A good point, Dick. People don't appear to grumble about festivals on public internet forums as often as they do about folk clubs.

One big difference if that if you turn up to a festival and don't like what's on offer in one place at one time, you can generally find something you do like elsewhere or later on. If all else fails you can find a handy pub and start something yourself.

If you turn up at a folk club and don't like it, there is no other choice for that evening. There is another choice for later on: start something yourself, or give practical assistance to existing organisers to help them improve. Like shifting a ton of coal, it's not difficult; it just takes a lot of slog.

(I'm using 'you' in the sense of 'one', not replying to any individuals here.)

Valmai (Lewes Saturday Folk Club)