A journalist turned Emmy award-winning film maker is trying to track down his Kirkley Hall classmates from more than 50 years ago for a reunion.

Former Journal writer David Taylor, 69, wants to contact the other members of his general agriculture course who studied at the Northumberland College campus in 1957-8.

The general agriculture class of 1957 outside Kirkley Hall. David Taylor is pictured in the back row, seventh from left

Mr Taylor, who worked for a string of publications including Farming Express before moving into TV where he produced Farming Outlook, is organising the reunion at Kirkley next month.

Hundreds of elderly and disabled people who use seven council-run day centres in Northumberland face a three-month wait to find out whether they can be saved from closure.

A series of public meetings on the future of the threatened centres in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Hexham, Haltwhistle, Ponteland and Prudhoe - which are used by 370 people a week - has now been completed, and final decisions will be taken in September.

Further private meetings will be held with individual centre users and their families, and feedback from the public consultation analysed, before reports setting out the various options are presented to county councillors.

Archers readied their bows for a medieval shoot-out in the grounds of Belsay Hall this weekend.

Bowmen, women and children from the region's archery clubs converged on the Northumberland estate for the annual Belsay Longbow Competition, hosted by Ponteland archers.

Held over two days the weekend saw Killingworth Archers' Ann Todd secure an unusual double by claiming top spot in the womens' competition on both days, with Catriona Cherry, of Ponteland Archers second on both days.

Tom Vickers and Ian Pearson were the power behind the Alnmouth throne in the SG Wealth Management Northumberland League, as they led the champions to a tight 21-run win over visitors Blagdon Park.

Vickers cracked a superb 83, and with Pearson also passing the half-century mark, the opening stand set the tone for the home side's impressive score of 224.

But Russell Hughes was not to be outdone as he started Park's run chase in the best of fashions with an opening 79.

Fears were voiced last night over the potential impact on the health of elderly and vulnerable people if care chiefs press ahead with controversial plans to close seven day centres in Northumberland.

Relatives of elderly dementia suffers who use the council-run Lyndon Walk day centre in Blyth said they are worried that their conditions will get even worse if they have to uproot themselves and move elsewhere.

Two women told a public meeting in the town that their mothers don't cope well with change, and questioned whether adequate alternative provision will be available if the centre closes.

Fans of Northumberland's coastline can hear a talk by a conservation expert.

Mel Nicholls, the county's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Officer, will give the talk at the Northumberland College's Kirkley Hall, Ponteland.

Mel, who has managed natural resources in New Zealand and Zimbabwe, will explain why the coastline is an area of outstanding beauty in the UK.

Ponteland Cricket Club have announced their teams for this weekend's fixtures against Consett.

The first team take on Consett at home in a game sponsored by the Ponteland Tandoori. Captain James Ealey is able to welcome back Stuart Taylor and Matty Bell to the fold, while Duncan McGregor is unavailable and Howard Wright drops back into the seconds.

With Wright back in the seconds, skipper Chris Morgan is able to field a strong looking side with Parag Chauhan and Phil Hall both available again as they make the trip to the Durham side.

The North East's only Conservative MP has returned more than £100 in "gardening" expense claims.

Hexham's Peter Atkinson last month told The Journal his claims were reasonable for his second home in London.

But he declared being ready to repay money if ordered to do so by an internal party panel examining Tory MPs' expense claims.

Summer was in full swing in Northumberland last weekend with a host of traditional events to get the county in the spirit of the season.

West of Ponteland, Kirkheaton Show was celebrating its 60th anniversary this weekend. The popular event always draws a crowd and this year was no exception.

With an industrial tent, horse classes, Cumberland wrestling, a craft tent, trade stands and children's rides and face painting, there was something for everyone.

More meetings are to be held in Northumberland to allow people to have their say on £200m proposals for new and improved hospitals in the county.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust has drawn up plans for a new specialist emergency care centre near Cramlington, plus improvements to Wansbeck General and the rebuilding of community hospitals in Berwick and Haltwhistle.

But the changes would see the closure of emergency departments at Wansbeck and Hexham General, moves which have caused some concern with patients.