WE looked back at what made Hexham Courant headline news 150 years ago.

10 years ago

FUEL CUT BID: Drivers in the upper North Tyne Valley were pumped about the prospect of cheaper fuel prices. An area from Kielder to Nunwick was included in a Government bid to Europe for a 5p litre discount on fuel duty.

Hexham Courant: The bridge over the Tyne at Corbridge was repaired in 2014 The bridge over the Tyne at Corbridge was repaired in 2014 (Image: NQ)

BRIDGE REPAIRS: The bridge over the River Tyne at Corbridge was closed while repair works were completed on its stonework.

CLOSURE OPPOSITION: The Co-Operative Bank's decision to close its Britannia Building Society office in Cattle Market was strongly opposed by customers as the closest alternative Britannia branch was 70 miles away in Keswick. 

25 years ago

GALES LASH TYNEDALE: For the second year running, Christmas in Tynedale was ruined for many families as winds of more than 90mph ripped up trees, tore slates off roofs, demolished greenhouses and toppled electricity pylons.

FOOD DUMPED: Tynedale stores lost thousands of pounds worth of food due to the storm as power surges blew freezers and refrigerator units. 

SQUIRRELS SAVED: Last-minute action by Prudhoe Town Council may have prevented the destruction of the Prudhoe Hospital woods and saved a colony of red squirrels.

50 years ago

BAKERY DEPOT CLOSED: Graves, the bakers, were to close down their Hexham depot due to the cost of running the depot delivery vehicles.

SAILOR DOWN UNDER: Well-known businessman Jimmy Fewster, senior, was due to sail to Australia to manage the England Olympic sailing team in a world championship competition at Palm Beach, Sydney.

PARK SALE: The £75,000 sale of Tynedale Rugby Club's ground at Dene Park, Hexham to Northumberland County Council went ahead. 

75 years ago

FIGHT FOR LIFE: The first baby to be born at Hexham General Hospital, 16-day-old Isabel Bialecki, died after being born three months prematurely.

TERRIER WINS AGAIN: For the second time in succession at the Sunderland Fox Terrier Club show, Ribblefield Boy, a wire-haired fox-terrier owned by Mrs J Cross, Stocksfield, was awarded the best exhibit in the show.

NEW HOUSES: Bellingham Rural Council approved a proposal to erect 20 traditional houses at West Woodburn.

100 years ago

GOSPEL SONG: Announcing a musical service of sacred song in Bellingham Town Hall, it was stated that: "As considerable cost had been incurred in railway and other expenses it had been deemed advisable to charge an admission fee of sixpence in defraying expenses."

HEXHAM SHOW: Entries far in excess of the previous year were received for the second annual show of poultry, pigeons, cage birds and dogs in the Corn Exchange and Town Hall in Hexham. 

125 years ago 

MOON ECLIPSE: The lunar eclipse could be seen for more than six hours in Hexham and owing to a clear night, a very fine view was obtained.

SHEEP BITTEN: A sheep owned by Messers W and J March of Rift Farm, Wylam, died two days after being severely bitten by a dog.

COTTAGE FIRE: Fifteen to 20 tonnes of hay were destroyed in a fire in a hay shed at Summerods Cottage Hexham. 

150 years ago

INMATES TREATED: Inmates of Bellingham Union Workhouse were treated to a roast beef and plum pudding meal by Thomas James Esq.

CHURCH PARADE: The annual church parade of the 6th Cumberland (Alston Mountaineers) was held in the town.

METHODIST BANQUET: A fruit banquet was held on Christmas Eve in connection with the Sabbath school.