A TRIP down memory lane, we take a look back at the stories to have hit the headlines 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125-years ago. Do you remember any of the events?

10 YEARS AGO

CASH CRISIS: Hexham Book Festival - which draws some of literature’s biggest names and thousands of visitors - was facing the axe. Founder and director Susie Troup was unable to find a sponsor to step in after its Arts Council grant and three-year tranche of funding from Northern Rock Foundation stopped. A decision whether to fold, scale down the event or move to Alnwick was to be made.

CAR CRASH: Tributes were paid to Sir Nicholas Beaumont who was killed in a car crash near Catton. The 82-year-old was travelling on the B6295, near Round Meadows Farm, in a Subaru Legacy when it collided with a Volkswagen Sharan travelling in the opposite direction. He was a well-known and respected figure in the horse racing world.

HACK ATTACK: Prudhoe Community Partnership website was taken down after it was infiltrated by hackers.

BARRIER BOTHER: There was dismay after Northumberland County Council spent £500 repairing a barrier to a car park that ‘no one used’. The car park on Beaumont Street used to serve Tynedale Magistrates’ Court, the Abbey Clinic and the county’s social services department - which had all closed. The repair coincided with the wedding of then Hexham councillor Ingrid Whale to Craster sea captain Michael Brook raising suspicion on the timing of the works.

HELL FOR LEATHER: Craftsman Andy Bates and business partner James Westlake opened a shop and leather work studio at The Courtyard, off St Mary’s Chare, Hexham, in attempt to revive traditional leather work skills in the town.

25 YEARS AGO

CONVICTION OVERTURNED: A Hexham garage owner convicted of a pollution offence after vandals attacked his waste oil tank won his appeal. Alan Crompton, of the Hexham Four Wheel Drive Centre, was convicted after vandals released 80 gallons of waste oil which seeped into the River Tyne. The National Rivers Authority had 21 days to appeal to the Divisional Court of Appeal in London.

POLICE APPEAL: Hexham police officers stepped up their hunt for the Fairnington arsonist and warned the attacker could strike again if not caught. The arsonist attempt to burn the mental health administration unit.

SPORTS PROPOSALS: A new sports and leisure complex was mooted for Haltwhistle if a bid for Sports Council Lottery funding was successful. The £800,000 multi-use, indoor facility would be developed on land close to the existing popular swimming and leisure centre.

DEN DOWN: A children’s den was pulled down by Tynedale Council after neighbours complained its structure was dangerous. Brothers David and Simon Hodgson built the camp in the Stanners Wood near their Corbridge home. The equipment was thrown on Frankham Fell Tip, near Fourstones.

OVERTURNED LORRY: Traffic on the A69 trunk road was brought to a standstill when a lorry overturned on the Styford roundabout near Corbridge. The driver Alan McNeil was cut from the vehicle via the cab’s windscreen and was treated in hospital for head injuries.

50 YEARS AGO

SPORTS PAVILION: Work started on a new pavilion on Wark sports field which was to cost £5,000 - part of which had been met from a successful sports day.

SCHOOL PROMISE: It was announced two schools - one in Barrasford and one in Eltringham -would be built after money was made available after a speech by Maggie Thatcher.

TEACHER DISPUTE: As a result of a national schoolmasters’ dispute, Prudhoe secondary school was closed and forth form students at Bellingham were given a day off.

75 YEARS AGO

MINERS SACKED: 68 miners from Haltwhistle who were alleged to have struck work at Birkinshaw Colliery were dismissed.

PROTEST HEEDED: Corbridge Parish Council dropped proposals to have an additional parking place on Hill Street after a protest from the parochial church council.

TEMPORARY HOMES: It was expected 53 temporary, pre-fabricated houses being erected in Prudhoe would be completed in a matter of weeks.

100 YEARS AGO

TRAINS DERAILED: Two trains derailed and blocked both lines near Corbridge. Passengers had to walk to Riding Mill to board a waiting train.

WAR TRIBUTE: A war memorial was unveiled in Haydon Bridge for people who died in the 1914-1918 war.

125 YEARS AGO

DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY: The union flag was raised at the Abbey to celebrate the 60th year of Queen Victoria’s reign.

SUNDAY CELEBRATION: The anniversary of Sunday school in Gunnerton was celebrated by teachers and pupils who danced around the village singing hymns.

POLICE PASS: Hexham Police Station was inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectors and passed with flying colours.