A LOCAL artist has painted a rural farmhouse which was once the scene of a gory murder.

Paul Stangroom, who has lived in Hexham and Prudhoe, painted Belmount Farm between Edmunbyers and Hunstanworth, Blanchland.

But behind Paul's scenic paintings lies a little known murderous story. For on New Year's Day 1880, a bloody murder took place on the farm as Robert Snowball, the master of the house, was hit in the head from behind so brutally that his teeth were knocked out and the hammer was half embedded in his skull.

The case attracted national press attention. On January 12, The Guardian reported Robert had taken on the tenancy of Belmount Farm in May 1878 and that he had lived there with his parents John and Ann. Robert's mother died just weeks before 26-year-old Robert’s life would also come to a horrible end.

On November 18 1879, it was reported, the father and son employed 27-year-old Jane Barron as their housekeeper. She was subsequently tried for the murder and duly acquitted.

Paul has painted Belmount Farm several times and felt personally drawn to the old building.

"I waited 30 years to paint Belmount Farm", he said. "I needed to capture this gently crumbling building in the right light and weather conditions.

"Despite the adders I always saw in the grass when I called there, and the remote location near Hunstanworth, I am drawn to the building. It has an almost continental feel to it, and a warmth, and I can imagine myself living there.

"The shocking Blanchland Murder has left, for me, no residue of trauma in the old farm building – and I was blissfully ignorant of all this at the time that I visited the house and as I was painting the watercolour. I feel it’s a peaceful painting and landscape, despite this bloody blot on the history of the house."

Though Paul and partner Alison have recently moved to Madeira, the paintings are being shown by friend and fellow artist Carol Davison at Gallery in the Mill in Allendale - a short drive from where the murder took place.

Gallery in the Mill opened earlier this year and owner Carol is a lifelong Allendale resident. The gallery currently has an exhibition of historical Allendale photographs.