Hexham Courant changes as a paper and staff over the years

The Hexham Courant has reported on news across the Tyne Valley since 1864, from Ponteland and Prudhoe, to Allendale and Bellingham.

The newspaper was started by Joseph Catherall.

The Courant's front page in the late 1800s was dedicated almost entirely to advertising, and there were no photographs used - only the occasional illustration for an advert.

News stories were squeezed in small font into smaller columns, and the paper featured a "Local Gossip" section.

The Courant covered events from across the North and the globe, with considerable coverage on the Franco-Prussian war from 1870 to 1871. The Courant even had a London office on Fleet Street.

In 2015, Hexham Courant editor Brian Tilley and staff member Tess Patterson celebrated their birthdays in the office.

READ MORE: Courant celebrates 150 years as a weekly paper

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In August 2013, general manager of the Hexham Courant, Sandy Rutherford, was pictured with staff and a cake to mark the 150th anniversary of the Courant.

General manager of the Hexham Courant Sandy Rutherford pictured with staff and a cake to mark the 150th anniversary of the Courant in 2013 (Image: Tony Iley)

This picture was in our archives with the caption: "Post-1894 Hexham Courant front office staff."

Post-1894 in the front office of the Courant (Image: Hexham Courant)

Hexham Courant staff from the left clockwise, Emma Andrews, Myles Hodnett, editor Brian Tilley and photographer Tony Iley.

(L-R) , Emma Andrews, Myles Hodnett, Brian Tilley and Tony Iley (Image: Helen Smith)

This picture had the caption: "Courant staff at the back door with Teddy Taylor."

Courant staff at the back door to the office with Teddy Taylor (Image: Hexham Courant)

This photo is of a school visit to the Hexham Courant staff in 1991.

A school visit to the Courant (Image: Hexham Courant)

This photo had the caption: "Hexham Courant staff from the left Carolyn Brabury, Suzanne Lott, Sheena Metcalf and Chris Priestly, who organised a coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer."

Hexham Courant staff (L-R) Carolyn Brabury, Suzanne Lott, Sheena Metcalf and Chris Priestly, who organised a coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer (Image: Hexham Courant)

In 2020, it was reported by the Hexham Courant that a figurehead who lead the paper through the evolution of the print journalism industry was to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Lynne Plummer on the far left in the office with editorial staff (Image: Hexham Courant)

Former chairman and chief executive of the newspaper, Lynne Plummer, oversaw the change from lino machines to computers in the late 20th century.

Lynne Plummer pictured with his wife Caroline (Image: Newsquest)

His great grandfather Joseph Catherall founded the newspaper.

During his time as chairman and chief executive, the newspaper was the subject of a Tyne Tees TV documentary broadcast as part of the ITV About Britain series in March 1976.