Group discussions, improvisations and seminars on the future of development education at Harbourne Hall, Birmingham, 10am-4.30pm.

Fee: pound;15. Details: Eleanor or Rosemin, Voluntary Service Overseas 0181 780 73087369, email:rnajmudinekercher@vso.org.uk.

UNTIL MARCH 6 WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

One hundred and fifty images resulting from an international competition to capture the beauty and wonder of the natural world features in this exhibition organised by BBC Wildlife Magazine and The Natural History Museum at Whitstable Museum amp; Gallery, Oxford Street, Whitstable, Kent CT5, 10.30am-1pm and 2pm-4pm. Free admission. Details: Manda Gifford or Brian Stewart, 01227 452747.

MARCH 27 FADO, FADO: LONG-AGO STORIES FROM IRELAND

Kate Corkery follows in the footsteps of the ancient Seers of Ireland with spoken myths, songs, riddles and rhymes accompanied by the bodhr n for children aged 5 and upwards at the Barbican children’s library, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2, 11-12 noon. Admission: free. Details: 0171 638 8891.

UNTIL APRIL 5 FROM THE HEART:FESTIVAL OF IRISH MUSIC AND ARTS

Literature, poetry, concerts, Ceili and Irish Stew at the Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2. Other events include: readings by author Seamus Heaney; music from piper Liam O’Flynn; and workshops for children. Details:0171 638 8891.

UNTIL APRIL 10 THE SNOW LION

The latest production from the Polka Theatre for Children, for infant and junior pupils at 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19. It is based on Tibetan folktales and tells the story of Dolma, the little girl who sets out to rescue the Snow Lion from the Fur Lions of the East and save Tibet. Admission from: pound;3-pound;24 for a family ticket. Details: 0181 543 3741, email:polkatheatre@dial.pipex.com, web:http:www.polkatheatre.com.

Information THE WRITE STUFF

The Cancer Research Campaign, Cambridge House, 10 Cambridge Terrace, London NW1, is calling on writers to enter its creative writing competition as part of its 75th anniversary appeal to raise money for medical research. There are two categories - short stories or poetry - and anyone over 18 can enter for a fee of pound;5. Final date for entries is February 28. There is a cash prize of pound;1,000 for the best entry in each category. Judges include authors Mary Wesley and Penelope Lively, and TV journalist Martin Bashir. Details: Virginia Lawrence, 0171 317 5008.

GOING ABROAD? MAKING THE MOST OF OPPORTUNITIES

Organised by the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research on March 3 at 20 Bedfordbury, London WC2, 5.30pm-7.00pm, for teachers and pupils. It will focus on how to maximise thebenefits of foreign visits,exchanges and courses to improve language skills and knowledgeof a foreign environment. Admission: free. Details: 0171 379 5101 ext 231.

LEARNING TO SEE AWARDS

The Royal Fine Art Commission is seeking applications for its 1999 awards for student teachers. Eight awards of pound;500 each are available for student teachers to develop teaching material dealing with the built environment. A prize of pound;1,000 will be awarded for the best entry. Details: Peter Stewart, the Royal Fine Art Commission, 7 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4JU, tel:0171 839 6537.