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The Seaton Visitor Centre Trust

Over a period of 10 years the Seaton Visitor Centre Trust (SVCT) has worked to promote the concept of a Visitor Centre in Seaton. This has culminated in a joint vision prepared by EDDC, DCC, the Jurassic Coast Team, and ourselves. Central to this vision is the desire to create a permanent centre that celebrates, through innovative and highly enjoyable discovery, exhibits and events, the natural wealth of the area.

This wealth includes the geology (both the “walk through time” - three major eras of Earth’s history being accessible from Seaton - and the two major landslips, the Undercliff and the Hooken) together with the Axe Estuary Wetlands. 

It has always been the Trust’s intention that the Centre should be for the benefit of local residents - a venue for education, art and community activities, as well as for tourists throughout the year. Several public presentations to a packed Town Hall have demonstrated that there is great enthusiasm among the general public for this Centre.

SVCT has engaged the community with a variety of projects including working with local primary and secondary schools to design the banners now adorning Seaton sea front. This year we jointly produced (with theatre groups from a wide local area) the sell-out community play “Winifred”. We also obtained £9,000 of grant funding for the “Seaton 360” project working jointly with the East Devon District Council’s Countryside Service. As well as a year-long programme of events, this project has trained over 80 people to head future group activities such as walks, work parties and identifying flora and fauna in the area.

There is a strong ethos of volunteering within Seaton, evidenced by the great number of organisations successfully established and run by volunteers – two examples being Seaton Town Hall and the Axe Valley Heritage Museum.

The Trust is committed to continuing its level of activity to both assist the operator in making the Centre financially viable and to continue to engage the community. The Trust can provide volunteers to support, promote and staff the Centre under the guidance of an Operator.

Donald Campbell, Trustee, Seaton Visitor Centre Trust - October 2011

Page last updated on 25 May 2012