Visitors to the National Army Museum, Chelsea SW3, will be able to ask a soldier from the Battle of Waterloo what he had for breakfast (nothing), find out why no-one wanted to go to the Caribbean during the 18th century (between 1793 and 1801 nine-tenths of the 45,000 British soldiers who perished there died of disease) and discuss life in the trenches with a Tommy in a reconstructed First World War trench. They can also handle objects such as a 17th-century cannon ball and attend illustrated talks. Free admission. Details: 0171 730 0717 ext. 2228.

FEBRUARY 28 VOLUNTEERING WORLD Something for everyone from an hour a week in a high street charity shop to two years in Africa at this event hosted by Voluntary Service Overseas at Methodist Central Hall, Storey’s Gate, London SW1. Over 35 major volunteering organisations, including Age Concern, Scope, kibbutzim, Oxfam and Raleigh International, will be represented. Free entry. Details: 0181 780 7500.

MARCH 5 and march 10 APPEALs: 1997 A-LEVEL ENGLISH and english literature The Independent Appeals Authority for School Examinations will hear these appeals at Newcombe House, 45 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 at 10am. Open to the public. Details: 0171 243 9245.

MARCH 6 THERE’S A KIND OF HUSH Claire and Sonia from EastEnders (aka Gemma Bissix and Natalie Cassidy) are encouraging schools to fall silent for 10 minutes during a nationwide Hold Your Tongue Challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. Every school to register will be sent a pack containing sponsorship forms, ideas on how to make the sponsored silence fun and curriculum-linked teachers’ information on how to develop an understanding of cancer among students. Details: Murray Lindo, 0181 222 7724.

MARCH 7 THE GENIUS OF PLAY Sally Jenkinson, early-years representative from the Steiner School Fellowship, teacher, lecturer and writer, will discuss the importance of play and social intuition arising from games, drama and literature and how today’s “cultural autism” threatens children’s education through the erosion of play. A Plymouth University study, which recorded 54 themes of play over 11 days, will be included. Venue: The Steiner Theatre and Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1, 7.30pm. Fee: Pounds 4, Pounds 3 concessions. Details: 0171 723 4400.

MARCH 10 THE CHALLENGE OF PUBERTY: THERAPEUTIC WORK IN A GIRLS’ SCHOOL Lecture by Lynda Miller, consultant child psychotherapist, learning disabilities service, Tavistock Clinic, organised by the Forum for the Advancement of Educational Therapy and Therapeutic Teaching at the clinic, 120 Belsize Lane, London NW3, 7pm. Admission: Pounds 6, Pounds 3 members payable at the door. FAETT enquiries: 0181 998 4224 (evenings).