each one to set down independently without reference to others what they would like to see in Folk Clubs

First, I think all folk club rules should take the form of STRONG PREFERENCES. These STRONG PREFERENCES should be expressed informally by club regulars and failing that by the MC or organiser. The MC has the final say. STRONG PREFERENCES are not absolute; the MC has the right to make exceptions to his/her own STRONG PREFERENCES, and to overrule those of the regulars, for any reason that seems good enough at the time.

There should be a STRONG PREFERENCE for

- acoustic music with no amplification
- unaccompanied song as well as accompanied; accompaniment should not be the norm
- traditional repertoires
- singers to use something like their own accent
- joining in on choruses and repeats, but not otherwise
- frequent guests but a majority of singers' nights
- crib sheets not to be used obtrusively
- everyone who wants to sing to get a go (on singers' nights)
- nobody to get much more time than anyone else; this may mean that some performers get more *songs* than anyone else, depending on the song (I can dream - I remember one week I was on and off in the time it took the next guy to tune up...)

There you go - my dream folk club. What about anyone else?