MESSY FUN: A new craft club aimed at children aged between four and seven will begin in Middleton St George on Wednesday, January 9. The Messy Hands Club, organised by Elaine Faulkner, will run for six weeks at The Crib, each Wednesday between 5pm and 6pm, and will offer cookery, painting and crafts. Places must be booked in advance by calling 07970707554 or emailing messyhandsclub@gmail.com

FIELD CLUB: The next meeting of the Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists’ Field Club will be held on Monday, January 7, and will include a talk by David Braithwaite called New developments at Teesmouth. The group meets at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College at 7.30pm. For more information call 01325-466471.

VIENNESE WHIRL: The New Year Viennese Spectacular, now in its 21st year, featuring all of the key elements of a 19th Century ballroom will come to the Darlington Civic Theatre on Monday, January 7, at 7.30pm. The show features Austrian musicians and singers, with pyrotechnics and the classic Viennese Walz. For tickets and information call 01325-486555.

CAMERA CLUB: The Darlington Camera Club meets for the first time in 2013 at Darlington Rugby Club, in Grange Road, at 7pm on Monday, January 7. Anyone interested in photography is welcome.

OPEN MIC: Singer-songwriters and musicians can try out their new material at an open mic night, held at The Forum, in Borough Road, Darlington, on Wednesday, January 9, at 8pm. The free event is open to everyone. For more details call 01325-363135.

FILM DATES: The Darlington film club will return to The Forum, on Borough Road, on Monday, January 14, with a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (15) at 8pm. Tickets cost £3 and include free popcorn.