I think maybe I wasn't expecting the comedown to be as big as it was, but then for eighteen months of constant work to suddenly be over, it would be a lie to say that it didn't affect me. This isn't a sob story looking for pity, don't worry, I'm just trying to explain the long silence. One minute you're out there, travelling all over the place, meeting hundreds of people every day and night, and the next you're on your own in your local with a pint of europiss listening to Chris Rea driving home for christmas. The phone goes quiet, there's no interviews at silly times of the night and at first it's like a holiday, not having to pack and say goodbye to your home. And then a few weeks later you realise you're saying to people: when I used to... and it brings it home that it's over, done with. Self doubt slips in and your confidence goes and you find you can't think of anything to say or write without scrutinising it and then dumping it because it's crap. The worst moment is when you look along the bar at the others and think: I'm just one of them now. That gave me a boot up the arse. The night that happened I came home, opened the bottle of wine I knew Jona had stashed away for when visitors come, put the headphones on and played Stratford Mercenaries and Schwartzeneggar. And I realised that some of those songs aint bad, some could work as acoustic versions...hmm, that's got me thinking...

On a different note, a few weeks ago the Caister Independent Lifeboat crew payed us a visit as they wanted to see if they could use a trailer like ours to launch their small boat from it. They very kindly invited us to take a trip from Caister to here on their larger boat and we jumped at the chance. On that morning they had to perform the spreading of two peoples' ashes and it was great to see it done with dignity and sympathy. It's something we've done on our boat many a time and it's always done as caringly as possible. Then we set off for Sea Palling. Man, that boat can move. It just cuts through the waves like anything and you hardly feel it. A great way to spend a Sunday morning. Thanks Caister for the opportunity.

Still on lifeboats for a minute - well I am involved - we take possession of our new lifeboat in a couple of weeks time. Our old boat met with an accident so we had to salvage what we could from it and get a new one built. Fortunately we're off service during winter so it hasn't meant we've missed any shouts, but we go back on service very soon so that means we've been working really intensively on chartwork, first aid and stuff in readiness. Once the new boat gets here it's going to be full on getting used to it and practice practice practice out at sea.

Also in June there will be a naming ceremony where a Bishop comes down and blesses the boat (it's called Lionheart) and there's a church service, yeah I know you don't have to tell me, we're also having an open day at the boatshed, and in the evening there's a 'do' at the pub. Clarkey asked me if I'd think about doing something, and yeah, Im going to. I'm planning to do a spoken word thing that'll last 30 to 40 minutes, Carol and Pete have agreed to back me, so that's what I'm working on at the moment. I don't know if anyone's interested but hopefully it'll be entertaining and there is a band playing as well, you know the usual keep everyone happy sort of thing but apparently they've got a great brass section. It's free to get in but donations would be welcome. I'm not giving the date yet as I don't want people booking flights and christ knows what, it's going to be a very small local thing but if anyone thinks they can make it you'd be welcome. Let me see what the response is and I'll give more details. I'm not teasing, it's just the way it has to be done for the moment.

Right, I'm off down the pub and think up some things to say. It's good to be doing something like this again, good to have something to talk with you all about. Till soon, Steve.

I've never been that enamoured with Camden Town, not even back in the day, I dunno why, maybe it's the endless shops selling bubble gum punk rock stuff that's always got up my nose or the way it's supposed to be a Mecca to visit if you're even slightly involved in "the biz", I've just never felt comfortable there. We made our way to the Roundhouse past some bloke selling something and doing ear-splitting birdsong impressions and met up with the organiser Ruth. She showed us into the green room where we met John Robb and the other panelists.

There was a nice crowd there and they got involved in the discussion too which was really nice, I can't remember the exact questions that were asked but John did a great job of asking ones that included the whole panel which consisted of me, a jazz trumpeter and two blokes from the hip hop scene. A good time was had by all I think and when the talk was done I had a chance to meet and natter with various people.

Had to get back to Norfolk because of the dog so we went early, hoping to catch an earlier train but this being England we couldn't change the times on our tickets unless we paid more money than what we'd bought the bloody things for on tinternet. Still it gave us a chance to relax in the pub at Liverpool Street and warm up a bit. Well worth doing despite my grumping, and hopefully I'll be asked to do more. My thanks to all concerned from Un-Convention.

Stunning views from the train

In the Green Room, getting ready to go on

Ruth, John and me

People came from as far as Venuzuela

Trying to answer John's question

Acoustics were great, would be perfect for a spoken word performance

A quick pint and a fag before jumping on the train back home

Home Sweet Home

Apart from wandering around, meeting old and new friends, I will take part in a discussion about political voices and social messages through spoken word.

The Hub:
12:45 – 13:45 Panel: The Politicisation of Music
Featuring: Riz MC (Moderator), John Robb (Goldblade), Dizraeli, Kate Tempest (Sound of Rum), Soweto Kinch, Steve Ignorant (Crass), Jon McClure (Reverend and the Makers)

For more info visit their website on http://www.unconventionhub.org/

You can see more of his stuff on his website or on my facebook page.

