On course for free learning

A COMMUNITY centre has joined forces with East Durham and Houghall Community College to offer 12 free courses in the New Year. Chester-le-Street Community Association, at Newcastle Bank, is in partnership with the Peterlee college. The courses start the week beginning January 21 and cover subjects including driving theory, yoga, antiques and beginner's bridge. To enrol, contact 0191-518 8220 or 0191-388 4752.

Better access: Durham City Council has granted the Salvation Army permission to make alterations to the ground-floor toilet at its citadel in Saddler Street, Durham, to improve access for wheelchairs, and to install a platform lift.

Country fun: An evening of Country and Western music and dancing will be held at Coxhoe Village Hall, Front Street, Coxhoe, on New Year's Eve, from 7.30pm to 10pm. Tickets cost £2. Details on 0191-377 2396.

Give a gift: A north Durham charity received a £10,000 grant from the Lloyds TSB Foundation on Friday. Durham Area Disabled Leisure Group collected the Christmas present in the Donald Owen Clark Centre, at Chester-le-Street's Riverside.

Service times: Christ the King Church, at Bowburn, is holding a Christingle service today at 4.30pm. The church opens at 11.45pm for midnight mass. A sung eucharist will be held at 10am tomorrow.

BLOOD DONORS: A blood donor session will be held on Thursday at Deerness Valley Comprehensive School, Ushaw Moor, and on Friday at the Miners Welfare Hall, Durham Place, Murton. Both sessions take place between 3pm and 7pm. On Friday, there will be a donor session at the Red Lion pub, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, between 2.30pm and 7pm.

CAROL CONCERT: Children from Hill View Junior School, in Sunderland, took part in Sunderland Civic Centre's carol concert, on Friday. It was attended by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Ken Murray.

Dance nights: Durham Indoor Bowls Club is holding 50/50 dances at its centre, in Abbey Road, Pity Me, on Saturday, January 5, and on Saturday, January 19. Both events take place between 8pm and 11pm. Tickets cost £2. For details, call 0191-384 0700.

Band date: The Scratch Band will be playing in the Stable Bar at The Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley, on Friday. Doors open at 8.30pm and admission costs £1.50. For details call 0191-370 0237.

On song: The Ackdaw Poets and Songwriters' Group meets every second Tuesday at Redwood Lodge, School Lane, Durham, from 8 to 10pm. Admission costs £1.

PRIZE DONATION: Easington District Council employee Tom Scott, who won £50 worth of Asda vouchers as a prize in a suggestion scheme Christmas draw, has decided to donate them to Chin Up, the charity adopted by the council's chairwoman, Councillor Audrey Laing, during her year in office