A WALK and talk will take place during a six-mile ramble through the Teesside countryside on Sunday.

The walk will start from Hartlepool and stop off at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, near Billingham, where a story-telling festival will be under way. The ramble will be led by Hartlepool Countryside Warden Robert Smith. Anyone interested should meet at the Newark Road pumping station on the Fens Estate, in Hartlepool. The Greatham Beck Buddies, a group of young conservationists, will also be taking part. The ramble is free and there is no need to book. For details call Robert Smith on (01429) 853325.

BOOK SALE: Hartlepool and District Hospice is holding a book sale to raise money. The sale, at the hospice shop in Park Road, will be held on Monday, September 16. Hundreds of books, of all kinds, will be on sale from only 10p each. Doors open at 9am.

LINE DANCING: A line dance night is being held at the Beechwood and Easterside District Social Club, in Broadwell Road, Middlesbrough, next Wednesday, from 7.30pm to 11pm. Entrance is £2.50.

OPEN MEETING: The local Farmers For Action Group will stage an open meeting at Wetherby Race Course tomorrow at 7pm. Formed last year, the group, will be addressed by national chairman David Handley. It will also stage a horse and pony show at Wetherby Racecourse on Sunday starting at 9am. For details ring (01845) 501242.

ROAD CLOSURE: Thrush Road Roundabout in Redcar will be closed for five days from Sunday, to allow for repair works. The roundabout will only be closed between 7am and 1pm on the first day. Diversions will be in operation.

NEW MUSIC: A new piece of music, written for the Tees Valley Youth Orchestra, receives its premiere on Thursday, when the TVYO plays Mu Ara, by Geoffrey Palmer at St Mary's RC Cathedral, Coulby Newham. Skinningrove composer Geoffrey Palmer has had his music performed as far away as Japan and Canada. The recent discovery of the planet Mu Ara inspired him to write the piece. The concert starts at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £6 for adults and £3.50 for concessions at the door.

Saltburn MEETING: The next meeting of the Saltburn Animal Rescue Association will be held on Wednesday, in the ToCH Premises, Albion Terrace, Saltburn at 7.30pm. New members welcome. The group will hold a coffee morning on Saturday, September 7 in Sunnyfield House, Guisborough, from 9.30am to 1pm. There will be stalls including cakes, tombola and bric-a-brac. A coffee morning held at Marske Leisure Centre on August 10 raised £206.

COURSE TIME: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has 450 part-time courses starting in September and they are filling up fast. For a full programme and more information call (01642) 475397 or (01642) 490409