seaton delaval hall - …seatonvalleycommunitycouncil.gov.uk.gridhosted.co.uk/wp-content/... ·...
TRANSCRIPT
IN THIS ISSUE:
SEATON DELAVAL HALLSee inside for the full story
Council Agree 2018/19 Budget, Post Office Matters,
Christmas 2017 Events, and Public Seating!
ISSUE 12
Image © Copyright Callum Thompson
Happy New Year and welcome to issue 12 of Seaton
Valley Futures magazine.
First of all could a say a big thank you to everyone
involved in organising our Christmas Events and to the
residents that came along to see the lights get switched
on and join in with the carols. We have some great
photographs in this edition and more to view on our
website.
Each January the Council sets its annual budget. The
Council has worked hard to identify savings in a
number of areas which we will invest in new initiatives.
We will continue to fund local priorities such as; village
events, floral displays, and tackling dog fouling and we
will enhance these services with additional floral
planting and by employing a part-time Animal Welfare
Officer to target dog fouling issues.
We also intend to set up an outreach branch of a local
Food Bank in Seaton Valley. Having an outreach branch
in our area will make this service much more accessible
and visible for those families that need support.
Post Offices are a major element of thriving
communities and I’m pleased that the Council and its
partners are playing an active role in trying to ensure
that post office services are maintained in both Seaton
Sluice and New Hartley – let’s hope that our efforts
prove successful.
I’m looking forward to the planned changes at Seaton
Delaval Hall and keeping my fingers crossed that the
National Trust’s Heritage Lottery Fund Grant
Application is approved. There is so much to look
forward to with new visitor facilities at the Hall and
exciting projects that will involve local people of all
ages. The Council is thrilled to be teaming up with the
Trust to offer its residents a chance to visit Seaton
Delaval Hall for free this spring.
I hope you enjoy this issue of our magazine and I look
forward to seeing you at the various events in the
Valley throughout 2018.
Stephen Stanners
Chair, Seaton Valley Council
T: 07892 696 394
SEATON VALLEY COUNCIL AGREES 2018/19 BUDGET
At its meeting on Wednesday 24 January 2018 the Council
agreed a budget for 2018/19 put forward by its Labour
Group. The approved budget identifies savings in a number
of cost centres which will be reinvested in new initiatives.
Areas of new investment include funding to provide a
number of Cycle Stands at appropriate locations within the
Valley; trialling a scheme to provide large recycling bins
based on NCC’s existing domestic recycling model;
increasing the number of railing floral planting displays
throughout the Valley; employing a part time Animal
Welfare Officer; acquiring a further five mobile Activated
Speed Signs and providing a small budget to take an initial
step towards helping to set up an outreach branch of a local
Food Bank in Seaton Valley.
In addition the Council agreed to continue to provide
funding to resume the process of developing its
Neighbourhood Plan.
In setting its budget the Council agreed to restrict the
increase in its element of the Council Tax to 2%, which is less
than the current rate of inflation, meaning that its Band D
equivalent Council Tax will increase from £114.12 per
annum to £116.40 per annum – an increase of only £2.28 per
year.
In proposing the Council’s budget for the coming financial
year Chair of the Council, Cllr. Stephen Stanners said that he
was pleased that the Council had been able to identify
savings in some areas of its business to allow it to reinvest in
new initiatives, whilst at the same time keeping Council Tax
increases to a minimum.
Volunteers from Holywell village joined Councillors and
Seaton Valley Council staff for a Community Litter Pick on
Saturday 21 October.
POST OFFICE MATTERS
Seaton Sluice
Residents of Seaton Sluice will be aware that Boots has
decided to close the Post Office it operates from its
Beresford Road store and that actual closure is
scheduled to take place in early March
Post Office Plc has been in discussions with local retailers but
has been unable to find anyone willing to take the Post Office
on and consequently the Council and Seaton Sluice
Community Association have started their own discussions
with Post Office Plc to identify a solution that maintains Post
Office Services within Seaton Sluice.
