A public meeting for people to discuss crime concerns with police officers in their area is being held at Leadgate Community Centre, rear of Plantation Street, from 6pm-7pm on Wednesday December 18.

All members of the community are welcome to attend to talk about policing priorities for the village.

CAROL SERVICE: Esh Winning Methodist Church is holding a Festival of Light and Carols next weekend.

The chapel is open from 10am-2pm on Friday, December 13, from 11am-4pm on Saturday, from noon-2pm on Sunday. At 2pm on Sunday there will be a Christmas carol service with music from Sherburn Hill Salvation Army Brass Band.

FARM SHOP: Knitsley Farm Shop, near Consett, has been named Farm Shop of the Year at the Meat Trade Journal’s Butchers Shop of the Year Awards which was held recently at the Plaisterers Hall in London.

NATIVITY TABLEAU: Blackhill Methodist Church is holding a live nativity tableau on Saturday December 14 from 10am-2pm. People are invited to come along and have their picture taken as part of a traditional Christmas scene. Prints are available along with refreshments and a soup lunch.

SHOW SONGS: A musical theatre concert show is bring a whistle stop tour of favourite songs from the world of musicals, performed by a cast of distinguished West End singers to the Empire Theatre in Consett on March 8 from7.30pm.

Favourites include All That Jazz, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, Defying Gravity, Tell Me It’s Not True and an acclaimed Les Miserables tribute.

Tickets for The Masters of the House Sing the Musicals cost £16, £15 concessions, and can be booked by calling 01207-218171.

WOMEN’S GROUP: The Thursday Club is an independent group for ladies of all ages who come together socially and enjoy an evening of entertainment or a day out.

Members have talks, slide shows, days out to places of interest and celebratory meals as well as raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 7.15pm in the small hall of Lanchester Community Centre.