On the 16th January the Climate Change Solutions Centre’s bid for the
Seale- Hayne site was launched in the Seale Hayne Refectory; a great
space with stunning views.

Over twice the number of people came than were expected: press, local
business people, local government, academics, organisations and
interested individuals.

Many had travelled from across the region through extremely bad weather.
Before the launce started, the rain was falling heavily but the sun came
out during the presentations and it felt like anything was possible

With a packed agenda, an exciting afternoon was expected. At 2:00 pm
the Press arrived and the formal presentations began. Victoria Whelan
introduced the team and gave a brief schedule to the afternoon. This was
followed by an inspirational presentation of the Vision for the Climate
Change Solutions Centre by Leighton King, the Bid Coordinator.
A more detailed breakdown of the project was delivered by Dr Martin
Bloxham. This was followed by a short but important presentation from
Dr Eirene Williams, a former member of the Seale Hayne staff, on the
Future of Seale-Hayne. Finally, a Call to Action was delivered by
Mark Austin, the Commercial Coordinator.

The presentations were followed by interviews, a question and answer
session, and tea and coffee which allowed everyone to network.

An ex Seale Hayne student who was present during the launch noted that
Charles Seale-Hayne would have approved of this re-purposing of the Seale
Hayne estate and as the sun shone there was a feeling of rightness
amongst the audience in the proposed Climate Change Solutions Centre.

Suddenly it felt as if the Climate Change Solutions Centre will be a reality.

Now the work begins!

Western Morning News SEALE-HAYNE SITE STRUGGLE

11:00 - 17 January 2008

An environmental group has launched its vision for a climate change centre
on the site of a former agricultural college.

Seale-Hayne Climate Change Solutions Group yesterday announced its
bid with a warning that we have "only ten years" to solve global warming.

The organisation is one of a number of parties bidding to take over the
400-acre Seale-Hayne agricultural college site in South Devon. It wants
to create a "new Bletchley Park" in the war against global warming.

The plan is to create a focal point that assembles the best people,
practices and technologies available in the UK to address climate change.
It will then work at creating practical solutions which can form best practice
for local councils, communities, individuals ands businesses.

Seale-Hayne Agricultural College closed in 2005 as part of the
restructuring of the University of Plymouth.
The sale of the 92-year-old building could raise millions of pounds.

Leighton King, bid coordinator, said Seale-Hayne sat in the centre of
academic and natural resources. He said the new centre would utilise
the skills of researchers at universities in Exeter and Plymouth and create
an eco-friendly housing village on the site. The site is up for sale as a
closed bid through commercial property agents GVA Grimley of Bristol.
The second stage of the bidding process will conclude on March 14

Mid Devon Adevrtiser - Below.