This goes round and round in circles and you are not basically disagreeing with each other but still desperately trying to. So I'll throw something new into the discussion on another post.

Bryan, I would guess, doesn't have a problem with the quality of singers and performers even though he puts up no barriers to people becoming involved and I would guess that is for a really simple reason - THE STANDARD IS GOOD.

Most people I'd argue (not all people, most people) gauge their comfort in playing somewhere by the general standard they encounter. I would guess that people either go first and listen at Bryan's club at the Lewes Arms and then decide whether they would fit in and match their own standard to the norm. Or they turn up the first time and have a go and either fit in or don't. If they don't (whether they are too good or too bad) they'd probably not feel comfortable and probably don't return. A friend of mine who I play gigs with sometimes is incredibly relaxed when he plays at most things but was still pretty nervous when he supported Frankie Gavin the other week and similarly was more nervous than usual playing guitar in front of Martin Carthy - it applies at most levels for all people.

So the standard stays roughly at a level as it broadly is self-regulating without lots of intervention. I'm guessing on this but it has tended to be my experience.

I've played in a reasonable number of sessions and singarounds in various parts of the country (and Scotland) and approach it that way - I usually go in, have a little look, work out what the level is like and whether I feel I'd fit in before joining in or asking if I can. So I've left places without playing if I feel it is in neither of our interests that I get involved. I'm guessing most people are similarly sensitive.

If I look at our local gathering (which actually ticks all but one of Pip Radish's dream folk club - and that is only on the unobtrusive songsheet question) most of the people who play or come regularly first came along and watched a few times before being involved.

I'll post my next question soon.