Next year we will have Loredana again to provide us with good, simple Italian cooking and a very cheerful presence in the kitchen.

Due to the economic situation we will be running only three painting courses of our own in 2010 and try to let studio space to other groups. There may well be spaces on other peoples courses in the time-table. Watch the web site for information on this possibility, or individual visits and group lettings.

I will be here running sculpture courses as usual, plus “Eye Opener” courses such as I ran in the early days of the Centro. They are suitable for painters and sculptors. They investigate practically some of the techniques used by the masters such as those found in the Museum of Artists Secrets. I and Caro will try to provide individual tuition for painters who do not find spaces on the courses but wish to come to Casole. We will hope to provide the same holiday atmosphere as ever.

We would like to thank all those who helped to try to find new opportunities for us but so far only Martin Smith's splendid article in “Readers' Tips”, The Guardian of 14.11.09 has produced the results we need. If any of you feel they could do the same for other papers, please do so. It really works. I will be running a blog to promote “New Humanism”: and interest in the Centre on our web site, please participate.