A series of debates is planned in Hexham.

The Hexham Debates were founded in 2007 by the Hexham Quaker Meeting and attracts audiences of between 100 and 250. It is currently in its third series with further debates planned for early 2010.

All debates take place on Saturdays from 11am to 12.30pm at St Mary's Centre, St Mary's RC Church, Hencotes. The first is on January 16 on the subject 'Britain and Afghanistan: is it worth it? Is it winnable?'

Thousands across the North East will wear their poppies with pride this weekend as sombre events are held to mark Remembrance Day.

In Hexham, soldiers from 39 Regiment Royal Artillery will be marching through the town from 10.15am, as they celebrate their Freedom of the Town.

Some 100 soldiers will make up the march in addition to servicemen from the Royal Navy and TA, and the parade will be followed by a memorial at Fusilier Gate and a service at Hexham Abbey.

Full details of Remembrance Day events around the region »

One-man choir David Nichol is celebrating 70 years of singing at his Northumberland church.

The former British Telecom engineer joined his parish church choir on October 1, 1939, aged eight, when it boasted an ensemble of 36 choristers.

But numbers have dwindled since then, and since 1977 his has been the sole voice raised to the heavens.

Hundreds of people packed a Northumberland abbey to pay their final respects to a father and daughter killed in a sailing accident.

Nearly 700 people were inside Hexham Abbey yesterday for the funeral of Geoffrey and Victoria Wilkinson, of Kirkwhelpington, who were killed in the tragedy at Kielder Water earlier this month.

Jack Wilkinson, Geoffrey's son and Victoria's brother, paid his own tribute, describing their special, close, father-daughter relationship and adding "they are still keeping each other excellent company".

Choirs are performing a series of concerts in Northumberland this month.

Cappella Novocastriensis will play at St Cuthbert's Church, Norham, on June 13 from 8pm and at Holy Cross Church, Haltwhistle, on June 14 from 8pm. Tickets are available from Windows music store in Newcastle, at the door, or on the internet at www.wegottickets.com online.

Meanwhile, Newcastle Bach Choir is singing in Hexham Abbey on June 20, from 7.30pm and tickets are available from Newcastle tourist information centre, JG Windows and Hexham Abbey Shop.

A choirmaster is doing a 30-mile run to raise money for young singers. Michael Stoddart will run from Hexham Abbey in Northumberland to St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle, where he is organist and director of music.

He will visit eight churches en route - Hexham Abbey, St Andrew's in Corbridge, St James' in Riding Mill, St Peter's in Bywell, St Mary's in Ovingham, St Mary Magdalene in Prudhoe, St Oswin's in Wylam and St Michael's and All Angels in Newburn.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a window was broken at a church in Hexham.

A ground-floor window at St Aidan's in Hencotes, was broken sometime between 12pm on Sunday and 6.15pm on Tuesday.

The window was broken by a stone and the cost of repair will amount to around £150.

Top Catholic leaders have gathered to honour the new Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

The Rt Rev Seamus Cunningham was installed as Bishop in a two-hour service at St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Newcastle.

He was honoured by the most senior Catholic leaders from across the UK, including the Archbishop of Westminster and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor.

Today marks a special day on the North East calendar as we celebrate the life of the patron saint of Northumberland, St Cuthbert.

Often regarded as the most popular saint of medieval times and one of the most important, March 20 sees people celebrate the anniversary of the death of the region's own patron saint.

Pilgrims make their way across the causeway to Holy Island on Good Friday, 2006

Born in 634 AD, Cuthbert was born in the Lammermuir Region where he grew to work as a young shepherd.

An evening of traditional pipe music will be held to raise cash for sick youngsters.

Money will be raised for two local charities supporting disabled and terminally ill children and adults.

Robson's Choice will perform at the event, in West End Methodist Church, Hexham on Tuesday, from 7.30pm.