10 YEARS AGO

STORE SAVED: The owner of Vergo Retail, the company that owned the Robbs department store in Hexham, moved to reassure workers and customers that the closure of the a store in Liverpool would not affect any of its other stores.

WORLD’S WATCHING: The eyes of the world were on Tynedale as the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall was lit up by a chain of flaming beacons 84 miles long. But, the public were told to stay away from the central section of the Wall in case they disturbed sensitive sites.

FARMER’S FEARS: Farmers along Hadrian’s Wall feared efforts to attract more tourists to the World Heritage Site would make them vulnerable to legal action. The threat of cattle charging at walkers was a growing concern among Roman Wall farmers.

SALT SUPPLY: Supplies of road salt sank to dangerously low levels in Tynedale, councillors were told. With much of the district still in the icy grip of the worst winter in 30 years, Northumberland County Council was down to less than 700 tonnes of salt to cover the entire 3,000 miles of road in the county - with no guarantee of any more.

25 YEARS AGO

DEATH INQUIRY: A massive overdose of the painkiller morphine incorrectly administered by nurses at Hexham general hospital combined with an elderly woman’s medical condition to kill her, an inquest heard. A mistake by nurses led to her receiving two days’ worth of morphine in just six hours.

KIELDER CONCERNS: Villagers living on the shores of Europe’s biggest reservoir were set to be forced to swallow the last thing they wanted to taste - mains water. Parish councillors were warned that Eurocrats may soon insist on the village giving up its cherished spring water for a chemically-treated supply from further down the valley.

REBELLIOUS REPRESENTATIVE: Tynedale Council’s Labour group was rocked by a rebellion involving Hexham’s town mayor. The Mayor, Coun. Bill Moulding, was set to face disciplinary proceedings from the Labour group after defying the group’s decision to leave the council chamber during discussions on an item of business.

BAD THIEF: A man who escaped after a burglary at Robbs in Hexham, was tracked down by police when they found a note bearing one of his relation’s name on it in the store. The man, who escaped the shop by running across its roof, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment after stealing watches worth £1,933.

POLICE PRESENCE: More bobbies were set to be on the beat in Haltwhistle - a move which councillors claimed could signal the end of small gangs of young tearaways roaming the streets.

50 YEARS AGO

INCENTIVE SCHEME: Hexham and Prudhoe urban councils introduced a joint productivity bonus incentive scheme for their workers.

CHARITY’S PLAN: The national charity Mencap announced plans to turn Dilston Hall in Corbridge into a holiday home after it was given a lease on it, for a peppercorn rent, by Viscount Allendale.

75 YEARS AGO

YOUTH RALLY: Prudhoe Methodist Church held a youth rally, the first of its kind, at the town’s Rio Cinema. More than 500 youngsters attended.

HOUSING ROW: Bellingham Rural Council backed plans to build 20 houses near the town’s Percy Street despite their being opposed by the Ministry of Health and town and country planners.

100 YEARS AGO

CAMPAIGNER’S DEATH: A Hexham man said to be the oldest member of the Order of the Sons of Temperance in the country died, aged 82.

MEMORIAL TABLET: A brass tablet and plate in memory of local soldiers killed during the First World War was unveiled at Ovington Wesleyan Church.

125 YEARS AGO

RUGBY DEATH: A Hexham rugby player’s death in a match at the Bridge End ground prompted an inquest jury to call for the rules of rugby to be changed. This was reported to be the third fatality in the area within recent memory.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT: A railway porter had to have his right arm amputated following an accident at Stocksfield railway station.

FISHY SCHEME: Plans to set up a fish hatchery at Barrasford were discussed at a meeting of the Northumberland Fisheries Board in Newcastle.

150 YEARS AGO

POSITIVE WEATHER: The Hexham Courant reported a few spring-like days, which greatly helped the prosecution of outdoor labour. The sturdy North-East winds had abated, and the influence of the sun rendered the air mild and genial.

LARGE CROWD: An exhibition of the Magic Lantern, with musical accompaniments, was given at the George Hotel in Chollerford.