A NEW branch of the Newcastle United Supporters' Club has been formed.

The club's Newton Aycliffe branch held its first meeting last Sunday, at the town's Dandy Cart pub, in Silverdale. The next meeting will be on Sunday, at 3pm, at the same venue. Phillip Marquand, a member of Newcastle United's club membership team, will be the guest speaker.

MUSIC NIGHT: To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Woodhouse Close Church, Bishop Auckland, is holding an organ recital on Friday, August 30. Proceeds will help fund music projects at Woodhouse Close Junior School.

GAMES DAY: Stadium 2000, in Shildon, is hosting the Splash Active Summer Games on Wednesday, August 28, from 1pm to 3pm.

GARDEN PARTY: Weardale Community Hospital will host a garden party on Saturday, August 24, at 2pm.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES: A bus trip to a leisure centre will take place on Monday for youngsters on the Red Hall Estate, Darlington. The children will be taken to either Eastbourne Sports Centre or Dolphin Centre. Anyone wishing to join the trip should go to Red Hall Community Centre, at 10am, and take a packed lunch. Under-eights must be accompanied by an adult.

MUSIC MANIA: The Asda supermarket in Bishop Auckland's Newgate Centre is hosting a Music Mania event on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm, with a disc jockey, karaoke and a competition. There will also be a chance to win tickets for a concert in Gateshead on September 8. For details contact (01388) 606711.

EXTENSION PLAN: A Johnson, of 36 Harrowgate Village, Darlington, is seeking planning permission from Darlington Borough Council to build a single-storey extension at the property.

CLUB BARBECUE: Tickets are on sale for a family barbecue at Crook Cricket Club on Saturday, August 31, at 7.30pm.

PLANNING APPLICATION: Darlington Borough Council has received a planning application for a two-storey rear extension to 91 Stockton Road, Darlington.

GUIDED WALK: A guided walk will be held in Weardale on Monday. The difficult 11-mile walk will start from the Cowshill car park at 10.30am. Walkers should take a packed lunch.

CULTURE EVENT: An African dance and drumming display will be given at Trimdon Community College today. For details call Stephen Wiper on (01388) 816166.

TEA TIME: St Stephen's Church, at Willington, is hosting afternoon teas every Sunday in September, from 2pm to 6pm.

FLOWER CLUB: The next meeting of Darlington Flower Club will be on Wednesday, September 4, at 2pm, in St Cuthbert's Church Centre. Nikki Leadson will give a demonstration called Some Enchanted Evening.