Company number: 297142 Charity number: 305999
## The English Folk Dance and Song Society
For the year ended 31 March 2025
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Contents**
**For the year ended 31 March 2025**
…………………………………………………………………………………..………2 Directors’ annual report ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….5 Independent auditor’s report………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…...34 ………………..……..38 Balance sheet …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..39 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..40 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….41
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
|**For theyear ended 31 March 2025**||
|---|---|
|**Company number**|297142|
|**Charity number**|305999|
||Cecil Sharp House|
||2 Regent’s Park Road|
||London|
||NW1 7AY|
|**Web address**||
|**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|
||NW1 8QL|
|**Solicitors**|BP Collins|
||32-|
||Gerrards Cross|
||SL9 8EL|
|**Auditors**|Sayer Vincent LLP|
||110 Golden Lane|
||London, EC1Y 0TG|
2
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
**For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **TRUSTEES/DIRECTORS and STAFF**
## **Trustees/Directors**
Fiona Butcher Chair Vice-Chair, coHonorary Treasurer Elsa Cardona Robyn Chicot Lucy Hooberman resigned December 2024 Laura Jones Ayub Khan MBE Nell Leyshon Angeline Morrison Lisa Saper Jeremy Simpson Eleanor Telfer Tony Garton Honorary Company Secretary
Chair Fiona Butcher Trustee Fi Fraser Volunteer Mike Heaney Volunteer Sherry Neyhus Volunteer Katy Spicer
Katy Spicer Zoe Nicol - Hannah Mears-Young Kerry Fletcher Folk Ed Co-ordinator† Library Nick Wall Librarian Malcolm Barr-Hamilton
3
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
Editor, Folk Music Journal† Sammie Squire Honor Wicks – Campaigns & Digital – Membership & EFDSS Josh Holliday Peter Craik James Turner Lucy Grant Elizabeth Tobald Patrick Carpenter Susannah Hall Garden Manager† Jamie Orchard-Lisle Technical Manager† Edie Bailey Brian Concannon Rachel Furness Sarah Stock Mimi Suzuki Romari Thomas Theo Pedley Lucy Rushton Edie Bailey Annabel Whittle Bridie Rushton Catherine Finn Charlotte Turner Esther Elliott Holly Hollis Ciaran Keogh Finnian Mattingly Faye Maughan Theo Pedley Lucy Rushton Romari Thomas
-
-lance
IT Support Pink Foods Café and bar franchisee
## **Membership at 31 March 2025**
: : 526
4
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
March 2025.
-
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
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 and 1935.
## **The Board of Directors**
Directors appointed by the Board. The Board selects its Chair from among the elected Directors and an Honorary Treasurer from the Board as a whole. At every AGM at least (one third) of the elected Board places will be available for election. Retiring members eligible for reelection and appointed Directors may seek election provided they have had more than six continuous years in office. The Board may co -opt EFDSS members
s a year. It meets at
5
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **ORGANISATION AND DECISION MAKING**
- Plan and other documents.
- Board and seni or staff. The Board also keeps under review the the standards of conduct for its members.
lect its duty to
## **Managing risk**
-dated the Register of Risks
f all stakeholders.
6
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
control.
perate because of societal pursue all emergency
## **Statement of policies**
House and
purpose:
- and in so doing may also contribute to:
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
7
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **OBJECTIVES and ACTIVITIES**
- and conferences.
- in
-
- London Youth Folk Ensemble
- Inclusive Folk and Folk Beyond programmes for learning disabled young people and adults.
- informal educa
- missions.
- projects, and to promote and encourage academic study through lectures and conferences.
8
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## Our Vision
music[1]
-
- rich traditions and present day vibrancy of folk dance and music.
## Our Mission is to
Take the lead:
> 1 Instrumental music and song
9
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Fiona Butcher Chair’s Report**
The EFDSS team
We saw the National Youth Folk Ensemble return to The Fire S tation in Sunderland in February and at Sidmouth and Dartmoor Folk Festival s in August; and the London Youth Folk Ensemble make its regular appearance at Folk by the Oak in the grounds of Hatfield House. - We continued the Inclusive Folk, a year round programme of workshops for young people with disabilities, and introduced the Bhangra Ceilidhs in partnership with musician Kulljit Bhamra. There was another award of Mini G rants for dance development, helping to support grassroots activity particularly projects engaging with people new to folk dance.
– Collectomania:
Folk Song and Music Collectors and their Worlds – focused on the song collectors and marked the anniversaries of a number of significant collectors including the centenaries of Cecil Sharp and Sabine Baring Gould. The Library also presented the annual Broadside Day an online lecture series
donors and funders. We are very grateful to John Lyon’s Charity , Seneca Trust, Camden Council (education); Scop Arts and Postlethwaite Music Fund (National Youth Folk and engagement p rogramme); PRS Foundation and the Cockayne Foundation( a _rtists’ d evelopment); Good Luck Charitable Trust; and donors Conrad and Jennifer Bailey
and/or to the folk arts, was given to three people this year. Tim Laycock, performer – singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter who has been influential in bringing folk music to a wider audience in nontraditional folk settings ; academic and morris dancer, Theresa Buckland, a defining exponent of English folk dance research, and David Atkinson, editor of FMJ, editor and writer on folk music history. Congratulations to them all.
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**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
Finally, | would like to thank my fellow Trustee/Directors for all their work and support, to thank those who retired from the board, Lucy Hooberman and Eleanor Telfer, and to welcome the new members, Elsa Cadonna, Nell Leyshon, Lisa Saper and Jeremy Simpson . I also wish to thank our Chief Executive, Katy Spicer, and her team for their professionalism,
## **Katy Spicer**
We have continued to deliver a busy programme of activities across England and developing
“ A stunning collection in a beautiful building . pen!” Library user, 2024
The Library and Archive undertook two major developments – anew website with a bespoke search facility for its online indexes and collections, and the moving of its stores to specialist storage in Oxfordshire. VWML has a unique multimedia collection of books, periodicals, sound recordings, moving images, photographs, artefacts and archival materials , so both of these changes were significant. The VWML still managed to respond to the numerous and varied enquiries ; cataloguing new acquisitions of archive c ollections and recently published books and CDs; indexing journals ; and processing book and record donations.
funded by the former’s A HRC Impact Acceleration Account . The project is highlighti ng the richness and importance of Gypsy and Traveller music collections and supporting the cultural wellbeing of some of the UK’s most marginalised communities. This year additional funding enabled the making of a short film in collaboration with Romani film collective Patrin Films, uses which a personal story to explore the Archive’s Gypsy and Traveller collections (for release in autumn 2025) . Library & Archives Director, Tiffany Hore , together with colleagues Esbjorn Wettermark and Hazel Marsh from the Universities of Sheffield and East Anglia respectively, spoke on the project for the Repatriating/Rematriating Sounds conference in Venice in July.
