Surely a branch works under the umbrella of the organisation and is a meeting of people in that locality that supports the main body. Therefore would you not have EFDSS (Timbucktoo branch) I don't know but are affiliations the way the organisation wanted to go or needs to go. I dont see why a dozen members in an area cannot get together or do they have to be meetings with all that brings if thats the case the EFDSS in my opinion has huge problems.
I assume by the title the ENGLISH folk dance and song society means that the organisation is for all in the country and not London or are those outside of London not allowed to be members and have to make or own little organisation up, that will be accepted if the EFDSS agree with that organisations principles pretty sad dont you think.