From: Jo Cunningham [press_at_efdss_dot_org]
Sent: 20 August 2015 07:57
Subject: English Folk Dance and Song Society announces Gold Badge
recipients
August 20, 2015
English Folk Dance
and Song Society announces Gold Badge recipients
Five people who have made key contributions to the folk arts have become the
latest recipients of Gold Badge awards from the English Folk Dance and Song
Society (EFDSS). Magazine editor Ian Anderson, singer and
composer John Tams, founders of Wren Music Marilyn Tucker
and Paul Wilson, and writer and researcher Rollo Woods have
all been chosen to receive the awards.
Gold
Badges are given for unique or outstanding contributions to folk music, dance
or song, distinguished service to EFDSS and/or exceptional contributions to
EFDSS' work. The five join an illustrious list of Gold Badge holders including
EFDSS founder Cecil Sharp, composer Dr Ralph Vaughan Williams, performer/writer
A.L. Lloyd, and musicians The Spinners, EFDSS President Shirley Collins and EFDSS
Vice President Eliza Carthy.
Alan James, Chair of EFDSS, said: "I am delighted
that Ian, John, Marilyn, Paul, and Rollo have been recognised for the important
role they have played in their individual fields. All of them have helped to
inspire, support and inform generations of folk fans which enables the
traditional English folk arts to continue to thrive. They are all very well
deserved awards."
For
more information about EFDSS Gold Badge awards, go to www.efdss.org/efdss-about-us/gold-badge-award.
About Ian Anderson
Ian founded fRoots magazine 35 years ago, the leading folk, traditional and
world music magazine in the UK, and has been its sole editor. As a broadcaster
he spent 12 years on the BBC World Service and also worked on Jazz FM and
Capital Radio. In 1982, he made a TV programme promoting English folk clubs
called The Not The Finger In The Ear Show for EFDSS, which was shown on BBC2.
He has worked extensively as a folk scene writer, photographer, festival and
event producer & tour organiser, and as a highly-regarded record producer
and compiler. His notable releases include Hidden English for Topic Records,
and The Rough Guide To English Folk Music. A highly accomplished musician, his
distinctive English country blues guitar style can be heard on records
alongside Nic Jones, Martin Simpson, Rod Stradling, Bob Copper, John
Kirkpatrick and many others.
About John Tams
The career of Derbyshire native John Tams has seen him wear many hats -
composer, musical director of the acclaimed Radio Ballads, actor, Olivier Award
winner, multiple BBC award winner, broadcaster, collector, and performer. His
songs for the National Theatre's production of War Horse alone has entertained
five million people in live performances all over the world (and rising) with
150,000 more watching the live cinema production in one night, and productions
still opening all over the world. John's music for The Mysteries, also for the
National Theatre, won him an Olivier Award. In both cases, it would have been
the first experience of folk music for many people in the audience. A member of
the Albion Band and Home Service, he is also renowned for his theatre work and
as Rifleman Daniel Hagman in the television series Sharpe. John has made
more than 50 albums as a singer, musician or producer and continues to perform
at festivals and take to stages throughout the UK and Europe.
About Marilyn Tucker and Paul Wilson
Marilyn and Paul founded Wren Music, formerly known as the Wren Trust, in 1983
to develop an awareness of English folk music and traditions in Devon and the
South West. Today, the charity works with more than 30,000 people every year,
helping them to make traditional and folk music through pre-school and early
years' settings, schools, after school and holiday clubs, community music
events and activities. Wren Music works internationally leading exchanges with
Canada, South Africa and EU projects involving choirs from six European nations.
It also organises promotions in the South West and the annual Baring-Gould Folk
weekend highlighting the work of Devon based folk pioneer Sabine Baring-Gould.
The couple also still perform regularly as the Wren Band. Paul and
Marilyn are ambassadors for folk and traditional music and have engaged several
new generations of folk and traditional musicians through their work in the
South West.
About Rollo Woods
The 90-year-old has enjoyed a 75-year relationship with the folk arts, notably
through playing for dancing, Morris dancing and researching and performing the
music of the village church bands through West Gallery Music. A widely
respected concertina player and dance musician, Rollo's passion for folk dance
was inspired by his mother and on seeing the Cambridge Morris Men perform
inspired him to take up the dance whilst at Cambridge, which led to a career in
dancing and music which was to last more than 50 years. He also danced
with the Winchester Morris side, later becoming Squire and wrote his famous A
Handbook of Morris Dancing, known to all as the Black Book, providing some of
the music for the book from his personal collection. Rollo also formed and led
the first ever ceilidh band in Hampshire. Over the years, through this playing
and teaching including residential workshops and weekly groups, has taught many
amateur musicians their craft. His interest in church and secular music led to
the founding of the West Gallery Music Association led to festival experiences,
guest appearances on BBC television programmes, a sell out book Good Singing
Still and formation of revival bands Madding Crowd and Purbeck Village Quire.
ENDS
For further press information please contact: Jo Cunningham (PR Manager, part
time) press_at_efdss_dot_org or 07815 913887
NOTES TO EDITORS
1.
About the English Folk Dance and Song Society
The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) was established in 1932 by the
merger of the Folk-Song Society, founded in 1898, and the English Folk Dance
Society, founded by Cecil Sharp in 1911. As the national development
organisation for the folk arts, EFDSS aims to place the traditional arts of
England at the heart of our cultural life - preserving, protecting,
disseminating and promoting English traditional folk arts. Since its beginnings
EFDSS has been supporting artists and practitioners, engaging people in folk
arts activities, and raising the profile of English traditional folk arts. This
is currently achieved through programmes of performance, participation and
education at EFDSS' London venue, Cecil Sharp House, and with partners in the
UK and overseas. EFDSS is increasingly developing projects to support the
creative development of artists and expanding their opportunities for
performance. EFDSS' library and archive, the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library,
is the national folk music library and archive - serving as a valuable resource
for anybody working in the folk arts. EFDSS is a charity registered in England
and Wales, no. 305999. www.efdss.org
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--
Jo Cunningham
PR Manager (part time)
English Folk Dance and Song Society
Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road,
London NW1 7AY
T: 07815 913887
www.efdss.org | www.vwml.org | www.cecilsharphouse.org
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