Perhaps I need to take a minute to introduce myself, I'm Joan Thirlaway, a keen photographer living in Gilsland, one of the Hadrian's Wall villages, and a great place to be.

I would normally be out and about on the high crags part of Hadrian's Wall but 4 inches of snow overnight, and a decided lack of grit, means that today I had to take my walk in Gilsland.

Not that that's any hardship,Gilsland is singularly blessed with fine walks.

The newly established Haltwhistle Community Campus in Haltwhistle which has brought together the former Haltwhistle First and South Tynedale Middle schools sharing the same site in the small industrial town in West Northumberland has gone another step further in its innovative approach.

Working with Flashlight Films, a DVD prospectus for parents now supplements the old printed brochure. Using the medium of film and sound prospective parents can see and hear about the school through using the innovative DVD which allows them to select the aspects of school life that they want to learn more about.

Why not make a day of it in Western Tynedale and visit the 23rd Annual Art & Craft Fair in Haltwhistle.

The event takes place in the Masonic Hall on Banks Terrace on Saturday 7th November, between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. and looks set to be a great event and getting close to capacity in terms of stall holders.

The Masonic Hall in Haltwhistle is not far from the Main Street. It is a comfortable, modernised hall with good disabled access and will be well sign posted on the day.

South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, the registered charity which operates England's highest narrow gauge railway between Alston in Cumbria and Kirkhaugh in Northumberland, has a new souvenir DVD on the shelves of its gift shop at Alston Station.

The DVD has been produced by Haltwhistle based 'Flashlight Films' a father and son business comprising of Ian & Matthew Brown. They both already knew a thing or two about the line as they have a long history of being visitors to this narrow gauge railway.

Ian Brown, who recently recorded a new album of songs called 'Rough Around the Edges', is swapping his guitar for a Ukulele and working with Core Music to promote an after school ukulele club in the Core Music premises at 14 Gilesgate, Hexham.

It will last for an hour and start on Wednesday 25th March between 4.30-5.30pm. The club is aimed largely at first school aged children who have experienced playing the ukulele in school and want to do a little bit more within a group.

Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre are hosting a charity day in aid of the 'Great North and Great North Yorkshire Air Ambulance'.

The event takes place on Saturday 28th March and the Centre is looking for people to take part in Spinning Boxercise circuits in order to raise funds for this cause that most of us hope that we will never need but we will be forever grateful if we do!

Haltwhistle Leisure Centre Swimming and Leisure Centre is staging a ladies and girls Fashion show on Friday 13th February at 7.30pm.

The event will be raising money for the Haltwhistle Leisure Centre which is a charity (Reg Charity Number 522067)

There will be a range of local models who will be showing off clothes supplied by Mackays, local businesses 'Innovations' & 'Secrets' will provide the finishing touches to the hairstyles and make up, and, Ian Brown will be acting as the compere for the evening.

Flashlight Films, the father and son Haltwhistle based business partnership of Ian & Matthew Brown, have just had their first film broadcast on MTV2.

Little Comets with Ian (left) and Matthew (right) of Flashlight Films after the last gig on their UK tour in December 2008

The film is a music video and features the Newcastle based band 'Little Comets' in a fast moving film promoting their current single 'One Night in October'.

Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre have started panto season early with the highly acclaimed production of High School Panto on Monday 22nd December at 1.00pm.

It is based on Disney's High School Musical and is full of music and dancing with selections from We Will Rock You, Hairspray, Steps, Kylie, S Club7, Avril Lavigne & much more. It is suitable for all age groups and will make a great family afternoon out.

The touring production is making special stop in Haltwhistle where the large sports hall will be converted to a theatre for the evening.

Having been a singer and guitarist for many years Ian Brown is working with Core Music - 14 Gilesgate, Hexham- where a Christmas Singing Workshop will take place on Saturday 20 December between 10.00am and 12.00pm

There would be some traditional Christmas songs covered in different ways but also some newer and less familiar ones that tell the Christmas story in fun and easy to learn songs.

The climax of the workshop is to go to the Market Place in Hexham and sing the songs at the Farmers Market at 12.00 Noon.