Michael said
'One of the privileges of being a writer is the impetus it gives to learn more of things about which one was previously woefully ignorant.  I knew little about the history and culture of the River Tyne until I set out to write a book about it, or of moral philosophy until I had the slightly mad idea to write a play for Radio 4 called The Ferryhill Philosophers (I’m now scribbling the 13th in the series).  So I’m a great believer in continuing education in my own career and also in our national life, for the benefit of the individual in so many ways and society itself.

I am beguiled by the idea of ‘self improvement’, which my parents Sid and Rene Chaplin undertook throughout their lives from their early years in a Durham pit village, when on leaving school at 14, they supped from the pool of learning put in the place by organisations like the Workers' Educational Association, the Left Book Club, Adult Schools, the Women's Institute and the Spennymoor Settlement.  

I think Explore is the latest manifestation of this great ambition, more important than ever with the state shamefully in retreat in so many ways, and I offer it my full support and encouragement!'