A new play attraction standing almost 15 metres tall is to be installed in Hardwick Park.

Durham County Council has been making improvements to Hardwick Park’s play area as part of a scheme to redevelop its play facilities. The work includes installing a brandnew play area which features a zip line; basket swing; hammocks; accessible roundabout and outdoor musical instruments.

In addition to this new equipment, a giant play tower will also be installed as part of the improvements. Only the second of its kind in Europe, the tower is coming all the way from Germany and will be similar to its twin found in Bietigheim-Bissingen, near Stuttgart.

Standing at 14.5 metres, the tower has been designed to complement the park’s gothic gatehouse and tower, designed by architect James Paine in the 18th Century.

It will boast rope chimneys; a net bridge; slides and a range of sensory play elements. Children will also be able to enjoy enviable views over the park from the viewing platform. The play area near the Gothic Tower at Hardwick Park is currently closed while work to install the tower and new elements is carried out. The full new play area is expected to open in the spring.

Hardwick Park’s other play facilities near the Tower Café remain open as normal. For more information about the park, visit www.durham.gov.uk/hardwickpark.

Fishburn Art Group celebrated their 25th anniversary on 14 February. The group originated from an art class organised as part of a funded regeneration scheme with Linda Birch as its tutor. A group of its attendees, enjoying the camaraderie of the class, decided to continue once the scheme finished and the Fishburn Art Group was formed.

The group provides a place for artists of all abilities to come along and enjoy their morning with other creative people. Although we don’t offer weekly tuition, there is always someone there to offer advice and encouragement.

The members of the group work in different mediums and subjects so there is experience on offer whenever needed. We occasionally enjoy a group visit to a gallery if there is an interesting exhibition in the area.

We are proud to exhibit some of our work on one of the walls in Fishburn Community Centre. We change the theme of the gallery regularly, please check it out!

We would encourage anyone who may be interested in joining our group to come along to Fishburn Community Centre on a Monday morning between 9:30am and 12 noon. Pay us a visit, have a chat to our members, including some who have been part of the group for the last 25 years. We also have a Facebook page ‘Fishburn Art Group’. Alternatively you can contact our Secretary on O.fennessy@outlook.com.

Sedgefield Bowls Club have received their new box designed and built for them by Ian Gray. The cost of the box was met by the former mayor Dave Jasper and his consort Annette Lawson.

The box reduces the necessary lifting by 80% which is a huge help to the bowlers as most are in their 70s or 80s. We love it and our lives are now much easier. Thanks to Dave, Annette and Ian we can now go on playing for many more years.

A Message From Sedgefield Town Council
Over recent years, we have been working on our Butterwick Road Cemetery expansion project, extending the cemetery to ensure we have a burial facility in Sedgefield for many years ahead.

The expansion work relates to the area of land at the top of the existing cemetery and a new funeral vehicle access road between the cemetery and Butterwick Road allotments. We are delighted to let you know that our appointed contractor intends to start the construction work on 17 March 2025, lasting approximately 18 weeks.

Burials will continue and access through the usual cemetery entrance will not be impacted. For more information, please visit our website www.sedgefieldtowncouncil.gov.uk.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is part of an international Christian voluntary network that aims to alleviate the struggles of poverty and tackle it right from the very cause.

Across England and Wales, there are over 8,000 members who offer person -to-person friendship within their communities to help those who are struggling. Members try to seek out and help those suffering from any kind of poverty.

Visiting and befriending is at the heart of what the SVP do, but practical help is also provided where possible. Working with Sedgefield Area Churches Together, the SVP would like to set up an ecumenical SVP group to serve those in need in the Sedgefield area.

Deacon Patrick Rutherford will give a presentation on the SVP at Sedgefield Methodist Church on Saturday 5 April at 11:30am (after the regular coffee morning, which starts at 10 am).

It will last approximately 45 minutes and there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion. All are warmly invited to attend if interested in learning more and might be willing to be part of such a group. You can also contact Patrick about this at patrickr@svp.org.uk.

NEFirst Credit Union has provided savings and loan accounts for members for more than 20 years. Operating across the whole of the North East, the NEFirst was formed by the merger of over 20 smaller local community-based Credit Unions coming together to form a modern vibrant credit union that puts its members at the heart of everything they do.

Business Development Officer, Martin Johns will be based in and around East Durham, as well as the East Durham Rural Corridor villages of Sedgefield, Trimdon, Fishburn, Cassop, Quarrington Hill, and Bowburn. Part of Martin’s role is to support existing local service points and help to promote NE First and their services. However, he also aims to create new service points in every village within these areas. These service points allow residents to access savings accounts and financial support at their local community centre or village hall, whilst having a ‘cuppa’ and a chat.

Martin will liaise with several partners such as Advice Agencies, Community Centres, Family Hubs, Schools and Colleges, Housing Associations, and Community Police with a view to identifying individuals and families that might benefit from the services NEFCU offer. These services include savings and loans, offering an alternative to the high street banks by providing an ethical, fair and affordable option for borrowing. NE First are also aiming to tackle extortionate and illegal money lending.

For more information about NE First Credit Union and how it can help you, see www.nefirstcu.co.uk, www.facebook.com/nefirstcu or contact Martin at martin.johns@nefirstcu.co.uk.