Bygone Sedgefield model on show at St Edmund’s ‘Open Days’ festival

For three days next week, local families and visitors to Sedgefield’s ancient parish church can get a glimpse of how the town looked in days gone by – thanks to a large and colourful scale model recently donated to the town’s Local History Society.

It’s the work of the local Sutherland family and depicts Sedgefield during the 1850s in minute detail. “Those who have already seen the model have been very impressed”, said History Society founder-member Haydn Neal (pictured centre with History group member Norma Neal and parish emeritus warden Brian Mutch) this week.

The model will go on display at St Edmund’s Church as part of the nationwide English Heritage Open Days festival when visitors can explore the special features of the centuries-old church at times when the building is not normally open to the general public.

When the festival ends, it is planned to give the model a permanent home in the north transept which, subject to the necessary approvals, may eventually be converted into a local heritage centre.

The church will be open from Thursday, September 16th to Saturday, September 18th between 10am and 4pm. Entry is free.

Brian Mutch said this week: “Now that the C19 restrictions have eased, we’re expecting people from many parts of the country who want to discover more about our beautiful Elizabethan chancel screen, 14th century tombs, mysterious skeleton brass plaque and the axe-marks made by the original Norman builders. The History Society’s model will be another valuable attraction.”

Since they were launched in 1994, Heritage Open Days have become Britain’s largest and most popular grassroots heritage event. The festival is managed by the National Trust and funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Further information is available from Brian on 01740 622302.

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Sedgefield Baby & Toddler Group
We have some exciting changes at the Sedgefield Baby & Toddler Group. We are moving to the Methodist Church Hall in September, and we will be offering the group on alternating Mondays and Tuesdays in order to reach more members of the community (see schedule below). We will have more toys for older toddlers and pre-schoolers, an arts and crafts area, a reading corner and song time during each session. Several new volunteers are joining us to help at the sessions and behind the scenes. We are also excited to offer again refreshments for both parents, carers and little ones.
The dates for September and October are as follows:
Monday Sept 6
Tuesday Sept 14
Monday Sept 20
Tuesday Sept 28
Monday Oct 4
Tuesday Oct 12
Monday Oct 18
Tuesday Oct 26
All sessions run from 9:30am - 11am. Reservations are no longer required to attend. If you are able to RSVP on our Facebook page then that will help us to plan for snacks but you are welcome to just drop in as well. The cost will continue to be £3 per family.

We would also like to say a big "thank you" to Ceddesfeld Hall. Their support was vital to the playgroup being able to restart this spring. We have really enjoyed our time in their lovely venue, and we have had a great time meeting so many families in our lovely and growing community.

Please join our Facebook page for further updates or to ask any questions: "Sedgefield Baby & Toddler Group". Volunteers are also welcome, please get in touch via our Facebook page or via email at m.m.close@gmail.com. We hope to see you soon! Deborah, Lynsey, Cat and Maddie

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Mayor's Coffee Morning
The Mayor of Sedgefield, Ann Carr, would like to invite you to a Coffee Morning on Friday 3 September from 10am to 12.30pm in the Parish Hall to celebrate meeting old and new friends. Subject to Covid regulations. Supporting Youngminds and local charities. There will be Homecare Clothing by Paul in the Fletcher Room, children's face painting, cake stall, etc.

Everyone is welcome. Please join in this happy event. I look forward to meeting you.

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Ferryhill, Sedgefield & District Flower Club
We would like to announce our intention to recommence the flower club on Tuesday 21 September at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall, Sedgefield. Our demonstrator is Wendy Smith from Durham. Charge will be £5 per person. The committee would like to invite members and visitors to join us for the opportunity to meet up again after such a long time apart, to have a chat and enjoy a wine & cheese buffet. Please join us.

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Sedgefield Tea Dance
Sedgefield Tea Dance are sorry to announce the Dancing will not restart until January 2022 at the earliest. Best wishes to all the group.

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Taste and See
The cookery group for young people, meeting in the Methodist Hall, has sadly had to finish. The group has been unable to meet since March 2020, and we no longer have the helpers to run the group. I know that it has been great fun for both helpers and young people. We would like to thank all those who have contributed financially. Our thanks to all the young people who joined us and joined in with such enthusiasm.
Pam Lamb and Chris Mills

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Coffee Morning
in aid of church Sheila McMillan would like to invite you to a Coffee Morning on Friday 10 September from 10am to 11:30am in the Parish Hall.

The proceeds will help towards vital repairs to St Edmund's Church. Looking forward to welcoming everyone and hoping it will be a happy occasion.

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Halloween "Mas{k)erade" Dance
in Sedgefield Parish Hall Saturday 30th October 2021 from 7.30 -11pm
Line-dancing, Country & Rock'n'Roll dancing to Top Dollar.
Pies & Peas or Vegetarian option Bring your own Drinks! £10.00
All profits to a local Charity. Special Prize for Best Mask! Tickets limited to ensure a COVID safe environment, so please let us know in good time. Ring Gloria on 01740622447

Sedgefield Library

Check with the club for COVID-19 updates.
Usual Opening Hours:
Wednesdays: 9:30am-12:30pm
Thursdays: 9:30am-16:30pm
Fridays: 1:30pm-17:30pm
Saturdays: 9:30am-12:30pm

Browsing will be limited to 20 mins and only 4 visitors allowed at a time, so you may be asked to queue patiently outside. See www.durham.gov.uk/libraries for updates and information and to updated with any service changes. Also, the Facebook page CountyDurhamLibraries is absolutely full of interest. We recommend following them.

