Rare photos on show give insight to Scarth Hall’s rich history

William Thomas Scarth

SCARTH Memorial Hall, in Staindrop, has taken loan of three vintage photographs closely linked to its history – one of which was taken by famed Victorian photographer Elijah Yeoman.
The pictures were originally housed at Raby Castle and will now be on display at the hall so that people can learn more about its history.
The hall, which was built in 1875, was reopened last year after a £500,000 revamp.
Hall chairman Morris Race said: “Before Lord Barnard officially opened the hall, I gave him a tour so he could get a feel for it. I think he was as enthusiastic about it as me. He said he thought there might be some pictures up at the castle and said he would look around. Which he did.”
One of the photographs depicts Thomas Freshfield Scarth, after whom the hall is named, while another is of his son, William Thomas Scarth.
The third photograph, of the South Durham Member of Parliament at the time, Sir Joseph Pease, was taken by Elijah Yeoman.
This photograph is of particular interest because it confirms that Sir Joseph laid the hall’s foundation stone.
Mr Race said: “I’m excited about Lord Barnard loaning them to us because it adds to the history of the hall. No one knew Joseph Pease laid the foundation stone until we got this.”
The pictures will also be of great interest to a newly formed history group in the village, which met for the first time in January. About ten people attended the first meeting.
Hall treasurer Hylene Bowman, who is a founding member of the group, said: “It is a group of people with a lot of interest in the village who want to share their knowledge. Some are interested in the First World War, not just those who died, but those who came back and the effect on families.
“Some are interested in the architecture of the village.”
Ms Bowman, along with fellow history group member Jennifer Priestley, is currently re-compiling a book first produced by a former Staindrop School headmaster, Mr Bromley, in the early 1950s about the history of Raby Castle and Staindrop.
She said few copies of the book remain in existence and one that was kept at the library was in such poor condition that it was no longer available to the public. Another was kept at Raby Castle.
However, recently an original copy was produced by a relative of Mr Bromley which was being used to produce a new publication. The publication was partly financed by the late Lord Barnard.
Ms Bowman said 300 copies would be printed and proceeds from the sales will go to St Mary The Virgin church, in the village.