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This is a note from Dave Arthur to let you know that the Publications Committee of the EFDSS have for several months been deciding the future fate, design, contents etc., of English Dance and Song Magazine without having the courtesy and good manners to let me, the Editor, know anything about it.

The first I heard was when Phil Wilson came down for lunch before Christmas and after about six hours, just before he was leaving, he dropped into the conversation that the Publications Committee, had been working on the magazine and would be dispensing with my services immediately. After pointing out to him that this was absolutely outrageous, and completely unacceptable behaviour, and would not be countenanced in any other company, society or academic institution, he said, as if this was an excuse, 'Well, you know what these committees are like.' I told him that I did not accept this decision without any discussion, and that as Editor I would be perfectly happy to put into practise any new ideas for the magazine that the Society might think appropriate. Having already had long talks to Phil Wilson, earlier in the year, and all previous Society Chief Executives, with regards to getting more backing from the Society to constantly try to improve the magazine. I pointed out to Phil Wilson that I had already started working on the Spring 2002 issue of ED&S and had ongoing articles, reviews etc., coming in. He went back to London agreeing to 'sort it out'. Nothing more was heard from the Society until a couple of weeks ago when I got a phone call from Tim Walker saying how shocked he was to have just found out that no one had condescended to inform me that the magazine was being printed and edited in Yorkshire, by apparently, a member, or members, of the Committee. I told Tim Walker that I had had no word from anyone since Phil Wilson left me last year saying that he would sort it out after he realised how angry I was at the proposed treatment. I pointed out to Tim Walker that I had been working on the next magazine and was ready to start taking copy to the usual printer. Tim Walker said that they had already been informed that the magazine was being printed and edited in Yorkshire, but that in the light of the appalling behaviour of the Publications Committee and, of course the Society, he would have to ring the printer and re-establish the magazine with them. A couple of days later Phil Wilson rang up to see what was going on. I told him that as far as I was concerned I was still editor of the magazine, and pointed out that I had never agreed to anything else, and was still waiting to hear from the Publications Committee to discuss any changes to the magazine, as he and I had agreed before Christmas. He again said that he'd 'sort it out'. That was the last I have heard from anyone. I rang the printer a couple of days ago and he said that he had had no contact since being told that the magazine was no longer edited by me, or being printed by him.

I think that anyone with half an ounce of business sense, common sense and decency would see that this situation is unbelievably rude, and discourteous to an editor who has spent 25 year keeping the magazine going and gradually fighting to improve its look and content against all odds. I have fought for the magazine's existence more than once, and have resisted editorial control at various times from politically motivated groups. I have always ensured that anyone within the Society would have access to the Society magazine and could air their ideas in public. Over the 25 year I have also published hundreds of important articles on every aspect of folksong, dance and culture, that would never have otherwise seen the light of day. Over the years the Society has been a notorious hotbed of plot, counter plot, dirty dealings, back-stabbings and the responsible for the undermining of the confidence of various members of staff, all of whom it will be noted have left the Society over the years. To my knowledge the majority of truly worthwhile and knowledgeable Society employees - paid or volunteer, have eventually left under duress or in despair at the way the Society is run.

If you think that the way the Society is attempting to treat me, an editor for 25 years, is completely out of order and will do nothing but add another black mark to the Society's already grubby history, then please drop them an e-mail asking what is going on? Or if you feel more strongly about it register your disatisfaction with their conduct. Also please forward this e-mail to anyone on your files involved with folk music. If this is allowed to go ahead then there is no reason to suppose that exactly the same sort of thing could happen next month to the Journal or the Library. I'm sure there are committee members out there who'd love to re-organise the library and would like to have a go at Malcolm's job, or elbow Mike Heaney, without a by-your-leave, and turn the Journal into a folk comic.

Wishing you all that's best, Dave Arthur, Editor English Dance and Song