SEDGEFIELD

'Sedgefield' is a large village in the borough of Sedgefield in County Durham, England. It has a population of approximately 5,000. Sedgefield is in the parish of Upper Skerne.
Sedgefield has attracted particular attention as the Member of Parliament for the wider Sedgefield constituency was the former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
During November 2003, Sedgefield was visited by the American president George W. Bush during a state visit. He visited a local pub, as well as the local secondary school. This event was preceded by high-intensity security, which included fastening down manhole covers and drains, and closing the centre of the village to all traffic. An anti-war protest coincided with his visit.
St Edmunds church in Sedgefield is noted for its ornate 17th century Cosin woodwork, unique to County Durham: this is especially precious now that the display in Brancepeth has perished through fire.
In the 19th century, Sedgefield was a great hunting centre, dubbed 'the Melton of the North'. Ralph Lambton, the celebrated hunting man, had his headquarters at Sedgefield: the humorous writer, Robert Smith Surtees, who lived at Hamsterley Hall, was a friend of his. On 23 February 1815, (while Lord Byron was moping at Seaham Hall, not far away) Lord Darlington writes: 'Mr Ralph Lambton was out with some gentlemen from Sedgefield, and a most immense field.'
Sedgefield is twinned with Hamminkeln, Germany.

Contents

Education

Sport

External links

Education

There are two primary schools in Sedgefield, Sedgefield Hardwick School, and Sedgefield County Primary, and a secondary school, Sedgefield Community College.

Sport

Sedgefield is home to the Sedgefield Racecourse, a regional thoroughbred horse-racing venue. Knotty Hill Golf Centre is a 45-hole golf course, comprising of Courses A,B,C,D, & E. Course E, recently opened in the summer of 2006, is still maturing. Sedgefield Cricket Club is situated on the outskirts of the town, and is home to a number of senior an junior teams.
The Shrove Tuesday Ball Game still takes place in Sedgefield and is an example of Mob Football. Another popular annual event is the 'Medieval Fayre', which takes place in mid-May.

External links

★ Sedgefield Community Website for Sedgefield, Bradbury and Mordon

★ Sedgefield Town Council

★ Sedgefield Community Website, some local history info, genealogy, tourist information and message forum.

★ St Edmunds Church Website

★ Sedgefield Racecourse

★ Tees Valley Blog — What to See and Do in the Tees Valley.

★ Sedgefield Labour Party