society; the great fire of 1822, which destroyed an entire wing of the Hall and left the Central Hall as a shell, and th
I S S UE 1 2
SEATON DELAVAL HALL See inside for the full story
IN THIS ISSUE:
Image © Copyright Callum Thompson
Council Agree 2018/19 Budget, Post Office Matters, Christmas 2017 Events, and Public Seating!
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
Stephen Stanners
was pleased that the Council had been able to identify
Chair, Seaton Valley Council
savings in some areas of its business to allow it to reinvest in
T: 07892 696 394
new initiatives, whilst at the same time keeping Council Tax
E:
[email protected]
increases to a minimum.
POST OFFICE MATTERS 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 Pictured above: Representatives from Seaton Sluice Community Centre, Seaton Valley Council and Angela Bettison, Post Office Network Operations Manager.
Seaton Sluice
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.
Residents of Seaton Sluice will be aware that Boots has decided to close the Post Office it operates from its
All parties have agreed to redouble their efforts to find a
Beresford Road store and that actual closure is
solution that ensures Post Office Services continue to be
scheduled to take place in early March
available in New Hartley after Mr Shotter retires.
Post Office Plc has been in discussions with local retailers but
The Council and the Community Association are continuing
has been unable to find anyone willing to take the Post Office
to look for a partner business to share the Post Office
on and consequently the Council and Seaton Sluice
premises with to make the ongoing business model more
Community Association have started their own discussions
viable and would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr
with Post Office Plc to identify a solution that maintains Post
Shotter for continuing to operate the Post Office whilst
Office Services within Seaton Sluice.
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. Volunteers from Holywell village joined Councillors and Seaton Valley Council staff for a Community Litter Pick on Saturday 21 October.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON
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
Christmas Events Feedback
collected from the Lakes & Dales store in Seaton Delaval.
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:
[email protected]
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Every year we hold a competition in all of the Seaton
The winning designs were made into Christmas lights
Valley village First Schools to design a Christmas light.
that were mounted on lampposts for the people of the
The standard of the entries from the children was very
village to enjoy.
good this year and choosing a winner from each village was hard.
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
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.
As part of our services the Council looks after most of the public seating in Seaton Valley.
ALLOTMENT UPDATE
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 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
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.
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
Image © Copyright John Hammond
There’s a very big birthday in Seaton Valley this year, but
Hastings in the latter part of the 20th century. At a time
there’ll be no telegram! 2018 is the 300th anniversary of the
when many country houses were falling in to disrepair and
commissioning of Seaton Delaval Hall, when Admiral George
being demolished, Lord Hastings began a 50-year long
Delaval asked Sir John Vanbrugh to build the beautiful house
programme of works that ensured Seaton Delaval Hall would
that sits on The Avenue between Seaton Sluice and Seaton
remain for generations to come.
Delaval. 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 Its 300 year history is filled with drama: the flamboyant
the Hall to mains drainage and sewerage. Not things you would
Delaval family, the party hosts and practical jokers whose
automatically think of, but much needed to enable us to establish
scandalous behaviour made them the talk of Georgian
plans for the future!’
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
She continues,
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 ‘In 2016 we were awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery
oral history project.
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
In addition, the spaces at Seaton Delaval Hall will be
submitted our plans in an application for further funding from the
re-presented to tell the stories of the outrageous Delaval
HLF to support our ambitions and we will hear the outcome later
family and their antics, from how they made walls disappear
in the spring.’
and suspended furniture upside down, to some of the local industries on which their fortunes were built.
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
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
Image © Dennis Gilbert
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 Image © Copyright John Millar
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
nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall.
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 HALL This 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.
ADVERTISEMENTS 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
Delaval Hartley
Glaziers
Transform Your Conservatory with a Guardian Warm Roof Conversion System
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 All Glazing work ● UPVC Windows French Doors ● Conservatories ● Porches Doors ● Composite Doors ● Garage Doors Open Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm 85 Astley Road, Seaton Delaval Telephone or Fax: 0191 2980 221 www.delavalandhartley.co.uk
for more info – contact Eileen on 07957743145 or
[email protected]
HOUSEHOLD WASTE BIN COLLECTIONS Please remember that bins will be collected one day later than normal
ADVERTISE HERE Contact David Freeman at Seaton Valley Council Call: 0191 237 9870
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.
COMMUNITY SPORT LEISUREACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES COMMUNITY SPORT& & LEISURE
VALLEY MOVES
SEATON VALLEY ACTIVITY PROGRAMME MONDAY Just Jhoom (Adult) - £3.00 6.30pm - 7.30pm Seaton Delaval Arts Centre working in partnership with
OUR WORK Active 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.
