Recent TV coverage in France

France 3 video news item about our recent concert in St Paulien during the Chaise-Dieu festival; the chap from the Mairie made a brilliant speech at the post-concert reception which for a long while seemed to be about the opening of a new swimming-pool - had he got the wrong speech out of his pocket, we wondered? But no, with the panache of a French philosopher, he was making the point that both physical and mental culture were crucial in these straightened times and that the French must continue to invest in culture - I can't say I've heard many local politicians in the UK say the same.

Returns only at Southwell Minster tonight

The Choral Pilgrimage moves on tonight to Southwell Minster. The concert is sold out, although there might be a few returns at the door. There are still tickets available for tomorrow night's performance in another magnificent building, Peterborough Cathedral. Tickets available from 01733 452336.

We have a big party of Art Fund members coming tonight, and we are delighted that our partnership is working fruitfully.

We are recently back from the festival in La Chaise-Dieu, where we gave the French premiere of James MacMillan's Miserere in the beautiful Saint Georges de Saint Paulien near Le Puy. Great response from the audience and a splendid post-concert champagne reception at the Mairie. Brought back down to earth the following morning by a 3-hour delay on our BA flight back from Lyon..............