Just to clarify Les, I hope I have not started a 'folk row'. My view that the Singers' Club, whatever its merits, had a serious political aspect is surely non-arguable. You say you started this thread to collect good practice?
I'd say that, in any field, TOLERANCE is extremely good practice, and the clubs I have enjoyed over the years(listed earlier) all had the great virtue of tolerance, and that's what I'd seek to defend! It doesn't mean turning folk clubs into a jazz or blues club, just an ability to recognise that most songs have something to say to the folk who are listening.
I said in my last post that I was being relevant to the thread and I'd repeat that I really enjoyed the 'Empress of Russia' because it promoted good music in a convivial, non-prescriptive atmosphere. By the way, the tradition is continued annually at Ken Hall & Peta Webb's Football club nights at Whitby Festival, probably the most in0demand tickets of the whole week!
    cheers Jim B
misprint in my last post- correct version is.....
''material I include in my pub/club repertoire are by such as Sam Cooke, Homer & Jethro & Guy Mitchell''- this just to clarify