Hexham Courant headlines in Tynedale up to 150 years ago

10 years ago

LEUKAEMIA BATTLE: An inspirational teenager from Hexham secured her place on the plane to Argentina to compete in the World Transplant Games. Having been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2012, it was touch and go whether Queen Elizabeth High School pupil Alicia Armstrong, 13, would survive the aggressive form of cancer. Following a life-saving bone marrow transplant, she slowly regained her strength and claimed two gold and two silver medals in swimming at the British Transplant Games. She was selected to swim for Great Britain at the next year's World Transplant Games in Argentina. 

COUNCIL JOBS: The promised exodus of Northumberland County Council staff from Morpeth back to Tynedale could have made the council the district's largest employer. Figures were still being finalised, but projections suggested the total number of council jobs in the 'short' commute distance from Hexham was likely to top 600 the following year. 

HOME CLOSURE: Residents and staff at Bardon Mill's Hardriding House care home were 'shocked and devastated' after being told it would close the next month. 

25 years ago

BOLD BID: A bid to snatch the Chains allotments from housing developers was outlined by campaigning Corbridge residents when they announced plans to buy the site and turn it into a multi-purpose leisure complex. The last-ditch bid was the only way to save the allotments being obliterated by houses, they said, and would also provide desperately-needed recreation facilities.

Youngsters head for the finishing line in the Featherstone Sports Day egg and spoon race at Featherstone Castle in 1999 (Image: Newsquest)

NAME DEFEAT: In the late 1980s, the landlord of the Dr Syntax Inn, in Prudhoe's Front Street, changed its name to the Northumbria to improve its somewhat dubious reputation. The pub sign was changed, but locals continued to call it the Dr Syntax. The new landlady Olga Stokoe bowed to public pressure by deciding to change the name of the pub back to the Dr Syntax. 

DEALER WARNING: Police warned elderly people to be on their guard against an antiques dealer who was inviting himself into people's homes. Five reports had been received from people living in the Maiden's Cross area of Hexham of a man calling at homes and trying to buy jewellery and other items.

50 years ago

SUGAR SHORTAGE: Residents of Hexham found it impossible to buy sugar as no deliveries were making their way into town.  

POOL IN JEOPARDY: Doubts were cast over the future of the proposed Haltwhistle swimming pool after difficulty arose over obtaining loan sanctions.

QUEEN'S HALL PLANS: A campaign was launched by the Hexham Stage Society to buy the Queen's Hall in Hexham and try to restore it. 

75 years ago

WATER LEVELS LOW: Hexham water reserves were down to a mere 70 days' supply. A council surveyor stated that the town was facing the gravest famine since the war. 

FOUNDATIONS DUG: In Hexham, work began on the first hospital building in the country paid for by public subscription under the NHS. 

STRANGE OCCURRENCES: Haydon Bridge opener Keith Brown drove a cricket ball straight into the pocket of the umpire at the opposite end of the wicket. 

100 years ago

CELEBRATION NIGHT: Staff from the Hexham Courant enjoyed a commemorative dinner to celebrate the paper's diamond jubilee. 

EXTRA HOURS: At a special sitting of Hexham Magistrates' Court, the Anchor Hotel at Haydon Bridge was granted an extension of opening hours from 2.30 to 4pm.

125 years ago

ON TAP: Tynedale council decided that a drinking fountain would be erected in the market place for £30. It was said to be an essential step as the town was growing rapidly. 

FUN ON THE TYNE: Hexham Amateur Rowing Club held their annual regatta in front of a large crowd. The paper stated that the tub race 'gave rise to no end of fun and merriment'.

150 years ago

GAMBLERS FINED: Two miners were summoned to appear in court after they were found gambling on a public thoroughfare in Prudhoe. The game of 'pitch and toss' resulted in a fine of 10s for both men.

STRAY ANIMALS: A Tynedale man was fined 5s when he unintentionally allowed four heifers and one bullock to stray onto the highway in the parish of Allendale.

PASSED MUSTER: The work of the 154 pupils of Ridsdale school - 52 boys, 42 girls and 60 infants - was described as excellent following the annual Government inspection.