Energy Switch update

We have received a number of enquiries from residents recently regarding the current status of our Energy Saving Scheme.

These enquiries have been prompted largely as a result of communication from their current suppliers offering Fixed Term Contracts. These offers aren’t a result of our scheme but the suppliers’ own tariffs of which the Development Trust do not have details so we are not in a position to provide individual advice.

We continue to consult with Ichoosr (who have managed the supplier auctions) and are informed that, in the current climate, suppliers do not wish to offer Fixed Term tariffs to collective schemes such as the one we have operated.

As all residents, who have been a part of the scheme, will be aware that it has now been more than two years since Ichoosr have been able to hold any of the traditional auctions to obtain the market leading tariffs that we became used to receiving. Also suppliers do not appear to be willing to offer tariffs to customers without access to online facilities who require paper bills. This would affect 25% of our participants.

It was January 2014 when the Development Trust explored the potential of collective bargaining to reduce resident’s gas and electricity costs.

Since its inception, it has generated savings of £182,284 to the residents of Sedgefield for which we must be grateful to Ichoosr for the development and continued support to all participants of the scheme.

Sadly we have decided, because of the decisions made by the gas and electricity suppliers, we will no longer continue to operate the scheme. Sedgefield Development Trust would like to say a huge thank you to Peter Burnip who has been so active in pursuing energy savings for our community throughout this project.

He has provided practical help and guidance to many residents and solved many complex supply issues over the years.

Thank you, Peter, for your kindness and your tenacity.

POLICE UPDATE

No report this month.

If you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Steve's Nature Diary

I write this after two rather chilly days, and it feels as though we have seen the last of the summer; but the forecast says it's going to warm up again so is it late summer or early autumn? Meteorologically speaking, September 1 marks the first day of autumn. The meteorological seasons are broken up neatly into three months each, so autumn lasts from September 1 until November 30.

There is another definition of autumn however, which is astronomical, and splits the year using the two solstices, summer and winter, and the two equinoxes spring and autumn. The astronomical autumn begins on September 22, 2024, though it can differ year to year by a couple of days either side.

When you read this it will definitely be autumn and although we might associate wildflowers with spring, and while it’s true that lots of our beautiful blooms blossom through the spring and summer seasons, there’s many to be found in autumn. Some of the prettiest wildflowers to spot that might be in flower include Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Field Pansy, Red Clover, White Campion, Betony, Devil’s-bit Scabious and Selfheal.

It’s not just flowers that are in bloom that are worth keeping your eyes out for in autumn. October means seeds and many of the UK’s wildflowers will be seeding in autumn. And some of them produce seeds as pretty as their petals. Look out for Travellers Joy and Rosebay Willowherb.

It is also the start of the autumn fungi season and Plantlife have launched their Waxcap Watch! Britain is home to some of the most important waxcap grasslands in the world.

However, many species are becoming rare and declining; they need identifying and protecting. Waxcaps are an indicator of rare, species-rich grassland.

Knowing where waxcaps and other grassland fungi are thriving helps pinpoint where fragments of ancient meadows survive, so they can be protected for the future. Plantlife are asking people to get out in the field (and the woods, and the meadows) to find fungi.

Having data on where waxcaps are can help to protect them as well as the rare, species-rich important grasslands they call home. Waxcaps are known for their ecological importance, but they are also known for being some of the most beautiful, bright and colourful fungi you can find! From bright Scarlet Waxcaps to Ballerina Waxcaps, there's never a dull moment.

To get you started on your waxcap journey, and make your contribution the citizen science project Waxcap Watch visit: plantlife.org.uk/waxcapwatch/.

Ceddesfeld Hall: Home of Sedgefield Community Association
Ceddesfeld Hall: Home of Sedgefield Community Association

It’s been great to welcome back the regular interest and hobby groups to Ceddesfeld Hall following the summer break. The hall is busy with groups each weekday and evening, with activities within the main hall and upstairs rooms. New groups are always welcome, with very competitive room hire rates.

The community bar (snug and lounge) is open to everyone, Monday to Friday evening from 7:30pm, with a good range of wines, spirits, beers (now including a choice of two real ales) and soft drinks on offer; all very reasonably priced.

A pint of beer is £3.00, a large 250ml glass of wine is £4.50 (175ml £3) and a gin and tonic is £3.50. The bar is run wholly by volunteers and a small, busy bar committee meet regularly to ensure everything runs smoothly, from week to week.

New volunteers are always welcome and can help in 3 main ways; by joining the organising committee, by becoming a keyholder (who will open and close the bar on weekdays and weekend events) or by serving, alongside the keyholder on the bar. Anyone wishing to get involved, please contact Tony on 01740 622185 or email SCA - info@sedgefieldsca.org.uk.

Events @ Ceddesfeld Hall
Lirica in Concert present ‘Songbird’ on Saturday 5 October at 7:30pm
Tickets £6, from Tickety Boo or from choir members. Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday 19 October from 10am to 4pm Adults £5 under 13s, £2 - Refreshments and Bar.

Fireworks and Halloween Howler on Friday 1 November at 6.30pm
Admission into Ceddesfeld Hall Grounds (with pumpkins for judging) from 5:45pm to 6:20pm. Adult £3, child under 16, £2 - tickets from STC offices (9am to 1pm) and Ceddesfeld Hall bar (7:30pm to 10:30pm). Sedgefield scouts will be selling hot chocolate and hot dogs.

Mayor’s Quiz on Saturday 23 November at 7:30pm
Tickets £5, from STC offices.

