Hugh Rippon

Hugh Rippon was born and bred in Congleton, Cheshire, lived in Huntingdon and Gloucestershire and subsequently went to Peterhouse, Cambridge where he took an honours degree in history in 1955. He first became interested in folk dance and song shortly after moving to London and in 1960 he joined the full-time staff of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Here he acted as Public Relations Officer, Joint Editor of the Society’s magazine English Dance and Song, and London Area Organiser. He spent much time teaching dancing, lecturing, writing articles and starting new morris sides. After he left in 1968 he taught history at a further education college in Coventry. He took early retirement in 1990 and lives in Earlsdon, Coventry with his wife and four young children. He maintains a keen interest in folk dance and music and is a holder of the EFDSS Gold Badge. he continues his ‘calling’ activities in most parts of England and has also taught English dancing in Holland, Belgium, France and America.