Ryedale District Council is inviting residents to take part in an initiative to reduce oil heating bills by up to ten per cent. An oil-buying co-ordinator from the Yorkshire Energy Partnership will be visiting village halls over February and March. The next session will run at Cropton Village Hall, near Pickering, on Tuesday, February 4 from 10am until 2pm. There will also be sessions at Weaverthorpe Village Hall on Saturday, February 15, from 2pm until 4pm and Foxholes Village Hall on Monday, March 24, from 7pm. There will also be a parish forum meeting for the western area at The Old Vicarage in Helmsley on Wednesday, February 19 and another in Thornton-le-Dale village hall on Thursday, March 6.

COMMONDALE WALK: Northallerton Ramblers will be walking in the Commondale area of North Yorkshire on Thursday, February 6. The ten mile trek will begin at Commondale and head to Birks Brow. For more information contact Dave on 01642-771114.

RSPB TALK: A talk on the RSPB Saltholme Bird Reserve will take place in the upper room of Stokesley Town Hall on Monday, February 24, at 7.30pm. The talk has been arranged by Stokesley Society and everyone is welcome. Admission £1.