Literacy role for prison man

AN education boss at Durham's top security prison has won an award to run a literacy project in his own time. Basil Stonehouse, HMP Frankland's education manager, will run a prison reading project that will allow inmates to choose books for their children and record them on tape. It will include storytelling workshops and art sessions to design, draw and paint bags and bookmarks. The Reading Families Millennium Award Scheme is run by the Campaign for Learning, with money from the Millennium Commission.

WARD SURGERY: A ward surgery is to be held on Monday, April 8, from 6pm to 7pm in the Glebe Centre, Murton. District councillors attending will include Joyce Maitland, Colin Patching and Grahame Morris. County Councillor John Maddison will also be available, as will parish council members.

QUEEN'S JUBILEE: South Moor Local History Group will present a slide show and talk about the Queen's early years to mark her Golden Jubilee. The event, to be held at 7.30pm on Monday, April 8, in South Moor library, will be free by tickets obtainable from the library.

ACOUSTIC NIGHT: An evening of acoustic music will be held at The Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, on Friday, April 19. Keith Morrison, Dave Heppell and Laurie Shepherd will perform songs by Neil Young and Don McLean, as well as their own material.

TRAINING COURSE: The Community Work Assessment Consortium and Consett YMCA are running a free, five-session training course for people aged 18 to 24 interested in community work. It starts on Monday, April 8, from 1pm to 5pm. Call Billy Robson on (01207) 502680 for more details.