Most of the "folk clubs" that I have attended over several decades, and all of those that I have attended at all regularly, have been closer to what Pip describes as a "singaround".

Lucky you! Chorlton FC is quite an extreme example, but most of the clubs I've been to around Manchester were closer to that end of the spectrum than the Beech singaround. I've seen a 50/25/25 ratio in a few places - 50% cover versions with acoustic guitar, 25% original songs with acoustic guitar and 25% everything else (including trad). What varies more is where the 50% comes from - Harvey Andrews, Jez Lowe and Gordon Bok in some clubs; Ani DiFranco, Suzanne Vega and Radiohead in others.

I like meeting some friends, having a drink, sitting back and knowing I'm going to hear "something completely different". But I love traditional songs*.

*Except Fanny Blair.