Paul Heaton

Our team 'all hands' was followed by the ‘technology awards’, where prizes are given for business contributions. I was relieved there were only six awards; I feared it would be one of those almost unending sessions where those in charge feel everybody has to get some shout-out. It wasn’t.

I did not wait for the after-drinks as I met Mark L to see Paul Heaton in concert. I was a bit early to Hammersmith, so I bought something to eat from Greggs, where a disturbed woman seemed to relieve herself on the floor. I felt very sorry for her and the staff dealing with it. Nobody was nasty about it, which was good to see. Perhaps the Christmas spirit is alive.

We met in front of the Apollo. The £35 tickets were a bargain, but they meant it was full of people my age. I kept my coat on in honour of the performance. It’s probably one of the first gigs I’ve been to where the audience is asked if they could move forward. Instead of a push at the front, there was a lot of space in the middle, and room was needed for those at the back.

25 songs. The new ones, like Fish ’N’ Chip Supper, are just as good as the classics, like Rotterdam (Or Anywhere). Rianne Downey, a new voice that works perfectly. Perfection.