Seminar pushes innovation

The North-East Quality Group's first regional seminar, Innovating Excellence, is being held at Seaham Hall Hotel, from 9am to 5pm on Thursday. The day's theme is promoting creativity and innovation and guest speakers will provide examples of approaches for participating businesses.

IRISH NIGHT: Macmillan Cancer Relief's County Durham appeal is holding an Irish night featuring a ceilidh band on Saturday March 16 - the day before St Patrick's Day - at the Durham Territorial Army centre in Gilesgate between 7.30pm and 11.30pm. Tickets cost £10 (£5 for children aged ten to 15) and are available by calling 0191-370 9798 before this Friday.

NORTHERN SPIRIT: The Northern District Council of the Spiritualists National Union will present Janet Parker, a medium, as the star attraction in a promotional night. It will be held at the Barley Mow Village Hall, Birtley, at 7pm on Saturday. Tickets cost £3 on 0191-4106703 or pay at the door.

WOMEN'S SERVICE: St Godrick's Church, in Durham, is holding a service to mark World Women's Day, at 10.30am on Friday. The speaker will be the Venerable Granville Gibson.

NAVY AWARD: Navy operator mechanic Thomas Vose, 19, a former pupil at Hermitage Comprehensive School, in Chester-le-Street, has just completed his part 2 training at HMS Raleigh, in Cornwall. He received the Seascape Trophy in Vernon Division, which is awarded to the trainee with the best final examination marks.

SOCIETY TALK: A lecture by professor Gwyn Meirion Jones on behalf of the Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, on The Noble Residence in Brittany, will be held at 141 Elvet Riverside, Durham, on Saturday, at 2.30pm.

New number: Durham County Council's social services emergency duty team is moving to new premises on Thursday. The new phone number is (01325) 375724, fax (01325) 375729.

Reptile event: The Pets at Home superstore at the Arnison Centre, Pity Me, Durham, is holding a reptile event on Saturday and Sunday, when experts from the Burnopfield Reptile Trust will be giving advice on looking after reptile pets.

Walk about: Chester-le-Street Ramblers are off to Guisborough, North Yorkshire, for a day out on Sunday. Anyone interested should meet Brian Stout at Chester-le-Street Civic Centre at 9.30am. For more details ring 0191-386 4089.

Dance class: Salsa dancing classes will be starting soon at Chester-le-Street Community Centre in Newcastle Bank in the town. Anyone interested should call the centre in 0191-3884752 for more details.