Ponteland United got back into action today after a break of almost two months through bad weather and faced a difficult test against visitors Seaton Delaval in the Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup

United were at full strength with Liam McIvor returning upfront after a three match suspension back in December and welcomed newcomer Jeff Forsyth into the starting line up for his debut..

A new scheme aiming to help people in Northumberland detect cancer early urgently needs volunteers.

The community-based initiative, the Healthy Communities Collaborative (HCC), has been set up to help people living mainly in the Blyth, Wansbeck and Morpeth areas.

It aims to raise awareness of the disease so people can spot the early signs of breast, bowel and lung cancer.

Voluntary and community groups in Northumberland have been warned they are facing a reduction in funding for their work - because of the recession and tough budget savings required by the county council.

However, County Hall bosses have reassured the sector that a funding package of £1.3m will still be available next year. Budget proposals recommend more money for charities directly supporting those people worst affected by the recession.

These will include services such as credit unions and the Citizens' Advice Bureau.

Northumberland Scouts are holding a Victorian Christmas concert this weekend, with mulled wine and mince pies.

The event is at Richard Coates Middle School, Thornhill Road on Saturday 12th December at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £8 on the door, and proceeds will go to Northumberland Scouts Tall Ships 2010.

Radio lovers in Northumberland will soon be able to have shares in a cutting-edge new media concept in the county.

Volunteers are launching a new project where Northumbrians can buy shares in the community group.

As reported in Journal Extra in August, former members of Tynedale FM decided to set up their own multimedia group to attract film and TV crews.

Children are being sought to play the role of Munchkins in Ponteland Repertory Society's production of the Wizard of Oz, which starts in the Memorial Hall on November 23.

Youngsters need to be able to sing and dance, and be 4ft 8ins tall or under. Informal workshops/auditions will be held in the Memorial Hall at 2.30pm on Sunday August 23.

Auditions for the role of Dorothy will be held at 1pm the same day. More details from show director, Katie Howes, on 07504 577369.

Older people are being asked to volunteer their time to help their peers stay active and independent.

Northumberland Care Trust, in partnership with Age Concern, is looking for volunteers to become "senior health mentors" to other older people in their community.

Ann Kirkup, project co-ordinator for the health mentor scheme in Northumberland, with Jean Sanders in Newbiggin, who has volunteered as a senior peer mentor.

The volunteers will be trained to help, support and encourage those they are mentoring on the benefits of healthy eating and exercise, as well as offering social interaction.

A Young Farmers Club that has been a feature of Northumberland life for many years is facing closure unless new members can be found.

The Ponteland YFC branch has put together a package of events to try to bring in new members and breathe life back into the old club.

The club has been a mainstay of the area's social life for 75 years, and has provided entertainment and social activities for young people who come from the sometimes isolated life of agriculture.

But over the years, membership has reduced and the branch now only has 13 members on the list.

The Northumberland Wildlife Trust has added its support to a national campaign which is aiming to increase the number of ponds across Britain.

The trust will be backing the Million Ponds Project by developing new ponds at Druridge Bay and at Prestwick Carr, near Ponteland, both of which are part of the trust's Living Landscapes programme.

Steve Lowe, head of conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: "This project is important because most countryside ponds are now badly damaged by pollution with evidence showing that pond wildlife is declining across the UK.

The Northumberland section of the National Federation of Young Farmers is hosting a competition that will bring teams of young agricultural workers from all over the North of the country into competition in a number of activities.

Pussy cat heifers - Jessica Anderson, Carly Hall, Joanna Harrison, Vicky Harrison, Sinead Fox, Jade Hunter and Stacey Watling (part of the Ponteland and Stamfordham Entertainments cast who represented Northumberland in Blackpool 2008)

Each local group of the federation will put together its own team to take part in some traditional sports such as football and rugby, while there will also be some more unusual disciplines to contend with - such as a pantomime competition.