TEESSIDE STARGAZING: RSPB Saltholme will this month be holding two evenings of stargazing in conjunction with Darlington Astronomical Society.

Visitors to the wildlife reserve in Teesside will have the chance to go inside a portable planetarium, loaned by Teesside University, before heading outside where there will be telescopes and experts on hand to help them spot the constellations over the reserve.

As places are limited booking is essential. Call 01642-546625 or email saltholme@rspb.org.uk. The cost is £5 for RSPB members, £6 for non-members and £4 for children.

BOOK SIGNING Local author Maureen Anderson is launching her latest book, Lost Ships of the Hartlepools, (correct) at the town’s Central Library in York Road on Thursday, January 23.

The book will be on sale in the foyer priced £12 and the author will be signing copies from 12 noon to 2.30pm.

Maureen’s book tracks some of the early ships built and registered in Hartlepool, their masters and their crews to whatever fate overtook them.

Her book will be of interest to people who are trying to research the lives of their ancestors and will also appeal to anyone with an interest in the rich maritime history of the Hartlepools and beyond.

FOOTIE TOTS: A scheme that uses football to boost young children’s development will begin in Hartlepool next week.

Footie Tots sessions aimed at children aged 2-5 start on Monday (Jan 13) and will continue during term-time only.

The sessions are being organised by Hartlepool Borough Council’s Sport and Recreation Service and will take place at Throston Primary School in the town from 3.30pm-4.30pm.

Sessions cost £2 for Active Card members, £2.50 for non-members and £1.65 for concessions.

FAMILY HISTORY: People in Hartlepool wanting to trace their family history can find out more at the Central Library in York Road on Wednesday, January 15 and 19 from 6pm-8pm.

The sessions are being organised by the Friends of North Cemetery - a voluntary group set up to protect and promote Hartlepool’s historic North Cemetery.

The Friends group is also seeking to contact people who know that they have relatives buried in North Cemetery.

Anyone wishing to attend the latest family history sessions at Hartlepool Central Library or provide an oral history about relatives interred at North Cemetery can contact Irene Cross, Hartlepool Council Community Development Officer, on 01429-855560 or at irene.cross@hartlepool.gov.uk