If he applies for an entertainments license now, it will cost him whatever the LA wants to charge - and they might insist on alterations to the pub. Some LAs (especially those in the sticks) don't get unduly worried about unlicensed folk sessions unless there are complaints from other residents (or sometimes from jealous rival landlords). Some, like my council (Greenwich), see it as a nice little earner for them - one session in Greenwich was paying about £400 pa for their entertainments license.

Unless the landlord is unduly worried about unlicensed performance, I'd suggest starting the session without one, after all, these things usually start small and build up. If the council haven't said anything before the new act is implemented next year, then that is the time to apply for the licence. If the council does require the landlord to get a license before then they will warn him first.

I've run a regular session in a country pub without a license (not in Greenwich) for some years, and have never had any problems, but the landlord will apply for his free entertainments option next year.

I assume that the reference to camping was implying a possible weekend mini festival, Linda (Essex Girl) and I might be quite interested in that.

Incidently, what sort of session are you keen to start, Music, Song, or Mixed ?