I don't see why sessions shouldn't be included. They are just as much part of the folk scene as folk clubs, and are far more participatory than some clubs. Standards in sessions are no different from those in clubs - which is to say that some are dismal, and some are excellent.

Despite what Jim thinks, you can even hear ballads sung. It all depends on the audience, and you can have receptive and appreciative audiences in sessions, and unappreciative ones in folk clubs. To give only one example, I have a vivid memory of Martin Clarke singing a superb version of 'Lord Bateman' in what was primarily a tunes session, and it was very much appreciated by the sizeable audience.

Even taking sessions into account, I don't claim that the folk scene is in as good a state as in its heyday. But it's doing OK, and most importantly new generations are taking it up. I just don't recognise Jim's description of the currebt scene - I'm not saying the things he complains of aren't real, but they are not typical of my own experience.