Interest in the subject is expected to increase now that the Government has approved the Feed in Tariff (FIT) rate, which pays small scale power generators for the energy they produce.

The new business, called gfw-Wind, will concentrate on the production of wind energy which is expected to become a major player in the region's green power revolution.

A request has been lodged with Northumberland County Council to put forward Branton First School as a future option for children currently at Eglingham Church of England First, which is due to close later this year.

At a public meeting over the closure of Eglingham, Branton First School headteacher Alison Lloyd-Harris voiced concerns over the council's proposal to divide the Eglingham catchment area between Ellingham, across the A1, and Whittingham first schools.

A progress report on the review reveals hundreds of people have made their views known on whether parking fees should be imposed across the whole county - rather than just in selected towns.

More than 560 people have signed three separate petitions calling for an equal policy across the board, with charges being made in all principal towns.

Previous issues of the Golden Guide have gone down so well with the over-50s that there was a waiting list for the latest 5,000-copy print run.

The free booklet, which is produced by community information specialists Clever Clogs Publishing in partnership with Age Concern Northumberland, the county council and care trust, has also been given a new design.

The plan, which will set out to drive changes and secure growth in the local economy, is being drawn up by the county council and its partners.

The Northumberland Economic Strategy sets out current key economic factors and identifies various trends that will lead to changes in the economy.

Anthony Robinson was one of two employees of Northumbria Probation Service dismissed after fraudster Caroline Kerr, from Shilbottle, failed to do any of the unpaid work she had been ordered to do under their supervision.

Kerr had been spared jail and given a 150-hour community order for swindling her now ex-husband John Temple out of £25,000.

Fishing a black and white Devon - affectionately called the "Toon Army" - Brian landed a cock fish at 8.30am on Monday to lift the Coquet Trophy and three years' free permits.

Traditionally the fish would have been presented to the Duke of Northumberland but the Northumbrian Anglers' Federation now operates a catch and release policy until June 16.

The money from the Department for Transport has been proposed for upgrades at Belford, Cramlington, Alnmouth and Morpeth railway stations.

The scheme would provide Cramlington and Alnmouth Railway Stations with additional car parking spaces and improved pedestrian and cycling provision.

A meeting at Alnwick Rugby Club heard about the requirements of the new bioethanol power station on Teesside, which is operated by Ensus .

The £250m plant will need 1.2 million tonnes of wheat feedstocks annually. Stewart Easdon of Ensus said the low-protein varieties suitable for bioethanol production would also leave distillers grain, which will be used in animal feed.

The bargain-hunters gave the high street stores a Sunday swerve in favour of combing through the racks at a charity event where they could swap their own unwanted clothes, shoes, hats and handbags for someone's else's cast-offs.

The Duchess of Northumberland's Alnwick Garden was the venue for the so-called 'swishing' party, organised by daisy green events in aid of the nominated charity Smile.

The white-beaked dolphin is a little studied species which occurs around the coast of the UK and is vulnerable to the effects of global warming.

It lives in the cold waters of the northern Atlantic and its available habitat is thought to be shrinking.

The Liberal Democrat MP was revealed to have claimed expenses for cleaning his home, laundry, a new television and kitchen equipment when the furore over expenses broke.

He was also listed as claiming around £1,200 a month in rent on average.

Landscape paintings done by art students at the Duchess's High School in Alnwick in workshops led by artist Mick Oxley last year are on show at the capital's Saatchi gallery.

The work was done by Ruth Adamson, Stephanie Tait, Emma Sheppard and Faye Haswell through the Duchess's' participation in Saatchi's online gallery for schools.

From snow drifts to drifts of snowdrops. After the Big Freeze, and despite snow flurries yesterday, the emergence of the first blooms of the year will be marked next weekend.

Howick Hall and Gardens, near Craster, will open for its snowdrop walks next Saturday and Sunday.

And there will be another cause for celebration with Howick having just been chosen as Garden of the Year 2009.