Alwent Hall Gardens, in Winston, near Barnard Castle, will host a plant sale on Sunday, from 2pm to 5.30pm.

The event, which will offer cream teas and a range of other attractions, including pony rides, face-painting, games and various stalls, will raise funds towards the refurbishment of Winston tennis courts. Entrance costs £2.50 adults and 50p children.

GUIDED RIDE: Off-road fans will get the chance to explore Hamsterley Forest on Saturday through the Ride With Guide programme. Mountain bike outings in the forest will be led by a ranger, who will give tips on technique and information about the scenery. People are asked to meet at the visitors' centre at 1pm. Bookings are required, on (01388) 488312.

DALES ART: Askrigg Artists hold their 25th - and final - exhibition in the John Baker Gallery of the Dales Countryside Museum, at Hawes, North Yorkshire, from August 16 to 27. Although it is the final get-together of the group, they are likely to meet in future within the newly-formed Arts in Richmondshire, at Middleham.

TEACHING SEMINAR: A seminar aimed at raising the awareness of teaching as a vocation is to be held at Bishopthorpe Palace, near York, in October. It follows the publication of the report The Way Ahead by the Church Schools Review Group. For details, contact (01904) 716430 or visit www.theologyinthe community.org.uk.

STORY TELLING: Storyteller Pascal Konyn will encourage imaginations to wander as she guides visitors through Hamsterley Forest. The trek starts at 1.30pm on Sunday, Meet at the visitors' centre at Hamsterley Forest. For details, call (01388) 488312.

HEALTH HOTEL: Slaley Hall Hotel, in Northumberland, has bought a £2,500 defibrillator and oxygen kit. Eighteen members of staff have already been trained to use it. Quick use of the machine can save the lives of heart attack victims.

FOREST FUN: Children are invited to go to Hamsterley Forest for a ramble through the wood and to help create nature books, next Wednesday, from 1pm to 3pm. For more information contact (01388) 488312.

CHARITY FOOD: Marks and Spencer will be raising funds for I Can, a charity that helps children with speech and language difficulties, through the sale of products from its children's food range until August 10.

ANTIQUES DATE: An antiques and collectors fair will be held at Middleham Key Centre, North Yorkshire, on Sunday, from 10am to 4pm. The event will be in support of the Border Collie Rescue Charity, which will have a stall at the fair.

MAIL MOVE: York's Labour MP Hugh Bayley has signed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling on the Royal Mail to abandon plans to move distribution from rail to road.

MUSIC NIGHTS: The Sun Devils perform tomorrow night at The Daisy Hill, Heugh Edge, Sacriston, near Durham, and Archie Brown and the Young Bucks will be playing at the pub next Friday. Both gigs starts at 8.30pm and admission is free.