Help save Seaton Delaval Hall

Jul 2 2008 The Journal and the National Trust

If you are unable to attend any of the public meetings taking place to discuss the future of the Hall, click here to answer the consultation questions online.

SEATON Delaval Hall, one of Northumberland’s greatest and most romantic houses, has a long and magnificent history.

The community around it have played an important part in its life ever since it was built by architect, Sir John Vanbrugh, in the 1720s.

Now it needs your help to save it – and to shape its future.

Seaton Delaval Hall will be sold privately if the National Trust cannot step in and save it for the nation. A massive fundraising appeal is being launched and everyone – in Northumberland and across the country – is being asked to help decide the future of the hall, gardens and grounds.

This is an exciting opportunity for everyone to get involved in the future of this special part of Northumberland’s heritage. Overall the National Trust needs to raise £6.3m to save Seaton Delaval Hall, and the Journal is asking its readers to pledge £1m of those total costs. We’d also like to hear your views on what should be there, too.

Should the dramatic ruined hall become an exhibition space or an arts centre? How could the amazing historic stables be used? What would you like to see in the gardens and grounds?

There will be a full programme of opportunities to get involved and visit Seaton Delaval Hall in the coming months, watch this space for information on open days, events and how to get involved. In the mean time, why not join our discussion forum.

If you are unable to attend any of the public meetings taking place to discuss the future of the Hall, click here to answer the consultation questions online.

Please help save Seaton Delaval Hall now…for ever, for everyone.

Space for you

The National Trust wants to hear your views on how Seaton Delaval Hall can best meet the wishes and priorities of the region – how would you like to use the Hall, Gardens and Grounds and how would you like to see them used?

The Trust has come up with the following suggestions to open the debate, these are:

:: The Arts
Romantic and partly ruined, Seaton Delaval Hall offers not only the opportunity for a creative space in which artists can work, but space for a gallery too. Along with the Gardens and Grounds there is ample opportunity for Seaton Delaval Hall to host performing arts events from intimate music concerts to outdoor theatre.

:: Health and Wellbeing
The Hall and Grounds have the potential to provide an invaluable green space for relaxation and enjoyment. As well as a place to walk and jog, and a garden to enjoy, suggestions could include anything from Tai-Chi classes on the lawn and livery in the stables, to pamper days, green gyms and assault courses.

:: Education and Learning
Seaton Delaval Hall can provide endless educational and learning opportunities, and a chance to gain experience through volunteering. Schools could use the property as an outdoor classroom to study the environment, history, the arts, architecture and many other subjects. Areas of the property could even be used to run courses in traditional building skills, thereby helping to address the shortage of tradesmen region.

:: Gardening
Seaton Delaval Hall could be used as a garden-focused attraction providing lots of chances for people to get involved, such as community allotments, stunning landscaped gardens and wildlife havens. There is also a walled garden which could be restored to its former glory. The attraction has the potential to offer South East Northumberland the same type of visitor experience that Alnwick Garden does a little further north.

:: History and Cultural Heritage
Seaton Delaval Hall occupies an agricultural and industrial estate which has been owned by the Delaval-Hastings family since the time of the Norman conquest of the north of England around 1080. Since then, a fascinating story unfolds of this family and their contribution to North East life and industry, as well as the stunning architectural importance of the Hall itself. As a visitor to Seaton Delaval Hall, would you like to hear this story, and if so, how?

:: Other
If you have any other opinions on how you think Seaton Delaval Hall should be run, please open up that debate in the forum or email/write to the National Trust at the address at the bottom of the page. 

Have your say in our discussion forum. 

If you are unable to attend any of the public meetings taking place to discuss the future of the Hall, click here to answer the consultation questions online.

We need your support

The National Trust needs your help to keep Seaton Delaval Hall at the heart of the community. The charity’s trustees have laid down a gauntlet – the community must be at the centre of the plan – so here at The Journal we’re getting behind the appeal, and asking you to get involved too.

The North East needs to get together to raise a target of £1 million by the end of 2008 – that’s just six months away, and for every £1 raised, the National Trust will put in £1.10, so every contribution, however small, really does count.

Whether you’ve visited Seaton Delaval Hall in the past, you see it as a familiar landmark, or you just feel passionate that such an important place should remain available for use by the public, there’s something you can do to help.

It’s not just your cash that is needed. We need volunteer’s for many roles and people to champion the cause and hold fundraising events to help save Seaton Delaval Hall. Whether you are selling cakes to colleagues, or holding a hog roast – it all helps.

Here are some of our top ideas for fundraising events:

:: Hold a who-dunnit party
:: Organise a charity penalty shoot-out
:: Arrange an auction of promises
:: Host a fancy dress party
:: Hold a sponsored silence
:: Organise a quiz night
:: Host an It’s a Knockout day
:: Arrange a gig in your local pub
:: Get your mates together for a sponsored sporting challenge

Could you be a fantastic fundraiser? Do you have your own suggestions to add? Please share your ideas on our discussion forum. If you’d like further information or want to offer your support by volunteering please contact the National Trust at the addresses given at the bottom of the page or log onto www.nationaltrust.co.uk/seatondelaval.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, suggestions or would like to get involved in shaping the future of Seaton Delaval Hall please email: seatondelaval@nationaltrust.org.uk or write to: The National Trust - Seaton Delaval Hall, c/o Holy Jesus Hospital, City Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2AS.

Click here to make a donation online.

If you are unable to attend any of the public meetings taking place to discuss the future of the Hall, click here to answer the consultation questions online.