Upcoming Programme of Talks

Wednesday 25th February, 7.30 PM

PLEASE NOTE 4TH WED OF MONTH

Duncan Phillips, a seasoned surveyor specializing in historic buildings will give a talk entitled "Lovingly Restored - The Nightmare Scenario".

Wednesday 15th April, 7.30 PM

Philip Gaches On His Family's Work Restoring Historic Plasterwork Ceilings Since 1948.

Previous Talks

Wednesday 21st January 2026

Fergus Dowding discussed some of the houses in the hamlet of Ash, near Martock, which the group visited in July 2025. This included the discovery of both a counter-change framed ceiling in a rear wing and a dovecote built into the side of one wall, both strong indicators of wealth and status.

Wednesday 19th November 2025

Andy Ziminski talked us through some of the rich and varied carvings he has studied. He has an eye for interesting detail, his recent book "Church Going" gained him a pull out supplement in The Sunday Times so we felt lucky to have him talk to us.

Wednesday 15th October 2025

Ed Lorch told the story of local man James Quantock, an 18th century polymath who specialized 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, building costs, the wages for a Montacute thatcher man and boy, and size of the national debt in 1780.

Wednesday 17th September 2025

Michelle Hilborne and Fergus Dowding talked through photos of some of the buildings they visited in South West Wiltshire on the VAG Spring Conference this last April, illustrating similarities and differences to Somerset buildings.

Wednesday 16th April 2025

Jenny Chesher, Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas, Historic England and exemplary restorer of the Clerks Cottage at Spaxton gave a talk on her parents seminal 1968 book on restoration of their Cornish house and of the Cornish vernacular at large.

Previous Visits

Wednesday 16th July 2025

Guided walkabout around the village of Ash discussing the history and development of its beautiful buildings. Led by Fergus Dowding. Meet for 6pm at Manor Farm, Burrough Street, TA12 6NZ.

Wednesday 21st May 2025

Visit To 9, Fore Street Chard. This Remarkable High Street Fixture With Large Amounts Of Late Medieval Fabric Including Somerset's As Yet Latest Dendro Dated Cruck Of 1632 Together With Much Fine Plasterwork And Massive Mullioned Windows, All In The Courtyard At The Back. It Has Been Sliding Into Disrepair For Some Time, The Council Bought It And Patrick Stow Of The Somerset Buildings Repair Trust Is Masterminding Its Restoration. He And Jane Boyd-brent Will Show Us Round. The Full Survey Is Available From Fergus.

Wednesday 17th July 2024

Marshwood Farm, Carhampton, TA24 6LA. A large and rambling 15th to 17th century manor house built by members of the Luttrell family. It has been tenanted for centuries, now in private ownership of people keen to know more. When surveyed by Williams and Gilson in 1983 the crucks and much else was covered over, including much plaster strapwork, which is now all coming to light. All welcome, contact Fergus if you would like a copy of the 1983 survey or directions.

Wednesday 19th June 2024

Visit to the "Church in the Field" at Low Ham, TA10 9DR. Built as a private chapel, completed in 1690 to resemble a church 200 years older, it was part of of a grand design of country house and landscape enrichment by Sir Edward Hext. The scheme foundered, Sir Edward died and the church is now stranded in a grass field. Today it is maintained by a bunch of loving volunteers who will show us around and give us tea. Emma Norris, who talked to us about the Cosmatesque pavement in Sherborne Abbey, waived her fee in favour of this church; we will be able to see her work on Charles II's coat of arms. Free admission to this hidden treasure; donations encouraged. Parking in the adjacent farmyard; share a car if you can.

Wednesday 15th May 2024

Visit to the Saxon hall house reconstruction at the Avalon Marshes Centre, BA6 9TT. This, together with an Iron Age roundhouse and a Roman dining room, have been built by volunteers under the direction of Richard Brunning who talked to us about them in 2022. They are really interesting and thoughtful reconstructions, the royal Saxon hall with earth floor and fully furnished for living in. A lot to see - Avalon Archaeology £8.50 pp for the guided tour, which will also grant free entry for a year. Cafe on site. Please register your interest with Fergus as we need to advise on numbers.