An appeal to the nation
Sep 1 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
A CAMPAIGN to save a North East stately home is being launched nationwide by the National Trust today.
The fundraising plea has been sent to 3.5m National Trust members as part of the effort to generate the £13.2m needed to save Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland.
The trust has promised £6.9m to save the hall providing that a national campaign can raise the remaining £6.3m.
It is hoped that £1m of this total can be raised in the region before Christmas.
This week sees the first public meetings, in partnership with Blyth Valley Council, to decide on the future of the hall and the trust is urging people to book a place at the debate.
The first two meetings will take place at Seghill Community Centre on Wednesday 7pm and at Seaton Sluice Community Centre on Thursday at 7pm.
It is hoped the meetings will provide a forum for people in the local community to explore possible uses for the building. The council will discuss later this week whether to inject public funds into the plan to save the stately home for the nation.
Sadie Parker, spokeswoman for National Trust, said: “Seaton Delaval Hall has so much potential in terms of a tourist attraction and facilities for the community. There are so many options for the future of the hall but we don’t want to make any decisions before we talk to the local community and find out how it can best serve their needs.
“We want the hall to be at the heart of the local community.
“At the meetings we will explain a little bit about the National Trust and then there will be opportunities to ask questions.
“We want people to give us feedback on what they think is best for the hall.”
The hall could be turned into a hotel or a golf club, or another commercial development, unless the National Trust can raise the funds to save it.
Its owner, Lord Hastings, is having to sell the hall, along with its gardens, grounds and a large area of the surrounding countryside, following the death of his parents last year.
The Journal is backing the appeal and a special website address has been set up – www.journallive.co.uk/ seatondelavalhall
A forum on the site allows people to offer up potential uses for the hall. Among the suggestions are a heritage and arts centre, a summer camp for children and training grounds for students studying botany and garden design.
To book a place at one of this week’s meetings call (01670) 773939.
