Banjiman

As club organisers I do think we should listen to the constructive points that Tom and Ewan are trying to make. There are certainly things I can learn from their opinions.......anyone else?

Apart from what I've covered above, Tom also says -

Some even argue that all the non-trade system has done is encourage songs to fall into disrepair, and that it was always the working chaps (or those with a 'trade' attitude) who did the making, the mending and the significant disseminating.

I love that "Some even argue". Who does? It seems we are required to abandon the idea that the "folk process" is a creative one and that all "song makers" are, by definition, trade. I can't see that going down too well in the traditional clubs.

As far as I can see, Ewan's objection to folk clubs is that they aren't concerts -

As things stand, I've all; but given up, because those of us who "just want to listen" are second class citizens compared with those who enjoy the celebratory love-in that is participatory folk.

It's not so much clubs or even club organisers that he objects to but their current audiences who probably do annoying things like tapping their feet and joining in the choruses.