In the news this month...

An update from Sedgefield Development Trust

Sedgefield Development Trust is a local charity dedicated to enriching life in Sedgefield, Bradbury, Mordon and Fishburn. Whether it’s through culture, the environment, or community spirit, our 10 active projects are all about making our area a better place to live, work and visit.

Sedgefield Farmers Market
If you’ve strolled through the Farmers Market recently, you’ll know it’s as vibrant as ever. Thanks to our dedicated team, the market remains a local favourite, with reliable traders and a great atmosphere.

DIDO – Days In, Days Out
DIDO is buzzing with energy! Run by the fabulous Brenda, Avril, Ruth and Ina, this group offers DIDO continues to thrive with fun trips, parties and games. With 70 members and lively sessions, it’s a warm, welcoming hub of fun and friendship.

Sew Easy – Stitching Together
Led by Dorothy Anderson, Sew Easy brings together sewing enthusiasts of all skill levels. Meeting in the Parish Hall usually on alternate Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, it’s a great place to learn, create and connect.

Sedgefield News – By the Community, For the Community
This publication is always delighted to share your stories and updates.

Thanks to our contributors, advertisers (coordinated by Tamzin Lafford), and our amazing delivery volunteers led by Judith Edgoose.
vIf you’re one of the many who pop the News through your neighbours’ doors—thank you!

sedgefieldweb.co.uk
Our website, managed by Matt Wilson, saw a 35% increase in users over the last year. Top pages? Sedgefield News and the Farmers Market.

Skerne Wood @ NETPark
Our Woodland & Wildlife project now has an official name and a shiny new information board. Behind the scenes, we’re working with Durham County Council on exciting developments. On the ground, we’ve hosted bird walks, hedge-laying sessions, and even recycled Christmas trees!

Bees of Hardwick
With 15 hives now thriving in their new home, our bees are doing brilliantly. Our honey will be for sale at Sedgefield Farmers Market.

Bicycle & Active Travel
Working with local councils and volunteers, we’ve improved walking routes and access to Hardwick Park. We’re also pushing for safer school zones and better cycle path maintenance. Want to help us grow cycling groups? We’d love more volunteers!

Friendly Fixers
Our Repair Café fixed over 120 items last year - from toasters to cuckoo clocks - thanks to a growing team of skilled volunteers. See the Diary page for details of our monthly session.

Thermal Camera Loans – Spot the Draught!
Last winter, around 40 households borrowed our thermal cameras to check their insulation. Huge thanks to Sandy Clubley and Mess Charcuterie for managing the loans. We’re now looking for a volunteer to help run the project next winter.

Get involved! The Trust’s going strong, and our projects are buzzing with community spirit.

Fancy getting involved? Whether you’d like to volunteer, participate or start something new, we’d love to hear from you.

Pop into Ceddesfeld Hall on Saturday 27 September from 2pm to 4:30pm. A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers—you make it all possible!

170th Sedgefield Show

Enjoy a fantastic day out at the 170th Sedgefield Show on Saturday 9 August 2025.
Gates open at 9:30am.

There’s something for everyone:
Livestock & equine
Vintage tractors
Horticulture
Farm produce
Home and Handicraft displays
Dog show
Children’s rides
Face painting
Live music
Food & craft stalls
Skip the queues — book online now at sedgefieldshow.co.uk.

A round up from the Schools

Transition days at Sedgefield Community College


One of the highlights of the summer term is always the transition days for the Y6 students who will be joining us in the coming September. For some of the children, the process of getting ready to move to secondary school has been underway for many months and we’re keen to look for opportunities to give primary school children the chance to find out more about life at SCC.

For example, during the last week of term, we were delighted to welcome children from lots of primary schools to be part of the audience for the first performance of our school show: ‘Legally Blonde Junior’.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been delighted to welcome students from Y4 and Y5 to SCC from a number of our partner primary schools. All of the children taking part in the programme are likely to join SCC when they enter Y7. The aim of the programme is to give the primary school children a very positive experience of Sedgefield at an early point, helping to reduce any anxiety that the children may have about the transition to secondary school.

During each Tiny Tastebuds session, student leaders from Sedgefield have done a fantastic job in supporting the amazing Miss Lennox and Miss Taylor who have led the programme. For one of the sessions, we were delighted to have some Y5 parents joining and they were able to take part in the cookery lessons too!

Fire Officer shares his success at Sedgefield Primary

Sedgefield Primary pupils were dazzled by a former pupil, Reece Stewart, as he returned to his primary school classrooms to share his knowledge of the Fire Service.

A team of Fire Officers taught Year 5 and 6 pupils the principles of water safety. Water safety is so important for pupils to be aware of, especially in the summer, when this may play a greater role in their social calendars. The potential dangers of open water need highlighting further at this time of year.

Pupils were also made aware of the risks of walking on ice in winter too, which can appear thick, but may be weakened in places.

Pupils were made aware of cold water shock syndrome and the tragic impact of this to others. We view this type of knowledge as part of our school motto, 'Learning for Life', as this is essential life long learning and increased knowledge could save lives.

