HISTORICAL TALK: A meeting of Darlington’s Historical Society on Wednesday, January 15 will feature a talk from Beamish Museum’s Julian L Harrop. ‘Snooping on Snaps’ will focus on detail in photographs and will begin at 7.30pm. The meeting will be held at the Friends’ Meeting House on Skinnergate in Darlington.

CIRCULAR WALK: Darlington Ramblers will lead a seven and a half mile circular walk from Gunnerside on Sunday, January 5. Walkers should meet at 10.30am at the Arts Centre on Vane Terrace and should wear suitable clothing. Dogs not allowed. For more details, call 01325-488968.

BRIDGE AWARENESS: St George's Bridge Centre on Whessoe Road in Darlington will host an open day on Saturday, January 11. Visitors are invited to look around the centre, meet and watch Bridge players and have a go at playing the game. The free event runs from 10am until 3pm and refreshments are available.

LIVE MUSIC: Big Steve and the Headliners will perform at the Harrowgate Hill Club and Institute on Salters Lane North, Darlington on Friday, January 3. The gig will begin at 7pm.

VIENNESE SPECTACULAR: Darlington’s Civic Theatre will host a New Year Viennese Spectacular on Sunday, January 5. The event aims to recreate the magic of New Year’s Day in Vienna and features classics from the Strauss family and Lehar and Kalman. Tickets cost £17 or £19 and can be booked by calling 01325-486555.

LATINO SOUL: Darlington’s Voodoo Cafe, on Skinnergate, will host a Latino Soul evening on Friday, January 3. The free event begins at 9.30pm and features the best in Latin fun, soul, reggae and hiphop.

PACT MEETING: A PACT (Police and Communities Together) meeting will be held at Mowden Junior School on Monday, January 6. The meeting will be attended by a representative from the neighbourhood policing team and will take place from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.

HISTORY COURSES: Darlington Worker’s Educational Association has places available on a range of courses beginning in the new year. Courses include Researching WWI Memorials, North Eastern Monasteries and Monks, History of the British Empire and Reading the History of Renaissance Art. For more information, call 01325-284122 or visit wea.org.uk/courses. Brochures are also available at Crown Street and Cockerton libraries.