Company number.. 00297142
Charity number.. 305999
The English Folk Dance and
Song Society
Report and financial statements
For the year ended 31 March 2024

English Folk Dance and Song Society
Contents
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Reference and administrative information
Directors, annual report
Independent auditor's report
Statement of financial attbvities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)
Balance sheet
Statement of cash flows..............................................................................................
Notes to the financial statements
.32
.36
.37
.38
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English Folk Dance and Song Society
Reference and administrative details
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Company number
00297142
Charity number
305999
Registered office and
operational address
Cecil Sharp House
2 Regent's Park Road
London
NWI 7AY
Web address
www.efdss.org
E-mail address
info@efdss.org
Trading Names
English Folk Dance & Song Society
folkshoponline
President
Eliza Carthy MBE
Bankers
HSBC
176 Camden High Street
London
NWI 8QL
Solicitors
BP Collins
32-38 Station Road
Gerrards Cross
SL9 8EL
Auditors
Sayer Vincent LLP
110 Golden Lane
London. ECIY OTG

English Folk Dance and Song Society
Reference and administrative details
For the year ended 31 March 2024
TRUSTEEs/DIRECTORS and STAFF
Trustees/Directors
Lorna Aizlewood
Fiona Butcher
Alan Davey CBE
Ed Fishwick
Robyn Chicot
Fiona Fraser
Lucy Hooberman
Laura Jones
Nicola Kearey
Ayub Khan MBE
Angeline Morrison
Martin Parker
Arti Prashar
Eleanor Telfer
Andy Wooles
Tony Garton
Chair, retired November 2023
Chair, appointed November 2023
Vice-chair, re-appointed November 2023
Honorary Treasurer
retired November 2023
resigned November 2023
retired November 2023
resigned November 2023
retired November 2023
Honorary Company Secretary
General Purposes Committee
Lorna Aizlewood
retired November 2023
Fiona Butcher
Trustee from November 2023
Ed Fishwick
Chair
Fiona Fraser
Trustee to November 2023; Volunteer from November 2023
Martin Parker
retired November 2023
Mike Heaney
Volunteer
Sherry Neyhus
Volunteer
Katy Spicer
Staff
Megan Chidlow
Staff
EFDSS Staff at 31 March 2024
Katy Spicer
Chief Executive & Artistic Director.
Zoe Nicol
Artistic Programme Co-ordinator.
Rachel Elliott
Charlotte Turner
Hannah Mears-young
Jen Cox
Jennie Higgins
Kerry Fletcher
Education Director
Education Manager
Programme Manager, National Youth Folk Ensemble
Dance Development Manager.
Education Administrator
Folk Education Network Co-ordinatort
Tiffany Hore
Nick Wall
Library & Archives Director. Vaughan Williams Memorial Library
Librarian.

English Folk Dance and Song Society
Reference and administrative details
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Alex Burton
Malcolm Barr-Hamilton
Martin Nail
Elaine Bradtke
David Atkinson
Librarian
Archivist.
Folk Song Subject Index.
Cataloguert
Editor. Folk Music Journalt
Peter Craik
Honor Wicks
Tennessee Woodiel
Josh Holliday
Marketing & Communications Director
Marketing Officer
Marketing & Development Co-ordinator
Web Developert
Megan Chidlow
James Turner
Finance Director
Finance Officer
Lucy Grant
Elizabeth Tobald
Alexeen Fernandez
Edward Hanley
Patrick Carpenter
Susannah Hall
Jamie Orchard-Lisle
Business Development & Operations Director
Venue Operations Manager
Venue Sales and Events Administrator
Venue Sales and Events Administrator
Caretaker.
Garden Managert
Technical Managert
Edie Bailey
Brian Concannon
Esther Elliott
Rachel Furness
Sarah Stock
Mimi Suzuki
Romari Thomas
Duty Managers.
Edie Bailey
Bethany Byrne
Jowan Collier
Esther Elliott
Holly Hollis
Ciaran Keogh
Sue Lee
Finnian Mattingly
Christina Minton
Theo Pedley
Lucy Rushton
Kathleen Simpson
Yusra Supdarowa
Romari Thomas
Angela Venturini
Event Assistants.

English Folk Dance and Song Society
Reference and administrative details
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Part-time t Free-lance
RS7 Solutions
Pink Foods
IT Support
Café and bar franchisee
Membership at 31 March 2024
Number of individual members: 1934 {2042 at 31 March 2023}.
Number of affiliated groups and organisations: 487 {560 at 31 March 2023)

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
The Board presents its report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March
2024.
Reference and administrative information set out on page I forms part of this report. The
financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and
Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting
by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) is a charitable company limited by guarantee,
incorporated in 1935, and registered as a charity in 1963. The company was established under a
Memorandum of Association, which sets out the objectives and powers of the charitable
company. Revised Articles of Association, incorporating slightly revised objectives and the
substance of the original powers, were adopted on 13 November 2010. Further amendments
have been adopted at later AGMS.
Board Members are both Directors of the company limited by guarantee and Trustees of the
EFDSS under charity law. They are therefore responsible for fulfilling the EFDSS'S responsibilities
as the Trustee of Cecil Sharp House, under Trusts declared in 1930 and 1935.
All Board Members give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any
expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 11 to the accounts.
The Board of Directors
The Board has up to 12 Directors elected by the Members and up to four additional Directors
appointed by the Board. The Board selects it5 Chair from among the elected Directors and an
Honorary Treasurer from the Board as a whole. At every AGM at least four (one thirdl of the
elected Board places will be available for election. Retiring members are eligible for re-election
and appointed Directors may seek election provided they have not had more than six
continuous years in office. The Board may co-opt EFDSS members to fill casual vacancies. They
hold office until the next AGM. The appointment of any Director by the Board is subject to
Member approval at the next AGM.
All incoming Directors receive a copy of the Board Policies Document setting out their role and
responsibilities, explaining how the Board functions. current Strategies and policies, and recent
meeting papers and minutes. The Board meets at least four times a year. It meets at least
annually with the whole senior staff management team so that strategic issues can be given
wider and fuller consideration.

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
ORGANISATION AND DECISION MAKING
How the Board functions
The Board is, in law, ultimately responsible for all aspects of the performance of EFDSS but, in
practice, most aspects of this responsibility are delegated to the Chief Executive and she in turn
delegates them to the staff. The Board listens to and interacts with the staff, but does not, at
any time, direct the staff other than the Chief Executive.
The Board operates under a system of Policy Governance, set out in a single Board Policy
Document defining:
EFDSS, Objectives, and therefore those of the Chief Executive, who with her staff creates
the Strategies to deliver those Objectives. The Chief Executive reports regularly to the
Board on the achievement of those Objectives through the Business Plan and other
documents.
Limitations within which the Chief Executive must stay when achieving the Objectives,
for example, not entering into debt and keeping a balanced budget.
The way in which the relationship between the Board and the Chief Executive is
managed, which includes a regular review of the Objectives. Throughout the year, new
ideas are considered, and individual strategies reviewed and discussed by the Board and
senior staff.
The Board also keeps under review the rules by which it governs itself, for example, the
standards of conduct for its members.
The policy document is written to give the Chief Executive the maximum possible freedom to
innovate and get on with her job without interference, while at the same time defining a clear
strategic direction for EFDSS and ensuring that the Board does not neglect its duty to uphold
high standards of organisational performance. The Board is supported by a single standing
committee, the General Purposes Committee {GPC) that monitors the performance of EFDSS
and provides advice to the Board. Additionally the Chief Executive and staff may appoint
working or advisory groups to provide them with operational support and guidance.
Managing risk
In accordance with best practice, the GPC reviews and keeps up-dated the Register of Risks
facing EFDSS. There are risks associated with financial operations, governance, and
management; from environmental and other external factors. All are reviewed as to probability
and impact so that actions can be taken to mitigate the most serious risks.
It is not possible or desirable to run EFDSS without incurring risk and the Register of Risks allows
Directors to identify and focus upon the most serious risks while at the same time delivering a
service to meet EFDSS Objectives and the identified needs of all stakeholders. Not all risks can
be mitigated but some are less likely to happen if the rest are effectively mitigated. The greatest
attention is given to those high risks, that the Board can realistically control.
Key risks identifi'ed are loss of key staff; inability to maximise income. financial management;
loss of key stakeholders. These are mitigated through clear procedures on HR and financial

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
management and reporting which are regularly reviewed by the GPC. regular reviews of income
generation sources (ie ticket sales, venue hire, fundraising); and ensuring grant agreements are
fully met and good relationships are maintained with funders and other stakeholders. An
additional risk has been added of inability to operate because of societal conditions (eg
pandemics). Mitigation of such conditions are to pursue all emergency funding options;
activate relevant premises and IT issue mitigations; utilise reserves. use scenario planning to
revise business plans and increase ability to respond.
Statement of policies
EFDSS has Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding (children, young people and adults at risk),
Volunteer, Health and Safety, Staff Handbook (employment policies) and Environmental policies
in place to safeguard the staff, volunteers, and all users of Cecil Sharp House and EFDSS
activities happening in other venues.
Remuneration policy for key management personnel
Remuneration for key management personnel will be reviewed annually by the Chief Executive
and GPC, any proposal would be supported by sectoral benchmarking evidence.
Public benefit statement
As a registered charity, EFDSS is required to report how its activities in furtherance of its
charitable purposes provide public benefit and to show that its Trustees act in regard to Charity
Commission guidance in this matter. EFD5S has as its charitable purpose:
The advancement of education.
The advancement of the arts, culture and heritage.
The promotion of equality and diversity.
The Directors confirm that in setting strategies and developing policies they seek to ensure that
EFDSS resources and services are available to all regardless of means or geographical location.
The size of the membership does not reflect the much greater number who, directly and
indirectly, benefit from EFDSS, work. In particular, its numerous outreach programmes and
projects are designed to share the resources of the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and its
collections world-wide, and to encourage the wider public and particularly young people to
share and enjoy a range of folk arts activities at Cecil Sharp House and elsewhere across
England and sometimes beyond.
OBJECTIVES and ACTIVITIES
EFDSS has specific objectives focusing on promoting, preserding, and developing English folk
dances, songs and music, and stories and drama with the mission to engage more people of all
ages and abilities with the folk arts. This is achieved through national and sometimes
international programmes of learning and participation, development of resources, and teacher
and artists, development which currently include:
Courses and classes for adults including instrumental, voice, choirs, dance, lectures, and
conferences.

