LAST week’s interesting building was the Settle Quaker Meeting House, Settle.

John Asker, its clerk, tells us: “Quaker Meeting Houses stand out because of their simple design. This one is in Settle, was built in 1678 at a cost of £80 and the Meeting is still going strong.”

Mike Edbury, Giggleswick, adds: “Aside from its use as a venue for those of the Quaker faith, it plays a much wider role in the community. Being home to events as diverse as poetry readings, charity events and, in the summer months, figures contributing to the town’s annual Flowerpot Festival will always be found in the gardens.”

The Settle Quaker Meeting House website tells us that North Yorkshire is one of the areas where Quakerism came together in the mid-17th century and was very much part of that early history.

“We have changed greatly since those early days. However, the original Quaker ideal of living simply, promoting peace, speaking with truth and integrity and seeking God in everyone are still part of our core values and practice.”

Those who attend its meetings range from children to 90 year olds.

In the 17th century groups of dissenters were dissatisfied with the established church. One group of “Seekers after Truth” gathered around George Fox and became known as Quakers.

They included William Dewsbury, who came to Settle on a market day. He addressed the crowds from the market cross, from where he was dragged off and beaten. He and others continued to share the Quaker message and from that grew Settle Meeting.

What about this industrial building, now surrounded with houses?

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