Sign up for fun run

Youngsters are being encouraged to sign up for a fun run, starting from Richmond swimming pool on Sunday, March 17. The two-mile course, along the tracks and footpaths by the River Swale, passes Easby Abbey and returns to Richmond. All proceeds will go to the Butterwick Children's Hospice, in Stockton, and the youth group of Richmond Zetland Harriers. Entry forms are available from sports shops in Richmond, the town's Butterwick Hospice support group shop, Bob Pocklington Sports in Bedale and McDonald's at Catterick Garrison.

Slow down: Drivers in the Richmond area are being warned about a temporary speed limit of ten miles per hour on a section of the A6108 Skeeby road from Springfield to Skeeby Bridge while traffic-calming measures are introduced, from today to Friday.

HALL PERMISSION: St Thomas a Becket parish church at Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, has been given planning permission to erect a side extension to create a church hall.

Sports fair: A sporting book fair is taking place in the Knavesmire Stand, at York racecourse, on Sunday, March 3, from 10.30am to 4pm. Admission is £2.

Wildlife talk: The Yorkshire Mammal Group's subject is the return of the polecat to Britain, at a meeting in the common room, at 7.30pm in York University's biology department, on Thursday, March 3.

RINGING BELLS: Bellringers from St Mary's Church, Thirsk and St Oswald's, Sowerby, rang bells of both churches last week to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee. Those taking part were: Thirsk, Don Richardson, Elsdon Metcalfe, Mike Armstrong, Don Cowan and Geoff Colls; Sowerby-Heather and John Limbach, Andrew, Helena and Charlotte Moss, Sue Binns, Joanna Pospieszalski and Keith Carley.

Band concert: Thirsk Royal British Legion Band will give a concert at Wass Village Institute on Saturday, February 23, at 7.30pm, in aid of St Thomas' Church, Wass. Tickets are available from Elizabeth Rymer on (01347) 868409, and cost £3.