To save a very long trek along the Silk Road ( the Asian one, not SK11) to shop in an Afghan Bazaar, head to the Heritage Centre before Saturday. Their fascinating exhibition of old kilim rugs, sumptuous costume, embroidered textiles, beautiful jewellery, traditional glass and ceramics is running in the Whitaker Room until then. All items are for sale, so whether an avid textile fiend or simply someone with an aesthete's eye and hunting for something beautiful and unusual, this is for you.

Join local historian and author Dorothy Bentley-Smith for a glass of wine and a special talk ‘The Lure of Central Asia’ tonight (30 June) at 7.30pm. A chance to view this exhibition and to hear tales of her fascinating travels.

Reflecting it's new status as Un World Toursim Association, official ‘End of the Silk Road’, the Silk Heritage Trust hopes this will be the first of many visits to different ‘shops’ along the Silk Road and a chance to examine other cultures along the way.

Booking  for evening talk 01625 613210, Whitaker Room, Heritage Centre, Roe Rd.