A year ago, during Sidmouth week, Nick was "presented" to a group of EFDSS members at a semi-formal gathering in the arts centre. I spoke to him briefly (seconds), and he seemed an OK bloke. There was much gushing about his outside experience being a valuable addition to the organisation's outlook and much was clearly expected of him. It may be that he disappointed in that respect somehow, though I don't know how. Like other posters here, I have been favourably impressed with the EFDSS' marketing moves - yes, Sam Lee and others have been main participants, but not necessarily the main organisers.

So when I saw (on Facebook) the announcement of the petition I was somewhat taken aback. Like Surreysinger I hesitated before putting my name to the petition, as I did not (and still don't) know anything other than what was being written there. What persuaded me was some of the names of people who signed before me, people whose views I value and whose opinions I respect, like Jim Moray's. So I signed. But the reason I started this thread is because I know that some EFDSS members closer to the board than myself sometimes visit Mudcat, and so I posted the thread as an invitation for those who know to present both sides of the story in a more coherent fashion.