Stars of Eurovision join Seaton Tramway for Grand Opening Party!

After 9 months of construction, Seaton Tramway opened the doors on its brand-new £3 million station on 28^th June. The project was 10 years in the making and marked a new era for the East Devon Attraction.

On the 11^th August, to celebrate this amazing moment of history, the new station played host to a grand opening party to honour the new building. Attended by over 200 guests which included local councillors, businesses, staff, project contractors and friends of the tramway, the evening was a special moment for all involved.

Chief Executive, Jenny Nunn had this to say on the night “After several years on the drawing board, I am proud to be stood here tonight to celebrate with you the safe delivery of a new station and the birth of a new era in Seaton Tramway’s long history in Seaton.”

Bruce Warnes, Chair of the board also spoke on the evening, saying “…Now that we can stand in this incredible space which is so much more than a building, so much more even than a tram station. There are many people, too numerous to thank each by name, but who I would like to extend my sincere thanks to for making this happen.”

Food and entertainment was laid on, the evening beginning with local community Djembe drum group, Drum4Fun, who welcomed guests with their fantastic drum routines. Guests enjoyed food provided by Rebel Town Pizza who were also recipients of the making it Local fund, of which Seaton Tramway received £100k towards the new station.

A fabulous cake marking the night was made by Jessicakes, decorated beautifully with trams and scenery from the tramway and topped with a glorious re-creation of the new station in sugar icing.

As part of Seaton Tramway’s new offer with Seaton Tram Station and their Heritage Lottery Project ‘Travels through Heritage and the Axe Valley’ the attraction is working with local communities and groups and invited the brand-new Youth Drama group for children aged 8 to 15 years to perform a medley from their first show, Bugsy Malone, who are based at Seaton Gateway. This was the drama groups first ever performance to an audience. Soloist Mason Castree appeared from beneath the Gilbert the Station Master mask to deliver a set of wonderfully received Sinatra classics.

The cake was cut by Lyn Shears, with help from Bruce Warnes and Jenny Nunn. Lyn and her late husband Trevor, who had a long-standing involvement with the Tramway stretching back to 1977, had an immense passion for the tramway, which continues today with Lyn. Lyn pledged a very generous donation which helped solidify the new Seaton Station project.

The evening ended in a great guest appearance by Eurovision legends, Brotherhood of Man, headlining the night. With all four original members present, the 3-time British number one artists and Eurovison record holders delighted guests with their best loved hits.

The night demonstrated perfectly just what the new station is capable of, from tram station by day and event space by night. The evening wonderfully bringing together the past, the present and future of the Tramway in one memorable night.