Part of the ambience of folk clubs comes from the contributions made by floor singers. A lot of people go there for the opportunity to perform as well as for the chance to hear the guest. Those of us who are used to it learn to take the rough with the smooth, but there is the danger that first-time visitors will be put off - as the magazine article suggested. I think there's a very difficult balance to be struck.

There are some folk clubs which are concerts by another name - they feature only professional guests supported by other professionals or semi-professionals, or the club residents. To me, that's not a folk club and I probably wouldn't give it the loyalty I would give to a club which allowed me the chance of a regular floor spot. However, I still contend that the organiser has the right to decide who will perform, and especially on a big occasion they are right to exercise some quality control.

I also feel that a budding performer should be self-aware enough to know whether or not they are up to performing on a particular occasion.