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Programmes for children and young people (formal and informal educational settings),
including our two youth ensembles - National Youth Folk Ensemble and London Youth
Folk Ensemble - and Inclusive Folk programme for learning disable young people.
Training and development activities (workshops, seminars, conferences, Continuing
Professional Development activities, and online resources) to improve the
understanding, teaching and delivery of the folk arts forthose working in formal and
informal educational setknngs.
Support and development of professional artists working in and with the folk arts
through a year round programme of performance and showcase programmes, and
creative development support through, for example, bursary programmes, residencies
and creative commissions.
Maintaining and increasing the collettions (physical and online) of the Vaughan Williams
Memorial Library to provide resources to support learning and creative projects, and to
promote and encourage academic study through lectures and conferences.
EFDSS delivers many of these activities with partner organisations working in arts, education
and heritage organisations, health and wellbeing, and other sectors as appropriate. All
activities are evaluated through the collection of quantitative and qualitative data from
audiences, participants, tutors, peer assessors, funders, and partner organisations. Evaluation
outcomes inform the development of future strategies and programmes of activities.
Vision Statement
Championing the folk arts at the heart of England's rich ond diverse culturol landscape
Mission Statement
Through the use of its resources (Cecil Sharp House, the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, its
professional staff, and members), EFDSS will maintain itself as a centre of excellence in the
development of traditional folk song, dance. music, stories and drama by providing national and
local outreach services and support to professional artists, teachers, researchers and others
that enable and increase access to all and celebrate diversity and promote equality.
10

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Fiona Butcher
Chair's Report
As this is my first Annual Report for EFDSS, having been appointed Chair of the Board of
Trustees/Directors in November 2023, 1 wish first to express huge thanks to my predecessor,
Lorna Aizlewood, who steered the EFDSS ship for six years as Chair following a five-year stint as
a Trustee.
Despite this being the first year with a lower National Portfolio grant from Arts Council England
(ACE), we have continued to deliver a vast array of events across England, working with children
and young people, adults, teachers, artists and academics. Activities took place in Devon,
Hertfordshire, Lancashire, London, Manchester, Norfolk, Somerset, Suffolk, Yorkshire, and Tyne
and Wear.
We saw the National Youth Folk Ensemble perform at Moor Music {Morecombe>, Saltburn
Festival and Summer Sounds Festival in London, and the London Youth Folk Ensemble make its
regular appearance at Folk by the Oak in the grounds of Hatfield House. Once again, we
brought folk dance to the U.Dance Youth Dance Festival and delivered Inclusive Folk, a year-
round programme of workshops for young people with disabilities.
The creative development of artists working with folk music and dance continued to be
delivered through the Alan James Creative Bursary programme and the Micro Grants
programme. In addition, we supported performance showcases for early career and EFDSS
Creative Bursary and Micro Grant artists at Sidmouth Folk Festival and Stage4Beverley.
The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and Archive's annual conference focused on the theme
of folk dance and tradition this year with "Folk Dance: Grappling with the Tradition" It also
presented the annual Broadside Day with the Traditional Song Forum, and a programme of
online lectures. The partnership with the Universities of East Anglia and Sheffield to explore the
Gypsy and Traveller music in the archives continued with the creation of an online resource
which was launched at the Strumpshaw Tree Fair in Norfolk.
Of course, much of this work would not be possible without the support of members, donors
and funders. We are very grateful to John Lyon's Charity (Inclusive Folkl; Scop Arts and
Postlethwaite Music Fund (National Youth Folk Ensemble and Engagement Programmel; PRS
Foundation (Artists, Development); Good Luck Charitable Trust; donors Conrad and Jennifer
Bailey {Artists' Development); and all our members and donors.
Although our regular ACE funding was reduced, we were successful in a bid to the ACE
Transform Fund. Aimed at those organisations with reduced funding this fund is to support
developments that will help transform business models. For EFDSS, the key use of this funding
will be for capital works to increase space available for hires and EFDSS activities at Cecil Sharp
House, work which we plan to complete in 2025.

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
The EFDSS Gold Badge, awarded to individuals who have given exceptional service to EFDSS
and/or to the folk arts, was given to four people this year. Frank Lee has made an incalculable
contribution to rapper sword as a dancer, musician, and sword maker, and was involved in
establishing DERT (Dance England Rapper Tournament). Jo and Simon Harmer have long and
distinguished careers in dance performance. education and research, and made an
immeasurable contribution to the validity and depth of the step dancing tradition. Sean
Goddard is a dancer, academic, and editor, chairing Keymer Folk Dance Club and producing
Sussex Pie, the folk newsletter for Sussex. Congratulations to them all.
Finally, I would like to thank my fellow Trustee/Directors for all their work and for their support
of me in my fi'rst months, and to thank those who retired from the board in November 2023-
Lorna Aizlewood, Nicola Kearey, Arti Prashar, Andy Wooles, and Martin Parker. l also wish to
thank our Chief Executive, Katy Spicer, and her team for their continued dedication and
development of the organi5ation.
Katy Spicer
Chief Executive's Report
As the Chair has noted, this has been the first year with a reduced grant from Arts Council
England. It was extremely disappointing to receive the news in November 2023 of a 32Yo Cut in
our National Portfolio Organisation grant. given the enormous developments we have made
over past years to expand our work and engage with new audiences, young people and an
increasingly diverse cohort of artists and arknst-educators and so deliver the ACE Strategy.
Fortunately, our reasonable financial reserve5 meant the Trustees were willing to support a plan
that did not require any immediate reduction in activities and staff. This support was enhanced
by the successful bid to the ACE Transform Fund which is helping to fund core costs over a
three-year period to March 2026 and a capital development at Cecil Sharp House to increase
the number of spaces for hire and EFDSS activities to increase future income generation.
So, rather than scaling back it has been business as usual with regular and new activities being
delivered throughout the year.
Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and Archive (VWMLI
"Just incredible. Hugely helpful advice and suggestions from library, revelatory fi'ndings.....
Incredible, could spend a lifetime here." Library user. 2023
VWML has a unique multimedia collection of books, periodicals, sound recordings, moving
images, photographs, artefacts and archival materials. It has the largest number of folk-related
manuscripts in England, providing invaluable insight into folk history and regional variation.
12

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
The majority of the VWMLS staff time is spent responding to enquiries, cataloguing new
acquisitions of archive collections and recently published books and CDS, indexingjournals,
and processing book and record donations. Over the years VWML has been invited to work on
projects with a number of universities including Shepherd University and West Chester
University (USA), and the Universities of Oxford, Aberdeen, Sussex and Royal Holloway. This
year the invitation came from the Universities of East Anglia and Sheffield to partner on the
pioneering project Gypsy and Traveller Voices in UK Music Archives.
The project, which is funded by the University of East Anglia's AHRC Impact Acceleration
Account, aims to highlight the richness and importance of Gypsy and Traveller music collections,
supporting the cultural wellbeing of some of the UK'S most marginalised communities.
Romani Gypsy academic and poet Dr Jo Clement of Northumbria University created a
resource to make the VWML'S Gypsy and Traveller collections more accessible, particularly
for Gypsy and Traveller people seeking engagement with their cultural heritage. This resource
was launched at the Strumpshaw Tree Fair in Norfolk in July 2023. In addition, VWML Director
Tiffany Hore together with academic partner colleagues gave papers about the project at the
Access Folk conference in Sheffield and the Folk Education Development Day in Norwich.
Further funding was secured to make a short film in collaboration with Romani film collective
Patrin Films, which will use a personal story to explore the Archive's Gypsy and Traveller
collections.
"Absolutely fascinating. I know of Gypsy and Traveller storytellers and history but little of the old
songs and who sang them and where. Will definitely visit the Vaughan Williams Memorial
Library and delve further into the archives. Such a rich heritage and needs to be celebrated.
Great work!" Feedback from Strumpshaw Tree Fair, 2023
The annual Broadside Day was held in February in partnership with the Traditional Song Forum,
and our annual programme of Library Lectures continued to be presented digitally, thereby
attracting people from across the world. This year's lectures were:
Distant Cousins: Cornish Christmas Carols in South Australia presented by Kate Neale.
Sticks, Bells and Baldrics: Ball de Bastons- a Catalan tradition evolving with the times
presented by Stephen Rowley.
Seinn Spioradail: Sacred Soundscapes of Scotland's Highland and Island Communities
presented Frances Wilkins.
Shaping and Controlling Tradition: Charles Villiers Stanford's Contributions to the
Preservation and Reworking of Folk Melodies presented by Adèle Commins.
The 2023 conference focussed on dance traditions. 'Folk Dance: Grappling with Tradition,
sought to examine folk dance in its wide-ranging forms, asking speakers and delegates to
consider the meaning of tradition, both historically and in the present. Over two days the
presentations explored the history of folk dance, refashioning, re-enactment, reinvention,
participation and performance, with live performances from Boss Morris and step dancer
Simon Harmer. Topics explored specific dance forms including morris, stepping, Molly, sword
and social dance, and dance traditions from specific parts of the UK.

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Volume 12, Number 4 of the journal of the VWML, the Folk Music Journal, was published again
in print and digitally. The Journal reviewed over 20 books and published the following articles:
Return to the Appalachian Mountains: Maud Karpeles and Sidney Robertson Cowell's
Song Collection Expedition 1950 by Catherine Herbert Kerst and Brian Peters.
Mrs Fowler's Polesworth Morris Troupe: Mary Neal's Vision Achieved? by Joe Oldaker.
Telling the Trust in Song: Subversion and Injustice in the Ballad of 'Green the Ganger, by
lan Russell.
Lace Songs and Culture Wars: A Nineteenth-century Flemish Village Soap Opera by
David Hopkins.
In early 2023, VWML contributed items from the archives to The Making Mischief Exhibition at
Compton Verney, organised by the Museum of British Folklore. Items lent included Abbots
Bromley horns, a hoodening horse, a set of morris dolls and various items of longsword and
mumming costume. The exhibition opened in February and continued through to June. it was
also shown at the UAL: London College of Fashion in summer 2024.
To mark the centenary in 2024 of the death of Cecil Sharp, the VWML Director curated an
exhibition of Sharp's Singers for Cecil Sharp House, photographs from our archives of some of
th
the many singers from whom Sharp collected songs in the early 20 century. Sharp was one of
the few song collectors to take photographs of his singers and note down details about them,
and in doing so he left us a valuable insight into the lives of his overwhelmingly working-class
subjects
what they wore, where they lived, and sometimes even glimpses of them as
people.
We selected images which we felt, when married to the story of their subject, achieved this
the best. Whether agricultural labourer, gardener, glover, collar worker, sailor or miner, we
see this as a celebration of the ordinary people who made the folk revival possible through
their art., Tiffany Hore
The exhibition runs until the end of 2024.
Learning and Participation
Once again the Education team delivered a huge number of activities from weekly classes to
residential courses, for participants of all ages, as well as practitioners, and across England.
Youth
The National Youth Folk Ensemble was awarded National Youth Music Organisation (NYMOI
status by the Department for Education and Arts Council England, becoming one of 15 NYMO'S
alongside other youth music ensembles including the National Youth Orchestra and the
National Youth Jazz Collective. This is a great recognition of the importance of folk music in the
musical education of young people. The Ensemble also saw a change of Artistic Director as Sam
Partridge delivered his final residencies and performances in April and August 2023, handing
over the baton from the autumn to Jo Freya. The end of Sam's tenure saw the Ensemble give
14

