‘An ancient village feast which annually falls on the first Sunday after the feast of St Peter’

The Seaton Ross village feast has been part of the local history for many years and in fact, William Watson makes note in his memorandums of 1848 “that it is held annually after the feast of New St Peter”.

In the late 19th century, sports were added to the feast which took place on the first Monday and Tuesday in July and for many years the event took place in the field behind The Blacksmiths Arms at the North End. In 1896, the first Feast committee was formed to provide “a programme of sports and amusements worthy of the occasion”.

Due to regular and generous responses from the residents and hard work by the committee, the feast and sports fund usually had a substantial balance in the bank and with upwards of £18 could provide good music, interesting sports and popular entertainment, free to all.

The services of a local band were usually secured – the Market Weighton Town Prize Band or the Pocklington Brass Band providing music, and for entertainment Professor J.T. Thompson of Knottingley, attended for many years giving “ventriloqual entertainment at intervals, clever manipulations of the figures and drollery of expressions, dialogues and singing”.

The Seaton Ross Feast and Sports continued to be very successful for many years being the annual highlight in village activity.

Malcolm Young