BIRD’S EYE VIEWS

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has organised a countrywide programme of events. These include: guided walks around nature reserves such as Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex, and Loch Gruinart, Isle of Islay, Argyll; a wild goose chase at Portmore Lough, Aghalee, County Antrim; beginner birdwatching at Conwy Nature Reserve, Gwynedd; an all-Ireland birdwatch conference at Dunadry Hotel and Country Club, Templepatrick, Co Antrim (March 7-9); and spring migration of waders at Snettisham, Norfolk (April 5, 6, 8, 10, 25, 26 and 27). Details: 01767 680551.

JANUARY 25-MARCH 9

TRADITIONS: HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY EMBROIDERED OBJECTS IN CONTEXT Exhibition from the Embroiderers’ Guild at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, showing the history of embroidery through beautiful, accomplished examples of samplers, crewel work, quilting, AyrshireBerlin work and patchwork. Twentieth-century hand, machine and mixed media pieces, and 19th- and 20th-century locally made quilts are also on show. Accompanying key stage 2 workshops - “A stitch in time” - will be run, March 3-7. Details: 01228 34781.

JANUARY 30-APRIL 27

FIFTY YEARS OF THE FOLIO SOCIETY, 1947-1997

The Folio Society is unique in that it commissions original illustrations for the majority of its books. Artists represented in this exhibition at King’s Library, Great Russell Street, London WC1, include: Dame Elisabeth Frink, John Piper, Beryl Cook, Paula Rego, John Buckland-Wright, Joan Hassall and Quentin Blake. Also on display will be examples of the books themselves, providing an overview of 50 years of book production. Details: 0171 412 7760; 0171 412 7222 (recorded information).

FEBRUARY 6

COLIN DEXTER AND THE CODE OF MORSE

Literary talk at the Barbican Cinema 3, Silk Street, London EC2, 7.30pm, at which Colin Dexter will talk about his approach to writing and the world of Inspector Morse. Tickets: Pounds 3.50 from box office, 0171 638 8891.

FEBRUARY 8

ICELAND SUPERPING (GATHERING)

Group leaders, teachers and expedition members will get the chance to discuss travel arrangements, expedition areas, weather conditions and fieldwork ideas with experts at The Young Explorers Trust’s annual Iceland Superping, 10.30am-4pm, at Mill Hill School, The Ridgeway, London NW7. Fee: Pounds 6, Pounds 5 students. To attend, send names, addresses and cheques, made payable to YET, to: Ted Grey, Stretton Cottage, Wellow Road, Ollerton, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG22 9AX.