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
performances at Cecil Sharp House, Saltburn Festival and at the Summer Sounds Festival in
London. Sam had led the Ensemble brilliantly for four years which included the COVID 19 lock
down, maintaining the young people's enthusiasm and energy through over a year of online
only residencies. Our first Programme Manager, Sarah Jones, also moved on after eight years in
the post. Her successor, Hannah Mears-young joined us in summer 2023 bringing experience in
youth arts practice.
Unfortunately, due to serious illness, Jo had to lead from a distance for the first few months.
Miranda Rutter, a long-term regular tutor for the Ensemble, stepped in as Jo's eyes and ears at
the residencies in October and February. Fortunatelyjo was able to return in person in the
Spring. Under her leadership, Cohort 8 gave theirfirst performance in February at More Music
in Morecambe alongside professional band Blowzabella, of which Jo is a long-time member. It
was a packed house and exuberantly appreciative audience. The Ensemble performed new
works collaboratively composed and arranged with jazz musician Annie Whitehead, and with
tabla player and Bhangra composer and producer Kuljit Bhamra. As ever, the young people
worked with a wide range of guest music leaders throughout the year and were supported by a
dedicated team of pastoral staff.
The National Youth Folk Ensemble Engagement Programme delivered events across the country.
In the summer half term, Open Day5 were delivered in Exeter, Manchester and London, offering
free opportunities for young people to try folk music or develop their folk music playing. Folk
Experience Days for young musicians took place in partnership with music education hubs in
Bristol, Greater Manchester, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, and Suffolk, and with
Yorkshire Young Musicians in Leeds. Members of the Ensemble's alumni were provided with
opportunities to work as trainee workshop leaders to support these events. In addition we
delivered folk music workshops for young people supported by the London Music Fund and
with Ark Music's Fusion Ensemble as part of our developing partnership.
We are grateful to the Postlethwaite Music Fund for funding bursaries for members of the
Ensemble and Scops Arts Trust for their support of the Engagement Programme, which enables
more young people of varied backgrounds to experience folk music. For some of these
participants it was their first experience of playing folk music and led to them auditioning and
gaining places in the Ensemble.
London Youth Folk Ensemble (LYFE), our non-auditioned ensemble, attended by young people
from London and beyond, led by Alexandra Patterson and Camilo Menjura (to July 2023) and
Aaron Horlock (from September 2023), met throughout the year. They gave performances at
Camden Music's Spring Festival and at Folk by the Oak Festival in Hatfield, once again being the
opening act on the Acorn Stage. LYFE hosted our annual youth music event - The Takeover!
July, inviting other groups of young musicians to join them in ceilidh dancing and a
performance. This year the guest groups were Ark Music's Fusion Ensembles (composed of
young musicians from the Ark multi-academy trust from London and elsewhere),. Roots Alive
from Leeds; London's Centre for Young Musicians Folk Ensemble. and FolkActive from
Southampton.

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
"I've had a brilliant few 3 years with the National Youth Folk Ensemble and I hope when I leave
someone else who will grow as much as I have, and have an equally influential experience
through the Ensemble will take up my place. Someone who might never have accessed
anything like this before, and can experience something completely new and mind blowing,
which is partly why the experience has transformed me in my musicianship and as member of a
group so fundamentally."
Inclusive Folk, our workshop programme for learning disabled young people continued with
funding from the John Lyon's Charity. Fortnightly workshops took place at Cecil Sharp House,
and work took place with two SEND schools and colleges. In addition, in the Autumn term 2023,
funding from Camden Spark (the Local Cultural Education Partnership) enabled us to work with
younger children with SEND at Swiss Cottage Junior School.
"Three students are now going on to do work experience related to performance/music
industry - this contributed to their confidence and interest." Teacher, participating school
This programme was evaluated by external evaluator Andrea Spain. She states -
"Through the investment of the John Lyons Charity, and commitment of EFDSS, considerable
knowledge and skill have been established within the Inclusive Folk team, as well as a valuable
set of educational resources. Arts Council England data consistently shows that disabled young
people are amongst those least likely to have access to group musical learning opportunities
provided by Music Education Hubs and are significantly under-represented in their ensembles,
for example. Inclusive Folk's experience of working with learning disabled young people has
potential to be of significant value in the wider music education sector, complementing the
expertise of organisations like Open Up Music, who specialise in accessible orchestras, and
Drake Music, who specialise in accessible music technologies. ' July 2023
Education Director, Rachel Elliott, gave a presentation about Inclusive Folk at the All Party
Parliamentary Group for Music Education in November 2023 and was invited to attend two
roundtable discussions by John Lyon's Charity in relation to their Stand Up for SEND (Special
Educational Needs and Disability) initiative.
In August 2023, we delivered Get Your Folk On! at Cecil Sharp House, a five day creative folk
music and dance summer school for young people.
Learnin
Over the year we added five free learning resources to our online Resource Bank:
Black British History and Folk Song by Angeline Morrison.
Dancing Days: Using Folk Arts in Inclusive Settings by Emmie Ward and Roary Neat.
Maypole Dancing by Mike Ruff.
Folk Dance in the National Curriculum for PE Key Stages 1-3 (various contributors).
resources
16

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Dance
EFDSS once again partnered with One Dance UK on the U.Dance National Festival of youth
dance. This year's festival took place in Newcastle and EFDS5 invited local youth folk groups
Star and Shadow {rapper sword dance} and Glasshouse International's youth folk ensemble,
Folkestra, to perform at the welcome event of the festival. In addition EFDSS Dance
Development Manager and clog dancer, Laura Connolly, ran five creative clog dancing
workshops attended by 134 young dancers. and a ceilidh for all the festival participants. Since
running the first ceilidh in 2016 this has become a regular feature of the U.Dance National
Festival weekend.
Family Barn Dances at Cecil Sharp House continued throughout the year. These events are a
great first entry point to folk dancing foryoung children and families and the May event
included, of course, maypole dancing.
We were able to fund another year of Mini Grants to support folk dance development activities
across England. Seven projects were supported from North Yorkshire to Cornwall. Six grants of
£200 - £500 were awarded with support in-kind given to the seventh. The projects were:
Family Folk Jam, North Somerset, to run family friendly folk dance events.
Folk 3D, Derby, to run daytime ceilidhs aimed at older people and families.
Folk Dance with Lisa Heywood, to research accessibility to folk dance events and share
findings to help improve access.
Folk Factory (Soundpost), Sheffield, to develop a youth folk dance programme
introducing young people to all forms for folk dance.
Stegastomp, Warwickshire, to develop their programme of inclusive contra dances.
Tatters Morris and Redruth Town Band, Cornwall, to support the purchase of an
accessible maypole to enable the inclusion of young children and people with
disabilities.
Land of Iron Museum, North Yorkshire, to support the development of a folk dance
education programme by providing some sets of wooden longswords
We continued to support the work of our Associate Company Folk Dance Remixed (FDR) who
took to the road over the summer with their outdoor shows, workshops and ceilidhs. This
included the Summer Sounds Folk Day in August held at Coal Drop Yard, Kings Cross, a great
afternoon of dance and music provided by FDR, the National Youth Folk Ensemble and Cecil
Sharp House Choir.
In the autumn we said goodbye to Laura Connolly who was appointed eight years ago to the
then newly created post of Dance Development Manager and welcomed Jennifer Cox to the
post who brings her extensive knowledge of all forms of folk dance including morris and ceilidh
dance.
Adult and Professional Learnin
Our busy adult education programme at Cecil Sharp House continued with over 300 classes
delivered throughout the year. Learners can choose from English country dance, morris dance,
singing, fiddle, banjo, guitar, melodeon and ceilidh band, and there were over 7,500
17

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
attendances. We continued to deliver our Monday Folk Song Workshops online with guest
tutors James Fagan, Angeline Morrison, and George Sansome leading one term each. Under
the leadership of Rose Martin, Cecil Sharp House Choir led our Big Folky Singalong event to
mark international Make Music Day on 21 June, and gave public performances at Cecil Sharp
House, the Feast of St George in Trafalgar Square, and at Summer Sounds. The EFDSS Ceilidh
Workshop Band, formed from participants attending our adult instrumental workshops and led
by Ross Grant, played for dances at folk festivals in Sidmouth, Warwick, Broadstairs, Norwich
and Shrewsbury.
In January we ran an online one-day professional development event on Cultural Diversity in
Folk Music for the tutors and staff involved in ouryouth programmes. It featured a panel of
global majority artists led by Kuljit Bhamra with Germa Adan, Suntou Susso, Adriano Adewale
and Raghad Haddad, and a session by I Speak Music (Surrey Music Hub).
Three Folk Education Development Days were held during the year presented by our Folk
Education Network which now has over 620 members in its dedicated Facebook group. They
focussed on fostering a living tradition; folk and community (especially the Gypsy, Romani and
Traveller communities); and youth dance. These events took us to Devon, partnering with Wren
Music; Norwich partnering with the University of East Anglia; and a dance-specific day at Cecil
Sharp House. Amongst the presenter5 and workshop leaders were representatives from Folk
East; the National Youth Folklore Troupe of England; Friends, Families and Travellers; Wren
Music; and Devon and Torbay Music Education Hub, together with presentations from
educators, artist-educators and other specialists on their specific practices and projects.
"A truly inspiring, humbling day in a safe space for everyone to share their work with like-
minded people. We have all come away, grateful of our links to each other and with fresh ideas
to move forwards." Alex Bartholomew and Lindsay Want, East Anglian Traditional Music Trust,
November 2023.
Artists, Development and Performance
The professional performance programme at Cecil Sharp House continued to present a wide
range of artists from early career to well-established, from traditional to experimental, and
from far and near. The programme included regular favourites with our audiences- Martin
Simpson, Spiers and Boden, Lady Maisery, Kathryn Tickell, and The Young'Uns- and recent
recipients of EFDSS funding support including Jim Ghedi, Maddie Morris and duo Alden and
Patterson. We hosted a second Indoor Festival presented by the Magpie Arc and to mark 20
years in the music business, Jim Moray curated a festival day which featured artists Kitty
Macfarlane, Frankie Archer, Hibiki Ichikawa and Boss Morris. International artists Catrin Finch
and Cimmaron returned to CSH, and we welcomed poet Blake Morrison with the Hosepipe
Band for the first time at CSH in a beautiful evening of spoken word and folk music.