Pupils thoroughly enjoyed visiting the fire engine and learning about the different aspects of the vehicle from Reece and the crew. Sedgefield is so lucky to have its own fire station to hand to help support local residents and beyond. We hope the team has encouraged our pupils to consider a future in fire fighting!

Sports Day and Summer Carnival at Sedgefield Hardwick

Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy was bursting with energy, excitement, and sunshine on Friday 11 July as pupils, parents, and staff came together for the annual Sports Day and Summer Carnival.

With temperatures soaring, the school field was alive with colour and competition as children from Reception to Year 6 took part in a range of races, including the 60m sprint, 200m, hurdles, multi-skills challenge, and the everpopular assault course. Each class raced with determination and sportsmanship, supported by a crowd of proud families.

Following the culmination of Sports Day, the celebrations continued with the much-loved Summer Carnival, organised by the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The event offered something for everyone – from food stalls to music, games, and inflatable fun.

Highlights included the “Beat the Keeper” challenge and the ever popular “Soak the Senior Leaders” event, where brave staff members Mr Taylor and Mr Close took a soaking with a smile – all in the name of fundraising fun.

Live music filled the air thanks to lively performances by the Sedgefield Community Band and Durham Music Service Band, adding to the festival feel of the day. Children bounced, slid, and laughed their way around the inflatable bouncy castle, obstacle course, and slide, while others lined up for face painting, sweet treats, and craft activities.

Headteacher Mr Paul Taylor explained: “It was a fantastic day from start to finish. Our pupils showed great effort in their races, and the carnival atmosphere made it a real celebration for everyone involved.

A huge thank you to the PTA and everyone who helped make it such a success.” With the sun shining, spirits high, and smiles all round, Sedgefield Hardwick’s Sports Day and Summer Carnival proved to be a perfect way to round off the school year in style.

Les Joss Memorial Mathematics Award 2025

Every year the college presents a mathematics award in memory of the late Mr Les Joss, who was a mathematics teacher himself and was a governor at Sedgefield Community College for a number of years.

This award is always presented to a student who has proved themselves to be an outstanding mathematician, demonstrating not only excellent mathematical skills but also perseverance and resilience.

This year, the award was presented to Isaac a Year 10 student who has consistently impressed with his approach to his studies in mathematics. Well done Isaac!

Sedgefield Charities: Education grants for students

The Sedgefield Charities' Trustees make awards each year to help students from lower income families who are taking up full time education beyond A-level or its equivalent. Students of any age may apply.

Applicants must live in Bishop Middleham, Bradbury, Cornforth, Fishburn, Mordon, Sedgefield or Trimdon. For further information and an application form please contact the Clerk, Anne Gladwin: Post: 46 Whitehouse Drive, Sedgefield TS21 3BU
Telephone: 01740 620811
or sedgefieldcharities@gmail.com
Closing date for applications: 30 September 2025

Update on Anaerobic Digester

The appeal hearing for the anaerobic digestion plant will be held at 10am on Wednesday 27 August at County Hall.

The local campaign group— including county councillors, town and parish councils, Knotty Hill Golf Centre, and Hardwick Hall Hotel—is actively opposing the proposals.

The group thanks the community for its strong support so far. The hearing is open to the public, and a strong turnout is encouraged. Hardwick Hall Hotel will provide transport; details will be shared on social media.

Information about the new campaign page and the latest developments will be posted on the Facebook page “Sedgefield News”.

Spreading joy

On National Flower Arranging Day, Ferryhill, Sedgefield & District Flower Club— proudly part of the Northumberland and Durham Area—set out to do what they love most: spread joy, one flower at a time.

Armed with beautiful arrangements and cheerful stems, surprising residents and passers-by with unexpected floral gifts. It was a heart-warming day filled with smiles, lovely conversations, and the simple magic of flowers shared freely.

Here is a selection of photos from the day - each one a small bloom of community spirit.

Tooth Fairies Take on the Wall!

Charlotte (our lovely hygienist) and Joanna (our brilliant dentist) from the newly expanded Sedgefield Dental have just completed the Beat Hadrian’s Wall 2025 Challenge!

Both have had close family members affected by cancer and wanted to give something back to Marie Curie, a charity that’s been a huge support to their loved ones.

The big walk took place on 5 July - and while the hills were tough, they powered through and made it to the finish line!

There’s still time to support their amazing effort. You can donate via their JustGiving page justgiving.com/ page/toothfairies or pop into the practice with a donation. Sedgefield Dental

Get in touch

Email your news articles and stories to the news team: news@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk

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History of original Hardwick East Park Entrance Gate

Before the 20th Century development of a large housing estate to the west of the Durham Road in Sedgefield, and the construction of a new road to divert the A177 as a western bypass to the settlement, the eastern boundary of Hardwick East Park was marked by a high brick wall into which was inserted a decorative iron and steel gateway, catering for both carriages and pedestrians, as seen in this early photograph taken over 100 years ago.

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