Our early discussions have been positive and it looks as
though it will be possible to host an outreach Post Office
Service within Seaton Sluice Community Centre. Discussions
are ongoing to agree when and how long such outreach
sessions will last.
Please check the Council’s website and both the Community
Centre and the Council’s Notice Boards for further updates
on this important matter.
New Hartley
Discussions are still ongoing between the existing
Postmaster (Steve Shotter), the Council and New Hartley
Community Association about transferring Post Office
Services in New Hartley to a Community based company.
All parties have agreed to redouble their efforts to find a
solution that ensures Post Office Services continue to be
available in New Hartley after Mr Shotter retires.
The Council and the Community Association are continuing
to look for a partner business to share the Post Office
premises with to make the ongoing business model more
viable and would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr
Shotter for continuing to operate the Post Office whilst
negotiations are taking place.
HOLYWELL COMMUNITY LITTER PICK
The group managed to collect ten bags of rubbish during
the litter pick. Holywell Ward Councillor, Ann Stanners said
‘it was great to be joined by so many volunteers from the
village. Thanks to the efforts of the local Partnership Team
there was very little rubbish lying around in the village.
The volunteers have had to get right into bushes to collect
what they did’. She thanked everyone for turning up and
helping keep the village so tidy.
The next Community Litter Pick will take place in Seaton
Sluice in early March. Futher details will be advertised on
our website and in the local area.
Pictured above: Representatives from Seaton Sluice Community Centre, Seaton
Valley Council and Angela Bettison, Post Office Network Operations Manager.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON
Christmas Events Feedback
We are always seeking ways on how we can improve the
services that we provide and would welcome comments
and suggestions from residents about our Christmas Lights
events.
If you have any ideas on how we can improve the
events or general comments about the events
please contact the Council’s Services Officer,
Lorraine Fox, on 0191 2379870 or email:
We welcomed the festive season to Seaton Valley
with our annual switching on of the Christmas decorative
tree lights across the Valley’s five villages.
There were crowds of people who gathered at the
Christmas trees to join in the festive fun and watch the
lights get switched on.
Children from the first schools in each village take part in
an annual competition to design a decorative Christmas
light. The winning design from each school is then made
into a light and displayed on a lamppost, alongside
winners from previous years.
There were a host of festive activities at the events
including festive songs from the Chilli Road Band, carol
singing, free mince pies, mulled wine and roasted
chestnuts and we were also visited by Santa. Children
were able to speak to Santa and give him a letter to say
how good they have been and to be added to his Official
Nice List. Santa’s replies were then available to be
collected from the Lakes & Dales store in Seaton Delaval.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Every year we hold a competition in all of the Seaton
Valley village First Schools to design a Christmas light.
The standard of the entries from the children was very
good this year and choosing a winner from each village
was hard.
The winning designs were made into Christmas lights
that were mounted on lampposts for the people of the
village to enjoy.
The winners and runners-up are:
Seghill
Winner – Isla Bowmaker Bradley being
presented with her certificate by Cllr
Stephen Stanners
Runners-up – Charlie Logan and Rilan
Turner
New Hartley
Winner – Kaden Brooks being presented
with her certificate by Cllr Susan Dungworth
Runners-up – Alice Gowdy and Felix Gould
Seaton Delaval
Winner – Coral Oldham being presented
with her certificate by Cllr Stephen Stanners
and County Cllr Bernard Pidcock.
Runners-up – Gabrielle Kinghorn and
Joshua Nesbit
Holywell
Winner – Cora Miller being presented with
her certificate by Cllr Ann Stanners
Runners-up – Luke Ward and Georgia
Griffins
Seaton Sluice
Winner – Sienna Hales being presented with
her certificate by Cllr Susan Dungworth
Runners-up – Ben Pawsey and Pixie Graham
PUBLIC SEATING
As part of our services the Council looks after most of the
public seating in Seaton Valley.
