SOMERSET VERNACULAR BUILDING RESEARCH GROUP
‘THE FIRST THIRTY YEARS (or so!)’.
This record has been compiled at the request of members by
John Dallimore with contributions from, Clare Austin, Ann
Heeley, Martyn Brown and some of the other long-standing
members of the Group.
BACKGROUND
The need for a forum to further the study of traditional
buildings (nationally) had in 1952 resulted in the founding
of the Vernacular Architecture Group. That Group grew and
by 1969 it was felt that as relevant books and articles
were widely scattered ‘A Bibliography on Vernacular
Architecture’ was needed and was subsequently published in
1972, edited by Sir Robert de Zouche Hall. In the
Introduction he stated that ‘Vernacular architecture is not
so much a new subject as a new name for an older,
unorganised one. The study of houses and other buildings,
which, in their form and materials, represent the
unselfconscious tradition of a region rather than ideas of
architectural style has been followed for many years in a
diffused and unorganised fashion’. He went on to say that
‘The need in all field studies to classify material and,
for those arising from human activity, to place examples in
their setting in respect both of time and social
background, has led workers in three directions. Some have
engaged themselves in the basic tasks of typologies – such
as of house plan, methods of roof and wall construction,
and studies of detail which may be important dating
criteria……Other researchers, again, have sought to use
historical – that is, documentary – evidence, in the hope
of proving or at least inferring the social status of
individual houses or classes of houses’.
In the 1960’s two authoritative books became available, in
particular, the ‘Monmouthshire Houses’(in three volumes) by
Sir Cyril Fox and Lord Raglan, and ‘The English Farmhouse
and Cottage’ by Maurice Barley. It is of interest to note
that in Somerset, up until 1970 only Mark McDermott, Clare
Austin, Sir Robert Hall and Lionel Walrond had published
articles on the subject.
It is in the 1970’s however that interest in the subject
grew substantially in the County and individuals, in
particular, Cmdr. E.H.D. Williams, Ron Gilson, Brian Hale
and Mark Mc Dermott became very active in the field and
contributed a great deal by way of surveys and a number of
papers – published principally in the Proceedings of the
Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. Their
work was (and is) extremely valuable – although it was
mostly orientated to recording and researching houses with
pre-1650 origins.
More books on the topic – but covering a wider field - also
became available, in particular, ‘Houses of the Welsh
Countryside’ by Peter Smith of the Royal Commission on
Ancient and Historical Monument in Wales and ‘English
Vernacular Houses’ by Eric Mercer of the English Royal
Commission. Also, Bob Machin, Tutor, Dept. of Extra-mural
Studies, University of Bristol produced ‘The Houses of
Yetminster’.
At this time Derek Shorrocks, the then County Archivist,
agreed to set up a ‘Vernacular Architecture’ file which
enabled reports to be deposited and systematically
catalogued at the Record Office. Also, in parallel
individuals were encouraged to deposit reports and
photographs at the National Monuments Record, London. In
this connection if reels of film relevant to the reports
were sent to the NMR they were subsequently printed and
copies returned to the contributor - together with a new
reel of film for future use!
In 1970 Clare and David Austin purchased a seventeenth
century house in Crewkerne. David had met Sir Robert Hall
in Yeovil where Sir Robert lived and, recognising his name
from acknowledgements in Maurice Barley’s book, he invited
him to look at their house. After his visit Sir Robert,
noting Clare’s interest, took her to visit a number of
houses which they jointly recorded. They observed that
houses in Stocklynch, a village near Ilminster, had
structural characteristics (timber framed gables above cob
walls) that were different from the majority of houses in
neighbouring villages. They recorded seven houses and also
researched related land use, ownership and tenure. This
they considered vital in order to discover the story of the
village community and its development as a whole , as well
as the changing structure and evident use of the buildings
themselves. Their research was published as ‘The Medieval
Houses of Stocklynch’ in Proceedings of the Somerset
Archaeological and Natural History Society, Vol.116 (1972).
They continued to record a number of individual houses, and
later embarked on a study of Knole (Long Sutton parish),
whose houses have quite different features from those of
Stocklynch. This study was not, then, completed because Sir
Robert Hall left to live in New Zealand.
