TODAY we look back at what made Hexham Courant headlines up to 150 years ago.

10 years ago 

HAIRCUT: Erin Wood, a nine-year-old schoolgirl, donated her 12-inch ponytail to the Little Princess Trust after avoiding the hairdresser's salon for years.

Hexham Courant: Erin Wood cut her hair off in 2013 to donate it to the Little Princess TrustErin Wood cut her hair off in 2013 to donate it to the Little Princess Trust (Image: Newsquest)

REJECTED: An application to build 280 homes on green belt land at Birney Hill Farm, next to Stamfordham Road, was unanimously rejected by Northumberland County Council's west area committee.

DERELICT: The Grade II listed Ropery building in Maiden Walk, Hexham, had been left derelict for almost 20 years and a development of six terraced homes was proposed to replace it. 

Hexham Courant: The Argyle Cafe formerly occupied the Ropery building The Argyle Cafe formerly occupied the Ropery building (Image: NQ)

25 years ago

DRAFTED: Police pledged to tackle youths throwing fireworks in towns across Tynedale as part of a fireworks safety drive.

AWARD: Cambo Young Farmers' Club came third in the national YFC Club of the Year contest against 926 other clubs across the country.

Hexham Courant: (L-) PC Michael McClellan and Sgt Graham Harrison received awards from Northumbria Police chief constable Crispian Strachan. (R) - PC Geoff Rudd with his award (L-) PC Michael McClellan and Sgt Graham Harrison received awards from Northumbria Police chief constable Crispian Strachan. (R) - PC Geoff Rudd with his award (Image: Newsquest)

HEROIC: Three Tynedale policemen were recognised for separate acts of bravery. Sgt Graham Harrison and PCs Geoff Rudd and Michael McClellan received their awards at police headquarters in Ponteland.

50 years ago 

INDUSTRIAL ACTION: Haltwhistle Rural Council came up with proposals for a new industrial site in the town, to be developed jointly with Northumberland County Council. 

DECLINE: Hexham's population fell by 150 to 9,800 the year before, it was reported.

IN FLAMES: Firefighters from Hexham and Haltwhistle took two days to extinguish a blaze at Bardon Mill's Winshields Farm. The fire gutted a two-storey barn, causing £10,000 of damage and claimed the life of a sheepdog. 

75 years ago 

SLUM INQUIRY: A public inquiry was held in Hexham into plans to demolish six 76-year-old flats at Baty Terrace as part of a long-running slum clearance programme.

AIR APPOINTMENT: Former Hexham man James Milne Robb was appointed commander-in-chief of the Royal Air Force's Western European operations.

NO GOAL: The Hexham Hearts football side had to settle for a 0-0 draw in an FA Cup qualifier tie against North Shields after having two goals disallowed.

100 years ago 

BIG FISH: A decomposing salmon 50ins long and weighing in at 50lbs was found in the River Tyne at Hexham by angler William Taylor. Had it been in better condition, it would've been the biggest fish ever recorded in the river, it was reported. 

TOP DOG: A clumber spaniel called Oakerland Repeat, owned by Miss MF Reed of Corbridge won two prizes at a Kennel Club show in Crystal Palace, London.

125 years ago

CYCLING FATALITY: Inland Revenue assistant surveyor, Edward Charles Brand, aged 21, died after being run over by a milk cart at Horsley after cycling home from Hexham.

TRAIN TROUBLE: Extra Saturday train services to Mickley were put on following complaints from the parish council and football club there.

150 years ago

FALL: Miner James Little, 48, of Bankfoot near Greenhead, died after falling off a bridge into a burn near Bardon Mill railway station. 

 SEVERED: Thomas Hardy, 16, a worker at Dilston's Saw Mills, had to have his hand amputated after an accident there where a circular saw cut off four fingers.

RABIES DEATH: A Hexham woman called Mrs Young died of rabies while staying with friends in Bellingham. She had been bitten by a rabid dog in Hexham a few days earlier.