FORTY YEARS OF ANDY CAPP

Whitstable Museum, Kent, is celebrating the flat-capped comic strip character’s 40th birthday with an exhibition of original artwork and large cutouts of Andy and his long-suffering wife, Flo. Local cartoonist, Dave Chisholm, will demonstrate and discuss his skills on March 28 and will be making visits to local schools. Details: 01227 276998.

UNTIL APRIL 19

FLIGHTS OF FANTASY

Buckinghamshire County Museum, Aylesbury, is displaying vivid, macabre and beautiful pieces of textile art, on the themes of birds and flights featured in Roald Dahl’s stories, created by members of Full Circle. Materials include sticks, wire, feathers, papier mache and glass. There is storytelling for children and they can don masks and become moving components of the exhibition. Details: 01296 331441.

MARCH 28

JACK EVANS MEMORIAL SOCIAL

Tribute to the Teachers’ Benevolent Fund secretary for Bristol, who died last October. Venue: The Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Southville, 8pm-midnight. Live music with Los Yanquies. Tickets: pound;5 (includes buffet). Details: Nina Franklin, 0117 9510009.

MARCH 31

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF CHALLENGES

Education law talk at Birmingham Law Society, 8 Temple Street, to be given by Christopher Reynolds JP, head of St Benedict School and Sixth Form College, Derby. Topics include: admissions and exclusions; the new leaving date; litigation by parents; meeting special educational needs; and schools in industrial tribunals. Fee: pound;5. Details: Paul Pharaoh, Education Law Association, 0121 200 3300.

FROM APRIL 1

THE BLACK PRESENCE IN BRITISH FILM AND TELEVISION 1896-1996

Free foyer display at the Museum of the Moving Image, South Bank, London SE1, complementing a centenary tribute to Paul Robeson at the neighbouring National Film Theatre. It also features silent actor Ernest Trimmingham, choreographer Buddy Bradley, Adelaide Hall, Earl Cameron, Lenny Henry and the work of black writers, film-makers, Ballets Negres and much more. Details: 0171 928 3232; 0171 401 2636 (24-hour recorded information).

APRIL 2-SEPTEMBER 27

PETER THE GREAT IN ENGLAND

The “Peter Mikhailov”, who spent four months in Deptford in 1698, was 6 feet 7 inches tall and prone to eccentric behaviour, thus easily identifiable as the Tsar of Russia. This exhibition at Queen’s House, Greenwich, focuses on his time at the Royal Dockyards and Royal Observatory, where he studied shipbuilding, navigation and astronomy. He and his entourage damaged the Observatory’s buildings and instruments and wrecked John Evelyn’s house at Sayes Court, where they were staying. Accompanying Easter holiday events range from Faberge-inspired Easter eggs and traditional Russian folk tales to the story of the Tsar of Muscovy’s riotous visit. Details: 0181 858 4422 or 0181 312 6565 (24 hours).

APRIL 4-19

EASTER ON HMS BELFAST

Children aged seven to 14 can win a chocolate egg on HMS Belfast, Tooley Street, London SE1, upon completion of its nautical quiz trail. Details: 0171 940 6320.

APRIL 4-19

THE CIRCUS SPACE FESTIVAL

Families can enjoy breathtaking displays of trapeze, juggling, tumbling and clowning plus workshops, circus film with early footage and a Circusiana Fair at BritCirc, Hoxton, London N1. Several of the performers are drawn from Circus Space’s BTEC national diploma course in circus and performance skills. Details: 0171 613 4141.

APRIL 4-19

TOY STORIES

Free drop-in workshops at The National Museum in Exile, Bradford (temporary home of the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television), 11am-4pm. Children can draw or make models of their own toys, bring them to life in roller flip books and flick books and storyboard and film their toy’s adventure against the backdrop of a European city. Details: 01274 725347.

APRIL 4-SEPTEMBER 1

ME AND YOU

Artwork and sculptures have been commissioned from contemporary artists such as Kitty O’Shea and Chila Burman for this interactive art and history exhibition for children aged three upwards at Walsall Museum and Art Gallery. They can play with art-based games, masks, puzzles, fuzzy felt and touch screen computer interactives, make their own artworks supervised by artists, listen to stories and dress up and role play in the photo studio. Details: 01922 653116653196.

APRIL 5, 12

UNDER THE KNIFE

Children’s events, “The poetry of surgery” and “The resurrection men”, are being held at the Old Operating Theatre, 9a St Thomas’s Street, London SE1, 2.30pm. The first focuses on the work of “speed surgeon”, Billy Lucas, whose pupils included John Keats, and the second on the bodysnatchers, who worked with surgeons such as Sir Astley Cooper procuring corpses for medical dissection. Details: 0171 955 4791.

APRIL 6-18

OL’ MAN RIVER

The centenary of Paul Robeson, the great American singer, actor and activist, is being celebrated at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London WC1. The programme will feature video footage (some not seen before), a “Robeson in Britain” exhibition, reminiscences and discussion sessions with Robeson experts. A commemorative illustrated booklet will also be produced. Details: 0171 323 6305.

APRIL 9-19

CHOCS AWAY!

Squadron Leader Biggles is sending children on a traditional Easter egg hunt around the aircraft and aviation exhibits of the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1. Successful participants will receive a chocolate mini-egg and can enter a prize draw to win a selection of Airfix model kits. The museum is marking the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force. Details: 0171 416 5310.

APRIL 17-19

WOODWIND INSTRUMENT REPAIRS

This introduction to woodwind instrument repair has been organised by the Association of Woodwind Teachers in the Cambridge workshops of an experienced professional. Accommodation available in nearby hotel. Details: Bernard Parris, 01502 723943.