Monthly talks on building history and vernacular architecture, with particular emphasis on Somerset.
Members free. Visitors £3.
All meetings are held at the The Parish Rooms, Market Place, Somerton, TA11 7NB. Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tea afterwards. Click here for map.
Fergus would welcome any suggestions or recommendations for speakers, subjects or visits that might be relevant to the group.
Upcoming Talks
Wednesday 21th October 7.30pm
Alice Cartledge, a member of SVBRG and conservation architect, will tell us about her work, particularly on a house in Nether Stowey she has recently worked on.
Wednesday 18th November 7.30pm
Dr Kathryn Davies on wall paintings. Her research interests centre on vernacular buildings, and in particular, secular wall paintings in the early modern period, focusing on their use in everyday life. Her most recently published book is “Artisan Art: vernacular paintings in the Welsh Marches 1550-1650”.
Wednesday 20th January 7.30pm
Dr Amy Burnett on Women's work in 17th century inns and alehouses She will shine a light on the working lives of the alewives of Somerton and beyond. This is building on a talk she gave to a recent national VAG conference.
Wednesday 24th February 7.30pm
Harriet Still will talk to us on her research on Abbey Street, Cerne Abbas, multi use ‘renters’. The street has jointed crucks along its length, the cruck blade at the front of each unit rests at first floor level on the jettied floor beams. Harriet will explain….
Wednesday 17th March 7.30pm
We will show a film on the life work of Charles Brooking and his exceptional collection of architectural fragments. Starting at the age of 3, his incredible feat of human perseverance and dedication has built an increasingly important collection. The film taps into his unsurpassed knowledge of architectural detail. He is the custodian of 30,000 sash pulleys!
Wednesday 21st April 7.30pm
Historic towns specialist Dr Nigel Baker ‘On the outside looking in: multiple perspectives on medieval urban buildings’. This talk received top reviews when unleashed on the VAG winter conference in 2026 and will centre on his home town of Shrewsbury.
Upcoming Visits
Wednesday 21st July 2pm
East Lambrook Manor £10/head
The new owner of this feature-rich 14/15th century jointed cruck house leads well reviewed tours for up to 8 people at a time, lasting 30-40 minutes Please book your own places, if full you may like to book the next time period and we can all meet up later in the tea room which does not require you to pay the garden admission price of £8.50. Contact Fergus if you would like the SVBRG survey report.
Mailing list
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Other local meeting & talks
Martock Local History Group
Meetings are on the 4th Tuesday of each month during the winter months and visits, field walking and other outdoor activities during the summer.
South Petherton Local History Group
Meetings are held from September to May, usually on the 4th Thursday of each month starting at 7.30pm. Meetings are held at The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, TA13 5AA.
Tintinhull Local History Group
Evening meetings 7.30pm Tintinhull Village Hall, Vicarage Street unless otherwise stated. Non-members welcome - £3 entrance fee. Members £1.