NOSTALGIA: Looking back 10, 25, 50 years ago (published Gazette, Thursday, March 24)

Take a look at some stories of yesteryear from the Gazette archives. We reported on a young artist being showcased in The Alnwick Garden, the saga of the Brizlee Wood radio dishes and plans for the new Church of England Primary School in Alnwick.
Delving into the Gazette archivesDelving into the Gazette archives
Delving into the Gazette archives

10 YEARS AGO: Thursday, March 23, 2006

A budding young artist has kick-started a blooming career by creating a sculpture for the Alnwick Garden. Tessa Goulsbra’s design was one of five chosen by garden chiefs to form part of the Garden’s mile-long Woodland Walk. The 20-year-old Newcastle College student, formerly of Ryecroft Way, Wooler, said: “I was really pleased. It’s a great thing to do for my work placement and I used to go to school in Alnwick so it’s been interesting to go back and see how the Garden has changed over the last four years.” Tessa, a second year fine arts practice student, teamed up with classmate Danielle Simmonds to create the installation, which is part of a series set to animate the walk. The sculptures are based on the theme of the Spirit of the Woodland Walk.

25 YEARS AGO: Friday, March 22, 1991

The saga of the Brizlee Wood radio dishes appears to have been settled by the Ministry of Defence, which has finally decided to remove them. Confusion surrounded the four saucer-like installations last November when the MoD supposedly declared the dishes, situated on Alnwick Moor to receive signals from the Mediterranean and Iceland, obsolete. However, later in the month Defence Minister Archie Hamilton told Berwick MP Alan Beith in the House of Commons that there were no plans to demolish the dishes and existing signal tower. “The station is expected to remain operational for the foreseeable future,” he said. The final twist came last week, though, when the Earl of Arran said that the four dishes and other ancillary equipment will be removed.

50 YEARS AGO: Friday, April 1, 1966

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Plans for Alnwick’s new Church of England Primary School are now complete, and building is expected to begin later this year. This was announced by Mrs WT Hinkley, wife of Canon Michael, when she opened a bring-and-buy sale at the school on Wednesday afternoon. The new school will be built on land to the south of the existing school, which was opened in 1849. It will cost about £75,000 to complete. Proceeds from the sale will help to furnish a library and set up a creative maths room at the school. The headmaster, Mr A Davidson introduced Mrs Hinkley, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Christine Stokoe and Stephen Scott. Helpers: Gate – Mr Beardmore, Mr Goodfellow, T Wilson, J Elliott; Games – Mr Cooper.