Sedgefield will join the nation in celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday this May.

The BBC has already announced a week of special programming beginning on 8 May, featuring a selection of classic and new shows that honour Sir David’s extraordinary career and his century of contributions to understanding and protecting the planet. Here in Sedgefield, residents have the chance to take part in two special nature events.

Wildlife Trust Leads Birthday Walk Through Bishop’s Fen
On the morning of 8 May, Durham Wildlife Trust will host a special guided walk from Hardwick Park to Bishop’s Fen Nature Reserve. Led by Jim Cokill and Mark Dinning, the tour will give participants a rare opportunity to see nature restoration in action.

During the 2 to 2.5-hour walk, visitors will learn how the Brightwater Project helped bring the Trust’s vision for a Great North Fen to life and how ongoing work aims to revive the once-vast wetlands of the Durham Carrs—benefiting both wildlife and local communities.

The group will meet at 9.30am at Hardwick Park. Due to uneven terrain, the walk is not suitable for those with mobility issues. More details and free booking are available at www.durhamwt.com/events.

Dawn Chorus Walk
For early risers, a celebration will take place on Sunday 10 May, when local nature lover Fred Milton leads a special dawn(ish!) chorus walk at 6.30am. Participants will welcome the morning with birdsong before gathering for a shared breakfast—croissants included.

Organisers are asking anyone wishing to attend to email the project team at woodland@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk so they can keep attendees updated and make sure there’s enough food to go around.

A new men’s group for Sedgefield and the surrounding area has just been announced. Sedgefield Area Men’s Group (SAMs) aims to offer a friendly social network for men who may be feeling isolated or lonely, and who would enjoy the chance to meet others for activities and conversation.

The project has been adopted by Sedgefield Development Trust, which will provide valuable support and encouragement as it gets underway.

The group will launch on Tuesday 21 April at Sedgefield Cricket Club, starting at 6.15pm.

Project lead Graham Price said:
“We’re inviting anyone who might be interested—whether as a participant, a group leader, or in any other role—to come along, share what they’d like from the group, and tell us how they might get involved. The launch evening will also include some relaxed social activities, such as darts and dominoes, to help make it a fun and friendly event.”

For more information, you can contact Graham by email at sams@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk or by phone on 07501 467487.

We were saddened by the recent death of Ann Carr. She served as Town Councillor for many years and as Mayor of Sedgefield in 2021/22.

She was a kind and generous with her time. She contributed enormously to our community and raised funds for good causes, notably the recent UN campaign to stop violence against women and girls.

Our thoughts are with her husband, Mel, and her family and friends.

This splendid photo has just come in to the archive of Sedgefield Local History Society, thanks to Phil Hartshorn, Sedgefield lad and latest recruit to our committee, seen here second from left, a few years ago.

This youthful Sedgefield football team enjoyed regular games and practice sessions on this field, despite its less than professional pitch, somewhat soggy in places, regardless of the season. Known to all and sundry as the Crima. No, not Crimea, as in the war, just CRIMA.

In the background, to the left, a fabulous view of Ivy House, now sadly long gone, originally built as a replacement for the previous workhouse and subsequently put to various other uses until the bulldozers arrived.

We’d love to hear from readers who may have memories of activities they enjoyed at the Crima and would be over joyed if anyone can explain the name. We may even be privy to some more photos.
If you can help, please email norma@neal.myzen.co.uk or call 01740 620091.

Creating opportunities for our students to take on a range of leadership roles across the school is one of the ways that we can foster a strong sense of belonging to Sedgefield Community College (SCC).

In addition to existing student leadership roles that have been in place for many years, there have been a number of new leadership roles created this year.


We have a group of Y10 Prefects who took up their roles before Christmas and in recent weeks we’re delighted to have appointed our first group of Wellbeing Warriors. Our Wellbeing Warriors will play a key role in supporting a range of activities that are all designed to support every child to feel happy, safe and supported in school. All of our Y10 Prefects and Wellbeing Warriors applied and were then interviewed for these positions and we have been delighted with the quality of their applications and ability to answer questions on interview.

Among the other student leadership roles that are in place, I should mention the excellent work of our Team of Sport Leaders who support a range of events, including the recent primary dodge-ball tournament that was hosted at SCC.

Supporting our students to develop cross-curricular skills that will help them in school and then for the rest of their lives is incredibly important. Through these leadership roles, students are developing their ability to show skills including speaking, teamwork and leadership itself.
Well done to all of SCC’s student leaders!