It's the 100th anniversary of bird ringing in Britain and Tyneside ringer Brian Little has been at it for more than half of that time.

Brian, who lives in Blaydon in Gateshead, starting ringing in 1955.

He is chairman of the Northumbria Ringing Group, which includes around 30 ringers, who have a base at Hauxley, near Amble.

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.

Hexham Football Club has a new team this season and it's the girls under 12 side who will taking to the pitch very soon in the Northumberland Girls League at Cramlington. The team play in a seven a side competition against some of the best female footballers in the county.

A new squad means we have to find a new sponsor and Alan & Liz Birchall who own A2B private Hire Taxis stepped in to sponsor the group. Pictured are some of the squad with two of A2B six seater taxis's who are a local firm but operate throughout our region.

Also pictured are Alan And Liz with team coach Nicola Davey (centre) proudly showing off the new kit. The club is delighted to welcome them as team sponsors and look forward to the girls driving on to success.

New songs, new repertoire, new projects, awards and nominations have all mounted up into quite an acheivement for a lad from a coal mining town in County Durham.

Keen followers of the folk scene will be well aware of this mans outstanding song writing talents and will know of his association with The Bad Pennies, who will be celebrating 20 years together in 2010.

By the time you read this, Bellingham All Acoustic or 'Baa Club' will be 1 year old! The acoustic music club, set up by local musicians Landermason, run the evening once a month in the back conservatory of the Riverdale Hall Hotel...It's usually the last Thursday of the month but with their own touring committments, occasionally it has to be changed.

The venue is warm, cosy and intimate, limited to around 50 with a small PA used. (This is not necessarily to increase the volume but simply enhance the vocal and instrumental sounds).

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.

Members of Tynedale FM want to expand the currently closed district radio station and are looking into many possibilities to promote the area, including an arts magazine.

They have even discussed cutting-edge technology to keep locals engaged with what is going on in their part of Northumberland, including getting the radio through the mobile and having podcasts for people to download.

Tynedale FM has a new month-long licence from telecoms watchdog Ofcom, and the station hopes it might lead to a permanent licence sometime in the future.

The radio station was given a month-long restricted service licence to test the water back in December, which went successfully and uncovered some talented presenters.

The event, held at Causey Park near Morpeth, also served as a qualifier for the Northern area and national competitions, with winners representing the Northumberland Federation going forward to the next stages of their competitions.

Haltwhistle took the Rally Shield for gaining the lowest total points on the day with 313.

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.

The event at Leaplish will include mini-beast hunts, face painting, demonstrations and craft activities.

There will also be a guided wildlife bike rid on the new Lakeside Way, which encircles Kielder Water's 27 mile shoreline.

The site near Knowesgate can be seen from the nearby A696 road. Duncan Hutt, the Trust's head of estate management, said: "Goose's Nest provides the finest display of bluebells in our Region and we are very keen to preserve it.

"There is a large population of rabbits on the site which are hindering our attempts to reinstate trees on the bracken-covered parts of the reserve but in the meantime, the bracken is providing a surrogate summer canopy for these wonderful blue flowers.

"I would recommend people to come and visit the site but ask them to treat this exceptional area with respect."

Last year the event - which features red squirrel walks, mini-beast hunts and a children's bike ride - attracted more than 500 visitors.

Anthony Johnston, of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: "The sheer variety of habitats in Kielder Water and Forest Park, from woodland to marshy grasslands and bogs, create homes for a whole host of wildlife.