IF, like me, your idea of a good time is sitting in a field quaffing nuclear cider with some ageing punks and reminiscing about the glorious riots of the 1970s and 80s, (Ah, they used to do it proper in the ol’ days) then you won’t be reading this.

You’ll already be setting your tent up in the wilds of Sixpenny Handley in the north of the county for the Endorse It in Dorset festival which kicks off today. (Check ww.endorseit.co.uk for tickets prices and details).

Among the many bands on the bill are some of the veterans of the punk/new wave explosion of the late 1970s including The Vibrators, Peter and the Test Tube Babies, The Members, the fabulous Rezillos, New Model Army and the seemingly indestructible UK Subs.

Still fronted by Charlie Harper, who first formed the band as an Elizabethan madrigal quartet sometime in the 1600s, UK Subs were one of the original punk bands from 1976 and are notable not least for the fact of having been through at least 35 drummers in their 35-year history.

Moving on, it’s been just over a year since the sad death of Dorchester musician Steve Charles from throat cancer.

But the memory of the popular singer and all-round top geezer lives on with the Help a Friend Help a Friend organisation.

HAFHAF, as it is known, regularly stage fundraising events to help those who need it with the extra expenses involved in treatments for the various different types of cancer.

For example, they have recently helped pay the transport costs of a guy who needed to get to Poole every day for his prostate cancer radiotherapy. As the advert says, every little helps.

Next Sunday, August 21, you can find out more about the charity at their annual bash in the Borough Gardens in Dorchester.

It all starts at midday and runs to 7pm and there are some top bands and musicians on the bill, including Tom Caulfield, Red Rooster Blues Band, Steve Wilson, Gordon’s Alive?, The Million Dollar Bash Bob Dylan tribute, Jigsaw and The Dinnerladies.

So pop on down to the Borough Gardens, take a picnic, enjoy the music and help a very worthwhile cause. You never know, you might need it yourself one day.

And finally, should you be shopping in Dorchester tomorrow morning, do yourself a favour and listen to the lovely Tia Roos, who will be on the Summer Saturday Stage at the bottom of South Street from 11am with ubiquitous drummer/percussionist Barney Stevens.

Right, I’m off down town to go luting as I need a new lute.