In response to my statement "It was necessary to show how the grant would be used attract disadvantaged people" 'Guest' responded "Maybe that was something to do with how they got the funds"

Quite possibly. Diversity and inclusion are a big issue these days, and is clearly a priority for EFDSS. Quite rightly - I entirely support the principle. However it was the timing that was inappropriate - we were just emerging from lockdown and activities were resuming but many people were still strangely reluctant to get close to and be breathed on by a group of strangers.

We were trying to put on an event with no certainty that anyone would turn up (in normal times we could expect up to 80 or 100). Our concerns were people's safety and the potential for a substantial financial loss. Assistance with covid security measures and an underwriting of any financial loss might have helped. In more normal times we might have gladly considered ways to help more disadvantaged people to attend our events, for example by being able to offer concessions, but it was not what we needed to focus on at the time.

The offer was well-intended to address a real need to get people dancing again, but the conditions and language used did not to me seem to understand the circumstances facing small unfunded volunteer-led community groups. I hope some groups were able to take advantage of it, but we were put off by it.