"It's in this small world that great things happen." he tells me "I mean how else would you get to say to the lead singer of a band after talking music 'hey want to come back to mine for some cauliflower cheese' and then go to the grants, do you remember the grants pub, for a beer." The singer was Morrisey. The last time I did a gig for Dave, with my then band Mick Hucknall was there in the audience. So i can truly say that Mick Hucknall has seen me live more times than I have seen him". Nathan McGough former manager of Happy Mondays pops in to see Dave. Nathan is the step son of Roger McGough but I know of him more through the Manchester scene. Apparently we’ve met before. We all sit and chat (Nathan catchs up with Dave) for a short while and then disperse.   more »

A triumvirate of breathless police officers barge into the Riverside Rooms. I assume the position, hands on the wall legs apart and shout “I know my rights. Call my lawyer. It’s a set up”. A bemused officer walked past me and towards a more responsive individual from the Cape Farewell team. “It's my mobile phone” I shout at them“mine". They look at me and then continue discussing.   more »

At 4pm I do a reading for Poetry Explorers of the poetry library at The Spirit Level. There are two children for the first ten minutes and then five in total. I was so nervous about this reading. It is years since I have read for little little children. I am a bit rusty. Turns out the kids were enchanting and throughout the reading slipped off their air bean bags. I think they were performning for me rather than I for them. The reading ends.   more »

I get along with the marketing department and the marketing department, apparently, get along with me. My growing familiarity leads to a frankness. Lemn we like you but not your photograph muses the luxuriously named Amelia La Fuente.. Helen her desk neighbour nods frowning. Familiarity, it is said, grows contempt! There comment is a bit like what someone said to me once I like you. There was a pause then I don’t care what your friends say.   more »