Howard wrote:

Johnny, I missed the survey. Where was it publicised? Still, at least it's a step in the right direction.

It will be if the info is used. With the departure of NH I'm not sure who is going to pick up the baton.

My impression of EFDSS from nearly 200 miles away is that it is doing for London what Ryburn 3 Step is doing in Yorkshire, and what other organisations such as East Anglian Music Trust are doing their own regions. Which would be fine, except that EFDSS is supposed to be the national body.

I would go further and say that the regional organisations have stepped into the shoes I would have expected EFDSS to fill. The problem is that not all parts of the country have such an organisation, and the scope of their activities, their resources and perhaps their skills are very variable.

For the EFDSS to do what EATMT or R3S or WREN etc. are doing while based in London would be very costly and not very efficient. What would you expect the society to do regionally and how would they be expected to fund it? Given that there are no longer any branches they have to find another role in regional support. Perhaps identifying best practice and helping areas who have no development group would be a way forward, but it needs funding - either by ACE funding or by membership subs.

I agree that EFDSS is the organisation best placed to be taken seriously as the national representative of folk arts. I really do wish it well, which is why I participate in discussion like these. I would like to see it doing more (actually, doing anything would be a start) to support the activities I'm involved in.

I think "doing anything" is a bit harsh. Those of us who have been paying our subs, putting in volunteer hours, etc. have kept an important archive and library resource supported and, more importantly, in this country. I know of one American academic who reputedly had a blank institutional cheque in his possession just waiting to buy up the VWML and ship it to America. We have also underwritten the publishing of a number of books of songs, tunes, research and educational material. There's been a thriving education department. Although I wasn't hugely impressed with its approach during my tenure, it was there and seems to be improving under the new education director (thanks to a bit of funding at last!).

Even if I were inclined to join, how could I participate when everything seems to be centred on C# House?

Aren't you looking only at the events? It would be strange if there were no events at the House but the activities of the society are wider than just events. I live farther than you from Camden Town but I'm still contributing in small ways to the work of the society and seeing it get stronger. I'm not uncritical of the society but I'm not expecting miracles or instant gratification - just hoping that it will all come together in good time. I would encourage anybody who has a far sighted view of the folk arts to support the society. If it's good enough for Steve Heap to recommend that Folk Arts England ACE funding be diverted to it, then it's good enough for me.