Courses in health and safety and food hygiene are to run at St Stephen's Church Hall, in South Stanley.

The free, three-hour taster sessions can lead to a recognised qualification. The health and safety course runs on Monday, October 13, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The introduction to food hygiene course will be held on Wednesday, October 15, from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Call 0191-383 4943 for more details.

HISTORY TALK: The Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland is hosting a joint lecture with the Prehistoric Society on The Amesbury Archer. The talk will be given by Dr Andrew Fitzpatrick, from Wessex Archaeology, at 2.30pm next Saturday,in room 141, at Elvet Riverside, Durham.

CHOIR VISITS: One of Russia's foremost choirs will be appearing at Elvet Methodist Church, Durham, on Wednesday, October 29. The Lege Artis choir, from St Petersburg, will perform at 7.30pm.

FOLK NIGHT: Bernard Carney, an Australian contemporary folk performer who is touring England, will perform at Croxdale Folk Club, in the Daleside Arms, Front Street, Croxdale, at 8.30pm on Tuesday. Admission costs £2. For further information call John Kelly on (01388) 815162.

FLOWER TALK: Norman Welton will give an illustrated talk on fuchsias, when Houghall Horticultural Society meets in the conference hall of East Durham and Houghall Community College, Houghall, Durham, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, October 14. For details call 0191-384 5057.

BAND CONCERT: Muker Silver Band will be playing tonight at Elvet Methodist Church, Old Elvet, Durham, in a concert, organised with Durham Churches Together, to mark the tercentenary of John Wesley's birth. Tickets cost £5 at the door.

DONOR DATE: A blood donor session will be held at the Community Association, Tyne Road, Stanley, between 2pm and 7pm, on Monday. People can also enrol on the British Bone Marrow Register at the session.

LATIN STYLE: A Cuban salsa night, with tuition, will be held at the Red Lion pub, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, on Monday nights at 8pm. Admission costs £5.

CIRCUS SKILLS: Durham City Jugglers meet every Tuesday in Shakespeare Hall, North Road, Durham, at 7.30pm. Admission costs £1.50. Anyone who is interested in learning circus skills is asked to call Mini on (01642) 897191 for further details.

CARPET BOWLS: Carpet bowls sessions will restart at Brancepeth Village Hall on Friday, October 24, between 7pm and 9pm. For further information call 0191-378 0509.

TELLING TALES: Story sessions for babies and toddlers are running at Consett Library. Parents, grandparents and childminders are welcome to take children under the age of five to the sessions, which are held on Tuesdays, from 9.30am to 10.30am.