Seahouses is small semi-remote fishing village with a resident population of around 1,750 people. The defining feature of the village is the 18th century harbour surrounded by heritage coastline designated an area of 'Outstanding Natural Beauty'.

The village is dependent on a seasonal tourism industry which attracts in excess of 100,000 visitors in the summer but leaves one of the highest regional unemployment figures in the winter months.

The North Sunderland & Seahouses Development Trust (NSSDT) was formed in 1996 in response to a Civic Regeneration Study conducted in 1994. The study recommended the formation of a partnership dedicated to mobilising community effort and producing a co-ordinated response to the issues raised within the report.

Aim:

The 'Company' is established for such charitable purposes for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of North Sunderland ('the area of benefit'), in particular for the benefit of young persons (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) as the Committee of management from time to time determine."

Executive Management:

The NSSDT Management Executive is comprised of 19 persons, 12 of these represent voluntary and statutory organisations:

  • North Sunderland Parish Council
  • North Sunderland & Seahouses Retailers
  • Seahouses Fishermen's Association
  • Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council
  • The Trustees of Lord Crewe's Charity
  • The National Trust
  • Tourism Representative
  • The Community Council of Northumberland
  • Northumberland County Council
  • North Sunderland Harbour Commissioners
  • Seahouses and District Council of Churches
  • Seahouses Sports & Community Centre

John Riley, Trust Manager

An additional 6 members are elected at the AGM.

Charitable status was awarded in March 1999 - Charity Number 1075610.

Since 1996 the trust has been involved in a range of community projects including:

  • Creating a Resource Centre in the village including meeting rooms and a 'Computer Classroom'
  • Establishing a "Youth Drop in centre"
  • Environmental projects including renovating the disused railway line, building a visitor bay overlooking the harbour and creating 3 'Heritage Walks' around the village.
  • Worked with Seahouses First School to create a wildlife area.
  • Millennium video project - a video record of last 100 years and looking forward to the next 100. Cost £22,560 by Studio Arts TV Ltd who have moved their office into Seahouses.
  • Community Archive project - a multimedia archive running on from the video project
  • Village web page - community project which now has over 50 businesses advertising on it and receives around 75 visitors a day. www.seahouses.org
  • Sea Shanty festival - 2 day festival in September with art workshops, children's procession, live music and fishing competition.
  • Village newsletter - circulated to every house every 2 or 3 months.

In 2001 Seahouses was designated a Market Town and invited to become part of the Countryside Agency's 'Market Town Initiative'. The first step being taken is a 'Healthcheck' of the area which will lead to the writing of a three year action plan.

For more details visit:
www.countryside.gov.uk
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