having just played at swindon folk club, which has been run for 46 years by Ted and Ivy poole and helpers., and had a great night.it occured to me how important good folk clubs are, for several reasons.
   firstly,they provide the oppurtunity for like minded people to get together in their locality, and build a community locally and on a regular basis,.
it gives people a stage, to perform in a semi formal situation ,learning stagecraft etc, from professional perfomers at a cheaper cost than at a festival, and hopefully establishing friendships on a local basis.
    with festivals becoming more commercial, and generally more popfolk orientated, they can provide the chance for audiences to hear more unusual and less commercial performers, while enjoying a social club atmosphere.
three other clubs stand out in my view,Stockton folk club, darlington brittania,Nottingham CARRINGTON,that achieve allthese points.there are probably many others,I apologise if i havent remembered them ,if you know of a good folk club in your area, please mention and tell us all about it, and why you think it is good .Dick Miles