A MAN on trial for robbery has told Newcastle Crown Court how he regularly bought drugs from the son of the victim. Ben Derek Shields (30) of Berwick Lane, Ovingham, is accused of one count of robbery relating to an incident on August 8, 2018, in
THE first big fixture on the district’s sporting calendar fell victim to torrential rain. Hundreds of racegoers were expected to attend the Tynedale Point-to-Point, at Downhills near Corbridge, on Sunday. But the historic event, which celebrated
HEXHAM’s Tom Craney has been named in a Northern Alliance top six list for top performing goalkeepers. The stopper is fifth in the Division One Golden Gloves top six for his recent performances between the sticks. Craney has conceded 19 goals
ALLEN Valleys farmer David Henderson and his star sheepdog, appropriately named Star, has travelled the world competing in sheepdog trials. Having represented England in two international trials, the pinnacle in terms of competing, and the world
HEXHAM’S flagship department store has endured a tumultuous time in recent years, but this week its closure marked the end of an era for the town’s high street. Beales, formerly known as Robbs, and renamed last year as Hexham Outlet Centre, had
The closure of a store which has spanned the ages has struck a chord with generations of families throughout Tynedale. Readers of the Hexham Courant recalled their favourite memories of Hexham’s former flagship store on social media after it
Words on the Wall, a poetry and spoken word event, is set to make its debut in the district. Hosted by award-winning poet, Joe Williams, the event will bring established guest poets, Rachel Burns, Oz Hardwick and Lydia Kennaway, to local audiences
A CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED comedian is set to perform at the Queen’s Hall next week. Chris Ramsey is returning to the venue to test out some new material for his upcoming stand-up tour. Chris first rose to prominence when he starred in the BBC series
A PENSIONER feels he is the victim of a personal vendetta after making three reports to police within the space of a month. Robin Waite (79), of Rowfoot, near Haltwhistle, has claimed he feels unsafe in the remote hamlet after three recent incidents
If you’re in the market for a fabulous family home, where all you have to do is decide where to put your furniture, then look no further. This impressive three-storey detached house has been extended and redesigned, with a contemporary interior
This Edwardian semi-detached has charm and character, with space, good views and a large garden. Its entrance porch and hallway have original features and French doors lead into the lounge where an attractive feature fireplace houses a multi-fuel
Here's this week's round-up of community news from around Tynedale. Haydon Bridge Karen Lumsden A couple of events are taking place on Saturday evening. At 6pm the doors will open at the Haydonian Social Club ready for the family Quiz at 6.30pm
Northumberland is set for strong winds this weekend, with a yellow weather warning issued for the North-East. Spells of strong wind are expected through Saturday evening and overnight into Sunday morning. The Met Office warn some delays to road
WORLD record breaking hurdler Darren Towart has continued his remarkable form. The Tynedale Harrier broke his own indoor world record in the over-40 (M40) 400m hurdles, at the English Institute of Sport Northern Championship in Sheffield. Now
PLANS to move Alston's Post Office into new premises have been shelved. Last month, it was revealed that the town's post office will move from its current premises on Front Street next door to the Crown Hotel on Monday February 24. However
NORTHUMBRIA Police are investigating two overnight burglaries in Prudhoe. The thefts occurred on February 15 and February 25, with power tools and an electric scooter among the stolen items. A spokesman for the police said: "Shortly before 3.30am
ONE of four Britons rescued from a coronavirus-hit cruise ship who tested positive for the illness is being treated in the North-East. The patient was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle after they were brought back to the UK on a
ONE of Britain's biggest comedians is heading to the rural Tyne Valley. Jason Manford will head to Hexham's Queen's Hall for two nights in September as he tours his new Like Me show. The famous funny man will entertain the Hexham crowd on Wednesday
Matthew Harding joined Whitley Chapel Young Farmers’ aged just seventeen. Now, at 25, he occupies the position of chairman. The group, which acts as a movement for young people from rural areas, forms a valuable part of Matthew’s life; he credits
Big changes are under way following Brexit with the Basic Payment Scheme, and Countryside Stewardship funding which has given farmers support to protect and improve the environment, due to be replaced by a new land management scheme. And local farmers
A MIDDLE school was forced to close for two days due to leaking pipes. An underfloor water pipe at Corbridge Middle School had sprung a leak, leaving the school with no heating from Monday. A letter to parents said the school would be closed
HAVING read the letter on over-stretched, under-valued probation work (Letters, February 20) can I make a plea on behalf of the “low skilled” staff who work in social care who are equally over-stretched and under-valued but are also paid according
RESIDENTS are at loggerheads with their parish council over plans for a salt dome in their village. Otterburn resident Emma Anderson is among those who have lambasted the parish council for changing its mind, after initially objecting to Northumberland
THERE’S no doubt that the last few days of international headlines about growing fears over coronavirus have made the risks seem closer to home than ever. What began as a handful of cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City – in China’s Hubei Province –
A VACANT Hexham nightclub will be converted into flats. Newcastle-based property developers Lugano Group has secured consent to convert the former Dontino's, and more recently Studio Sports Bar, in Priestpopple into 12 new apartments with associated
STORM force winds of up to 70mph are set to batter Cumbria and the large parts of northern England after forecaster issues ANOTHER weather warning. The Met Office has issued the wind warning for the weekend - it is set to hit from noon on Saturday
A FORMER country house hotel received no bids at an auction on Wednesday night. Otterburn Hall was included in an auction held at the Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle. The Grade II listed property, within the Otterburn Hall estate, has not
A SECTION of the A69 was closed on Wednesday night after a two-vehicle crash. A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said the incident took place on the A69 eastbound near to the Acomb junction at 6.30pm. Officers and emergency services
INDUSTRY leaders have had their say on the future of farming in post-Brexit Britain. Although the UK’s membership with the EU ended on January 31, farmers and organisations continue to question what rules and regulations will remain. Managing
Store cattle and sheep, Friday, February 21. Store Cattle Hexham & Northern Marts offered a catalogued entry of 606 head of store cattle at their weekly sale which included over 200 native breed cattle for the monthly special sale of such sorts
A MAN who spat at a Metro train driver has appeared in court. Dean Baird (32), of Eilanville, Hexham, was arrested on October 29 after the incident at South Gosforth Metro station. North Tyneside Magistrates heard on Friday that Baird
A PENSIONER feared he would be murdered during a ‘vicious and sustained’ robbery – for the sake of £100. Giving evidence during this week’s trial of Ben Derek Shields, of whom he accuses of being the main aggressor in the robbery of August 8, 2018
THE chairman of the Tyne Rivers Trust is due to step down later this year after almost seven years in the role. Hugo Remnant has been a board member with the trust since 2007, but is preparing to hand over the mantle, at a time when the trust is
IT is four years next month since I left the world of full-time work and toddled off into hard-earned retirement. Much as I loved the half century I spent pounding a keyboard, I was quite looking forward to loafing about doing a great deal of nothing
