Welcome to the Seale-Hayne web site.

Hello S-H’s all,

A note on these pages to let all subscribers know how things are going at Seale-Hayne and, hopefully, put aside some of the sadness at the changes that we have all seen.

We all of course regret the closing of the College, but we have to accept that it happened and we must now all move on and treasure the great memories of the times that we all had there.

Seale-Hayne suffered from scant care and attention in the closing days under the University and also, regrettably, during Dame Hannah’s tenure. Hannahs had great ambitions but unfortunately could not realise the funding to make it all work.

The new owners, European Land Group came along in 2019 and, in a sense, have saved our alma mater. It’s not difficult to imagine the enormous expense of simply maintaining that magnificent Quadrangle along with all the associated buildings, let alone the additional costs of bringing it all up to a usable standard in today’s world.

The aim of ELG is to create a thriving business community at Seale-Hayne, so restoration works needed to be prioritised before any income could be realised to support the enormous cost of that restoration. The buildings needed to be made wind and weather-tight (including a huge amount of new roofing); the out-dated electrical and heating systems had to be replaced; spaces needed to be prepared and decorated to make them attractive and usable to prospective tenants. And all that, alongside attending to the glorious façade which includes the restoration and re-painting of the countless windows and frames.

Work is ongoing, but Seale-Hayne is now flourishing with many spaces re-imagined and successfully tenanted. It is now a vibrant business community, full of a wide range of Devon-based enterprises and, continuing the long story of education at this historic campus, four specialist schools have based themselves there. The Phoenix Bay School, On-Track Education, a Montessori School and Gem’s Little Squirrels are now all enjoying the same buildings and the same environment that we all enjoyed whilst learning at Seale-Hayne.

SO . . . if you happen to pay a visit to your old college, by all means recall how it was when it was at the forefront of agricultural education and also recall the great times that we all had there. BUT PLEASE, also be thankful that Seale-Hayne is actually still there! And that it is being looked after. And, if you like, follow the next chapter in its long history as an expanding centre for business and education.

Best wishes to all alumni.

News from Ray Bartlett, Chairman, 2024

You may recall in my report last year that I mentioned that the present owner of Seale-Hayne, the European Land Group is being very accommodating in allowing us the use of the Old Library bookshelves for our documents, artefacts and books, but for how long was uncertain. We were anxious that we might be asked to move our archive material out of the Old Library. We have been assured however, that the Old library and Cornish room will not be let, but used as meeting rooms. So for the foreseeable future our archive books, documents and memorabilia may stay on display on the shelves and in the cupboards.

But long term we must find a permanent home for our records at the Newton Abbot Museum, or the Devon Records Office, or even the National Archives at Kew. Your committee feel it is very important however, that our documented records should also be available to alumni/ae et al “on-line”. Accordingly Igg, and Simon Daligan our web manager, are setting about developing an expanded website for our records as a reference point for alumni/ae. In addition, committee member Yasmin Jensen has created and runs our social media site, which has become quite active. These changes must be undertaken because it seems unlikely that we can continue as a club in its present form for much longer. That said, from the contacts on Yasmin’s media site and email enquiries along with comments in our visitor’s book, it is clear that there is still great affection for Seale-Hayne and indeed, a lively interest locally.

It is very pleasing to see that the heritage and ethos of our beloved alma mater is being well respected. So far, renovating the inside of the Grade 2 listed quad is the priority, so that it can be let for small businesses. It is now looking very improved inside. The outside is being repainted gradually, (when it stops raining!)

You may recall that there are six benches in the quad against the wall against North Block. We undertook some restoration of the benches a couple of years ago. Five of the benches have small commemorative plaques affixed; the one on the far left has no such plaque. We have therefore, had a plaque made in memory of Dr Fred Harper, former highly respected Principal of Seale-Hayne and much missed President of the Seale- Haynians Club. We intend to mark the fixing of the plaque at our AGM on Saturday 6th July.

In 2014 The Devon Remembers Society was formed to commemorate Devon during WWI. Because of the S-H Military Hospital, we were involved in some events and discussions. After 2018 this society changed to Devon in the 1920’s and we have been invited to participate in a large event next year, the “Festival of Devon in the 1920s”, to be held at the splendid Devon Rural Archives Centre near Modbury. We have been asked to mount a display of Seale-Hayne in the 1920s. College very conveniently opened for students, Jan 1st 1920. This will keep us occupied for a bit! Watch our website!

As always, I extend a sincere thanks to all the members of our committee and to Angela Blackman and Kate Templeton who weekly attend the Old Library to “archiverate” and put up with me getting in their way. In addition, I would especially like to thank European Land staff, who are very helpful to us when we visit to “archiverate”.

Seale-Hayne Neurasthenic Hospital – First World War