ADULT Education week aims to highlight the wide range of courses and training available in your area, and at Kikby Stephen Adult Education Centre they are taking education to the people.

Centre manager Christina Collis said: "Having grown up on an isolated hill farm I know what it feels like to always have to travel to town to go shopping, visit the bank or join a club. So keeping this in mind, I am dedicated to taking adult education to the local community rather than it having to come to us! This term we have a traditional photography course running at the Hayloft Studio at Great Skirrygill, South Stainmore. Professional photographer Peter Koronka is sharing his extensive experience of this subject from catching the best angle' through to the darkroom. A local photography club has grasped this opportunity and six of its members are currently learning techniques usually only on offer in larger centres such as Carlisle or Kendal. Learning on their own doorstep.

"A Gardening in the Hills' course was organised after one lady who lives on Stainmore asked if we could hold classes in the local Institute. She had heard Vera Turnbull, a Chelsea Flower Show medal winner give an inspired talk one day and wondered if I could arrange for her to share this wonderful knowledge of garden and design with us. Vera has held several courses at the centre before, but never on the hills so the idea expanded from there. In fact, Vera had only just returned from a trip to Capri, the Garden Isle, the day before the eight-week course began.

"I hope to cascade adult learning to other outreach centres during the coming terms. China Painting at Church Brough and Orton together with Watercolours and Crafts for residents in Eden Housing accommodation at Kirkby Stephen and Appleby.

"If you live in a village anywhere from Orton to Tebay and would like me to organise a course near you, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be at the school on a Monday/Wednesday 9am 3.30pm. Just give me a call."

Adult learners from Kirkby Stephen and surrounding villages celebrated their success at a special awards evening last year. Those who had taken accredited courses, set by national bodies, were awarded their certificates by head teacher of Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, David Keetley.

More than 50 people received their certificates at that evening and the age range of people studying at the centre is from young people aged 15 on the food hygiene course to a woman of 92 who is taking a computer course.

Christina said: "The numbers of people enrolling for courses continues to grow, and people from Brough, Warcop, Tebay as well as Kirkby Stephen come to the centre. The Tebay Women's Institute has just completed its Basic Hygiene Foundation Course with us."