10 YEARS AGO

STINKY SMELL: A spread of human waste created a loathsome stench which polluted the air for a five mile stretch of the main North Tyne road from Chollerford to Wark. Motorists were physically sick as the offensive odour poured into their cars through air vents and open windows.

holiday BLAZE: A chalet at Overdene, Ovington, was destroyed in a fire. Nobody was hurt in the blaze but the fire was so intense it took three fire crews to extinguish it.

WATCH OUT: A warning was given to Northumberland County Council that it could have blood on its hands unless it improved its winter services in remote parts of Tynedale. The lack of gritting in the Allendale area meant ice caused havoc during the school bus run.

TRAPPED IN: Residents and motorists in the North Tyne were stranded as heavy rainfall caused the area’s rivers to overflow. People in West Woodburn and Kielder had to wade through deep water after the River Rede and Kielder Burn burst its banks.

25 years ago

NO CHANCE: Disgusted Northumberland County Council councillors refused to go into secret session to examine the Ministry of Defence proposals for a multi-million pound build up at Otterburn Army Camp.

FROZEN FIGURES: A new cold war was hotting up on Hexham’s Tyne Green. Tynedale Council’s leisure and tourism committee was concerned an ice cream man was selling his wares from a van at the roadside, thus taking trade away from the nearby council-owned cafe.

IN THE FRAME:Frustration with the Police led a Hexham man to hurl a “murderous looking” seven-foot pole at an officer, Tynedale Magistrates was told. The assault with part of a bed frame took place outside the house of the accused.

show star: An Acomb man made an unexpected star appearance on BBC’s Countryfile after climbing aboard a Police helicopter in a Ben Nevis rescue. The experienced climber was greeted by presenter John Craven sitting at the back of the RAF helicopter.

50 years ago

Not fare: Teething troubles plagued the introduction of British Rail’s pay-on-the-train scheme. On the first commuter train from Hexham, 30 people had to pay on arrival at Newcastle after the guard had trouble getting through standing passengers.

devoted worker: Former clerk of Hexham Rural Council, Geoffrey Nicholson, died. He worked at the council for 33 years, and succeeded his father who served for 40 years.

75 years ago

sunken ship: The Admiralty announced that HMS Tynedale had been sunk by the Germans – more than a month after the event.

silent treatment: A judge told the Corbridge branch of the Royal British Legion that there should be no soft talking about being kind to the Germans after the war was won.

technically minded: Hexham’s first prisoner of war, Sergeant A.R. Gunston of the RAF, passed London university correspondence exams in radio communications and technical electricity.

100 years ago

Birch punishment: Six boys from Hexham were each sentenced to four strokes of the birch for breaking and entering a shop in the Market Place. The boys stole lime juice, lemonade, a tin of condensed milk, six jellies and a number of copper coins.

fitting tribute: The Hexham Courant criticised Hexham Urban Council for dragging its feet about building a war memorial, when Humshaugh councillors suggested a village hall as their memorial.

Railway death: A 71-year-old travelling draper was killed at Prudhoe Station as he boarded a train, stopping between the train and the platform.

125 years ago

raging rampage: A bullock being led through Corbridge escaped from its owner and charged at an old lady. She ran into a shop doorway, passed out from shock as the beast just missed her and rammed its horns into the side of the door.

big thanks: “Lusty cheers” from nearly 1,000 poor children were given to the kind donors of a free tea at Hexham Town Hall. “Hearty cheers” were given by 500 poor adults at a roast beef and mutton dinner two days later.

150 years ago

farmer tribute: Eminent local agriculturalist Mr Joseph Todd (64) died at his residence, Halton Red House. Mr Todd was an enterprising and successful farmer, and amongst the first on Tyneside to adopt the modern improved modes of agriculture on which South Northumberland became famous.

close shave: An accident at the local foundry very nearly proved fatal. The chain for the large crane slipped and crashed to the ground at terrific force. The noise caused the man and his horse to scarper to safety.