VALLEY WALK: Local historian David Marrs will lead a guided walk around the Pont Valley on Sunday, January 6. Walkers will set off from Dipton Community Centre at 10am, then return to the community centre for homemade broth and cakes with tea and coffee afterwards. The charge is £2.50, with proceeds going to the Pont Valley Network for conservation and local history work. For further details, please ring 01207-570003.

COUNCIL MEETING: The next meeting of the finance and general purposes committee of Stanley Town Council takes place on Tuesday, January 8 at 6pm at the council offices on Lenin Terrace. The meeting will include discussion of the council’s precept and grant funding.