it's always sad when a folk club dies. i did my first floor spot at the marsden inn (south shields) before it fell into the sea. i was rubbish, but everyone encouraged me because i was rubbish and they knew i would get better. happily for everyone else and my parents i did get better. i can't think of another setting where beginners or people who want to air a new number can enjoy an attentive, respectful audience.
i also remember playing at the empress and leaving my teddy bear behind and having to pick him up on the way back from nottingham. he was trolleyed after that weekend. and, by the way, tom bliss was singing in the floor spots so divvent knock it.