EFDSS AGM , Wassup?

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 07:48 PM

That's all right Dick Dearie - Oh by the way it's the ENGLISH Folk Dance & Song Society - at least it is not ashamed of being English.

Hello Paul -
1)
YOU told me you had requested the meeting and I believed you.
2)
Sheffield area one minute, Rotherham the next - come on be consistent.
3)
But no participatory events which is what other people mean I'm thinking.
4)
I stick by the numbers.
5)
Lighten up.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 01:04 PM

my apologies Malcolm , for calling you sunshine, Iam a bit stressed at the moment, with different matters.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:55 PM

Malcolm wrote, 'the last none London agm which was also held in Sheffield mostly at the behest of the then ED&S editor and at the school he happened to work at.'
Fact, Maltby, where the meeting took place, is in Rotherham. The rest is an 'assertion' which is made with no evidence to support it. You were not present when the request was made to me by the National Council to host the meeting at Maltby so why make an assertion you are not qualified to make?
There were no attendant events? Were you actually there?
What is most interesting is that the reason why Maltby was asked to host the meeting. This was so that the membership would be able to see the results of the society's initiative in South Yorkshire. The project was initiated by Mark Gibbons, who was then working for the society. The Generations Project was supported by EFDSS, Folk-South West, The Music Room, Sheffield Museums Trust, Rotherham Borough Council and SRFAN. It was driven by teachers from the South Riding Folk Arts Network (Ron & Jenny Day, Cath James and others) input was made by Pecsaetan Morris and musicians from Sheffield. The project reached into every school in the Maltby catchment area and lasted for a year.
The number of students from the various schools in Maltby who demonstrated their music and sword dancing on that occasion was considered too great to afford to move the children to London for the day. The catering was also prepared by the students of the school and many people commented on what a refreshing change the meeting had been.
'It was also the worst attended agm for many years and by a country mile.'
The event was well attended and a number of people expressed their gratitude at having the event in an accessible place having been unable to afford travel to London for many years. It is true that the London contingent and the Friends of Cecil Sharp House were conspicuous by their absence.
I am unable to comment (even with my tongue in my cheek) on the reasons for the current AGM being held in Sheffield – for the first time.
Paul

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:42 PM

As any fule kno the easiest places to get to from anywhere else are Stoke on Trent, then London.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:30 PM

"I am no lover of London but it is the easiest place to get to in England from almost anywhere.

And what other FACTS did I get wrong Paul - surely you mean assertions? if indeed such is the case."
complete crap,Malcolm, try driving to london from aberdeen, or from cornwall, or from aberystywyth or better still Wick.
Have you tried driving there from fort william.
the easiest place to get to in England, from anywhere else, and by rail and road is Derby.
I know , I have travelled all the roads of england scotland wales many times more than you have sunshine.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Howard Jones
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:27 PM

Presumably the idea of a regional AGM was to counter the accusations that EFDSS is too London-centric. Any location is going to have its pros and cons. However if the idea is to persuade sceptical northerners that EFDSS is indeed a national body, it seems strange to have an event for members without any associated events to attract non-members.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 11:21 AM

Wouldn't the idea of dispensing with music have been to try to cut down the chances of too many people turning up? More especially musicians.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 11:16 AM

Well that livened it up a bit! I can take my tongue out of my cheek now. I just hate sweeping statements.

I still stick by the bit about public transport - as it is the norm in most cities apart from London and I meant for those travelling from afar.

Try it from Brighton for instance! The quickest train is 4 hours with 2 changes and most are nearer 5 hours. Most London trains from Brighton are about 1 hour. Similar points can be made about most major destinations - even Carlisle to London is as quick as Carlisle to Sheffield and involves no changes. I am no lover of London but it is the easiest place to get to in England from almost anywhere.

