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Sedgefield in Bloom brought home gold once again from the Britain in Bloom awards. Still very popular from her days presenting children’s TV, Baroness Floella Benjamin handed out the awards in her capacity as Vice President and Ambassador for the Royal Horticultural Society. Sedgefield in Bloom chairman Howard Smith and treasurer Barbara Smith were delighted to receive the award on behalf of Sedgefield’s council gardeners and the team of volunteer Bloomers, all of whom work hard to keep Sedgefield blooming beautifully.

Judges were particularly impressed by the recent developments in Ceddesfeld Gardens and the collaboration between Bloomers council and community. Bloom secretary Norma Neal said, ‘The support of local groups, businesses and individuals is much appreciated. Work continues all year and new members are always welcome to join the Blooming team.’
For more information ring 620091 or email norma@neal.myzen.co.uk.

Sedgefield Area Churches Together has continued to support the Foodbank project, both with the distribution point at Trimdon Village and through the collection of donated food and toiletries in the bins sited in various locations. Sadly, Foodbank is still needed to support people going through the very worst of times, many of them being affected by the changes in welfare benefits with the introduction of Universal Credit.

In the year to December 2018 in Co. Durham 158,652kgs of food was donated by the public to the Durham Christian Partnership which operates most of the foodbank distribution points in the county. This fed 6,758 children and 12,606 adults, a total of 19,364 people supported with food aid.

Donations from our area since April 1st this year amounted to 2055kg. In the seven months to the end of October, 3,617 children and 6,092 adults received food support, a total of 9,709 people. From the Trimdon Village distribution point 54 adults and 35 children received food aid, a total of 89 people. County Durham foodbanks are able to assess and complete an application for gas and electric vouchers for those in need who have a pre-payment meter. This scheme is funded by one of the major energy suppliers. The vouchers are valued £30 for the summer and £49 for the winter. Foodbanks have seen an increase in people experiencing fuel poverty and some have self disconnected due to poverty issues. It is a basic need to have heat, light and hot water in your own home.

Collection points are located in Sainsbury’s Sedgefield, the Co-op in Trimdon Village and Sedgefield, each of the 8 church buildings in the area and in St. Williams school. In addition some of the schools also collect for foodbank when they celebrate harvest.

At this time of year, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, please help to support those who are less fortunate than us. Remember this when you are shopping and buy some extra non-perishable food or toiletries and place them in a foodbank bin. Each contribution, however small, supports those who are facing food shortages, particularly at this time of year.

Thank you to those who volunteer at the distribution point in Trimdon Village, those who collect the food and transport it to Durham for collection and distribution round the county, and to those who donate food and toiletries. Without your support those 9,709 people who have received food aid this year may not have been helped. Please remember that Foodbank can only accept donations of non-perishable food. If you would like to find out more about foodbank, or would like to volunteer, call Peter Brookes: 07785268041 or Michael King: 01740 620910.