Terry Waite CBE, hostage negotiator, humanitarian and author, is a patron of the East Cheshire Hospice Capital Appeal, which seeks to raise £2.4 m for brand new facilities at Millbank Drive. He visited on 12 March; he spent the day at the hospice, talking to delighted staff, patients and visitors, before meeting many more people at the Tytherington Club that evening.  Returning to his roots, Bollington-born Terry gave a compelling talk.

To Didsbury Open Gardens yesterday afternoon. Great that the weather held up for most of it. The occasional sprinkling of rain didn't put people off as they did the circuit, or bits of it, mostly on foot or bike. There were 28 altogether, so it was quite a challenge to 'do' them all. Some gardens had refreshments; one a jazz band; another a cellist, and one a guy sculpting with a chainsaw. The Nazarene College had big garden games; a garden across the road had to ask visitors to keep a distance from a duck sitting on eggs by their pond.

I've been out and about recently looking for some images to make a set, along with some of Manchester, for 'new' wallspace in St Ann's Hospice's Little Hulton building. Refurbishment of part of the in-patient unit has just been completed, and the hospice wanted a selection of pictures: some for the corridors to generate interest and comment, and some restful, "but not boring or gloomy" ones for side rooms. An excellent and enjoyable commission!