Just arrived, thinking what it will look like when it's full.

The luscious Mr Wilson.

It's behind you! No wonder he needed shorts.

Pushing it to the limit.

All join in - Heard Too Much About.

Berketex Bride. I think she means it.

Me and my old mate doing it one last time.

Eve Libertine performs Darling, the darling.

A unique version of that song.

Shine on them. Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat crew get some well deserved applause.

The morning of the 18th November Jona and me went down to London. As the train pulled out of Norwich I thought: the next time I see this station it'll be over. I'd been feeling weird since the last rehearsal as had the rest of the band - this was it, this was real, the culmination of a long hard eighteen months and the last time some of us would ever perform together. And thinking all this, it was suddenly really hard to keep that one bit of toast I'd managed to force into me down. The journey is just a blur, I remember getting to Liverpool Street but that's about it. We stayed at a place in Shepherds Bush and as we came out of the tube I deliberately didn't look across the green - that would come tomorrow. We had sort of planned to meet up with Allison and Damon for a drink but all of us agreed we didn't really feel like going out. So the night before the final show I was lying on a bed watching telly, about eight we went downstairs and I had a few beers, ten o'clock we was back in our room, by eleven in bed. What a glamorous end to it all.

The morning after there was no chance of anything solid entering my stomach apart from a paracetamol and immodium. My tobacco took a pounding and I was pissing like a carthorse due to all the water I was drinking. Couldn't keep still and when it was time to leave for the venue I was relieved although my guts were going nuts. We'd hoped to get in the venue at twelve-fifteen but no one was there, so I said sod it and we went in O neils next door. Walked in and two blokes were in there, they were coming to the show and we all sat down together and had a quiet drink. Allison and Damon arrived so we had another little drink. A group of blokes further down the bar called me over, we had a chat, and that was it, I was a bit more relaxed and loosened up a bit. And the lovely thing was, that for about an hour, I didn't stop meeting people and saying hello. I'd nip outside for a gasper and someone would walk past - alright Steve? See you in there.

Got into the venue and there was Gizz, Pete and Carol standing on the stage looking into the auditorium. Hugs all round, Shend from the Cravats gave me a bear hug, hello to Andy T and his lads, and then the long wait for the sound check. Eve and Penny arrived, more hugging and then Harvey our sound man started getting us together for the soundcheck. I've always hated soundchecks - that endless "snare and high-hat together" stuff does my head in so I sloped off upstairs till I was needed. Spike and Gizz's families were in the dressing room along with Alice and her parents, Nicky and Gordon. Said hello to everyone and slipped next door for a quiet few minutes. No chance, the Lifeboat crew arrived with all the gear and it was back downstairs to find somewhere for them to change later. As luck would have it, the band were running through West One so I was able to show the crew when I wanted them to come on stage. Their faces when they saw the size of the place was priceless! I think they'd rather face twelve-foot waves than that! Anyway, sorted that, ran through a couple, ran through Owe Us with Pen, ran the young 'uns through Big A little a and Eve and Tony ran through Darling with Pen and that was it, soundcheck done. Now the wait for stage time.

Just into my second can of europiss and Lauren comes in- Steve, are you okay to do those interviews? Did a lovely one with the boys from Vice  and another with the people from Altsounds, and then I was free to kick my heels. So I went to the pub next door. Packed out, everyone talking and smiling, saying hello, I was actually looking for my sister and my nephew but instead found the boys from Stalag 17. Petesy instantly wrapped me in his massive arms and bought me a drink and we sat there nattering. I couldn't really concentrate on what people were saying for obvious reasons, plus I was having photos done with people and signing bits and bobs including a girls' stomach. As usual I lost track of time and Jona came to get me as it was getting close to the showdown. Just as we were leaving in comes my sister. Just had time for a quick hello and then it was into the venue.

People have said that I seemed very calm before I went on but believe me, it's never easy for me. I found myself a hidey - hole behind some curtains and listened to you all singing along to Ziggy Stardust and shouting out the word Crass when it came. I could hardly breathe as I watched Allison making ready with the visuals and saw Pete strapping his Bass on. Fucking hell I thought - this is it, this really is it; and the enormity of it all, the thirty-five years of it, hit me and I turned and wept into the curtain. But there was no time to self indulge - the stage went dark and we were on. A sea of faces in front of me, smiling, tearful, I was fine myself until the intro tape started and then I nearly lost it. I don't know if any of you realised but the intro tape, the flute, was the music from the film Kes, hence the picture of the Kestrel, and the picture of the bloke was Barry Hines who wrote the book, followed by the picture of David Bradley as Billy Casper sticking his fingers up. I was honoured to be able to use the picture of Barry thanks to his wife, Eleanor, who was there with their son Tom. Anyway I turned round and looked at the screen and there was Barry, had to hold back the tears and then: Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! We were off into Do they owe us a living for the last time.

