Arts Diary: Will Marriott

Friends of the Peak District has just launched its festive photo competition just as the temperatures have started hotting up. "I know it sounds a bit bizarre, with all the lovely weather we've been having," says Carol Robinson, chief executive of the countryside charity. "But we rely completely on donations and our own income including sales from our Christmas cards – so we have to plan ahead." The organisation is looking for strong Peak District images with a wintry angle. The closing date for entries is July 9 and for rules and entry forms visit www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk or call 0114 266 5822.

We were going to keep arts diary an election free zone, but there was one piece of political gossip we just couldn't resist. While the rest of the country was tuned into the first history-making television debate, the Queen was busy having dinner with Michael Palin.

More than four million people watched Brown, Cameron and Clegg pitch for the right to form Her Majesty's next Government, but at Windsor Castle the guests had more important things on their mind. "I was invited as President of the Royal Geographical Society," revealed Sheffield-born Palin.

"The Queen is patron and the Duke, who is a fellow, has been very helpful in our campaign. It was completely outside politics. I don't think anyone mentioned the political debates.

"It is a bit rude to say, 'Can you put the TV on and look at Nick Clegg for one and a half hours'. I am not terribly interested in them to be honest – I prefer real comedians."

BBC Music will be keeping it in the family when Jarvis Cocker takes a break from his weekly show. Richard Hawley, Cocker's former bandmate in Pulp, will stand in for his friend and fellow Sheffielder on the Sunday Service. The show will be a mini Pulp reunion as the group's former keyboard player Candida Doyle will co-host with Hawley.

He said: "I'm chuffed Jarvis asked me to cover for him but it's big shoes to fill so I asked Candida to help me. She's got brains, style and great taste in music."

Simon Armitage is getting ready to put on his walking boots. The Yorkshire poet plans to walk the Pennine Way this summer and during the 264 mile journey he will be stopping off to give free readings of his work.

"All the guide books recommend (in fact some insist) that the walk should be done from South to North, to keep the weather at your back and the sun out of your face," he says.

"Despite which, I'm walking it from top to bottom, starting in Kirk Yetholm and finishing in Edale. It's because I live close to the southern end of the trail, and I like the idea of walking home. Also, that way, it will be downhill, right?

"More importantly, I'm doing the walk as a poet, in the style of the old troubadours. Wherever I stop for the night I'm going to give a poetry reading.

"There will be no charge for the reading, but at the end of the evening I'm going to pass a hat around, and people can give me what they think I'm worth. I want to see if I can pay my way from start to finish on the proceeds of my poetry. So, it's basically 264 miles of begging."