A FAREWELL thanksgiving service will be held for the Very Reverend Canon John Dobson at St Cuthbert’s Church, in Darlington, next month before he leaves to become Dean of Ripon Cathedral.

Rev Dobson is currently area dean of Darlington and vicar of the town’s All Saints and Salutation Church.

He was confirmed as the Dean of Ripon following the death last year of the previous incumbent, Keith Jukes.

The informal service begins at 6pm on Sunday, May 18 and will be followed by tea and cake in the hall. All are welcome.

CABINET MEET: Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet meets at 5pm on Tuesday (April 29) in the Town Hall. Residents are welcome to attend.

CHARITY CONCERT: The mixed voice choir, Northern Voices, will be helping to raise funds for St Teresa’s Hospice at a charity concert at St Cuthbert’s Church, in Darlington, on Saturday, June 14 from 7.30pm. Entry is £8 and includes wine and canapés. Tickets are available from church wardens, JG Windows music shop in Blackwellgate, or from the choir secretary on 01325-485844.

SEWING CIRCLE: Textile artist Sarah Oatley will host her weekly sewing evening on Tuesday (April 29), from 7pm to 9pm, at Bobbin Shed 21, Centrepoint Road, Lingfield Point, Darlington. Sessions cost £3 and include refreshments. For more information visit facebook.com/Drawnthreadsdesign

POLICE MEETS: A Police and Communities Together (Pact) meeting will be held for residents in Haughton West on Wednesday (April 30) from 4pm at The Education Village, Salters Lane South. A meeting for Middleton St George residents will also be held from 6.30pm at Dinsdale Court, in the village.

WARD SURGERY: Councillors Charles Johnson and Alan Coultas will host a ward surgery for the Hummersknott area at Carmel College from 6pm to 7pm on Monday (April 28).

KNITTING TIME: A new knitting group - the Knitting Circle - led by textile artist and expert knitter, Becky Sunter, will be held at Crown Street Library on Monday (April 28) from 10am to noon. Entry is free and all are welcome.