The Bigger Patten

Telegraph Media Correspondent Jonathan Wynne-Jones has gone back to his tape recorder to produce a longer version of his interview with BBC chairman Lord Patten.  At greater length, the language is even more diplomatic about the World Service, but slightly more decisive on a domestic closure or two, hinting that the BBC Executive (and Trust) have dithered long enough about this.

• Yesterday was clearly scheduled to be some sort of bun-fest at the BBC's offices in MediaCityUK, with a visit from Lord Patten, but it's not clear whether or not he completed the journey, after signal failure at Watford.  BBC R&D staged their first internal and online get-together from their Salford base, complete with Anneka-Rice-stylee webcam walkround.  Radio tried to hold a workshop on documentaries, with a gloomy London contingent attempting a cross-country approach to Manchester via Sheffield. The BH team were puzzled as to why they should make this arduous journey in order to hear the wisdom of their London boss, Graham Ellis, keynote speaker.  Meanwhile, in the ritzy urban wine-bar-without-much-wine-themed canteen, there were near riots as the "Soup Loyalty Card" scheme was discontinued.