224 (Hexham) Squadron cadets gave up a weekend of their time to assist in the smooth running of the Hexham Horse Trials; an annual equestrian event consisting of cross-country, show-jumping and dressage.

Over the weekend cadets undertook a number of different responsibilities these included putting up horse jumps when knocked down, assisting horses across the road, keeping the public at a safe distance when horses were competing and organising the car parking.

The strong team of cadets all showed initiative and responsibility when carrying out their designated roles and received many positive comments from both the public and staff at the event. Spirits were kept high throughout the weekend by good company, good weather and the free food that was very generously provided to the cadets!

This was a chance to both boost the public profile of the Squadron within the local community and a chance to raise some funds for the squadron through a much appreciated donation from the organisers. Squadron funds are spent on providing a range of activities and equipment to the cadets; this can range from climbing equipment to funding the building of a new flight simulator.

Have you seen the cadets in the community or are interested in aviation? The Air Training Corps welcomes young people aged between 13 and 17 who have a taste for adventure. 224 Squadron meets every Wednesday and Friday evening at the TA Centre, Hencotes, Hexham. Realise your potential; find out more at www.224hexhamaircadets.co.uk.

The new season is almost upon us so it's time to start this year's under 8's preseason training. There will be a training session/parents meeting on Thursday 22nd July on the football pitch at Hexham Middle school at 5pm. Everyone is welcome providing they will be under 8 on 1st September this year, the session will last for one hour and you will have the chance to meet our two new Level One coaches Matthew Wilson and Thomas North who will be coaching the team. There will be two teams who will both play in the Tynedale League on a Saturday morning, as always we will be looking for some parental assistance with the team administration and some match day help so any volunteers would be appreciated.

A mass courts closure ordered by the coalition Government has been attacked by one of its own North MPs.

Hexham MP Guy Opperman, a barrister by training, said he would find it "astonishing" if the plans would work.

It comes after Justice Secretary Ken Clarke unveiled plans to close magistrates and county courts nationwide - including Bishop Auckland, Hexham, Alnwick, Blaydon, Gosforth, Houghton- le-Spring and Consett.

Hexham and Northern Marts had forward 37 cattle.

The Club's annual exhibition will take place in the Moot Hall Gallery, Market Place, Hexham for two weeks commencing 26th July until 7th August.

Bandstand, Exhibition Park by Margaret Atkinson

It was all right on the bite when a school staged its performances of a play about Dracula.

It also worked out well for Ciaran McGuire, a student at the school who made most of the costumes for the performances at the Alnwick Playhouse in Northumberland.

Matthew Armitt, 17, of Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, won the Students Choice Award at the Young Designer and Engineer Awards at the Discovery Museum

For 18-year-old Ciaran's creation for one of the main vampire characters - Rowan Morris - won him an award at the Young Engineer, Designer and Technologist competition at Discovery Museum in Newcastle.

Store cattle: All classes of cattle met a good trade and more could have been sold.

On a day when nothing changed at the top of the NTSL, Shotley Bridge's Stuart Graham grabbed the headlines with a glorious knock at Leadgate.

An early strike by the home team brought Peter Collingwood and Graham together, and the pair proceeded to take the game away from their hosts in a scintillating second-wicket partnership of 140.

Collingwood eventually fell for 72, which came from 95 balls and included 11 boundaries, but Graham sailed serenely on.

Rowing World Cup leaders Matt Wells, from Hexham, and Marcus Bateman gained revenge for last weekend's Henley defeat by the French double Cedric Berrest and Julien Bahain at the season's final event in Lucerne yesterday.

The British duo edged out the French boat in quarter-finals of the double scull.

An international athletics meeting in Northumberland was a great success with performances from some of the world's best competitors.

Hexham once again welcomed a host of international athletes to the annual international combined events meeting at the weekend.

The competition provided some excellent performances throughout the two days with Lithuanian decathlete Darius Draudvila showing why he will be a contender at the forthcoming European Championships in Barcelona at the end of this month.