Clare continued her interest in the study of the houses of
an entire village as, together with Ann Glass, they
recorded and researched twenty-two houses in Drayton (near
Langport) – the work was oriented to the production of an
exhibition held at the village hall in 1978 to celebrate
the centenary of the building of the school in the village.
[Regrettably, although the reports survive the project has
not been completed].
In that period Clare joined the Vernacular Architecture
Group and became aware of the recording, research and
publications being undertaken by the Yorkshire Buildings
Group (under the guidance of Barry Harrison and Barbara
Hutton) and the Surrey Group (under Joan Harding) and it
served to consolidated her thought that rather than
researching individual houses in isolation that it would be
better to put them into the wider context of the local
history and the geographical and economic background of the
community.
When attending meetings of the Vernacular Architecture
Group Clare met Eric Mercer, then a Senior Inspector for
the then Royal Commission for Historic Monuments and he
supported her idea that a wide view should be taken of the
houses of entire village and encouraged her to proceed.
At about this time the Somerset Archaeological
&.Natural History Society(SANHS) established an
Historic Buildings Committee which in 1978 organised a one
day seminar in Taunton, speakers included Marion Meak,
Cdr.E.H.D.Williams, Martyn Brown and Mark McDermott.
Subsequently, in order to encourage the interest generated
by this seminar a field day was arranged involving the
survey of buildings at East Compton Farm, near Shepton
Mallet which was followed by a walk-about in Pilton and a
drawing session at the Somerset Rural Life Museum,
Glastonbury. This hands-on day stimulated the interest of
some of the novice surveyors (in particular, Ann Heeley and
John Dallimore) and as the result of this impetus Clare
Austin suggested that there should be a meeting of those
interested in recording houses. The meeting of this
informal Group was subsequently held at the Somerset Rural
Life Museum in Glastonbury under the auspices of Matyn
Brown, the then Keeper of the museum. [Martyn had been at
the museum since 1974 and was keen to foster interests in
the older buildings of the county – particularly those
associated with farms – currently he, together with Ann
Heeley, had produced a small book on ‘Victorian Somerset:
Farming’].
Cdr Williams attended one of the early meetings of this
informal Group but decided that he did not wish to become a
member as he would rather proceed with his researches
independently.
At about this time the Proceedings of the SANHS included a
list of those properties which had been surveyed in the
county and where reports had been deposited with the Royal
Commission for Historic Monuments, London, together with
some observations on particular properties. Later these
contributions developed into more detailed accounts by
various practitioners in the county each year.
‘THE GROUP’: A CHRONOLOGY.
Following the Group meeting mentioned above, some survey
work ensued under Clare Austin’s guidance and towards the
end of 1979 the first AGM of interested people took place
at the Rural Life Museum. Seven attended: Clare, Ann
Heeley, Stephanie Morland, Martyn Brown, John Dallimore,
Marion Meak and Eric Mercer (of the RCHM).
The meeting decided that:
1. A group should be formalised and should be known as the
Somerset & South Avon Vernacular Building Research
Group (At that time Avon County had been created and had
taken over the northern part of historic Somerset).
2. Monthly meetings should be held [Note - for some years
they were held at the Somerest Rural Life Museum].
3. A Constitution was adopted which stated that the main
aim of the Group should be to record and study traditional
buildings in the historic county of Somerset. 4. To carry
out research into the relevant history of the area, provide
a forum for discussion and to publish completed projects.
5 That the first project should be the study of Long Load
and Knole (Long Sutton) settlements which were close to one
another, separated only by the River Yeo, but which had
their own distinct patterns of house structure, materials
and plan-forms. Also advantage could be taken of the work
started by Clare Austin and Sir Robert Hall earlier.
PUBLICATIONS - Note:
All the Village books produced between 1983 and 2004 were
printed by Prestige Services of Crewkerne and the typing
and formatting prior to printing was carried out by Joan
Dallimore and John Penoyre.
Some grants towards publication costs were received at
various times in particular from the Maltwood Trust for
Archaeological Research in Somerset, and also from the Marc
Fitch Fund for Historical Research, Oxford.
A CHRONOLOGY.