And what other FACTS did I get wrong Paul - surely you mean assertions? if indeed such is the case.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 09:06 AM

My apologies Paul Davenport

I dont know you at all, nor do you know me

I tried to say that the sentiments in the Guest post "could" have come from you, and lots of other Sheffield mudcat folkies

Clearly totally wrong as you emphasised the Sheffield case mentioning everyone!!

I will NOT POST anything more

Best of luck to you all and sort it out!!

Ray

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:58 AM

Train, Coach Motorway then park and ride then Supertram or bus straight to the door!

Be there or be square.

I meant 'Fiolk City facetiously as it has been labelled that by others, butPaul's only scratched the surface and listed those he knows.

We have real traditional singers too as well as folkies.

---

Guest is mikesamwild, who forgot to reset his cookie. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:30 AM

I am at a loss as to why this particular agm should be in Sheffield - it is fairly handy for motorways but not particularly good for public transport especially at weekends.

Err........round spherical objects. Sheffield has a terrific public transport system. It isn't cheap - but all of it is free to the over-60s.

Public transport is less frequent on Sundays. Do you know anywhere where this doesn't happen?

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 06:19 AM

very little surprises me about the EFDSS.
For goodness sake holding an AGM and not involving the local folk community, bloody typical, it reminds me of Comhaltas and the County Fleadhs.
At least with the regional and national fleadhs comhaltas does involve with the local community.
who are the people in EFDSS that make these decisions.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 05:18 AM

Since others raised the issue I thought, for the sake of completeness to answer the question regarding Sheffield's folk activities. The following are all considered by their participants to be Sheffield based.

Clubs: Royal Traditions, Sheffield Storytellers, 1st & 3rd Acoustic Club,Booit Straps FC, Hillsborough Folk, The Story Forge, Rivelin Folk, Sheffield Ballads Club, Raise the Roof, Crookes FC, Beehive FC, Cartwheel 3, No Smoke Foke, Play On, First Friday, Royal Folk, Wortley FC, Robber's Dog FC.

Dance teams etc: Sheffield Uni Ceilidh Soc, Pecsaetan Morris, Sheffield City Morris, Three Rivers Morris, Boggart's Breakfast, Sheffield Giants, Handsworth Sword Dancers, Grenoside Sword Dancers, Sharp's Ladies Sword, Triskele Sword.

Singers and Bands: Roy Bailey, Martin Simpson, Robin Garside, James Fagan & Nancy Kerr, Jon Boden, Fay Hield, Gavin Davenport, Richard & Jess Arrowsmith, Helena Reynolds, John & Vic Bowden, James Reynard, Simon Heywood, Raymond Geeenoaken, Kate Green, Sheffield Folk Chorale, Graham & Eileen Pratt, Gloristrokes, Skyhook, Hekety, Tinculo.

Sessions: Fagin's, Hillsborough Sessions, Kelham Sessions, Riverside Sessions.

Now it would be churlish perhaps to remark upon the proximity of Kate Rusby, Damien O'Kane, Dave Burland, Hedgehog Pie, Maltby Phoenix Sword, Barnsley Longsword, The Rock FC and many other folk entities so close to Sheffield as to easily be accessed and who are frequent participants in folk activies in the city.
Paul

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST,Ruth astray
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 04:40 AM

Actually, it was me from my iPhone. Thanks, Paul, for the additions to my very quick, riding-the-car list. Just passing Sheffield now, as it happens. I'll wave. :)

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 04:34 AM

Ray, why make a statement like that? You clearly don't know me as well as you think. I sign my name to my postings. Had it been me, I would have included, Sheffield Ballads Club, Raise the Roof, Robber's Dog FC and Skyhook.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 04:15 AM

Yes (I am not the guest above)probably Paul D or Dave Eyre who posted the above I suspect! or could have!!

I agree with the above that Sheffield and my beloved Barnsley are hot beds currently (Hull is fast creeping up! Malcolm)

As a non member of EFDSS of very many years!! I have stood and watched the bitter infighting, I am sure that I fully agree with the original dance and song aims but London may as well be Timbuktoo to me!

