Pupils from Dodmire Primary School became the first to be involved in the Time Trackers living history project at Darlington Railway Centre and Museum yesterday.

The living history scheme is being run for two weeks, twice a year, and sees the museum transformed to illustrate key periods in the development of the railways.

Costumed characters, including a Victorian train driver and a schoolmistress, guided pupils through the workshop. The project was made possible by a £14,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

CHARITY BOOST: Activities staged by Rita McCree, of Rita's Hairdressers, in Fishburn, for the BBC Children in Need appeal raised £1,142. Pupils at Hurworth Comprehensive School, near Darlington, raised £410 for the appeal with a non-uniform day and other activities.

CASH MISSION: Cockerton Methodist Church, in Darlington, is holding a coffee morning on Saturday, from 10am to noon. Proceeds go to Methodist mission work.

PARISH MEETING: Whessoe Parish Council is holding a meeting in the village hall on Wednesday, at 7pm, when new councillors George Cassidy and Philip Hornby will be introduced.

ACTIVITY DAY: Evergreens, a group for over-50s, meets tomorrow, from 10.30am to 3.30pm, at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Details from Sue Abel on (01388) 528635.

COUNCILLORS MEET: A surgery is being held by Middlestone Moor councillors at the community centre on Saturday, from 9.45am.

RAMBLERS TREK: Crook and Weardale Ramblers are meeting on Sunday for an eight-mile circular trek around Wolsingham. Leave Crook Market Place at 9.45am or meet at the Demesne picnic area at 10.15am. Leader is Colin Fletcher, telephone (01388) 766356.

SCARY FUNDRAISER: 200 people who turned out for a Halloween scary walk around the walled garden at Whitworth Hall raised £426 for the Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland.

FESTIVE FLOWERS: Shildon and District Flower Club is raising money for Macmillan Nurses with a Christmas open evening in the Civic Hall on Monday, at 7.30pm.

TIMELY PRELUDE: The Weardale Society is staging its Prelude to Christmas event in the Methodist Schoolroom, Stanhope, tomorrow, at 7.30pm.