EVER wondered what happened in Tynedale 150 years ago? We looked back through our archives to find out.

10 years ago

PRIMARY STATUS: Newbrough C of E First School was considering its future as a primary school after Northumberland County Council planned to cut free transport in the area.

Hexham Courant: Janet Thompson, from Haydon Bridge, was victorious at Crufts in 2014 with her border collie WishJanet Thompson, from Haydon Bridge, was victorious at Crufts in 2014 with her border collie Wish (Image: NQ)

STORE'S FUTURE: Uncertainty surrounded the future of Prudhoe's Co-operative supermarket. The Co-operative was reportedly planning to close or sell up to 200 of its large stores to raise funds to shore up its balance sheet which was crippled by losses in its banking division.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY: Despite fears some roads in Tynedale were in such poor condition they were too dangerous to drive on, the county council planned to spend less money on highway maintenance in the district than anywhere else. 

25 years ago

CRIPPLING LEVY: A Prudhoe councillor welcomed controversial proposals to charge village shops the same fee as giant supermarkets for food safety measures. The views of Cllr Tony Williamson brought condemnation from other members of Tynedale Council's environmental services committee.

PREMATURE BIRTH: A proud dad delivered a baby who arrived too early. Lewis Weeks was delivered by his father Keith, as his mother Amanda went into labour before they even got out of the house.

TRAVELLING TRICKSTERS: Tynedale households were warned to be on their guard after a Warden woman was duped out of almost £300 by three men purporting to be electrical goods salesmen. 

50 years ago

MONARCH ON WAY: The Queen was to visit Hexham in July 1974 to attend a thanksgiving service to mark the 1,300th anniversary of the town's abbey.

ROAD DEATH TOLL: Fourteen people died in road accidents in Tynedale in 1973 and a further 105 were seriously injured, according to figures for the year released by the police. 

CROSSING CALLS: An 18-month campaign to have a pedestrian crossing provided outside Hexham's West End Methodist Chapel in Shaftoe Leazes ended in victory when the town's MP Geoffrey Rippon, also environment secretary at the time, gave the scheme a thumbs up.  

ON THE MARKET: A three-bedroomed semi-detached home at Hexham's Elvaston Road was on sale for £11,800.

75 years ago

RECRUITMENT DRIVE: Hexham and Conservative and Unionist Association failed to hit its target of 10,000 members by the end of 1948, but only by the narrowest of margins.

SHOP CAMPAIGN: Shop workers in Hexham revived their campaign for half-day closing on Saturdays. The campaigners, part of the Hexham branch of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, decided to focus on food shops instead of renewing their previous unsuccessful calls for across-the-board half-day closing.

100 years ago

SWINGING SINGLES: A spinsters' ball at Haydon Bridge attracted a 200-strong turnout.

PORKY PLAN: Plans were afoot for the establishment of a piggery to accommodate 36 swine at Allendale.

125 years ago

SPEAKEASY PROSECUTION: A woman was fined £10 by Bellingham magistrates for running an illicit pub at Catcleugh. She was caught following an undercover operation in which two police officers, in disguise and pretending to be common-or-garden customers, bought rum from her.

WIDOW MOURNED: One of the North Tyne Valley's best-known residents, Barbara Charlton, of Hesleyside near Bellingham, died at the age of 83.

150 years ago

COLLIERY FATALITY: A young Allendale man died after a tram at Cartsbog Colliery, near Langley, ran over him while he was loading it with coal.