RESIDENTS who helped in a community litter pick at a nature park will have the chance to return this weekend to see the results of their labours. Dozens of residents helped to pick litter at Windy Nook Nature Park, Gateshead, as part of the borough council's plans to turn the park into a community-run nature reserve. Now, they have been invited to the Windy Nook Wildlife Festival, which takes place behind the Methodist Chapel, Stone Street, from 1pm to 4pm today to see how plans are progressing. There will be games, crafts and activities, including face-painting, mini-beast safaris and willow weaving. The event has been organised by Gateshead council and the Durham Wildlife Trust, whose education department will be on hand to encourage youngsters to join a local Wildlife Watch, the junior branch of the Wildlife Trusts. Admission to the festival is free, but under-eights must be accompanied by an adult.

JUBILEE EVENT: Medomsley Residents' Association is organising three days of celebrations to coincide with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, from June 1 to 3. Events taking place in Bishop Ian Ramsey School field include an evening praise session in a marquee, at 7pm on Saturday, June 1; a bonny baby competition and evening quiz night, on June 2; and a picnic, dog show and King and Queen of Medomsley competition, on June 3. The event will end with the lighting of a beacon to coincide with others being lit throughout the country, at 10pm on Monday, June 3. For more details, ring John Marshall on (01207) 560148 or Joan Armstrong on (01207) 562983.

WATERCOLOUR DISPLAY: An exhibition of watercolours, with exhibits from the Society for Disabled Artists, will be held at Chester-le-Street library from July 1 to July 12. There will be cards and paintings for sale.

BOOK LAUNCH: The People's History: Dipton Remembered, written by Jack Hair and Hylton Marrs, will be launched at Dipton Community Centre, at 7.30pm, on Wednesday.

COUNTRYSIDE EVENTS: A brochure of outdoor and conservation activities for the summer, organised by the City of Sunderland's Countryside Team, is now available from council offices and libraries. The next event will be a five-mile walk through wildflower meadows and quarries at Moorsley on Sunday, from midday to 3pm. Walkers should meet at St Cuthbert's Church, Quarry House Lane, East Rainton.

GIG DATE: Rock band Witchkraft, who play covers by bands including Free, Cream, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, will be playing at the Daisy Hill, Heugh Edge, Sacriston, next Friday, starting at 8pm. Admission is free. For details call 0191-371 0288.

VILLAGE WALK: A four-mile walk in the Sherburn and Shincliffe area will be held on Sunday, June 2, as part of the Footsteps to Fitness programme by the Durham and Chester-le-Street Lifestyle Initiative. The walk, which is free, starts at 11am from the Bent House Lane layby in Sherburn Road.

OPERA NIGHT: The City of Durham Light Opera Group is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a concert in Durham's Gala Theatre on Sunday, at 7.30pm. It will feature favourite songs from Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas and a full performance of Trial By Jury. Tickets cost £6 and are available from the box office, which can be contacted on 0191-332 4041