Guest, I agree it would be good to see EFDSS doing more to support the grass roots. However there is hardly a scarcity of folk festivals. The UK Folk Festivals website lists 139 festivals in England this year, 37 in Scotland, 18 in Wales and 18 in Ireland. This is probably far from complete - I know of a few (admittedly small and eclectic) events which are not shown.

Nevertheless you have a point about the insurance. EFDSS provides this as a benefit to members, but not only does it do little to publicise this, it does nothing to raise awareness that this is something event organisers should consider.

I get the impression it is not really interested in attracting members (its membership is tiny, at around 2200). It seems to function quite happily as an arts body channelling third-party funding into whatever activities the trustees and staff consider suitable. I see no evidence that they are much interested in what the membership thinks - this consultation is very much an exception.