10 YEARS AGO

WORD WARS: The bitter battle between health care professionals over plans to build an emergency hospital intensified, with Bardon Mill’s Dr James Connolly wading in to say lives could be at risk if services at Hexham were downgraded.

DUTCH COURAGE: Kevin Grigg of the Bike Shop came up trumps for a Dutch couple who had their bikes stolen on the second night of a cycling holiday, providing the pair with bicycles to finish their trip.

WAGGING TAILS: Following a desperate plea, homes were found for dog duo Scruffy and Rufus. The dogs were rehomed within half a mile of each other, much to the delight of their previous owner Karl Duckworth.

FLAMES FANNED?: An arson task force was called in to investigate the cause of fire at a farm in Heddon that saw flames rise 50 feet into the sky.

25 YEARS AGO

CLEAN UP: Senior management at the Egger UK chipboard factory in Hexham – then described as “controversial” pledged to clean up their act with a £3 million anti-pollution drive by the end of 1997.

FLOOD COST: Residents on Maidens Croft in Hexham were told they may have to pay £10,000 for the banks of nearby Cockshaw Burn to be strengthened after serious flash flooding the previous year.

RUNNING OFF: A seven-strong delegation of senior councillors and officials from Northumberland County Council spent the week at the European Athletics Championships in Helsinki – at tax payer’s expense.

WALKING ON: A major new national walking trail, 26 miles around the shores of Kielder Water, was officially opened.

50 YEARS AGO

BRIDGE WORKS: Corbridge bridge, the oldest bridge on the Tyne and the only one to withstand the Great Flood of 1771, was to be strengthened at a cost of £50,000. Work had already been started on the scheme, which it was hoped would be finished by the next spring.

VILLAGE SEGREGATION: Allegations that the newly built 100-house Painshaw Estate at Stocksfield was being segregated from the rest of the village came about when it was announced that children from the estate would be sent to Mickley instead of Broomley First School.

ROYAL RUMBLE: After a one-year absence, all-in wrestling returned to the Forum cinema in Hexham, with some exciting bouts promised.

75 YEARS AGO

KILLING MADE: The cost of seven pence for each rat destroyed in the Hexham urban district was claimed to be one of the cheapest returns in the country. A report to the health committee stated that 1,432 sewer rats had been destroyed at a net cost to the council of £41 11s 6 1/2d.

RAISING FUNDS: More than £80 was raised for the church alteration fund of the Central Methodist Church of Haydon Bridge, by a garden party held in the village.

RECORD NUMBERS: A record entry of 500 in the various classes and a full day’s programme was provided for a record crowd of more than 1,000 at Tyneside’s Agricultural Society’s Bank Holiday Show at Dene Park, Hexham.

100 YEARS AGO

SECOND CHANCE: After a lapse of four years due to the war, the Wylam Reading Room and Institute revived its annual show and sports day. Apart from a gale, which threatened the marquee hired for the occasion by ripping the roof in two places, the weather was favourable.

SUNDAY ETHICS: The question of a Sunday delivery of letters was one of the subjects before Hexham Urban Council. If a Sunday delivery had been proffered earlier, it would have been at once accepted, it was announced.

GLORIOUS GALA: The annual gala and sports day in connection with Low Prudhoe was held in recreational grounds, in ideal weather, with a large attendance.

125 YEARS AGO

DARK DEED: A Prudhoe man was arrested and accused of riding a bicycle without a light at two o’clock in the morning.

TURNIP TERRORS: Three boys were charged with damaging turnips in a field near West Wylam Colliery. A fine of one shilling and one penny damages was inflicted on each of the culprits.

150 YEARS AGO

GALLANT RESCUE: A Mr Walker came to the rescue when a woman fell overboard on a steamer boat. He caught her by the back of the head before grasping her arms until they were rescued by a second boat. The other passengers were so impressed by Mr Walker’s bravery they had a collection, and gave him the handsome sum of £94.

MAKING BACON: A Mr James Robinson owned a sow which produced two litters of piglets within six months. The first litter contained 19, and the second 21 – a total of 40 “porkers” in 26 weeks.