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.

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.

An ambitious arts and media centre for Northumberland came a step closer to reality after getting £25,000 from a rural charity.

The Leader Project has given the money towards funding a full-time project coordinator for the planned arts and media centre in Allendale.

Amanda Galbraith at the Pebbles Gallery and Art Café

The project is currently recruiting for the position, which will mean there is someone working specifically on making it a reality.

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.

The build-up is taking place to two of the biggest events in the Allendale social calendar.

The Allendale Agricultural Show takes place on August 15, with competition for catle, pigs, sheep, and dogs. Visitors can also watch terrier racing, Cumberland wresting and tug of war, while children can enjoy rides and the action at Diggerland.

That is followed the next day by the Allendale Beer Festival, organised by the village's Lions Club.

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.

Brandishing inflatable bananas, an Allendale women is taking part in a hike to try to get Fairtrade status for Hadrian's Wall.

Kerry Crellin is taking part in Christian Aid's sponsored Hadrian's Wall Trek on July 4, which aims to get publicity for Hadrian's Wall bid to become the first World Heritage Site to achieve Fairtrade zone status.

As part of the Christian Aid staff she will be one of 41 participants in the walk.

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.

One of Northumberland's most vulnerable creatures could be making a comeback in an area where it was thought to have disappeared completely.

More than 90% of North East water vole colonies have disappeared since 1990, but Andy Lees, conservation officer with the the North Pennines AONB Partnership says things are changing in the West Allen.

Mr Lees said: "On a recent survey of the Coalcleugh area of West Allen I discovered all the classic signs of water vole activity - all in a location where previous surveys had drawn a blank.

Marathon runner Sam Finn is always up for a challenge. But her mother has set perhaps the toughest one of her life - proposing to a total stranger.

The 30-year-old action girl will run her first London Marathon later this month.

And in a bid to drum up support she has encouraged her family and friends to set her a string of charity challenges.