CIVIC figures will join members of Chester-le-Street Rotary Club at the planting of an oak tree to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, on Friday (NOV 16).

Rotarians have funded the purchase of the tree which will be planted at the Ropery Lane end of Front Street, near the Wicket Gate pub and opposite the town’s hospital site.

Durham County Council leader Simon Henig will be among guests at the event, at 11am, which will also be witnessed by the town’s oldest Rotarian, Jack Straughan, who is in his 90s.

OPEN DAY: Boulmer Court sheltered housing complex, in Bullion Lane, Chester-le-Street, stages a fund-raising coffee and cake morning, featuring tombola and raffle, on Friday (NOV 16). The event, from 10am - 2pm, will raise funds for the Hand of Hope charity to provide clean water wells in underdeveloped countries.

NIGHT RIDERS: Three-piece rock band Memphis Riders top the bill at Easington Social Welfare Centre, in Back Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, on Saturday (NOV 17), from 7pm until ‘late’. Admission is £5, payable on the door, on the night.

DANCE DATE: A social dance will be held at the Indoor Bowling Club, in Pity Me, Durham City on Saturday (NOV 17), at 8pm. Admission is £2.50, payable at the door, with further details available on 0191-386 6921.

RADIO ONLINE: Durham Hospital Radio staged a multi-prize tombola event in the Market Place, Durham, last Saturday (NOV 10) as part of a fund-raising drive to enable the 24-hour station to go live on-line, in the Internet.

ELVET PACT: The next meetings of Elvet and Whinney Hill PACT take place at Elvet Riverside lecture rooms, in New Elvet, Durham, on Thursday November 22 and December 13, both from 6 - 7pm. Local people are welcome to attend to address concerns with an officer from the local neighbourhood policing team.

HOSPICE FAIR: St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham, holds its annual Christmas Fair, on Saturday November 24. The event, at the hospice’s Park House Road premises, will run from 11am until 2pm and feature a selection of cards, gifts, jewellery, accessories, books, plus refreshments, including a cake stall. There will also be a tombola and raffle. Further details are available by ringing 0191-386-1170.