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
The Trad Night season continued with a range of artists including the renowned Copper Family
and our partnerships with Thank Folk for Feminism for the Feminist Folk Clubs, and Queer Folk
for the Queer Folk Ceilidh Parties developed further. Two successful Feminist Folk Club events
featured Angeline Morrison, Nancy Kerr, Frankie Armstrong, Germa Aden, Fay Hield, Maz
O'connor and Roary Skaista, and the four Ceilidhs all sold out. From the beginning of 2024 we
decided to reduce the number of gigs to enable the Marketing Team to give greater focus on
each gig and develop audiences as we were still experiencing audiences lower than pre-
pandemic levels.
With funding from PRS Foundation we ran a further year of the Alan James Bursary programme
and bursaries. This year's awards went to Satnam Galsian and Maddie Morris; Tarren; The
Rheingans Sisters; Rowan Sawday aka Disraeli. Femi Oriogon-williams; and Fernando Machado
and Andreas Borges. Their projects included exploring traditional music of other continents
alongside traditional music of England; lullabies and composing/writing new lullabies; folklore,
folk tales and theatrical presentations; and gender in folk song. The outcome of two
residencies were performed at CSH in summer 2024.
"This project has given us the opportunity to work together, this is something we've talked
about doing for a very long time but haven't had the capacity to do so it's been really
wonderful to fi'nally get the opportunity thanks to thi5 funding. We've reflected a lot on how
having this funding, has really helped legitimise the importance of works like this."
Maddie Morris/Satnam Galsian, January 2024
Thanks to another generous donation from Conrad and Jennifer Bailey, we ran a fourth year of
Micro Grants and supported Queer Folk (aka Sophie Crawford and George Sansome) to
continue work begun with their Alan James Creative Bursary in 2022. The Micro Grants support
folk artists in anyway that helps them develop their careers and their living as artists. Seven
bursaries were awarded enabling arkn5ts to produce new EP5 and CDS; support touring costs;
support marketing and PR costs; and to purchase equipmentto improve sound recording for an
online project. The recipients were Kerry Andrew; Lady Nade; Grace Smith; Jim Causley; Cohen
Braithwaite-Kilcoyne; Lucy Huzzard and Hazel Thompson; and Loh Dubh.
Our partnerships with Sidmouth Folk Festival in Devon, and Stage4Beverley in Yorkshire
continued. Twelve artists were showcased on the EFDSS Presents stage at Sidmouth Folk
Festival in August 2023 providing opportunities for early career artist5 and artists in receipt of
EFDSS Bursary and Micro Grants- Johnny Campbell; Will Finn and Rosie Calvert; Heather
Ferrier. Lizzy Hardingham. Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell. Amy Hollinrake,. Ellie Gowers.
lona Lane; Maddie Morris. and Frankie Archer. Three musicians were supported to perform on
the Horizon Stage at Stage4Beverley in February 2024-Jon Doran, Maius Mollis, and Maddy
Morris - together with the Youthlincs, a youth folk dance and music group from Folklincs based
in North Lincolnshire.
19

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Marketing. Communications and Development
We continued our strategy of supporknng folk-positive articles in the mainstream press
alongside more detailed features in local and specialist media. Notable outcomes were:
Feature in BBC Travel, May 2023:
"2Camden's Cecil Sharp House has been questioning the very notion of what traditional British
music means in the multi-cultural 21st Century... Remixing maypole dancing is just one of the
myriad ways that English folk culture is currently having a reboot, thanks to a new wave of
switched-on folkies diversifying the scene. At the heart of this progressive movement is Cecil
Sharp House, a music venue and folk arts centre that's home to the English Folk Dance and
Song Society (EFDSS) and where Folk Dance Remixed perform regularly... Over the last few
years, EFDSS has ramped up its outreach efforts to engage new audiences, mixing diverse
cultural traditions to create new interpretations of "Englishness.
Rolling Stone magazine, July 2023:
"Less pale male and stale- how British folk is getknng a remix.
Think that folk music is just old men warbling in a bar? Then think again. From Morris dancing
at the BRIT Awards to queer sea shanties and punkzines about stone circles, ye olde England is
getknng cool-as-folk with a new generation... In case you missed it, 2023 look5 set to be the year
that British folk finally has a renaissance...
Highnotes, the magazine of the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music IABRSM)
interviewed Jo Freya as the newly appointed Artistic Director of the National Youth Folk
Ensemble. Other activities featured in print were the Queer Folk Ceilidh Parties and our new
Black History resource in themed features in Camden Journal, February 2024 and October 2023
respectively, and a significant feature on the Cecil Sharp House Choir was published in Folk
London magazine in February 2024
Our venue came in for praise from Americana UK, October 2023:"Cecil Sharp House which is
about as quintessential a venue as'folk, music can claim... It's a fine venue, one of the oldest
Camden Town stalwarts." We also contributed to a New York Times feature in August 2023
which stated, "In England, Morris Dancing Is Loved, Mocked and Getting a Makeover.....lit] is
opening up to younger dancers who approach it as a living tradition."
As mentioned earlier, the gigs programme at CSH was reduced from 2024 enabling
marketing staff greater time and resources to work on each event individually, targeting
prospective audiences more effectively using improved data from past attendances. We are
now benefiting from several years, worth of booking data from the specialist CRM system,
enabling more effective marketing of gigs, classes and courses. We are already seeing the
benefits of this with higher ticket sales.
Investment has been made in training staff in the use of video equipment to enable high-quality
video content to be produced easily and in-house. The result has been a promotional film of
the"Get Your Folk Onl" summer school; documentation of the Folk Discovery R&D project;
20

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
films of our Alan James Creative bursary artists while in residence at CSH; and performance
videos of National Youth Folk Ensemble and Cecil Sharp House Choir. In addition, in the
moment filming has taken place of events at Cecil Sharp House and our events around the
country for immediate use on social media channels.
Three editions of our membership magazine, English Dance and Song {EDS) were produced and
an increasing number of articles are reproduced online for all to read. Articles included a series
of features on how to increase accessibility to folk events; regular youth articles; Romany Gypsy
folk music in England, linked to the VWML project. features marking the centenary of Cecil
Sharp's death; and attivities from member organisations and other folk organisations from
around England.
The development of the Starter Membership, launched in March 2023, continued and changes
were made to other membership categories to enable EFDSS to increase its Gift Aid claim.
Developments were made to help increase donations from US patrons by enabling their
donations to be tax efficient for them in the USA. For the first time we fundraised through the
Big Give Christmas Challenge, a fundraising programme run by the Reed Foundation that
provides opportunities to help charities to fund raise for specific programmes and
developments. Through this appeal, we raised over £17,000 specifically for our Artists
Development programme to increase the diversity of the arkn5ts we support. Some of this
funding will be used in 2024125 to support a new music commission project.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Integral to all that we do is improving Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion {EDI) within EFDSS and its
activities, making Cecil Sharp House accessible and welcoming, promoting EDI practice to the
wider folk sector, and increasing the diversity of the people we engage with.
We continue to focus on three of the protected characteristics (Equality Act 2010) rather than
try to deliver activities and developments that relate to all of them. That having been said our
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion policies and procedures ensure that we do not discriminate
against any person on the ground of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil
partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, or socio-
economic status.
We focus on these characteristics for the following reasons:_
Gender and Sexuality-while there are some very prominent women artists in the folk
sector, they are still outweighed by their male counterparts, in particular as
instrumentalists which can limit development opportunities. To support and encourage
the LGBTQIA+ community to have a voice in the folk arts sector whether as arknsts,
educators or audiences/participants.
Ethnicity- the English folk arts continually evolve to reflect the society around them. If
they are to survive and thrive then the ethnicity of people involved (professionals and
amateurs} needs to be diverse.
21

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Disability- we are committed to access to the arts for everyone and recognise that
people with disabilities experience a disproporknonate array of barriers to this access.
Developments and activities that have taken place in this year include:
Partnerships with Queer Folk, Thank Folk for Feminism and supporting Folk Dance
Remixed.
Increased diversity of tutors for youth activities.
Inclusive Folk Programme for young people with disabilities.
Training and development for folk arts educators.
Creative development support of global majority, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ artists.
Educational resources to spotlight minority voices- Black History Month resource and
Gypsy and Traveller Voices resource.
Staff training and development on race and equality with sls360.
In conclusion, despite a change in our funding model, it has been another busy and
developmental year. I would like to thank all my colleagues whose determination and
dedication have made this possible and to the trustees for their on-going support. A specific
thanks must go to Lorna Aizlewood with whom it has been a pleasure to work with over the
past 13 years in her role as a Trustee and then Chair; and a welcome to Fiona Butcher with
whom I look forward to working for many years to come.
The Year Ahead 2024-25
The VWML team spent a significant part of theirtime in 2023-24 preparing for the launch of a
new website in April 2024, including a new archives and indexes search tool. This aims to
safeguard the library's digital resources and improve user experience and accessibility.
Further funding for the Gypsy and Traveller Voices project was secured in 2023 and as a result
2024 will see the making and launch of a short film in collaboration with Romani film collective
Patrin Films. The aim is to take it to film festivals and into the community, widening the reach of
the project. Tiffany Hore and colleagues will be speaking at an academic conference in Venice
about this project and publishing a journal article in Music and Minorities.
We were delighted to receive further support from the John Lyons Charitable Trust to fund our
Inclusive Folk programme. The grant will enable an expanded programme to be delivered from
September 2024 for the next five years. Funding from Camden Council's Cultural Education and
Learning Support Fund enabled the delivery of our first Folk Unlimited Summer Course in
August 2024.
Another year of funding has been received from PRS Foundation which is supporting our Alan
James Creative Bursary programme. This year we are partnering with Drake Music, Black Lives
in Music and the Glasshouse International in Gateshead and have awarded five bursaries.
22

