Half-term bird-themed events will be on offer for youngsters from Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

The free events are being run through the SENSE Project. A Feed the Birds Event takes place on February 16, between 1pm and 3pm at Plessey Woods; there will be bird watching at Holywell Pond Reserve on February 17, between 10.30am and 12.30pm; and on February 18, between 1pm and 3pm, at East Cramlington Local Nature Reserve, children will be able to make bird feeders and take part in feathery quizzes and challenges.

Call Laura Lowther on 0191 284 6884.

Two crime and thriller writers are set to share the secrets of their success with visitors to a Northumberland library.

Authors Ann Cleeves and David Hewson will be talking about their work at Seaton Valley Community Library in Seaton Delaval at 2.30pm on Wednesday, February 24.

North East-based Ann and Yorkshire-born David have both won awards for their books, and will be discussing their recipe for successful crime writing with interested readers.

It's never too early to start planning the year's gardening, and an expert is coming to Seaton Sluice to show how to make your floral creations wildlife-friendly.

Heather O'Neill from Northumberland Wildlife Trust will be giving a talk and presentation on how to create a wildlife garden which will help out animals living in the area.

The free talk is at Seaton Sluice Library at the community centre on Albert Road at 5.30pm until 7pm tomorrow (Wednesday).

Northumberland Trading Standards is urging people in the county to fight back against the fraudsters this February by taking part in a major campaign.

The Scamnesty 2010 campaign runs from February 1 to 26 and will involve people dropping mail scams they receive through their letterbox into designated Scamnesty boxes which will be placed across Northumberland.

Online scams can also be reported via the virtual Scamnesty bin at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty.

A forum is inviting people to have their say about issues important to them in their areas. Seaton Valley Community Forum is holding a series of events to learn what is important to people in the area, community groups and businesses within the Seaton Valley district.

It only need take 10 minutes at any one of the January drop-in events to get views across and share a cuppa.

Meetings will be on Monday, January 18, from 2.30 to 7.30pm at the Seaton Sluice Community Centre; Tuesday, January 19, from 2.30 to 7.30pm in Seaton Delaval Pavilion, Astley Park; Wednesday, January 20, from 2.30 to 7.30pm at Seghill Community Centre; Thursday, January 21, from 2.30 to 7.30pm at Holywell Community Centre, Holywell Dene Road; and between 3pm and 8pm on the same day at New Hartley Memorial Hall.

The eighth annual concert to commemorate the 1862 New Hartley pit disaster is to take place at the New Hartley Village Hall next Saturday, 16th January.

Special guests this year are folk musicians Johnny Handle and Christine Hendry, writer Keith Armstrong speaking about the life of Pitman Poet Joseph Skipsey; and local folk group Beeswing and friends.

The event is a memorial to the 199 workers in the village's Hester Pit who died after being trapped underground by a fallen beam.

The concert begins at 7.30 and tickets are priced at £5. Call 0789 4428401 or e-mail keith.blackburn@gmail.com with any enquiries.

Seaton Sluice Art Club will be hosting an exhibition of their work this weekend.

Everybody is welcome to come and look around at Seaton Sluice Community Centre on Saturday from 10am until 3pm, with admission free.

Light refreshments will be available and a framed original watercolour painting will be raffled.

A Christmas fair is being held next Saturday at Elsdon Avenue Church in Seaton Delaval.

The event, from 11am to 2pm, will include a Santa's grotto and stalls piled high with toys, books, cakes, cards, and Christmas decorations.

Entrance is 20p per person.

Seaton Delaval and District Local History Society are issuing an invitation to their next meeting.

The society are looking for new members to get involved in the group, which meets at 7.30pm on the last Tuesday of each month in Astley High School.

There are a full programme of speakers lined up for the coming season with talks by Freda Thompson, John Charlton and Neil Taylor, and on November 24th "If the Germans had Invaded" by Bill Thompson. Everyone is welcome at the meeting.

The group was founded in 1974 and is affiliated to the Association of Northumberland local History Societies.

For more information contact Margaret Oakey 01670 530 867 or email at sdlhs01@yahoo.co.uk

The melodic harmonies of the Backworth Male Voice Choir are coming to Elsdon Avenue church in Seaton Delaval.

The choir are holding a concert, on Saturday November 14 at 7pm, with guest soloist Susan Robertson.

Tickets are £6, in aid of the church's funds.