We had comments from residents that a new bench was
needed on Astley Road in Seaton Delaval to allow a suitable
resting place for pedestrians as they visited the shops in the
village centre.
A suitable bench was sourced and installed and has provided
a welcomed resting place for shoppers.
As part of our ongoing replacement programme, benches in
Seaton Sluice and Holywell were removed and have been
replaced by new bench seats.
The old wooden seat in front of St Paul’s Church in Seaton
Sluice was removed when recent work was done to the wall
around the church. The bench was very old and had started
to rot.
On Holywell Dene Road in Holywell village, the seat looking
out towards Holywell Ponds had also rotted and had to be
removed. A new base and seat were installed in this popular
place to sit and admire the view.
ALLOTMENT UPDATEAs spring approaches our Allotments Register shows that we
have 18 plots available for immediate occupancy, most of
these at our Seaton Delaval sites. We will now be letting
these on a first come, first served basis as residents on our
Waiting List have said they prefer to wait for plots to become
available at other locations within the Valley.
Both our Seaton Terrace and Seghill Road sites saw quite a
bit of investment during 2017 which included; road palings
being laid to improve pathways, overgrown plots being
cleared, boundary fences being repaired, the removal of
some overgrown trees, the renewal of external gates and
locks, and notice boards being upgraded.
Allotments provide the opportunity for fresh air and exercise
and the chance to make friends with other like-minded
people, so if you fancy growing your own fruit, vegetables or
flowers why not give it a go.
Further information on our allotments and how to apply is
available on our website.
Or you can contact our Services Officer, Lorraine Fox, on
0191 2379870.
THE SCENES ARE CHANGING AT SEATON DELAVAL HALL
There’s a very big birthday in Seaton Valley this year, but
there’ll be no telegram! 2018 is the 300th anniversary of the
commissioning of Seaton Delaval Hall, when Admiral George
Delaval asked Sir John Vanbrugh to build the beautiful house
that sits on The Avenue between Seaton Sluice and Seaton
Delaval.
Its 300 year history is filled with drama: the flamboyant
Delaval family, the party hosts and practical jokers whose
scandalous behaviour made them the talk of Georgian
society; the great fire of 1822, which destroyed an entire
wing of the Hall and left the Central Hall as a shell, and the
pioneering restoration works undertaken by the 22nd Lord
Hastings in the latter part of the 20th century. At a time
when many country houses were falling in to disrepair and
being demolished, Lord Hastings began a 50-year long
programme of works that ensured Seaton Delaval Hall would
remain for generations to come.
After Lord and Lady Hastings passed away in 2007, the Hall
was acquired by the National Trust in 2010 following
extensive fundraising support from the local community. A
lot has happened since then, but much of it has gone unseen.
We caught up with Emma Thomas, the Hall’s General
Manager to find out what’s been happening.
She sets the scene:
‘Some of the things the National Trust has done aren’t the most
exciting and have taken a long time, but they’ve been essential to
ensure that the Hall can be enjoyed by future generations. We’ve
rewired and reroofed, we’ve re-laid floors and we’ve connected
the Hall to mains drainage and sewerage. Not things you would
automatically think of, but much needed to enable us to establish
plans for the future!’
She continues,
Image © Copyright John Hammond
‘In 2016 we were awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery
Fund to shape our plans for the future and since I joined I have
been working with the team to develop them. In December we
submitted our plans in an application for further funding from the
HLF to support our ambitions and we will hear the outcome later
in the spring.’
What’s Next?
The plans would enable the National Trust to continue the
restorations works to the Hall, its subsidiary buildings and
the wider landscape including a reimagining its eighteenth
century pleasure grounds. There would also be a new café in
the Brew House – one of the oldest buildings on site, new
visitor toilets in the East Wing Carriage House and the
creation of a new fixed play area in the North West woods.
At the heart of these plans, though, are opportunities for
local people to collaborate with the Hall on a variety of
projects.
