Welcome to the SVBRG website.The Somerset Vernacular Building Research Group is a voluntary organisation founded in 1979 to record and study the traditional houses and buildings of this historic county. In particular, farmhouses, cottages, the smaller manor houses and barns which are in the local style and built of local materials. The Group has a membership of some 70 people from all walks of life. Members measure, draw and write detailed reports on houses and buildings when asked to do so by the owner or with the owner’s permission if the initiative comes from a member. A copy of the report is given to the owner and with their consent a copy is deposited at the Somerset Record Office and the National Monuments Record in Swindon. Whilst it is not the object of the Group to make money, a donation of £50 is requested to help defray its expenses.Houses are recorded by a team of four or five people, usually taking two to three hours. The team likes to have a preliminary guided tour of the house during which the owner can point out features which may not be obvious, e.g. a blocked doorway or window now covered by wallpaper, or a fireplace recently opened or removed. During the survey the internal features are recorded and a sketch of the ground floor plan is prepared on which all measurements are noted. Other items of interest such as beams, fireplaces, etc. are included. Roof spaces and cellars are most important, as it is here that original features may be seen. External features are similarly recorded in the same detail. The report will contain scale drawings and an interpretation of how/when the house developed. It is solely concerned with the architectural features and will make NO REFERENCE WHATSOEVER to the current usage of rooms, the location of modem features or details of moveable objects. To-date, some hundreds of buildings have been recorded and in addition, much of the Group’s work has been published in the “Somerset Villages” series of books: Long Load and Knole West and Middle Chinnock Alford and Lovington Batcombe Chiselborough Haselbury Plucknett Butleigh Shapwick,Compton Dundon Combe St NicholasStogurseyIn addition, the Group has published “The Dovecotes of Historical Somerset” written by two members, Pamela and John McCann. Several Dendrochronology Projects (tree ring dating) have been undertaken since 1996 enabling a chronology of the seven principal roof types found in Somerset to be established as well as the dating of various styles of beam mouldings. The projects have been funded by generous grants from a number of sources. New working members are most welcome - no previous experience is necessary. “On-the-job” guidance and help will be given. A list of dates when surveys are likely to be undertaken during the year can be obtained from the project co-ordinator. A monthly series of talks or visits for members is arranged and details can be obtained from the Hon. SecretaryView our current programme of meetings and visits, publications, membership details and annual survey summaries by visiting the pages listed under the Welcome tab.Last update November 2010.