A £5,000 National Lottery Awards For All scheme grant has enabled All Saint's Church, in Blackwell, Darlington, to buy a set of handbells.

Over the years parishioners have joined with St Cuthbert's Church in giving handbell ringing concerts to raise money for charity. Now that All Saints' has its own set, the church is inviting people to joint the bell-ringing group which meets on Thursdays, at the church, from 8pm to 9pm.

The church has also welcomed the return of parishioner Catriona Galbraith from a six-month teaching trip to Lesotho.

CHARITY TRIP: A day trip to Glasgow to raise funds for the Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK will be held on December 10. Pick-up points will be at Darlington, Staindrop and Barnard Castle, with extra pick-ups from Bowes and Brough by arrangement. For details call Ian Douglas on (01833) 650638, or Burrells Coaches on (01833) 621302 or (01833) 621494.

COFFEE MORNING: St Mary's Church, in Gainford, will hold a coffee morning on October 12, at 10am. There will be cakes, produce, spring bulbs and a raffle.

STORYTELLING EVENT: Storyteller Chris Bostock will visit Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, to entertain children with his show, called Starlight, on October 17, at 10.30am. For tickets or details call (01833) 631107.

PUBWATCH DISCO: Barnard Castle Pubwatch is holding a disco for under-11s at Barnard Castle Cricket Club on October 24, between 6pm and 8pm, and one for 11 to 16-year-olds between 8.15pm and 10pm. For details call Brian Coates or Andrea Clayton at Barnard Castle Police Station on (01833) 637328.

VIVA MEXICO: Bishop Auckland Amateur Operatic Society will perform Viva Mexico at the Eden Theatre, in Bishop Auckland Town Hall, from October 14 to 19, at 7.15pm each night. Tickets cost £5.50 on Monday and Tuesday, and £6 from Wednesday to Saturday. Tickets are available on (01388) 602371 or from the town hall.

TABLE-TOP SALE: A table-top sale is being held at Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, on Wednesday, October 23, from 10am to 1pm. To book call (01325) 313924.

BONFIRE PLAN: A fireworks display for Guy Fawke's Night has been organised by Spennymoor Town Council at High Whitworth, next to Jubilee Park, at 7pm on November 5. Money raised from the event will go to the Mayor's Charity Fund.

HOUSEHOLD SALE: Woodhouse Close Church, in Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, will host a household sale on Friday, October 18. Viewing starts at 6.30pm, and the sale starts at 7pm. For details call (01388) 602935.

DANCE DATE: Graeme Scarlett will provide the music for a dance at the Elite Ballroom, Crook, on Saturday, October 19. All proceeds will go to a breast cancer charity. Call (01388) 602320 for details.