Sorry, I should have said Master Bates, the well known solo performer. He's been playing on his own for years, and that's no mean trick considering his terrible eyesight.

Incidentally, it's not widely known, but Mr and Mrs Bates nearly got divorced a few years ago. It wasn't so much that he was playing solo as playing away fom home. Happily it's all patched up and they're back to playing duets, or two-handers as they quaintly call them.

Sorry to hear that Juan Kerr can't make it this year. However, the good news is that his brother Ron Kerr is standing in it for him. Great performer on the arseolium, but do be careful not to stand downwind of him when he's on stage. Fair blows the audience away he does.