Scarth Hall hosts a wide range of events, open to everyone, and organised by Scarth Hall volunteers or other organisations. Just add your name to our mailing list (via contact us) to keep up-to-date with all upcoming events.

See Regular events for weekly and monthly classes and activities.

And if there is anything you would like to see happen at Scarth Hall then get in touch and get involved.

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Do get in touch if you are interested in any of these activities – scarthhall@gmail.com

There’s lots more on offer to benefit your well being – why not try arts and crafts on Thursday mornings? contact Janeyart@me.com. One of the best ways to find out what’s going on and to meet people is to pop into our Monday morning community cafe; just try and resist the home made cakes! 

Every third Sunday evening is the quiz night – very informal and no need to come as a team. Entry £1 at 6.30 for 7pm start and bar open.

Every first Friday is our open mic night with a range of talent on the stage. 

or gentle yoga Thursday evening? dancing, playing a ukulele or guitar, Kurling, cinema, etc etc – there’s something for you for sure!

TICKETS FOR ALL EVENTS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM http://www.ticketsource.co.uk or Staindrop Post Office. Call 07881248478 for any enquiries. As the hall is run by volunteers, charges are always kept as low as possible. If you call or email, we will respond.

2026

Sunday 3 May Singer Songwriter Sarah McQuaid

Sarah McQuaid’s lush, velvety voice combines with her engaging personality and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience. Her live performances are full of warmth, wit, and intimacy, and have earned her loyal followings on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, she brings the eclecticism of her background to her “captivating, unorthodox songwriting” (PopMatters) and choice of material. From contemplative ballads to playful blues to atmospheric instrumentals, Sarah’s music invites reflection, connection, and a deep appreciation of the quiet power of a well-crafted song.

In the words of one audience member: “Sarah is a truly impressive artist who takes you on a journey through storytelling, blending a variety of musical genres and instruments with ease and creativity. Her lyrics are down-to-earth yet incredibly captivating. Attending her concert feels like diving into a book of short stories — some resonate deeply, some spark your imagination, others make you pause and reflect, and a few bring tears or spontaneous laughter. Sarah’s connection with the audience is both gentle and profound. You don’t just watch a performance — you become part of it, part of the story she’s telling. … To anyone considering seeing her live: go. It’s worth every second. You’ll leave with your heart full and your soul touched — guaranteed.”

Tuesday 19 May at 730.

The Durham Miner Illustrated – A talk by Glynn Wales

Glynn was a History teacher at Ferryhill Grammar School who went on to train teachers at Durham. His wife, Gillian, set up the Gemini Collection with Dr Robert McManners and they all live in Bishop Auckland. They have collected over 400 paintings of coal miners, their families and their way of life, which forms the nucleus of the Mining Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland.

Glynn had been brought up in a mining village, where his father owned a corner shop, having chosen not to go down the pit.

There was a population explosion in County Durham through the 19th century as workers flooded in from all over Britain. Many would work in the pits, others in the iron and steel works, locomotive works and shipyards.

Some miners became artists through the Spennymoor Settlement. Some left mining and painted full-time, even entering academic life. They had come to the pits from different directions, some followed in the family’s footsteps, others had been “Bevan Boys”. The talk is illustrated throughout with appropriate images from the artists, such as Norman Cornish, Tom McGuinness, Tom Lamb, Ted Holloway and many others. 

Glynn looks underground, with images of Hewers and Putters, who worked closely together and were “Marras”. The equipment changed from a simple pick to hew the coalface, to pneumatic tools. Development of the mines had been fragmented, under-mechanised, undercapitalised and strife/strike torn. However, the pits created intensely loyal communities, often tribally at odds with their neighbours!

Glynn recounts miners’ homes, with the tin bath in front of the range; into their pubs, where they replaced the fluid losses from their hot, sweaty work. Mining was hard work and dangerous and there are harrowing faces of those who waited at the surface for news of loved ones after an accident or explosion underground.

Workers in the pits had limited prospects, with maximum earning capacity for the majority actually reducing with age as they were overtaken by fitter, younger men. Bright children went to the grammar schools and on to further education, with only a minority returning to their geographical roots. Glynn, his wife and Bob McManners were exceptions.

Pits closed – Harold Wilson overseeing the closure of more pits than Margaret Thatcher and there was unemployment and the descendants of the men who had travelled far to come to County Durham did not wish to leave their tight-knit communities.

These artists reflected on all facets of life in the Durham Coalfields. They developed their own characteristic techniques and styles of painting, when working underground using whatever media came to hand – bright, resourceful men, recognised now for their art and for the archive that they have left us of an era that has passed.

Friday 11 September Simeon Wood £10

Saturday 17 October Sandi Smith