FASH Chat - Celebrating 100 years of the English Folk Dance Society
Three regular dancers at FASH events went to Cecil Sharp House in Camden Town, London on Saturday 12 November for the National Gathering and centenary celebrations. In the afternoon, after an uneventful AGM, we were enlightened with three talks about the history of the English Folk Dance Society, which became the English Folk Dance and Song Society in 1932. Derek Schofield talked about the folk dance revival and the formation of the EFDS by Cecil Sharp and others in 1911. Mike Wilson-Jones then presented recordings from the sound archives, giving us a good impression of the range of folk dance music available on 78 rpm recordings produced for the EFDSS between the 1930s and 1960s, starting with brass bands and ending with bands approaching the sounds we have been used to more recently. The afternoon ended with a panel discussion, in which Derek Schofield talked to Ron Smedley, Marjorie Fennessey, Tony Foxworthy and Hazel James about the way the folk dance scene changed during the post-war period up to about 1960.
In the evening Mike Wilson-Jones and a band made up of former members of The Ranchers (David Fleming-Williams, John Barber, Dick Hobbs) with Rod Stradling, Jeanne Mann, Christine Oxtoby and Judith Muir (some of you may know the last two as Scottish country dance musicians), led us in a vigorous evening of dancing. We romped through old favourites that would not have been out of place in the 1960s and ‘70s, such as Bonny Breast Knot, Danish Double Quadrille, Yorkshire Square, Newcastle, Bucksaw Reel, and the American square dances Redwing and Hot Time, and finishing with La Russe, Devil's Dream and Circassian Circle.
Between dancing we were entertained by dance sides and musicians from around the country, including a wonderful Appalachian youth dance team from Exeter (Firestone), Handsworth Longsword, Camden Clog, Eliza Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, Alistair Anderson, and Jim and Richard Coleman.
Fran Sly writes: It was wonderful to see the Kennedy Hall full again -- almost like the National Gatherings of the 1970s and 1980s. Modern fire regulations would probably prevent the numbers being allowed that we used to get then. And it was thrilling to perform once again with friends from London Folk.
The trip led Monica Wilson to reminisce. Thanks to kind friends I found myself at the celebration of the English Folk Dance Society 100 years. Sixty years ago found me in a queue on a Saturday night to get tickets at Cecil Sharp House. I was introduced to Cecil Sharp House by Marjorie Fennessey. We were keen Sunday ramblers who wanted to meet up in the week. We decided to go to Cecil Sharp House and learn to dance. We bought a gramophone and some records, and found a school room where we could dance on a Wednesday night.
My husband Michael and I moved to Hampshire thirty years ago. To our delight we found a country dance group, “MIZ MAZE”, dancing at Sparsholt. They had a band and a display team. When numbers went down we discovered Eastleigh Dancers. I have also discovered Sunday workshops at Soberton and Playford dancing at Bishop's Waltham. Thank you Hampshire. But dancing for me all started at Cecil Sharp House. It was great to go back.
Ken Coates was the third member of the party and he writes: It was good to meet people from the early days and see so many of them still going strong. In particular The Ranchers seem little changed in their appearance (to me at any rate!) and still played with their familiar style and gusto. Modesty does not allow Fran to say this, but London Folk have lost none of their skill, musicality and panache. Their performance was a delight to watch. Seeing them again evoked happy memories for me of dancing in the Albert Hall in the early 1970s.
The whole centenary event was necessarily full of nostalgia, but also looked to the future with many young musicians, singers and dancers displaying amazing talent and enthusiasm. I think the early revivalists would be pleased and proud to think that what they started over a hundred years ago continues to evolve and live on so robustly into the 21st century.
Monica Wilson, Fran Sly and Ken Coates
FASH FEBRUARY WORKSHOPS
Coming up in February, we have two great workshops at Soberton Village Hall.
Ivan Aitken is giving us two workshops for the price of one on 5th February! In the morning there will be a workshop of dances composed by Gary Roodman, which he has published under the title ‘Calculated Figures’. Gary Roodman has written eight books of dances in various styles and tempos. During the session we’ll be exploring and learning many of Gary’s intricate moves, and dancing to the wonderful tunes he has found for his dances.
You will be surprised by the variety of different heys and reels that Ivan will show us in the afternoon. He describes it as a workshop on dances that use reels and figures eight such as the Egel hey and Exwood hey by various chorographers from numerous sources around the world.
As always with our Sunday workshops, we’ll have live music, this time performed by the talented duo of Pete & Sue Hall. And please join us in a “bring and share” lunch, or you could bring your own sandwiches, or nip up to the White Lion, up the road.
