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Produced by volunteers for the people of Sedgefield, Bradbury & Mordon, and published by Sedgefield Development Trust: Company No: 4312745 Charity No: 1100906 SedgefieldNEWS October 2008 Tour of Britain sweeps through Sedgefield The field included Britain’s multi-Olympic medallist Bradley Wiggins, British cycling champion Rob Hayles and numerous other world and Olympic medallists, and the supporters poured out from home, school, shop and office to cheer them on. Traffic gradually tamed by beautifully choreographed police motorcyclists, lights blazing and grinning broadly (they were cheered heartily too), hearts beat a little quicker as a huge posse of horns-blaring support vehicles came through, drivers and passengers waving and throwing race sponsors’ freebies to bystanders. Then they appeared. The three stage leaders, a minute or two ahead of the huge chasing peloton, were across the top of the village and squeezing through the chicanes (much despised by locals, they provided a fantastic focal point for photographers on this day) in no time at all. Gruelling for the riders it may be, but for spectators it was a spectacular and thoroughly cheerful escape from the humdrum reality of everyday life. Wonderful. Left: With nothing to prove after his Olympic success, Bradley Wiggins was taking it easy off the back of the peloton. Below: the main pack rounds West End with the Agritubel team leading the way. Thanks for these 2 photos, taken by Ian Dunn, himself a keen cyclist. More on p. 12 Chasing the race, the lady from Ferryhill Wheelers had good reason to smile. The main event over, children trudging back to classrooms gave her possibly their loudest cheer of the day as she sped through the chicane! Harry was watching the race too - one of a new generation of brilliant Brits on bikes? Photos SJC The delegation from Hardwick School cheer the riders out of Sedgefield 2 Chantell and the Dragon Boat ladies paddle to a medal haul Above: Chantell at full stretch Celebrations for Team GB, with Chantell centre front As reported last month, a lady you may have known as one of your Kleeneze reps, Chantell Malloy, represented team GB in the British Dragon Boats Ladies events. Their boat had fantastic success, gaining 2 silver and 1 bronze medals from 4 races. Many thanks to David Hillerby for sending us the good news. Music Festival a Big Success The third Annual Sedgefield Music Festival held over the first weekend of Diary extra September turned out to be a huge success. Visitors from as far away as New Zealand and Spain joined the audience for two sell-out concerts at the So many events on the Diary page Parish Hall (in fact the tickets could have been sold twice over), while well this month we had to overspill. over 100 people attended the Saturday concert in the Parish Church. Keep them coming and we might have to redesign the whole paper! The singarounds and annual spoons championship were also hugely popular, attended by capacity audiences of both the young and old. The highlight of Scary Walk the Saturday afternoon singaround was the guitar group of children from Kick off the October school holiday Hardwick Junior School led by Mrs Guest and Mr Lennox. with a Scary Walk in aid of the Bert Draycott from Fishburn, for many years the World Spoons Champion, Butterwick Hospice at unfortunately lost his crown to George Hood, an 83-year old from Bishop Auckland. Gateshead, while Rachel Ellen Thompson, 11, won the children's section This popular annual event takes with eight-year old Georgina Letts coming second. place at Whitworth Hall Country Park near Spennymoor, on As one of the organizers of the Festival, I would like to thank everyone for Monday 27th October: 6 – 8pm. all of their magnificent support. We are already looking forward to next Booking essential. year's festival, which will again be held over the first weekend in Get tickets from Bobby Shafto’s September, and which will hopefully be bigger still, with extra concerts and Playbarn or Bishop Auckland provision of more ancillary activities such as music workshops. Butterwick Hospice at a cost of Joan Edmundson Children £7 (including entrance to Playbarn & Party Food Box) Planning appeal decision brings satisfaction Accompanying Adults £2. Further details 01388 603003. to village campaigners 101 Gigs in October The controversial proposal for a holiday lodge and caravan park at Brakes 04 Lemington Club, Newcastle Farm, which had been refused planning permission, was taken to appeal 09 The Vic, Saltburn (Tribute Show) during the summer by the developers. Their amended proposal included the 10 The Ship, Marske siting of 330 static caravans and 48 lodge visitor accommodation. 