10 Years Ago

Public Opposition: Around 50 Prudhoe residents living near the town’s high school signed a petition against plans to build a world-class media centre on the site. The £2.5m project proposed a state-of-the-art building, featuring cutting-edge technology for television, radio and art studies.

Building Collapses: Allendale’s dream of creating a £600,000 art and media centre came to an abrupt halt. Work had started on demolishing the former Allendale Motor Company premises, but members of the public reported seeing the building start to lean before a specialist demolition squad came in to pull down the structure.

Fire Furore: Plans for a new fire station in Prudhoe were given the go-ahead by county councillors, despite extensive local opposition. The county council received 14 letters of objection and three petitions bearing a total of 37 names, against proposals that the new two-storey station be built on land near Prudhoe West First School.

Risk Recovery: After centuries of neglect and decay, four iconic ancient monuments in the North Pennines were to be given a long overdue kiss of life. Work was under way to remove Shildon Engine House and Muggleswick Grange, near Blanchland, Ninebanks Tower and the remains of Whiteskye and Bentyfield lead mines, near Alston, from English Heritage’s Risk Register list of shame.

25 years Ago

Wild Weather: The worst floods for nearly half a century swamped large areas of Tynedale, flushing people out of their homes, sweeping away bridges, and bringing utter chaos to the roads network. The main River Tyne and South Tyne both bust their banks in several places due to heavy rainfall throughout the district.

Disorderly Drunks: Drunkenness was on the increase in Tynedale, according to a report. The number of people cautioned for drunkenness in the district was almost three times higher than two year previous, Hexham police reported. Some 30 people were cautioned over the course of the year.

Ward Closed: The children’s ward at Hexham General Hospital closed – and youngsters needing to admitted to hospital were told to travel to Newcastle. Health chiefs instead agreed to set up a children’s outpatient surgery clinic and child clinics in Hexham and Prudhoe.

Sex Sessions: Sex therapy sessions were launched for problem-plagued couples in Hexham. So many people were seeking help for their sexual hang-ups that more counsellors were trained to fill Selegate surgery on Hencotes.

50 years Ago

Rent Rise: Hexham Rural Council increased the rents on its 1,100 houses by 15 per cent. The decision came in the wake of the local water company’s announcement that domestic water rates were to be increased by 20 per cent.

Temporary Tissues: Kimberley Clark began making tissues at a £150,000 temporary factory in Prudhoe while its main £10m plant was being built nearby.

Club Formed: A winemaking club was set up in Kielder.

Travel Bureau: Bellingham Rural Council decided to set up a travel bureau in the village.

75 Years Ago

Soldier Shielded: A rolled-up copy of the Hexham Courant saved Hexham soldier Pte Frank Carrick from being seriously injured when he was hit by fragments from a Nazi shell while serving in Germany. “It was the Courant that definitely saved my left knee,” he said.

Last Post: Hexham’s head postman, Mr. J.W. Banks, retired after 49 years’ service with the Post Office.

Bridge Plea: Corbridge Parish Council urged the county council to remove a dangerous corner at the south end of the town bridge.

100 years Ago

Potato patter: Stocksfield and District Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Society was given a talk on potatoes and onions by a Mr W. Oliver, of Hexham.

Literary Talk: Corbridge Literary Association held its first lecture, the subject of which was satire and humour in art.

125 years Ago

Dog Disease: There was an outbreak of rabies near Haltwhistle when a dog attacked hens and other dogs. At least eight animals were believed to have contracted the disease. A farmer’s son was also bitten by the dog, but he suffered no ill effects.

Tramps Imprisoned: Two of four tramps found sleeping in coke ovens at West Wylam, Prudhoe, were sentenced to 14 days of imprisonment with hard labour. The other two were discharged.

150 Years Ago

Town incident: The driver of a railway trolley suffered an accident on Fore Street in Hexham after a crate of glass fell on top of him.