Well, the iPad did its work a treat on Sunday, and I could enjoy basically being at a huge party for Shirley Collins: photos here and here. The Belles of London City were spectacular out in the street at the interval, Stewart Lee turns out to be a rather good singer and guitarist, Olivia let me join in There’s Not A Swain, I got to play the clapped-out old piano at Café OTO rather than the shiny Yamaha, and Alasdair managed not to get too freaked out when we sneaked off to a corner to rehearse, and Shirley appeared at his shoulder to sing along in his ear. There was also something rather wonderful about everyone on stage (and in the audience) wearing Shirley Collins badges. After Tobias Hume the other week, the pressure is now on to come up with a different badge for every gig.

The whole extravaganza was to raise money for this very special project, so go on, give them a few quid (or a lot more if you have it).