"It is simply a waste of time to generalise."
It is virtually impossible not to generalise when you are discussing the general state of the club scene
I have no doubt good clubs exist - I've always enjoyed the Musical Traditions Club in London, but I had a hell of a time finding another which came anywhere near it's standards - that includes the one at Britain's centre of folk excellence at Cecil Sharp house, which, on the night we were there abounded with crib-sheets, forgotten words and out-of-tune singing.
As far as I can judge, compared to how it was when I left, the scene is moribund and the academic side has become revisionist
Not much hope for th future in that - we can't all shoot up to Edinburgh or down to Lewes when we want a good night of folk songs   
I used to think it wasd (to borrow Billy Connolly's phrase) "sick but save-able - not so sure FOLLOWING DISCUSSINIONS LIKE THIS ONE

"but i have not passed any judgement on folk clubs"
You seem pretty keen on denigrating the NTMC
My attendance at folk clubs has no relevance, your refusal to respond to what I actually said has
Piss or get off the pot
Jim Carroll