ON Tuesday, actors in period costume will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the granting of a Charter of Incorporation to Middlesbrough by Queen Victoria.

The charter paved the way for the town's first council elections and the installation of ironmaster Henry Bolckow as mayor. The re-enactment will be before an invited audience of guests at Middlesbrough town hall.

ON COURSE: A range of courses will be available to residents of Long Newton from next month. Subjects include reflexology, decorative glass painting and art - watercolour and drawing. For details, call Stockton Borough Council's adult education service on (01642) 393575.

BLUES DAY: People in Stockton are being urged to dress in blue for the day and raise money for the Butterwick Hospice. For a poster pack and details, call (01642) 624231.

SCIENCE LESSONS: A group of 35 parents attended a science workshop at Red House School, Norton. Parents of children aged between three and eight were invited to attend the activity to learn how to introduce science to their children.

21st BIRTHDAY: A short ceremony is to be held next week, marking the 21st anniversary of the Teesside Hospice, in Middlesbrough. It will include the unveiling of a large perspex sunflower, which will display donation levels.

SING UP: Hartlepool Male Voice Choir is holding an open evening, to boost its recruitment campaign at The Corner Flag at the Hartlepool United ground on Friday. For details, call (01429) 277612 or (01429) 296945.

MUSICAL YOUTH: A Youth Musical Spectacular has been organised to raise money for the Butterwick Hospice. Almost 300 children will perform on stage at the Sunderland Empire on Saturday, from 7pm. Tickets are priced at £6, £8 and £10. For details, call 0191-5142517.

ILLUSTRATED TALK: The next talk from the Redcar Lecture Society is titled Another Year in the Life of a Lepidopterist. Butterfly enthusiast Ray Wilson will give the talk at the United Reformed Church Hall, Station Road, Redcar, on Tuesday, at 7.30pm.

ORCHESTRA FUNDS: The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra is to give a concert for Macmillan Cancer Relief's Teesside Appeal in Middlesbrough, on February 8. For tickets, go to The Get It Centre, opposite the town hall, the Macmillan Appeal Office and Greensleeves at Guisborough.