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**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
- ‘ Looking for New England?’ - Peter Harrop
- Jo Miller and Stuart Eydmann
-
- ‘Finding Billy Waters’ - Mary Shannon
The 2024 conference took place in July Collectors and their Worlds. The conference UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and Canada and the excellent analysis of Cecil Sharp.
Volume 12, Number 5
18 books
- rm –
- – Peter Harrop
- Chloe
- Middleton-Metcalfe
- ‘The Outlandish Knight’: A Test Case for the Use of Phylog Songs – Mike Boursnell
- Lucy Lukey’s Northsea: Vernacular Song in the Pre-War Cullercoats Fishing Community – George Frampton
We hosted the Folklore Society’s annual Katharine Briggs Lecture November. Folklorist Doc Rowe was the guest speaker, and the Stanmore for her book Cunning Folk: Life in the Era of Practical our 2020 Library Lecture programme.
-
took place across England.
## Youth
ded a
e nsemble and the creation of Bhangra - inspired pieces led by Kuljit Bhamra, together with
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**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
on a bill with Folkestra, the youth folk ensemble from Glasshouse International Centre for Music, and with professional folk group, Melrose Quartet. Melrose Quartet member, and Newcastle University lecturer, Nancy Kerr, also joined the teaching team for the spring residency as part of the ARHC-funded Music, Heritage, Place project, l ed by Royal Holloway University of London University and Newcastle University, which is uncovering and sharing tune manuscripts from various English county record offices. Read Nancy’s blog about her work with the Ensemble in 2024 and 2025 as part of this project here:
as
– and
members of the Ensemble and to Scops Arts Trust for their support of the Engagement Programme, which enables more young people of varied backgrounds to experience music. For some of these participants it was their first experience of playing folk music led to them auditioning a nd gaining places in the Ensemble.
- London Youth Folk Ensemble (LYFE), our non auditioned ensemble, attended by young people from London and beyond, met throughout the year . It was led by Aaron Horlock with Alexandra Patterson (until July 2024) and Maya McCourt (from November 202 4 ), and supported by trainee music educators, both alumni of the National Youth Folk Ensemble. LYFE was once again the opening act at Folk by the Oak in Hatfield. LYFE hosted our annual youth music event - The Takeover! – _ in July, inviting other groups of young musi cians to join them in ceilidh dancing and a performance at Cecil Sharp House. This year the guest bands
– enthusiasm in equal measure _ this is what music is all about and their performance
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**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## Disability Inclusion
- During the summer we led a cross cultural creative folk music and dance course, involving
Folk Unlimited regular of activity in SEN/D Youth Folk Ensemble to family and friends. Fort in early 2025 to Inclusive Folk nd other tutors including
trainee Alice Western.
-
## Learning resources
by Chloe Middleton-
## Dance
An exciting new project was developed this year – the Bhangra Ceilidh. Under band leader and composer Kuljit Bhamra MBE, the sounds of tabla, melodeon and fiddle come alive in this cross-cultural aural treat. Our Bhangra Ceilidhs feature specially composed tunes from Kuljit and accordionist Becky Price, drawing from both vibrant traditions and designed to people dancing. Kuljit and Becky met whilst working the National Youth Folk Ensemble and produced an album of new Bhangra Ceilidh music. The project has also been a great opportunity for young musicians from the English folk and Indian music traditions who were recruited to form the band. The first Bhangra Ceilidh took place in November at Cecil Sharp House, and its instant popularity has already led to further events at festivals in summer 2025.
14
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
the North West based youth folk dance and music group, The Fosbrooks, to perform at the
popular.
of £200 - £500 were awarded with support in - kind given to the seventh. The projects were:
- Blue Jam Arts, Cumbria – areas.
-
- community.
- Horizon Community College, Barnsley –
- activities, and their mini grant will support the creation of educational performance work to tour youth dance festivals and local primaries. Wickham Skeith, Suffolk – to reestablish regular folk dances in this Suffolk village and to encourage engagement across the ages.
- Musical Chairs, London –
U
as set up to try and
make clear our updated stance on this important issue. Jen Cox, wrote our new Guidance for Inclusion and was published on our website in August 2024. This was callers and organisers in the sector. It has bee n well
15
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
Adult and Professional Learning
- tutors leading one term each – Jess Arrowsmith, Jackie Oates, and Cohen Braithwaite Kilcoyne. Under the leadership of Rose Martin, Cecil Sharp House Choir gave a various -
- Folk Festival in July, and at Ceilidh Workshop Band, formed ps and led by Ross Grant, played
we led 3 one -day, free-tonetworking and organisations / groups -ordinator.
regions - folk Trust (NMPAT), University of Music, and speakers Music Hub –
with the Access Folk programme from the presentations from NMPAT, Oxfordshire Ensemble, who also performed. In Sheffield – Folk Factory, Sou ndpost, and Sheffield Leeds Conservatoire. There were updates Youth Folk Ensemble, and speakers in loca l youth and community projects,
- - focussed on disability inclusion. The keynote speaker was Janet Bell, a highly skilled and inspiring wheelchair dancer and a dedicated advocate for accessibility. There were also presentations on Milkmaid Molly, a music and dance performance group for adults with learning disabilities and non -disabled dancers and musicians; the Accessible Ceilidh Project; Sara Rose; LauraDDance and People Dancing; and a presentation on our Inclusiv e Folk Programme.
