I'm not denying there are pockets of good singers

Good. That's a start.

I have already said that my experience in folk clubs, albeit long in years, is limited geographically. I cannot comment on the nationwide picture and can only go off what other people tell me. From what I see on here there are more people saying that there are good young singers attending clubs in their area than there are saying that young singers do not attend folk clubs. This forum is the closest thing we have to an international picture of what is going on and if the majority are saying there is not an issue, there is no reason to disbelieve them.