THE IMPORTANT REMARK BY SANDRA KERR, is that you could work at this stuff.
However it is also true that many of us were working at our material without going to the critics group, and have been doing so for many many years.
BUT THE STANDARD IN 1968[in my opinion] in folk clubs was much higher, you could not get on to do a floor spot a second time, if you forgot your words,nobody was allowed to read their words in front of an audience, most clubs were full with about 100 people.
so Martins comment about singers shambling on and forgetting verses, was not my experience, in fact I will contradict Martin, and say that this is more the case now in 2011 In singaround clubs, than it was in guest booking folk clubs in 1968,
but this doesnt alter the fact that the idea of working on material is a good idea whether it be 1968 or 2011.