Howard, the benefits, would be this.
1. running a one day festival, publicity and revenue for EFDSS, Plus an opportunity to recruit new members, EFDSS used to use Sidmouth as an opportunity to recruit new members[ do you not remember?]
2 . musical benefits, many more people playing the music, standards of competence rising considerably[ this has been the case in Ireland as a result of Comhaltas methods]
The EFDSS may not be in financial difficulties at the moment ,it still needs every penny it can get and cannot rely upon handouts for ever, it needs to expand its library[which it cannot do in its present situation] this will require additional money either to purchase a property near to its existing one or somewhere else, that only one reason why the EFDSS needs every good business role model it can find.
the objectives of the society are to promote and encourage folk song and dance, I believe having one festival as a flagship for EFDSS would promote their objectives.
tell me where would we be now if EFDSS hadnt started running Sidmouth in 1955 and which they managed to do for 33 years
the EFDSS also suffers at the moment from being seen as london centric[which it is]and this needs to be rectified