President: Trevor Pearson FSA
Vice-Presidents: Christopher Hall, Keith Johnston
Chair: Simon Temlett
Vice Chairs: Mark Vesey, Vanessa Milner
Secretary: Keith Johnston
Treasurer: Martin Bland
Editor of Transactions: Keith Johnston
Fieldwork: Chris Hall & Elaine Jamieson
Membership: Sue Ogilvy
Minutes: Emma Temlett
Programme: Trevor Pearson
Publications: Emma Temlett
Publicity: Mark Vesey
Social Media: Gareth Davies
Web master: Simon Temlett
Members: Stephen Gandolfi, Stewart McDonald, John Oxley, Alison Spencer, Andrew Volans
Trevor Pearson – Chair of the Trustees
Martin Bland
Chris Hall
Keith Johnston
Vanessa Milner
Sue Ogilvy
Simon Temlett
Current SAHS roles: Vice-president, Field Officer, Trustee
Previous roles: Assistant secretary, Secretary, Chairman
I grew up in Great Ayton and I think my interest in archaeology started when somebody (possibly my granddad) showed me some excavations on the moors near the village. I would be about 8 or 9 and I now know that it was Raymond Hayes excavating the chambered cairn on Great Ayton Moor.
My first taste of excavating while I was in the 6th form at Guisborough Grammar School. At Durham University I studied Geography specialising in historical geography - this was more akin to what we now call landscape archaeology. At Durham, an Honours degree had to be accompanied by subsidiary subjects, Archaeology and Anthropology is my case. I did some excavating with the University archaeology department, but my main interest at that time was Industrial Archaeology carrying building recording on windmills and beehive coke ovens.
I joined SAHS in 1976, within a couple of months was a Committee member and I got involved with Peter Farmer’s excavation at Eastborough/West Sandgate. Later, I worked with Peter at 113 Longwestgate.
In December 1986, the County Archaeologist asked Trevor Pearson and me to investigate a site at East Sandgate. This proved to be the start of a nearly thirty year campaign of urban excavations the highlights of which for me have been the discovery of the Old Borough defensive ditch at Leading Post Street; the discovery of the site of St Sepulchre Church at Springfield and the discovery of the medieval Quay alignment at the Marine Engineers site. Other work that I have been involved with for the Society has included excavations at the Saltwick Alum works (a very challenging but rewarding project) and the square enclosure on Seamer Moor.
Independently of the Society I have excavated with the late Prof Philip Rahtz; Blaise Vyner; University of York and York Archaeological Trust.
My current area of research is bricks and brickmaking. But if a nice harbourside site came up, I would be really pleased.
Inspired by a schoolteacher who kept Iron Age cremation burials under his desk, I have a lifelong interest in Archaeology. This ranges from ancient technology to industrial archaeology and from medieval buildings to Roman engineering.
I have been involved with SAHS for over 20 years and have been involved in a number of excavations often (it seems) involving cutting and drilling through concrete floors in Scarborough town.
Currently I maintain the social media streams for The Society and am keen to use all possible methods to promote history and archaeology to a wide audience.
Current SAHS roles: Secretary, Editor of Transactions, Trustee
I’ve always been fascinated by the past and studied History at Leeds University before taking up a teaching position at Scarborough Sixth Form College, where I spent my whole career. It was there that I first met Jack Binns, a very important figure in the study of Scarborough’s history and a great influence on me. He introduced me to the Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society, of which I’ve been a member for many years.
While in employment I tried to find time for my own research, but it is only since I retired, slightly early, in 2012 that I have been able to concentrate on such topics as the development of Scarborough as a holiday resort, the growth of tourism in the English Lake District, war memorials of the First World War, historical pageants in Yorkshire and the bombardment of Scarborough in December 1914. I enjoy giving talks on these, and other, subjects. I am currently a part-time MA student at the University of York, thoroughly enjoying the MA in Modern History course.
I value many different aspects of being involved in the Scarborough and Archaeological Society, not least the companionship of like-minded people and the opportunities to work with other organisations, including the Scarborough Museums Trust, the Friends of Dean Road and Manor Road Cemetery and the Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre. With members of the first two organisations I’ve recently been working on a booklet of walks connected with the 1914 bombardment and I’m glad to say that it has now been published.
Vice Chairman & Press Officer. Member of the Society since 2004 also chairman of the Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre.
Current SAHS roles: President, Programme Secretary, Trustee
Previous roles: Projectionist, Chief Warden
I grew up in Scarborough and I think my interest in archaeology started in 1966 when the town celebrated the 1,000th anniversary of its founding by Icelandic Vikings. I thought how exciting to think there is the remains of a Viking settlement underneath the modern town waiting to be unearthed. That was nearly 50 years ago and we are still looking for it!
I joined the Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society in 1975 and my first taste of excavating was in early 1976 on a dig organised by Peter Farmer at the corner of Eastborough and West Sandgate. The following year I worked with Peter on a dig at the back of 113 Longwestgate but later that same year I left Scarborough to study archaeology at Durham University.
Although my pursuit of a career in archaeology took me away from Scarborough, I always kept in touch with the Society and In December 1986, when I was working at Birmingham University, the County Archaeologist asked Chris Hall and me to investigate a site at East Sandgate. This proved to be the start of a campaign of excavations in Scarborough which still continues. We published the results up until 2004 as a Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society Research Report. One of the most unexpected discoveries we made during this time was the unearthing of Roman remains at the top of St Thomas Street, preserved beneath the later medieval town rampart.
I currently work for English Heritage involved in both graphics and survey work but I still like to undertake research into the archaeology and history of Scarborough. I have recently given talks on the Scarborough Pageant of 1912 and the town’s lost seaside attractions and had a book published on the history of the town in 2009.
Current SAHS Roles: Chair, Webmaster
I joined the Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society in 2010 after my wife and I attended a lecture advertised by the Society. I had always had an interest in TV programmes such as Simon Schama's "A History of Britain" and "Time Team" and found the Society a place where I could find out more at a local level. I've got involved with the excavations team where hopefully my enthusiasm mitigates for my lack of knowledge and expertise. I served as Chair of the Society from 2015 until 2019.
My interest in history and archaeology is in contrast to my professional life where I have a software development company and also a cash register and EPoS company which was started by my late father.