WELL, after seemingly an age of campaigning, here we are standing at the dawn of a bright and glorious new epoch for this proud nation.

An era when we all live in peace and prosperity, no matter what race or religious persuasion, an era where all our children enjoy a fabulous and free education, where our elderly and sick are cared for in immaculate hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment with no waiting lists, where we all work in well-paid and secure jobs, where our borders are secure and well-defended, an era where housing is affordable, comfortable and plentiful and conflict, disease and poverty are confined to history.

And an era where pigs can fly to their hearts’ content, as long as they don’t interfere with all those lovely sparkling unicorns as they zoom around the stratosphere on their jetpacks, farting out glittery guffs of happiness and joy.

Whatever the outcome of the general election, some things will change, some won’t, but the problem of homelessness has always been with us and probably always will be.

But there are things that can be done and the Gimme Shelter all-day bash tomorrow, Saturday, June 10, at the Wyke Smugglers in Weymouth is doing its bit to help.

Last year’s event raised over £1,000 for the You Trust organisation’s Social Inclusion Service which helps those with housing difficulties.

As one of the event organisers Martin Saint tells me: “A deposit for a single room can be, at its cheapest, £800. The Dorset Social Inclusion Service works with people who are eligible for council funding, with money raised through Gimme Shelter helping to top this up and give a vulnerably housed person a real chance for a fresh start in a new home.”

Well, that’s all well and good and noble, but who’s playing, I hear you wail. Who can I mosh my pants off to?

Top of the shop are the dub-reggae-hip-hop monsters Cuba Libre, there’s a special appearance from James Weston who is coming all the way from America for the gig, dynamic rocking blues duo Jawbone, who are like a cider-infused White Stripes, plus slots from local heroes Surfin’ Birds, Side Door Project and George and the Medicine Men and many others.

That’s out the back on the main stage while in the pub in the acoustic area, there will be performances from Minor Fret, Edd Bleach, Amy Brown and many more.

It’s just £3 on the door from 1pm at the Smugglers, there’s a food and clothing bank for your donations (Yes, seven years of Conservative government has really helped with this growth industry. Thanks). It’s going to be a simply epic day and your support is encouraged.

Finally, here’s a quick heads-up about the Ska Fest 5 at the Spice Ship in Weymouth next Saturday, June 17. There’s a great line-up, including the Lo Numbers, Total Jam, Hope & Glory and the Ten Bob Notes but if you want tickets, you have to get your bottom in gear NOW as there’s only a very small amount left.

They’re just £12.50 from the pub, okay. Now go!! GO!!!

Till next time…

GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT (9)

Paisley (Finns, Weymouth)

Strings and Reeds (Park, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Dave Griff and the Trouser Band (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Acoustic Session (Victoria Inn, Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell, Weymouth) 8pm.

Nick Sellars (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Du Kane (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Martin Freed (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Southern Sinners (Café Jagos, Dorchester)

Finnian (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Stuart O’Connor (Ship, Dorchester)

Mutter Slater Band (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Leggomen (T-Bar, Weymouth)

The Mighty Fine (Boat that Rocks, Portland Marina)

Jolly Boys Outing (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Gut and Steel (Britannia, Portland)

SATURDAY (10)

Cuba Libre, Surfing Birds, James Weston, Jawbone, Side Door Project, George and the Medicine Men plus many more (Gimme Shelter, Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth) £3 on door, from 1pm, in aid of You Trust.

Tripod (Finns, Weymouth)

Hot Bacon (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Regulation 9 (Market House, Weymouth)

Steve Allan (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Mad Hatters (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Darren H (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Johnny King (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Stu O’Connor (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Strings and Reeds (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Steve Nicholas (Bridge Inn, Preston, Weymouth)

Leanne Jackson (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Zoe Schwarz (No 10, Bridport) 12-2pm.

Something Else (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

Martin Freed (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Lady Winwood’s Maggot (Ropemakers, Bridport)

SUNDAY (11)

Danny Adams (Park, Weymouth) 4pm.

Singalong with Roger (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 3pm, followed by...

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) From 3pm.

Barbara Whiteside (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Johnny Mac (Black Dog, Weymouth) 4-7pm.

Minor Fret (Boot, Weymouth)

Rat Pack (King’s Arms, Weymouth) 2pm.

Karen Kay (Royal Oak, Weymouth) 5pm.

Seabass (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Gut and Steel (Anchor, Burton Bradstock)

MONDAY (12)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Jazz Session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (13)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Acoustic Session (Rock, Weymouth)

Nathan Jon (Boot, Weymouth)

Dougie Cooper’s Jazz Night (Star, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (14)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Open Mic (Bull, Fordington, Dorchester)

THURSDAY (15)

Leggomen (George, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic (George, Dorchester)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Soapbox (Belvedere, Weymouth)

FRIDAY (16)

Stereoironics (Finns, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Park, Weymouth)

Rich Baxter (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Steve Whale (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Winter Mountain (Boat That Rocks, Portland Marina)

The Shakespearos (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Sir Robert of Ryan (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Tripod (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)