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The last two meetings of the St Andrew’s URC Wednesday Afternoon Fellowship were addressed by two very different speakers. At the end of February members heard the first part of Sheila McGeown’s talk on the history of Seamer, which in times past comprised more than just the village we know today. The holdings of the overlord of Seamer stretched to Ayton, and included Betton Farm, and great swathes of land which we would not consider part of Seamer these days.

The history of settlement in the Seamer area goes back to the Mesolithic era, and the people who lived - either permanently or temporarily - at Star Carr. Later peoples also made their mark on the landscape, and there is evidence of settlement in Roman time. Sheila suggested that what appears to be a farm, with some Roman artefacts, could have been the home of a locally discharged Roman army veteran.

The Vikings were hereabouts, too. We can tell that from place names, and it would appear that Irton, ‘the tun of the Irish’ was settled by Vikings from Ireland. On to 1066, that pivotal year in English history, when the lordship of the area seems to have passed to the Percy family. We learned of how Seamer acquired a parish church, and a local vicar with lots of influence, and a vicarage which is possibly now one of Seamer’s public houses.

We shall have to wait until the 2017/18 session to hear more about the changes which made Seamer what it is today.

Also present at this meeting were members of the South Cliff Churches Together Ecumenical Group.

The first meeting in March was more up to date, though the subject had its roots in the early part of the 20th century. Bonnie Purchon MBE came to share with us the history of the Boy Scout movement, begun by Lord Baden Powell in 1907.

Baden Powell was a British army general during the Boer War, where he commanded the defence of Mafeking. During his time in South Africa he wrote ‘A Guide to Scouting’, published in 1903, which was primarily intended for military purposes. However, after the war he felt its ideas could be used for the benefit of boys, teaching them many skills, and helping them develop into responsible citizens.

The first Scout Camp was held at Brownsea Island, Poole, in 1907. The Scout movement became very popular, and grew into a respected international organisation during his lifetime; he died in 1941.

The movement proved so popular that his sister Agnes formed and ran a parallel organisation for girls in 1910.

Bonnie told us about the activities in which Scouts, Cubs, Beavers etc can now take part. She shared with us stories of Scout camps, the skills the young people learn, the self-reliance they acquire, and the team-spirit and camaraderie which stays with the young people for life. Now, of course, girls can be Scouts, and the activities for which the youngsters can earn their badges are very different from even 50 years ago as the movement adapts to the 21st century.

At the next meeting on March 22, members will see a presentation of India, where two members went on holiday recently.

Meetings begin at 2pm and are held in St Andrew’s Church Hall, which is accessed by the Albion Crescent door. Everyone is welcome, entry to defray running costs is £2 - this includes tea, coffee and biscuits after the talk.

Further information is available from Mrs P McNaughton on 01723 369070.