26th February lets us branch out into singing with Madding Crowd and West Gallery music. We had a wonderful workshop with Madding Crowd a few years ago and for those of us who aren’t singers or talented musicians, it was a lovely day just listening to the music.
The history of this music goes back to the Puritans who destroyed most organs in country churches, so after the Restoration of the Monarchy, instruments were brought in to lead the singing. Galleries were built at the west end of churches for the singers and players, who, besides leading the musical parts of the Sunday services, also played for dancing at harvest-time and Christmas.
The musical mainstays of church services were the metrical psalms. Each church used its own favourite tunes for many psalms. Much of the music is quite unknown today partly as a result of its deliberate suppression by the Oxford Movement during the middle of the 19th century, among whose leaders was John Keble at Hursley. The village music is different from the church and band music we are used to, being much closer in style to traditional or folk music.
So lots of history behind this lovely harmonic music. Come and sing or come and play an instrument. Mike Bailey will be leading the workshop and will help us through the parts. We’ll have some music available or play ‘by ear’.
Halsway Manor
There are many places you can go for a residential folk music or dance course these days but Halsway Manor is the only venue dedicated to only doing that – and doing so all year round. If you haven’t been here at all, or for a long while, then you will be pleasantly surprised by the accommodation we have on offer. 64 beds in 27 bedrooms in a variety of sizes to suit most needs, most of which have ensuite bathrooms, and two of which are fully accessible for people with mobility difficulties.
What everyone remarks about the place is the homely country house atmosphere and the staff are very good at making sure you have everything you need so you can focus on enjoying yourself and learning something new during your stay. All our food is cooked fresh on the premises by our two chefs who get a lot of positive feedback for the way they cater for different dietary needs.
The three most important things about Halsway though are the variety of courses we put on – contra dance, Playford, English country dances, Scottish, Irish set dancing, musicians workshops, singing weekends, violin and bow making and much more. Secondly, many people don’t know that we have a nationally important folk music library which contains 10,000 books and recordings of folk dance, music, song and folklore. Lastly though it is such a beautiful place to visit. The manor was mentioned in Domesday and the present house was begun in the 15th century and completed in the late 19th century. Sitting at the foot of the Quantock Hills, it’s a peaceful spot and close to the coast, Exmoor and the Brendon Hills.
If you want to become a member or just sign up for our mailing list please give us a ring 01984 618274 or email office@halswaymanor.org.uk
Medieval Heraldry
I’m not sure how far I can stretch the idea of ‘Folk’, but I happened to spot this talk on Heraldry at the Winchester Discovery Centre, 1:30pm Thursday 2nd February while I was wading through finding all the details of the folk clubs and so on.
The advert says that the need of twelfth-century armoured knights to recognise friend from foe led to heraldry: a range of simple, coloured designs that could be displayed on shields and banners. They’ll look at the growth of Heraldry alongside ideas of Knighthood, Chivalry plus badges as identifying marks and the part played by tournaments.
Sounds interesting, maybe someone could go along at advise me if this qualifies as ‘Folk’!
White Lion
Dennis asked me to write something about The White Lion Folk Club which I have been running for quite a number of years. I can’t remember when or how I came to be left in charge it just seemed to happen, anyway everyone seems to have enjoy the way I run things and we have some very happy and entertaining evenings.
The White Lion Inn is in the picturesque village of Wherwell, just south of Andover. That is where you will find the White Lion Folk club. We meet every third Thursday of the month in a large barn at the back of the inn for a sing-a-round. Mainly traditional fo1k, but there are no hard and fast rules, and people sing whatever they choose, which adds so much to the enjoyment of the evening. Such a wide variety of songs and singers – from Scotland to West Virginia, from shanties to songs of the land. Guitars, Boxes and sometimes a Banjo. Together with some friendly chat about the songs. We average about 20 plus people, and on the odd occasion we get a Folk Singer or two from the nearby Wild Goose Recording Studio walk up and join in the singing.
Hopefully everyone gets to sing 3 or 4 songs and if you fancy coming along, get your pint of Doombar at the bar and walk across the yard to the den. I'm sure that you will have a great time for the best Folk Singers in Hampshire sing here. Roly Clarke
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Submitted by (to whom technical queries and requests for additional links only) and Edited by Dennis Wheeler, Penshurst, Vicarage Lane, Swanmore, Hants SO32 2PW 01489 892911 editor@fash.org.uk).