But it's a chicken and egg situation, isn't it? I said before that the regional officers of EFDSS were made redundant in the early '80s, and there is no money to employ others now to take it back out into other areas of the country.

On the other hand, there are more folk development agencies elsewhere in the country, at least in the North East, South West and South - there are probably others - so the need for regional officers may be less than it used to be. And many of these, and other groups, are working with children as well as adults, so there's plenty going on.

It seems to me that, by and large and given the very limited resources at its disposal, the Society is concentrating on the things that matter - the library, which, even if some of is never get there, is there for research by many of the artists that you may buy CDs of or see in your local club; publications which are necessary for disseminating songs and dance tunes, amongst other things; an excellent magazine and journal; public liability insurance which is required by many venues these days; and trying to bring things into the modern world as far as it can with limited staff and volunteers. The Roud index online is indeed very useful, and the Folkopedia which John Adams has set up for EFDSS also looks as though it could be a very valuable research tool.

I'm really sad that Guest Cliff had a bad experience with the people at the House - that's not been my experience, but then I tend to be there for the library, and the staff in there are unfailingly helpful.

Yes, Dave, I heard that bit of news about the funding of Comhaltas, and boy, was I envious. How much could the Society do with that sort of funding?! And I think they have ten staff just looking after their archive!

Just so that you don't think I never criticise the Society, I think they made a big mistake in doing away with specifically regional reps. on the NEC or whatever it's called these days. I feel that it has indeed made the Society appear more London-centric, and, yes, it would probably be better if the whole kit and caboodle was transferred to Derby (which I think is about the centre of England), even though it would be even further away from me in Devon than London is. But the latter argument has been and gone, and considering how much ill-feeling it generated last time, it really wouldn't be of help to the Society to visit it again.

But it's by no means all doom and gloom, and if all those who profess to care about our traditional heritage put time and effort and/or money into helping preserve it through EFDSS (have you every read their objects?), things would not be looking as black as many of you seem to think they are.

Barbara