IN managing our village halls, the aim is to provide as much variety, entertainment, caring, well-being and interest for our villagers and neighbouring villages as possible.

AFTER last Sunday’s first proper class, I hope our dogs, of which there seems to be a growing number in Riding Mill, are also being catered for.

Please note that Jenny Sandiford will be taking a second class on Sunday, but this time in the Millennium Hall at 3pm.

Jenny is teaching how to have better communication with your dog and she is also providing tips and practise on better recall, how to heel, not to jump up and much more. I wonder if these tips work on humans?

TO add to the variety, as well as the return of Zumba in the parish hall in the new year, a course of Chakra dance classes will be held in the Millennium Hall. Details will follow shortly.

DUE to the extension of the stage and building of the scenery for the drama club autumn production, the bowls club and choral society will be unable to meet on Monday in the parish hall, the pilates is unable to meet on Tuesday and the badminton club is unable to meet on Thursday.

The karate class on Monday can, however, move to the Millennium Hall as can the yoga class on Wednesday and the Northumbria Healers next Saturday.

I am hopeful that clubs which simply use the supper room can be accommodated in the foyer or foyer side room.

If any club members are unsure of arrangements, please give me a call.

SOME tickets are still available for the drama club production of How the Other Half Loves by Alan Ayckbourn, which runs from Thursday, November 26 until Saturday, November 28.

Telephone Anne Lawrence on (01434) 682351 or alternatively email rmdcsales@gmail.com for tickets.

With Kris Andersen, Eileen Davidson, Sean Fenwick, Gaia Hudson, Angela Routledge and Mike Smith playing the parts of three married couples whose relationships begin to deteriorate, matters become complex and only the truth can restore order to chaos.

THIS may be the last chance to see Mike Smith in an amateur production before he has to concentrate on rehearsals with the RSC for A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Newcastle next March. We may only see him on the TV attending red carpet events from then on!

THE world news is particularly distressing at the moment so it is heartening to see that Jenny Mathers and Barbara Thompson are organising a fund-raising event to support Syrian Refugees in the parish hall on Sunday, December 6, from 11am until 4pm.

With lunch prepared by Linda Shepherd, Barbara Nelson and Rachel Best, profit from the event plus some proceeds from the sale of artwork will be given to the British Red Cross Syria Crisis Appeal. More details to follow next week.

TO contact me please email pampryor@btinternet.com or telephone (01434) 682927.