THE shortlist

UNUSUAL COURSES

Understanding The Weather, Hammersmith, London: make your own forecasts and understand how the weather works. Thursday evenings at Hammersmith & Fulham Community Centre, Cambridge Grove, London W6, from 26 September for four weeks. Cost: pounds 21, concessions from pounds 6. Call 0181 748 3020.

Introduction to Cornish, Truro, Cornwall: fed up with speaking English? Want to confuse tourists in the West Country? Then this is the course for you. It builds your confidence in spoken Cornish and there are complimentary courses on literature and history. Tuesday evenings, Truro College, Daniell Road Centre, Truro, from 24 September for 10 weeks. Cost: pounds 20, pounds 10 concessions. Call 01872 265800.

Bach Flower Remedies, Edinburgh: put those Nurofens back in the cupboard and learn all about Dr Bach's 38 remedies. The course goes through the healing properties of each remedy and ends with one-to-one counselling and prescribing session. Thursday evenings at Portobello High School, Edinburgh, from 30 September for five weeks. Cost: pounds 17.50, concessions from pounds 4. Call 0131 479 2140.

Magic For Beginners, London: get revenge on your enemies by pretending to cut them in half! By the end of the course you should be able to perform several tricks that will completely baffle the audience.Monday evenings at The City Lit, 16 Stukeley St, London WC2, from 16 September for 11 weeks. Cost: pounds 66, concessions pounds 33. Call 0171 430 0544.

Find Your Voice: Singing for Non-Singers, Oxford: for those who've always wanted to sing but never had the confidence. Start with classic pop tunes and build up to choral pieces that you can all sing together in perfect harmony in the Non-Singers Choir. Wednesdays at Summertown Church Hall, Portland Road, Oxford, from 25 September for 10 weeks. Cost: pounds 26.30, concessions pounds 13.15. Call 01865 552295.

Archery for Beginners, Kent: A target archery course teaching basic skills, rules, scoring and equipment handling. Bows and arrows supplied. Saturday mornings at the Widmore Centre, Bromley, Kent. from 21 September for 12 weeks. Cost: pounds 52.50, concessions can get up to 25 per cent discount. Call 0181 462 9184.

DIY Plumbing, Kent: save yourself a fortune with this practical course in domestic plumbing. Tuesday evenings at Bexley College, Erith Road Campus, Erith, Kent, from 10 September for 10 weeks. Cost: pounds 14, free for concessions. Call 01322 442331.

Egyptian Dancing, Manchester: not belly dancing, but the original dance before dirty old Victorian imperialists got hold of it. Claims to improve posture, balance and grace. Open to all ages. Monday evenings at Spurley Hey High School, Matthews Lane, Gorton, from 12 September for 10 weeks. Cost: pounds 7.50 concessions available. Call Rita on 01457 853478.

Welsh Yoga, Cardiff: find all this talk of chakras and middle eyes confusing? Well, make it even tougher on yourself and learn it in Welsh. Improve your language repertoire and get fit in one. Monday evenings at Radyr Comprehensive School, Radyr, from 9 September for 25 weeks. Cost: pounds 57.75, concessions from pounds 17.25. Call 01222 872000.