The TSF is a national organisation based in the UK that brings together those interested in reseach, collecting and performance of Traditional Song. Our aim is to be inclusive of all the traditions found in the British Isles although the majority of Forum members are interested in the songs originating in these islands. For a fuller explanation please have a look at our AIMS. Although forum members are serious about their interests, the style of the organisation is informal and we are determined not to get stuffy or bureaucratic

TSF members meet three times a year to share progress on their work and to seek advice of other forum members. These meetings are held on a cycle that takes them around the UK (so far it's been Autumn in London, Winter in the North and Spring in the West) and are open to anyone wishing to attend. The notes from these meetings are the primary communication to members along with any supporting papers or items circulated on behalf of Forum members. Much of that material is available on this web-site.

There is also an e-mail list that enables members to circulate queries to those members with Web access. In addition we have a page in 'English Dance and Song magazine which includes the 'Songs under the microscope' feature which is run by Forum member Steve Gardham

As you read the notes from our previous meetings you will get some idea of the things we hope to do in the future including publications and databases that will be of use to those interested in Traditional Song.

The Forum is an open organisation in that our meetings are open and the bulk of our communications can be found on these pages. The benefits of registering as a member are that you will receive the Forum Directory of Members which is updated twice a year as well as guaranteed inclusion on the TSF Secretaries mailing list.  The modest annual subscription (£8.00 at the time of writing) covers meeting expenses and the costs associated with running this website.

Follow this link to the registration form.  Please print out the form and then send it, with your cheque for the subscription (a very reasonable £8.00), to the Secretary at the address given on the form.
 

We agreed early on that this was not going to be a bureaucracy but we do have 3 elected officers who do the things that keep it running. The officers are:

Steve Roud - the Southern Chair
Steve Gardham - the Northern Chair
Doc Rowe - the Treasurer
Martin Graebe - the Secretary

Not really.  We do have our aims and a pretty clear idea of what we are about but do not have a written constitution as such.  If we were to grow and to do more we would seriously consider it.
 

We work closely with the English Folk Dance and Song Society and a significant number of our members are members of that society as well.  We support the general aims of EFDSS and, particularly, we are very vocal in our support for the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.  We have also accepted the hospitality of EFDSS on a number of occasions and have worked closely with them on events.  We have not chosen to seek a formal association with the Society because we recognise that it does still have an uncertain future.  We can envisage circumstances in which the views of the Society might differ from our own, particularly in respect of the future of collections of song and of the Library itself.  For those reasons we have chosen to remain aligned with rather than affiliated to EFDSS.
 

Well - we don't exactly know. -  even after all this time.   We aspire to being more than a talking shop but it takes time and individual effort to get things going. Most Forum members are already pretty busy with their own work. Most of us feel, though, that there is real value in meeting and learning together with other like-minded individuals and there is a sense of purpose within the organisation. Maybe you could help some of our visions come to life?
 

Start with me at martin.graebe@btinternet.com and I'll see if I can help.