Whereas survey work/research was concentrated on the
village studies some non-related surveys of individual
houses were undertaken from time to time at the request of
householders.
1979 - 1982 Long Load and Knole Book
Work proceeded. Twenty-three houses and three farms were
surveyed at Long Load and the earlier surveys carried out
by Clare at Knole were up-dated. Those taking part were
Clare Austin, Ann Heeley, Martyn Brown, Margery Taylor
(responsible for the sketches) and John Dallimore. They all
contributed to the book
1983 – 1984 West and Middle Chinnock Book
John and Jane Penoyre came to live in south Somerset and
joined the Group in 1983. John had earlier published ‘The
Observer Book of Architecture’ with Michael Ryan and John
and Jane had jointly published ‘Houses in the Landscape’ a
regional study of vernacular building styles in England and
Wales. Although they were both architects – they admitted
to have had very little prior experience of surveying
vernacular buildings. However, they immediately became
involved in the study of the two Chinnocks (which were
close to where they lived). Twenty-two houses and seven
farms were surveyed, most of the work being undertaken by
the Penoyres although Clare Austin and John Dallimore
contributed.
[This was the first book in the ‘Villages’ series to be
enlivened with John Penoyre’s drawings and which
established the standard of excellence for Group
publications which latterly has been hard to maintain as,
unfortunately, John ceased to be active in the field a few
years ago. He died in 2007].
1983 – Bridge and Flaxdrayton Farms, Drayton (South
Petherton).
John Penoyre surveyed these Victorian farms and produced a
booklet describing the buildings and their history -
illustrated with his drawings and watercolours. Jane
assisted with documentary research.
1980 – 1984 - Farmstead Survey
It was being recognised at that time that many farmsteads -
which dated from the second half of the C19 or earlier -
were being lost through conversion/redevelopment nationally
and it was considered that as many as possible should be
recorded before these prominent features of the landscape
disappeared. Consequently, John Dallimore undertook a
comprehensive study of farmsteads in various parts of the
County which resulted in forty farms being recorded and
researched.
1984 – 1986 – Alford and Lovington Book
The Group moved their interest towards the east of the
county - as the result of requests from some occupiers of
these two parishes which had been linked historically
having been in the same ownership.
Twenty-seven houses and ten farms were surveyed and
researched mostly by John Dallimore with help from Jane and
John Penoyre. Other members helped with the surveys.
NOTE: Whereas the names of the persons preparing the
drawings and reports are recorded unfortunately there is no
record, from the early years of the other members who
participated in the surveys from time to time.
1986 – 1988 - Batcombe Book
This Project was undertaken at the request of the Batcombe
Parish Council (who contributed a grant towards the cost of
publication). Donald Sage a well known local farmer
afforded considerable help by liasing with owners enabling
access to be gained to many properties in the parish.
Thirty houses and twenty farms were surveyed. Much of the
work fell to John and Jane Penoyre with lesser input by
Clare Austin, John Dallimore and a number of others. Again
the book was embellished by John Penoyre’s lively drawings.
1988 – 1993 Chiselborough Book
This village study was more-or-less entirely the work of
John Dallimore as he had been involved in researching a
number of the properties over some years. Help was
available locally, particularly from Gerald and Eileen
Holloway who eased access to many of the houses.
Thirty-eight houses and farms were surveyed. Documentary
sources were particularly generous as two manorial estates
were involved and two sets of documents fortuitously
survived. Clare Austin and John and Jane Penoyre
contributed to the later stages of the project.
1993 – 1994 Decorative Plasterwork, 1500-1700.
John and Jane Penoyre produced this fine definitive book on
the plasterwork found in the houses of Somerset. Such a
regional study is rare and deals with the origins of style,
design, sources, symbolism, and the craftsmen involved. It
is profusely illustrated with photographs and John’s
thumb-nail line drawings.
1994 Haselbury Plucknett Book
Clare Austin had been researching elements of the history
of the parish for some time; ultimately she decided to
bring her work to fruition and to assemble it for the book.
It was therefore mostly her work but some assistance was
given in the later stages by David Austin, John and Jane
Penoyre, and John Dallimore. Forty-six houses and thirteen
farms were recorded and described. Clare made much use of
later estate documents and made cogent comparisons with two
adjoining parishes which the Group had already researched.
