Man escapes kitchen blaze

A man was forced to flee after fire broke out at his home at the weekend.

The kitchen of the house in Mavin Avenue, St Helen Auckland, was badly damaged in the blaze on Saturday night. The man was unhurt.

PUB PLAY: Darlington Arts Centre will host performances of the play Publife on Wednesday and Thursday. For details and tickets, priced at £4, telephone (01325) 486555.

FIELD CLUB: Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club will meet on March 12, at Darlington Arts Centre. Gill Flint, from Groundwork West Durham, will give a talk at 7.30pm. To join the club contact Cliff Evans on (01325) 466471.

PRAYER DAY: A service is being held at St Catherine's Church, Crook, on Friday, at 2pm, to celebrate Women's World Day of Prayer.

ROCK BAND: Crook Town AFC present rock band Fist at the Crook Town AFC social club on Friday, at 8.30pm. Tickets are available from the club or at the door.

CHOIR DATES: Crook and Weardale Choral Singers will perform Olivet to Calvary on March 12 at the Methodist Church, Stanley, at Ushaw College, Durham, on March 19, and at St Mary and Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, on Sunday, March 24. All performances start at 7.30pm.

CRICKET MEETING: Crook Town Cricket Club is holding a family disco on Saturday, from 7pm to 11pm.

CRAFT WORKSHOP: 2D, in partnership with the Workers' Educational Association, is running a free ceramics workshop at Howden-le-Wear Community Centre on Friday, from 2pm to 4.30pm. To reserve a place contact any Howden-le-Wear Local History Society member.

JAZZ BAND: Crook Town Grenadiers Juvenile Jazz Band is looking for members aged between six and 17. Telephone (01388) 762729 or 763025 for details.

TEENAGE TOPIC: Pupils from King James 1 Community College, Bishop Auckland, are presenting a play on teenage pregnancy at an awareness day at the Royal Derwent Hotel, Allensford, near Consett, on Thursday.

DANCE DATE: Pat Etherington teaches country and western and salsa at the Evergreen Club for the Over 50s at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday, from 10.30am. From 12.30pm, Annette Donohue will talk about the work of the Experience Corps, of Bishop Auckland. Maggie Hawkins leads a yoga session from 2pm. Call (01388) 602610 or Sue Abel on (01388) 528635 for details.