Firstly, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish members of the British Watch and Clock Makers’ Guild a very happy new year. Let’s hope we can put the disaster of 2020 behind us and that things will improve in 2021. 

This dreadful virus has had a terrible impact on all of us in one way or another. Some of us have lost loved ones and others have been unable to work.

In my profession it has meant that I have had to cancel all of our live performances, meaning myself and my Big Band have had much more time on our hands. One small positive of this situation has meant more time quietly spent at home tinkering with things we love, clocks, the garden, etc. 

I have also been unable to do my usual television programmes where I am in a room filled with musicians and an audience because of social distancing rules. However, because of this, we have invented a new format where a special guest joins me at the end of the piano, talks through their life and career and picks their favourite archive performances from my shows. These shows have given us a new format which has been well received and has invented a new way of looking through some wonderful old footage.

I wonder if any of the members of the British Watch and Clock Makers’ Guild have also come up with new ways of working that they wouldn’t have thought of before?

I do hope members of the Guild have managed to keep well and stay safe. I also hope the effect on your businesses hasn’t been too catastrophic and you’ve been able to continue preparing, renovating, designing and making timepieces.

These are strange times but I hope you all remember to continue to… enjoy yourselves, as it’s later than you think!