THE Rural Arts autumn programme for Thirsk and other venues in North Yorkshire includes a mix of comedy, tragedy, music and education for all.

Performances include Clap Trap Production's powerful reconstruction of the friendship between First World War soldier poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, which was cut short by Owen's death just a week before the Armistice, and a timely tale of environmental destruction and regeneration from the Puppet State Theatre Company, with an adaptation of Jean Giono's classic short story The Man Who Planted Trees.

A comic counterbalance is supplied by Yorkshire poet Ian McMillan and cartoonist Tony Husband, as they coopt audiences to create a live-action cartoon of their local area and the people who live there.

All three companies will perform at village halls and community centres, through the Rural Arts On Tour scheme.

Canadian band, The Polyjesters, return to the region in November with their humorous mix of jazz and alternative country music.

Miles Hunt and Erica Nockall, of The Wonder Stuff, play roots and folk-influenced music at the Old Courthouse in Thirsk in December.

Courses and classes at the Old Courthouse include touch typing, French language, drawing, painting, yoga, quilting and felt-making. Free internet access classes are available for beginners and improvers, with opportunities to learn how to use digital television, mobile telephones and digital cameras.

Exhibitions at the Old Courthouse will feature glassware by Rachel Gretton and prints by Hester Cox.

More information and details of venues are available from www.ruralarts.org.