I'm immensely proud of this because I found the premises for the Quilt Museum and Gallery when I was working for York Inward Investment Board back in 2004.

While looking round the mediaeval Guild Hall of St. Antony's Hall, previously home to The Borthwick Institute, it occurred to me that the long dark hall with its plaster walls would be ideal as a gallery for hanging textiles away from bright sunlight. This is exactly what the Quilters' Guild of the British Isles had said they were looking for, and they wanted the visitor footfall that a major tourist city like York would bring.

I invited them to visit and they agreed - it was ideal.

So, it's taken four years from vision to fruition, and a good lot of help along the way from York Civic Trust, York Conservation Trust, the Arts Council, and my old colleague at the Inward Investment Board, Denise Stuart.

But while quilting might not be everyone's cup of tea, it is amazing how appropriate this is for York:-

Firstly, it has given us the opportunity to rejuvenate St. Antony's Hall - a disused mediaeval Guild Hall - and make it open to the public. The gardens, incidentally, go all the way up the the City Walls and will be fantastic.

Secondly, The Quilt Museum & Gallery is a great new tourist attraction which will go down well with American and Japanese visitors who are mad about the art of quilting, despite it being European in origin.

Thirdly, it is hugely appropriate to bring a new Guild to take residence in an ancient Guild Hall. And its just down the road from The Merchant Taylors' Hall - another fabric-related Guild.

Fourthly, it ties in with 'Creative York' one of the three strands of Science City York.

Fifthly, it's close to the University of York St. John which runs courses in art and design using the exact same pattern-design equipment which is used by the world's celebrated contemporary quilt-makers.

Sometimes, even without having any specialist knowledge of a particular industry, you just know when something is right. I'm delighted to see the Quilt Museum & Gallery is now open and I would thank everyone who carried the project forward after I made those initial connections back in 2004.