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**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
We delivered another busy year long programme of professional performance at Cecil Sharp House continuing to present a wide range of artists from early career to well -established, from traditional to experimental, and from far and near. Our programmed featured artists from across the UK, Canada, the USA and Sweden including return visits by Dom Flemons, Le Vent du Nord and Daoiri Farrell. We welcomed our President Eliza Carthy MBE twice during the year, firstly in her solo concert and then to interview the legendary Peggy Seeger. It was rewarding to welcome the outcomes of some of our bursary and micro grant supported projects from Hugh Sheenan, Miranda Rutter, Femi OriogunWilliams, Cohen Braithwaite -Kilcoyne, Borges Machado, and The Lunatraktors.
original writers of the Bagpuss music, John Faulkner and
clips
The Trad Night season of six shows at which performers continued , as did our partnerships with Thank Folk for and Queer Folk for the Queer Folk Ceilidh Parties. Club we held a festival day in March featuring Sandra and Hazel, Daisy Beau and Jasmin Kennedy. The Ceilidh
To mark three years of the Feminist Folk Kerr, Nancy Kerr, Emily Portman, Lucy Parties continued to be sell outs and House.
We ran a further year of the Alan James Bursary programme and bursaries , working partnership with Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Drake Music and Black Music. This year’s recipients were Amy Hollinrake, Randolf Matthews, Emily Portman, Remorae, and duo Lucy Huzzard and Hazel Thompson. The funding and studio space d
17
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
to
“ The bursary gave me the financial pressure, which .”
year of their and CDs; to and
Micro Grants. The Micro Grants support folk artists in any way that will help to develop careers as artists. Nine bursaries were awarded enabling artists to produce new EPs and support touring costs; support marketing and PR costs; and to purchase equipment to improve sound recording; creative research and development time including travel, and towards the purchase of musical instruments . This year’s rec ipients were Germa Adan, Frankie Archer, Janice Burns and Jon Doran, Archie Churchill Moss, RE:VULVA, Something Sleeps, Suntou Susso, Jordan Aikin and Quercus, Georgie Buchanan and Alana Middleton.
Festival in August 202 4 providing opportunities for early - career artists and artists in receipt of EFDSS Bursary and Micro Grants including Cohen Braithwaite -Kilcoyne and Grace Smith. Three bands were supported to perform on the Horizon Stage at Stage4Beverley in February 2025, including newly formed The Hop, all alumni of the National Y outh Folk Ensemble.
- for our platforms. As well as creating content in house, we commissioned videographers to create film trailers to promote key EFDSS’s projects – Bhangra Ceilidh and Feminist Folk Club. - We introduced more artist led content to provide greater variety, and ran a series of Instagram Stories Takeovers, inviting guest artists to take over our Stories for a day sharing images and videos to give our followers a glimpse behind the scenes and b uild up to a gig or
At the end of 2024, we launched the **CSH TikTok channel** as part of our ongoing digital strategy and audience development objective to attract a younger demographic to events and in the wider - folk world. As we grow this platform, adopting a test -and-learn
– EFDSS and Cecil Sharp House – using
18
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
reached 1,000.
House – -onachieving the biggest year — year growth since pre pandemic (31%). On Facebook, we have also seen the highest growth for the EFDSS site since pre-pandemic and nearly 2019-20.
- Our curation of the different channels and prioritising high performing content (as per analytics) reflected this increase in audiences. Engagement is also strong, in some better in comparison to competitors with higher follower numbers, as we listen to digital audiences respond.
We harnessed a digitalclasses programmes at activity for gigs where venue and our events. media, including:
Bhangra Ceilidh / Kuljit Bhamra –
–
Ceilidh has also been created to do just that!”
> -bhamra-talks-folk-music-bhangra- ~~new~~ -
music-genre
- -Kilcoyne –
passionate about folk music, then there is a place for you on the folk scene! The
dience
- - - ~~https://www.afridiziak.com/previous shows/cohen braithwaite~~ kilcoyne/
–
The best stories are
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**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
~~https://thenewfeminist.co.uk/2025/03/what~~ -londons- ~~first~~ -feminist-folk-club- ~~festival~~ - taught-me-about-the- ~~power~~ -of-female-art/
payments through Apple/
Google Pay booking journey.
Three editions of our membership magazine, English Dance and Song (EDS) were produced, and articles are reproduced online for all to read. Articles have included a series of Bursary - Spotlights on artists in receipt of an EFDSS bursary; a piece uncovering the little known
## **Philanthropy and Membership**
in their Wills as a result.
h
some useful support for core costs; but more importantly it demonstrates engagement amongst an increasing range of folk fans.
insurance. This change has enabled us to reduce the costs of insurance insurance to those members who specifically request it, and increase aid on the majority of standard memberships.
to offer p ractitioner membership, along with Group membership for folk are helping to su pport grass roots activities across England.
20
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## personal memberships.
-
## up.
-
efficient donations to support our free services. Many small “add to basket” donations make a big difference when all combined. 13% of all people buying for a gig or a class at Cecil Sharp House add a donation, adding up to nearly £20,000 in 2024/25. A contactless donation point reminds visitors to Cecil Sharp House that the building is run by a registered charity. Supporters can also donate whenever they do their regular shops online, at no additional cost to themselves, by registering their support via easyfundraising or Give as You Live .
said, our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion policies and procedures discriminate against any person on the ground of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy belief, sex, and sexual orientation, or socio -economic status.
## -
## – folk sector, they are still outnumbered instrumentalists, which can limit
21
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
- Ethnicity –
- Disability –
In conclusion, it has been another busy and developmental year. | would colleagues whose determination and dedication have made this possible ; and partner organisations; and to the trustees for their on-going support.
## **The Year Ahead 2025-26**
hires and also provide the opportunity to expand our own activities. The new combined and bar facility will provide a one -stop shop for all Cecil Sharp House users. We will also be improving our environmental footprint with the installation o f PV panels on the roof. The capital project is being funded by a Transform grant from Arts Council England, the Foyle
in autumn 2025 and will be shown at the AKE DIKHEA? 9__ th Film in Berlin in October.
