Community Life

Steve's Nature Diary

I am writing this just after a very successful long weekend in the Highlands of Scotland, spent in splendid scenery searching for birds that are Scottish specialities. Highlights of the trip included seeing crossbills feeding in Scots pines, enjoying good views of the crested tit, and visiting the well-known osprey nest at Loch Garten.

A little closer to home, I have made several visits to Seaton Carew to see its speciality—the little tern.

These diminutive seabirds migrate from West Africa (a journey of over 3,000 miles) to spend the summer on the beach at Seaton Carew. They arrive in May and pair up, with males putting on an impressive display to attract a mate. The female then lays two to three eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground.

Once hatched, the chicks are well camouflaged and remain close to the scrape, with adult birds providing food. The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust organises monitoring of the site, supported by paid wardens and around 15 volunteers. Their role is to protect the colony from predators and other threats.

Most visitors are delighted to see the little terns, but occasionally people ignore the signs and enter the fenced-off area, causing disturbance. This can lead to the adults leaving the nest, leaving eggs or chicks vulnerable to the elements and predators. Disturbance can also occur when dogs, especially those off the lead, approach the nesting area.

This important project relies heavily on volunteers, so if you are interested, do check the Trust’s website www.teeswildlife.org/little-terns-seaton-carew.

It’s that time of year again when you can sign up for a national project—30 Days Wild, which takes place every June. This is The Wildlife Trusts’ mass engagement campaign, supported by all local Trusts, encouraging people to take part in nature-based activities throughout the month. The aim is to connect (or reconnect) people with wildlife and the natural world.

This year’s weekly themes are: Help nature where you live, Discover wildlife with your senses, Learn about wildlife, and Get creative with nature and celebrate. You can find out more and sign up (and order your pack) here: www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild#sign.

Ceddesfeld Hall: Home of Sedgefield Community Association
Ceddesfeld Hall: Home of Sedgefield Community Association

Sedgefield Mediaeval Fayre 2026 – THANK YOU!
There will be a further write up about the Mediaeval Fayre in next month’s article, but SCA would like to take this opportunity to very sincerely thank Sedgefield’s wonderful local shops, companies and businesses who have very generously sponsored the many attractions and donated tombola prizes for this year’s event. Their support is important and much appreciated and their help means that the event can grow, with new attractions and activities, for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you also to the organisations, groups, members and residents who volunteered their time to help throughout the day, from set up, to take down. The Fayre is most definitely a huge community effort!

Lirica and Friends Charity Night - Saturday 6 June at 7:30pm
Ceddesfeld Hall is looking forward to hosting a concert featuring ‘Lirica and Friends’. All proceeds go to CoppaFeel, the UK’s only youth-focused breast cancer awareness charity. The bar will be open from 7pm. Tickets (Adults £8 and under 16s, £5) can be purchased on the door as well as through the QR code reader on the event poster.

Dates for your Diary!
SCA AGM – Thursday 18 June at 8pm – Main Hall
SCA members and non-members are most welcome. Come along and get involved with Sedgefield Community Association. The organisation is at the heart of community life here in Sedgefield and being involved as a volunteer is beneficial in so many ways, with proven health benefits by keeping active and engaged – it can be great fun, very interesting and rewarding.

Ceddesfeld Beer Festival – Friday 10 & Saturday 11 July
Look out for information nearer the time, on the website, social media, and posters around town. Any willing volunteers to set up, take down, serve, collect glasses etc., please contact Tony via email info@sedgefieldsca.org.uk.
Family Fun event for Families with Younger Children – Sunday 23 August

For more information on Ceddesfeld Hall events, regular activities, room hire and bar opening times, contact Wendy on 01740 620206, Pat on 01740 620607, John on 01740 620042, Sarah on 01740 622185. Visit us on Facebook or see the SCA website, www.sedgefieldsca.org.uk

U3A Update

Members enjoyed another fascinating and informative afternoon at May’s monthly meeting, when Keith Simpson spoke about the many castles and fortifications in County Durham.

From medieval manor houses to Georgian castles, and from Roman fortresses to Victorian extensions, he had a story to tell—featuring swashbuckling derring-do, the occasional ghost, and the religious or wealthy families who built these wonderful structures. As always, a great speaker.

Twenty-four members of the Homes and Gardens Group visited the beautiful moated manor house of Markenfield Hall near Ripon, which dates from 1310.

We were treated to delicious coffee and cake in the historic undercroft, before being escorted on a fascinating journey through time, exploring the ups and downs of the Hall and its owners.

