Looking for a paint rag this afternoon, I picked out this relic from the Wakefield Centenary celebrations in 1988. Alan Brook was in charge of promotions at the Wakefield Express. I’d previously produced a Wakefield calendar so I stuck to the same landscape format throughout, drawing each on location around the city.

I think that Alan’s original intention was to produce a calendar too but for some reason that never happened, so he suggested the tea towel instead.

He later used the same artwork, with a few tweaks from me, for some commemorative china for the Millenium. As I’d sold the originals in an exhibition, it never occurred to me to ask for a royalty. If I’d known that the Express would have such success with the range.

Barbara was driving with her mum near Hornsea and came across the pottery where they were made. The man there said that I must be making a lot from them, as they were such a success he had to keep producing more.

If only I’d known that they’d turn out to be bestsellers, I’d have asked for a royalty!

The Night Before Christmas fireplace for the Redbox Gallery show is taking shape with the hearth and the chimney breast to add. I’ve been able to recycle some of the foamboard from last summer’s Addingford show. I’ve already half a roll of decorator’s masking tape, along with al- weather clear tape for the critical joints, so hope that will keep the structure intact during its time in the phone-box.

I’ll go for more of a dark heather colour for the final coat of paint, so that the yellow of the flames will stand out more in contrast.