What a fantastic week at the Sedgefield Drama Festival with a wonderful array of one act plays presented by five drama groups from the North East. All judged by independent GODA adjudicator Ben Humphrey. And what a final night! Sedgefield Players and SPYS scooped a massive fifteen out of twenty awards! We are most proud of our Youth Section, who earned more awards than ever before, for their fast moving, clearly characterised and beautifully delivered one act version of Twelfth Night directed for the first time by Lucy Atkinson and Kelsey White. This performance was highly praised by the adjudicator who has himself directed Shakespeare professionally. The complete cast has to be listed – Isabella Beaston, Sophie Richards, Iona Darnton, Charlotte Hook, Grace Stanley, Bea Edgoose-Clubley, Neo Hook, Alexandra Stewart, Eve Edgoose-Clubley, Evie Legender, Chloe Ryder and Amelia Taylor. Twelfth Night won awards for – Originality, Ensemble, Technical Presentation, Costume, Best under 21 female (Eve Edgoose-Clubley), Adjudicators Award (Evie Legender) and the overall Audience Award. What a haul for such a talented team of young people. Charlie Lines, who has just moved up to adult Players, won Best Under 21 (male) for his role in Buckets, which also won Best Production, Best Director (Tom Guest), Best Actor (Peter Hook), Best Supporting Actress (Helen Crawford), Best Supporting Actor (Nathan Cox) and Best Cameo (Lynda Hillerby). Most effective set was also won by Sedgefield’s ‘My Best Friend’ directed by Sarah Atkinson. Other awards were :- Best 30 Seconds: Bishop Auckland Theatre Society - All by Myself, Endeavour: RADS - Anger Management, New Writing: Bananadrama - History Man by Shari Gledhill, Best Actress: Rachael Emerson - Bananadrama’s History Man, Runner up: Bananadrama - History Man. What a celebration of creativity in our local Sedgefield and wider community this festival is. Hope to see you next year! But Sedgefield Players never stop, so it’s Panto coming up next. Adult Players and SPYS performing together in a spectacular Christmas favourite. Keep your eyes peeled for further announcements here and on social media. Panto tickets sold out within two weeks last year!

An evening of choral music performed by Lirica celebrating the choir’s 20th Anniversary. A range of songs including many favourites. Enjoy a drink at the bar and support your local choir in the stunning St Edmund’s Church. Tickets available at ticketsource.co.uk.

September saw the launch of a fabulous new children's book from local writer Sharon Edson. A heartwarming, funny story of bravery, friendship, autumn promise and alternative perspectives not only written, but also set in Sedgefield! It is available in both paperback and Kindle editions from online retailers.

Durham Book Festival, Various locations
Featuring local author Dame Pat Barker among many other highlights this has become a major event in the national literary calendar. 10 to 12 October, newwritingnorth.com/durham-bookfestival/