As regards funding, it is frustrating that folk gets ignored, and it feels unfair, but I feel that it also has its advantages.

Whoever pays the piper proverbially calls the tune.

If "Official" money is spent then with it comes control (just ask anyone involved in a project which has received, or even just sought, National Lottery funding) they expect a degree of influence in exchange for their cash. As folk arts are by, of, and for, the populace at large they are almost bound to include a degree of subversion, this will run counter to the official line so they will try to stop it. I do feel that, on the whole, it is better that they keep the funds, and we keep our freedom of expression.

Turning to Betsy for a moment, she, the fool, and any animals used, form a sort of bridge between the audience and the performance. The roles need to be undertaken by skilled dancers as the costumes are frequently cumbersome (many animal costumes allow only restricted peripheral vision, and poor ventilation) the characters will dance independently through a dance set in mid-performance without breaking it up. This takes skill, and sometimes quite a bit of nerve when sticks or swords are in rapid movement. The quality of this work can make or break a performance.
There used to be (maybe still is) a Fools and Animals Union within the Morris Ring, dunno if I got the title correct as I was never part of it, I understand that their meetings were particularly hilarious affairs.