1993 - 1996 Shapwick Book
The Group were invited by Mick Aston, Professor of
Archaeology, Bristol University to contribute to the
Buildings and Farms section of the Shapwick Project - a
multi-disciplinary survey of the parish under his
direction. Thirty-eight properties were surveyed the most
notable being one late medieval house and the manor house
dendro-dated 1431/1485. The work was undertaken principally
by Jane and John Penoyre with help from John Dallimore but
a number of other members were involved with the survey
work. The book is enlivened by John Penoyre’s drawings.
1994 – 1995 Bruton Project
At the request of the Bruton Conservation body the Group
surveyed and researched fourteen houses in the town - most
with substantial elements of oak timber framing and
jetties. Subsequently, four of the houses were accurately
dendro-dated most giving early/mid fifteen century dates –
the exception was a cellar beam which dated to 1271-1303. A
paper describing the project, prepared by John and Jane
Penoyre, appeared in SANHS Proceedings, Vol.140, 1997.
1996 –2005 Dendrochronology Projects
Over this period six separate phases of sampling were
undertaken – with the object of obtaining a more scientific
method of dating the timber features of early buildings.
The sampling was by Dan Miles & Company, Oxford, and
the Group obtained grants towards the cost from various
bodies. Fifty-three positive results were obtained covering
the period from 1278 – 1585 which resulted in eight
different historical styles of roof construction being
identified.
Mark McDermott produced a summary and an analysis of the
results which was published in Vernacular Architecture,
Vol.37, 2006.
[Note: As Avon County ceased to exist ca 1994 it was
decided henceforth to omit ‘South Avon’ from the Group’s
title].
1996 – 1999 Newton St Loe Book
At the request of the Bath & North East Somerset
Council John Dallimore undertook a survey of the houses and
farms in the parish – he was supported by an ad-hoc group
of twenty-seven mostly amateur surveyors, recruited
locally. Sixty-nine houses and seven farms were surveyed
and researched. It was, and is, historically a ‘closed’
village in the hands of the resident lord of the manor.
This situation persists and it is currently in the
ownership of the Duchy of Cornwall - the Land Steward and
his staff kindly co-operated and, as they owned all the
houses access was not a problem. Whereas some estate
documents were available locally some could only be
accessed by visits to the Duchy head office in London.
The book was prepared by John and Joan Dallimore and
published by the Council.
1995-2001 – Butleigh Book
Ann Heeley had been actively researching the history of the
village for some years and had taken part in a television
documentary on the subject. Eventually a survey of the
older houses in the village followed co-ordinated by Ann
and John Dallimore. John and Jane Penoyre were also
substantial contributors, John Penoyre again embellished
the reports with his excellent sketches.
Unfortunately, due to access problems it was not possible
to include the Butleigh Wootton part of the parish.
Eighteen Group members participated in the surveys over the
years and 85 houses and six farms were recorded and
researched. The most outstanding property recorded was
Bridge Farmhouse which had originally been owned by
Glastonbury Abbey and was dendro-dated to 1305.
2001 – 2003 – The Dovecotes of Historical Somerset Book.
This copious work was undertaken by John and Pamela McCann.
It includes a general history of dovecotes and they
recorded and photographed 49 Somerset examples in detail.
2002 – 2003 Brompton Ralph Project
The Group were requested to survey some houses in the
parish by a local study group (who contributed expenses).
It is a parish of dispersed settlements - unlike any other
which this Group had surveyed hitherto. Twenty two houses
were recorded and researched and subsequently the records
were assimilated into a publication prepared by the local
study group.
2002 – 2004 – Compton Dundon Book
Although the boundaries of Butleigh and Compton Dundon
parishes adjoin they were found to vary in many respects –
in particular the manorial ownership, topography and
agriculture. John Dallimore acted as project co-ordinator
and twenty five members took an active part in the surveys
over the years. Ultimately sixty houses and twenty-three
farms were surveyed – including seven late medieval houses
and one medieval barn – the latter dendro-dated to 1283-88.
