Written by Kevin O'Hara, conservation officer at Northumberland Wildlife Trust

Where do they all go in winter? - Part 1

Recently I felt the first twangs of winter; the 'first frost' gripped my garden, the chickens came skidding out of their ark, and I had to break the ice on their drinking water. I really like those first days, when we still have some daylight left to enjoy the wonderful colours and smells. I take the camera and binoculars with me when I walk the dogs, keeping an eye out for winter thrushes or other visitors. The clocks have altered and we start the long haul of winter - not until February will some real light return to the sky, and warmth to the sun.

It is during these months that we wonder where, exactly, many of our resident wildlife species go to survive the coldest and wettest days of winter, especially those that are more delicate and less mobile.

In March 1849, fisherman at Cullercoats found floating in the sea a fish of "uncommon length and of silvery and dazzling brightness".

It was later identified as one of the rare Gymmetrus species, 12ft 5in long, 13in in depth and three inches thick, with a crest of 14in in height.

The fish caught at Cullercoats in 1849

In 1846, other fishermen had caught off Alnmouth the first specimen in British waters of Trichiuvus Lepturus (the Blade Fish), 13ft 9in long.

Fishermen in Newbiggin were telling a whale of a story in May 1959.

This is the story of a battle at sea with a 40-foot whale which tangled up in the nets of the coble Green Pastures and had to be killed by rifle fire.

Mathew Stanton, 39, and 19-year-old Henry Rowe, both of Newbiggin, were quietly fishing for salmon a few hundred yards offshore in Druridge Bay when a whale larger than their 30ft boat charged into their nets.

A shocking double tragedy occurred, which was the first of its kind in the district of Ashington, in the early hours of Sunday, January 2, 1921, at Ellington. The victims were 51-year-old Edward Gardner Taylor and his 31-year-old wife Beatrice.

Taylor was a soldier when he met Beatrice, who was eventually to become his second wife. After leaving the Army he rejoined soon after the beginning of the First World War, and became a sergeant's instructor.

Ellington in 1900. This is how the area would have looked at the time of the murder, surrounded by fields and farming.

They came to Ellington to begin a new life together with Taylor's son from his previous marriage and two daughters, Norah and Lilian. Taylor, who was addicted to drink, soon got a job at nearby Ellington Colliery as a rolleywayman, underground. Jealousy and drink was a problem with the relationship and many heated arguments occurred.

With the death of Philip Joisce, of Northwoods Works, Stobswood, near Morpeth, in March 1979, the North East lost one of its most talented, inventive and original minds.

He was well-known to a wide circle of local farmers, businessmen and fellow engineers for his expertise with all kinds of machinery.

King Edward IV School, Morpeth

Born in 1911 in Hartford Road, Bedlington, and educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Morpeth, from 1924-26, he gained his Higher National Certificate in electrical engineering at Rutherford College, Newcastle.

Big Lottery Fund and ITV, with the approval of Buckingham Palace, are helping to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Jubilee People's Millions projects will inspire, involve or improve their local communities. If you've got an idea that could breathe life into your local area and improve the lives of the people who live there, why not apply for a grant of up to £60 000!

Local volunteer Steven Ferries has kick started a new minibus appeal fund with a generous £120 donation.

Steven from Hadston said: ''It's thanks to WATBus I got my new job working as a taxi driver for G & R Taxis in Amble. My customers have been brilliant donating towards the new WATBus minibus appeal. I will continue collecting donations until we reach the target £35000, so only another 349 donations to go."

WATBus Community Transport manager Lynn Mcintosh said: ''Steven has been a volunteer at WATBus for over four years and is a valuable member of the team. We are pleased that he can continue to help our charity whilst enjoying his new job. This is a fantastic start to our fundraising appeal for a new wheelchair accessible minibus, so please say a big THANK YOU to Steven and all his customers.

Lynn can be contacted on 01670 522999 email lynn@watbus.org.uk

Some major fishy finds were once discovered along the coastline of Northumberland.

In March 1849, fishermen at Cullercoats found a fish of "uncommon length and of silvery and dazzling brightness" floating in the sea. It was later identified as one of the rare gymmetrus species and was 3.8m (12ft 5in) long.

Royal sturgeon at Newbiggin, a very rare fish to be caught and look at the excitement on some of their faces....

In 1846, fishermen in Alnmouth caught the first specimen in British waters of trichiuvus lepturus (the blade fish), measuring 4.2m (13ft 9in) long.

The Linton Lump was one of the showpieces of Ashington in September, 1949.

It was an enormous piece of coal hewn from the bowels of the earth at Linton Colliery, near Morpeth, after special permission was given by the National Coal Board (NCB).

It first appeared at the Grand Hotel Corner, in Station Road, when the Rotary Club started out with one of many sidelines associated with the "biggest ever" bazaar to be held in aid of local veterans' institutes.

I have just received my one month reminder from Bupa. My race pack should be with me within a week and I have been deliberately not running during training for a couple of weeks now. Weirdly, I feel much better for it - and am looking forward to the Great North Run far more.