The house is remarkably well preserved and still lived in; its current owner is over 90 and still driving! We were even told that the two toilets were extraordinary—one was formerly a prison cell.

We then travelled to Ripon for lunch, followed by time to explore the city and its lovely cathedral. Everyone, including our two drivers, said how much they had enjoyed the day.

The Book Group discussed Butter by Asaka Yuzuki, a highly acclaimed Japanese novel (translated into English in 2024) inspired by a reallife serial killer case.

It is a slowburn, character-driven story that explores themes of fatphobia, misogyny, and toxic femininity in Japan. Centred on a journalist’s obsession with a gourmet-cooking convict, it offers rich food descriptions alongside sharp social commentary.

If you’d like to broaden your reading with new titles, styles, and genres, do come along and join us on the second Thursday of each month in Ceddesfeld Hall.

The Lunch Group had a rather disappointing visit to the Spotted Cow pub at Elwick. While the setting was beautiful and the staff were friendly, despite booking ahead the service was poor and food standards were very mixed.

However, later that week we enjoyed an exceptional Wine Appreciation Group meeting, where we sampled five European wines selected on the premise that they were entirely new to us.

Complemented by delicious English nibbles (it was St George’s Day, after all), we were very reluctant to make our way home at the end of a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

The local NHS Coordinator for Wellbeing Services attended the Health and Wellbeing Group’s first formal meeting and outlined the various services and support available for both mental and physical wellbeing.

It was a very positive visit, with several members already interested in following up and accessing these services.

We are an organisation for retired or semi-retired people who wish to share knowledge, learn from their peers, and lead a lively, active, and engaged life. Do check our website for details of forthcoming meetings, visits, trips, and events.

Our next main meeting is on Friday, 5 June, from 2–4pm in the Parish Hall, when Clive Fennessey will be telling us the story of the Panama Canal. Do join us then.

Chris Balfour
Letters

No letters this month.


1st Sunday of the Month-8:30am to 12 noon.
Sedgefield Farmers’ Market takes place on the first Sunday of every month from 8:30 am to around 12:15–12:30 pm on the village green (in front of St Edmund’s Church) in the heart of Sedgefield.

Run by dedicated local volunteers from the Sedgefield Development Trust, the market features roughly 20 producers each month offering a range of locally sourced goods — from fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, fish, cheese, and baked goods to pies, pastries, spices, bread, beverages, and more.

It also includes a free community stall (perfect for local charities or groups) alongside a music tent and health bus to engage visitors. The market prides itself on being a true producers’ market, encouraging customers to talk with stallholders and learn about the origins of their food.

farmers@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk.

Nestled at Skerne Wood within NETPark, the Woodland & Wildlife Project is a community conservation initiative. Volunteers work together to enhance biodiversity through activities like planting trees and creating “dead hedges” that provide habitats for insects, small mammals, and birds.

The project also hosts a variety of wildlife-focused events: botany and dawn-chorus walks, bat-watching evenings, Christmas tree recycling days, and annual bird censuses—tools that help guide habitat management and monitor species like chiffchaff, blackcap, bullfinch, and sedge warbler.

Over time, these efforts have created a green corridor and educational woodland space that supports local wildlife and connects community volunteers with nature.

This initiative helps local households identify heat loss and improve energy efficiency. Residents can borrow a thermal imaging camera to check for drafts, insulation gaps, and other issues that waste energy and increase heating costs.

By spotting problem areas, you can take simple steps to make your home warmer and reduce bills.

Friendly Fixers is a community project that helps residents repair and reuse everyday items instead of throwing them away. From small household repairs to fixing bikes, toys, and gadgets, volunteers offer practical skills and advice to save money, reduce waste, and promote sustainability. It’s a great way to learn new skills, meet helpful people, and keep useful items out of landfill.

Fishburn Youth and Community Centre. First Saturday of the month, 10:30am-12:30pm

For more information email us at: repaircafe@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk.
Follow us on Facebook for all things fixing Friendly Fixers—Repair Cafe!

This initiative encourages sustainable travel in and around Sedgefield by promoting cycling, walking, and other active transport options. The project supports residents with advice on safe routes, bike maintenance, and practical tips for reducing car use. It aims to improve health, cut emissions, and make local journeys easier and greener.

Want to get involved? Join community rides, learn maintenance skills, or share ideas to help make Sedgefield a more cycle-friendly place.

Please join us on Facebook or email cycling@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk

Would you like to join our group of local beekeepers?
If so, contact Lesley for more details on 07856 625007 or find out further details on our Facebook page – Bees at Hardwick.

Homework Help is on hold.

Get in touch at homework@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk.