Vic,
I was being generic with my "fodder" observation, and certainly not referring to the particular club or evening. As for what I mean by such an observation, imagine the following scene, which I have observed from time to time around the country:

Open evening at a folk club. Average age of audience and participants = 45 (with extremes ranging from 35 to 80+). A couple of 18-year olds walk in, ask for a spot, and get it. A further 3-4 of their mates come in also. The couple of youngsters are good (anything from decent to brilliant). The audience looks on admiringly, but also whistfully. For a few minutes there they kid themselves that they have witnessed a sign of revival of the club's (and folk's) fortunes. They ply the youngsters with offers of further spots and even a feature opportunity, if they would come again.

But during the break, the young players and their mates leave. They have better things to do, places to go where more fun is to be found. The club regulars are left with the whistful reminiscences for an evening. Nothing has changed.

I am NOT saying that this is your club, Vic. In fact, I have seen clubs such as the Magpie's nest in London where the above description does NOT hold true. But I have witnessed such scenes around the country, which is the reason why I look for more than one swallow before I can call it a spring. Or perhaps I am just in a pessimistic mood today...

But I repeat - well done for encouraging the youngsters, and I hope more clubs will follow your example.