ON SALE NOW

THE PERFECT PLACE TO GET STUCK IN

STEWART BONNEY visits a pub which, despite its rural location, is the hub of a thriving community.

IT'S PLAYTIME AGAIN, AND THE TOYS ARE ALL HERE

Remember Dinky Toys and Tri-ang model trains? PHIL HUNTLEY found that a visit to a museum in Tynemouth brought the memories flooding back.

A BORDERLINE CASE WITH A SCOTTISH LOOK

JOHN GRUNDY explains why the village of Lowick reminds him of Scotland - and a painful encounter with an airborne dog.

FORGING AHEAD WITH A VITAL CAREER

VERONICA HEATH finds that the farrier's skill remains as much in demand as it has ever been.

WHERE NATURE HAS HEALED OLD INDUSTRIAL SCARS

ANTHONY TOOLE looks at sites around Drurige Bay where a rich variety of wetland birds may be observed.

LAVISH LIFESTYLES ON THE CLEAN HILL

When in 1937 Betty Robson holidayed with her aunt and uncle at the workers' cottages of Clennell Hall, near Alwinton, she could not have imagined that 70 years later she would return with her family to witness the hall's redevelopment. DIANE SMITH descibes the hall's history and hears Betty's story.

HANDWRITTEN TESTIMONY WHICH KEPT DIALECT ALIVE

A personal book review drives KEITH GREGSON towards discovering more about the book's Northumberland-born author.

THE EMINENT DIARIST AND THE ADMIRAL

DAVID ANDERSON describes a meeting between Samuel Pepys and Sir Ralph Delaval at Seaton Sluice in 1682.

QUIET WOODLANDS BY A SERPENTINE BURN

SUSAN and HILARY BURKE travel to a little-visited tract of forest which retains traces of the everyday lives of its former inhabitants.

CHRISTMAS FOOD & GIFT IDEAS

There may be few shopping days left before December 25, but there is still time to buy an imaginative present, stock up with essential supplies and find some special treats for the festive season.

ANGLING TO TEMPT MORE WOMEN ONLINE

SUSAN BURKE meets an enthusiastic young angler who is keen to attract more female recruits to the sport.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH WINS OVER VISITORS

STEWART BONNEY visits two Northumberland National Park visitor centres to find out about their award-winning qualities.

HIGHLY TECHNICAL, THIS GAME OF TAG

IAN KERR explains how one aspect of modern technology has added significantly to our knowledge of bird migration patterns.

MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU - AND YOUR GARDEN

Biodynamic gardening may be a term with which few conventional gardeners are familiar. SUSIE WHITE explains what's involved.

CREATING IMAGES FROM FAR-FLUNG BATTLEFIELDS

PETER HARRINGTON looks at the life and work of the Bamburgh-born war painter, John Charlton.

SEEING OUT THE WINTER

ALLAN POTTS explains that, global warming or not, this is still a hard time of year for our wildlife.

TWO MEN AND THEIR DOG

A short story by NORMAN ATKINSON

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

A TASTE OF NORTHUMBERLAND
Christmas Pudding

BOOK REVIEWS

READERS LETTERS

WHAT'S ON GUIDE