SWEET WRITES: Calligraphy and sugar flower courses will be held from next month in Barley Mow village hall. Enrolment is from 9am to 5pm on January 15 and between 6pm and 8pm on January 16.

CAROL night: Christ Church, Lumley, holds its carol service at 6pm on Monday.

NEW BISHOP: A former vicar of St John's Church, in Birtley, the Venerable Frank White, has been appointed as the Bishop of Brixworth.

FAIR PLAY: A women's netball class is run by Fair Play between 7pm and 8pm on Mondays in Great Lumley Community Centre. For details contact Margaret Robertson, on 0191-388 7139.

FAMILY SERVICE: There will be a Nativity and Christingle family service at Birtley Methodist Church, at 10.30am, on Sunday. The Birtley Music Society will present a carol service in a Night of Miracles, starting at 6pm.

FUNDRAISING success: A total of £250.52 was raised for the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, by pupils of Portobello Primary School when they held a non-uniform day.

YOGA COURSES: Two eight-week Yoga for Pleasure and Fitness courses start in the Chester-le-Street Community Centre next month. They cost £24 each and more details are available on 0191-388 4752.

WOMEN'S COURSES: The Bridge Women's Education and Support Project has organised a range of free courses, with free creche places available, at a number of venues in the district. Enrolment is at 1 Church Chare on Wednesday and Thursday, January 9 and 10. For more details call 0191-388 1504.

GOLF PACKAGE: The Roseberry Grange golf complex now has visiting party packages of 18 and 27 holes available. More details on 0191-370 0660.

BEACH NIGHT: A Caribbean night and disco, including a buffet, will be held from 8pm to 1am on Saturday, December 29, in the Red Lion, Chester-le-Street. Tickets are £10.

NEW JOB: After working in the Chester-le-Street Action for Jobs team, Annie Compton has joined Include, a charity that works with youngsters who have been excluded from school.

NEW HISTORY: The History of Great Lumley and Fence Houses has been published by local writer Lena Cooper. It is available from local book-shops, priced £9.99.

LIBRARY FARE: A cake and coffee morning is being held from 10am until noon on Friday, in Birtley Library.