to support dance teaching, including the ever-popular English Traditional Dancing and Community Dances Manual.
Dance at Cecil Sharp House
Regular English Country Dancing and Morris Dancing classes for adults
Youth Ceilidhs and Family Barn Dances.
Still more evening dances and ceilidhs are presented by other organisations at Cecil Sharp House.
Get in touch
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Donate now to support our Dance Development.
