YOUTH PRODUCTION: More than 45 youngsters, aged between eight and 16, from the Springwell Village Hall Junior Drama Group will appear in their production of Alice in Wonderland, which is being staged from Monday, October 28, to Friday, November 1.

Tickets can be obtained from Marion on 0191-416 2630.

BLUES NIGHT: Blues House are the guest stars of the Keelboat, in Fatfield, at 8pm on Friday next week.

TAI CHI CLASSES: Stephen Ward tutors Tai Chi courses from 9.30am to 11.30am on Tuesdays and from 6.45pm to 8.45pm on Wednesdays, plus Tai Chi for Health courses from 10am until noon and noon until 2pm on Fridays, in the Biddick Arts Centre. More details are available by calling 0191-219 3455.

GANGSTER MUSIC: Gangsters of Ska are appearing at 8pm on Saturday, October 26, in the Washington and District WMC, in Barnston.

CHARITY BOOST: A recent charity line dance held in the Springwell Village Hall raised £793 for the coronary care unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead.

TOURISM INSIGHT: Travel and tourism career courses are held at the Washington Business College. More details can be obtained by calling 0191-416 1100.

ROCKING UP FUNDS: The Rock at the Ranch charity night held by the Washington Rotary Club raised more than £3,000 for various charities.

LATIN DANCE: The Biddick Arts Centre holds Salsa dance classes at £5 per lesson. Further information is available from 0191-219 3455.

STRANGE BIRD: A marsh sandpiper, which is native to south-east Europe and Asia, is the third new bird species to be recorded at the Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Park this year.

SPOOKY PARTY: The Bridge Women's Education and Support Trust is holding a Halloween Party on Saturday, November 2, in the Columbia Centre.

ACTING COURSES: A range of examination-based courses leading to GCSE or A-level qualifications are being run by the Northern School of Performing Arts at the Biddick Arts Centre. More information is available by calling 0191-245 3670.

PLAY PLACES: Places are available at the Holy Trinity Playgroup, High Usworth, which meets from 10am to 11.30am on Tuesdays. Further details can be obtained from Brenda on 0191-416 9925