The Royal Aero Club Records, Racing and Rally Association returned to North East England on the weekend of the 26 and 27 July when Fishburn Airfield hosted a series of air races for the organisation.

The air races are handicap events where pilots launch into the race at a specific time, depending on the maximum speed of the aircraft that they fly. Slower aircraft launch first while the faster take off later. The pilots then navigate around up to five laps of a pre-determined course before crossing a finish line. The first aircraft to cross the finish line is the winner of the race. The handicap start is designed to ensure that piloting and navigational skill are the decisive factors in the race, not pure aircraft speed.

Discussing the skill involved in the race, Ben Polwin, the pilot of aircraft number 777 said, “The difference between winning and losing a race can be down to the smallest error. We need to visually acquire the turning points and try to pass them with a lateral separation of less than 10 meters.” Ben, a Royal Air Force Typhoon pilot, hand built his aircraft and won the coveted Schnieder Trophy in the 2024 air race season.

Before each race, a detailed briefing was given by Race Director Dan Pangbourne to the air race crews. This briefing covered the course to be flown, noise sensitive local areas that should not be overflown, and actions to be carried out in the event of an airborne emergency.

For the duration of the practise session on Saturday morning and the two races carried out on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, the airspace that the race was flown in was closed to other aircraft to ensure the race could be accomplished safely.

The owner of Fishburn Airfield, David Morgan, said, “It was fantastic to host the Royal Aero Club again at Fishburn Airfield this weekend. The races were professionally planned and flown, and it was superb to see the new owners of the Flight Ranch open their doors to host the huge number of our local community who visited the airfield to watch the racers.” Paul Heasman

Local businesses and organisations were invited to support our ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the landscape and planting of our beautiful town of Sedgefield. We are pleased to recognise and thank the following sponsors and supporters:

Platimum Sponsors (over £100)
Franklin House Nursery
Players & SPYS
Sedgefield Squash Club
Rotary Club of Sedgefield
Wright Construction Ltd

Gold Sponspors (£75-100)
Blessed Edmunds Duke-E Durham
Alan Brown & Co Accountants
Andrea Irving Morse Associates
Youngs RPS

Silver Sponsors (£50-75)
Back Of Beyond Bookstore
Tricia Slater
Mrs Glenda Garside

Bronze Sponsors (£25-50)
Peridot
Sedgefield Local History Society

In addition, we would like to extend our thanks to:
Sedgefield Mayor’s Fund
R Quarmby (In memoriam)
Sedgefield Social Club
Sedgefield Cricket Club

In total, we have received almost £1,800 and these monies will help fund tubs, baskets and floral beds, as well as an additional commemorative ‘Bloomer’ bench to be located adjacent to the lavender wave near to George Bolam’s.

Again many, many thanks for your efforts from all the Bloomers.

The Sedgefield Charities' Trustees make awards each year to help students from families with a household income below £40,000 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

As the Princess Royal celebrates her 75th birthday, Geoff Hill fondly recalls her visit to Sedgefield in 2012.

One of the proudest moments of my life occurred in July 2012. That's when I was asked to be the official photographer for the visit of the Princess Royal, who unveiled the new Market Cross, which is in front of St Edmund's Church, on the Crosshill. It had been months in the planning.

The first meeting to plan it was in 2008! MI5 had a list of everyone involved and a meeting was held, in Ceddesfeld Hall, for them to interview everyone.

To my amazement, I was not asked to attend so I carried on familiarising myself with Princess Anne's route. I was then approached by John Robinson, who was Mayor at that time. He seemed a bit flustered and said "Geoff, I was talking with the MI5 security, and they said they knew you and didn't need to talk to you!

How come?" I was unsure why but, speaking to security later, I learned that I had already been checked by them when I was official photographer for Durham County Council for the opening of Hardwick Park by the Duke of Gloucester, in May 2010.

Then the protection officer gave me his personal advice, about photographing Princess Anne.

He said "She doesn't like being photographed, and there have been numerous photographers who have been dismissed in the past.

It's best to stay well behind her" as Princess Anne likes to catch photographers off guard, so she will dash forward then stop, to see if the photographer bumps into her.

If that happens I would be dismissed OH-OH!

Princess Anne arrived by helicopter, landing at the racecourse and travelled by official car to Ceddesfeld Hall.

She was greeted by the Mayor of Sedgefield, John Robinson, and his consort, Maxine. After lunch, Princess Anne was escorted into the village by John, the Mayor, and Lesley Swinbank, Town Clerk.

After the unveiling, the princess chatted to those involved in the 700 committee and the school children. As she left in her official car, it stopped.

The protection officer jumped out and came over to me. I immediately wondered what I had done wrong but, he said, "Princess Anne would like to thank you very much for doing such a good job. She didn't know you were there!" Princess Anne then waved and smiled at me, WOW!

I later went on to do an exhibition of my photos in the Parish Hall and I was awarded a trophy by Sedgefield Town Council. What wonderful memories I have from that time. Geoff Hill