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
The need to increase income generation remains pertinent particularly income that is not solely
tied to a project. So in June we restructured our Marketing and Development department and
introduced the part-time post of Philanthropy Director. Our former Marketing Director, Peter
Craik has taken on this post with the full-time post of Marketing Director now filled by Sammie
Squire. The aim of this move is to increase staffing resources to develop our income from ticket
sales and individual giving via membership. donations and legacies.
As mentioned earlier, the ACE Transform Fund is helping fund a capital development of Cecil
Sharp House. This development will see a re-organisation of the lower ground floor to provide
two additional spaces for hires and EFDSS activities to help increase income generation from
hires and events, and a combined cafe and bar facility to provide a more efficient and effective
service for customers. This project is also being supported by the Foyle Foundation.
Ed Fishwick
Treasurer's Report
The charity has an overall deficit of £57,579 {2023: £57,810). The deficit reflerts depreciation
on fixed assets being written off over a set number of years.
The income of the charity is £1,548,519 (2023: £1,481,658). The increase represents the receipt
of funding from the Arts Council Transform Programme, as well as continued success in the aim
of increasing the letting income generated from spare space in Cecil Sharp House.
The charity received legacies in the year totalling £93,275 (2023: £107,746) and this remains an
extremely useful type of income during challenging times financially.
Expenditure in 2024 was £1,605,925 (2023: £1,529,251). The increase represents ongoing
increases in running a venue for hire, as well as VAT, which is irrecoverable to the charity,
returning to normal levels after the offset of a release of a provision in 2023.
Staffing costs have increased from 2024, due to both inflationary pressures and also reflecting
the staffing levels needed for the range of activities of the charity for its own operations and as
a venue.
Reserves policy
EFDSS holds the following types of reserves:
Restricted reserves comprise funds available for expenditure in accordance with the donors,
wishes. These include Cecil Sharp House, held as an asset intended to be used for purposes of
English folk dance and song, and various grant funds and donations which were received for
particular purposes and are unspent at the year end. Restricted reserves at 31 March 2024
£1,766,674 (2023: £1,680,609}.
23

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Designated reserves are funds set aside from unrestricted reserves at the discretion of the
Trustees. As at 31 March 2024 EFDSS held designated resenies of £451,392 {2023: £583,360),
this figure is made up of:
£243,597 relating to fixed assets capitalised for major projects including refurbishing
Kennedy Hall and replacing boilers.
£151,487 for future planned capital projects such as refurbishing the café and bar area.
£56,308 of funding intending for multi-year youth education projects.
Free reserves are defined by the Charity Commission as funds that are freely available to spend
on the charity's purposes and thus do not include restricted or designated funds, or any
remaining funds tied to fixed assets. The free reserves held at 31 March 2024 were £399,974
(2023: £394,653).
Trustees review EFDSS'S Reserves Policy and reserves levels annually as part of the planning
process. The level of reserves is one of the factors taken into consideration in setting future
expenditure levels. The Trustees have agreed a policy where free reserves should be maintained
at a level of £400,000 representing:
£250,000 which is an estimate of funds needed in the event of winding up.
An additional £IOO,000 in order to allow for funding gaps in the year.
A further estimate of £50,000 in terms of the impact of increasing inflation and extra
costs which could rise in the coming year.
This level is judged suitable considering the following factors:
The uncertainty over income, as well as the impact on the charity from economic
uncertainty.
Ownership of a listed building, which can mean additional expenditure incurred in
upkeep and maintenance.
To allow for further emergency expenses in relation to any unexpected event.
To allow longer term planning and more efficient use of resources.
To ensure the organisation is able to commit to and fulfil its intentions in regard to
future and multi-year projects funded by restricted and designated reserves.
The Trustees are satisfied with the level of reserves held at the year end. The charity notes that
the reduction in the confi'rmed funding from Arts Council England effective from April 2023 may
impact reserves in the coming years, as we continue to work to raise replacement source5 for
this income.
Investment
Surplus cash is invested in short term bank deposit accounts {each within the limits of the
government's guarantee scheme) or on the Money Market, a facility provided by HM Treasury,
for agreed short periods. The amount available for investment is judged according to expected
financial obligations and cash flow forecasts.
24

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Incoming Resources
Grants received and receivable in 2023-24 were as follows:_
Arts Council England (National PortFolio Organisation funding)
Arts Council England (Transform Programme)
Arts Council England (National Youth Music Organisations)
PRS Foundation Talent Development Partnership grant
Scop Arts Trust
National Folk Music Fund
Camden Spark
Reed Foundation
Postlethewaite Music Foundation
261,358
199,175
38,642
15,000
7,500,
2,167
2,000
1,560
1,000
*for multi-year funded programmes
Fundraising
EFDSS seeks out Trusts and Foundations where the aims and objectives of the latter match the
aims and objectives of the EFDSS project that we are seeking funding for. EFDSS abides by the
requirements of the grant giving body in terms of record keeping, reporknng and evaluation.
Donations from individuals are sought on an ongoing basis to support the general running costs
of EFDSS and also for specific projects and developments. Donations for specific projects and
developments are recorded separately from general donations to ensure they are used for the
specified activity. Any complaints about the use of donated funds would be dealt with in the
first instance by the Chief Executive and if required by the Chair of the Board on behalf of the
Trustee/Directors.
Voluntary Income
A variety of voluntary contributions has supported the work of EFDSS and, whenever it is
possible, we have recovered Gift Aid to enhance those contributions. Voluntary income
includes donations to EFDSS, and we thank all those members, affiliated and other
organisations for their support of EFDSS, work.
Donations were received from individuals, affiliated groups, and other organisations,
including donations in memory of deceased members. Donations of more than £100 were
received from the following affiliated groups:
Lake District Folk and Acoustic
Folk Dance Group
Swanage and Langton Matravers
25

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Legacies received by 31 March 2024
Robert Tavener
£76,000
Peter Brimelow
£5,597 (residue of legacy received first in 2022/23)
Derk Mulquin
£6,816 (residue of legacy received first in 2022123)
Peter Bridgman
£4,862 (residue of legacy received first in 2022/23)
Gift Aid
EFDSS has been able to recover £14,122 of tax on donations through the Gift Aid Scheme.
Statement of the Board's responsibilities
The Directors (who are also the Trustees of EFDSS for the purposes of charity law) are
responsible for preparing the Directors, report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for
each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable
company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and
expenditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements
the Directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether the applicable UK Accounting Standards and statements of recommended
practice have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in
the financial statements.
prepare the fi'nancial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable
them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the Directors are aware:
there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are
unaware;
the Directors have taken all steps that they ought to have in order to make themselves
aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that
information.
26

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial
information included on the charitable companws website. Legislation in the United Kingdom
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from
legislation in otherjurisdictions.
Members of EFDSS guarantee to contribute an amount, not exceeding £0.50 to the assets of the
charitable company in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31
March 2024 was 1934 (2004 at 31 March 2042).
The Directors have no beneficial interest in the charitable company.
Auditors
Sayer Vincent was re-appointed as the Society's auditors during the year and have expressed
their willingness to continue in that capacity.
The report of the Board of Directors has been prepared in accordance with the special
provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies, regime.
th
Approved by the Board of Directors on 9 November 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Fiona Butcher, Chair of Trustees
27

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
FREELANCE PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH EFDSS DURING 2023-24
Youth, Adult, Family and Professional Development Activities:
(Tutors, trainee tutors, pastoral staff, callers at family barn dances)
Adriano Adewale
Kuljit Bhamra
Deborah Chalmers
Clare Elton
Jo Freya
Barry Goodman
Dave Gray
Jack Healy
Ed Hicks
Aaron Horlock
Tom Kimber
Su-a Lee
Rose Martin
Sarah Matthews
Camilo Menjura
Bevan Morris
Archie Churchill-moss
Roary Neat
Mary Panton
Sam Patridge
Alasdair Paul
Katie Pearson
Becky Price
Andy Richards
Mike Ruff
Ben See
Andrea Spain
Yusra Supdarowa
Tiny Taylor
Emmie Ward
Annie Whitehead
Hazel Askew
Bridle Bloor
David Delarre
James Fagan
Nicholas Goode
Ross Grant
Rob Harbron
Lisa Heywood
Fred Holden
Sarah Jones
James Kitchman
Nicola Lyons
Sheena Masson
Ellen McGovern
Isaac Montagu
Angeline Morrison
Ben Moss
Tom Newell
Mahesh Parkar
Alexandra Patterson
Eliose Pearce
Jane Pfaff
Conor Reynolds
Ruth Rose
Miranda Rutter
Grace Smith
Dom stichbury
Sam Sweeney
Sarah Upjohn
Ocea Weir
Lewis Wood
Library Lecturers:
Adèle Commins
Stephen Rowley
Kate Neale
Frances Wilkins
Sound Engineers:
Simon Alpin
Graham Dominy
Thibaut Remy
Drew Coleman
Barny Davis
Steve Watson
28

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
SUPPORTED ARTISTS
Alan James Creative Bursary Recipients:
André Borges & Fernando Machado
Rowan Sawday aka Disraeli
Tarren
Femi Oriogun-williams
Satnam Galsian & Maddie Morris
The Rheingans Sisters
Micro Grant Recipients:
Kerry Andrew aka You Are Wolf
Lon Dubh
Jim Moray
Grace Smith
Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne
Lucy Huzzard & Hazel Thompson
Lady Nade
Associate Company:
Folk Dance Remixed
VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITH EFDSS IN 2023-24
Front of House:
Tim Stephens
Library and Archive:
Abbie Butfoy
Martin Nail
Peter Williams
George Mowse
Amy Palmer
VWML Conference:
Theresa Buckland
Anusha Subramanyam
Mike Heaney
Folk Music Journal Editorial Board:
Julia C Bishop
Theresa Buckland
Byron Dueck
Tiffany Hore
Alice Little
Michael Pickering
Steve Roud
Derek Schofield (Reviews Editor)
Malcolm Taylor OBE
Elaine Bradtke
Paul Cowdell
Mike Heaney
E Wyn James
Chloe Middleton-metcalfe
Sigrid Rieuwerts
lan Russell MBE
Matthew Simons
Frances Wilkins
Folk Song Subject Index:
Jeremy Dale
Eleanor Mehew
Anne Gover
Jake Ollett
29

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
English Country Dancing Class Musicians:
lan Cutts
Charlotte McDonaugh
Jon Davison
Get Your Folk On! Volunteer:
Elye Cuthbertson
Folk Education Development Day Speakers:
Alex Bartholomew (East Anglian Traditional Music Trust - EATMT)
Amy Wilson (Wren Music)
Angeline Morrison (musician)
Becky Marshall-Potter (Folk East)
Ben van Weede {Devon Music Hub)
Candy Sheridan {Gypsy Council, 5trumpshaw Tree Fair)
Carol Robinson (Folk Friendzy)
Chris Nickel (National Youth Folklore Troupe of England)
David Brookhouse (Heritage Learning Manager, Cultural Services Lancashire County Council)
Finn Collinson (musician)
Georgia Shackleton (musician)
Gloria Buckley (campaigner, Gypsy and Traveller community)
Hazel Marsh (University of East Anglia)
Jade Hunt (Horizon Community College)
Jenny Read (Wren Music)
Jon Dyer (Wren Music)
Judith Palmer (African Heritage UK)
Lindsay Want (East Anglian Traditional Music Trust)
Lowenna Hosken {Kekezza)
Marcus Patteson (Norfolk Community Arts- NORCA)
Marilyn Tucker {Wren Music)
Paul Wilson (Wren Music)
Rebecka Lyons (Wren Music)
Sarah Owen (Wren Music)
Suzanna King (Friends, Families and Travellers)
Speakers at Youth Folk Professional Development Day:
Germa Adan
Adriano Adewale
Kuljit Bhamra
Raghad Haddad, I Speak Music (Surrey Music Hub)
Sara Khoorsi, I Speak Music
Jim Pinchen, I Speak Music
Suntou Susso
Dance Mini Grant Recipients:
Family Folk Jam
Folk Dance with Lisa Heywood
Folk Factory (Soundpost)
Tatters Morris & Redruth Town Band
Folk 3D
Land of Iron Museum
Stegastomp
30