Christmas Craft Fayre on Saturday 30 November from 1pm to 4pm
This event is part of STC Snow Party & Parade. The Fayre will take place in the main hall with the community bar open until 7pm.

Mulled Wine & Mince Pies on Friday 20 December at 7pm
This event will take place following the Churches Together ‘Carols on the Green’ in the bar and lounge. Sedgefield Smile Time Ukulele Band will perform at 7pm in the main hall.

SCA Christmas Eve Quiz on Tuesday 24 December at 8pm

For more information on Ceddesfeld Hall events, regular activities, room hire and bar opening times, contact Wendy on 01740 620206, Pat on 01740 620607, John on 01740 620042, Sarah on 01740 622185. Visit us on Facebook or see the SCA website, www.sedgefieldsca.org.uk

Mayor's Corner

The Mayor’s Quiz will be held on Saturday 23 November at Ceddesfeld Hall. Doors open at 7:30pm, the quiz starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £5.

New Year’s Eve Party is on Tuesday 31 December at 7:30pm.
Tickets cost £12.50. Tickets for both events are available from the Sedgefield Town Council Office.


Peter and Jaime Hinde
U3A Update

We started our new year with a most interesting talk by Denis Fox on The Battle of Britain in the North East.

Although at heart an artist, he is also an engaging and very well informed speaker. Denis painted a picture in words of the famous air battle that took place over the North East coast during WW2 while also describing the important part that servicewomen played in the victory.

We look forward to hearing from him again.

Organised by Maxine, our Health and Well-being Group hosted an open Sleep and Wellbeing Masterclass when the insightful morning session provided valuable tips and strategies to improve the quality of our sleep.

During the afternoon, we enjoyed a magical sound bath created by soothing soundscapes to promote relaxation and tranquillity.

Our Theatre Group visited Darlington Hippodrome on 12 September to see the brand new production of Sister Act. With songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco this show certainly lived up to its promise of a wonderful evening of theatre, music and dance.

Busyness continues into October with our day trip to Alwnick on Tuesday 1st. See right for information. Dave Dean will be returning as our speaker on 4 October and will be divulging some of the secrets of the Hidden North East.

I wonder what interesting facts we’ll learn then? On 16 October, Lucie Brownlee, a multi-award winning author and creative writing tutor will be visiting to lead a session on Prose Writing. If you’re not a member of the u3a but would like to attend, please contact Maxine on 07774 690433 for information or advice.

And on 29 October, the Science and Industry group will be making a trip to Stanhope, via the Weardale Railway to have an evening stargazing. We’ll be supported by experts from Bishop Auckland Astronomical Society, who will take us through what we can see in the night sky by using our own eyesight and also telescopes. We have already started praying for clear skies!

Hopefully our pop-up Craft Group will have started our Christmas sessions and we look forward to learning some new skills then.

And, of course, all the other groups will be continuing to learn new skills, expand their knowledge and enjoy laughing and living life to the full. See our new website.

If you too are retired and looking to fill some time over the next few months, do come along to our meeting on 4 October, at 2-4pm in the Parish Hall. Guests are required to pay a cover charge of £3 but this is refunded from the yearly subscription if you become a member.

Bus trip to Alnwick
On Tuesday 1 October, there is opportunity for a perfect Autumn day-out with the u3a in Alnwick. Visit the Castle, of course, and it’s wonderful gardens but also the interesting museum in Bailiffgate, the extensive second-hand book selection in Barter Books, the great choice of small independent shops and a lots of lovely places for coffee or lunch, particularly in the ’old’ town.

Leaving from the Parish Hall at 10am, we will be returning from Alnwick at 4pm. Courtesy of our local AAP grant towards various Interest Group transport costs we are able to offer this trip for only £8.

You do not need to be a member of the u3a to take part in this visit. Please contact Alison (01740 629276) or Carol (01740 469324) for more information or to book.


Chris Balfour
Your Letters

From Empire to Revolution

I would like to bring to your attention a fascinating book recently published which references The Manor House in Sedgefield and the indirect, but important role, it played in the life of Sir James Wright who was Attorney General for the colony of South Carolina and then Royal Governor of the colony of Georgia before the American Revolution.

Sir James Wright was born in 1716, the son of judge Robert Wright who built The Manor House. The book ‘From Empire to Revolution: Sir James Wright and the price of loyalty in Georgia’ is by a correspondent of mine in Georgia, historian Greg Brooking and it provides a fascinating insight into Sir James Wright, slavery and the lead up to the American Revolution.

My research into the history of The Manor House and Greg’s into the life of Sir James Wright overlapped. Without The Manor House in Sedgefield it is arguable that the eminent career of Sir James Wright, who is interred in Westminster Abbey (incidentally, the tomb of Robert Wright’s first wife from Sedgefield is in St Edmund's Church) may never have come about.

The Manor House has a fascinating hidden history and I recommend Greg Brooking’s book as an enjoyable and informative sequel to the story of Robert Wright and the house itself. Ean Parsons, The Manor House

Anniversary wishes

Congratulations to Ronnie and Angela Bannister who celebrate 60 years of marriage on 31 October. They met through a mutual friend and were married at St Edmund’s Church.

They have one daughter, Susan. Ronnie worked in the coal industry and has been a life long member of Fishburn Brass Band.

Angela worked at Sedgefield General and the Community Hospital. She enjoys country and western music and rock and roll along with socialising with family and friends. Pat Howe