This was the first time I’ve ever conducted a workshop from a bed. All I could do as I started was to reach out an arm to embrace my silent 1960s partner and to ask the audience – “Where is Yoko?”

The bedroom in question was that of Lady Binning whose husband, Lord Binning, was the Commanding Officer of The Royal Horse Guards – the premier calvary regiment of the British Army – at the time the 19th Century turned into the 20th.

Lady Binning gave this property – Fenton House in Hampstead – to the National Trust when she died in 1952.

It was here – in the house and gardens

that the inaugural Idler Festival was held.

It was a sublime weekend

of conversation and sharing

For an hour, we got to talk

to share

and to hack fear

in Lady Binning’s bedroom

and we literally couldn’t have got more people in

Thank you to the Idler for a glorious weekend