Had a scan through the last few weeks of this thread - a few points from different parts...

The class system has a lot to do with attitudes in English folk clubs compared perhaps with clubs as commented upon in Canada and Australia.

I've attended clubs in three parts of England as I've moved around, and found a common almost standard elite of bottom rung middle classes doing the same standard thing of endorsing thier chums and discouraging anyone who obviously didn't go to Teacher Training college.

The joke is that many of these types given the spaghetti style handclap are pretty mediochre singers but are of the right 'sort' for the organisers to quickly promote to 'Resident". This contributed, IMHO, to the decline of the folk movement as these attention seeking types impressed each other but scared away newcomers curious about folk clubs.

I won't indicate where the elitist clubs, but will name a few which I found friendly welcoming over the years (they may not exist any more); Oxford University FC - the opposite of what you might expect!, Ducklington FC - with Pam Ayres in attendance sometimes in those days; and the much mentioned Lewes Arms Folk Club which is effectively repairing the damage done over the years by these self admiring elites noted above by a welcoming approach and the workshops. There are more - but I'd say the balance in my years supporting Folk was sadly in the God's Gift direction.

The best way in my experience is to start your own based on your own values.

I'd mention also an observation from the last 18 months. I used to support bar sessions quite a lot which ran successfully while there was mutual respect for all singers. In later years a new ethos pervaded which seemed to be based on listening to your chums and talking over non chums. Two particular performers who where frequently 'talked over' in those later years moved on with the club to function room based venues. They have both improved greatly since being in an 'indimidation-free' atmosphere.


Ian Fyvie