english dance & song

English Dance & Song is the longest-established magazine devoted to folk music, dance and song in the country. First published in 1936, it has appeared at least four times a year ever since.

The Singers, Song and Source: The Singers (Lauren McCormick & Emily Portman) … the Song (The Seeds of Love) … the Source (George ‘Pop’ Maynard). See sound files.

From Folkworks to Folk Degree – Alistair Anderson
Four Years in Newcastle: An Apprenticeship of Learning – Sandra, Kerr, Vic Gammon, Fay Hield and current under-graduates.

Folk Britannia – a review of the BBC4 series – Derek Schofield
Century-old Folk Song Manuscript Recovered – Gerald Porter (pdf files of the four songs available over there>>).

Will Atkinson’s Tune; ‘Ninety Three Not Out – Derek Schofield
Since the magazine went to press, and following our interest in the book of Will Atkinson’s tunes, Ernie Gordon has located a few unsold copies of the book, which he is selling for £12.00 including postage. Email eds.editor @ efdss.org for Ernie’s address.

Branching Out – BBC Folk Awards

Reviews – including The Anglo Concertina Music of William Kimber by Dan M. Worrall (Vic Gammon), Sara Grey, Pauline Cato, James Raynard, Flook, Catriona McKay & Chris Stout, Brian Peters, Anna Tabbush, Crucible, Davy Graham, Bruce Scott, The Askews, Alan Bell, 422, Jim Causley, CrossCurrent, The Halliard.

Many reviews written by Newcastle students.

English Dance & Song

68– 1 Spring 2006

This 44-page issue has two special, extended features – one on Newcastle upon Tyne University’s Folk and Traditional Music degree course, and the other on Ceilidhs.

Two sets of sound files are included here in conjunction with this issue:

‘The Seeds of Love’, sung by George ‘Pop’ Maynard. Recorded by Mervyn Plunkett, Reg Hall and Frank Purslow, 1956. Available on The Voice of the People, Volume 10: Who’s that at my bed window? Topic, TSCD 660. Thanks to Tony Engle at Topic Records and Reg Hall.

‘The Seeds of Love’, sung by Lauren McCormick & Emily Portman. Specially recorded for EDS. Thanks to Lauren, Emily and Julien Batten.

In addition, pdf files of the manuscripts of the four songs referred to in Gerald Porter’s article are also available here.

Ceilidh Roots – Derek Schofield with contributions from dancers, callers and musicians.

Regular Features:
Festive Round-Up; Lives Remembered (including Jack Langstaff), Songs under the Microscope; News; List of Dance Events; EFDSS Matters; Letters. The Source.

English Dance & Song exists to interest, inform and stimulate the membership of the EFDSS, as well as the wider folk music and dance community. 

English Dance & Song aims to publish contributions of the highest quality.

The range of interests include traditional song, traditional dance (social, display, ceremonial), traditional music, custom and children's games. The geographical spread is not confined to England, but may also include Scotland, Wales and Ireland; as well as the USA, and other areas of the world which may be appropriate. 

Potential contributors are asked to read the Contributor's Style Sheet. htm rtf pdf

Items for review should be sent to the Editor. Unsolicited reviews will not be published.

The Editor of eds is Derek Schofield, author of The First Week in August: Fifty Years of the Sidmouth Festival, published in 2004 to celebrate the festival’s Golden Jubilee.

He has also written biographies of William Kimber and Fred Jordan, as published in their recent CDs, Absolutely Classic: The Music of William Kimber (EFDSS, 1999) and A Shropshire Lad (Veteran, 2003). Derek has also contributed to The Guardian, The Independent and The Times, as well as to the Folk Music Journal and fRoots.

Contact the Editor at: Editor, English Dance and Song, EFDSS, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, London, NW1 7AY.

By email write to

eds.editor @the domain name efdss.org