Howard, I fully agree about the risks of taking on a club booking big acts. I have the T shirt and divvied up overdraft when we folded one...

I was speaking with some friends who I used to be in a Lions club with, and I think there is a similar picture. Many people travel further and work longer hours or don't work any more. Neither scenario lends itself to weekly folk club attendance. The more inclusive and wider ranging of ability in many singaround clubs of today can also make the decision to stay at home much easier for many.

Many people love to have a collection of songs and cherish their folders as a hobby. Like many hobbies, you can get together with like minded collectors and compare your goods or you can put a stall on at the village fete, which is the difference between singaround clubs and the more concert orientated clubs.

Ray - the demon drink is indeed a common feature for failed cases such as yours truly. I learned the art of course, amongst other places at The Wheatsheaf....