Somerset Vernacular Building Research Group (SVBRG)

Wed 25 Feb, Duncan Philips with Lovingly Restored – The Nightmare Scenario. Duncan is a seasoned surveyor specialising in historic buildings, and this thought-provoking talk should encourage you to think twice when reviewing houses for your dream home. 7pm for 7.30pm at Parish Rooms, Somerton.

Tonight, our first event of 2026! Our excellent chairperson, Fergus Dowding, will discuss some of the houses of Ash, near Martock, which the group visited last summer. These include the discovery of a counter-change framed ceiling in a rear wing in a room built into the side of a dovecote.

Event poster featuring a photo of stonemason and author Andrew Ziminski in work clothes and with two large pieces of carved stonework.

Tonight! 7pm for 7.30pm, £3 on door. Our last event of the year, do join us! @old-church-going.bsky.social @profilebooks.bsky.social

Event poster featuring a photo of stonemason and author Andrew Ziminski in work clothes and with two large pieces of carved stonework.

We are thrilled to welcome back Andrew Ziminski to celebrate the paperback release of his acclaimed book, Church Going: A Stonemason’s Guide to the Churches of the British Isles. Wed 19 Nov, Parish Rooms, Somerton. 7pm for 7.30pm, £3 on door @old-church-going.bsky.social @profilebooks.bsky.social

Ed Lorch will tell us the story of local man James Quantock, an 18th century polymath who specialised in what we today call surveying. There will be details on how his intricate 100-page notebook was found which gives instructions and data on surveying, carpentry, husbandry, building costs and more.

Ed Lorch will tell us the story of local man James Quantock, an 18-century polymath who specialised in what we today call surveying. How his intricate 100-page notebook was found, which amongst many other subjects gives instructions and data on surveying, carpentry, husbandry and building costs.

Should be good - we visited some amazing buildings in Wiltshire!

Thank you, yes the whole conference was outstanding, we need 5 hours rather than 45 minutes for this talk!

Wed 17 Sep, Michelle Hilborne & Fergus Dowding on the vernacular architecture of South Wiltshire. Michelle & Fergus will discuss buildings they visited during the @varchgroup.bsky.social Spring Conference, illustrating similarities & differences to Somerset buildings. 7.30pm, Parish Rooms, Somerton.

Join us on Wed 16 July, 6pm, for a guided walkabout in Ash. Led by our chair Fergus Dowding, we'll discuss the history and development of the village's beautiful buildings. Meet at Manor Farm (pictured), Burrough St, TA12 6NZ.
📷 Fergus Dowding. Note the mullioned window that wraps around the corner

View of Salisbury Cathedral from a room in Sarum College, The Close. Photo by Michelle Hilborne.

View of buildings in Salisbury Cathedral Close from a room in Sarum College. Photo by Michelle Hilborne.

Four of our group spent last week at the superb Vernacular Architecture Group Spring Conference @varchgroup.bsky.social. Programme on South Wiltshire put together with outstanding expertise by Dorothy Treasure & team at Wiltshire Buildings Record. Photos: bedroom with view @sarumcollege.bsky.social!

Poster for talk hosted by the Somerset Vernacular Building Research Group on Wednesday 16 April 2025. Guest speaker Jenny Chesher on her parents' seminal 1968 book The Cornishman's House: An Introduction to Traditional Domestic Architecture in Cornwall. Event held at The Parish Rooms, Somerton, TA11 7NB. Members free, non-members £3.

Wed 16 Apr, Jenny Chesher on her parents’ seminal 1968 book The Cornishman’s House: An Introduction to Traditional Domestic Architecture in Cornwall. Jenny is Inspector of Historic Buildings & Areas at Historic England & exemplary restorer of Clerks Cottage, Spaxton. 7.30pm, Parish Rooms, Somerton

House in the snow in Keinton Mandeville, Somerset. Building constructed of Blue Lias stone, with boundary wall of Blue Lias orthostatic stone. Photo by Michelle Hilborne.

House in Ilminster, Somerset. Built of Moolham stone. Photo by Michelle Hilborne.

Happy New Year to our 500 followers! This month's meeting is on a Thursday, 16th January at the Parish Rooms, Somerton. Steve Creaney will talk on geological formations of our area, and how they have created the different stones we try to describe when surveying buildings. 7pm doors, 7.30pm start.

Hello Bluesky!
We are very happy to be here, and look forward to sharing news, events and information on Somerset's rich historic and natural environment.

Great to see you here!

Great to see you on here, big fan of your books.

Photo by Sally Strachey Historic Conservation. A la Ronde, Devon.

Photo by Sally Strachey Historic Conservation

Photo by Sally Strachey Historic Conservation. Nunney Castle, Somerset.

Photo by Sally Strachey Historic Conservation. Church of St Peter, Hornblotton, Somerset.

Join us, Wed 20 Nov, 7pm doors, 7.30pm start. AGM then swiftly to our guest speakers. Lucy Durnan and Jake Motley of Sally Strachey Historic Conservation will talk about their work on historic stonework, statuary, decorative finishes and plasterwork. Parish Rooms, Somerton, TA11 7NB. Non-members £3