Catherine and her sons Dylan and Oliver have been visitors to Scargill many times since the house reopened in 2010. When asked what Scargill meant to them the family said the following:

“Scargill is awesome
I really enjoy staying there, meeting new people and doing new things.
I have been going for 5 years and every visit is as enjoyable as the last.
I love the themed events like Summer Fest and Paddington (half term) as it’s really fun and there is lots of other kids there. Going to chapel for morning prayer is special.”  says Dylan

Dylan & Ross Summer fest 2017 and Dylan in the chapel Summer Fest 2015

Oliver, who has become increasingly unwell over the years he has been visiting Scargill says “I love that everyone just accepts the changes to my health and mobility and that I am included and enabled to join in.
Summer Fest is a great joy, meeting up with regulars/friends and making new friends.”

Oliver before making his pathway promise.

As a family Catherine say’s “We all get so much from the all age, come as you are join in as much as you like worship of Summer Fest. The boys both still sing the songs they learn and have screen print T shirts for each year/theme.”

Nick Barker (son of Arthur) shares childhood memories of growing up at Scargill

Scargill was a great place to grow up. I enjoyed the wide spaces and camping on the ledge above the House. The stars were amazing.

I remember my mother cooking for thirty each day when working parties came up from Bradford churches to prepare the House and grounds for opening.

My Father was usually up at the house so we didn’t see a lot of him, but the fun of living with the community made up for that.

Apart from my parents, Brenda Bracewell was the first to come as secretary, and after that others joined.

They were great folk and the picture of us all brings back happy memories.

Father’s and Son’s weeks were fun with caving and climbing as activities. Dick Marsh was a great speaker, making the Christian faith a reality.

I remember the television coming and doing an outside broadcast of a service in the field.

I helped Stephen Butcher who kept sheep in the field.  We enjoyed river bathing at Throstle’s Nest where he and Moira lived.

We helped clean out the main water tank on the hill, which seemed enormous inside.

One day there was a huge thunderstorm. A tree behind the house was struck. Sparks leapt from the phones. From my bedroom window I saw a great fire ball hurtle down the dale towards Kilnsey.

A few keen folk used to walk the Yorkshire Three Peaks all the way from Scargill. I can remember returners in the evening dragging themselves up the drive to finish.