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We are very proud to report that many of our members also take part in the breadth of opportunities in Sedgefield to join in and become an ever more active member of the community. We are fortunate to live in such a pro-active and lively village where everyone, whatever their gender, age or interest, can become involved in some sort of community activity or event.
It's not being old that stops you doing things, it's stopping doing things that makes you old!
Members are involved in many and myriad community events in Sedgefield and District, both as individuals and/or as groups. Retired military personnel offer practical help at our local airfield refurbishing, maintaining and showing old aircraft and promoting this initiative at an Open Day in the Summer; we always have a stall with literature and promotional aids at the bi-annual Sedgefield Day when many local organisations come together to showcase their involvement in local village life; and, increasingly, our Scribes and Photographic groups are being invited to contribute to and support regional as well as local initiatives.
Several members also belong to the Bloom group which plants and maintains the multiple baskets, tubs and beds in and around the village. We're all very proud of these wonderful displays and really appreciate the lovely comments made by visitors. We're also extremely proud to have been awarded Gold by both Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom for many years.
Other members give front-of-house support to the village drama groups at their many productions and enjoy helping the local Mayor with his wide range of fund-raising activities.
We have our place on the rota for the weekly Friday morning coffee mornings in the Parish Hall which has become another hard and fast date in village life. 60-80 people attend each week to meet friends and catch up on the latest gossip and news and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a piece of home-baked sweet or savoury items. Funds for charitable ventures are raised through raffles, tombolas, and sales of books and jigsaws, gifts and cards.
We have a monthly column in the Sedgefield News publication, and advertise events and meetings in the RightLines Community email circulated weekly to all interested subscribers in Sedgefield and other local villages.
Sportswise, members enjoy playing Carpet Bowls in Ceddesfeld Hall in the winter, some even competing at County level, and outdoor bowls at another local village in the summer. Many belong to the S-milers, a walking group who organise regular walks across the north-east; some just a short local walk, but many further away which may take up to several hours. Several members also belong to our village Cricket Club and, although no longer playing, enjoy supporting the very successful and competitive senior and junior teams with useful guidance and advice! And, of course, enjoying a pint or two sitting on the pavilion or in the clubhouse while watching the game.
We have a monthly up-date column in the Sedgefield News, the local community newspaper, and regularly post on our own Facebook page as well as that of Sedgefield, News and Events, advertising and promoting or inviting the local community to our meetings, events and activities. Details can be accessed here. At all events in which we are involved, we also try to enthusiastically promote the benefits of being a member of the u3a - so many times we are commended by surprised strangers for being 'old people' front and centre!
Ceddesfeld Hall
is the home of Sedgefield Community Association and also hosts six of the u3a Groups: Book Group, Bridge, Creative Writing and Photography, Craft and Health and Wellbeing. It is volunteer run and maintained and several u3a members 'do their bit' to help, with many more also being members of the Association.
The Mediaeval Fayre, held in mid-May, has been running for more that 50 yrs and takes place in the grounds of Ceddesfeld Hall and on the Village Green. Over the years, members of the u3a have been involved in setting up and and then packing away the various stalls and structures need for events and side shows, they help to man several of the stalls and the bar in the Hall and are always available where or when needed.
Hardwick Pageant
The pageant celebrated the history of Hardwick Park from the late 18th Century to the present day. A circular walk, celebrating special points throughout the park, was devised and enhanced with with music and various readings at appropriate points.
Our Creative Writing and Photography Group were very much involved in the presentations of this recent Festival in our wonderful local Country Park, with their work now featured in the comprehensive Visitor Centre.
We recently hosted a very successful event when representatives from the NE Altzhiemer's Society came to give a talk about their services, promotions and aids to support both those suffering from the disease and for their carers. Members of the public were most appreciative of the opportunity to discuss their own particular concerns and to gain knowledge of strategies for their support moving forward.
Sleep Day and Sound Bath
As another community initiative, one of our members had gained some Grant support to enable us to fund and host a community Sleep Day with associated Sound Bath for early last autumn. So many of us suffer from disturbed nights and poor quality of sleep as we age, and we were delighted to receive guidance and support with strategies to help us relax and sleep well
St Edmund's Christmas Tree Festival
This community event takes place every second year when approximately 40 Sedgefield organisations, businesses and shops are invited to decorate a 4'-6' Christmas Tree in a given theme; these are then exhibited in St Edmunds church throughout December. Much light-hearted competition takes place and we were delighted to come second four years ago.
We were even more delighted this year when our pink and white, glitzy Nutcracker tree came first in the Community Category. Our Craft Group had had the best time designing and putting together the various ornaments, remembering old skills and learning new ones.
Money raised is shared between the church and local youth charities.
Sedgefield Day
This event, held every second year pre-Covid, gives every village organisation the opportunity to promote and advertise their activities.
Our u3a's stall is manned, whatever the weather, throughout the day when members are able to share details about our various groups and encourage older residents to come along and join us.
Literary Workshops
Pre-Covid, and for several years, the local Community Association hosted a satellite Literary Festival to that held in Durham each October. Members of both our Scribes and our Book Club hosted workshops, meetings and events during that time, in Ceddesfeld Hall.
We have recently been awarded a grant to enable us to arrange some further events later this year and into 2025.
Details of these are now on our Events page on this website. Do check them out and if you are interested, please do contact us to book a place.