I don't belong to EFDSS for similar reasons to those given by others - mainly too far from London. I have considered joining on a number of occasions but I do not see any significant benefits in doing so. I have a daughter in London but she cannot put us up. She lives with her husband and their daughter in a two bedroom flat, so visiting her means the cost of both travel to London (from Teesside) and of accommodation - at London prices - for the few days we go at a time.

I do belong to the Society of Recorder Players and I belong through my local branch in which I am active. For me that's the difference. EFDSS does not have local branches, for whatever reason, and I think it is a mistake. That said, I am pleased to see that their profile has been much higher recently for all the right reasons and they do have some pretty good publications. I hope the person who suggested dropping the word "English" from the title was joking because that's the last thing that should be changed. Surely their whole raison d'etre is to promote English folk music and dance.