TUESDAY Dancercise (Adult) - £2.00 12.15pm - 1.00pm Seaton Sluice Community Centre Street Funk Dance - £2.00 5.00pm - 5.45pm Seaton Delaval Arts Centre Multisports - £1.00 5.00pm - 6.00pm Astley High School Sports Hall
WEDNESDAY Tot Shots Football (3-5yrs) - £2.00 4.45pm - 5.30pm New Hartley Community Centre Archery - £1.00 5.00pm - 6.00pm Seaton Sluice Community Centre
THURSDAY Young @ Heart (Adult) - £2.00 10.30am - 11.30am Seaton Sluice Community Centre
CONTACT
FRIDAY
Sam Moore 01670 622223
Seghill Football (6-9yrs) - £2.00 5.00pm - 6.00pm Seghill Community Centre
[email protected]
Get Active South East www.activenortumberland.org.uk
PHOTO COMPETITION Seaton 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, TRIPOD 2000
Village Life.
More details on the back cover
GetActiveSE
SVC / NCC PARTNERSHIP UPDATE - 1 OCT - 31 DEC 17
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
STREET CLEANING
PUBLIC REALM
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
Grass Cutting / Weed Control Grass cutting and weed spraying operations ceased for the season during October and the winter works programme commenced.
Litter Picking 100% of litter picks and bin emptying has been completed to schedule.
Playground Inspections All playground inspections completed.
Compliments 1 compliment was received from residents regarding refuse and recycling.
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.
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.
Bus Shelter Cleaning Bus Shelter Cleaning is 100% complete for the period.
Complaints No Stage One complaints were received during the period.
Remembrance Sunday Preparation works completed for the Remembrance Sunday parade. Gritting Due to inclement weather, footpath gritting was carried out when required.
Quote of the Quarter Thank you very much to the waste staff.
Budget £557,360
COUNCILLORS AND COUNCIL INFORMATION
Stephen Stanners
Barbara Burt
Karen Collier
Seghill with Seaton Delaval T 07892 696 394 E
[email protected]
Hartley Ward T 0191 237 2712 E
[email protected]
Hartley Ward T 0191 237 0954 E
[email protected]
Susan Dungworth
Simon Hartland
Daniel Nesbitt
Hartley Ward T 0191 237 5531 E susan.dungworth@ northumberland.gov.uk
Seghill with Seaton Delaval T 07709 681 772 E
[email protected]
Seghill with Seaton Delaval T 07432 137980 E
[email protected]
Les Bowman
Eva Coulson
Ann Stanners
Holywell Ward T 0191 237 7032 E
[email protected]
Holywell Ward T 07548 252042 E
[email protected]
Holywell Ward T 07576 431152 E
[email protected]
Chair
Vice Chair
COUNCILLOR SURGERIES Hartley Ward
Holywell Ward
Seghill with Seaton Delaval Ward
Karen Collier
Les Bowman
Simon Hartland
Susan Dungworth
Eva Coulson
To be confirmed
Barbara Burt
Ann Stanners Daniel Nesbitt
10:30am – 12:00pm on the first Saturday of the month and alternate
10:00am – 11:00am on the first
6:00pm – 7:00pm on the last
between New Hartley Memorial
Saturday of the month at the Seaton
Thursday of the month at The
Hall and Seaton Sluice Community
Valley Council Offices in Seaton
Hastings Public House, Astley Road
Centre.
Delaval.
in Seaton Delaval.
New Hartley in February, April,
Stephen Stanners
June, October and December.
11:00am – 12:00pm on the first Saturday of the month at the Seaton
Seaton Sluice in March, May, July,
Valley Council Offices in Seaton
September and November.
Delaval.
COUNCIL MEETING DATES
All meeting dates are available at seatonvalleycommunitycouncil.gov.uk
Planning Meeting
6.30pm
SVC Offices – Seaton Delaval
Wed 28 Feb
F&GP Meeting
6pm
SVC Offices - Seaton Delaval
Thur 8 Mar
Planning Meeting
6.30pm
SVC Offices – Seaton Delaval
Wed 21 Mar
Full Council
7pm
SVC Offices – Seaton Delaval
Thur 5 Apr
Planning Meeting
6.30pm
SVC Offices – Seaton Delaval
Wed 25 Apr
Full Council
7pm
St Mary’s Church, Holywell
Wed 7 Feb
Further information is available online:
Opening Times:
Address:
www.seatonvalleycommunitycouncil.gov.uk
Monday - Thursday
20-22 Astley Road
8.30am – 4.30pm
Seaton Delaval
Telephone: 0191 237 9870
Friday
Northumberland
Email:
[email protected]
8.30am – 4.00pm
NE25 0DG
