Do you have any old photos of Ashington that you're willing to share with the community?

A former Ashington colliery worker took a trip down memory lane as he returned to his old school 50 years after leaving as a 15 year-old.

The 2011 Hirst Park Middle School Summer Fair was again a roaring success as the final term of another campaign comes to a close.

Year 8 students in Ashington have been out and about reporting as part of their 'Journalistic Challenge' week at Hirst Park Middle School. Pupils Jay, Daniel and Sophie report from Woodhorn, where they were given an informative and fascinating insight into the famous old colliery.

Pupils in Ashington have ditched their regular timetables as they participate in something a bit different this week.

A day out at ALPEC is the first day of the rest of the lives of the pupils fortunate enough to visit. And that's exactly what the Ashington Learning Partnership Enterprise Centre is all about - preparing the next generation for life beyond the school gates.

Pupils from New Delaval Primary School presented WATBus with a cheque for £292.98 towards a new wheelchair accessible minibus.

Deputy Head Andrew Miller said: ''As part of our community education the children decided to help WATBus and organised sponsored circuits on the new assault course and a cake stall. It really was self raising.''

WATBus manager Lynn McIntosh said: ''This is fantastic support from the school. We are all inspired by the childrens ideas, generosity and community spirit. The cheque is the icing on the cake, so a big THANK YOU to everyone at the school, every penny really does count.''

Pictured: Andrew Miller and Lynn McIntosh with fundraisers from New Delaval Primary School, Blyth

Pupils are making their mark on the arts world with video work so professional that their skills are in demand from Northumberland businesses.

The video packages that pupils from Hirst Park Middle School in Ashington produce won an Arts Council arts mark gold award as well as getting them involved with the BBC school report team.

They won the award for their video work and computer animation, and the BBC will now link to the videos they produce. It is also for their commitment to art, music and performing arts.

Pupils at a Northumberland school are preparing to show off their acting and musical skills by performing a special version of the hit film and stage play Billy Elliot.

Hirst Park Middle School in Ashington is one of only 100 groups across the country - some of them specialising in music, dance and drama - chosen to take part in the Billy Youth Theatre project.

Ian Lavery, Wansbeck's MP, with Harry Bainbridge and some of his fellow cast members from Hirst Park Middle School's Billy Elliot production

It is one of just six groups in the North East selected to perform a specially adapted version of Lee Hall's smash-hit musical Billy Elliot.

Enterprising women are passing on their skills to the next generation after forming their own group.

The dozen women from around Wansbeck were initially brought together at an event to encourage students from Northumberland College to think about setting up their own business.

Now, with the support of Go Wansbeck business coach Dave Gibbon, they have set up their own networking group, which was launched at an event at the college.