THERE can't be many other musicians who've returned to Cornwall on such a regular basis as Michael Chapman – 1966 was the first time and there's not many years since that he's missed.

Cornwall, as Michael acknowledges, is his second home. It couldn't be much further either, from his adopted home of the past 37 years, up on Hadrian's Wall in deepest Northumberland.

The several hundred miles between though wouldn't daunt this musician who's recent forays have taken him up and down the eastern seaboard of the US and to the south coast of Western Australia.

The connections to Cornwall run deepest though especially with the second of the venues he plays, The Count House at Bottallack near St Just, that being the first stage Michael stepped on when he became a professional musician and he still gets the same buzz playing there with all the memories of friends past and present that still haunt the place.

There can't be many more stunning situations for a concert either, set right out on the cliffs above the legendary Crowns Mine, with the interval traditionally timed to the setting of the sun and Michael one of the privileged few still to perform there.

St Austell also featured from the very early days although the venues have changed over the intervening years and this year's concert is at the St Austell Brewery Visitors Centre on Thursday, July 16, with two nights at the Count House on July 17 and 18.

This is yet another rare opportunity to enjoy superb guitar playing, nostalgia and new material, from this journeyman from the north country with his roots still firmly planted down in Cornwall.

Enquiries for St Austell ring the Visitor Centre on 01726 879500 and seat reservations for the Count House ring Andru on 07850 491309.