re:

"The question is "singing about themselves". Young people in general have nothing to say that is of deep interest to most listeners if they are writing about their love lives or their angst. If they are singing in the first person to create a story about a character, then they are much more likely to be interesting. Songs about not getting laid, loved or lauded are boring. Tell me a story and you can use the first person as Simon, Ochs, Paxton, Chapin etc did brilliantly, but you have to be living a really different and exciting life to tell me about your 22 year old self in a song.
Clubs like Dartford are not there to service floor singers they are they to service a paying audience that knows what they want.
I am very glad you are finding an outlet for your voice somewhere else. That's what we started when we began the folk clubs back in the 60's. power to your elbow. Sing your songs, find your audience. Good luck."

This come across as so condescending... and it is nonsense anyway...

"I was 21 years when I wrote this song, I am 22 now but I won't be for long... time hurrys on.. and the leaves that are green turn to brown..."

Listen to early Paul Simon songs sometime.

Meanwhile, if a club does not want to encourage songer-songwriters it should make that clear. After all, you say "Clubs like Dartford are not there to service floor singers". Sorry, but if floor singers are invited they should be made welcome. You are just re-enforcing the very thing I said. And good luck to you, now that you are in your 60's and I am in my 40's. Incidentally I sing some of the same songs I did back then. Remember "Friday the First"? It goes down well with audiences everywhere. I admit I was not as good 19 years ago as I am now... but live music clubs that INVITE floor singers SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE NEW TALENT.