169th Sedgefield Show

The sun shone brightly and the Robert Brown Showfield filled up quickly as the 169th Sedgefield Show opened on Saturday 10 August. It was another successful show with something for everyone in the exhibitions of livestock, judging of produce and numerous demonstrations from taekwondo to beekeeping. The first Sedgefield Show was held on 4 October 1859 as local farmers established an annual show to promote their livestock and produce and promote the prosperity of Sedgefield.

The Show has gone from strength to strength with events each year with the exceptions of the Foot and Mouth outbreak and 2 years of Coronavirus.

The huge number of volunteers is essential to the successful operation, not just on Show Day but throughout the whole year. Thank you to all the team for bringing it together and continuing to celebrate agriculture and country life - it is a highlight of the summer.

Thank you to Paul Heasman for the images on this page and to Susan Elders, Helen Ashton and Christine Percival for the additional images (click here). Rebecca Elders, aged 9, was over the moon to be awarded two trophies at Sedgefield Show yesterday. Winner of The Rosie Dove Trophy for most points in the Children's Photography Section and the Margaret Waller Cup for most points in the Children's Section.

Youth shelter improvements

Local organisations in Sedgefield have worked together to make improvements to a well-used facility in the centre of the community. The youth shelter is located near the offices of Sedgefield Town Council, and to other buildings such as the doctors’ surgery and Parish Hall. It is used by residents of all generations, but mostly by young people. The shelter and the area around it had deteriorated in condition and were generally untidy, with a high level of littering compared to other parts of Sedgefield.

Together, representatives from the Government’s ASB Trailblazer programme, Livin Housing, Durham County Council and the East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership worked on an initiative with county councillors and Sedgefield Town Council (which owns the land and shelter) to make improvements to the shelter and its surroundings.

This collaborative approach also involved engagement with some of the young people who use the shelter, who made suggestions of improvements that could be made.

The project partners were able to secure some funding, which allowed a range of work to be completed. This included painting the shelter, improving the lighting, installing a new litter bin, and the addition of road bollards to protect the area. As a result the shelter, and area around it, look tidier and are safer for those who use the facility.

All of the partners involved are urging those who use the shelter to take care of it and help keep it in good condition for all residents.

A round up from the Schools

Art exhibition


Taking place at the end of the summer term, our annual Art Exhibition was an enormous success once again. We’re incredibly grateful to all the parents, carers and other members of the local community who took the time to visit and witness some of the tremendous work that students across Year 7 to Year 11 were able to produce.

This year, the date of our exhibition coincided with the first day of on-site uniform sales for our new Y7 students who are joining us in September. Lots of the then Year 6 students and their families visited the exhibition during their visit and it was brilliant to observe their excitement at seeing the kind of artwork that they will soon be producing themselves in their lessons at SCC! As people enjoyed the different pieces of artwork, live music was provided by a number of our students, supported by Mr Posmyk and this contributed to making the event such a success.

Among the highlights of the exhibition were the pieces produced by our Year 11 students for their final exam and writing this article before the results are released, we’re still sure that the examiners will recognise the quality of the artwork when the results are released later this summer!


Platinum award

We are thrilled to announce that our school has been honoured with the prestigious OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Award at the Platinum level, recognising our exceptional commitment to enhancing playtime opportunities for our pupils. This accolade reflects our dedication to providing a diverse and enriching environment that promotes creativity, physical activity, and social interaction.

Our school grounds include an array of engaging play areas, each designed to stimulate the imagination. The beach area, with its soft sand and playful vibe, is a favourite spot for children to build sandcastles and enjoy sensory play. Teepees and the relaxation area offer cozy nooks for those seeking a moment of tranquillity amidst the hustle and bustle.

For the more adventurous, the scrambling mountain and mud kitchen provide exciting challenges. The tyre swings and wheel zone are always buzzing with activity, as children enjoy the thrill of movement and exploration. The loose parts zone and den building area encourage creativity and teamwork, allowing pupils to construct and innovate with a variety of materials.

Sports enthusiasts are well-catered for with our football pitches and dedicated sports zones, ensuring ample space for energetic games and athletic pursuits such as netball, basketball, tennis and cricket. The water wall and role play area add elements of fun and fantasy to playtime, while the reading area and performance area provide opportunities for quieter, reflective activities. This Platinum level OPAL award is a testament to the enthusiasm of our pupils and the support of our school community.

It celebrates our belief in the importance of play as a vital component of education, fostering a holistic approach to learning and development for all our children.


Summer Sports

At Sedgefield Primary we value sports and believe all pupils can find an area of physical activity which they can succeed in. Competing in sports is a significant part of school life. Recently several of our pupils represented our school in County Athletics. Our district came second overall with several of our pupils becoming medal winners! Sports Week was a huge success this year and offered a huge variety of activities to suit all pupils.

Events included a whole school water fun day. This event was a highlight for many pupils which included the water walk of faith. Sport's week also included a wheelie fun day - where pupils brought bikes and scooters to take part in a series of challenges as mini obstacle courses covered the school yard.

We had each class taking part in a penalty shootout/crossbar challenge - where we found out who was the champion for each year group. A further event was a Wimbledon challenge to test the children's tennis skills.

A Just Dance afternoon tested pupils dance steps. One day event was a hula hoop challenge. This involved team games with a hula hoop to seek out our hula hooping champions. A different themed warmup each morning with the parents commenced each active day for the week.

Anniversary wishes

This month, Ray and Sylvia Garbutt celebrate 60 years of marriage! Ray lived and worked on a local farm before working in many roles for the council. Sylvia trained as a nurse at Sedgefield Community Hospital where she worked from age 17 through to her retirement.

They met on a blind date at a Young Farmers’ event and have been together ever since. Married at St Edmunds Church, they went on to have two children, Lee and Lynne. Big congratulations to Ray and Sylvia.

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 Alevel 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 e-mail: sedgefieldcharities@gmail.com
Closing date for applications: 30 September 2024

Marie Walker