What was the news in Hexham, Tynedale 150 years ago?

10 years ago

MIRACLE BIRTH: Hazel Wiggins, 36, from Prudhoe, was told by staff at Hexham General Hospital that her baby had died in the womb and was prescribed tablets to induce an abortion. She delayed taking them and demanded a second scan, which revealed the baby was still alive. There was a change in national policy to avoid a similar situation in future, meaning all mothers who have scans showing their baby has died now receive a second scan to confirm the diagnosis.

HORSEBACK INVADER: Plans for a horse to canter into Hexham Abbey to commemorate an incident from Hexham's lawless past were reluctantly dropped. The arrival of the horse and rider at the ancient place of worship was to have been the highlight of celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the infamous Hornshole Skirmish. This involved the men of Hexham travelling to raid the town of Hawick, but were routed by the men of the town.

25 years ago

NEW LEVY: Government proposals to charge village shops, cafes and pubs £90 per year to fund the proposed national Food Standards Agency was expected to put some out of business. The proposal was condemned by Hexham MP Peter Atkinson as 'deeply unfair'. 

Two Bellingham police officers received official commendations for jumping into the River Tyne to thwart a suicide attempt in 1999 (Image: Tony Iley)

REWARDS: Two police officers from Bellingham received official commendations for jumping into the River North Tyne to thwart a suicide attempt. 

SERVICE CUTS: Northumberland county councillors were facing up to a stark choice between cutting back on education spending and social services or increase council tax by a massive 18 per cent.

JUNCTION CLOSURE: The Mowden Hall junction on the A69 was the scene of six deaths and many more serious car crashes before road chiefs banned right turns for a trial period at the junction. The Highways Agency wanted to keep it closed to right-turn traffic for good as the number of accidents dropped dramatically.

50 years ago

TRADERS MIFFED: Work on a new sewerage system was causing disruption in Hexham. Traders in Hencotes were among the first to suffer as the road outside their shops was dug up.

DIRTY DANCING: Last Tango in Paris, the controversial Bernardo Bertolucci-directed film starring Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider was showing at Hexham's Forum Cinema.

SALES: Tynedale Council agreed to carry on selling off council houses despite reservations from some councillors.

75 years ago

PARK PLAN: Plans were being drawn up for the creation of a national park taking in the Northumbrian stretch of Hadrian's Wall. This park, one of 12 proposed nationwide, would be 193 square miles in extent when created in 1953, it was reported. 

FEMALE FIRST: Hexham police recruited their first ever female bobby, Joan Robinson.

CALAMITY FEAR: Residents of Wylam's Stephenson Terrace were appealing to Hexham Rural Council to stop erosion caused by the River Tyne outside their houses before calamity struck.

100 years ago

BANK BLAZE: Fire broke out at the Lloyd's Bank branch in Priestpopple, Hexham. Little damage was caused by the actual fire but the bank was left flooded by water used in extinguishing the blaze.

GIRLS TOGETHER: An annual social event held by the Haltwhistle branch of the Girls' Friendly Society at the church hall attracted more than 100 people. 

125 years ago

HEXHAMSHIRE BREAK-INS: A burglar calling himself Manchester Joe was at large in Hexhamshire, breaking into properties including Dyehouse Methodist Chapel, Lilswood schoolroom, Whitley Chapel National School and a house at Aydon Shields.

150 years ago

BY THE BOOK: Plans to set up a library and reading room at Acomb were revived. This project had been proposed six months earlier but had since fallen by the wayside.

STOP PLEA: Residents of Bardon Mill drew up a petition urging the North Eastern Railway to have its midday Newcastle-Carlisle service stop off at the South Tyne Valley village on its way west.

BUILDER MOURNED: Ovingham builder Robert Armstrong, whose CV included rebuilding work at the village church and its counterpart at Stamfordham, died at age 62.