VICTORIAN FAIRY PAINTING Victorian writers, musicians and painters were obsessed with fairies and the supernatural. This exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London W1, co-organised with University of Iowa Museum of Art, includes a section on stage effects (“flying” on wires, limelight for eerie effects, for example), George Cruickshank’s illustrations of Grimm’s fairy tales and paintings by Joshua Reynolds, William Blake, Turner and Landseer. On December 12, 7-10.30pm, Coleridge (Simon Callow) will deliver a monologue accompanied by period music, magic lantern slides and phantasmagoric ice sculptures. Tickets from Pounds 25. Details: 0171 369 1737.

NOVEMBER 17-21 ALL THAT GLITTERS: GILDING, GLASS AND GRAINING It’s annual conservation week at The Regency Palace, Brighton. In lectures, tours and displays visitors can see behind the scenes and find out about interior design concepts, trompe l’oeil painting and ornamental furniture decoration. Displays include “Deluge of Dragons”, illustrations of gilding colours and effects used in the Music Room. Tickets free, but admission charge is payable. Details: 01273 290900.

NOVEMBER 20 AND 21 SUPPORTING PARENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES Workshops organised by De Montfort University at Friends’ Meeting House, Queens Road, Leicester. The first is aimed at psychologists and the second at social workers and health visitors. Fee: Pounds 90 per course. Details: Sue Colledge, 0116 257 7354.

NOVEMBER 20-30 BRIEF ENCOUNTERS FESTIVAL Bristol’s annual celebration of the short film will be held at the Watershed Media Centre and other venues. It includes: new films and premi res, retrospective film comedy seasons, an education programme, screenwriting training and a photostoryboard competition, for which participants will tell a story in 26 still photographs. Details: Andrew Kelly, 0117 922 4636.

NOVEMBER 22-23 BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE:80TH ANNIVERSARY “They died in Hell, they called it Passchendaele” wrote Siegfried Sassoon. Find out what life was like for soldiers who fought and lived on the Western Front during this weekend of activities at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, London SW3. There will be talks, films, demonstrations of First World War medicine, drill and equipment and the chance to talk to re-enactors. Free admission. Details: 0171 730 0717 ext. 2228.

NOVEMBER 23 MEMORIAL SERVICE A memorial for Dr David Jodrell Rustron, who died on September 20, will be held at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon, 3.30pm and afterwards at the Shakespeare Hotel. If you wish to attend, please advise Thelma Brazier, 01299 823631.

NOVEMBER 27 THE MAGIC OF POLITICS Former secretary of state for education, John MacGregor, is an accomplished conjuror and a member of the Magic Circle. He will deliver the 1997 Dean Lecture at Goldsmiths College, New Cross London SE14, 6.30pm. Free admission. All welcome. Details: Stephen Clarke, 0171 919 7265.

NOVEMBER 27 HUMAN DIGNITY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION The Council for Education in World Citizenship is launching its Towards Citizenship support pack at Citizenship House, 15 St Swithin’s Lane, London EC4, 6-8pm. Free tickets: 0171 929 5090.