Fundraising Appeal Launched for New Monument to Mark 1,000 years since King Canute visited Trimdon

Volunteers in Trimdon have launched a special appeal to raise £20,000 to install a new artist designed monument on Trimdon Village Green, beside the entrance to its ancient churchyard. 2027 marks 1,000 years since the famous Viking King Canute visited the village en route to the shrine of St Cuthbert at Durham Cathedral. Legend has it that the village’s name comes from it being the place he “trimmed” his hair, “shaved” his beard and “donned” his cloak before walking barefoot to the shrine.  The original name, Tremeldona, actually means ‘the wooden cross on the hill’ and may commemorate a much older cross, possibly even predating 627, when St Paulinus began converting the Anglo-Saxons of Northumbria. 

To mark this special anniversary of these important events in the community’s long history and to bring villagers young and old together, a group of volunteers from St Mary Magdalene Church are organising a programme of events throughout 2027 for the whole community to enjoy.

The centrepiece of the commemorations will be a new public art piece which will leave a lasting legacy and act as a waymarker for modern day visitors and pilgrims walking the long distance Way of Love path from Hartlepool to Durham. It will be a modern take on the original wooden cross, based on northern crosses from the 8^th to 12^th centuries, such as the Ruthwell Cross and that in nearby Kelloe Church and will celebrate and depict important figures and events in Trimdon’s past. If funds raised are sufficient, a new seating area and information board will be installed and heritage and visitor information in the 12^th -century church enhanced. 

Trimdon 2027 organiser, Adam Luke, added: 
“We want the new landmark to be something everyone in the Trimdons is proud of and that puts us on the map for the next 1,000 years, standing as a testament to our pride in the present and our hope for our future.” 

The commemorations will showcase Trimdon’s rich religious and secular history and tie in with what already promises to be a big year for the region. Professor Michelle Brown, Trimdon 2027 organiser, added: 
“Trimdon has a long history, stretching back 4000 years or more. It takes its name from an ancient wooden cross and 2027 gives us two big anniversaries in its journey of faith, celebrating landmarks in its role in helping to shape the spirit of the North. These will be celebrated in carvings on a new wooden cross, along with figures from more recent times, including mining leader Peter Lee, who were motivated by their beliefs to help improve the lives of its people and the world.”

Donations large and small towards this lasting monument are being sought and anyone who feels able to contribute should send their contribution with cheques payable to ‘Trimdon DCC Upper Skerne Parish’ to the Church Treasurer Mrs G.A. Defty, 10 Front Street North, Trimdon Village, County Durham, TS29 6PF or contact her on 01429 882041 for more information on other payment options. 

An Appeal/Donation form can also be downloaded here (PDF format);
Adam - Trimdon 2027 Appeal pdf