Fit men: Keep fit for men takes place at Park View Community Centre in Chester-le-Street from 8pm to 9pm on Tuesdays at the North Lodge site. Return To Exercise, for the over-forties takes place between 7pm and 8pm. All participants have to have membership, which runs until December and costs £6.50 (£3.35 for concessions).

Welfare support: Durham County Council is employing a welfare rights officer to carry out benefits checks and support people with learning disabilities. The officer will be working with people attending the Pontop and Jubilee centres in Derwentside.

Card course: A five-week course in card-making is to be held at Chester-le-Street, starting on September 15. It will cover rubber-stamping, decoupage and novelty cards and all materials are provided. The course will be held on Wednesdays between 1pm and 3pm and costs £15. Call 0191-388 4752 to enrol or get more information.

Villagefeatire: Burnhope Parish Council seeks planning permission from Derwentside District Council for an entrance feature outside the village, near Highburn House, in Langley Lane, Burnhope.

Barn plan: An application has been submitted to Derwentside District Council to convert a barn to dwellings and an office at Colepike Home Farm, Lanchester, County Durham.