The Hexham Courant headline news up to 150 years ago

10 years ago

PARKING: Corbridge parish councillors opted to keep ticket machines in the village and retain a pay and display system but make the first half hour of parking free.

SCHOOL CRISIS: Snap inspections took place at 17 schools across Northumberland by Ofsted inspectors which found standards had declined alarmingly in many schools.

SHOCK: Prudhoe High School was placed in Ofsted's special measures category following snap inspections. 

25 years ago

GRANT: Tynedale was the leader of a joint bid by Northumberland's six district councils to give locals a hand to save money and energy through a £100,000 grant. 

MUTILATED: A cat was found with its tongue cut out near Otterburn and an animal charity searched for a new home for it. 

County commissioner Miss Margaret Millar presents the special County Commissioner's Award to Rainbow Brownie Hannah Lewis for remaining calm in a motoring accident and helping her family in 1998 (Image: Newsquest)

LAY-OFFS: Around 30 people were laid off at the bottle factory in Plenmeller which was put up for sale earlier in 2013. 

50 years ago

INJURY: Acomb man Neil Laidlaw, 36, sustained eye injuries when a roman candle backfired after he lit it.

MILK NOT SPILT: Two eastbound milk tankers collided in Hencotes, Hexham but neither driver was injured and no milk was spilt from either vehicle.

GLAM SLAM: Rock star David Bowie proved popular at the record counter at Robbs' Hexham's Fore Street store, having two singles in its top 10 with Sorrow at number 6 and Laughing Gnome at number eight. 

75 years ago

HYDRO PURCHASE: Northumberland County Council's education committee resolved to buy the Hexham Hydro for £18,500. A subsequent £48,000 was allocated for repairs to the building, which was later to be used as a teacher training college.

VILLAGE SALE: The village of Hunstanworth, near Blanchland, was put up for sale by a firm of Darlington auctioneers.

100 years ago

PRUDHOE PROBLEM: A dozen new council houses being built in Prudhoe attracted interest from more than 200 would-be tenants.

HOUSING PLANS: Hexham Urban Council planned to build 250 new council houses in Chareway, Wanless Lane and Whitecross.

NEW SHOP: Hexham's RJ Welch shoe shop opened on Market Street. 

125 years ago

PROPERTY WITHDRAWN: The sale of houses, stables and other buildings at the corner of Gilesgate and Haugh Lane was called off after only one bid of £600 was made at auction at Hexham's White Hart Hotel.

CHURCH'S BEGINNINGS: Foundation stones were laid in place for a new £200 Methodist church at Dalton, near Stamfordham.  

150 years ago

APPLE THEFT: A Prudhoe miner was fined £2 by Hexham magistrates for scrumping apples in Prudhoe.