After £500,000 revamp, Staindrop has its hall for all

STAINDROP’S Scarth Memorial Hall has been re-opened after a massive overhaul.
The 150-year-old hall, which was closed for several months while work was underway, now boasts state-of-
the-art cinema facilities, a modern IT suite and a commercial-grade kitchen thanks to a £500,000 Lottery grant.
It was officially reopened by Lord Barnard during a special event last Friday to thank everyone involved in the project. He praised the hall committee for the transformation which, while including cutting-edge technology, has retained the building’s historic character.
He said: “The transformation today is amazing – it is in brilliant condition. I know village halls can struggle in the modern world so it is great to see this remarkable achievement which I think boosts the village enormously.
“All of this is due to the hard work of some many and I am sure with this magnificent revamping, the Scarth Hall will go from strength to strength. It will continue to be, as was originally stated, ‘a hall for all’.”
The hall is named after Thomas Scarth, an agent for Raby Estate, and was opened in 1876 by MP for South Durham Sir Joseph Pease.
The revamp has improved access for disabled people with the installation of a ramp at the back of the building on land donated by Raby Estate.
Last year Scarth Memorial Hall hosted more than 600 events, including a popular weekly lunch provided by Teesdale Day Clubs.
Madeleine Walton, of Teesdale Day Clubs, said the group was looking forward to returning to the hall.
She added: “The hall is even better than I had envisaged. It is incredible and I know our members are very keen to return. The cook is looking forward to getting into the kitchen. We’ve had a look and it is absolutely wonderfully kitted out.”
Referring to an advertising slogan she remembered from her childhood Ms Walton said: “What’s it got? It’s got the lot.”
Staindrop vicar Revd Ken Steventon blessed the refurbished hall before Lord Barnard cut a cake to mark the occasion.
Community groups interested in using the facility are being offered a free first session this month to get a taste of what the hall has to offer.
Committee member Ed Chicken said along with the regular groups that will be returning, some new activities being arranged including pilates and yoga classes.
He added: “On Saturday we had an open day for people to check out the facilities and a delegation from Croft Village Hall visited to find out how we did it, so there is no doubt that the Scarth Hall will achieve its ambition to be a vibrant 21st century hub for a village where things really happen.”
Special events in the near future include a band concert by folk legends Jez Lowe and John Wrightson on November 5 and a “Jazz in the Village” night on December 17.