Hexham Courant headlines in Tynedale up to 150 years ago

10 years ago

PROHIBITED PAINTING: A historic painting worth up to £200,000, given to Hexham Abbey by an anonymous donor nearly 70 years previously, could not be sold, a church court ruled. The Abbey authorities had investigated the possibility of selling the spectacular work - The Descent of Christ from the Cross - by the 16th-century Flemish artist Pieter Coecke Van Aelst, for some time. 

STEAM REVIVAL: A bid to throw a brand-new railway bridge over the busy A69 trunk road was at the heart of ambitious plans to bring the age of steam back to Haltwhistle. The South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society wanted to reopen the Haltwhistle to Alston line, bringing in 100,000 visitors to South Tynedale each year and creating more than 50 jobs. 

CAVALRY PROJECT: A £900,000 exhibition of international importance was to explore the role of the Roman cavalry on Hadrian's Wall. Northumberland National Park Authority rode to the rescue when it was approached to lead the necessary funding application to Arts Council England. 

25 years ago

TV CREWS: Television crews turned their cameras on Hexham as the town formed the backdrop for a BBC production. Soldier Soldier star Jerome Flynn was in town to film scenes for the second series of BBC drama Badger. Market Street was cordoned off as scenes were shot at various locations including the Silver Palace Chinese takeaway and the Fossil Shop. 

The Remembrance Parade in Hexham in 1999 (Image: David Hewitson) CASH BLOW: Prudhoe missed out on essential Lottery funding while Gateshead picked up millions. A £43m lottery grant was approved for Gateshead Borough Council to develop a music centre near the River Tyne, while Prudhoe failed with its modest bid for £1.7m to extend Waterworld.  

GREENLIGHT: After years of delay and frustration, the go-ahead was finally given to build a new Safeway store and the transfer of Matthew Charlton's builder's merchants business to new premises in Alemouth Road. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott also approved Aldi's plans to establish a new outlet in a wool warehouse on the Haugh Lane Industrial Estate.  

50 years ago

GOOD GUIDE: A footpath guide for walkers taking the air in Greenhead was being considered by Greenhead Parish Council to help tourists and locals. 

REASONABLE PRICES: A cut and blow dry by Hexham salon Donalde of Mayfair would have cost you just £1. A pound of leg of pork was 46p while pork chops were 56p.

75 years ago

SMITHY CLOSES: The doors of Allendale's oldest smithy closed after two centuries, leaving the village without a blacksmith.  

RINGING THE CHANGES: It was South Tyners Night at the BBC Windyhope barn dance when dancers and bellringers from the area took part. 

100 years ago

LONGER LUNCH: Managers of Hexham council schools agreed to change the lunch hour because children living in the council houses at Peth Head had longer to walk.

PIG KILLING: It was said mid-November was a good time for killing pigs in Allendale as they gave good bacon in the autumn. 

125 years ago

STARTING OUT: The Stamfordham English Presbyterian Church Literary Association held its first meeting. 

BUSY TIME: Complaints were made about the inconvenience caused by the Hexham Hirings. Some residents said the event was causing traffic problems.

150 years ago

WATER CHARGES: Local representatives were told that the Northumbrian Lakes Water Scheme would cost £100,000. Newcastle Water Company objected on grounds of cost. 

NEW SITE: Approval was given for a coach builder's premises in the garden of the White Hart Inn, Hexham.

STICKY SITUATION: A man driving a cartload of treacle crashed into a stone wall. The horse and the man were completely immersed in the sticky substance.