National Trust puts faith in historic hall

Jul 4 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

NATIONAL Trust chiefs yesterday outlined why the organisation dug deep into its pockets with an offer to invest almost £7m in a North East stately home.

The Journal revealed yesterday how the trust is involved in a £13.2m package to save Seaton Delaval Hall in south east Northumberland, together with 500 acres of gardens and parkland, for the people of the region.

Sir William Proby, chairman of the Trust, was at the hall – already dubbed the People’s Palace -– for the launch of an appeal to raise £6.3m before a deadline of next January, after which the building would probably be sold privately for commercial use.

The hall is being sold by owner Lord Hastings and a target has been set to raise £1m in the North East.

Sir William said that the £6.9m endowment to care for the hall offered by the National Trust trustees was the biggest sum to be tabled from the body’s central funds in his five years as chairman.

But it is strictly conditional on the matching funding of £6.3m being found for the early 18th Century hall, which is the work of Blenheim Palace creator Sir John Vanbrugh.

Sir William said that if Seaton Delaval Hall had been “just another country house”, it was unlikely the trust would have made a move.

“However, Seaton Delaval is a magnificent building and, with its surrounding estate, there is an extraordinary amount of history there.”

What also counted in the hall’s favour was that a fire of 1822 had left the central block a shell, which had created a large space which could be used like a “stone marquee” for a variety of activities. “It means that we could do things here that we couldn’t in other country houses,” said Sir William.

The 500 acres would also act as a green lung for more than a million people who live nearby on Tyneside and in south east Northumberland.

He said: “Seaton Delaval is incredibly important for the local and wider community in the North East and a lot of people would come, not least to enjoy the garden and parkland peace, tranquility and security.”

It would also appeal to an international tourism market, including cruise ships calling at the Tyne, which wanted a top quality heritage experience.

The trust realised that the appeal was being launched in a difficult economic climate, that the North East was not a wealthy region and that the London Olympics was putting pressure on funding.

“We know it is a big ask, and a considerable challenge. Personally, I would be very sad if the appeal failed to reach its target,” said Sir William.

“But this is a one-off chance and if everybody pulls together, we will get there. I think that people will be fired up.

“We were very convinced by the enthusiasm and vision of the National Trust team in the North East, who have come up exciting proposals.”

The trust will also hold its biggest ever public consultation about uses for the hall, and Sir William said that it was right that it should be driven by the North East.

“It is not up to the trust in the south to dictate any blueprint,” he said.

To air your views on Seaton Delaval Hall, click here

To make a donation directly, click here or call 0844 800-1895

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

Exceptional

THE saving of Seaton Delaval Hall would be part of the cultural regeneration of the North East, National Trust director general Fiona Reynolds said yesterday.

Speaking at the fund-raising launch at the hall, she said: "This is a quite exceptional historic estate and we are asking the people of the North East if they will help us in making this exciting acquisition, because we can’t do it by ourselves.

"Cultural regeneration is about building confidence in a place and there are many examples of that in the North East, such as The Sage. That draws in its wake other investment and jobs, because a good environment is important for employers."

It is hoped that, if the £6.3m needed is raised in the next six months, the property could be open by next spring, with an annual visitor figure of 50,000 anticipated in five years.

There was a boost for the Seaton Delaval Hall campaign yesterday when 50 members of the National Trust’s council toured the building and gardens.