10 years ago

Money talks: Headteachers from the district’s four high schools were set to hold meetings with education secretary Michael Gove, calling for more investment in their school buildings.

Speedy action: A police swoop at Otterburn snared almost a dozen motorists driving at over twice the legal speed limit.

Chicken thieves: Callous thieves left children at Hexham’s Sele First School distraught after stealing their beloved classroom hens from their cages.

25 years ago

Doctor rethink: Family doctors in Haltwhistle and Haydon Bridge were pulling out of a controversial plan to cancel night calls to patients.

Dr Steven Ford, of Haydon Bridge, said the scheme was better suited to more urban areas, rather than the rural Tyne Valley.

Winter rescue: Heroic rescuers battled through blizzards on foot to rescue a sick woman and too men after their vehicle became trapped in a 5ft snowdrift near Kiln Pit Hill. The woman was stretchered through the drifts and taken to Hexham General Hospital, where her condition was described as “quite satisfactory”.

A four-year-old boy fighting leukaemia was set to take a break from his treatment to lead out Newcastle United in their match against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Thomas Stewart, of Highfield, had began a 20-week chemotherapy programme, but had been given special permission to attend the match as mascot.

50 years ago

Road row: Northumberland County Council’s plans to have double yellow lines painted along the A69 from its junction with Allendale Road in Hexham, to it’s junction with Crescent Avenue, came under fire from Hexham Urban Council.

Bridge campaign: A petition calling for improvements to be made to Haltwhistle’s Metal Bridge attracted 114 signatures.

Firsts for racecourse: Hexham Racecourse notched up a double first when its first ever £1,000 steeplechase became the first ever meeting there to be televised live.

75 years ago

Railway plan: Calls were made for the construction of a light railway line, linking Allendale and Allenheads with Eastgate in County Durham. Hexham Rural Council and Allendale Parish Council voiced their support for the idea, which would involve a route taking in Allenheads and Rookhope.

Housing plans: Hexham Rural District Council drew up plans for the construction of 20 new houses at Acomb.

Cricketers' return: Riding Mill Cricket Club was revived six years after its disbandment, following the outbreak of the Second World War.

Goal glut: Hexham Hearts defeated Corbridge Rangers 6-5 to remain 11 points clear at the top of their football league. This was the Hexham side’s 14th win out of 18 games that season, during which they had scored 90 goals, an average of five goals per game - and had conceded only 27.

100 years ago

Organ event: Hexham Congregational Church’s organ was formally ‘re-opened’ by James Preston, an organist at St. George’s Church in Newcastle, after having £600 worth of repair work carried out.

Card game: A whist drive and dance held at Wylam Institute by Ryton, Callerton and Wallbottle Ploughing Association, attracted more than 200 people.

125 years ago

Jail term: An unemployed labourer found asleep in Hexham railway station’s boiler house was convicted of ‘sleeping out’. He was sentenced to a week’s hard labour by Hexham magistrates.

Soccer shocker: Newcastle’s away form was apparently as much a cause for concern over a century ago as it is today. Following the Magpies’ cup-tie defeat of Chesterfield, a Hexham Courant columnist wrote: “What! Can it be possible? But yes, ‘tis true, Newcastle United have really won a match away from home.”

Teetotal gathering: Members of the Church of England Temperance Society’s branch at Birtley, near Wark, celebrated the 15th anniversary of the founding of their club. Celebratory events included a speech about the evils of drink.

150 years ago

Global appeal: Italian Chorale was listed among the items on the agenda for a music evening at Hexham Abbey, which was set to attract a good attendance and much excitement.

Supper time: Almost 30 people sat down to a capital supper at the Bush Inn, Hexham, described as a social occasion.