Bottoms up to that champion of rural culture, Artsreach Dorset, the charity that has been staging live spoken word and literature events in association with INN CROWD, a national project that brings some of the UK’s top spoken artists to country pubs and community bars to perform new shows.

Using local hostelries not only entertains the regulars, but attracts new punters and reinforces such venues as central and vibrant parts of community life.

This summer, the programme sees three shows touring four rural watering holes.
On Sunday, June 5, writer, performer and radio producer Rosa Torr is at The Gaggle of Geese in Buckland Newton with Rattus Rattus: The Epic Tail of Man vs Rat.

It’s New Year’s Day and dad has made a life-changing resolution just as a rat sneaks into their home.

An epic battle for control of the house ensues as dad goes to increasingly bonkers lengths to trap the whiskered invader.

A funny, real-life yarn about family, growing up, going a little bit mad.

The same month, Callum Patrick Hughes returns to the county with Thirst, his show about the love of pubs, of community, of family, and a reminder that not everything you love is good for you.

Billed as a riotous and warm musical journey from Oxfordshire, through Beijing and the Highlands, to London’s bright lights, it’s a contradictory weave of love letter to sobriety and celebration of all things alcoholic.

Exploring life, family, theatre, religion and, importantly, how the positivity of the pub and having a community under the roof of your local doesn’t have to involve booze.

The Royal Oak, Drimpton, Sunday, June 11 and The Mowlem Showbar, Swanage, Monday, June 12.

Finally, poet Brenda Read-Brown may be fantasising about being an imprisoned pensioner who rescues fellow passengers from crashed planes, but in reality, she’s a hoarder who likes a Greek island.

Join her at The Bibbern Bar, Sturminster Newton Exchange on Wednesday, July 26, for But I Haven’t Finished Yet, a celebration of growing older.

Brenda has performed on BBC Radio 4, in Texas, Denmark, the House of Lords and some festivals. Gloucestershire’s Poet Laureate from 2012-19, she’s also a prize-winning playwright. She’s showing off now Tickets for performances are just £5.

Full details including start times, age ratings, booking information and pub kitchen opening hours are available at artsreach.co.uk.