My most recent experiences within one week and all onboard oldish 320s:

HEL-LHR 17.40: No priority boarding. 6 people in Club, 5 rows space reserved altogether. The bins over row 1 (AC) were taken by crew and a spacehog occupying 1 D. Luckily the our hand luggage could be stowed to the closets in the front galley. Attentive service, trays were carried from the galley and drink service was excellent. The CSD approached the golds and silvers personally and made sure everything was ok. A positive experience. The cabin luggage limits should be better enforced and since the row 1 seats are reserved for golds, get then rid of all the airline stuff above them!

LHR-BCN 11.20: Bussing to the plane. 8 people in Club, 6 rows space reserved altogether. Now luckily no space hogs onboard and rest of the CW passengers were sitting at row 3 or behind. Very attentive service, great drink service. Apart from bussing, a very positive experience.

BCN-LHR 13.20: "Priority boarding". The worst mess I have seen in a long time. The order of announcements was strange. First "the passengers behind row 15 (or something)" may board. A cluster, not a line was formed after that. Then the Club passengers and the golds and silvers can board "at their leisure". There was no way to get past the cluster. Finally, when most of the cluster had passed the desk, the people were held in the jetway, some of them standing right in front of the escalator, not looking back or imagining that other passengers were using the very same thing. Surprised, that no one got hurt in that hassle.

Club was full, 24 seats out of 24 taken. The drink and meal service started from row 6 and moved to the front. It was good 1 hour and 10 minutes from the departure, we got the first drinks. The meals were served from the cart. There were only two meals left when the seats 1A and 1C were served. Luckily my spouse did like fish (only the plastic/aluminum cup was served to the tray) and I did not, thus I took the last salad. I understand the crew were busy, but I asked after receiving my salad, "when do these things start flying the back end at front". The male CSD sounded slightly offended and replied "Sir, we do have 18 golds onboard and it is easier to serve them all beginning from the back end!". The value of the first row seat??? Besides the flight was good one hour late. If there had not been tasty Argentinian red wine, I would have been very disappointed...

LHR-HEL 18.20: Bussing to the plane. Half of the seats in Club occupied, six rows reserved. Very efficient cabin crew. First drinks as soon as possible. Choices of meal were presented. The trays were carried from the front galley. Excellent drink service. Timely departure and due to tail winds early arrival. This is the way Club should be!

All in all. If I did not fly from Finland via LHR, I would not bother to book Club for the short hops. Very little added value, if the lounges can be accessed by the card status.