A new scout group is up and running in a Northumberland village.

A group has been established in Belford and meets once a week in the ballroom at the village's 18th-Century coaching inn the Blue Bell Hotel.

Drinkers and staff at the Bamburgh Castle Inn at Seahouses, in Northumberland, raised £535.87 for the Seahouses and District Cancer Research and Relief Fund.

The fund is the pub's dedicated charity.

Children showed they know how to handle their horses after passing exams at their riding school.

Ten members of Belford's Swinhoe Farm Riding Centre Mini Pony Club attended a prize-giving to receive their badges for successfully passing exams in feeding, points of the pony, grooming and saddlery.

Louise Brewis, Georgia Foulis, Bronwyn Oliver, Matthew Oliver, Fraya Moss, Daisy Steed, Isabelle Sutherland, Grace Reed and Juliet Tait all passed their Pony Club 'E' Test and Pony Club badges in feeding, points of the pony, grooming and saddlery, while Jessica Smith passed her feeding badge.

A volunteer lifesaving group in Northumberland has reached a major milestone.

The Seahouses Ambulance First Responder Group, which was set up by the North East Ambulance in 2003 as one of the first of its kind in the region, has answered its 600th callout in the village.

The team of volunteers is trained to attend life threatening and other emergency calls.

A community centre that helps out the elderly living in Northumberland has struck gold.

Bell View Resource Centre was presented with the gold accolade 'Healthy People, Healthy Business' from Northumberland Care Trust officials at a conference at The Britannia Hotel, Newcastle Airport.

The centre was awarded the gong for the way it encourages staff, volunteers and service users to keep fit and healthy. It recognises Bell View as an exemplar of good practise in workplace health and acknowledges the work and time they have invested in achieving this honour.

Pictured: Paul Harrison and Sharon Allan from Bell View receive the award from Patrick Price, lead manager for Health Improvement at Northumberland Care Trust

A Northumberland charity has been recognised for its commitment to the community.

Bell View, which is based in Belford, were awarded the Outstanding Organisation crown in the North East Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) awards 2009.

Bill Hickey (left) and Centre Manager Paul Harrison receive the award on behalf of Bell View from Gillian Miller of the Learning and Skills Council

The prize was presented at a glittering regional ceremony attended by over 180 people.

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.

A group of 16 helicopter cadets from RAF Cranwell touched down at Holburn Moss to help Northumberland Wildlife Trust with the removal of birch trees and ditch damming.

With environmental challenges becoming increasingly important throughout the UK, the group were keen to offer support to the Trust in its work to protect and preserve Northumberland's stunning natural habitat.

Artists have pooled their works to create a colourful calendar.

The art group which meets at Bell View in Belford chose pictures they had made of the area for a 2010 calendar. All proceeds after costs are covered will be used for the charity and its activities.

To get a copy, go to the reception desk at Bell View or phone (01668) 219220.

The friendly and informal art group meets from 2-4pm on Wednesdays and would welcome new members.

Youngsters have begun transforming a coastal site for people and wildlife.

Young rangers in Seahouses secured funding from the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) and the eaga Community Fund from the Community Foundation.

The £20,000 grant will be used to improve a former limestone quarry for visiting humans and animals.