I am a member of EFDSS and live and work here in wales. I help the local primary schools with country dancing and music and we have a childrens country dance club and we have a real band that I play in that plays for the children. i find the welsh schools have a much more enlightened (to a degree) approach to trad dance and song and the welsh asembly actively encourages that to happen. i find lots of children enjoy the option of having a go a trad dance and some kids like the fact its like a sport without the competition. I spend time in ireland in county kerry and in the local primary schools Comhaltas people sponsor teachers to teach traditional instruments to the kids! I am absolutely convinced the EFDSS has a role in helping english children take an interest and enjoy tarditional folk dance and song in the same way welsh and irish children clearly do. I think as members we have responsibility to do that ourselves.

best wishes

stevethesqueeze