What made news in Hexham and Tynedale 150 years ago?

10 years ago

GENTLY DOES IT: Hexham was the backdrop in a national drama series as the latest episode in Inspector George Gently. The BBC series was filmed in the town with Dukeshouse Wood, Fellside, transformed into a 1960s holiday camp for the occasion. Pixie Lott was a special guest in the episode. The following episode was to feature the Mosswood water treatment works near Shotleyfield.

COURT CHARGES: One of the district's largest coach companies was due to appear in court accused of falsifying driving records. Howard Snaith Coach Travel, based in Otterburn, was due to appear before magistrates following an investigation by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. A total of 17 drivers and two further members of staff were summoned to appear in court after being accused of being involved in a conspiracy to falsify on-board tachograph charts, which automatically record a driver's activity through speed and distance.

DEVELOPMENT DEAL: The public was promised a say on the future of bus services in Hexham, but the option to retain and improve the existing station appeared to be dead in the water. Northumberland County Council leaders gave their approval in principle to the relocation of existing facilities and signed an exclusive deal for the redevelopment of the site with regeneration specialist Dysart. Leaders insisted if the station was developed for retail and residential purposes it could play a key role in regenerating the town centre.

25 years ago

Dr Tom Kirk with his daughter Dr June Walker and granddaughter Miss Allison Walker (Image: Newsquest)

CENTENARIAN CELEBRATION: Stocksfield centenarian Thomas Hobson Kirk's philosophy on a long and fulfilling life was to enjoy everything in moderation. Dr Kirk served in two world wars, journeyed on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary in 1953 and was involved in launching the National Health Service in 1948.

JOB LOSSES: Hexham General Hospital was to lose 130 jobs in readiness for building the new hospital. 

CANCER CLINIC: Hexham General Hospital was given extra Government funding to fight one of the deadliest forms of cancer. The hospital was to launch a new weekly clinic in the summer to diagnose bowel cancer earlier, the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in Britain.

SHOP STAYS: The future of Allenheads shop and post office was thrown into doubt by the closure of one part of it, then the other. However, the business was not under threat and would not be shutting for good, according to its owner the Allenheads Trust.

50 years ago

RAISING A STINK: Villagers in Corbridge were angry about excavation works in St Helen's Lane that had been going on for six months, despite having been scheduled to take six weeks.

CRICKETER MOURNED: Former Haltwhistle Rural Council chairman and West Tyne Cricket League president Douglas Smith of Bardon Mill, died at age 78.

APPEAL: An appeal for £1,000 was launched to restore Corbridge's Pele Tower, then almost 660 years old. 

75 years ago

COLLEGE MOVE: Northumberland County Council's education committee agreed to set aside £90,000 to have the old Hexham Hydro converted into an emergency training college. 

PAPAL AUDIENCE: Hexham MP Douglas Clifton Brown met the then Pope and visited the British war cemeteries at Anzio while leading a parliamentary delegation to Italy.

REUNITED: The first reunion to be held by Hexham Grammar School's old girls' association since the end of World War II attracted a 60-strong turnout.

100 years ago

HOW BAZAAR: A Christmas bazaar at Gunnerton's recreation hall raised £36 for the hall's funds.

ON THE CARDS: A fancy dress carnival and whist drive at Catton Reading Room attracted a turnout of more than 130.

125 years ago 

EXPLOSION: A worker at Alston's limestone quarries had part of his leg amputated following an explosion there. He had jumped onto a detonator which had been left lying around.

150 years ago

FLOWER POWER: Plans to hold an annual floral and horticultural show in Wark were drawn up at a public meeting held at the North Tyne Valley village's Black Bull Inn.

ORGAN ARRIVES: A tea party attended by more than 400 people was held at Hexham Corn Exchange to mark the arrival of a new organ at the town's Presbyterian Church.