THE 41
st
ANNUAL EDC
EARLY DANCE
FESTIVAL
25 – 27 October
2024
Hereford
Town Hall
St Owen’s Street
Hereford HR1 2PJ
THE PROGRAMME
FRIDAY
18:00
Reception opens
18:30
Welcome
19:30 – 21:00
David Sutcliffe speaking about ‘Cecil Sharp, his
life and his work in the recovery of early folk
dances’. Drinks & a Light Supper are included.
SATURDAY
9:00
Festival Reception opens for rehearsals
13:00 – 17:00
Festival Performances
18:00 – 19:15
Dinner
20:00 – 22:30
Dancing with caller Georgia Delve and Sharon
Lindo & The Abbey House Band
SUNDAY
11:00 – 12:30
Visit to Hellens Manor, Much Markle, Ledbury
HR8 2LY
THE 41
st
ANNUAL EDC EARLY DANCE FESTIVAL
Last year, many of you were able to join us for the 40
th
anniversary of the EDC
Annual Early Dance Festival. The 2023 Festival lived up to all expectations in the
grand manner. This year we return to Hereford to celebrate another 40
th
birthday,
the EDC itself has been working for historical dance for 40 years.
Once again, we have the whole of the spacious and beautiful Hereford Town Hall. It has a
lift to the upper floor, disabled parking at the rear and plenty of seating in the foyer. It is 5
minutes by car from Hereford Station, 13 minutes on foot. Hereford, for those new to it, is
an ancient market town (chartered by Richard the Lionheart in 1189). Its Cathedral houses
the Mappa Mundi (10-5 Fri to Sat, herefordcathedral.org) and The Black and White House
Museum is wonderfully preserved (See www.blackandwhitehouse.org.)
FRIDAY NIGHT: To mark the 100
th
anniversary of the death of Cecil Sharp, David Sutcliffe
will draw on his authoritative new biography,
Cecil Sharp and The Quest for Folk Song and
Dance
for a talk about Sharp’s work recovering dance.
SATURDAY: The morning is busy with rehearsals by performing groups. Tea and coffee will
be available in the Hall kitchen throughout the Festival, but lunch will not be provided on
site. Please bring a packed lunch or visit one of the cafes nearby.
The Festival Performances will run from 13.00 – 17:00, with the usual interspersed sessions
of dancing for all. We hope to see plenty of groups sharing the dances they have enjoyed
working on together.
The evening entertainment starts with a dinner at 18:00. There is no bar; you may bring your
own drinks and please bring glasses too. We have an excellent caller and band to play a wide
range of traditional dances. Tea, coffee + water will be available all evening, again try to
bring your own cups. Party gear if possible.
SUNDAY: Our weekend ends with a guided tour of Hellens Manor, Much Marcle,
Herefordshire HR8 2LY. Hellens is a beautiful Tudor/Jacobean home in a rural setting. It’s full
of stories, art, furniture, lovely grounds and gardens. Details about places to lunch in the
village will be available on booking.
HOTELS: There is a choice of accommodation in Hereford, but The Green Dragon (at
https://bookings.hopsoftware.com/property/Green-Dragon-Hotel?_ga=2.13879
6986.867745904.1667899047-889101872.1660136927) is offering 10% off their B&B rate
for 25-27 October. Use Code EDF24.
SALES: Some tables for sales will be available. Please pay when booking, at £10 a table.
SPECIAL OFFER ON MEMBERSHIP
Anyone joining the Early Dance Circle at the Festival, who fills in a Standing
Order Form, will receive a £10 discount on their first year’s membership.
BOOKING FORM
❖ Please book for the Festival as early as possible. Advance booking is required for
the Saturday buffet dinner and reservations for it must be received by Monday 7
October 2024.
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE AT THE FESTIVAL, everyone attending and/or
performing should send this form, with payment, to: Michele Odell, 11 Alton
Gardens, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1ND.
Tel. 0208 650 8811 Email: bookings@earlydancecircle.co.uk
A booking confirmation will be sent by email.
Make cheques payable to “The Early Dance Circle.” To pay by BACS, email
your Booking Form to bookings@earlydancecircle.co.uk and instructions will
be provided.
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY:
NAME
ADDRESS
POST CODE TEL.
EMAIL
GROUP BOOKINGS
Name of Group:
Please list individual names on a separate sheet, stating clearly whether they
are members or non-members.
DO YOU / YOUR GROUP INTEND TO PERFORM? YES / NO
If YES, you will be sent a Registration Form. Please return your completed
form as early as you can. We want to welcome as many groups as possible.
Personal Data: The Early Dance Circle (EDC) will not share your data and will use it only to
communicate with you about our activities and events in the early dance world.
Filming and Photography: Please be aware that there will be filming and photography at this
event. By attending, you accept that photographs and recordings taken by the EDC and its
agents may be used in EDC publications, publicity, the EDC website and on line.
HEARING AIDS: Would anyone needing hearing support, please notify Michele
well in advance. The Hall has a T-Loop.
The EDC Early Dance Festival 25 – 27 October 2024
Please tick boxes for each person. The Saturday supper must be ordered in advance, by Mon. 7/10/24, with no refunds
possible after that date. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the Festival, but please bring your own mug / drinking
vessel if possible. We would like to stop using single-use plastics (we still have a small supply to use up).
Member / Dance
Musician
£10.00
£13.00
£25.00
£10.00
£10.00
£9.00
Dietary needs:
Insert
V for veg. VE
for vegan.
GF for gluten
free. Note any
allergies
Cost Per
Person
Non-Member
£12.00
£17:00
Student £8
£25.00
£15.00
£10.00
£9.00
NAME
EDC
member
Y / N
Drinks, light
supper &
Lecture
The Festival
Saturday
Buffet
Supper
Saturday
Dance
Sales
Table
Guided Tour of
Hellens Manor
TOTAL
COST
