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The public meeting - which will be held in Ashington Leisure Centre on Tuesday, April 27, at 7pm - has been organised by the South East Northumberland Trades Council.

It aims to stimulate interest in the election and encourage as many people as possible to turn out and cast their votes on polling day, Thursday, May 6.

The annual Heritage Open Days initiative - which will be held from Thursday September 9 to Sunday 12 - is England's biggest voluntary cultural event.

Supported by English Heritage, it offers a once a year chance for people to explore the nation's architecture and culture by allowing them free entry to buildings that are usually closed, have restricted access or charge for admission.

In a break from the traditional format, the choir is sharing the stage with the popular local ladies choir, Werca's Folk, who will bring their blend of traditional and modern music to the programme as well as joining the men for some pieces.

The men will sing arrangements produced for the choir by the musical director, Neil Morton.

County council bosses and Keep Britain Tidy are calling on residents to turn out in force on Friday April 23 and give their local neighbourhood a spring clean.

The Big Tidy Up event aims to allow people to show pride in their country by getting involved in a St George's Day effort to rid communities of litter-strewn streets and unsightly dumping areas.

Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure's Make-a-Move Leisure Inclusion Team has put together a programme telling parents and children what's going on over the holidays.

The programme covers the whole of South East Northumberland, including leisure centres, parks and open spaces as well as activities organised by Sure Start, Silx Teen Bar, Sustrans, Northumberland Play team, Ground Works and Northumbria Police.

It is available through schools, leisure centres, council offices and on www.bval.co.uk (opens as pdf)

'A Village Life', commissioned by Northumberland Theatre Company, is described as a serious comedy set in the fictional village of Aldale , which is preparing for a Best Village contest.

The play was written by West Yorkshire-based playwright Mary Cooper, who visited the county while researching the play and spoke to locals about the issues that affected them, including high house prices, the loss of local services and venues, and disputes over the use of land.

The play is at Stakeford Methodist Church at 7.30pm on Monday 8th March. Visit www.northumberlandtheatre.co.uk/ for more details and for other venues.

Read David Whetstone's Culture interview with Mary Cooper »

Alternatively, they can forward questions to Mike Bird, Democratic Services, County Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF, or email mike.bird@northumberland.gov.uk and they will be raised at the meeting.

We are running two presentations at 11.30am and 1.30pm, followed by the opportunity to discuss, with our experienced staff, the job vacancies and career prospects in further detail.

For further information on our Recruitment Fair and our other opportunities available or for an application pack call the HR & Training Team on 0845 140 00 88.

Local community forums are about to start a six-month programme of public engagement, including public meetings, to help draw up community plans, which will influence future decisions and changes.

Meetings will take place in the Choppington, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and Ellington, Linton and Lynemouth areas.

For further information, contact Lynda Fakir, Locality Development Officer for South East Northumberland on 0845 600 6400, email Lynda.Fakir@northumberland.gov.uk or visit northumberland.gov.uk.

On Friday October 30, between 3pm and 5pm, there will be a host of ghostly activities taking place at Choppington Community Woods supported by Northumberland County Council and the Friends of Choppington Community Woods.

Bat box making, tree sprit making, Hallowe'en games and following a spooky trail through the woods will all be on offer around the reserve entrance near the Choppington Welfare Centre.

On Saturday October 31, between 3pm and 5pm the wildlife charity will be joining forces with the Friends of East Cramlington Local Nature Reserve for a second evening of bewitching fun.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is holding the self-led event between 11am and 1pm. Participants will be given a compass and map bearing checkpoints around the woods.

There is no need to book, just turn up at the Choppington Welfare Centre.

On September 24, Northumberland Wildlife Trust's expert on all things furry - Kevin O'Hara - will be the guide for a "mammal walk".

Walkers will be offered the opportunity to look for otters, red squirrel, fox and deer - and their tracks.

It brings together experts on energy efficiency and insulation, benefits and pensions advisers, credit unions and representatives of the NHS.

Visitors to the event will also get the chance to win tickets for Newcastle United's home match against Queen's Park Rangers on September 30.

The event likely to attract the biggest crowd is the Glendale Show (pictured), now in its 117th year, featuring a host of rural attractions and stalls. Spectacular carriage driving and falconry displays and a Ready Steady Cook style cooking competition are some of the highlights of the event on Bank Holiday Monday.

In the bottom corner of the county on the same day, Blanchland & Hunstanworth Show (see link below) will be taking place, and two days before on Saturday Bellingham will also be welcoming visitors to its Show to take part and watch various traditional competitions.