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Directors, annual report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Key partners arts. academic and heritage partners 2023-24
Key arts, academic and heritage partners:
Access Folk (University of Sheffield)
Archives and Documentation Centres
ARK Music (Schools & Fusion Ensemble)
Attitude is Everything
Awards for Young Musicians
Black Lives in Music
Brass Bands England
Compton Verney
Cubitt Sessions
Drake Music
Dancing Dialogues
Esperance
Federation of Folk and Traditional Music Collections
Folk Dance Remixed
ICOMOS ICH Committee
International Association of Music Libraries Kings Cross Summer Sounds
Leeds Conservatoire
London Music Fund
Make Music Day UK
More Music, Morecambe
Museum of British Folklore
Music Education Council
Music Mark
New Roots St Albans
One Dance UK (U.Dance programme)
Patrin Films
People Dancing
Permaculture London
Queer Folk
Saltburn Folk Festival
Sidmouth Folk Festival
Sound Roots
Stage4Beverley
Star Creative Heritage
Thank Folk for Feminism
Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland
Traditional Song Forum
University of East Anglia
University of Sheffield
Wren Music
Yorkshire Young Musicians
Music Education Hubs, Bridge organisation5, Local Cultural Education Partnerships
Barnet
Bristol Beacon
Camden
Camden Spark!
Devon
Leicester
Greater Manchester
Milton Keynes
Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT)
Southwark
Suffolk
Tri-borough (London)
31

Independent auditor's report
To the members of
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements ofThe English Folk Dance and Song Society (the
'charitable company,) forthe year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of
financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and notes to the financial
statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reportingframework
that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting
Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reportingstandard applicable in the UKand
Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom GeneraLLy Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financiaL statements:
Give a true and fairview of the state of the charitabLe company's affairs as at 31 March
2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, incLuding its income
and expenditure for the yearthen ended
Have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom GeneralLy Accepted
Accounting Practice
Have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing {UK) IISAS
(UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described
in the Auditor's responsibilities forthe audit of the financial statements section of our
report. We are independent ofthe charitable company in accordance with the ethical
requirements that are relevantto our audit of the financial statements in the UK, incLuding
the FRC'S Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in
accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained
is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis forour opinion.
Conclusions relatingto going concern
In auditingthe financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going
concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed. we have not identified any material uncertainties
relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt
on The English Folk Dance and Song Society's abiLityto continue as a going concern for a
period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for
issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern
are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other Information
The other information comprises the information included in the trustees. annual report,
other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are
responsible forthe other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the
32

Independent auditor's report
To the members of
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent
otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance
conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so,
considerwhether the other information is materially inconsistentwith the financial
statements or our knowLedge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be
materiaLly misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material
misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material
misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If. based on the work we have
performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we
are required to report that fact.
We have nothingto report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
The information given in the trustees, annual reportforthe financial yearfor which the
financial statements are prepared is consistentwith the financial statements; and
The trustees, annual report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal
requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understandingof the charitable company and its
environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material
misstatements in the trustees, annual report. We have nothingto report in respect of the
following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if,
in our opinion:
Adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit
have not been received from branches not visited by us: or
The financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and
returns" or
Certain disclosures of trustees. remuneration specified by Law are not made. or
We have not received all the information and expLanations we require for our audit. or
The directors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with
the small companies regime and take advantage ofthe small companies, exemptions
in preparing the trustees, annuaL report and from the requirementto prepare a
strategic report.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the statement of tiustees, responsibilities set out in the trustees,
annuaL report, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable companyfor the
purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements
and for being satisfied that they give a true and fairview, and for such internaL control as the
trustees determine is necessaryto enabLe the preparation of financiaL statements that are
free from materiaL misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
33

Independent auditor's report
To the members of
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessingthe
charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern. disclosing, as applicable,
matters related to going concern and usingthe going concern basis of accounting unless
the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or
have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue
an auditor's reportthat includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of
assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS (UK) will
always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from f raud
or error and are considered material if, individualLy or in the aggregate, they could
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of
these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud. are instances of non-compLiance with Laws and regulations.
We design procedures in Line with our responsibiLities. outlined above, to detect material
misstatements in respect of irregularities. including fraud. The extent to which our
procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are set out below.
Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities,
incLuding fraud and non-compliance with Laws and regulations. our procedures included the
following:
We enquired of management and the General Purposes Committee (GPC), which
included obtaining and reviewing supporting documentation, concerningthe charity's
policies and procedures relatingto:
Identifying, evaLuating. and compLying with laws and reguLations and whether they
were aware of any instances of non-compliance.
Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of
any actual, suspected, or alLeged fraud"
The internal controLs established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-
compLiance with laws and regulations.
We inspected the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
We obtained an understanding of the legaL and regulatoryframework thatthe charity
operates in, focusing on those Laws and regulations that had a material effect on the
financiaL statements or that had a fundamentaL effect on the operations of the charity
from our professionaL and sector experience.
We communicated applicable laws and regulations throughout the auditteam and
remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughoutthe audit.
We reviewed any reports made to regulators.
We reviewed the financial statement discLosures and tested these to supporting
documentation to assess compliance with applicabLe laws and regulations.
34

Independent auditor's report
To the members of
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected
relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud.
In addressingthe risk of fraud through management override of controls, we tested
the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments, assessed whetherthe
judgements made in making accountingestimates are indicative of a potential bias
and tested significant transactions that are unusual or those outside the normal
course of business.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect aLI
irregularities, includingthose leadingto a material misstatement in the financial statements
or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law
or regulation is removed from the events and transactions refLected in the financial
statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compLiance. The
risk is aLso greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud
invoLves intentional concealment. forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities is avaiLable on the Financial Reporting Council's
website at: www.frc.or
.uk/auditorsres
onsibiLities. This description forms part of our
auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made soleLyto the charitable company's members as a body, in accordance
with Chapter 3 of Part 16 ofthe Companies Act 2006. Our auditwork has been undertaken
so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required
to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fulLest extent
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibilityto anyone otherthan the
charitabLe company and the charitable company's members as a body. for our audit work,
forthis report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Joanna Pittman (Senior statutory auditor)
13 December 2024
for and on behalf of Sayer Vincent LLP, Statutory Auditor
110 Golden Lane, LONDON. EC1Y OTG
35

The Engllsh Folk Dance and Song Soclety
Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
2024
Total Unrestricted
2023
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Restricted
Note
Income from..
Grants, donations and legacies
Charitable activities..
Educational activities
Performance programme
Library and publications
Membership
Lettings
Other income
Investmenis
385,689
295,479
681.168
591,052
57,866
648,918
117.927
97,243
23,504
122.203
449.871
24,660
31,943
117.927
97.243
23.504
122,203
449,871
24.660
31.943
106,691
84,374
13,914
126.569
418,599
75,675
6,919
106,691
84,374
13,914
126,569
418,599
75,675
6,919
Total income
1,253,040
295,479
1.548.519
1,423,792
57,866
1,481,658
Expenditure on..
Raising funds
Charitable activities..
Educational activities
Practitioner trainingldevelopment
Performance programme
Library. archive, academic support
Membership activities
Lettings
37.211
2,973
40,184
38,723
502
39,225
449,348
65,780
235.548
188.341
75,032
359,998
96,592
28,057
16,994
20,424
3,692
25,935
545.940
93.837
252,542
208,765
78.724
385.933
497,612
73,068
244.825
197,382
72,818
326,565
36,272
16,739
2,868
8.585
623
12,669
533,884
89,807
247,693
205,967
73,441
339,234
Total expendlture
Net (expendlture) / Income before net
galns / (losses) on Investments
1,411,258
194,667
1.605.925
1,4SO,993
78,258
1,529,251
1158.218}
100,812
157,406)
127.2011
{20.3921
{47.593}
Net Ilossesl on investments
1173)
(173)
110.2171
{10,217}
Net (expenditure) l income for the year
(158,391)
100,812
(57.579)
137.4181
{20.3921
157,8101
Transfers between funds
14,746
114,746)
60,421
160,4211
Net movement in funds
(143.645}
86,066
(57,579)
23.003
{80.8131
{57,810}
Reconciliation of funds..
Total fund5 brought forward
1.097.212
1.680,609
2,777,821
1.074.209
1.761,422
2,835,631
Total fund5 carried forward
953.567
1.766,675
2.720.242
1.097.212
1 ,680.609
2,777,821
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or1055e5 Other than those stated
above. Movements in funds are disc105ed in Note 22a to the financial statements.
36

The English Folk Dance and Song Soclety
Balance sheet
Company no. 00297142
As at 31 March 2024
2024
2023
Note
Fixed assets:
Tangible assets
Investments
1.792,456
1,909,471
7,118
1.792,456
1,916,589
Current assets:
Stock
Debtors
Short-term investments
Cash at bank and in hand
1,156
195.319
726.497
355,510
1,275
218,801
626,614
350.371
1.278.482
1,197,061
Liabilities:
Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year
(337.771)
(327.257)
Net current assets
940,711
869,804
Total assets less current liabilities
2,733,167
2,786,393
Creditors.. amounts falling due after one year
(12.925)
(8, 5 72)
Total net assets
2,720,242
2,777,821
The funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds..
Designated funds
Revaluation reserve
General funds
22a
1,766.675
1,680,609
451.392
79,350
422,825
583,360
79.350
434,502
Total unrestricted funds
953,567
1,097,212
Total charity funds
21a
2,720,242
2,777,821
Approved by Ihe irustees on 9ih November 2024 and signed on rheir behalf by
Fiona Butcher
Chair of Trustees
37

