Sports centre for school

AN all-weather floodlit sports centre can be built at Northallerton's Allertonshire School. The development, accommodating hockey, football, netball, tennis, basketball and cricket, will take up part of an existing school playing field, but Hambleton District Council's development control committee was told that it was acceptable under local plan policies because it would improve recreation and sporting opportunities. The facility would be used between 8am and 10pm and the committee agreed that the floodlighting must be in accordance with guidance for reduction of light pollution published by the Institute of Lighting Engineers.

LIBRARY BOOST: About £200,000 is to be spent on Scarborough's Central Library, in Vernon Road, to install a range of equipment. The library has only two computers, but as a result of the money, which is part of a £1.1m National Lottery grant to North Yorkshire, the number will be increased to 35. In addition, plans have been drawn up to carry out a major refurbishment of the library complex and to extend its local history section.

PLAY DATES: Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society members are busy rehearsing for their next production. Visiting Hour, by Richard Harris, which goes on stage at the Zetland Christian Community Centre from Thursday, May 2, to Saturday, May 4. Tickets, priced from £3, are available from the Georgian Theatre box office or by telephoning (01748) 823021.

OPEN INVITATION: All are welcome at a coffee morning in Richmond Town Hall tomorrow. Doors open at 8.30am, with a raffle, tombola, white elephant stall and cake stall arranged by members of the Richmond Bowls Club, which will benefit from the proceeds.

MORE MEETINGS: Arken-garthdale Parish Council has decided to have eight meetings a year instead of six because of the increase in correspondence. Starting after the meeting planned for May 7, future meetings will take place on Mondays.