When is the meeting is it members only! and if no other events what is its purpose apart from EFDSS business at the AGM
Ray on lap top

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 04:09 AM

Well Malcolm, nothing like nailing one's colours to the mast is there? Even if the facts are wrong.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:56 AM

Malcolm: Bright Phoebus, Royal Traditions, Kelham Island singing sessions, the uni ceilidh society, Pecsaetan Morris, Sheffield City Morris, Sheffield Giants, Boggarts Breakfast, Glorystrokes/Hekety and their respective members' bands and projects, Trinculo, Hield/Bodens, Simpsons, Kerr/Fagans, Sheffield Carols...these all spring immediately to mind. I'm sure others could add to the list of what makes Sheffield a folk hub at the moment.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 10:18 PM

I / we attended the last none London agm which was also held in Sheffield mostly at the behest of the then ED&S editor and at the school he happened to work at.

There were no attendant events then and he was obviously aware of wnat was on offer. It was also the worst attended agm for many years and by a country mile.

I am at a loss as to why this particular agm should be in Sheffield - it is fairly handy for motorways but not particularly good for public transport especially at weekends.

As for Sheffield being a hotbed for folk activity may one ask by who's definition or judgement?

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: mikesamwild
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 08:30 AM

There will be sessions in pubs , maybe local South Yorkshire carol sessions and I'm sure poeple will mention them. Even an interesting lecture would have been nice as a bonus and attraction. It's a great lecture hall. Maybe we should 'flash mob' it

I understand approaches were made to offer events but were not pursued by those in the Sharpsville Ghetto

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 04:10 AM

"Surely if you've got a lot of people together who share a love of folk music it's a bit strange if they don't have a chance to enjoy some?"

Indeed, McGrath. And from what I remember, the reason Sheffield in particular was chosen by the Board for the EFDSS AGM this year is precisely because it is such a thriving hotbed of folk activity, from the major artists based there to the ceilidh bands and top quality music and song sessions. There was also a desire to demonstrate to the membership that EFDSS isn't just about things that happen in London.

It is a very odd turn of events to decide to celebrate activity that's happening outside of London, and then to go there and pretty much ignore it.

But to be honest, very little surprises me anymore.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 08:05 PM

Annual General Meeting...

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 07:42 PM

What's an AGM?

-Joe, acronymically challenged-

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 07:36 PM

Surely if you've got a lot of people together who share a love of folk music it's a bit strange if they don't have a chance to enjoy some? Though of course there's no way to stop them doing so if they wish...

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST,surreysinger
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 02:55 PM

Yep, I think I can see your point Ruth. Although I have to say that it's sad if you have to use enticements to attract peope along to discuss (hopefully) serious points, but if it attracts a few more people along than might otherwise have gone that can presumably only be a good thing. However, on this occasion, as it's in Sheffield I'm not going to be able to attend.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 10:18 AM

Ruth, why have you resigned? is it a protest about a particular occurence

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 09:20 AM

"Anyway, I'm none too sure why there should be ?"

To engage with the membership outside of London when the society's activity seems increasingly London-focused?

To acknowledge and celebrate the rich seam of activity currently happening in Sheffield?

To encourage the maximum possible attendance at the first meeting to take place outside of London in several years, by making it an attractive and fun experience?

Just a couple of ideas - not that it's actually any of my business, as I am no longer a member.

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 09:00 AM

As far as I can recall there weren't any events at the last AGM I went to in London. Anyway, I'm none too sure why there should be ?

Subject: RE: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 07:43 AM

Raise it at the meeting.

Subject: EFDSS AGM , Wassup?
From: mikesamwild
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 07:12 AM

I note , as an ordinary member of many years, that EFDSS has not arranged any event to accompany the AGM in Sheffield. Is this another example of the Metrocentric approach, or have I missed something?


After all we are 'Folk City UK'!