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Statement of cash flows
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
Note
2024
2023
Cash flows from operatlng actlvltles
Net income for the reporting period
las per the statement of financial activities)
Depreciation charges
Losses on investments
Dividends. interest and rent from investments
Decrease in stocks
Decreasel(increase) in debtors
I ncrease Ildecrease) in creditors
(57,406)
(47,593)
134.824
173
(31.943)
130,209
10,217
(6,919)
23.482
14.867
1119,941)
(705)
Net cash provided byl (used in) operating activities
84,116
134,675)
Cash flows from Investlng actlvltles:
Dividends. interest and renis from investments
Proceeds from the sale of fixed asset investments
Losses on investments
Purchase of fixed assets
Proceeds from the sale of current asset investments
Purchase of current asset investments
Movement in short term investments
31,943
7.977
(173)
(17.809)
197,808
<280.000)
(18,723)
6.919
(10.217)
(66,295)
(44.701)
Net cash (used in) investing activitie5
(78.977)
(114,295)
Change In cash and cash equlvalents In the year
5,139
(148,970)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
year
350,371
499.341
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
355.510
350,371
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents and of net debt
Other non-
cash
changes
At31
March
2024
At l April
2023 Cash flows
Cash at bank and in hand
350.371
5,139
355.510
a Total cash and cash equivalents
350,371
5,139
355,510
38

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
l Accounting policies
a) Statutory Informatlon
The English Folk Dance and Song Society is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in England and
Wales.
The registered office address and principal place of busine55 is 2 Regent's Park Road, London. NWI 7AY.
b)
Basls of preparatlon
The fi nancial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities-. Statement of
Recomrnended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) (Charities SORP FRS 1021. The Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Companies Act 2006.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant
accounting policy or note.
In applyi ng Ihe financial reporting framework, rhe trustees have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in
respect of signif icant accounting estimaies. Estimates and judgements are continually
evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The nature of the estimation means the actual outcomes could differ
from those esii mates. Any significant estimates and judgements affeciing these financial statements are detailed within the
relevant accounting policy below.
Public benefit entity
The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
d)
Golng concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial
Statement5. The trustees have made this a55e55ment in respect to a period of one year from the date of approval of these
financial statements.
The trustees of the charity have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may
cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to coniinue as a going concern. The trustees are of the opinion that the
charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting
e) period.
Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds. any performance conditions attached to the income
have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has
entitlement to the funds, any performance condiiions attached 10 the grants have been met, it is probable that the income
will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
For legacie5. entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either= the charity is aware that probate has been
granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executorls) to the charity that a distribution
will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered
probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a
distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granti ng of probate, and the
criteria for income recognition have not been met. then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if
material.
Income received in advance of the provision of a Specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are
met.
Interest recelvable
Interest on funds held on deposlt is included when receivable and the amount can be rneasured reliably by the charity., this is
normally upon notification of the inierest paid or payable by the bank.
g)
Fund accountlng
Resrricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is
charged to
he fund
Unrestricte5 funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.
39

The Engllsh Folk Dance and Song Society
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
l Accountlng pollcles Icontlnued)
h) Expendlture and Irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or con5trurtive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it Is probable
that settlement will be required and the arnount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under
the following activity headings=
Costs of raisi ng funds relate to the costs incurred by the Society in generating grant and donation income. as well as
the cost of any other activities with a fundraising purpose.
Any surplus on lettings income is applied to the Society's charitable work.
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of delivering events. educational and other activities undertaken
to further the purposes of the charity and their associated 5UPPOrt COStS.
Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
Allocation of support costs
Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity.
However, the cost of overall direction and administration of each activity, comprising the salary and overhead
costs of the central function. is apportioned on the following basis which are an estimate. based on staff time,
of the amount attri butable to each activity.
Where information about the aims, objectives and projects of the charity is provided to potential beneficiaries,
the costs associated with this publicity are allocated to charitable expenditure.
Where such information about the aims, objectives and projerts of the charity is also provided to potential
donors, activity costs are apportioned between fundraising and charitable activities on the basis of area of
literature occupied by each activity.
Su pport and governance cost5 are apportioned to charitable activities. The direct administrative costs of each
programme are included within the programme. Overhead costs, including costs of overall direction and
administration are absorbed in membershipladmin. The premises costs of running Cecil Sharp House are
absorbed i n CSH activities.
Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity. These costs are
associated with constitutional and statutory requirements and include any costs associated with the strategic
management of the charity'5 activitie5.
l) Tanglble flxed assets
Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £ 1,000. Depreciation costs are allocated to activities
on the ba515 of the use of the related assets in those artivities. Assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate
their carrying value may exceed their net realisable value and value in use. Major components are treated as a separate asset
where they have significantly different patterns of consumption of economic benefits and are depreciated separately over its
usefu I l ife.
Where fixed assets have been revalued, any excess between the revalued amount and the historic cost of the asset will be
shown as a revaluation reserve in the balance sheet.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its
expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows".
Freehold land and buildings- Cecil Sharp House
Fixtures. fittings, plant and equipment
Computers and equipment
Works of art
50 years
l O years
3-5 years
is not depreciated
40

The Engllsh Folk Dance and Song Society
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
l Accountlng pollcles (contlnued)
The works of art capitalised in the balance sheet are shown at deemed cost under the transitional rules for the introduction
of FRSI 02.
The works of art have not been depreciated. The board members believe the estimated life of these assets to be very long
and the estimated residual value of the assets are close 10 the carrying amounts.
The Board considers these assets to be heritage assets. that reliable cost information is not available and that conventional
valuation approaches lack sufficient reliability. The Society holds the volumes, manuscripts, archives and exhibits collectively
known as the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. The library is held by the Society for the purpose of furthering the
principal objects of the Society. The core of the collection was Cecil Sharp's library and this has been augmented by
collections and other donations ever since. In addition the Society holds the Joan Sharp collection on extended loan.
Resources arising from the library as well as resources expended on the library have been i ncluded in the statement of
financial activities. The Board considers these asset5 to be heritage a55etS, that reliable cost information is not available and
that convention valuation approaches lack sufficient reliability. These assets have not been capitalised.
i) Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at the transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently
measured at fair value at Ihe reporting dale. Changes in fair value are recognised in nei income l {expenditurel for the year.
Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. The charity does not acquire complex financial instruments.
k) Stocks
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. In general. cost is determined on a first in first out basis and
includes transport and handling costs. Net realisable value is the price at which siocks can be sold i n the normal course of
business after allowing for the costs of realisation. Provision is made where necessary for obsolete, slow moving and
defective stocks. Donated items of stock, held for distribution or resale, are recognised at fair value which is the amount the
charity would have been willing to pay for the items on the open market.
l) Debtors
Trade and other debiors are recognised at the seitlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are
valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
m) Short term deposits
Short term deposits includes cash balances that are invested in accounts with a maturity date of between 3 and 12 months.
n) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at ban k and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months
or less from the dare of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
o) Creditors and provision5
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event Ihat will
probably result in the fransfer of funds to a third party and the amounf due to settle the obligation can be measured or
estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade
discounts due.
p) Financial instruments
The charity only has fi nancial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic fi nancial instruments. Basic
financial i nstruments are initially recognised at transacrion value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with
the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
q) Pensions
The Society operates a contribution based pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the
Society in independently administered funds. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable under the scheme
by the Society to the fund5. The Society ha5 no liability under the 5cheme5 Other than for the payment of those
contributions.

The Engllsh Folk Dance and Song Society
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
2 Income from grants. donatlons and legacles
2024
Total Unrestricted
2023
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Restricted
Arts Council Funding
Arts Council Funding Transform
Arts Council Funding - National Youth
Music Organisations
Other grants
Practitioner development
Other grants
Educational activities
Other grants
Library
Legacies
Donations
Gift Aid
261,358
261.358
199.175
38,642
439,996
439,996
199.175
38.642
15,000
10.500
2.167
15.000
10,500
2.167
93,275
46,929
14.122
15,000
35,000
2,250
15,000
35,000
2,250
107,746
44,261
4,665
93.275
18,510
12.546
107,746
38,645
4,665
28.419
.576
5,616
385.689
295.479
681,168
591,052
57,866
648,918
3 Income from charltable activitles
2024
Total Unrestricted
2023
Total
Unrestricted
Restrirted
Restricted
Educational activities
Performance programme
Library and publications
Membership
117.927
97.243
23.504
122.203
117,927
97.243
23,504
122,203
106.691
84,374
13,914
126.569
106,691
84,374
13,914
126,569
Total i ncome from charitable activities
360.877
360,877
331,547
331,547
4 Income from other trading activities
2024
Total Unrestricted
2023
Total
Unrestricted
Restritted
Restricted
Lettings income
Other trading income
433,781
16.090
433.781
16,090
403,401
15,198
403,401
15,198
449.871
449,871
418,599
418,599
5 Other Income
2024
Total Unrestricted
2023
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Restricted
Orchestra Tax Relief
24.660
24.660
75.675
75,675
24,660
24.660
75,675
75,675
6 Income from investments
2024
Total Unrestricted
2023
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Restricted
Interest receivable
Dividends
31.747
196
31,747
196
5,459
1,460
5,459
1,460
31.943
31,943
6,919
6,919
42

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The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
Net income l (expenditure) for the year
This is stated after charging / (crediting):
2024
2023
Depreciation
Auditor's remuneration (excluding VAT)=
Audit
Other services
134.824
130.209
11.600
10,800
2,425
Analysls of staff costs and the cost of key management personnel
Staff costs were as follows..
2024
2023
Salaries and wages
Redundancy and termination costs
Social security costs
Employer's contribution to pension schemes
697.574
12.366
55.707
14.165
657.283
53.617
13.498
779,812
724,398
No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year (2023.. nil).
The redundancy and termination costs were settled and paid at the balance sheet date.
The total employee benefits (including pension contributions and employer's national insurance) of the key
management personnel were £274.548 (2023.. £271.457).
l O Staff numbers
The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was..
2024
FfE
2023
FTE
2024
No.
2023
Fundraising
Educational activities
Practitioner trai ning Idevelopment
Performance programme
Library, archive. academic sUPPOrt
Membership activities
Com mercial lettings
Support and governance
10.3
20.7
22.2
35.0
35.0
45

