Hall fund call goes to business community

Oct 7 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

COMPANY chiefs in the North East are being urged today to make it their business to save Seaton Delaval Hall. The National Trust, which hopes to buy the 18th Century Northumberland hall from Lord Hastings, launches a campaign to persuade 1,000 businesses in the region to each donate £1,000 in the bid to raise £6.3m by Christmas.

Today, a first corporate tour will take place of the hall so that businesspeople can see the potential of the historic site for themselves. The drive is led by Emma Ailes and Verity Bonney, who are based at the trust’s offices in Holy Jesus Hospital in Newcastle.

“We want to involve North East businesses big and small,” said Emma. “There are all sorts of fun ways in which a company’s employees could raise funds and we are trying to get the message across that all donations matter, whatever the size.”

Another message is that if the hall and 450 acres are acquired for the public, the economic benefits would be significant. It is estimated that visitor numbers could reach 50,000 a year within five years – with spin-off benefits for business.

“It would be an investment in the future of the region, both economic and cultural,” said Emma.

Details of tours are available on (0191) 255 7617.

An art auction on Sunday for the hall fund made £12,500. A hundred North East artists donated works for the event at the Art Works Galleries in the Ouseburn in Newcastle.

A Cullercoats social club is the latest body to get behind the hall appeal. The Crescent Club is staging a fund-raising jazz party, with traditional jazz band and food, on Sunday, October 26, 3.30pm-5.30pm.

Ticket, £5, from the club, or Bill’s Fish Bar in Cullercoats, or on 07818 622491.

On Saturday at Seaton Delaval Hall there will be performances of the musical drama Those Naughty Northern Delavals at 2pm and 4pm. This is the story of Sir Francis Blake Delaval as told by Tynemouth writer Roger Burgess and performed by Tynemouth Priory Theatre. Tickets are £10 on the door.

On Sunday, 11am, there will be a 13-mile sponsored bike ride, entry £10, from Souter Lighthouse to Seaton Delaval Hall, organised by Sustrans and the trust. For a shorter challenge people can join the ride at Tynemouth Priory (noon) or St Mary’s Lighthouse (12.30pm). Book a place on (01670) 773 939.