The Hexham Courant headlines in Tynedale up to 150 years ago

10 years ago

NEW STATION: After decades in planning, preliminary work was to begin on Hexham's new bus station at Loosing Hill. The county council said relocation of the bus station would regenerate the town centre, improving the retail offer of the town and deliver significant economic benefits. 

IN THE COLD: Residents of six properties in Falstone were told in the coldest week of winter so far that year that it would potentially be dangerous to use the log burning stoves in the homes they were renting from social landlord Isos. When they protested, they were told they would have to use the cripplingly expensive electric heaters in the properties to keep them warm. 

CLUB ROW: A bitter row between Prudhoe Town Council and the town's primary football club was reignited. The town council was attempting to block plans by Prudhoe Town FC to build a new clubhouse close to its Kimberly Park ground. Sport England backed the scheme with £50,000 and was fully supported by Hexham MP Guy Opperman and local leisure trust, Active Northumberland.

25 years ago

CLOSURE FEARS: Four pubs in Hexham could potentially close due to the new Wetherspoon's opening in the town, said an ex-chairman of the Tynedale Licensed Victuallers. Three months after the opening of the Forum pub, other pubs in the town were feeling the squeeze. Former owner of the County Hotel and ex-chairman of the Licenced Victuallers, Ken Watts, said it was a matter of time before pubs in the town closed because they could not cope with Wetherspoon's cut-price beers.  

Five-year-old Stephanie Green, a Stamfordham First School pupil, designed a Christmas card in 1999 which was on sale in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief (Image: NQ)

CLUB RENT HIKE: Prudhoe Golf Club was taken aback by a rent increase from the Duke of Northumberland. The bill shot up from £1,300 a year to £17,000 in two years. 

50 years ago

UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSE: Hexham MP Geoffrey Rippon acted to halt the crippling slump in cattle prices that hit Tynedale. The MP appealed to the government to bring back stability to the livestock market. He told the Courant he was not satisfied to the Government's response to the appeal. 

PEALING OUT: After three months of silence, the bells of Alston parish church were ringing again to call parishioners to worship. The bells had been undergoing renovation. 

ON CUE: Hexham's Dontino's Nightclub was offering its latest attraction, an American pool room. It offered beer, food and instruction in the game for would-be hustlers. 

75 years ago

RUSTIC FLAVOUR: Hexham housing estates were acquiring the smell of the farmyard according to Cllr Sam Wright of Hexham Urban Council. He complained too many cattle trucks were parking on the housing estates. 

HOT COMPETITION: There was a record-breaking total of 1,100 entries in the Hexham and District Fur and Feather Show. A display of rabbit furs and made-up articles was planned.

100 years ago

HEALTH HAZARD: The lavatory at the isolation hospital in Prudhoe was described as out of date and becoming a menace to the health of the hospital's inhabitants. Hexham Rural Council heard calls for a new sewage system at the hospital. 

IN REMEMBRANCE: The Courant was pleased to note that Armistice Day would not pass unnoticecd in Hexham. Commemoration services were to be held at Hexham Abbey and there would be a two-minute national silence. Hexham lost 221 men during the First World War.

WAR OF WORDS: An action for slander was heard at Hexham County Court. It was alleged that the slander had taken place in the town's Royal Hotel during an argument between two men. 

125 years ago

ROADWORKS CALL: Hexham Urban District Council heard a suggestion from a Hexham resident that Eastgate should be widened. The matter was passed to the county council. 

150 years ago

UNWARY TRAVELLER: Cash, a razor, a pocket knife and clothing were taken in a highway robbery near Corbridge. The victim told Hexham Police Court he had stopped to help a family by the roadside and had then been robbed by them. 

COSTLY FALL: An old man who had been drinking in Allendale lost a bank deposit note for £1,040 after falling over in the street.

PARTY TIME: More than 200 people took part in Wylam Methodist Church's anniversary tea.