CORRESPONDENT ARTICLE: This is my first column, which I hope will be the first of many. Thanks to everyone who has sent articles in. If you have any local community information or are organising a community event, contact me by 5pm Monday for inserting in the next issue

LOCAL COUNCILLORS: Surgeries are held at Wakefield Town Hall, Wood Street, each Saturday from 9.30am to 11am (except bank holiday weekends). More details are available at www.wakefield.gov.uk

DRURY LANE LIBRARY: Tea and biscuits will be sold in the library on Wednesday, February 10 from 11am to 3pm in aid of the Haiti appeal. The young people's reader group for12 to 19-year-olds, is held on the first Thursday of the month between 4pm and 5pm. Family reader group is held on Saturday morning from 10.30am to noon. The next meeting is on Saturday, February 13.

WAKEFIELD MUSEUM: On Wood Street is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 4.30pm. Discover more about Wakefield's history in the 'Story of Wakefield' gallery. There is a regular programme of temporary exhibitions, call 01924 305356 for further information.

WAKEFIELD CATHEDRAL: Due to the military funeral for Rifleman Luke Farmer the public is asked to avoid parking in the cathedral grounds on Friday, February 5. Collections of dried food, chocolate, biscuits, and cereal bars, anything that you can eat without cooking facilities, can be left with the vergers for Wakefield Rent Deposit Scheme, which urgently needs goods to help the homeless.

St JOHN'S CHURCH: A coffee morning will be held on Saturday, February 6 from 10am to noon, with a further chance to come and have a look round the newly improved building.

ST AUSTIN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH: Phoenix Brass Band is back by popular demand, with a concert in St Austin's Theatre on Saturday, February 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4 and £3 concessions and a family ticket for £12 is available on the night.

A MID-WINTER CONCERT: With professional artists featuring violin, cello, piano, soprano solos and St Austin's Choir will be held on Saturday, February 20 at 7.30pm in St Austin's Theatre. Contact Catherine on 372869, Margaret on 376820 or Anne on 374248 for tickets, which cost £5 each or family tickets £10. Bar facilities will be available.

PARISH CRIB IN THE RIDINGS: Placed by members of St Austin's Catholic Church raised £512 during the Christmas season. Donations of £100 each have been made to the following, Alzheimer's Society, the Parkinson's Disease Society, the Richmond Fellowship (Normanton) mental health support group, the Baptist Church (night shelter for homeless) Wakefield, and to the CAFOD Haiti disaster appeal. Thank you to all who supported these causes.

WAKEFIELD LIBRARY READERS' GROUP: This voluntary, independent group, based at Drury Lane Library, has links with the library service, which provides books, venue and staff support. The group was established in February 1999, and meets on the second Monday every month (except August), from 7pm to 9pm. It reads and discusses a book a month and runs occasional author events, visits and poetry readings. Members range in age from 20s to 80s and they read contemporary and classic fiction and occasional non-fiction titles. Contact Tom Alderson, on 01924 252763 or tom.alderson@gmail.com. If you are a local organisation, club, group or community centre and would like a community feature on your organisation, please let me know.