"If you think digitising and making things available is simple, talk to Malcolm Douglas"

I know what's involved - my entire career has been spent in design and print, and I'm not saying it would be easy to do at CSH, but volunteers could help.

The funding point is interesting though - are CCE branches in the UK funded by the Irish government? If not, how are they surviving? I know there is a reluctance to compare the two organisations, but surely there is some case for doing so.

I suppose the EFDSS needs to decide what it wants to be. If it wants to build a song and dnace archive and serve the London area with live events then fine, it can stay as it is. If it wants to be a truly national organisation, bringing folk music and dance to a largely ignorant public, it'll have to venture forth from the fortress of CSH and engage the public in communities as CCE does.

Alternatively, us hayseeds in the provinces can just get on with making music and dancing as we have done since the year dot and spend the money in the pub at sessions or on CDs and books. At least that way we're involved.