Demolition expert Blaster Bates will talk about his experiences at Darlington's Arts Centre on Wednesday, at 8pm. Tickets are available on (01325) 486555.

ROSY OUTLOOK: Nancy Wells will demonstrate how to exhibit roses at Sedgefield Garden Society's meeting next Tuesday, at 7.30pm, in Ceddesfeld Hall.

COUNCIL MEETINGS: A meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's scrutiny committee, covering culture, recreation and housing, will be held in the council offices, Green Lane, Spennymoor, on Tuesday, at 10am. The council's cabinet will meet on Thursday, at 10am.

CEILIDH DATE: Spennymoor Amateur Operatic Society is holding a fundraising ceilidh, featuring the Joint Stock Ceilidh Band, on Friday, at 7.30pm, in Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Admission is by ticket only, costing £6 and including pie and peas supper. For details and tickets, call Gordon Briggs on (01388) 834408.

CLEAN-UP: The Sedgefield in Bloom committee is having a summer clean up today, from 10am, at Ceddesfeld Hall.

FINAL SHOW: Sedgefield Players's current season ends tonight with a final performance of Little Women, in Sedgefield Parish Hall. After the summer break, preparations will be under way for the Sedgefield Drama Festival, from September 23 to 28.

WHIST DRIVE: St Michael's Church, Bishop Middleham, is holding a whist and domino drive in the village hall today, at 2pm.

COUNCIL MEETING: Great Aycliffe Town Council's policy and resources committee meets in the council offices, Newton Aycliffe, on Wednesday, at 7.15pm.

COMMITTEE TALKS: Ferryhill Town Council's civic amenities committee meets on Wednesday, in the town hall, at 7pm. It will be followed by a meeting of the recreation committee.

HISTORY LINK: Gordon Morris will speak on The American Connection to Sedgefield Local History Society on Monday, at 7.45pm, in Ceddesfeld Hall.

PROBUS CLUB: Darlington Probus Club meets at the Arts Centre on July 8.

COACH TRIP: Help The Aged has organised a coach trip to Whitby on Tuesday, July 9, departing from Bluebell Garage, Newton Aycliffe, at 9am. Other pick-ups in Newton Aycliffe will be from Byerley Park, Greenfield School, the railway station, Simpasture, Hawkeshead, cemetery, Avon, St Mary's, St Clare's and Gilpin Court, followed by Aycliffe Village, Heighington and Cockerton. For more information call (01325) 313924.