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The Hub

Sedgefield Community College
Closed due to COVID-19.
New Dance Generation: Monday U9s 5-5.45pm. Over 9s 5.45-6.30pm
Clubbercise:Tue 6.00pm
Zumba: Tue 6.30pm & Thurs 7pm
Blade Taekwondo: Sat 10.30am
Call 01740 617882 for all enquiries

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Sedgefield Community Association

Ceddesfeld Hall is closed with immediate effect. In line with Government advice, relating to Coronavirus, COVID-19, Ceddesfeld Hall is closed from Tuesday 17th March, initially for two months. All SCA events up to mid July have been cancelled. Very best wishes to all members and patrons of Ceddesfeld Hall.

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Sedgefield Social Club

Check with the club for COVID-19 updates. Usually Entertainment every Saturday. Telephone Number: 01740 620591

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St John Fisher Catholic Church

Check with the contacts for COVID-19 updates. Wed & Fri mornings, 9.45am. Sunday 10.45am with Children's Liturgy in term time. Adoration on Thursday at 7pm. Legion of Mary meeting Friday mornings after Mass. To contact The Parish Office, email parishsecretary1961@btconnect.com

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New Generation Church

Check here for COVID-19 updates.

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One Step Forward Bereavement Support Group

As Panny Pighills left the village some time ago, the first port of call for bereavement support is now Sue Archer.
You can contact Sue on 07779 093386 or 01740 239278 or go to our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/onestepforwardsedgefield Unfortunately we can only offer telephone support at the moment, but we hope to be back at St Edmund’s on Thursdays (15:00-17:00) before too long.

The Gathering Sounds Festival

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The Gathering Sounds festival returns in 2021 at multiple venues across Stockton. The usual mix of established and up and coming indie bands is again eclectic & exciting, and this year features performances from Du Blonde, Sophie and the Giants, Red Rum Club & The Mysterines among dozens of others. The format is metropolitan, so festival-goers are not at the mercy of the weather as you would be at a traditional summer festival. This is a relative newcomer on the festival circuit, having been founded only in in 2019, but has started to attract bigger names alongside unsigned acts.

Check www.facebook.com/TheGatheringSounds

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Sing Out Strong in Spennymoor

Singers in and around Spennymoor have the opportunity to join a new branch of the world’s largest mental health choir, the Sing Out Strong family. The movement has grown quickly in the last 2 years and gained prominence with several major TV & magazine features. The health & wellbeing benefits of singing are many and all the more so as part of a collective project, with the friendship, collaboration and routine that participatory community groups engender.

Spennymoor SOS will rehearse on Friday evenings, if interested please contact Hello@singoutstrong.co.uk or see www.facebook.com/SOSCoDurham.

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Museum of the Moon at Durham Cathedral

The long-delayed exhibition ‘Museum of the Moon’ finally debuts in Durham Cathedral from September 13 for a two month residency. The spectacular and scientifically precise 7 metre wide model of the moon will be suspended in the nave of the cathedral and it’s arrival will be celebrated with a series of astronomical themed events such as stargazing & late night openings.

The moon is the work of multi-disciplinary artist Luke Jerrram and is traditionally accompanied by music. It has been touring the country and was originally planned to arrive in Durham during the autumn of 2020, but this was delayed by restrictions on public gatherings. From next month we will finally have the opportunity to see the touring marvel in its most remarkable setting yet. Visit durhamcathedral.co.uk/whats-on for more details.

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Sedgefield Lyric Singers Singing Together Again

Sedgefield Lyric Singers (SLS) will resume face-to-face rehearsals after eighteen months of pandemic restrictions. Sessions recommence on Friday 3 September in St Edmunds at 7:30pm, while strict risk controls will help ensure the safety of even cautious returners. Zoom rehearsals continue for those who are unable to join in person. The talented SLYC (Youth Choir) return to Ceddesfeld Hall on Friday 10 September, where they continue to prepare a performance of the powerful ‘One Sun, One World’.

The sublime Lirica have resumed their singing and join SLS working towards a joint concert at St Edmunds in October. All choir members are grateful to Avril Hannon, for keeping everyone connected, and to Kristen Peacock and Rob Guest, whose commitment ensured the survival of the SLS music group and kept everyone feeling human. SLS are overwhelmed by their generosity, kindness and talent, and now eagerly await the start of a fantastic 2021-22 season - one when we all meet in person and sing together once again.

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Return of Ferryhill Stage Society

There is exciting news for up and coming performers in September, with the return of Ferryhill Stage Society. Each Thursday from 9 September rehearsals will resume at Mainsforth Community Centre in Ferryhill where the focus will be on staging a pantomime of Sleeping Beauty. Visit facebook.com/Ferryhillstagesociety to learn more