A BRIEF HISTORY PART 1 1979 - 2010 PART 2 2010 - 2019 Part 1 of this record was compiled by John Dallimore Text body is Calisto MT 11pt in 2010 at the request of members and included contributions from Clare Austin, Ann Heeley, Martyn Brown and other early members of the Group. 1 2 PART 1 Mark McDermott became very active in the field and contributed a great deal by way of surveys and a number of BACKGROUND papers – published principally in the Proceedings of the The need for a forum to further the study of traditional Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. Their buildings (nationally) had in 1952 resulted in the founding of work was (and is) extremely valuable – although it was mostly the Vernacular Architecture Group. That Group grew and by orientated to recording and researching houses with pre-1650 1969 it was felt that as relevant books and articles were widely origins. scattered ‘A Bibliography on Vernacular Architecture’ was More books on the topic – but covering a wider field - also needed and was subsequently published in 1972, edited by Sir became available, in particular, ‘Houses of the Welsh Countryside’ Robert de Zouche Hall. In the Introduction he stated that by Peter Smith of the Royal Commission on Ancient and ‘Vernacular architecture is not so much a new subject as a new name Historical Monuments in Wales and ‘English Vernacular Houses’ for an older, unorganised one. The study of houses and other by Eric Mercer of the English Royal Commission. Also, Bob buildings, which, in their form and materials, represent the Machin, Tutor, Dept. of Extra-mural Studies, University of unselfconscious tradition of a region rather than ideas of architectural Bristol produced ‘The Houses of Yetminster’. 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 At this time Derek Shorrocks, the then Somerset County classify material and, for those arising from human activity, to place Archivist, agreed to set up a ‘Vernacular Architecture’ file examples in their setting in respect both of time and social background, which enabled reports to be deposited and systematically has led workers in three directions. Some have engaged themselves in catalogued at the Record Office. Also, in parallel individuals the basic tasks of typologies – such as of house plan, methods of roof were encouraged to deposit reports and photographs at the and wall construction, and studies of detail which may be important National Monuments Record, London. In this connection if dating criteria……Other researchers, again, have sought to use reels of film relevant to the reports were sent to the NMR they historical – that is, documentary – evidence, in the hope of proving or were subsequently printed and copies returned to the at least inferring the social status of individual houses or classes of contributor - together with a new reel of film for future use! houses’. In 1970 Clare and David Austin purchased a seventeenth In the 1960’s two authoritative books became available, in century house in Crewkerne. David had met Sir Robert Hall in particular, the ‘Monmouthshire Houses’ (in three volumes) by Sir Yeovil where Sir Robert lived and, recognising his name from Cyril Fox and Lord Raglan, and ‘The English Farmhouse and acknowledgements in Maurice Barley’s book, he invited him to Cottage’ by Maurice Barley. It is of interest to note that in look at their house. After his visit Sir Robert, noting Clare’s Somerset, up until 1970 only Mark McDermott, Clare Austin, interest, took her to visit a number of houses which they jointly Sir Robert Hall and Lionel Walrond had published articles on recorded. They observed that houses in Stocklynch, a village the subject. near Ilminster, had structural characteristics (timber framed gables above cob walls) that were different from the majority of It is in the 1970’s however that interest in the subject grew houses in neighbouring villages. They recorded seven houses substantially in the County and individuals, in particular, and also researched related land use, ownership and tenure. Cmdr. E.H.D. Williams, Ron Gilson, Brian Hale and 3 4 This they considered vital in order to discover the story of the Committee which in 1978 organised a one day seminar in village community and its development as a whole , as well as Taunton, speakers included Cmdr. E.H.D. Williams, Martyn the changing structure and evident use of the buildings Brown, Marion Meak, and Mark McDermott. Subsequently, themselves. Their research was published as ‘The Medieval in order to encourage the interest generated by this seminar a Houses of Stocklynch’ in Proceedings of the Somerset field day was arranged involving the survey of buildings at East Archaeological and Natural History Society, Vol.116 (1972). Compton Farm, near Shepton Mallet which was followed by a They continued to record a number of individual houses, and