GARY Bankhead, one of two brothers who discovered hundreds of precious artefacts buried in the River Wear near Durham Cathedral, is to give a talk titled Small Things of Medieval Life (Durham, AD1250-155) to Bowburn Local History Society at Bowburn Community Centre, Durham Road, Bowburn, on Thursday, January 16, at 7pm. All are welcome.

WEDDING FLOWERS: East Durham College is running a wedding floristry course at its Houghall campus, near Durham City. The three-week course will cover button holes, bridesmaid hand-tied posies and decorative wedding table arrangements. It will be held on three Thursdays starting on January 23, each time from 6pm to 8pm. The course costs £95 including materials and flowers. To book, call 0191-375-4700 or 0191-375-4716.

BANNERS OK: Durham County Council has been granted planning permission to use 78 hanging signs erected across Durham City to promote last year’s Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition to advertise local and regional events.

CROCHET FLOWERS: Alington House Women’s Group will host an Introduction to Crochet Flowers on Thursday, January, 16, from 11am to 1pm. The sessions, held at Alington House Community Centre, North Bailey, Durham, are open to all and cost £2 per person including tea and coffee.

STUDENT PLANS: Durham University has won planning consent to refurbish student accommodation at 30-33 Church Street, Durham. The proposals include internal renovation and a new external rear entrance stair.