Emma says
‘While we were developing our plans we talked to
individuals, schools and community groups locally about
their hopes for the Hall. There seems to be a huge appetite
locally to be involved and it is important that our plans reflect
this. As a result, we hope that our Delaval Dialogues
programme will offer a variety of opportunities for
collaboration and experience within the Seaton Valley. This
includes a project that will offer local school children the
opportunity to create and present some of their work
themed around the spirit of the Delaval family: playfulness,
mischief and mayhem. Pupils will work with inventors and
magicians to recreate some of the Delavals’ notorious tricks
and invent some new ones of their own.’
Other projects include the chance for young children to grow
vegetables in a community allotment space and develop and
test healthy recipes in the new Brew House café; working
with local arts groups to develop and perform their work in
the grounds, and offering ‘open house’ days when Seaton
Valley residents will be able to visit for free and see some of
the creations produced by local groups. Further
opportunities will provide older children the chance to
develop their digital skills, designing and creating digital
responses to the Seaton Delaval Hall story, while local
residents will be able to tell their own stories as part of an
oral history project.
In addition, the spaces at Seaton Delaval Hall will be
re-presented to tell the stories of the outrageous Delaval
family and their antics, from how they made walls disappear
and suspended furniture upside down, to some of the local
industries on which their fortunes were built.
Image © Copyright Callum Thompson
What’s happening this spring?
There are also lots of events and activities to enjoy across the
spring. February half term will see the Hall open for seven
days, with plenty of fun to entertain children including
regular craft session, Make and Do, on Sunday and
Wednesday and a family trail around the gardens, build a den
in the South East Wood and choose a ball from the games box
in the Paddock. February also sees the first signs of spring,
when the Hall’s landscape becomes carpeted with
snowdrops and it is the perfect opportunity to explore the
grounds. See the ancient varieties of daffodils throughout
the wider landscape and spring bulbs in the formal gardens.
Enjoy a cream tea in the café on Mother’s Day (Sunday 11
March), or visit daily throughout the Easter holidays for the
Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt (small charge applies).
What do I need to know?
Seaton Delaval Hall’s Central Hall, Stables and grounds are
open 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays until 25 February
with the exception of 10-18 February when they are open
daily. From 26 February the West Wing reopens and the
property is open daily except Thursdays and Fridays. For full
details of opening times, prices, events and how to join the
National Trust visit nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall.
How Can I Get Involved?
Seaton Delaval Hall is always keen to hear from people
interested in volunteering with the property. Whether you
want to meet new people and make friends, or are looking to
enhance your CV, volunteering is a great opportunity to try
something new and also make a difference to the work of the
National Trust.
Emma says ‘We are always keen to hear from enthusiastic
people and welcome approaches from anyone, regardless of
experience. We have opportunities in a variety of areas
including visitor welcome, room guiding, catering, gardens
and outdoors and events. 2018 is a great time to join the
team as we work towards our vision for the future.’ Anyone
interested in volunteering should call 0191 237 9100 or visit
nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall.
Image © Dennis Gilbert
Image © Copyright John Millar
Free entry!
Seaton Valley Community Council has teamed up with the
National Trust to offer its residents the chance to visit
Seaton Delaval Hall free of charge this spring. Emma says,
‘We held an open day at the beginning of October when local
residents could visit for free and see our plans. It was clear
from the numbers of people who visited and the
conversations we had on the day that many local people had
not been before but were really keen to come back. We want
to give Seaton Valley residents the flexibility to visit when it
suits them, to think of us as their extended back garden and
to enjoy a visit on us!’
Cut out the voucher below and visit Seaton Delaval Hall for
free:
TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SPRING WITH A VISIT TO
SEATON DELAVAL HALLThis pass gives admission for up to four people to
Seaton Delaval Hall during normal opening times.
See below for terms and conditions of use.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF USE:
1. This voucher must be
surrendered upon admission and
is not transferable against the cost
of membership.
