I moved the code out of the refresh method into the interactive event of my spinner control, and added the visible trick as suggested by yourself and Edward. (Think Edward pipped you to the post)

SELECT season
=SEEK(this.value,"season","iyear"))

mdate1=season.summer1
mdate2=season.summer2

thisform.labSummer.Visible=.f.
thisform.labSummer.caption=CMONTH(mdate1)+" "+STR(DAY(mdate1),2)+dayofmonth(DAY(mdate1))+" - "+CMONTH(mdate2)+" "+STR(DAY(mdate2),2)+dayofmonth(DAY(mdate2))
thisform.labSummer.Visible=.t.

>Hi Robin,
>
>You're welcome, but whos code solved the problem?
>
>>Hi Naomi
>>
>>Many thx
>>
>>Thats cracked it!
>>