Save Seaton Delaval Hall for the nation!

[Nemesis]

No, not a SAVE campaign, thankfully the National Trust seems to have learned something about rescuing buildings though!

I'm thrilled - it's a wonderful place, please consider a donation:


http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/newcastle-campaigns/seaton-delaval-hall/


http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2008/07/03/national-trust-launch-bid-for-delaval-hall-61634-21219402/

 

[Nemesis]

Some good ideas:

http://forums.journallive.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=10331

 

[Nemesis]

More from Building Design today:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3118036&c=1

 

[Nigel Watts]

Despite its complete appearance from the outside I believe it is little more than a burnt out shell.

One of the joys of the rather idiosyncratic form of Baroque architecture that flourished briefly in England under Vanburgh and Hawksmoor was the dramatic use of interior space (think of the staircase halls of Blenheim and Castle Howard). It would therefore be nice to see some attempt made to reinstate these, but I somehow doubt it will happen.

 

[Nemesis]

No, there's more to it than that. It's wonderfully atmospheric, though.

http://www.seatondelaval.org.uk/hall/Hall.html


http://www.seatondelaval.org.uk/hall/Hall-History.html

Seen above the trees in the park is a stone mausoleum with a majestic lead-covered dome and a portico resting on huge monoliths weighing several tons. It was erected by Lord Delaval to his only son, John, who died in 1775 aged 20, “as a result of having been kicked in a vital organ by a laundry maid to whom he was paying his addresses.”

 

[Nigel Watts]

I see the fire which gutted the main block was as long ago as 1822. I guess that means there wouldn't be much to go on to attempt a restoration of the interior, like some of those poigniant black and white Country Life photos of houses destroyed or demolished in the 20th century.

In spite of its semi ruinous condition, I agree that SD is an extraordinarily important and precious building and anything which helps to preserve its future has to be applauded.

 

[Nemesis]

It's actually not as bad as it sounds inside - not exactly ruinous - I first went there many, many years ago, over forty in fact, when studying for A level art history, and was captivated! It has statues in niches, all rather ghostly, and isn't totally devoid of detail. Possibly the stripping away of the decoration has allowed other architectural ideas space to be appreciated.

I must visit again!

I do hope the Trust can manage the purchase, it's not actually a lot of cash, as we only have Wallington and Cragside as Trust 'big houses' in the region, really, and this would give a secure and useful future for the place. It's at the coast too, and the area could do with a visitor attraction, and regeneration.

 

[Nemesis]

There's a small internal picture here

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/architecture_and_design/article4270426.ece

and a very interesting article.

Further pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/howick/tags/seatondelaval/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2005/07/04/coast05walks_stage6_walk.shtml

http://images.google.co.uk/images?gbv=2&ndsp=20&hl=en&q=+site:flickr.com+Seaton+Delaval+hall

 

[Nemesis]

Well, it looks like it's going to the wire... but hopefully it will be saved:

http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART63477.html


Here's the splendid John Grundy (who does wonderful and entertaining architecture progs on telly oop here) Part I with the rest if you look at the right:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Uarrq4aK2hI&feature=related

 

[Nemesis]

Another video - with Dan Snow:

http://vimeo.com/2240787?pg=embed&sec=2240787