The Acorn Trust has been awarded £1,000 from the European Social Fund to create a series of nine How To guides on environmental topics. The topics include: pond creation, organic vegetable gardening, taking cuttings and pruning, compost creation, creating a sensory garden, health and safety in the garden, tree planting, tool care and becoming more sustainable. The guides will be available for free from the Acorn Trust Offices at Delves Lane at from libraries across Derwentside. Call Stephen at the trust on (01207) 582600 for more information.

Carnival time: A Golden Jubilee carnival will be held in Delves Lane on Saturday, June 1, at the village hall. There will be decorated floats, fortune telling, a car boot sale, crafts, sports facilities and much more. Contact the village hall on (01207) 583174 for details.

VILLAGE CELEBRATIONS: Three County Durham villages, Ushaw Moor, New Brancepeth and Bearpark will be staging a free day's entertainment at Deerness Valley Comprehensive School, Ushaw Moor, on June 1, for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. There will be a teddy bear's picnic, five-a-side football and fancy dress.

NEARLY NEW: A sale will be held in Annfield Plain Central Methodist Church tomorrow, from 10am to noon. Any money raised will go to Christian Aid.

WELFARE BENEFITS: An expert in benefits for families of disabled people will be on hand to give advice in Stanley on Monday, May 20, between 10am and noon, in St Andrew's Family Institute. Leslie Crawford from Disability North will give advice at the event, which has been organised by Contact for Families.

WEEKEND RAMBLE: Chester-le-Street Ramblers will be holding a walk next Sunday, at Stocksfield, Northumberland, led by Kath Mair. Meet Chester-le-Street Civic Centre at 9.30am. For further information ring 0191-413 4428.

SPRING ART: Chester-le-Street Art Society will hold a spring exhibition in the town library from tomorrow until Saturday, May 25. Members of the public are invited to vote for the paintings which they think are the best. There will also be a chance to buy them. The art society meets every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm in Chester-le-Street Community Centre.

Music nights: A buskers' night is being held tonight in The Stable Bar at the Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley. Tomorrow night, the band Old School will be performing. For further details call the pub on 0191-370 0237.

Service awards: Durham City councillors David Bell, Grenville Holland, Michael Howarth, Stephen McDonnell, George Mardsen, Ed Ramsay, James Turnbull, Philip Wolstenholme and Jeff Young have been given long service medallions.

Care group: Stanley Carers Group will hold its annual meeting next Wednesday, in the Beamish Room, in Clifford Road Health Centre at 10.30am.