I was delighted on Saturday to take my twin nine year old goddaughters on an impromptu trip to Spook Night in Hexham. (They don’t live in the Tyne Valley).

It was bustling. They loved pumpkin carving in the Abbey, the noise and excitement of the rides, getting locked in the stocks at the Old Gaol, hot chocolate at the Beaumont Hotel, a little trip round the shops (mum's fault!) and they went home happy with a big bag of very green candy floss.

I loved seeing the town busy and catching up with the many local families that support the event.

I’m sorry to hear there was some kind of incident on the Sele. I’m also sorry to hear there was a (possible) firework thrown in the Market Place.

Two separate incidents I understand, but equally unacceptable.

However, Hexham comes in to its own at this time of year - Spook Night, Tyne Tour, Bonfire Night (the best for miles around), Remembrance Day, Christmas lights switch on and the Christmas Market.

I’m proud to be a board member of the Hexham Community Partnership and Hexham Town Council which funds and organises a number of these events.

We don’t have issues with gangs of youths in Hexham!

We may have had some isolated incidents that need nipping in the bud and I have spoken to our police inspector and I am confident her officers are taking the right precautionary action with this.

We also have an excellent youth provision in Hexham through the youth initiative and I’m sure they will be equally disappointed to hear of the events.

I, for one, took my family to Bonfire Night on Saturday as I have done since the children were small, and we enjoyed every second.

I was also pleased to see the town warmly welcome the many, many visitors it rightly deserves, over this magical period in the Hexham calendar.

Hexham remains the most beautiful of towns and I still can’t think of a better place to live and raise a family.

CATH HOMER

Northumberland county councillor for Hexham East