It sounds like the problems that all clubs face - ours has been going for ten years and fitting everyone in can still be hard. Most of the regulars know to turn up on time so that the MC can put the running order together at the start. Personally, I think it's rude to turn up late (but I have this 'thing' about lateness anyway) and if you're not there at the beginning I don't think you should expect to sing in the first half. That, however, is not a majority opinion as far as I can judge.

Anyway, the best of luck - you seem to have got off to a good start. We'd love to get up there but it's too far on a weekday as I don't get back from work till around 7.30 and it's at least an hour's journey.