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
Related party transactlons
There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of bu5ines5 and no restricted
donations from related parties. Donations from trustee5 in the year were £1,703 12023.. £260).
The charity trustees were neither paid nor received any other benefits from employment wirh the charity in rhe year
12023.. £nill.
In the year to 31 March 2024 Angeline Morrison was paid= £1 ,050 for creating resources for 'Black History & English
Folk,, £506 for a performance at Cecil Sharp House in concert as an artist and £1 ,050 for leading Monday Folk
Singers sessions.
In the year to 31 March 2023, Angeline Morrison was paid= £750 for creating a resource 'Black History & English
Folk,, £1 ,883 for a performance at Cecil Sharp House in concert as an artist and £15 0 for participation in a plan ned
Songwriters Circle event which was cancelled.
In the year ending 31 March 2023 the band Stick in the Wheel were paid £2,600 for the continuation of the
'Perspectives on Tradition. project. Nicola Kearey is a member of the band.
Trustees, expenses represents the payment or reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs totalling £298 12023..
£64) incurred by 4 (202 3.. 2) members relating to attendance at meetings of the trustees.
12 Taxatlon
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
13 Tangible fixed assets
Freehold land
and buildings
Plant and
machinery
Moveable
equipment
Works of art
Total
Cost
At the start of the year
Additions in year
1.880.000
1.257,107
4,063
214.680
13.746
79,350
3.431,137
17,809
At the end of the year
1.880.000
.261.170
228.426
79,350
3,448,946
Depreciation
At the start of the year
Charge for the year
413.392
19.952
952.907
99.088
155.367
15.784
1,521,666
134,824
At the end of the year
Net book value
At the end of the year
433,344
.051,995
171 151
1,656,490
1,446,656
209,175
57,275
79,350
1,792,456
At the start of the year
1,466.608
304,200
59.313
79,350
1,909,471
Freehold land and buildings= this comprises Cecil Sharp House. This property was capitalised as a fixed asset for
the first time in the year to 31 March 2002 based on a valuation carried out as at 31 March 2002. Under the
transitional rules of FRSI 02 this is now the deemed cost.
46

The Engllsh Folk Dance and Song Soclety
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
14 Listed investments
2024
2023
Fair value at the start of the year
Net gain on change in fair value
Net gain on disposal
Disposal proceeds
7,118
6,437
681
859
(7,977)
7.118
Fair value at the end of the year
7,118
15 Stock
2024
2023
Publications and CDS for resale
1.156
1,275
1.156
1.275
16 Debtors
2024
2023
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Orchestra Tax Relief
Prepayments and accrued income
81,253
5.782
8.000
100.284
68.546
2.606
75.675
71,974
195.319
218,801
17 Creditors- amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income (note 18)
86.995
14.939
19,557
47,331
168,949
58,386
14,867
14,995
79,159
159,850
337.771
327,257
47

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
18 Deferred income
Deferred income comprises.. deposits received for future room bookings, membership subscriptions relating to
future periods & tickets bought in advance for future performances.
2024
2023
Balance at the beginning of the year
Amount released to income in the year
Amount deferred in the year
159,850
(156,711)
165,810
137,107
1131,268)
1 $4,01
Balance at the end of the year
168,949
159.850
19 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
2024
2023
Life members, subscriptions
12.925
8,572
12.925
8.572
20 Pension scheme
Defined contribution schemes
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme
are held separately from those of the charity in an independenrly administered fund.
The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £14,165 1202 3.. £13,498).
21 a Analysis of net assets between funds (current year)
General
unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total funds
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets
Long term liabilities
102,204
412,896
(12,925)
243,596
207.796
1,446,656
320,019
1,792,456
940,711
(12,925)
Net assets at 31 March 2024
502.175
451,392
1,766.675
2,720,242
21 b Analysls of net assets between funds (prlor year)
General
unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total funds
Tangi ble fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
Long term liabilities
112,081
7.118
403.225
(8, 572)
330.782
1.466,608
1,909,471
7,118
869,804
(8.572)
252.578
214,001
Net assets at 31 March 2023
513.852
583,360
1,680,609
2,777,821
48

The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
22a Movements in funds (current year)
At l April
2023
Income &
gains
Expenditure
& losses
At 31 March
2024
Transfers
Restricted funds:
Cecil Sharp House
Cecil Sharp House - legacy funding
Bismarks
Narional Folk Music Fund
Library Project Development Fund
Malcolm Taylor Bursary Fund
Educational projects - NYFE
Educational projects - other
Dance projects
Scops Arts Trust
Big Give appeal
Arts Council England - National Youth
Music Organisations
Arts Council England Transform
progamme
Weston Culture Fund
John Lyon's Charity
Arristic development fund
PRS Foundation
1.466.608
22.000
142
105.276
43.777
889
290
947
700
2.767
(19.952)
1,446,656
22,000
142
103,943
44,248
889
390
6,591
1,780
2,599
11,263
2.167
471
(3.500)
I,ioo
7,644
1,080
7.500
17.200
38.642
(1,0001
(2.0001
(7,668)
(5,937)
(38,642)
199.175
(84,487)
114,688
16,989
13.738
6.486
(3,243)
(13,7381
15001
(14,0001
(13,746)
5.500
15.000
11,486
(I ,000)
Total restrlcted funds
1,680,609
295,479
1194,667)
114,746)
1,766,675
Unrestrlcted funds:
Designated funds..
Capital projects funded by legacies
CSH l ifts
Kennedy Hall renovation
CSH boilers
CSH streaming equipment
Education programme
Instru ment replacement
151.487
32.522
139.766
103.510
54.984
100,092
999
151,487
(32,522)
(41,725)
(12,939)
(13,746)
(138,350)
98,041
90,571
54,984
55,310
999
13,746
93,568
Total designated funds
583.360
93.568
1239.282)
13,746
451,392
Revaluation reserve
79.350
434.502
79,350
422,825
General funds
1.159.299 (1.171.976)
1.000
Total unrestricted funds
1,097,212
1.252,867
(1,411,258)
14,746
953,567
Total funds
2.777,821
1.548.346 (1,605,925)
2,720,242
The narrative to explain the purpose of each fund is given at the foot of the note below.
Fu nd transfers out of restricted funds reflect the fund's balance having been spent to purchase fixed assets, or
contributing in part to charity programme costs. Fund transfers in and out of unrestricted funds represent changes
needed to show the agreed designated funds balances at year end date.
49

The Engllsh Folk Dance and Song Soclety
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
22b Movements in funds (prior year)
At l April
2022
Income &
gains
Expenditure
& losses
At l Aprll
2023
Transfers
Restricted funds:
Cecil Sharp House
Cecil Sharp House - legacy funding
Bismarks
Manley Morris (Filming) Legacy
National Folk Music Fund
Library Project Development Fund
Malcolm Taylor Bursary Fund
Library Research projects
Educational projects NYFE
Educational projects - other
Dance projects
Scops Arts Trust
Weston Culture Fund
John Lyon's Charity
Artlsfic developmenr fund
PRS Foundation
1.486.560
22.000
142
2.211
105.276
43.988
889
(19,952)
1,466,608
22,000
142
(2.211)
105,276
43,777
889
1.056
(1.2671
2.250
700
160
700
7.500
(2.250)
247
130
947
290
700
2,767
16,989
13,738
6,486
(4,73 3)
(5,966)
(25,879)
(3,000)
(13,000)
81.376
12,117
6.486
(58,421)
27.500
3,000
15,000
(2,000)
Total restricted funds
1.761.422
57,866
(78,2581
(60,421)
1,680,609
Unrestrlcted funds:
Designated funds=
Capital projects funded by legacies
CSH lifts
Kennedy Hall renovation
CSH boilers
CSH streaming equipment
Education programme
Instrument replacement
124,362
76,941
181,491
108,574
27,125
151,487
32,522
139,766
103,510
54,984
100,092
999
(44,419)
(41,725)
(12,939)
7,875
54,984
58,653
999
219,463
(178,024)
Total designated funds
551.020
219.463
1277.107)
89,984
583,360
Revaluation reserve
79,350
79,350
434,502
General funds
443.839
1,194,112
(1,173,886)
(29,563)
Total unrestricted funds
1.074.209
1.413.575
(1.450,993)
60.421
1,097,212
Total funds
2,835,631
,471,441
(1,529,251)
2,777,821
50

The Engllsh Folk Dance and Song Soclety
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
22c Movements In funds {contlnued)
Purposes of restricted funds
Cecll Sharp House: This fund represents the balance sheet value of Cecil Sharp House, held upon trust to be used in
perpetuity for the purposes of English folk dance and song.
Cecil Sharp House legacy funding: Legacy restricted to the maintenance and upkeep of Cecil Sharp House.
Bismarks: Accumulated royalties to be used in the production of a second Bismarks recording.
Manley Morrls {Fllmlng) Legacy Fund: bequest to create a film record of Manley Morris.
Artistic Development fund: to support artist development projects, includes bursaries awarded under Micro Grants
Programme.
National Folk Music Fund (NFMF): to fund the refurbishment of the main library space and support staffing and
other developments.
Library Project Development Fund: Monies donated for specific library projects, mainly conseNation.
Malcolm Taylor Bursary Fund: The bursary was created from individual donations to mark the departure of the
former Li brary Director following 3 5 years of service. It will be awarded to amateur folk organisations to assist them
with maintaining or creating an archive of their organisations activities.
Library research projects= funds received to collaborate on research projects with partners.
Educational projects: funds received to collaborate on research projects with partners.
Scops Arts Trust: funds received to support National Youth Folk Ensemble Engagement Programme.
PRS Foundation: Talent Development Partnership Programme. to work with creators ar the frontline of talent
development in folk music. Includes bursaries awarded under Alan James Creative Bursaries programme.
Weston Culture Fund.. to support artists. a creative commission and the purchase and installation of streaming
equipment at Cecil Sharp House.
John Lyon's Charlty: to support the development of the Inclusive Folk Programme - folk education activities with
and for young people with disabilities.
Purposes of deslgnated funds
Capital Projects= Funds set aside for major capital projects.
CSH Lift: This fund represents the net book value of the new lift in Cecil Sharp House. Depreciation is being charged
ro rhe fund over the useful life of the lift.
Kennedy Hall Renovation: This fund represents the net book value of the capitalised improvements to Kennedy
Hall made out of the Shape the Future capital fund.
CSH Boilers: This fund represents the net book value of the new boilers in Cecil Sharp House.
CSH Streaming Equipment- This fund represents the net book value of the streaming equipment purchased for use
in Cecil Sharp House supported by Weston Culture Fund.
Educatlon Programme: To fund assist the development of the Education strategy and delivery.
Instrument Replacement= Net income from instrument hire will be used to purchase replacementlfurther
instruments.
51

The Engllsh Folk Dance and Song Soclety
Notes to the flnanclal statements
For the
ear ended 31 March 2024
23 Operating lease commitments payable as a lessee
The charity's total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows for each of
the following periods=
Equipment
2024
2023
Less than one year
One to five years
More than five years
4,152
8.600
4.152
11.512
1.240
16,904
12.752
24 Legal status of the charity
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event
of winding up is limited to £O.SO.
52