22
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
ng and
20 26. The Alan James Creative Bursary and Residency programme has made six awards, including three small research awards ; we will again partner with Glasshouse International nrad
reach and
23
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **Ed Fishwick Treasurer’s Report**
r of funding of the increase
gramme increased in a successful
-year projects spans
for
348,191
£451,392
- Kennedy Hall and replacing boilers.
- £151,487 for future planned capital projects such as refurbishing the café and bar area.
- £21,518 of funding intending for multi - year youth education projects.
spend on the charity’s purposes and thus do not include restricted or designated funds, or
24
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
- uncertainty.
- upkeep and maintenance.
-
- future and multi year projects funded by restricted and designated reserves.
raise replacement sources for this income.
## **Incoming Resources**
|Grantsreceivedandreceivablein2024|||
|---|---|---|
|Grants received and receivable in 2024|-25|£|
|Arts Council England National Portfolio|Organisation*|300,000|
|Arts Council England Transform Grant*||65,757|
|John Lyons Charity*||40,000|
|Cockayne Foundation||11,000|
|PRS Foundation||10,000|
|Scop Arts*||7,500|
|Camden Council –
Cultural Education and Learning Support Fund||6,630|
|The Seneca Trust||5,520|
|Postlethwaite Music Foundation*||1,200|
25
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
1,250
-year grants
## **Fundraising**
Chair of the Board on behalf of the Trustee/Directors.
## **Voluntary Income**
|Judith Snelling|£10,000|
|---|---|
|Derek Mulquin|£73|
|Mary Gogle|£1,000|
|Frederick North|£50,000|
26
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
Kingdom Ge nerally to prepare financial the state of affairs of on of resources,
inappropriate to presume that the chari
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
In so far as the Dir
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and
27
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
**For the year ended 31 March 2025**
in the charitable company.
## **Auditors**
-
th
Fiona Butcher, Chair of Trustees
28
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
**For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **FREELANCE PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH EFDSS DURING 2024-25**
Germa Adan Kuljit Bhamra Jane Bird Bridie Bloor Seth Bye Kerry Fletcher Jo Freya Nick Goode Phoebe Jo Harty Aaron Horlock Mia Iles Perez Tom Kitching Prayag Kotcha Vishal Mahay Sheena Masson Maya McCourt Camilo Menjura Roary Neat Mary Panton Eloise Pearce Casey Poloka Alice Robinson Mike Ruff Miranda Rutter Ben See Armadeep Sidhu Cori Smith Anusha Subramanyam Suntou Susso Alice Western
Mel Biggs -Kilcoyne Deb Chalmers Archie Churchill-Moss Elye Cuthbertson Lizzie Fort Amy Gill Holmes Ross Grant Rob Harbron Jack Healy Ed Hicks Nancy Kerr Lisa Knapp Kathryn Locke Rose Martin Shenara McGuire Jeremy Monson Ben Moss Jackie Oates Meera Patel Alasdair Paul Joseph Perkins Andy Richards Ru Rose Lucy Rushton Hardeep Sahota Georgia Shackleton Grace Smith Ruby Smith Emmie Ward
29
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
## **L**
Stuart Eydmann Peter Harrop Jo Miller Simon Alpin Graham Dominy Dennis Grey Thibaut Remy
## **SUPPORTED ARTISTS**
Amy Hollinrake Emily Portman Remorea Lucy Huzzard and Hazel Thompson Frankie Archer Jordan Aikin and Quercus Archie Churchill-Moss RE:VULVA Germa Adan Something Sleeps Georgie Buchanan and Alana Middleton Suntou Susso Janice Burns and Jon Doran
## **VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITH EFDSS IN 2024-25**
Tim Stephens
Elysia Cotton Sophie Currie Daniel Farnham Helen McHugh Tom Mastin Lee Martin Nail Amelia White Izzy Walter Natasha Wilkinson Peter Williams
Martin Graebe
30
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
Welsh Folk Song Society
Catherine Ann Cullen (University College Angela Fogg Chris Greencorn (Queen’s University, Aine Heneghan Paul Mansfield Stephen Miller Brian Peters
Martin Graebe Rhidian Griffiths
Caroline Macafee Hugh Miller Lynn Noel Peter Snape Elen Wyn Keen
Jon Coley Martin Graebe
Jennifer Goodman Wollock
Abi Kingsnorth (Canterbury Martin Nail
Bob Strom
Elaine Bradtke
Theresa Buckland
Derek Schofield Malcolm Taylor
Mike Heaney E Wyn James (Cardiff Chloe Middleton-Metcalfe Sigrid Rieuwerts (Johannes Gutenberg Ian Russell (Elphinstone Institute, Matthew Simons (University Frances Wilkins
Ian Cutts Charlotte McDonaugh
Rosie ButlerHall (Forge and Fledge, Soundpost) Rosa Cisneros (University of Coventry)
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**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2025**
Beth Gifford
Fay Hield
Richard Leigh (Northamptonshire Naomi Mitchell (Northamptonshire Poppy Price-
Rachael Sutcliffe (Leeds Conservatoire) Esbjorn Wettermark (University of Sheffield, Access Folk) Dance Mini Grant Recipients: BlueJam Arts, Cumbria Havering Changing Horizon Community College, Barnsley Musical Chairs / Let’s Dance, London Wickham Skeith Country Dance Club
## **Key partners arts, academic and heritage partners 2024-25**
Key arts, academic and heritage partners:
Chetham’s School of Music
Museum of British Folklore Music, Heritage, Place Royal Holloway University New Roots St Albans Orchestras for All Pedestrian Permaculture London Shrewsbury Folk Festival Sound Roots Stage4Beverley Thank Folk for Feminism
Brass Bands England Cubitt Sessions Esperance Federation of Folk and Traditional Music Collections Folkestra, Glasshouse International Centre for Music International Association of Music Libraries Make Music Day UK Music Mark One Dance UK (U.Dance National Festival) Patrin Films People Dancing Queer Folk Sidmouth Folk Festival Soundpost Star Creative Heritage Traditional Song Forum
32
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Directors’ annual report**
**For the year ended 31 March 2025**
**Music Education Hubs, Bridge organisations, Local Cultural Education Partnerships**
Barnet Camden Leicester Northamptonshire Music & Performing Arts Trust Sheffield Music Hub Tri-
33
**The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **To the members of**
## **The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Opinion**
## **Basis for opinion**
other ethic
information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with
s or apparent material
34
**Independent auditor’s report**
## **To the members of**
## **The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
trustees’
annual report
- report.
fraud or error.
nless the trustees either intend to
report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a hi
35
**Independent auditor’s report**
## **To the members of**
## **The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
- Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non compliance with laws and regulations. We design
- including fraud and non-
- e = Identifying, evaluating, and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non -compliance;
- e Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge any actual, suspected, or alleged fraud;
- -compliance
- from our
- -compliance throughout the audit.
