Sounds of the centuries

A concert is taking place at Bede's World, in Jarrow, on Saturday. Harpsicordist Julian Cima will perform "Dances, Fantasias and Laments: Harpsicord Music from 1550 to 1750'' at the museum from 2.30pm. Bede's World curator Laura Sole said: "I am really looking forward to hearing Julian play. He has put together a very imaginative programme to evoke the sounds of the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries."

WASTE DRIVE: Youngsters are learning the benefits of recycling in a bid to cut the amount of waste going to landfill. Gateshead Borough Council is taking waste awareness and recycling to classrooms over the next 12 months. It is holding assemblies and lessons to encourage youngsters to be more responsible with their rubbish. Eight schools will initially be involved with more to take part next year.

PENSIONERS MEET: Consett Pensioners' Rights group will meet in the Democratic Club, Consett, next Wednesday, at 1.30pm. The speaker will be Claire Daley, of Derwentside District Council.

BIG DRAW: Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery is staging a family workshop on Saturday to help celebrate The Big Draw, a national event that aims to get people drawing. The workshop takes place between 11am and 3pm and will be led by professional artists from the Bearpark Artists' Co-operative. Admission is free and people of all ages and abilities can attend.

TORCH HUNT: A Halloween torch hunt will take place at St Cuthbert's Hospice, Merryoaks, Durham, at 5pm, on Sunday, October 26. As well as a treasure hunt around the hospice gardens, in Park House Road, there will be pumpkin competitions, fancy dress, bobbing apples and an owl demonstration. Entrance is by ticket only, which cost £2, and includes a hot dog supper. To order tickets, contact the fundraising office on 0191-386 1170.

DANCE FITNESS: Fun Fit sessions are running at Roseberry Sports and Community College, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, for girls aged under 11. The sessions involve games, dance and aerobics. They are held on Thursdays, between 5pm and 6pm, and cost £1.

HELP NEEDED: More adopters and foster carers are needed in Sunderland, despite an increase in the number of people already coming forward. For those who have often thought about taking up this challenge, help is on hand at a Sunderland Social Services open evening to be held on Monday, at the Training Centre, in Carrmere Road, Leechmere Industrial Estate, from 6pm to 8pm.

FOCUS ON PLAY: Quality play time is to be the theme of a Childcare Conference to be held at Sunderland University's St Peter's Campus, on Saturday, from 9.30am to 3pm. Guest speakers will include Vanessa Roberts, regional development officer for the South East Centre for Playwork, and Fraser Brown, senior lecturer in playwork at Leeds Metropolitan University.