A new chairman has been appointed by Chester-le-Street District Council.

Councillor Bill Laverick, who has represented the Pelton ward since March 1997, takes over from Councillor Jim Tinnion. The charities he will be supporting include the Durham Area Disability Leisure Group, Spice (Supporting People in Community Experience) and Chester-le-Street's Riverside Brass Band.

PEOPLE AWARD: Lomax Training Services, of Sunderland,which was founded in 1999 by Jim Lomax, has been awarded Investor in People status, and is now looking forward to becoming an accredited training centre. It has been helped by Business Link Tyne and Wear.

BAND DATE: The Fabulous Ball Brothers will be performing in the Stable Bar at the Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley, on Saturday, at 8.30pm. Admission costs £2.50.

LINE DANCE: A line dance in aid of breast cancer treatment will be held from 7.30pm tonight at Durham Indoor Bowling Club, Pity Me. Tickets, priced £3.50, are available by calling 0191-386 6921.

CHURCH FAIR: St Mary's Church, West Rainton, is holding its annual summer fair and family fun day tomorrow between 1pm and 4pm in and around the church and refectory garden. Admission is free.

FOLK NIGHT: Haswell Folk Club meets tonight for a singers' and musicians' night at The Wayfarer pub, Front Street, Haswell, starting at 8.30pm. Admission is free.

HOME PLAN: Durham City Council is being asked to grant planning permission for a detached house to be built on land at Rowan Drive, Brasside.

BRASS SOUNDS: Barnard Castle Youth Band will be performing in the grounds of the DLI, Aykley Heads, Durham, on Sunday, from 2.30pm. Admission is free.

WAGON WALK: Local history enthusiast Hylton Marrs will lead a five-mile walk, called History of the Waggonways, on Sunday, starting at 2pm at Dipton Community Centre, near Stanley. The walk costs £2 for adults, £1 for concessions.

JUBILEE LUNCH: Nevilles Cross Over-60s' Association celebrated the Queen's Golden Jubilee with a lunch in Durham Masonic Hall followed by a talk about royalty, by Anita Atkinson, and entertainment by the Singing Detective. The Mayor of Durham, Councillor Eileen Rochford, and her consort, Barry Grimes, attended.

CHARITY CEILIDH: A ceilidh to raise money for the people of Nepal will be held at Consett Civic Centre on Friday, July 12, between 7pm and 11.30pm. The money will aid the Student Partnership Worldwide organisation, which Consett man John Smith will join later this year to help with aid work. There will be a pie and peas supper at the dance, and tickets cost £5. Call Stephanie Smith, Mr Smith's mother, on (01207) 500460, to book a place.