Trust bosses issue a rallying call for cash
Jul 22 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
NATIONAL Trust bosses yesterday issued a fresh rallying call to the North East public after a slow start to a fundraising effort to save a Northumberland stately home.
The trust announced recently that it will put forward £6.9m to save Seaton Delaval Hall, in Northumberland, providing that a national campaign can raise a further £6.3m.
The 18th Century building is being sold by owner Lord Hastings and the trust has urged volunteers to help raise £1m in the North East before Christmas.
But the total raised in the region so far is just £5,790 and trust bosses have renewed their appeal for support.
Sadie Parker, acting communications and marketing manager for the National Trust, said: “The National Trust is extremely grateful to all of those people who have donated to the Seaton Delaval Hall fundraising appeal so far. Every gift that we receive, no matter how large or small, is vitally important. We have raised over £5,000 so far which just goes to show that there are many people supporting us, however, we need help urgently.
“If the Trust cannot raise £6.3m by Christmas, we can’t acquire Seaton Delaval Hall and its surrounding green space.
“The National Trust, in partnership with The Journal, has set a fundraising target of £1m for the people of the North East. If just half of the people in the region could give just £1, then our target could be easily achieved.”
If the money is not raised, the building will be sold privately and uses could range from flats to a golf course.
The trust’s conditional plans have been met with widespread support from the community, North MPs and tourism bosses.
A large-scale public consultation process is under way to decide how best to use the hall, gardens and grounds.
Among the suggestions so far are a heritage and arts centre, summer camp for kids and training grounds for students.
Others have suggested work and exhibition space for artists, a venue for music concerts, a centre for health and wellbeing and a garden attraction similar to The Alnwick Garden.
The hall was designed 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.
How Seaton Delaval Hall could be used
A FORUM has been set up on The Journal’s website for you to tell us what you think about the future of Seaton Delaval Hall.
Go to www.journallive.co.uk/seatondelavalhall to tell us your thoughts on these ideas.
The arts: Romantic and partly ruined Seaton Delaval Hall offers the opportunity for a creative space in which artists can work.
Health and well-being: The hall and grounds have the potential to provide an invaluable green space.
Education and learning: An outdoor classroom for schools.
Gardening: The site could be a garden attraction with allotments, landscaped gardens.
History and cultural heritage: The hall occupies an agricultural and industrial estate which has been owned by the family since the Norman Conquest.
You can donate on: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval or call 0844 800-1895 or send cheques to: Save Seaton Delaval Hall, the National Trust, PO Box 39, Warrington, WA5 7WD.
