Hundreds of Shetland ponies were groomed to perfection for one of the biggest events in the horse calendar.

Ponies from as far afield as Aberdeen and Cornwall attended the 2003 Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society Breed Show, held for the first time in five years at Queen Ethelburga's College, between Harrogate and York. Leading Yorkshire estate and land agent, Dacre, Son and Hartley sponsored the event, which attracted 468 entries and spectators from across the UK, Sweden, Denmark and France.

CINDERELLA ROLE: Auditions for February's production of Cinderella will take place in Morton Parish Hall, Morton-on-Swale, on Monday, at 7.15pm. Children's auditions will be held in October. Anyone who would like to help with the production of the pantomime is asked to contact Lynne Poulter on (01609) 779449.

THEATRE TRIP: The Wensleydale Society has organised a trip on Wednesday, September 17, to a matinee performance of HMS Pinafore, at the Civic Theatre, Darlington. Tickets cost £18, including the coach fare. Seats are available to non-members. There are pick-up points in Leyburn and Middleham. For details, contact Mrs Wilson on (01969) 663764.

OLD GIRLS: Harrogate Ladies College is celebrating its centenary next year and is asking former pupils to get in touch, either by calling (01423) 504543 or via its website at www.hlc.org.uk. The school will be celebrating its 100 years with a range of events throughout the year and wants to get as many people involved as possible.

HISTORY MEETING: The Northallerton Family History Society will meet at a new venue at United Reform Church Hall, on Thursday, September 18 at 7pm. The guest speaker will be Henry Dyson on To Be a Farmer's Boy. For more information call (01845) 522677.