COMMUNITY groups in North Yorkshire are to benefit from more than £30,000 of funding.

The cash is being provided by North Yorkshire County Council's Ryedale Area Committee. Administrator Stephen Hague said the authority was inviting applications from small projects, although the £34,000 available would be spread thinly. "This year we are keen to see applications from groups which are applying to other funding sources - our contribution could be used as match funding," he said. Anyone interested in applying for funding for next year should call (01609) 780780.

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN: Members of the Leyburn Gilbert and Sullivan Society meet for their first rehearsal of the season on August 31, at 2.30pm in the Methodist hall. The society is rehearsing for a performance of The Gondoliers, planned for May, 2003. For details, call Alan Treloar on (01969) 623129.

GALA DAY: The Masham Sports Association gala is being held on Saturday at the recreation ground. The car boot sale starts early in the morning and the gala at 1pm. There will be live music, side shows, a bouncy castle, barbecue and more.

ROAD CLOSED: Wilberforce Avenue, York, will be closed between the junctions of Critchton Avenue and Horner Street until 12.30pm on Saturday, August 31.

FLOWER FESTIVALl: A flower festival is to be held at St Oswald's Church, Sowerby, near Thirsk over the Bank Holiday weekend. The church will also host a gala concert on Monday evening.

CRAFT CLASS: A craft class in aid of the Grace Gardner Trust will take place in Northallerton town hall on September 6, from 2pm to 4pm. For further details, telephone (01609) 770735.

CRIME CUT: Youth crime in Norton and Malton has dropped since the opening of a skateboard park Norton town council has been told.