You all probably have a better impression than me of the performance; for me it was one last scream for us all, and get it right Igs for fucks' sake - but there was no need for me to worry because you, you beautiful bastards, screamed along with me and I thought my heart was going to burst. I tried to look into every single face but could'nt, but honest, I really tried. And I kept it together until I saw the glistening sadness in Carols' eyes as she finished Systematic Death for the last time. Deep breath, keep going, oh no here comes another tear jerker - the young 'uns are on for Big A little a. So What, that song that's got so many people nicked and then Roxy. See I knew what was coming next, so I let you lot have the first part of Roxy as a final celebration. And then Penny came on and you gave him such a greeting, that got my bottom lip going and then the bugger comes and hugs me before we start. I held him so tight and he smelled of Dial House, Petulie and herbs and the memories flooded in and we did it, Do they owe us a living as we'd first done it all those years ago. As it started, so it finished.

Then Eve came on to a massive roar and her, Tony and Pen did Darling in their own way (how Crass was that!)  and then Eve comes and grabs me and sets me off again. What a night. Bloody hell fire.

I'd thought about what I was going to say to you but the words went and all I could say was thankyou. And then for me came a very imortant thing I had to do. I had always said that if I'd got it wrong about Colin Jerwood I would be the first to make a public apology and remove the chapter from my book. I won't talk about it now but me and Colin are back. Not that I ever stopped loving the slippery sod, I can"t.

I'd also been bricking it over doing a cover song seeing as this was the last time I'd be performing Crass songs live, so really I should only do Crass songs, but West One has always meant something special to me and the words seem to fit with the Lifeboat, so that's why I did it, and when the crew came on, you all gave them such a roar, it made Pete cry. Stuck a dirty great lump in my throat too. Punk is Dead, and then that awesome rendition of Shaved Women. I didn't know Eve was coming back on but when she did and to see her and Carol performing it together sent shivers down me. As she left the stage she was grinning from ear to ear so I took my chance and gave her bum a squeeze, just a last bit of cheeky Ignorant having a laugh with his mate Eve.

And so to Bloody Revolutions. I knew it would happen. It was seeing all your shiny eyes that set mine watering, so when Carol grabbed my hand.... and that was it.

I can't remember much about the upstairs bar bit, I remember saying hello to loads of people, Paranoid Visions - what a great bunch - Gaye Advert, Zillah and Sid from Rubella, so many faces,but that's about it, the next thing I know it's morning and I'm saying goodbye to Spike and Gizz, and then taking the train to Kings Cross with Pete and Carol and Eleanor. A very emotional farewell that one, especially Eleanor, we just held on to each other for dear life. Goodbye, goodbye, a last look over the shoulder and back to Norfolk. All done. All gone. I was in the pub by seven wondering what the fuck had just gone on. Something special, something truly beautiful, thanks to you, my dear dear brothers and sisters. THANKYOU WITH ALL MY HEART.

I'm gonna try my damdest to make this a proper night, I've got two very special friends performing on the night and I'm really looking forward to it - and crapping myself of course! Thank you so much for your words of support on here, I'm sorry but at the moment I can't reply to every individual comment, it's not disrespect, just that there's so many and time is whizzing by. Thanks also for the lovely photos you sent, we'll use as many as we can. Brains going dead, can't think of what else to say apart from see you there - through tear filled eyes. Till Saturday.

Getting down to it

Spike and Gizz both wondering when the change comes

Quick tea / fag break

Carol giving it her all

After a long day time to relax with a well deserved drink

Evie re-arranging the set list

In the interview we talked about the tour, and the approaching final show at Shepherds Bush. We tried to cover as many areas as possible but as usual ran out of time. It will be Podcasted next week so you can hear for yourself if you know how to do it, which I don't.

A huge thanks to HotRod and the people at Future.

Thanks to all the organisers (especially Vincent, Barry, Tineke and Frank) and everyone who took part and helped to make the whole experience really enjoyable.

I know preparations for next year have already began and I am sure that 2012 will be another good year.

The kick off was a Question and Answer session with John Robb, who as usual did a great job. Thanks to all that attended.

Later that night Laatste Halte from Tilburg played an intense set. Lovely bunch of lads.

Next up was Eve Libertine and Charles Webber who treated us to a darkly compelling 30 minutes. Well worth seeing.

To top off the evening - The Cravats. Awesome, just awesome.

The Saturday night rumpus started with Stalag 17 who played a blinder. Thanks for the Harps, Petesy.

Me, Carol and Pete started the Sunday evening with our new project, for a first airing it went alright. Thanks to those who came along.

Andy T performed as strong and direct as ever. Proper Northern.

The Sound people, lovely pair. Did a great job.