EFDSS name changes

Subject: EFDSS name changes
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 26 May 26 - 02:22 PM

This thread is mainly aimed at EFDSS members, but will also be of interest to potential members and other people who use their facilities and refer to their institutions and buildings.

The EFDSS executive have proposed the motion to change the name of Cecil Sharp House and of the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Many members who use the building and library regularly have already made very strong objections to this on a wide variety of grounds as one can imagine. This is further to the changing of the name of EFDSS to Folk England which has already been discussed here.

I will eventually post the reasons why I and many others think this is a very bad idea, but for now please feel free to add other opinions, especially if you are a member.

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 26 May 26 - 02:25 PM

Not a member but would consider joining to oppose it.

Is this just a recruitment drive?

Robin

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: Robert B. Waltz
Date: 26 May 26 - 02:29 PM

I have no right to say anything about it. But... gag. If the day comes when the name Cecil Sharp ceases to evoke anything, they might as well shut down anyway.

As an American, I can only say that "Folk England" and similar names sound like something that emerges when you lock thirty marketing consultants in a cave and make them stay there until they can all agree on the stupidest possible choice.

The people who listen to folk music are not the sort likely to care for corporate buzzword-speak.

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 May 26 - 03:24 PM

Did you take a look at EFDSS proposed name change?

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 May 26 - 04:10 PM

I am a member and have voted.I agree with you Steve.Ialso think that EFDSS should be more proactive in promoting the library on social media and perhaps a monthly advert in local papers
I have run a festival for 14 years and have some experience and have come to realise the importance of proactive promotion via social media, looking at the VWNL facebook page it is obvious that this is not happening

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 May 26 - 04:24 PM

instead of changing their name they should be trying harder to get more people to use the library, their attitude reminds me of Nero fiddling whilst Rome was burning
Robert why do you not t choose to join, you are clearly intersted in tradtional , perhaps if we knew reasons why trad music enthusisats choose not to become members, dwindling membership could be adressed

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 26 May 26 - 04:38 PM

SRS, yes, seen that thread, which discusses the proposal to change the name of the Society, but many of us think the further proposals are much more regressive and sinister. Researchers and writers who are members have already vehemently expressed their opposition to these proposals, but it would be useful to hear the thoughts of those members without a stronger invested interest. For instance, are there any members who think the proposals are a good idea, and if so why?

Interesting take, Robin. Something similar might be at the back of their minds. It's certainly stirring up a hornet's nest. Members have not been so proactive for the last 20 years.

Bob, I like your '30 marketing consultants' analogy.

Dick, is this not social media right here?

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 May 26 - 04:49 PM

yes, but facebook has over 2 billion users

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 26 May 26 - 04:52 PM

Dick, if it helps to understand why people would/wouldn't join; my own case. I first became a member in about 1966 when I started being interested in traditional music. I had several visits to Cecil Sharp House and used the Library listening facilities to listen to recordings of traditional singers from my own area. After about 4 years continued membership I began to realise that the Society then was dominated by middle class dancers and that Cecil Sharp House (library excepted) was just a club for Londoners. It was another 15 years before I decided to rejoin when Malcolm Taylor was Librarian and the Society began to be more interested in the song side and encourage research, being affiliated to such emerging groups as the TSF of which I was a founder member. Since then the Library has become almost a second home on occasions, and I have been to many events at the House, despite living in Yorkshire. I can understand why many punters on the folk scene would not see the immediate relevance of EFDSS, as they can get their music without having to be part of it.

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 26 May 26 - 05:45 PM

Dick, 'tis so, but anything posted there disappears a lot faster than anything posted here.

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 May 26 - 03:58 AM

I do not agree, i Find facebook a great tool for promoting my festival, and I have ha feed back that using facebook as a promotion toolis successful.
" I can understand why many punters on the folk scene would not see the immediate relevance of EFDSS, as they can get their music without having to be part of it." QUOTE
a more positive view would be to say, it is the only national folk society we have, therfore i MUST try and join and change the society

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 May 26 - 04:05 AM

IF You do not join you cannot vote on the name change.
if you had joined you coiuld have done something effective like voting

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 May 26 - 11:23 AM

the other Positive thing to do is to write to katy spicer head of efdss and explain why you are not members then they may get an idea of how to improve the EFDSS

Subject: RE: EFDSS name changes
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 27 May 26 - 12:08 PM

Good points, Dick. We need to provide a lot more reasons why people should join if this is to be successful. I would love that to happen but I'm a died in the wool realist. As a retired teacher I can easily afford the annual fee, but the current austerity situation in this country must surely exclude many others who are struggling to earn a living.
The big attraction for me, apart from making a contribution, is the annual Journal, with lots of learned papers included.