It's beyond belief. Arty McGlynn will be playing at the Old Library, Mansfield, on Thursday 12 October. I'd pay £50 and travel 150 miles to see this guy, yet he's coming to my own doorstep, and tickets are a mere £6.50. McGlynn is without doubt the finest guitarist ever to come out of Ireland, and must be up there among the world's best.

As if McGlynn on his own is not enough, he will be appearing with the exceptional fiddler and singer Nollaig Casey, who is his wife. Tickets can be booked via Nottingham Playhouse box office (0115 941 9419).

What brings me crashing back to earth about all this is that I won't be able to go! I'm setting off on Wednesday for three weeks in Bosnia.

I will however be able to catch Brian Willoughby at the same venue on 3 November, when he will be performing, as usual these days, with Cathryn Craig. Willoughby was lead guitarist with the Strawbs for donkeys' years.

I've no idea what it is with Masfield Old Library and outstanding guitarists, but long may it continue.