No mere village by the sea

Geographically, the village has some remarkable features. It stands in the wide valley which separates two very different landscapes - the North York Moors and the Wolds. Much of the land to the south consists of deep reed peat, which in places can be as much as 30 feet in depth.

Undoubtedly, the oldest building is St Martin's Church. Parts of the present building, the nave and the chancel, and some of the windows, date back to the Norman Conquest. There have, of course, been several restorations since then, including the tower, and it is thought that the church originally had a spire.

The older traditional cottages in the village are now outnumbered by comparatively modern dwellings. There are several businesses, garages, a hotel, pubs, a good general store and post office. There is a school and pre-school and a WI to mention just a few of the facilities. However, village carpenter Allan Wilson feels things ain't what they used to be!

"I was born in the village," he said, "and it seems that many of the old traditions are dying out. I don't think there is the same sense of community any more. We used to have the old Seamer Fair. This was the genuine gypsy horse fair and people came from miles around. Great times. The horses used to go up and down the street, but they aren't allowed now."

In spite of his moments of nostalgia, Allan is very happy in his work and has always enjoyed working with wood.

In fact, he is actually carrying on a long village tradition, as there has been a joiner here for almost 100 years.

"I always wanted to be a joiner and used to come here to this shop when I was younger. It's just general joinery work, windows, doors, staircases, that sort of thing. No mass-production stuff. I've done quite a bit of restoration work too, in the church and church rooms and at the old vicarage."

Allan returned to the subject of past times: "It would be good if we still had the horse fair. I suppose if enough people really wanted it, the road could be closed. There is a lot of traffic, though."

In theory, the B1261, which is Seamer's Main Street, should not be too busy but, in practice, it is.

As parish councillor Ruth Clark explained: "It is becoming something of a 'rat run', with drivers using it as an alternative route into Scarborough and, unfortunately, people don't stick to the speed limit.

"Traffic-calming measures are presently being done, though, and the council is pressing for a mini-roundabout at the bottom of Stoney Haggs Road."

Ruth has lived here for 28 years and has always taken an interest in village life.

"I joined the council because, with children of my own, I wanted to know more about what was available for them, and I wanted to be involved in helping to develop local resources."

Ruth runs the parent and toddler group and also helps with the Seamer pre-school. She is presently doing a diploma in pre-school practice.

Supervisor of the pre-school Ginny Wilkinson said: "It is a community-run pre-school and was set up 19 years ago by two local ladies who felt there was a gap to be filled.

"We have 49 children now, and five trained staff. A good number of parent helpers, too, means we have a high ratio of adults to children and so the children get a lot of individual attention."

The children obviously have great fun, with a large sandpit, slide and climbing frame and numerous other activities.

"They also have structured lessons, a specially-tailored curriculum which links in closely with schools."

Most people have heard of Jail House Rock, but what about Jail House short back and sides? Apparently if you fancy a haircut while in Seamer - you will certainly end up in a cell.

The Old Jail Barbers Shop, complete with red and white pole, is the domain of master craftsman in hairdressing Roger Barker.

He explained: "Before I turned it into a barber's shop, there was a transport office here, but way back in 1837, the building was a private jail for the Londesborough Estate."

Roger first got the idea of being a barber when he was six years old and visited the hairdresser with his mum. It is very obvious he really enjoys his work, joking with his customers as he snips away.

"I cater for the complete age range, from babies to granddads. I do highlights as well, usually for teenagers, any colour they fancy. People don't just come in for haircuts, though. They come to have a laugh and a friendly chat. In fact, they often get the news here before it reaches the papers."

A piece of news which reached the local papers in 1968 related to one of the village pubs. The pub was originally known as the White Horse and was later changed to the Grey Mare. In 1968, it was renamed yet again to the Copper Horse and opened by top Yorkshire cricketer Freddie Truman.

Helen Biggins and her two partners, Graham and Norma Davies, bought the pub three years ago.

Helen said: "It's thought the name is unique in the country, but I'm not sure about that."

Unique or not, the Copper Horse has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and offers a tempting range of food.

"Our restaurant is very popular and we have an excellent head chef, David Widdrington. One of his specialities is crispy roast duckling with juniper berry and orange sauce. Steak pie is a firm favourite as well."

Some of Seamer's traditions may have died out but its community spirit is alive and growing. The village has an air of busy-ness about it. Long may it prosper!

Updated: 12:38 Wednesday, April 14, 2004