AFTER seven years of planning, St John Ambulance is to open its new county headquarters and training centre on the Meadowfield Industrial estate, near Durham.

People from the community will be able to visit the base to learn first aid and health and safety skills. The centre will be opened and dedicated on September 30, at 11am, by the new Bishop of Durham the Right Reverend Tom Wright.

SOUTHERN SOUL: Mississippi-born gospel singer Kate Campbell performs at the Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley, next Wednesday. Admission is £5 at the door or £3 in advance, from the pub or on (01207) 504882.

TEDDY RAIL: Youngsters accompanied by a teddy bear can claim a free ride on the Tanfield Railway near Stanley, on Sunday, September 21. For further details, contact 0191-388 7545 or visit the website, www.tanfield-railway.co.uk

GIVE BLOOD: A blood donors session takes place in Washington Leisure Centre on Friday, 10am to 7pm.

SEX SHOW: Sex Bombs, a musical biography of Tom Jones, Errol Brown and Ricky Martin, will show at the Empire Theatre, Front Street, Consett, on Friday at 7.30pm. For tickets or further details, call (01207) 218171.

COUNCIL MEETING: Derwentside District Council's Learning and Scrutiny Panel meets in Consett Civic Centre on Thursday, at 4pm. The overview and scrutiny committee meets in the civic centre on Tuesday at 6pm.

DANCE BAND: The North Country Dance Band performs at the Lamplight Arts Centre, Front Street, Stanley, on Friday at 8pm. For details, contact the box office on (01207) 218899.

GUILD MEETING: The Durham branch of the Embroiderers' Guild will hear a talk from Sally Jefferson called Changes at Coats when it meets at 2pm, on Saturday, in Carrville Methodist Church Hall.

LUNCH CLUB: A luncheon club meets every Tuesday between noon and 1.30pm at Sherburn Hill Community Centre, Front Street, Sherburn Hill. All welcome. For details call 0191-372 0024.

PASTEL ART: Artist Annette McKinnon will be displaying her work and demonstrating the techniques behind it at the Glass and Art Gallery, Medomsley Road, Consett, on Saturday. For details, contact (01207) 583353.

BINGO SUPPER: Bearpark Community Association is holding a pie and peas supper and bingo session at its community centre in Institute Terrace on Monday, at 7pm. Tickets cost £2 and are available from Barbara Sewell on 07932 915092.

SWEET SHOW: A sugarcraft demonstration takes place in Delves Lane Village Hall, near Consett, tomorrow, from 1pm to 3pm. A free creche is available. For details, call (01207) 583174.