As the church was an ancient foundation it was decided to
depart from our normal practice and include it in our
surveys. Accordingly it was surveyed by Tom Manning and
researched by Mark McDermott. We were also grateful for
help received from Mary Siraut, Editor, Victoria History of
Somerset.
2005 Traditional Houses of Somerset Book
Jane Penoyre produced this magnum opus (with contributions
by John Penoyre, John Dallimore and Russel Lillford). It
will be a ready source of reference as it sets out clear
development sequences of plans, roof structures and
decorative features, all illustrated by a large number of
line drawings and photographs – much derived from Jane and
John’s work with the Group over the years .
2005 – 2008 – Combe St Nicholas Book
It was considered that our interest should be extended into
the SW of the county, an area where little vernacular
building research had been undertaken formerly. Members
also received encouragement to undertake the project from
both Dr. Robert Dunning and Prof. Mick Aston. We were also
offered help from the Local History Group in the parish who
were prepared to arrange access to properties and to help
with research.
Over the period fifty houses were surveyed and researched
co-ordinated by John Dallimore. Twenty-nine members of the
Group took part in the surveys and research work and there
was a contribution on the history of the landscape by Dr.
Stephen Rippon of Exeter University.
It was the first of the Group books to be digitally
produced under the direction of a ‘working party’.
2006 – 2007 – Blagdon Project
At the request of the Blagdon Local History Society (who
contributed expenses) eleven Group members surveyed eight
of the older houses in the village; the results have
subsequently been incorporated into Volume 3 of the
Society’s village histories.
2008 – 2010 –The Stogursey Book.
Stogursey is in a part of the County not much researched in
the past by the Group and as the parish has a number of
features which we had not met before: in particular a
Castle, an Abbey, Priory and a Borough it was considered to
present a challenge! What has subsequently been found is
that it had a multiplicity of manors and some rare
documents – particularly early C17 maps produced for the
Duke of Northumberland.
Fortunately, the basic history had already been published
in Vol. VI of the Victoria County History of Somerset and
as a result we have been able to obtain considerable help
from Miss Mary Siraut, Editor of the V.C.H.Somerset
About a hundred and twenty houses and farms have been
surveyed and researched and the results have been
incorporated into our latest publication’ Traditional
buildings in the Parish of Stogursey’ (Nov. 2010), produced
digitally by a working party.
Public Involvement
We have been very aware over the years that most of the
properties which have been studied could only have been
visited and recorded by the kind permission of the owners,
and that usually the best public relations work, in a
village context, has been by of word of mouth particularly
by neighbours enthused as the result of our findings.
Talks given by Group members have also helped to stimulate
interest in vernacular architecture in general.
THE NATIONAL TRUST
Over the years the Group have been requested by the
National Trust to survey and research the following
properties:
The Stables, Dunster Castle
Lytes Cary Manor, Charlton Mackrell,
Tintinhull House, Tintinhull,
The Gothic Cottage, Stourhead,
Clevedon Court, Clevedon,
Farm-buildings at The Priory, Stoke-sub-Hamdon,
The Treasurer’s House, Martock.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOUSES SURVEYED – since 1978 we have
deposited about 1000 reports at both the Somerset Record
Office and the National Monuments Record.
A nominal contribution is received from the NMR for each
report deposited.
MEMBERSHIP
Whereas the numbers have gradually increased over the years
( currently 70) the number of ‘workers’ has remained at
about a quarter of the total at any one time – this I
understand is typical of most voluntary organisations!
CHAIRMEN 1979 – 2010 (in sequence)
Clare Austin John Dallimore Ann Heeley Sarah Headlam
Mike Cudmore Tony Beresford Stephen Croad
Carolyn Young Denny Robbins (currently Chairman and
Hon.Secreatary).
VENUES FOR MEETINGS
The Rural Life Museum at Glastonbury ceased to be used some
years ago as the rent being charged by the County Council
was too high bearing in mind the small membership at that
time. Subsequently, for many years, meetings were held at
the houses of those members who had larger houses. However,
as the membership increased larger accommodation became
necessary so in 2002 we ‘moved’ to the excellent Village
Hall at Compton Dundon . Our present meeting venue is the
United Reform Church Room, Somerton.
John Dallimore
November 2010