Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, is to be lit up in pink and amber every Friday and Saturday, from dusk until 10pm.

From Friday, September 26, the abbey will take on a more wintry feel as the lights change to blues and browns. The floodlighting of the abbey is a 60-year tradition that is accompanied by the sounds of Gregorian chanting. Tours are available on Fridays, at 7.45pm and 8.15pm, while on Saturday, Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir will give a performance.

PATIENT FORUMS: Carers are being urged to put their names forward for patient forums created by the Carers' Resource in Harrogate. The forums are intended to give people a greater say in decisions about health matters. Anyone interested in joining a forum is asked to call Anne Smyth on (01423) 500555.

CHARITY ROLL: A charity barrel roll from the Buck Inn, Maunby, raised about £300 for the village hall - thanks to sponsors Black Sheep Brewery and the Buck Inn. The Maunby Residents team, under captain Gary Hudson, beat the Buck Inn Regulars.

Fence up: Permission has been granted for a fence to be built around Harrogate Grammar School's playing fields, despite protests from local residents who claimed the 1.2 metre high structure would be overbearing.

PLANS REJECTED: Changes to a Grade II listed building in Regent Parade, Harrogate, have been rejected by council planners. They said replacement windows would harm the character of the property, which is in a conservation area.

CAFE PLAN: Caffe Nero, in Station Parade, Harrogate, has been given the go-ahead for an al fresco venture. The cafe can have six tables for outdoor eating and drinking.

MUSICAL TALK: Musician Kathleen Taylerson will give a talk about her life, entitled Blowing in the Wind, at 7.30pm on Friday, September 19, at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold. Tickets, costing £3, are available.

BALMORAL SALE: The award-winning 21-bedroom Balmoral Hotel, in Franklin Mount, Harrogate, has been sold. The hotel, run by Julian Peck and Jill Day, was the Which? Hotel of the Year last year. It was on the market for £1.3m.