- may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud.
including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non -compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more tha t 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 d ue to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery,
at:
36
**Independent auditor’s report**
## **To the members of**
## **The English Folk Dance and Song Society**
## **Use of our report**
accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable formed.
Date: for and on behalf of Sayer Vincent LLP, Statutory Auditor 110 Golden Lane, LONDON, EC1Y 0TG
37
## The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Note £ £ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Grants, donations and 2 357,114 209,618 566,732 385,689 295,479 681,168
Charitable activities:
Educational activities 3 129,760 - 129,760 117,927 - 117,927
Performance programme 3 122,291 - 122,291 97,243 - 97,243
Library and publications 3 34,262 - 34,262 23,504 - 23,504
Membership 3 122,576 - 122,576 122,203 - 122,203
Lettings 4 492,809 - 492,809 449,871 - 449,871
Other income 5 26,479 - 26,479 24,660 - 24,660
Investments 6 40,678 - 40,678 31,943 - 31,943
Total income 1,325,969 209,618 1,535,587 1,253,040 295,479 1,548,519
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 7 57,025 2,915 59,940 37,211 2,973 40,184
Charitable activities: 7
Educational activities 428,307 103,678 531,985 449,348 96,592 545,940
Practitioner 63,641 21,618 85,259 65,780 28,057 93,837
Performance programme 257,333 9,715 267,048 235,548 16,994 252,542
Library, archive, academic 189,171 39,905 229,076 188,341 20,424 208,765
support
Membership activities 83,536 2,567 86,103 75,032 3,692 78,724
Lettings 7 354,596 21,556 376,152 359,998 25,935 385,933
Total expenditure 1,433,609 201,954 1,635,563 1,411,258 194,667 1,605,925
Net (expenditure) / income (107,640) 7,664 (99,976) (158,218) 100,812 (57,406)
before net (losses) on
investments
- - - -
Net (losses) on investments (173) (173)
Net (expenditure) / income 8 (107,640) 7,664 (99,976) (158,391) 100,812 (57,579)
for the year
Transfers between funds 2,225 (2,225) - 14,746 (14,746) -
Net movement in funds (105,415) 5,439 (99,976) (143,645) 86,066 (57,579)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 953,567 1,766,675 2,720,242 1,097,212 1,680,609 2,777,821
Total funds carried forward 848,152 1,772,114 2,620,266 953,567 1,766,675 2,720,242
**----- End of picture text -----**
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 22a to the financial statements.
38
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
Company no. 297142
## Balance sheet
## As at 31 March 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets:
Tangible assets 13 1,701,806 1,792,456
1,701,806 1,792,456
Current assets:
Stock 15 - 1,156
Debtors 16 304,375 195,319
Short-term investments 657,272 726,497
Cash at bank and in hand 419,926 355,510
1,381,573 1,278,482
Liabilities:
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 (451,480) (337,771)
Net current assets 930,093 940,711
Total assets less current liabilities 2,631,899 2,733,167
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year 19 (11,633) (12,925)
Total net assets 2,620,266 2,720,242
The funds of the charity: 22a
Restricted income funds 1,772,114 1,766,675
Unrestricted income funds:
Designated funds 348,191 451,392
Revaluation reserve 79,350 79,350
General funds 420,611 422,825
Total unrestricted funds 848,152 953,567
Total charity funds 21a 2,620,266 2,720,242
**----- End of picture text -----**
Approved by the trustees on 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Fiona Butcher
Trustee
39
## The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Statement of cash flows
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Note 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income for the reporting period (99,976) (57,406)
(as per the statement of financial activities)
Depreciation charges 95,912 134,824
Losses on investments - 173
Dividends, interest and rent from investments (40,678) (31,943)
Decrease in stocks 1,156 119
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (109,056) 23,482
Increase in creditors 112,417 14,867
Net cash (used in)/ provided by operating
activities (40,225) 84,116
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments 40,678 31,943
Proceeds from the sale of fixed asset investments - 7,977
Losses on investments - (173)
Purchase of fixed assets (5,262) (17,809)
Proceeds from the sale of current asset investments 100,000 197,808
Purchase of current asset investments - (280,000)
Movement in short term investments (30,775) (18,723)
Net cash (used in) investing activities 104,641 (78,977)
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
64,416 5,139
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
year 355,510 350,371
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
a 419,926 355,510
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents and of net debt
Other non- At 31
At 1 April cash March
2025
2024 Cash flows changes
£ £ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 355,510 64,416 - 419,926
a Total cash and cash equivalents 355,510 64,416 - 419,926
**----- End of picture text -----**
40
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
## 1 Accounting policies
## a) Statutory information
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 business is 2 Regent's Park Road, London, NW1 7AY.
## b) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) 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 applying the financial reporting framework, the trustees have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates. 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 estimates. Any significant estimates and judgements affecting these financial statements are detailed within the relevant accounting policy below.
## c) Public benefit entity
The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
## d) Going concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial statements. The trustees have made this assessment 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 continue 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 period.
## e) 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 conditions attached to 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 legacies, 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 executor(s) 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 granting 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.
## f) Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
41
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
- 1 Accounting policies (continued)
## g) Fund accounting
- Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.
Unrestricted 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, as well as funds representing the net book value of fixed assets previously purchased.
## h) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
- Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the Society in generating grant and donation income, as well as 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 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.
## i) Tangible fixed assets
Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £1,000. Depreciation costs are allocated to activities on the basis of the use of the related assets in those activities. 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 useful life.
