For three days next week, local families and visitors to Sedgefield’s ancient parish church can get a glimpse of how the town looked in days gone by – thanks to a large and colourful scale model recently donated to the town’s Local History Society.

It’s the work of the local Sutherland family and depicts Sedgefield during the 1850s in minute detail. “Those who have already seen the model have been very impressed”, said History Society founder-member Haydn Neal (pictured centre with History group member Norma Neal and parish emeritus warden Brian Mutch) this week.

The model will go on display at St Edmund’s Church as part of the nationwide English Heritage Open Days festival when visitors can explore the special features of the centuries-old church at times when the building is not normally open to the general public.

When the festival ends, it is planned to give the model a permanent home in the north transept which, subject to the necessary approvals, may eventually be converted into a local heritage centre.

The church will be open from Thursday, September 16th to Saturday, September 18th between 10am and 4pm. Entry is free.

Brian Mutch said this week: “Now that the C19 restrictions have eased, we’re expecting people from many parts of the country who want to discover more about our beautiful Elizabethan chancel screen, 14th century tombs, mysterious skeleton brass plaque and the axe-marks made by the original Norman builders. The History Society’s model will be another valuable attraction.”

Since they were launched in 1994, Heritage Open Days have become Britain’s largest and most popular grassroots heritage event. The festival is managed by the National Trust and funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Further information is available from Brian on 01740 622302.

 

Page added 8th September 2021

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