2. Photocopies will not be
accepted.
3. There is no cash alternative.
4. This voucher cannot be used in
conjunction with any other offer.
5. Please check opening times
before your visit.
6. Not valid at Seaton Delaval Hall
events where a separate charge is made.
7. Valid until Friday 6 April 2018.
8. Valid at Seaton Delaval Hall only.
9. Not valid Friday 30 March – Monday 2 April inclusive.
10. Maximum admission of four people per voucher which must
include at least one adult.
Want one of these?
Contact your local independent estate agent established since 1994.
There is not a lot we don’t know about the area!
We wont be beaten on fees!
Telephone ML Estates or visit our newly
launched website
www.mlestates.co.uk
Transform Your Conservatorywith a Guardian Warm Roof Conversion System
All Glazing work ● UPVC WindowsFrench Doors ● Conservatories ● Porches
85 Astley Road, Seaton DelavalTelephone or Fax: 0191 2980 221
www.delavalandhartley.co.uk
GlaziersDelaval Hartley
Doors ● Composite Doors ● Garage Doors
Open Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
ADVERTISEMENTS
HOUSEHOLD WASTE BIN COLLECTIONSPlease remember that bins will be collected one day later than normal
during week commencing Monday 2 April i.e. Easter Monday week.
Collection days on the week before will remain unchanged.
Household Waste Bin Collections will also be collected one day later
than normal in the weeks following the May Bank Holidays on Monday
7 May and Monday 28 May.
ADVERTISE HERE Contact David Freeman at Seaton
Valley Council
Call: 0191 237 9870
Holywell St Mary’s ART GROUP
FREE TASTER SESSIONS
WHY NOT COME ALONG AND HAVE A GO?
Tuesday afternoons 1-4 at the Community Centre in Seaton Delaval
for more info – contact Eileen on 07957743145 or [email protected]
VALLEY MOVES S E A T O N V A L L E Y A C T I V I T Y P R O G R A M M E
C O N T A C TSam Moore 01670 622223
www.activenortumberland.org.uk
M O N D A Y Just Jhoom (Adult) - £3.00 6.30pm - 7.30pm Seaton Delaval Arts Centre
T U E S D A Y
O U R W O R KActive Northumberland Sport Development team, Get Active South East, deliver a variety of activities tailored towards you. For more information on any activity please contact us.
W E D N E S D A Y
T H U R S D A Y
Dancercise (Adult) - £2.00 12.15pm - 1.00pm Seaton Sluice Community CentreStreet Funk Dance - £2.00 5.00pm - 5.45pm Seaton Delaval Arts CentreMultisports - £1.00 5.00pm - 6.00pm Astley High School Sports Hall
Tot Shots Football (3-5yrs) - £2.00 4.45pm - 5.30pm New Hartley Community CentreArchery - £1.00 5.00pm - 6.00pmSeaton Sluice Community Centre
Young @ Heart (Adult) - £2.00 10.30am - 11.30am Seaton Sluice Community Centre
F R I D A YSeghill Football (6-9yrs) - £2.00 5.00pm - 6.00pm Seghill Community Centre
Get Active South East GetActiveSE
working in partnership with
COMMUNITY SPORT & LEISURE ACTIVITIESCOMMUNITY SPORT & LEISURE ACTIVITIES
TRIP
OD
2000
PHOTO COMPETITIONSeaton Valley Council are holding our Photography Competition again in
2018. The competition is open to residents of Seaton Valley and there
are five categories to enter; Under 10s, Under 18s, Landscape, Wildlife,
Village Life. More details on the back cover
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
Grass Cutting / Weed Control
Grass cutting and weed spraying
operations ceased for the season
during October and the winter
works programme commenced.
Footpath Edging
Footpath edging began during
November and is now completed
at Beresford Road, Seaton Sluice.
Shrub Bed Maintenance
Floral bedding completed. Shrub
bed maintenance, tree pruning
and hedge cutting carried out at
various locations throughout
Seaton Valley.
