WORK on building a £1m extension to Whitby Museum is to start in the next two months.

The development, which is being funded by the National Lottery and Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society, will provide the museum - famed for its collection of artefacts of Captain James Cook and the Scoresby father and son whalers - will enable material relating to Whitby in the 18th and 19th centuries to go on display. The three-storey extension will also provide a costume gallery and store, exhibition hall, and research and lecture rooms.

EXERCISE INSIGHT: The College of Chinese Physical Culture, in association with the Learning and Skills Council for North Yorkshire, is offering a free taste of Chinese exercise. The college is holding sessions at Archbishop Holgate School, York, on Tuesday, July 1, at 7pm; Burton Stone Community Centre, York, on Thursday, July 3, at 11am; and at Harrogate Grammar School, also on July 3, at 7pm. For more details, call (0113) 2930630.

SCHOOLS TRIP: More than 300 North Yorkshire teachers were at Castle Howard on Saturday for a day out. The trip was set up by North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership as one of a number of initiatives being offered to help teachers develop better links between education and business.

NEW HALL: Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to build a village hall in Minskip, near Boroughbridge. It will be near Croft Far, on the outskirts of the village.

PUB CASH: A race night and auction at the Buck Inn, Maunby, raised more than £2,700, which will be shared between Hospice Homecare and St John Ambulance.

POTTER MOVIE: Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, will show its first ever open-air movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, on Wednesday, July 16. Hundreds of children in fancy dress are expected to attend the screening, at 7.30pm. The film night is part of a week-long festival at the abbey. For more details, call the box office on (01909) 511061.

DANCE WORKSHOP: Double AA Linedance is holding a workshop at the Civil Service Club, Catterick Garrison, on Saturday. Doors will open at 7.30pm and the night will include a supporting disco, guest instructors Evoyne and Dyka Holland and Angie Clements. For more details, call (01748) 833844.

CALL SOUNDED: Residents in the Scarborough district are being urged to attend a series of events to help shape the area they live in. An action group has been set up to promote the Living in Scarborough residency programme. The initiative aims to stimulate ideas for community projects and then recruit people to make them happen. The group will hold an open day at The Project Shop, Queen Street, on Saturday, between midday and 4pm.