The Busherstown Creative Centre, outside Birr, Co Offaly, has a range of courses between now and December designed to stimulate your creativity. Some of the courses last one day, others are held over a weekend and, if you live nearby, you could do one of the longer courses which run for six sessions. Upholstery, painting and flower arranging fall into this latter category.

October classes begin with a day on cake icing next Saturday and during the month there will also be courses on decoupage, gardening and willow-basket making. In November tempt your sweet tooth with a day-long course on making delicious gateaux, have a go at interior design or spend five days learning furniture restoration.

With Christmas on the way, craft teachers may be interested in the paper-making workshop on November 8th or in fabric sculpture on November 29th.

For parents in need of R&R in the run up to the festive season, centre director Prue Rudd is holding two fun days for children on December 13th and December 20th - she will take their minds of Santa Claus and teach them how to make all sorts of goodies with Christmas in mind.

Booking is essential and participants should bring a packed lunch. For information on Busherstown contact Prue Rudd at (0505) 45206.

The RDS is the venue for Age Action Ireland's exhibition of services for older people and their carers which will take place on October 12th between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Entry is free and all are welcome.

The idea of the exhibition is to bring together all those who offer services or help to older people from statutory bodies to voluntary, private and professional groups and the organisers hope it will become an annual event. Contact Harriet Ryan at (01) 677 9892 or e-mail: ageact@indigo.ie