VARIETY is very much the watchword on the local enterainment scene in the coming weeks with a wide range of attractions and artists to choose from.

ON Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14 the Theatre Royal is hosting members of St Luke's Church, Eccleston who are presenting 'Hopes and Dreams' in aid of Willowbrook Hospice, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £4 for adults and £2 for children, are available from the Hospice Campaign Office, 56 Claughton Street or by ringing 01744 453798.

THE St Helens Millennium Youth Theatre are performing their first play, 'Deal With it' at The Citadel, Waterloo Street until Saturday, July 14. Merseyside Drugs Council and St Helens Drug Action Team have assisted the members of this 14 to 18-year-olds group with this play about the use of illegal drugs among young people. Curtain up is 8pm.

ON Friday, July 20 the Citadel, has Mad Dogs and Englishmen and Bushack on stage from 8pm.

A CONCERT in aid of St Helens Amateur Operatic Society will be held at Eccleston United Reform Church, Bleak Hill on Saturday, July 21 from 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £5 including tea and biscuits, are available from Paul Lyon on 01744 757741.

ST HELENS Sinfonietta are staging a Summer Pops Concert on Saturday, July 14 at St Helens Parish Church starting at 7.30pm. Tickets available from 01744 616403/22632

THE annual Newton Music Festival will be held from Friday, July 20 to Sunday, July 22 at Mesnes Park, Park Road North, Newton-le-Willows. The event features, bands, solo artists and a brass band. Further details available from 01925 221790.

A FAMILY Fun Day is being held on Sunday, July 15 at St Patrick's Club, off Common Road, Newton-le-Willows from 1pm.

A JAZZ Rendezvous takes place at the Star Inn, Rainford every Sunday from 8.30pm, admission is free. Guests on July 15 are John Hallam (reeds), Don Long (trombone) and John Gordon (guitar).

MEMBERS of the Rainford Scout Group Supporters Committee are holding a jumble sale on Saturday, July 14 at the scout headquarters, Church Road, Rainford. This starts at 2pm and admission is 20p on the door.

SOCIETY NEWS

ST HELENS Historic Society members going to Platt Hall and Little Moreton on Saturday, July 14 are reminded that the coach will leave Water Street at 1.30pm and that there is no provision for refreshments at Platt Hall.

ST HELENS Writers Club meet on Wednesay, July 18 when the topic will be 'School Holidays'. This is at the Central Library, Victoria Square from 7 to 9pm.

ST HELENS Hard of Hearing Club meet on Monday, July 16 for a fund-raising mini auction. This is at the Deaf Centre, Dentons Green Lane from 1.30pm.