We are delighted to announce we have moved into our packing centre which is located in Unit 2B, Salters Lane Industrial Estate, Sedgefield TS21 3EE.

The centre will be operating Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 2pm (closing Tuesday 19 December and recommencing on Tuesday 9 January) and we would be delighted to welcome anyone who would like to come down and learn about the work we do.

If you would like to bring any donations we would be delighted to receive them.

As we indicated in last month's Sedgefield News we are holding a Christmas collection between Monday 27 November and Saturday 2 December, and we would be grateful if you could support us with a donation to Feeding Families (list below) - every item donated makes a huge difference to those in need.

Well, did you guess? Dave Dean’s talk ‘Beyond the Chequered Band’ referred to the cap he wore and the many years he spent as a Special Constable in Darlington. We learned that although unpaid volunteers, Special Constables are expected to do all the same jobs and have all the same responsibilities as regular policemen.

However, their main time is spent on the streets doing intelligence-based patrols in crime hotspots, taking part in crime prevention initiatives and in increasing community awareness. I think many of us were unaware of their importance and relevance in the fight against crime and criminal behaviour.

This month was our turn in the regular Friday Coffee Morning rota in the Parish Hall. We were delighted that so many people from the village turned out to support us and enjoy our delicious selection of home-made cakes, scones and pastries. We’d also like to publicly thank Joyce from the Parish Hall for all her help with setting up and throughout the morning. She’s a treasure! Profits from the morning will be used by our Photography Group to professionally print, mount and display a selection of their recent photographs.

A small group of our Pop-up Crafters have been designing and crafting a range of items to decorate our u3a tree in the forthcoming Christmas Tree Festival in St Edmunds Church. Do go along and marvel at the skills and ingenuity on display.

In December, we are having a break from routine and are planning our annual Christmas Party and Christmas Lunch. The weather may be turning dark, cold and dreary but the members of the u3a refuse to let that dampen their enthusiasm for living life to the full – do come and join us if you’re retired and of a like mind!
LEARN LAUGH LIVE

We were blessed with a lovely bright, sunny day for Remembrance Sunday. St. Edmund's Church was packed almost to capacity for the service at which we welcomed Pam Royale (Deputy Lord Lieutenant of County Durham representing His Majesty King Charles III), Cllr David Brown (representing County Durham), Cllr Dave Jasper (Mayor) Mrs Annette Lawson (Mayor's Consort) and Cllr. Mel Carr (Chair Sedgefield Town Council).

As usual, the uniformed organisations in Sedgefield turned out in great numbers with members of the Guides, Scouts, Brownies and Cubs taking part in the service, which was led by Michael King (Lay Minister at St. Edmund's), with support from Rev. David Hall, from the Methodist Church.

Thank you to the leaders of the uniformed organisations for helping to organise the service.

There was a huge crowd at the war memorial for the Act of Remembrance. Binyon's Lines were read by Laura Lucas-Hartley, a former member of the armed forces and the Last Post and Reveille were played by Carris Woodhouse, who responded to the request on social media for help.

She played superbly and with a lot of confidence. Wreaths were laid at the war memorial with Jim Dean (a former submariner) standing guard. Thanks also to Lol Crallin for his help with the PA system which worked excellently.

It was a very moving occasion on which to remember those who have died as a result of war, those who have suffered life changing injuries and all those affected by conflicts past and present, but as important is the opportunity to pray for peace in our time in those countries affected by war now.

Thank you to all who helped in any way with the service and Act of Remembrance, particularly our Town Clerk, Jane Ayre and Finance Officer, Julia Rowsby, who oversaw the laying of the wreaths and other behind the scenes functions. Michael King

Maybe you are thinking of getting your Christmas tree this weekend to add a little sparkle in these dark days? Well, now think about at the end of Christmas when you don't know what to do with your now tired tree.

For several years, the Sedgefield in Bloom group has offered a service where we collect your trees for £5 each and recycle them. This year, we are very lucky to be working with AW Treecare who will chip the trees onsite and then chippings will be used around Sedgefield. True recycling. The money collected will help us through the year to keep our town looking beautiful.

Please support us in our fund raising exercise by contacting Alice Hobson on chairsib@gmail.com or 01740 622706.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and our grateful thanks for your continued support. Marie Etherington