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:
|cted useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:||
|---|---|
|Freehold land and buildings - Cecil Sharp House|50 years|
|Fixtures, fittings, plant and equipment, premises improvments|10 years|
|Computers and equipment, moveable equipment|3-5 years|
|Works of art|is not depreciated|
The works of art capitalised in the balance sheet are shown at deemed cost under the transitional rules for the introduction of FRS102.
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 to 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 included in the statement of financial activities. The Board considers these assets to be heritage assets, that reliable cost information is not available and that convention valuation approaches lack sufficient reliability. These assets have not been capitalised.
## j) Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at the transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at the reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income / (expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. The charity does not acquire complex financial instruments.
42
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
- 1 Accounting policies (continued)
## k) Stocks
Stocks have been stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value in the past. In general cost was determined on a first in first out basis and includes transport and handling costs. Net realisable value was the price at which stocks can be sold in the normal course of business after allowing for the costs of realisation. Provision was made where necessary for obsolete, slow moving and defective stocks. Donated items of stock, held for distribution or resale, were recognised at fair value which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay for the items on the open market. At the end of the year 2025 the charity has written off its remaining stock levels, as both the volume of sales and purchases, and values of stock held, have reduced to a level where it is no longer cost effective to record small movements in stock for books and cds sold.
## l) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement 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 bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## o) Creditors and provisions
- Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount 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 financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction 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 funds. The Society has no liability under the schemes other than for the payment of those contributions.
## 2 Income from grants, donations and legacies
||||||2
0
2
5|2
0
2
5|2
0
2
5|2
0
2
5|2
0
2
5|||2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted|Restricted|||T
o
t
a
l|||||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|
||£|£|||||||£|£|£|£|
|Arts Council Funding|261,358|-|2
6
1
,
3
5
8|||||||261,358|-|261,358|
|Arts Council Funding - National Youth|-|38,642||3
8
,
6
4
2||||||-|38,642|38,642|
|Arts Council Funding - Transform|-|65,757||6
5
,
7
5
7||||||-|199,175|199,175|
|Other grants - Practitioner development|-|25,000||2
5
,
0
0
0||||||-|15,000|15,000|
|Other grants - Educational activities|-|61,670||6
1
,
6
7
0||||||-|10,500|10,500|
|Other grants - Library|-|1,250|||1
,
2
5
0|||||-|2,167|2,167|
|Legacies|61,073|-||6
1
,
0
7
3||||||93,275|-|93,275|
|Donations|26,194|15,385||4
1
,
5
7
9||||||18,510|28,419|46,929|
|Gift Aid|8,489|1,914||1
0
,
4
0
3||||||12,546|1,576|14,122|
||357,114|209,618|5
6
6
,
7
3
2|||||||385,689|295,479|681,168|
43
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
3 Income from charitable activities
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Educational activities 129,760 - 129,760 117,927 - 117,927
Performance programme 122,291 - 122,291 97,243 - 97,243
Library and publications 34,262 - 34,262 23,504 - 23,504
Membership 122,576 - 122,576 122,203 - 122,203
Total income from charitable activities 408,889 - 408,889 360,877 - 360,877
4 Income from other trading activities
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Lettings income 481,375 - 481,375 433,781 - 433,781
Other trading income 11,434 - 11,434 16,090 - 16,090
492,809 - 492,809 449,871 - 449,871
5 Other income
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Orchestra Tax Relief 26,479 - 26,479 24,660 - 24,660
26,479 - 26,479 24,660 - 24,660
6 Income from investments
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Interest receivable 40,678 - 40,678 31,747 - 31,747
Dividends - - - 196 - 196
40,678 - 40,678 31,943 - 31,943
**----- End of picture text -----**
44
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2024 Total £ 779,812 403,271 144,813 95,901 19,486 134,824 15,815 12,003 1,605,925 - - 1,605,925
la £ 1 4 8 6 4 2 5 3 - - 3
t 2 7 3 7 9 1 2 2 6
To 4, 3, 7, 3, 9, 9, 0, 7, 5,
3 9 0 2 7 5 4 1 5
5 3 6 4 6 1 9 1 3
202 8 4 1 1,635,563 61,
Support costs £ 178,369 14,990 34,233 36,267 6,110 48,467 - - 318,436 (318,436) - -
Governance costs £ 8,165 - - - - - 14,025 1,723 23,913 - (23,913) - -
£ - - - - - - 3
0
1,
1,054 6
32,905 38,105 71,010 14,039 8 78,724
Membershi p activities
£ - - - - - 6
7
0,
3,560 4,068 9
Library, support 119,589 47,682 170,831 54,177 22 208,765
conservatio n, academic
£ - - - - 8
4
297 534 0,
3,990 7
96,478 53,132 6
112,617 209,926 2 252,542
Performance programme
Charitable activities £ - - - - - - 9
5
2,
1,075 5
35,459 34,408 69,867 14,317 8 93,837
Practitioner training/de velopment
£ - - - - 5
8
561 9,
7,561 7,852 1
3
Educational activities 205,808 205,647 419,577 104,556 5 545,940
£ - - 2
5
229 1,
4,757 6
Lettings 116,294 12,330 106,505 25,251 47,445 308,054 63,341 37 385,933
y )r £ - - - - - - 04
iteco tea y Raising funds 40,354 3,595 43,949 14,874 1,117 995, 40,184