walk-about in Pilton and a drawing session at the Somerset later embarked on a study of Knole (Long Sutton parish), Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. This hands-on day whose houses have quite different features from those of stimulated the interest of some of the novice surveyors (in Stocklynch. This study was not, then, completed because Sir particular, Ann Heeley and John Dallimore) and as the result Robert Hall left to live in New Zealand. of this impetus Clare Austin suggested that there should be a meeting of those interested in recording houses. The meeting Clare continued her interest in the study of the houses of an of this informal Group was subsequently held at the Somerset entire village as, together with Ann Glass, they recorded and Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury under the auspices of researched twenty-two houses in Drayton (near Langport) – the Martyn Brown, the then Keeper of the museum. [Martyn had work was oriented to the production of an exhibition held at been at the museum since 1974 and was keen to foster interests the village hall in 1978 to celebrate the centenary of the in the older buildings of the county – particularly those building of the school in the village. [Regrettably, although the associated with farms – currently he, together with Ann reports survive the project has not been completed]. Heeley, had produced a small book on ‘Victorian Somerset: In that period Clare joined the Vernacular Architecture Group Farming’]. and became aware of the recording, research and publications Cmdr. Williams attended one of the early meetings of this being undertaken by the Yorkshire Buildings Group (under the informal Group but decided that he did not wish to become a guidance of Barry Harrison and Barbara Hutton) and the member as he would rather proceed with his researches Surrey Group (under Joan Harding) and it served to independently. consolidated her thought that rather than researching individual houses in isolation that it would be better to put At about this time the Proceedings of the SANHS included a them into the wider context of the local history and the list of those properties which had been surveyed in the county geographical and economic background of the community. and where reports had been deposited with the Royal Commission for Historic Monuments, London, together with When attending meetings of the Vernacular Architecture some observations on particular properties. Later these Group Clare met Eric Mercer, then a Senior Inspector for the contributions developed into more detailed accounts by various then Royal Commission for Historic Monuments and he practitioners in the county each year. 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 5 6 THE GROUP IS FORMED. A CHRONOLOGY. Following the Group meeting mentioned above, some survey work ensued under Clare Austin’s guidance and towards the Whereas survey work/research was concentrated on the village end of 1979 the first AGM of interested people took place at the studies some non-related surveys of individual houses were Rural Life Museum. Seven attended: Clare, Ann Heeley, undertaken from time to time at the request of householders. Stephanie Morland, Martyn Brown, John Dallimore, Marion Meak and Eric Mercer (of the RCHM). 1979 - 1982 Long Load and Knole Book The meeting decided that: Work proceeded. Twenty-three houses and three farms were 1. A group should be formalised and should be known as surveyed at Long Load and the earlier surveys carried out by the Somerset & South Avon Vernacular Building Research Clare at Knole were up-dated. Those taking part were Clare Group (At that time Avon County had been created and had Austin, Ann Heeley, Martyn Brown, Margery Taylor taken over the northern part of historic Somerset). (responsible for the sketches) and John Dallimore. They all 2. Monthly meetings should be held [Note - for some contributed to the book years they were held at the Somerest Rural Life Museum]. 3. A Constitution was adopted which stated that the main 1983 – 1984 West and Middle Chinnock Book aim of the Group should be to record and study traditional John and Jane Penoyre came to live in south Somerset and buildings in the historic county of Somerset. joined the Group in 1983. John had earlier published ‘The 4. To carry out research into the relevant history of the Observer’s Book of Architecture’ with Michael Ryan and John and area, provide a forum for discussion and to publish completed Jane had jointly published ‘Houses in the Landscape’ a regional projects. study of vernacular building styles in England and Wales. 5. That the first project should be the study of Long Load Although they were both architects – they admitted to have had and Knole (Long Sutton) settlements which were close to one very little prior experience of surveying vernacular buildings.