I have just read this thread with a view to learning by others experiences as I began the Waitakere Folk Club just over a year ago.

We are in the excellent position of not needing to pay for a venue, therefore it doesn't matter a hoot how many people turn up, we don't have costs to cover (and I put on a good feed too!)

If I asked each member of our club what they wanted from it, they would each have a different answer, so we try to cater for everyone by giving them the opportunity to have, or do, what they wish.

Of course if someone were to say, "I want to hear Martin Carthy" I would need to ask that person to finance Martin's fee!!

As for:
"Who wants to go and see some old fart with his or her finger in their ear singing without any instrument accompanying?"

You can reduce anything you don't like with such derogatory terms.

You might equally say: 'Who wants to hear the guy singing the song in its original form?'   "Boring old fart" is a matter of opinion.

The short answer to those queries is 'Me, for starters.'

I love unaccompanied singing, and I forgive those who are out of tune because we're not all Maddy Prior.

Folk songs and performances were, in my humble opinion, never meant to be flash, polished entertainments (good and welcome though these now are) but part of the heart, warp and weft of ordinary society.

That Harrogate is closing is incredibly sad, as indeed it is when any club closes but look what a wonderfully long run it's had, what joy and vibrancy it brought to thousands and thousands of people over the years. Marvellous, well done, thankyou, you're an inspiration.

I take my hat off to the dedicated people who had the vision to start it, maintain it and keep in going - lately in the face of an indifferent public.

I don't suppose our little club here in Waitakere will ever aspire to have top class acts for profit; we're just content at the moment to enjoy the excellent musicians and singers who turn up to be heard and to listen, with pleasure, to others; even the boring old farts with their finger in their ears.

If you are ever out our way and want to join us for a couple of hours of music and good food, details can be had from waitakerefolkclub@yahoo.co.nz

Meantime, thanks to all who made the Harrogate club what it was, you can be tremendously proud of such a legacy.