MID-BUCKS Beekeepers Association invite you to their new course of Bee Keeping for Beginners. This unique bee-keeping course in Great Missenden consists of four classroom sessions followed by hands-on-learning in the Association's Apiary. You will also learn all about the products of the hive. As well as different kinds of honey, beekeepers can produce candles, wax, furniture polish, cosmetics and skin creams. In summer there are 40,000 to 60,000 worker bees in a hive with an average life of six weeks. The course begins on Tuesday, March 19, at 7.30pm in Great Missenden; the venue details are available from Mrs Venetia Lascelles on 01844 344007.

NOT long now to complete your work of art for the Red Kites in the Chilterns Art Competition. The theme is Wildlife in the Chilterns, and you can send a painting or drawing, photograph, sculpture, mosaic or collage. Three age categories are available: over-16, 12-to-16, and under-12. Call 01844 271306 for details and entries must be in by March 29.

ROMANS are still waiting to meet up with you at the County Museum. Discover life in Roman times with a special hands-on opportunity. Get full information about location and opening times from 01296 678119.

CAN Great Missenden or nearby areas offer a new home to the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home Charity? They need a new office in the South Bucks area where they could base two nursing teams and have some space to store nursing equipment. They have temporary accommodation in Penn Village but really need a long-term solution. If you have any local leads, please give a call on 01494 713888.

By David Kidd-Hewitt