Coffee morning: There will be a coffee morning in the town hall on Saturday, from 10am, to raise money for St John the Baptist Church. Bentham Community Primary School children will be singing carols.

Pub carols: There will be carol singing at the Horse and Farrier on Monday, December 17.

Auction service: There will be a carol service at the Auction Mart at 3.30pm on Wednesday, December 19. You are invited to dress up as characters from the nativity story.

Craft classes: Temptations are holding patchwork classes every second Saturday during December, from 10am to 4pm. There will be a knitting class on Monday, from 2pm to 4pm, a knitting and crochet class on Tuesday, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and a sewing workshop on Wednesday, from 10am to noon. On the late night shopping evenings, Temptations is holding a mini-craft fair in the middle room of the shop with sewn and knitted gifts, hand- painted stones and hand-made jewellery.

Pioneer Projects: People are invited to visit Pioneer Projects on Wednesday, from 11.15am to 12.30pm, and make something for Christmas, such as tree decorations, bunting, collages and gift boxes Late night shopping: The Christmas lights have been switched on in Bentham and the main late night shopping event will take place tomorrow (Friday) from 5pm to 8pm. There will be events for children, including a bouncy castle, and Father Christmas will be in his grotto on Station Road. At the Horse and Farrier, handmade jewellery will be on sale and local musicians will play during the evening. The event has been organised by the We are Bentham group.

Primary school: Key Stage One pupils will stage their Christmas production in the school hall on Tuesday, December 18, at 2pm and on Wednesday, December 19, at 6pm. Key Stage Two children will hold their performance in the Methodist Church on Monday, December 17, at 3pm and on Thursday, December 20, at 6pm.

Historical Society: Sir John Kerr, chairman of Ewecross Historical Society, welcomed guest speaker Robert Pool to the November meeting in Bentham Town Hall. Mr Pool gave an illustrated lecture on the Lancashire Witches, concentrating on the trial at Lancaster Castle in 1612 when 20 people were accused of witchcraft and ten were hanged. After answering many questions, Mr Pool was thanked by the chairman. In January Dr Andrew Jotischky will speak on medieval food.

Age Concern: Members of Age Concern met at the Masonic Hall on Friday. They enjoyed a roast lunch and servers were Sue Park and Keith Hartley. The raffle winner was Mary Butterfield. In the afternoon, members enjoyed making Christmas cards.