Thank you to all our corporate members:

Help from the business community ...

The Friends also look to the world of local business for corporate membership which is recognized by publicity on the Friends’ website, various church publications, newsletters and at Friends’ events. 

We are most grateful for all the support we receive from local companies of all sizes.

Co-op cash to aid conservation of Sedgefield Church

 
Friends of Sedgefield’s St Edmund’s Church have thanked local residents for their support in the recent Co-operative Community Fund project which has seen their charity awarded£1367.48 to help safeguard the future of the ancient building.
 
The money was raised by Co-operative members who nominated the Friends of St Edmund’s to benefit from spending on Co-op branded goods and services.
 
Brian Mutch, churchwarden and membership secretary of the Friends, is pictured (third left) with Co-op staff after receiving the cheque. Left to right are: Hayley Gilbert, Hayley Gibson, Sam Burkill and Katie Rutter.
 
Ron Eyley, chairman of the Friends, said this week: “We were delighted when we were chosen to benefit from the Community Fund and even more pleased when we discovered how much had been raised.  We have a strong, regular congregation at St Edmunds but the cost of maintaining such a large building is huge – over £1000 per week”.
 
Mr Eyley said that belief in some quarters that St Edmund’s had benefited financially from recent church land sales and housing developments in the parish was ‘a complete myth’. 
 
He added: “The land recently sold for housing development belonged to the Diocese of Durham as it was Glebe Land. This will be used by the Diocese to fund its continuing mission and ministry. St. Edmund’s Church is entirely self-funded and the congregation has to work hard to raise enough money to ensure that St. Edmund’s will be here for future generations to use and enjoy.’
Ron Eyley
Media Consultant
Tel: 01740 645854 (direct)
Mobile: 07831 708810
E-m: ron.eyley@btinternet.com

‘Friends’ welcome Co-op fund-raiser

Sedgefield’s ancient church could soon become a warmer and more welcoming building – thanks to the local Co-op.

Friends of St Edmund’s have welcomed news that their group is one of three local groups chosen to benefit from the store’s latest Community Fund project. The other two will be named shortly.

For the next six months, Co-op members can opt to give 1per cent of what they spend on Co-op branded goods to the new church heating system appeal. 

Local residents who are not already Co-op members can obtain the necessary blue card from the local store and then simply register it at membership.coop.co.uk

Alison Hodgson, secretary of the Friends group, said this week: “We are delighted to have been chosen to benefit from the Co-op’s project. A new heating system will be a great step forward as we progress towards making St Edmund’s a true community hub.”

The Co-op has already given the Friends’ appeal a major kick-start by donating a third share of all cash raised from the sale of its 5p carrier bags.

Further information about the appeal can be obtained from Alison on 01740 620912, chairman Ron Eyley on 01740 645854 or membership secretary Brian Mutch on 01740 622302.