There’s a smuggler about at Liverpool’s National Museum of HM Customs and Excise in Merseyside Maritime Museum. Events range from rummaging for contraband to storytelling. Details: 0151 478 4499.

NOVEMBER - RICHMOND LITERATURE FESTIVAL

The principal focus is on poetry and serious fiction plus events on biography, writing for the theatre and children’s writing. Different venues. Details: 0181 332 0534.

NOVEMBER - MUSIC AND DRAMA

Forthcoming events at Hoxton Hall, London N1, include: a Hallowe’en masked ball with the Ti-Fer Cajun Band, November 4, 8.30 pm; music hall group the Vaudevilles, November 10; La Luciernaga Theatre’s presentation of Gran Misterio Gran, based on Dario Fo’s compilation of Medieval Mysteries, November 17, and Rainbow Theatre’s presentation of Changing Faces, November 24. Details: 0171 739 5431.

NOVEMBER 11 - LANGUAGE AND GENDER ISSUES IN THE CLASSROOM

Public meeting led by Anne Turvey, London Institute of Education, organised by the education division of the Buddhist group SGI-UK in the restaurant area of Friends’ Meeting House, Euston Road, London NW1, 2-4 pm, admission Pounds 2. Details: 0171 916 6740 or Chris Childs, 01920 487263.

NOVEMBER 12-13 - ROBERT STEADMAN’S IN MEMORIAM

World premiere at Albert Hall, Nottingham, 7.30 pm, of new work by composer, Robert Steadman, which includes sections written by local schoolchildren. The Nottingham Education Choir and Nottinghamshire Education Symphony Orchestra will also perform the work for schools on November 13 at 10.30 am and 1. 30 pm. Tickets: Pounds 5, Pounds 3 concessions, Pounds 1 Nottinghamshire schools. Details: 0115 941 9419.

NOVEMBER 13-19 - BEHIND THE SCENES

Conservation week at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion. Tours, lectures and practical demonstrations of work in progress will reveal what goes on behind the scenes at the palace. Free to visitors with a valid admission ticket. Details: 01273 603005.

NOVEMBER 15 - ENTRY TO HIGHER EDUCATION - WILL IT EVER BE THE SAME AGAIN?

Talk by Tony Higgins, chief executive, Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, to launch the Centigrade seminar season at Wolfson College, Oxford, 11 am. He will discuss a Common Points Tariff for 18+ qualifications and the suitability of GNVQs as qualifications for entry to HE. Ten further Centigrade lectures have been organised by UCAS and Cambridge Occupational Analysts during November and December in England, Wales and at Ulster University, designed to help sixth formers and adults select the most appropriate HE courses. Details: Marion Korman, 01362 688722.

NOVEMBER 16 - POLITICIANS AND POLICY MAKERS: WORKING TOGETHER?

Lecture by Alan Ruby, deputy secretary, Department of Employment, Education and Training, Australia, and chair of OECD’s education committee. Part of Roehampton Institute’s Centre for Educational Management lecture series, it will be held at Southlands College, Wimbledon Parkside, London SW19, 5-6. 30 pm. Details: Ian Monk, 0181 392 3400.