Students' skills to be rewarded

TWO students have been rewarded for their work in communication, business and job search skills.

Tracy Draper and Marianna Kovacova will receive their Open College Network Certificates of Accreditation at Chester-le-Street Community Association next Wednesday. They earned the certificates while studying on the association's Marketing Yourself course.

More information about courses available at the association, in Newcastle Road, Chester-le-Street, can be obtained on 0191-388 4752.

FASHION SHOW: A fashion show will be held at St Bede's RC Comprehensive School today. Called Strut 2002, the night has been organised by students. All proceeds will go to the Changing Rooms charity for Romanian orphans. Further details are available from the school on (01207) 520436.

PLAY ZONE: A play zone for babies and children up to the age of eight has opened at Stanley's Louisa Sports Centre. It is open every day from 9am to 10pm (5pm on Saturdays). One-and-a-half hours' play costs £1.60. Adults are admitted free.

DANCE AUDITIONS: Houghton Academy, in Newbottle Street, Houghton-le-Spring, will be one of the venues hosting auditions to find the UK's best tap dancers. The auditions will be held on Sunday, April 14. For details, ring (01621) 772907.

CADETS' AWARDS: Cadets from the Durham Army Cadet Force have received Affiliation Badges, in a presentation held at the Dubmire Club, in Houghton-le-Spring.

CANCER GROUP: The Women's Cancer Support Group meets tonight at 7.30pm in the main outpatients department of the University Hospital of North Durham, Durham, at 7.30pm. For further details call Jo, on 0191-377 0541, or Stella on 0191-386 6742.

Cartoon session: Artist Steve Donald will hold a cartoon drawing workshop on Saturday at the new Durham Clayport Library, in the Millennium City complex, in Claypath, between 11am and 1pm. Admission is free.

Bach's mass: The Durham Singers will perform J S Bach's Mass in B Minor, on Saturday, March 23, in Elvet Methodist Church, Durham, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8, concessions £6, and are available at the door or from Durham Tourist Information Centre.

GIVE BLOOD: Blood donor sessions will be held today at the Elemore Community Centre, Brickgarth, Easington Lane, between 3pm and 7pm.

ART THERAPY: The first annual art exhibition by The Children's Art Therapy Group will be held in Consett Methodist Hall on Saturday, from 11am. Call Jean or Sue on (01207) 508300 or (01207) 508714 for details.

COMMUNITY MEETING: Delves Lane Community Partnership will meet in the village hall next Thursday, March 21, at 6pm