Jim Carroll wrote:
Don't really think the EFDSS gatherings fit into the description of Folk Clubs Derek.

well, I quoted the terms used at the time very carefully ... folk club in 1949 .. singing evenings in Cambridge ... folk song club in Birmingham.

It depends how you define a folk club!!

I am not suggesting that they started at 8, had a guest for 30-40 mins in each half, raffle in the interval, residents, floor singers.....

But in a discussion about whether Good Earth or Ballads and Blues was the first, it's worth recognising that EFDSS was hosting a folk club (whatever the format) in 1949 etc. more research may reveal the format.

Derek