Cecil Sharp House building project update

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Published: Friday, 02 August 2013 13:15

Cecil Sharp House building project update from Rosie Baker, Operations Director at the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS).

We are now two months into our building project to make Cecil Sharp House more accessible, brighter and lighter. It’s surprisingly not as noisy as we had feared and we are managing to keep on working hard through the noise and dust, although when you add in the summer heat to the equation it can be tricky!

We are really looking forward to being able to open a door to show you to some of the new spaces and hope to be using our new accessible toilets on the ground floor by the end of August. In the meantime we are the proud owners of an accessible portaloo outside our main entrance.

Other latest developments are that one set of stairs leading to the garden from Kennedy Hall are having a much needed repair and so aren’t in use for the time being.

We also have a big hole where once was a publications cupboard on the 1st floor. This will soon be transformed into a corridor leading to a new staff toilet.

The reception works are still on schedule for 2 - 13 September and during that time we will be installing a temporary reception desk at the entrance to Storrow Hall. All staff and visitors can access the building via that entrance during those two weeks rather than through the main entrance which will be out of bounds.

The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library will also be closed during this period as unfortunately there will be no access to that collection, although the staff will be hard at work elsewhere in the building and on the phone 0207 241 8950 and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for enquiries.  

We just cannot wait to unveil the new look reception area once this work is finished. We don’t want to spoil the surprise but you can expect a much more sophisticated looking reception desk and an exciting reference to Cecil Sharp and the first folk song he ever collected embedded within the design of the lobby area…

Watch this space for more pictures and updates!

The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) has been awarded a grant of £378,842 from Arts Council England, as part of their small capital grants programme, to improve access at Cecil Sharp House. This project is also supported by the City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity, The Headley Trust, and the Friends of Cecil Sharp House.

Vaughan Williams Memorial Library: changes to opening hours

Due to building works at Cecil Sharp House the sound and audio visual collections in the library are unavailable until October 2013. There will be no public access to the library between 2 and 13 September, but you can still get in touch by email and telephone. Between 16 and 27 September public access to the library will be by appointment only. The library will not open on Saturdays during September.

If you would like more information, or to make an appointment, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +44 (0)20 7485 2206 ext.233.