A BRIEFING meeting for local businesses and community organisation representatives about the London-Edinburgh-London 1,400km endurance cycle event which will pass through Thirsk in July will be held at Rural Arts, Thirsk, on Tuesday, February 12, at 7.30pm.

SPANISH DRAMA: Thirsk School and Sixth Form College pupils are preparing to stage the musical Man Of La Mancha. For tickets to the show, which will run for three nights from February 12 and cost £8 for adults and £5 for children, call 01845-522024.

BUSINESS MATTERS: Thirsk and District Business Association will meet on Tuesday, at 5.30pm, at the Black Lion, Thirsk. Members will discuss ideas to improve the appearance of vacant town centre properties and moves to attract more visitors to the town.

MEAL TOGETHER: A Friendship Lunch will be held on Friday (February 1), from noon, at Thirsk Friends Meeting House, to boost a drive by the town’s branch of Oxfam to improve African water supplies. The meal costs £3.

FILM SHOWING: The Courthouse Film Club at Rural Arts will screen Searching For Sugar Man (12A), an award-winning documentary examining the mystery surrounding the disappearance of American folk musician Rodriguez, on Friday (February 1), at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5, or £11 with food platter. To book, call 01845-526536.

WEDDING DISPLAY: Thirsk Racecourse will stage a wedding fair, featuring more than 20 exhibitors and a catwalk show, on Sunday, (February 3), from noon to 3pm.

MOVIE TIME: The Ritz Cinema, in Thirsk, will screen Quartet (12A) until Thursday, at 7.30pm. For details, call 01845-524751.

CRAFTS FOCUS: A seven-week craft workshop, including jewellery, lace-making, knitting, crochet and sewing, will start at New Life Baptist Church, Northallerton High Street, on Monday (February 4), at 7.30pm. There is no course fee and a minimal charge for materials. For details and to book, call 01609-775396.