Richard if everybody had the same viewpoint as each other, then life would be so boring. So I ceratinly have no problems about you having a different point of view to me.

I am not a musician or have the desire to be. I am a listener. I am giving up my time FOC, to provide a folk club in a very rural market town with 3500 inhabitants. If the music is poor, then nobody will bother to come along to watch.

Let me just correct you on auditions.
I don't do auditions. I just ask anybody that would like to do a floorspot, to let me know in advance, so that I can allocate the time for them. I give them a straight 10 to 20 minute floorspot, depending on how they feel. All I ask is that they can perform in front of an audience and are capable of singing/playing for 20 minutes if required. If all the floorspots have been allocated, I offer them floorspots for the next available evening. I can't see anything wrong with that. My understanding from the artists, is they they thourougly enjoyed themselves. Incidentally so did the listeners. About 40 people attended the opening night, and at least half of them were listeners. The only way that I will get get people to listen is to provide reasonable artists.

I also have 2 floorspots for youngsters under 21. I have feelers into the schools, and as I speak, there are a couple of youngsters, being developed by their music teacher, so that they can play on the next night, which is April 23rd. I have no idea what they are going to sing or play. I don't ask those questions. All I ask is that they can play accoustic.

I have one person who has been playing for about a year and a half, who when he feels ready, will do a floorspot.

Finally, if somebody would like to perform, but would prefer to jam with somebody else, then I allow them to that. e.g. Diathi and Bloke in the corner. They did really well. I also had Oakly, Liam Robinson and two youngsters of 18 jamming together.

As to smoking, that is a very deeply divided issue. Again you run yours your way (I don't have any problems with that) and I will run mine my way.
Do you have children in your club? Do you have people with breathing problems? Do you have people who already have had cancer through smoking and are on reprieve? Do you want to see young people coming into the folk world and survive until they are well past retirement age?
All of these issues have to be taken into account when you stop smoking in the room. I happen to think that I am being unselfish in my decision. Are you?