Looking back: What made the Hexham Courant headlines in years gone by?

10 YEARS AGO

CHASE CHALLENGE: A former pub quiz master scooped £7,500 after his general knowledge was put to the test on national television. Viewers tuning into ITV's The Chase witnessed Hexham's Shaun Yeats go head-to-head with resident brainbox and 'chaser' Shaun Wallace in the grand final.

Shaun Yeats who was a winner on the quiz show 'The Chase' (Image: Hexham Courant)

NEW TENANT: It was confirmed the former Greggs cafe and bakery in Hexham's Fore Street had been let, although it wasn't yet known who by. Speculation had been rife, with McDonald's, Costa Coffee, Starbucks, and Tesco Express all in the frame.

20 YEARS AGO

TORY GAINS: The Conservatives took control of Tynedale Council, becoming the first party to hold a majority in the 29-year history of the authority.

STAR TURN: Boyzone lead singer Ronan Keating gave a surprise stage performance at Slaley Hall Hotel, which followed the marriage of software millionaire Graham Wylie and his wife Andrea.

BULLET PROOF: Almost 100 firearms and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition were handed over at Hexham police station as part of a national amnesty.

35 YEARS AGO

HORSE PLAY: The Duchess of Northumberland attended the opening ceremony for the £250,000 indoor riding school and sports centre for the disabled at Kielder Adventure Centre.

HISTORY BOOK: A new booklet was produced by the Redesdale Society to mark the upcoming 600th anniversary of the Battle of Otterburn.

MINE SUPPORT: A parish meeting at Alston unanimously supported efforts to reopen the Barhaugh Colliery drift mine, near Slaggyford.

60 YEARS

SICK LIST: Prudhoe Urban Council was concerned about its absenteeism record, with 16 out of 47 employees having unsatisfactory attendance records.

ANTI SOCIAL: Residents on a Haydon Bridge housing estate expressed concerns about young hooligans congregating on bicycles on Sundays.

TIP TOPPLE: The refuse tip at West Woodburn was declared dangerous because of a 60-foot drop into a disused quarry.

85 YEARS AGO

ADA'S HONOUR: Ada Blackburn was elected as the first-ever chairman of Prudhoe Urban Council.

FLAMES SPREAD: Firemen took three hours to bring under control a fire which destroyed 30 acres of bracken and young trees at Priestclose, West Wylam.

CUP RIVALS: Former Greenhead player Bob Batey played for Preston North End in the FA Cup final against Huddersfield Town, who featured ex-Allendale player Bobby Barclay.

READ MORE: The transformations of the iconic Hydro over 160 years

110 YEARS AGO

MINE HOST: All 120 employees of Tynedale Colliery, in Acomb, were invited to supper at the White Hart Hotel, Hexham, to celebrate the managing director's wedding.

HEFTY CATCH: A 30-pound salmon, the biggest spring fish taken from the Tyne, was caught at Howden Dene, Corbridge.

PAY RISE: The maximum wage of roadmen employed by Hexham Rural Council was increased to 24 shillings a week.

135 YEARS AGO

PIT TRAGEDY: Miner William Latimer was killed by a fall of stone at Byron Pit, Greenhead.

ON COURSE: Large crowds attended a rabbit coursing sweepstake held at the Queen's Letch, Dipton, Hexhamshire.

TRAVELLING LIGHT: The Archdeacon of Northumberland called for the appointment of two trim mission clergymen, on mountain ponies, to support priests in remote areas of the Deanery of Bellingham.