11 The Turbinia, Newton Aycliffe A strong campaign by Sedgefield groups and individuals resulted in a refusal 16 The Music Rooms, Sunderland being gained for the current application,, though some doubt remains over a 17 The Green Tree, Middlesbrough possible future application for caravans only. 18 Hardwick Hall, Blackhall So, although there is a feeling amongst those who spoke against the devel- 19 Normanby Hotel, Normanby opment that there may still be work to do, for the moment they can take 24 The Lord Nelson, Stockton satisfaction in a job well done. Reaction from the Residents’ Forum in 25 Dr. Browns, Middlesbrough ‘Jottings’ on page 4. 26 The Crown, Brotton A plea from the Sedgefield News team Thurlow Grange Of course we will never reject hand-written reports, but if you have the We’ve received a new programme technology, please beam your news, views, photographs or adverts to us at of monthly events at Thurlow [email protected]. Information that arrives by email means Grange, to which all are welcome. a bit less work for your hard pressed volunteers on the editorial team! Don’t miss their entry on page 11. 3 “Speech!” Ceddesfeld conundrum How do you bring an 18th century Grade 2 listed building into the 21st century? The short answer is “not easily” but that’s what the volunteers of the Sedgefield Community Association (SCA), who have occupied Ceddesfeld Hall since 1974, are trying to achieve. SCA, which exists to serve all residents of the area, is concerned to continue to meet the needs of an ageing population. Only the main hall is available for hire or section use on the ground floor. It is in high demand and often under occupied. Increasing numbers will be unable to tackle the staircase for activities located on the upper floors. The Hall is in urgent need of refurbishment and major improvement is planned, The Conservation Planning Officer has been consulted throughout. The proposals are;- Refurbish and update the kitchen and lounge. Install a lift from basement to attic Create new storage areas for building users’ equipment 1st floor office room becomes the Community Warden base and SCA’s admin & records Community IT facility in Kell Room, st A party at Ceddesfeld Hall surprised Refurbish 1 floor toilets, relocating the disabled toilet SCA man of the moment, Allan This will increase usage of the first floor rooms and make bookings in the Smart, when his 80th birthday was centre dependent on the activity and group size rather than age and celebrated by a large gathering of agility. friends and family. A later phase, to open up the attic, potentially for community or youth group use may follow. The first phase of work is estimated at more that £220,000. The lift alone will be around £130,000. SCA has committed £50,000 to the project (from money raised by voluntary community effort*). An application is well advanced, with Sedgefield Borough Council for Local Improvement Programme money of £103,000. This is a one and only opportunity. If not grasped now, it will not come again. A decision is expected on 25th October 2008 after which formal planning permission will be sought. Other funding is being pursued. 89% of respondents to an SCA survey supported the proposals. All comments & suggestions, including new activities for both adults and young people, are being analysed. Numerous letters of support have been received. It is hoped that the works will ensure the building will meet community needs for the foreseeable future. Pat Buckley, SCA Chair. Protesting that a hilarious, in fact, *The volunteers pay all running costs e.g. rent to the Town Council, verging on the indecent, ‘This is insurance, heat & light & repairs; raising the money through lettings and Your Life’ presented by Ivan Porter events. (above) was ‘a pack of scurrilous lies’ Allan insisted on the right to reply! He was actually chuffed to Wendy Gill spoke warmly of Allan’s The next bits and also clearly moved during commitment to the SCA, his record of the evening of treats and tributes. volunteering at Ceddesfeld bar (second Blood Donor Session to none), his remarkable in Sedgefield is at the conversational skills and welcoming Parish Hall on conviviality with newcomers. The lovely Italian aria ‘O mio babbino Thursday 16th October caro’ (Oh my beloved father) was sung from 2.30 – 7pm. by daughter Helen (left), there was Anyone aged between 17 and 60 more music from Lirica and a delicious who is fit and well and shared supper provided by family and weighs over 7st 12lbs (50kg) guests. A great evening for all. can give blood. The fact that Allan had no suspicions at all until a few hours beforehand, Regular donors who are in good when he found himself washing up a health can continue to give blood up to the age of 70. strange piece of kitchen equipment, is testament to weeks of secrecy We will be happy to welcome employed by everyone involved.