A chilly dip for fundraisers: UP to 40 people are expected to brave the chilly North Sea to raise money for charity on New Year's Day.

The hardy souls will plunge into the water at Redcar to raise funds for the haematology department at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough. Fundraisers are meeting outside O'Grady's pub, in Queen Street, at 11.30am.

NEW SKILLS: Guisborough Prior Pursglove College is holding a series of courses to start next month. Places are still available on several short evening courses in application of watercolour, British sign language, computing for beginners, counselling, drug awareness, Indian head massage and self-esteem. For further details, call the college on (01287) 280250.

TRAFFIC DELAYS: Drivers are being warned about the installation of two-way temporary traffic lights on the A173 Skelton Ellers road for one day, Wednesday, for work to replace road signs.

VICAR'S DEATH: Former Teesside vicar, the Reverend John Cave, 62, died at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham on December 18, after a short illness. He had previously served in a number of parishes in the Diocese of York, including Ayton with Easby and Newton-in-Cleveland, Redcar, and Aislaby and Ruswarp. He was also vicar at Dormanstown from 1987 to 1997 and at Marton-in-Cleveland from 1997 to 2000.