The Grove Folk Club in Leeds (going some 40 years )is flourishing. On the third Friday there is third Friday sing which is a singers' night for one and all but featuring local singers who can get a prebooked mini spot. There can be 60 plus there some weeks and young enthusiasts are in the majority. Certainly in this neck of the woods there are a lot of younger folk enthusiasts who just want to sing and play. First Friday sing is equally busy....a good place for young hopefuls to sing their stuff, both self-penned and traditional.And we oldies like the mix!!
Interestingly numbers are not so great on guest nights...when it costs £6 to get in(as opposed to free-buy a raffle ticket on singers nights). In the north it would seem people like to sing/take part.
Not just Leeds City but taking part sessions are big and spreading...try The Abbey at Newlay Leeds, The Owl at Rodley, The Chemic, Leeds and others....even more in the Yorkshire Dales...