Poet Keith Armstrong will recall the life and times of a Polish count next month.

Count Joseph Boruwlaski, who was only 3ft 2in tall, spent the latter years of his life, until his death in 1837 at the age of 98, in Durham. Mr Armstrong will remember the count's life when he performs at the city's Clayport Library, at 7.30pm, on Wednesday, September 10. Tickets cost £2 and are available by calling 0191-386 4003.

FRENCH MARKET: Bargains French-style will be available at a market with a distinctive Gallic flavour over the bank holiday weekend. Twenty-five stalls, run by traders from across the English Channel, will be in Durham's Millennium Place, outside the Gala Theatre, off Claypath, from Friday to Monday.

DANCERS WANTED: The Kern Morris Dancers are looking for beginners and experienced dancers to join them. The group will start rehearsals on Wednesdays in Elvet Methodist Church Hall, Old Elvet, Durham, between 8pm and 10pm, from September 3. For details call Ken Spencer on 0191-528 3867.

FASCINATING RHYTHM: A salsa dance class will be held tonight between 7.30pm and 11pm in The Studio restaurant, on the top floor of Durham's Gala Theatre, Millennium Place. For tickets, priced £4, call the box office on 0191-332 4041.

DONOR DATES: Blood donor sessions will be held tomorrow at the Elemore Community Centre, Brickgarth, Easington Lane, and at the Community Association, in Black Road, Ryhope, Sunderland, between 3pm and 7pm.

PUBV GIG: The Stax Brothers will be performing at The Vane Arms, Vane Street, Silksworth, Sunderland, on Friday, at 9pm. Further details are available from the pub on 0191-521 0261.

BIBLE TALK: Pastor Alan Campbell, of the Open Bible Ministries in Belfast, will give a talk called Knowing the Times and the Seasons to the Durham British Israel Fellowship on Saturday, at 2.30pm, in The Shakespeare Hall, North Road, Durham.

HISTORY COURSE: The Chester-le-Street Community Association will hold a five-week course on researching family history on Mondays between 7pm and 9.30pm starting on September 15. The course costs £17.50. For details and enrolment call 0191-388 4752.

NEW MANAGER: The Just Learning nursery, in Bearpark, has appointed Julie Frater as manager. She was previously the deputy manager at the company's nursery at Cleadon, South Tyneside.

VILLAGE HELP: Durham Citizens Advice Bureau holds drop-in sessions today at Ushaw Moor Community House, from 10am to 11.30am; Quarrington Hill Community Centre, from noon to 1pm; and at Cassop Community Centre, from 1.15pm to 2.15pm.