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.

It has been quite a year for One Life Racing, the Tyne Valley-based triathlon and multisports club.

Newly-opened state-of-the- art training facilities at Wentworth Leisure in Hexham have enabled club officials to accommodate the ever-growing demand for new memberships, with numbers rising to more than 200 during 2009.

One Life athletes have also been enjoying remarkable success on a regional, national as well as international level, with four senior members being crowned national champions in their respective age groups.

Radio lovers in Northumberland will soon be able to have shares in a cutting-edge new media concept in the county.

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.

Walkers helping to improve some of Northumberland's most scenic rural locations have put themselves in the frame for a national photography competition.

The Haltwhistle Friends have done everything from footpath repair to tree planting as part of their regular rambles through the Bellister Estate over the past five years.

Haltwhistle Friends, (left to right) Ian Walton, Raymond Walton and Tony Miller taking pictures near Haltwhistle

By snapping themselves in action, they have become one of the first North East entries in a national campaign encouraging people to get out and about and enjoy the environment.

A popular youth club has gone from enforced closure to turning people away after villagers took control.

The youth club at Greenhead in the Tyne Valley has now taken the decision to stop taking more children on to its books because they simply do not have the resources to cope with the demand.

Children from Greenhead youth club with leaders Karen Ballantyne and Graham Ferguson, and High Sheriff John Blackett-Ord

With many activities from badminton, football and table tennis to crafts and cooking, it proves popular with children from across the district including Haltwhistle.

Tynedale could become a top filming venue for movie and TV crews in the future. This is part of the ambitious plan of a group that wants to promote the area and make the most of its burgeoning arts scene.

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.

A volunteer-run radio station is hoping to become a permanent fixture in Northumberland after being granted a licence to continue broadcasting.

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 Haltwhistle Young Farmers club was the big winner at this year's County Rally in Northumberland.

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.

Older people are being asked to volunteer their time to help their peers stay active and independent.

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.

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.