a well run folk club, will have[in my experience] amongst its organisers or residents, someone who can offer constructive criticism, to a beginner performer[ [suggestions about what sort of songs might suit,ways of improving accompaniments,learning to pitch ones songs etc].
now contrary to the impression one might get from gervase,there are well run folk clubs,who do this,they are probably, those ones that have been going a long time.
I think its a minority of guest booking folk clubs that tolerate anmateurish performances, even in singaround clubs people should be encouraged to improve, shown diplomatically [in private] their mistakes and helped.there are very few people who are tone deaf or have no sense of rhythym and who cant improve with the correct help from club residents.Dick Miles