RAMSIDE Hall Hotel, near Durham, has won the laterooms.com award for the top rated luxury hotel, based on guest reviews. Meanwhile, the hotel’s Rib Room Steakhouse and Grill has been awarded an AA Rosette for its culinary excellence. Finally, the hotel won an award from Enjoy England for quality accommodation and customer service. Ramside Estates managing director John Adamson said he was pleased to add the awards to their growing collection.

FUN DAYS: Brandon Children’s Centre will host family fun days tomorrow (Saturday, March 16) and on Saturday, April 20, from 10am to noon. There will be face painting, planting and messy play. Sunderland AFC Little Dribblers will stage sessions for children aged three to five. The centre is on Carr Avenue, in Brandon. For more information, call 03000-269-820.

TWO WALKS: Durham Rambling Club will do two walks from Penruddock to Pooley Bridge on Sunday, March 24. The walks will be of nine and 12 miles. The cost is £10, including coach travel. For more information, call 07706-871-812 or 0191-373-3429.

TENT SHOW: Cotswold Outdoor will stage a tent show at Moor House Adventure Centre, near West Rainton, from March 29 to April 1. For more information, visit cotswoldoutdoor.com/tentshows

VIETNAM TALK: Clinton Leeks OBE will give a talk titled ‘The Fall of South Vietnam and the Tragedy of the Boat People’ at the Durham branch of the Historical Association on Tuesday (March 19) at 6pm in St Giles’ Church Hall, Gilesgate, Durham. All are welcome. Entry is free. Tea and coffee will be available for a small donation.

BOOK EVENT: Bowburn Infants and Nursery School hosted author Adam Bushnell to celebrate World Book Day. Staff dressed as storybook characters to mark the occasion.

ASTRO-PHOTOGRAPHY: Graham Relf will give a talk on “astro-photography’ at the next meeting of the Durham Astronomical Society, to be held in Redwood Lodge, School Lane, off Church Street, Durham, on Friday (March 22) at 7.30pm. All are welcome. There will be a small charge for non-members.

ANDY PARSONS: Comedian Andy Parsons will bring his I’ve Got A Shed tour to the Gala Theatre, in Durham, on Sunday (March 17). The popular comic is a regular on TV comedy shows such as Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets, priced £15, can be booked by visiting galadurham.co.uk or calling 0191-332-4041.