What are these events outside London? If there are any they are not very effective in letting people know about them, and considering this is one of the most frequent criticisms you'd think they'd do more to publicise those they are involved with.

Most events outside London (and many in it) are organised by volunteers, who run the network of folk clubs, dances and festivals that the folk scene relies upon, and where many of the professional artists the EFDSS promotes earn their livings. They are sometimes supported by regional groups, again mostly led by volunteers. This is what I mean by the grass roots, and in my experience the EFDSS offers little in the way of support and advice to them. My own organisation is affiliated in order to obtain PLI, although we could obtain this elsewhere, but when I tried to contact them for advice on a particular topic they didn't help.

The excellent Halsway Manor is an entirely independent organisation and a charity in its own right.

The EFDSS is very involved in education, and there may be events outside London through the Folk Education Network - not being a teacher or educator I wouldn't know. However this is of little interest to those who are not teachers or workshop leaders. There seems to be very little for adult learners who cannot regularly attend C# House. Of course education is important in itself, but I wonder how many schoolchildren who are introduced to folk through the FEN go on to maintain an interest and involvement?

I'm glad John Moulden is sure of a welcome when he visits the House. On both occasions when I visited the place was like the Marie Celeste, and almost the only people visible were external groups who had hired rehearsal space. The shop was poorly stocked and was frankly disappointing. Admittedly that was several decades ago and perhaps it's better now, but I've not been tempted to return.