In recent years the EFDSS has turned itself into an effective lobbying organisation and has succeeded in getting itself taken seriously in the arts world. Not everyone will see that is being important, or perhaps even desirable, but it is surely that which has opened the door to some substantial funding. Not so many years ago the idea of and folk music being taken seriously by the arts establishment let alone any funding, coming its way, would be unthinkable.

What it hasn't succeeded in doing is extend its sphere of influence much beyond north London. Neither doesn it seem to show much interest in doing so, although in fairneit has sponsored a few events in the rest of the country. Digitising more of the collection will surely make it more accessible to those who can't easily get to C# House.

I'm generally well-disposed towards it, but if the EFDSS were to disappear overnight I don't think it would make the slightest difference to me or the musical activities I'm involved in.