dklhlSSDF i Eegnonacnaosgn flh ii tttttemeeesnasacnanos hddh202315Mteeeecranray f (dl i iAteee enrrcrnp ossanuuxy Staff costs (Note 9) Direct activity costs Premises costs Administration costs Other staff costs Depreciation Legal and professional AGM and board costs Support costs Governance costs dl2025 i Ttteeernpaoux Total expenditure 2024
he to ro a
T N F 7
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
la £ 2 1 3 1 6 4 5 3 - - 5
t 1 7 1 0 8 2 1 0 2
To 89, 23, 84, 95, 94, 84, 85, 02, 95,
4 7 0 4 9 1 3 1 1 0
202 7 4 1 1 1,605,925 61,
Support costs £ 21,334 33,983 67,639 9,383 68,100 - - - -
169,706 370,145 (370,145)
Governanc e costs £ 8,332 - - - - - 15,815 12,003 36,150 - (36,150) -
£ - - - - - - 4
2
7,
1,413 8
25,606 37,239 62,845 14,466 7
Membership activities
£ - - - - - 5
6
7,
4,300 6,477 8
Library, conservation, academic support 117,899 13,774 135,973 66,315 02
e £ - - - - - 2
4
514 5,
6,504 2
86,660 92,273 66,591 5
179,447 2
Performanc programme
Charitable activities
£ - - - - - 7
3
8,
1,215 1,675 3
34,477 39,315 75,007 17,155 9
Practitioner training/de velopment
£ - - - - 0
4
623 9,
3,873 5
12,836 4
activities 207,431 189,745 401,672 131,432 5
Educational
£ - - 3
3
201 9,
8,178 6,107 5
Lettings 103,718 110,830 27,639 66,724 317,290 62,536 83
£ - - - - - - 4
8
1,
)ra Raising funds 25,983 1,413 27,396 11,650 1,138 04
e
y
r
ior
(p
e 4
r 2
i tu 02
d
enpx iteru
e d
fo en
p
i ss ex
lany ltao
A Staff costs (Note 9) Direct activity costs Premises costs Administration costs Other staff costs Depreciation Legal and professional AGM and board costs Support costs Governance costs T
b
7
**----- End of picture text -----**
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
## 8 Net income / (expenditure) for the year
This is stated after charging :
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||
|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Depreciation|95,912|134,824|
|Auditor's remuneration (excluding VAT):|
|Audit|12,200|11,600|
|Other services|725|-|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## 9 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel
Staff costs were as follows:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||
|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Salaries and wages|758,206|697,574|
|-|
|Redundancy and termination costs|12,366|
|Social security costs|60,310|55,707|
|Employer’s contribution to pension schemes|14,904|14,165|
|833,421|779,812|
**----- End of picture text -----**
No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year (2024: nil).
The redundancy and termination costs were settled and paid at the balance sheet date.
2025 2024
The total employee benefits (including pension contributions and employer's national insurance) of the key management personnel were £309,338 (2024: £274,548).
## 10 Staff numbers
The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|2025|2024|
|FTE|FTE|No.|No.|
|Fundraising|0.8|0.4|1.1|0.5|
|Educational activities|5.6|5.6|10.3|10.3|
|Practitioner training/development|0.8|0.7|0.9|0.9|
|Performance programme|2.9|2.9|7.8|7.0|
|Library, archive, academic support|2.9|3.3|3.9|4.2|
|Membership activities|0.8|0.3|0.9|0.6|
|Commercial lettings|3.4|3.1|6.5|6.0|
|Support and governance|4.5|4.4|5.6|5.5|
|21.7|20.7|37.0|35.0|
**----- End of picture text -----**
47
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
## 11 Related party transactions
There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties. Donations from trustees in the year were £1,490 (2024: £1,703).
The charity trustees were neither paid nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024: £nil).
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.
Trustees' expenses represents the payment or reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs totalling £521 (2024: £298) incurred by 5 (2024: 4) members relating to attendance at meetings of the trustees and DBS checks.
## 12 Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
## 13 Tangible fixed assets
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Freehold
land and Plant and Moveable
buildings machinery equipment Works of art Total
Cost £ £ £ £ £
At the start of the year 1,880,000 1,261,170 228,426 79,350 3,448,946
Additions in year - 2,471 2,791 - 5,262
At the end of the year 1,880,000 1,263,641 231,217 79,350 3,454,208
Depreciation
At the start of the year 433,344 1,051,995 171,151 - 1,656,490
Charge for the year 19,952 60,165 15,795 - 95,912
At the end of the year 453,296 1,112,160 186,946 - 1,752,402
Net book value
At the end of the year 1,426,704 151,481 44,271 79,350 1,701,806
At the start of the year 1,446,656 209,175 57,275 79,350 1,792,456
**----- End of picture text -----**
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 FRS102 this is now the deemed cost.
48
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
14 Listed investments
2025 2024
£ £
-
Fair value at the start of the year 7,118
- -
Net gain on change in fair value
Net gain on disposal - 859
-
Disposal proceeds (7,977)
- -
- -
Cash held by investment broker pending reinvestment
- -
Fair value at the end of the year
15 Stock
2025 2024
£ £
Publications and CDs for resale - 1,156
-
1,156
16 Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 179,021 81,253
Other debtors 1,723 5,782
Orchestra Tax Relief 8,000 8,000
Prepayments and accrued income 115,631 100,284
304,375 195,319
17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025 2024
£ £
Trade creditors 66,726 86,995
Taxation and social security 15,360 14,939
Other creditors 18,392 19,557
Accruals 61,648 47,331
Deferred income (note 18) 289,354 168,949
451,480 337,771
**----- End of picture text -----**
49
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
## 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.
|alance at the beginning of the year
mount released to income in the year
mount deferred in the year
alance at the end of the year|2
0
2
5
£
1
6
8
,
9
4
9
(
1
6
8
,
9
4
9
)
