Supermac puts his shirt on hall battle

Sep 25 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United hero Malcolm Macdonald will tonight urge the region’s football fans to back the team fighting to save Seaton Delaval Hall.

Supermac plans to put the case for the National Trust acquiring the hall during his Legends programme on Century Radio from 6-8pm.

Yesterday he signed a wooden football shirt carved by artist Bob English, who is donating the work to an art auction in Newcastle next Sunday, October 5.

Almost 100 artists are giving work to be sold in aid of the drive to raise £1m in the North East towards the cost of buying the 18th Century hall and 500 acres for the public to enjoy. The National Trust has promised £6.9m on condition that another £6.3m is raised by appeal by Christmas.

Malcolm said: “There is a fierce pride in the North East among its people and when they realise that a part of their heritage could be lost to the public, they will rally round in a way that only people from the North East can do.

“I would like to see black and whites and red and whites put aside their football rivalry and support the Seaton Delaval Hall campaign.

“The hall is a real gem and a stunning piece of architecture in a fabulous setting.

“My wife and I moved to live near the hall last November and we absolutely support the campaign.”

Bob English, who lives in Blackhill, near Consett in County Durham, works in wood, steel and silver. He created the wooden Newcastle shirt from white ash and black African wenge wood.

Bob has worked in jobs ranging from a plater at Consett Ironworks to lorry driver.

While rebuilding vintage vehicles he restored an old lathe and that led him to take up wood turning and then sculpting.

He said: “I saw Malcolm play a few times and he is a legend in the North East. His is a magical name to have on the shirt. We should look after our regional treasures like Seaton Delaval Hall. Too often we take them for granted.”

The auction will take place from 7pm on October 5 at the Art Works Galleries at the top of Stepney Bank at the Ouseburn in Newcastle.

A catalogue can be downloaded from www.journallive.co.uk/seatondelavalhall

I would like to see black and whites and red and whites put aside their football rivalry