Tree Maintenance
The tree maintenance team
completed work at various
locations throughout Seaton
Valley during the period, with 10
trees felled and 12 pruned. The
team have also been dealing with
storm damage.
SVC / NCC PARTNERSHIP UPDATE - 1 OCT - 31 DEC 17
PUBLIC REALM
Playground Inspections
All playground inspections
completed.
Bus Shelter Cleaning
Bus Shelter Cleaning is 100%
complete for the period.
Remembrance Sunday
Preparation works completed
for the Remembrance Sunday
parade.
Gritting
Due to inclement weather,
footpath gritting was carried out
when required.
STREET CLEANING
Litter Picking
100% of litter picks and bin
emptying has been completed to
schedule.
Street Sweeping
The mechanical sweeper
completed all programmed
routes. During the Autumn, the
sweeper concentrated on the
leaf hot spot areas.
Fly Tipping
7 incidents of fly tipping were
removed and investigated
during the period. 4
accumulations and 2 abandoned
vehicles have also been removed
and investigated.
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
Compliments
1 compliment was received from
residents regarding refuse and
recycling.
Complaints
No Stage One complaints were
received during the period.
Quote of the QuarterThank you very much to the waste staff.
Budget £557,360
COUNCILLORS AND COUNCIL INFORMATION
Susan Dungworth
Hartley Ward
T 0191 237 5531
E susan.dungworth@
northumberland.gov.uk
Les Bowman
Holywell Ward
T 0191 237 7032
Barbara BurtVice Chair
Hartley Ward
T 0191 237 2712
Eva Coulson
Holywell Ward
T 07548 252042
Karen Collier
Hartley Ward
T 0191 237 0954
Simon Hartland
Seghill with Seaton Delaval
T 07709 681 772
Stephen StannersChair
Seghill with Seaton Delaval
T 07892 696 394
Daniel Nesbitt
Seghill with Seaton Delaval
T 07432 137980
Ann Stanners
Holywell Ward
T 07576 431152
Further information is available online:
www.seatonvalleycommunitycouncil.gov.uk
Telephone: 0191 237 9870
Email: [email protected]
Address:
20-22 Astley Road
Seaton Delaval
Northumberland
NE25 0DG
Opening Times:
Monday - Thursday
8.30am – 4.30pm
Friday
8.30am – 4.00pm
6.30pm SVC Offices – Seaton DelavalPlanning MeetingWed 7 Feb
6pm SVC Offices - Seaton DelavalF&GP MeetingWed 28 Feb
6.30pm SVC Offices – Seaton DelavalPlanning MeetingThur 8 Mar
COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
Wed 21 Mar
Thur 5 Apr 6.30pm SVC Offices – Seaton DelavalPlanning Meeting
7pm SVC Offices – Seaton DelavalFull Council
Hartley Ward Holywell Ward Seghill with Seaton Delaval Ward
Les Bowman
Eva Coulson
Ann Stanners
10:00am – 11:00am on the first
Saturday of the month at the Seaton
Valley Council Offices in Seaton
Delaval.
COUNCIL MEETING DATES All meeting dates are available at
seatonvalleycommunitycouncil.gov.uk
Karen Collier
Susan Dungworth
Barbara Burt
10:30am – 12:00pm on the first
Saturday of the month and alternate
between New Hartley Memorial
Hall and Seaton Sluice Community
Centre.
New Hartley in February, April,
June, October and December.
Seaton Sluice in March, May, July,
September and November.
Simon Hartland
To be confirmed
Daniel Nesbitt
6:00pm – 7:00pm on the last
Thursday of the month at The
Hastings Public House, Astley Road
in Seaton Delaval.
Stephen Stanners
11:00am – 12:00pm on the first
Saturday of the month at the Seaton
Valley Council Offices in Seaton
Delaval.
Wed 25 Apr 7pm St Mary’s Church, HolywellFull Council
