Day school looks at rise of fascism in North-East

The event, held at County Hall, on Saturday, November 11, Armistice Day, will support the forthcoming Anne Frank exhibition at Durham Cathedral.

It has been organised by the North East England History Institute, and Durham County Council, and will bring together expert speakers from the region's universities.

They will discuss European fascism and focus on its development, along with anti-fascism, in 1930s Britain.

Professor Colin Holmes, of Sunderland University, will begin the day with reflections prompted by a visit to an Anne Frank exhibition.

Anne and her Jewish family hid from the occupying Germans for two years during the Second World War before they were betrayed. She died in a concentration camp.

Her diary recording her secret life, in an annexe above an Amsterdam warehouse, became a worldwide best-seller.

Author Nigel Todd and Dr Nigel Copsey, of Teesside University, will tell the school of fascism and anti-fascism in the North-East, during the 1930s.

Iain Watson, the council's Durham Studies manager, said: "This period of history is important to us today, as we move forward to encourage the development of healthy and safe communities.

"It is particularly appropriate to host this event in the month that the chairman of the county council, Councillor John Richardson, is signing the Anne Frank Declaration."

The declaration, a public statement supporting tolerance and understanding, will be signed on Wednesday.

The cost of the day school is £8, with lunch optional at £4.

Booking forms, which should be returned by Friday, can be obtained from Iain Watson, Arts, Libraries and Museums, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5TY. Call 0191-383 4478.

Anne Frank: A History for Today, is at Durham Cathedral, from Saturday, to November 26.

l Darlington Civic Theatre stages a production of The Diary of Anne Frank, from Monday to Saturday next week.

For ticket prices, call the theatre on (01325) 486555.