AS stated over and over by many people on these threads...There are many many reasons why the numbers of folk clubs have declined in the UK.

Just ONE of those reasons recently hinted at, more and more people interested in folk song are desirous of actually performing, at whatever level (If you think that's a bad thing that's your problem not ours) rather than sitting there passively listening. Again other developments have facilitated this. The person who mentioned cheaper guitars was only giving one example.

In light of that consider the following

Folk club: half a dozen people, often fewer, get to perform in the usual 3-hour slot.

Singaround: Everyone who wants to gets to perform, even in less formal situations, for the duration of the session.

Session: Everyone reasonably competent gets to perform for all of the duration of the session.

This is a general overview so please don't argue that your little neck of the woods doesn't fit into this pattern.

Those who prefer to be passive and listen can attend numerous concerts organised, or even listen to/watch their favourite performers online.

At good festivals like Whitby/Sidmouth and even most of the weekenders you can do all of these to your heart's content.