National Trust launch bid for Delaval Hall

Jul 3 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A BOLD £13.2m bid will be launched today by the National Trust to save one of the North East’s heritage masterpieces.

The trust has just six months to raise funds to acquire Seaton Delaval Hall, in south east Northumberland, which is being sold by Lord Hastings.

The aim is to not only turn the 18th Century hall into a major visitor attraction but also to use the building and surrounding 500 acres for a wide range of public activities and events.

The hall has the potential to become the People’s Palace, said David Ronn, trust North East regional director.

“Some of our finest architectural historians believe this is one of the greatest houses ever built in Britain – a justifiable source of pride for every Northumbrian and Geordie.”

It is considered that the location of the hall between Blyth and Whitley Bay, close to the coast and the Tyneside conurbation, makes its acquisition even more vital in terms of the economic and cultural boost it would deliver.

Mr Ronn predicted: “It can become a beacon and an engine – akin to the Baltic and Sage centres, the Alnwick Garden and the Angel of the North – for the cultural regeneration of our region.”

The hall is rated as a masterpiece by the architect Sir John Vanbrugh, who started work in 1718 on the project which was to take more than 10 years. Among other Vanbrugh works are Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard in Yorkshire.

In a radical and unprecedented departure from previous acquisitions, the trust is staging its biggest ever public consultation to ask the public to decide how they would like to use the hall, gardens and grounds and to become an active part of the planning and fundraising.

The trustees of the National Trust have promised £6.9m to provide an endowment to care for the hall and parkland in perpetuity.

But that leaves the trust to find another £6.3m by January, with the hall likely to be sold privately if the funding bid fails.

An urgent national campaign will be rolled out to raise the £6.3m, with £1m the target set for an appeal to people in the North East.

The regional appeal is being backed by The Journal, which has set up a special website.

If success is achieved, it opens up exciting opportunities to make the most of the hall and its surrounding landscape, including Seaton Sluice harbour and beach, the adjacent early 12th Century Church of Our Lady, nearby Holywell Dene and the regeneration planned for Whitley Bay’s seafront.

Fiona Reynolds, director-general of the National Trust, said: “There is a real sense of urgency. We need the support of the people of the North East.

“Seaton Delaval Hall is absolutely stunning. There is something incredibly special about it and this is a real opportunity for everyone in the North East to help save it and decide what to do with it.

“Seaton Delaval has been at the heart of the local community for centuries and we want the public to tell us what its future should be.”

Lord Hastings said: “My father spent many years restoring Seaton Delaval Hall and its gardens and putting together the collection within the house. He was very supportive of public access to the land and coast owned by the estate.

“I am very keen to see his vision continued and to safeguard the future of the house. Therefore I would like to give the National Trust every opportunity to acquire the property.”

Dave Stephens, leader of Blyth Valley Council, said: “Seaton Delaval Hall can do for us what the Alnwick Garden has done for our neighbours to the north, or even the famous Guggenheim museum did for Bilbao. It is a huge opportunity and we should all support it.”

John Bridge, chairman of the National Trust in the North East, said: “This is a big challenge for the region, but I am sure the North East will rise to it.

“Seaton Delaval Hall played an amazing role in the birth of the industrial North East. We now have the opportunity to make it once again a dynamo for the future of the region. The North East relishes challenges and they don’t come much bigger than this.”

How to help

Air your views on Seaton Delaval Hall by going to www.journallive.co.uk/seatondelavalhall

You can make a donation directly on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seatondelaval or call 0844 800 1895.

Cheques can be sent to: Save Seaton Delaval Hall, the National Trust, PO Box 39, Warrington, WA5 7WD