I WAS posted to Sedgefield army camp in 1954.

I was told by the local people that with St Edmund's Church, the alms houses and the Hope Inn being so close together, the inn was named so that the village had faith (the church), Hope (the inn), and charity (the alms houses).

I don't know if this is historically true but they are now giving some of the old buildings and pubs in Sedgefield really silly names.

The Hope will be called the Impeccable Pig (who was the clever person who thought that up?). The Crosshills has become the Pickled Parson. I have yet to hear what the Black Lion will become.

Sedgefield is rapidly losing its history.

Taff Davies, Fishburn