A LOOK back at what made the headlines 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125-years-ago. Do you remember any of these stories?

10 YEARS AGO

SHOW STALWART: One of the leading members of the Whitfield community died aged 72. Margaret Lee was known for her dedication to fund-raising for local causes and was famed for her cookery skills. In 1995, she was recognised for winning the industrial section of the Allendale Show for 25 years, being awarded a crystal bowl from the Allendale Agricultural Society. She went on to judge at local shows, including the Northumberland County Show, and was also secretary of Whitfield Parish Hall for 20 years.

GEST APPEARANCE: Tynedale had an A-list celebrity in its midst after David Gest was reportedly spotted looking in the windows of Hexham's estate agents. The world famous concert promoter and media personality, former husband of Liza Minnelli, was rumoured to be looking for a house in the area. He became a household name after his appearance in the 2006 I'm a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here.

BIG BIRTHDAY: Ponteland's oldest resident celebrated her 104th birthday with a tea party and visit from the mayor. Coun. Peter Cowey and wife Sheila dropped in to Ponteland Manor care home to wish Sybil Harvey many happy returns and present her with a bouquet of flowers. The centenarian enjoyed a birthday party with friends and her only child Jill.

BROADBAND BOOST: Hexham was promised faster internet speeds. The town was one of 11 in the North-East to be included in the latest rollout plans by BT for the company's next generation copper broadband service.

IN DOCK: Two company directors appeared in court charged with offences arising out of the death of a Corbridge teenager. Jamie Duddin (18) was working for steel fabrication firm Scotts of Whittington Ltd, based in Great Whittington, when he fell from a roof at a farm shed in Heddon. Alfred Wood and Christopher Wood were charged under the Health and Safety Act, while Alfred faced an additional charge of common law manslaughter. The company was also charged.

INQUIRY LAUNCHED: The death of a Stocksfield doctor off the Northumberland coast was being investigated by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. The inquiry followed the death of Ruth Fletcher who surfaced unconscious after a dive in Seahouses.

HELLISH HOLIDAY: A student from Haltwhistle said he was lucky to be alive after being attacked with an axe and robbed by a gang while on holiday in India. Jake Johnston was subjected to a harrowing three-hour ordeal by the five-strong gang who stole money and valuables after beating him with an axe and metal pipe.

25 YEARS AGO

PIZZA GATE: A man who argued with police officers when they asked him to move on from outside Hexham's Pizza Pizza was bound over to keep the peace by Tynedale magistrates. John Dean Lowes admitted breaching the peace and was given a one-year bind-over in the sum of £50.

PARENTAL WARNING: The parents or murdered backpacker Caroline Clarke, of Slaley, returned from Australia worried for the safety of other young people hitch-hiking.

50 YEARS AGO

LOCAL CUISINE: Fish and chips were the order of the day for 40 children from ten different countries who were staying at Hexham's International Summer Village. The dish went down a treat and one girl from Ohio said she would tell mom all about Tynedale's fish and chips.

PONY FIRST: Highside Farm, Lowgate, hosted its first-ever horse and pony show, when over 70 took part.

FEATHERS FLY: Keeping pigeons on housing estates in Hexham's east end and Priestlands looked set to become legal after a move by the urban council to extend a current ban on tenants having pigeons was voted out.

75 YEARS AGO

DISORDERLY QUEUE: Hexham housewives complained day-trippers were arriving in Hexham in their hundreds with their ration coupons and queuing for what few goods were left in the shops.

PRIZE CATCH: A brown trout weighing 3lb 9oz was caught at Spittal Pool on the Tyne - a record catch for the district.

WELCOME HOME: Scrolls and gifts were presented to 56 ex-servicemen and women welcomed back to Haltwhistle by the Appreciation of Services fund.

100 YEARS AGO

SINGING PRAISES: The Prudhoe Gleeman Male Voice Choir were warming up their vocal chords for a series of competitions starting at Wylam's Flower Show.

FUNDS NEEDED: Hexham Abbey needed £600 to change its organ blower from water to electric power. The organist and choir were asked to help raise the money.

125 YEARS AGO

VANDAL SCANDAL: The young men of Haydon Bridge apparently had nothing better to do than carve their names in seats and benches, complained visitors. One suggested they would be better off carving a niche for themselves in the temple of fame.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Services for Wesleyan Sunday School were conducted in the Beaumont Street Chapel.