A VINTAGE watercolour painting depicting Staindrop in the 1950s has been given to the village’s history group who intend to mount, frame and display the work in the Scarth Hall.
The mystery painting was donated to the parish council in March by a woman from Wales whose father once lived in the village.
When it was suggested the painting could be displayed at the Scarth Hall, councillors were told it does not hang any pictures in the main hall as it is used for events, so agreed to offer it to anyone in the village for a small donation.
At their latest meeting Gill and Peter Barr from Staindrop’s history group, said they were interested in finding out the history of the artwork and asked if councillors would consider giving them the painting.
Mrs Barr said: “I think there has been a lot of interest in the painting and I’m here to represent the history group. We feel that we would like to display the painting in the Scarth Hall and we believe we have space.
“I’m also in the art group and there could be space within the bistro there to hang it. It was donated to the village and I think it should be shown in the village.”
She added the group would mount and frame the work, organising it to be on public display.
Cllr David Reed said: “We were informed by a member of the committee that they couldn’t have the painting down stairs.”
Clerk Judith Mashiter said: “I received an email from the chairman of the trustees of the Scarth Hall, Michael Wiley. The hall is willing to display the watercolour.”
Cllr Roger Humphries said: “We got the impression that we couldn’t put a painting up in the Scarth.
“It is because of that we explored all sorts of things.
“I personally was against it going to a private residence and I’m absolutely delighted that it would be kept within the village and on display. It is an excellent solution.”
Cllr Reed added: “It was always the parish council’s intention for it to be kept in the village.”
