Les and John McKenzie make good points - there's a problem posed by alternative forms of entertainment which weren't around in my younger days, and sessions too are hugely popular nowadays - a far greater percentage of 'Folk-Lovers' play than did back in the 60's and 70's, and they naturally want to get amongst it and strut their stuff (metaphorically speaking, I hope!) rather than sit for long periods listening to others.

There are still good clubs around and, at least in mid- and north Lincolnshire, probably as many as in the aforementioned halcyon days, not the same clubs necessarily but numerically they're still there. I suspect that those who say they're dying are those whose minds are closed to everything except one narrow genre, and who refuse to accept that Folk's a broad church with room for different styles. In their case I guess only time will tell.

I'm an optimist and I don't believe clubs in general are dying - individual ones may struggle, probably for the above reasons, but those run by open-minded and energetic organisers still seem to thrive in our area.

Johnny :0)