Stainsby has always been a not-for-profit event run entirely by volunteers.
The festival began in 1969 as part of an arts festival organised by the Stainsby Arts Centre, which was run from the old village school for the benefit of young people from the mining villages that surrounded it in those days.
Some of the people who volunteered at that first festival now bring their children and grandchildren to help at the event today. It is literally built by the community and that community has grown over the years.
Stainsby is a registered charity and all the money we recieve – whether ticket income, donations or proceeds from bar sales – is used to support the charity’s aims.
In 2024, our volunteers were awarded the Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service in recognition of their efforts.
“The highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. The award is equivalent to an MBE and is awarded for life”