2
8
9
,
3
5
4
2
8
9
3
5
4|159
(156,
165
168|
|---|---|---|
## 19 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
|fe members' subscriptions|2
0
2
5
£
1
1
,
6
3
3
1
1
,
6
3
3|12
12|
|---|---|---|
## 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 independently administered fund.
The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £14,904 (2024: £14,165)
## 21a Analysis of net assets between funds (current year)
**----- Start of picture text -----**
General
unrestricted Designated Restricted Total funds
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 99,916 175,186 1,426,704 1,701,806
Net current assets 411,678 173,005 345,410 930,093
Long term liabilities (11,633) - - (11,633)
Net assets at 31 March 2025 499,961 348,191 1,772,114 2,620,266
**----- End of picture text -----**
## 21b Analysis of net assets between funds (prior year)
**----- Start of picture text -----**
General
unrestricted Designated Restricted Total funds
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 102,204 243,596 1,446,656 1,792,456
Net current assets 412,896 207,796 320,019 940,711
Long term liabilities (12,925) - - (12,925)
Net assets at 31 March 2024 502,175 451,392 1,766,675 2,720,242
**----- End of picture text -----**
50
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
## 22a Movements in funds (current year)
**----- Start of picture text -----**
At 1 April Income & Expenditure & At 31 March
2024 gains losses Transfers 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted funds:
Cecil Sharp House 1,446,656 - (19,952) - 1,426,704
Cecil Sharp House - legacy funding 22,000 - - - 22,000
Library funds:
National Folk Music Fund 103,943 - (30,000) - 73,943
Library Project Development Fund 25,710 - - - 25,710
Other library funds 19,569 15,384 (196) - 34,757
Education funds:
- - -
Arts Council England - National Youth 38,642 (38,642)
Music Organisations
John Lyon's Charity - 40,000 (22,231) - 17,769
Scops Arts Trust 2,599 7,500 (7,347) - 2,752
Other education funds 8,761 17,335 (16,342) - 9,754
Artist project funds:
Cockayne Foundation - 11,000 - - 11,000
PRS Foundation - 10,000 (10,000) - -
Other artist project funds 22,749 4,000 (9,000) - 17,749
Multi-purpose grant funds:
Arts Council England - Transform 114,688 65,757 (48,244) (2,225) 129,976
progamme
Total restricted funds 1,766,675 209,618 (201,954) (2,225) 1,772,114
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds:
Capital projects funded by legacies 151,487 - - - 151,487
Kennedy Hall renovation 98,041 - (41,725) - 56,316
CSH boilers 90,571 - (12,939) - 77,632
CSH streaming equipment 54,984 - (13,746) - 41,238
Education programme 55,310 93,645 (128,436) - 20,519
Instrument replacement 999 - - - 999
Total designated funds 451,392 93,645 (196,846) - 348,191
Revaluation reserve 79,350 - - - 79,350
General funds 422,825 1,232,324 (1,236,763) 2,225 420,611
Total unrestricted funds 953,567 1,325,969 (1,433,609) 2,225 848,152
Total funds 2,720,242 1,535,587 (1,635,563) - 2,620,266
**----- End of picture text -----**
The narrative to explain the purpose of each fund is given at the foot of the note below.
Fund transfers out of restricted funds in 2025 reflect the fund's balance contributing in part to charity programme costs. Fund transfers in 2024 additionally reflect a fund balance having been spent to purchase fixed assets, and changes needed to show the agreed designated funds balances for designated fixed asset funds at the year end
51
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
## 22b Movements in funds (prior year)
**----- Start of picture text -----**
At 1 April Income & Expenditure & At 31 March
2023 gains losses Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted funds:
Cecil Sharp House 1,466,608 - (19,952) - 1,446,656
Cecil Sharp House - legacy funding 22,000 - - - 22,000
Library funds:
National Folk Music Fund 105,276 2,167 (3,500) - 103,943
Library Project Development Fund 25,710 - - - 25,710
Other library funds 19,098 471 - - 19,569
Education funds:
- - -
Arts Council England - National Youth 38,642 (38,642)
Music Organisations
- - -
John Lyon's Charity 13,738 (13,738)
Scops Arts Trust 2,767 7,500 (7,668) - 2,599
Other education funds 1,937 9,824 (3,000) - 8,761
Artist project funds:
PRS Foundation - 15,000 (14,000) (1,000) -
Other artist project funds 6,486 22,700 (6,437) - 22,749
Multi-purpose grant funds:
Arts Council England - Transform - 199,175 (84,487) - 114,688
progamme
Weston Culture Fund 16,989 - (3,243) (13,746) -
Total restricted funds 1,680,609 295,479 (194,667) (14,746) 1,766,675
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds:
Capital projects funded by legacies 151,487 - - - 151,487
CSH lift 32,522 - (32,522) - -
Kennedy Hall renovation 139,766 - (41,725) - 98,041
CSH boilers 103,510 - (12,939) - 90,571
CSH streaming equipment 54,984 - (13,746) 13,746 54,984
Education programme 100,092 93,568 (138,350) - 55,310
Instrument replacement 999 - - - 999
Total designated funds 583,360 93,568 (239,282) 13,746 451,392
Revaluation reserve 79,350 - - - 79,350
General funds 434,502 1,159,299 (1,171,976) 1,000 422,825
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
**----- End of picture text -----**
52
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
- 22c Movements in funds (continued)
## Purposes of restricted funds
Cecil 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.
National Folk Music Fund (NFMF): to support staffing and other library developments.
Library Project Development Fund: Monies donated for specific library projects, including conservation.
Other library funds: funds received to collaborate on research projects and support core and project activities.
Arts Council England - National Youth Music Organisations: Part of the NPO organisation grant specifically to support the National Youth Folk Ensemble activities. John Lyon's Charity: to support the development of the Inclusive Folk Programme - folk education activities with and for young people with disabilities.
Scops Arts Trust: funds received to support National Youth Folk Ensemble Engagement Programme.
Other educational projects: funds received to support core and project activities
Cockayne Foundation: to support a music commission.
PRS Foundation: Talent Development Partnership Programme, to work with creators at the frontline of talent development in folk music. Includes bursaries awarded under Alan James Creative Bursaries programme.
Artistic Development fund: to support artist development projects, includes bursaries awarded under Micro Grants Programme.
Arts Council England - Transform grant: to support core costs alongside organisational and capital developments.
Weston Culture Fund: to support artists, a creative commission and the purchase and installation of streaming equipment at Cecil Sharp House.
## Purposes of designated 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 to the 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.
Education programme: To fund assist the development of the Education strategy and delivery.
Instrument replacement: Net income from instrument hire will be used to purchase replacement/further instruments.
53
The English Folk Dance and Song Society
## Notes to the financial statements
## For the year ended 31 March 2025
## 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:
|year
ars|2
0
2
5
2024
£
£
4
,
1
5
2
4,152
4
,
4
4
8
8,600
8
,
6
0
0
12,752
Equipment|
|---|---|
## 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 £0.50.
## 24 Post Balance Sheet Event
The charity has applied to register a subsidiary company called Folk England Limited on 23 October 2025.
54