You are at Ceddesfeld Hall (6)
This was formerly the rectory and is now the community centre. The Latin inscription above the door translates as 'By the generosity of Samuel and Shute Barrington, one an Admiral of the British Fleet and the other Bishop of Durham, whose achievements are praised by everyone.'
These benefactors rebuilt the house after a fire. As their nephew was Rector at the time they provided a small stately home with extensive landscaped gardens.
The fire benefited that Rector in another way by cleansing the Rectory of its ghost, the 'Pickled Parson'. The name does not apply to any drinking habits but to genuine pickling. The story goes that a Rector died a week before the annual tithes (rents) were to be paid. His wife concealed the death by salting the body so that the Rector (or at least his body)could be seen while the tithes were being paid. After they had been collected she announced his death. From that time until the fire he is reputed to have haunted the house.
This was formerly the rectory and is now the community centre. The Latin inscription above the door translates as 'By the generosity of Samuel and Shute Barrington, one an Admiral of the British Fleet and the other Bishop of Durham, whose achievements are praised by everyone.'
These benefactors rebuilt the house after a fire. As their nephew was Rector at the time they provided a small stately home with extensive landscaped gardens.
The fire benefited that Rector in another way by cleansing the Rectory of its ghost, the 'Pickled Parson'. The name does not apply to any drinking habits but to genuine pickling. The story goes that a Rector died a week before the annual tithes (rents) were to be paid. His wife concealed the death by salting the body so that the Rector (or at least his body)could be seen while the tithes were being paid. After they had been collected she announced his death. From that time until the fire he is reputed to have haunted the house.
Sedgefield Heritage Trail
