The Salvation Army Consett band will stage an event by the Sellers International Band in the Empire Theatre, Consett, at 7pm on Saturday. Tickets cost £5 and are available from Walter Hunter on (01207) 570826 or the Consett Salvation Army on answer phone (01207) 501712.

AWARENESS WEEK: The Alzheimer Society's national awareness week will be launched in Derwentside with a balloon launch at the Consett Golf Club at 11.30am on July 8. The event will be opened by football legend Malcolm "Super Mac" McDonald. The event includes entertainment and a buffet. Tickets are £1.

DONOR SESSIONS: A blood donor session will be held at the Red Lion, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, from 2.30pm to 7pm on Monday next week. A session will be held in the Methodist Church Hall, in Station Road, Consett, from 3pm to 7pm next Tuesday.

CHARITY GOLF: A golf day in aid of Children North-East will be staged at the Ramside Hall Golf Course in Durham, on August 16. There will be a driving range available, car washing and a putting competition. For details call Karen Smith on 0191-232 3741.

BEAR FACTS: Cuddly toys were the order of the day at Peterlee's 14th Annual Teddy Bears Picnic, on Sunday. The free event, which included fairground rides, a bouncy castle, flea circus, face painting and jazz bands, was staged with the support of Modus, Kookaburra, MacDonalds and Walkers Snacks.

BISHOP'S ADDRESS: The Bishop of Jarrow, the Right Reverend John Pritchard, addressed members of the Easington deanery at a service in the abbey on Holy Island, on Sunday. The deanery members, who were on a pilgrimage, were entertained by the Trinity singers from South Hetton.

STRAWBERRY FAIR: A strawberry fair will be held at St Andrew's Church in Blackhill, County Durham, at 2.30pm on Saturday, June 29. The event is in aid of church funds.

Advice sessions: Durham Citizens Advice Bureau is holding outreach sessions at Brandon House, Brandon, on Monday, from 11am until noon, on Tuesday at Bowburn Community Centre, from 11am to noon, and on Thursday at Esh Winning Community Centre, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

DECISION DEFERRED: A decision by Durham City Council on whether disabled parking badge holders should in future have to pay for them was deferred by the council's cabinet yesterday.

Hospice cash: A sunflower flag day collection held in Chester-le-Street on Friday, June 7, raised more than £276 for St Cuthbert's Hospice in Durham. The organisers thank everyone who helped with the collection or donated to it.

Tree pruning: Durham City Council is being asked to grant permission for the pruning of a tree at The Orchard, Pity Me, an area covered by a tree preservation order.