RESIDENTS are being urged to check the fitting of stone fireplaces in their homes after safety concerns were raised by Darlington Borough Council’s trading standards team. It has issued a safety alert to relevant tradespeople in the area following investigations into a child’s death in July 2012 in Buckinghamshire. The investigation found five other deaths in similar circumstance across the UK and three more in Ireland. All the children were aged six or under. In Darlington, a child of three was left on life support in 2003, after incorrect fixings were used to install a fireplace.

LOSE WEIGHT: A 12-week community weight loss challenge, being run by weight loss company Arriba!, is being launched in Darlington. The first class will be held at Maidendale House, in Burnside Road, on Thursday, June 6, at 7pm. The course costs £39 to join. For details, call 07866-644404.

FOLK NIGHT: A concert by Fourum (correct) Folk, at Polam Hall School, raised £986 for Darlington Lions Club’s charity account. Of this, £836 will be donated to children’s charity Heel and Toe, with £150 for kidney cancer research. Meanwhile, the Lions club has donated 200 books to Red Hall community centre, which will be sold to generate income for the centre.

BUSY MAYOR: Darlington mayor Charles Johnson will attend an open garden event in aid of Darlington Samaritans, in Carmel Road South, on Saturday (June 2) afternoon. Later that day, he will attend a service at Durham Cathedral to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.

WE CARE: Forthcoming events planned by members of Darlington Cares, an employer-led volunteering scheme include an environmental project involving Deep Ocean’s entire workforce on June 5, an environmental project in Geneva Woods on June 28 and the renovation of the Bridge arts centre, in Yarm Road, by the Esh Group, on July 15.

IN BLOOM: St Edwin’s Church, High Coniscliffe, will host a flower festival from June 28 to 30. It runs from 10am to 6pm on the first two days, and noon to 5pm on the closing day.

GET ACTIVE: Limited places are available for a six-week Pilates course, being run by Age UK, at Bradbury House, in Darlington, on Tuesday afternoons, from June 4. The course is suitable for beginners and costs £20 per person. Call 01325-362832.

SUMMER FAIR: St Andrew’s Church, in Haughton, is holding its summer fair, in the Rectory garden, from 11am to 2pm, on Saturday, June 22. The church’s male members will gather for a ‘Men Meet’ barbecue, on Monday, June 10, from 7pm, at the church hall.