Andy Letcher

The much maligned and misunderstood hurdy-gurdy is one of my favourite instruments - in fact, if I had my life over again I would learn to play it. In France there is an almost unbroken tradition of playing going back to the middle ages, which means that current players have taken the instrument to the virtuosic heights of jazz and other avant-garde improvisations. England, sadly, lags behind in this respect but I pleased to see that there is going to be a Hurdy-Gurdy festival in April 2007 in Lancaster. All the best British players will be there giving concerts and workshops - looks like it'll be a corker.

At the risk of blowing my own trumpet, there is a short video of me playing the pipes here.

Spent a fascinating afternoon down a slate mine in the Oxfordshire village of Stonesfield yesterday. Phil, one of my bagpipe students, is a retired geologist who still runs field trips - he generously invited me along. Highly recommended. You can see more photos of the trip here. It must have been grim work down there.

I went to see George Monbiot on thursday, speaking about his new book, 'Heat', and the whole matter of climate change. I must admit I was one of those who thought that it was all too late and that we were basically fucked. Turns out I'm wrong.

We CAN make a difference - in fact we are the last people who can. We have ten years to reduce CO2 emissions and to stabilise the temperature rise. It's a tough call but I am now convinced after hearing George's brilliant speech that it is possible. I would urge anyone reading this in the UK to go on the climate change march on November 4th in London, to show your protest outside the US embassy. Be there and make your voice count - I for one will be there.

Phil and Toby's trial came to an unsatisfying end last week - a hung jury. Read George Monbiot's comments on the trial here.

I saw that Thom Yorke in town today - cheering to see someone looking more grumpy than me...

Made my debut at a literature festival yesterday, booked at one of the fringe events at Cheltenham. Good turn out and one or two surprises in the audience including an old student (apologies for the low essay mark - it really wasn't personal) and Thom the World Poet, who I saw years ago at a Gong fest. Poor old Marcus, the guy interviewing me, couldn't get a word in edgeways once I'd started yacking - hopefully my rambling made sense.

And today? Feel like death with a cold. Fed up with watching crap TV but unable to do anything more constructive. Horrid.

Today I was buying Licorice tea from the supermarket when the woman on the till picked up the box, turned it over and tutted loudly. "Like this stuff do you?". "Well yes" I replied, "can't get enough of it. In fact I get through several boxes a week". I continued, "The longer you keep the tea bag in the better it gets because you're left with a lovely sweet after-taste". "Hmm" she scoffed. "And then you spend the rest of the day on the toilet!"

Only in England.

Played at a beautiful benefit/support gig for Phil and Toby, the B52 Two, last friday. They got arrested at the start of the Iraq war attempting to disarm B52 bombers at RAF Fairford. Their trial starts tomorrow and this was a chance for the Oxford community of acousticians, poets, greens and peaceniks to come out and offer love and support. We wish you well guys.