10 YEARS AGO

WOODEN EXCUSE: Despite sitting on the edge of the largest manmade forest in Europe, the future of Egger was under threat - because it was running out of wood. 1,500 jobs were at risk as the factory was being priced out of the market by Government-subsidised clean electricity generators.

RESCUE OPERATION: Five rowers had to be plucked to safety from the River Tyne by Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service. The rowers had been racing which was swept onto the dangerous weir at Tyne Green, Hexham.

BRIDGE CLOSED: Teetering Wark Bridge was to be closed to all traffic for four months at the beginning of 2011, to enable work to start on the next phase of the £2.1 million refurbishment of the tumbledown bridge, which was riddled with corrosion.

CASE CLOSED?: The senior presiding judge for England and Wales, Lord Justice Goldring, handed the campaign to save Tynedale Magistrates Court a massive fillip when he said he could not support the court's closure.

25 YEARS AGO

SCHOOLS SAVED: After months of uncertainty over the future of Beaufront and Humshaugh First Schools, Northumberland County Council drew up a five point plan that would see them stay open.

WIND POWER: Households in Tynedale were the first in the country to be offered the chance to harness the power of wind to power their homes, with Hexham-based company Econnect looking for householders who would prefer the power source to fossil fuels.

TIME CALLED: An era came to an end at the County Hotel in Hexham, when proprieter Ken Watts handed over the keys to new owner Brian Glover. Mr Watts had decided to retire after 15 and a half years.

SAFETY SCARE: Police in Tynedale were warning parents to be on the look-out, after suspicious men approached children in two villages. A six-year-old boy was almost abducted in Otterburn.

50 YEARS AGO

NO SIGNPOSTS: Tradesmen complained to Bellingham Council that there were no signposts to Harle village. The council heard that there were eight farms in the locality and tradesmen had no idea how to find them.

BAR SNACKS: an influx of travellers to Haltwhistle led the town council to write to a number of breweries to see if they could improve their catering facilities at their premises. Vaux Breweries wrote back to the council to say it was best policy for the pubs in the town to concentrate on beer and snacks.

75 YEARS AGO

COLLEGE PLAN: A report was submitted that Northumberland County Council could purchase Hexham Hydro and turn it into a college. The plan would cost an estimated £40,000 and the building would be used as an emergency training centre for teachers.

WHEELBARROW CRASH: A collision with an empty wheelbarrow led to the death of a Hexham lorry driver, an inquest heard. Mr Robert James Reid (57) died after the crash between the two vehicles on the Newcastle-Hexham road near Newton.

CLUB DISSOLVED: The Hexham and District Rabbit Club was dissolved, and a new society - the Hexham and District Fur and Feather Society - was formed.

100 YEARS AGO

BOLSHEVIKS CRITICISED: A member of the public complained to Hexham Town Council after Bolshevik activists spoke in the Market Place. Councillors heard that the propaganda was disastrous and treasonable, and were asked to do their utmost to prevent their recurrence.

WOMEN FUMING: A debate was held in Haltwhistle over the subject of women smoking. The Rev. P. H. Hart said that women were as good as men, but would not admit that they had similar rights or functions. A motion opposed to women smoking was carried bt a large majority.

ALMS ANGER: A man was remanded for a fortnight after fraudulently collecting alms in Corbridge. He was caught by police after attempting to procure money to buy a glass eye. Magistrates heard that in just three days, he had procured three guineas.

125 YEARS AGO

CRUELTY CASE: Two men, who were seen by a policeman leading a horse with a fractured shoulder past Allenheads Corn Mills, were fined five shillings and costs by Magistrates.

TOO LATE: Brandon Rovers did not turn up for their football match against Mickley, because the team missed the train.

150 YEARS AGO

YOU'RE LOST!: A Stormy Petrel was caught on the North Tyne near Bellingham by Mr George Armstrong while fishing. The little bird was exhausted, and had evidently been blown up the Tyne by very strong easterly winds.

SERVANT'S BALL: The servents at St Wilfrid's were indulged in a social supper and ball. It was reportedly "of the most enjoyable character."