News and Notices
News and Notices from the VAG and other groups or organisations.
Some Forthcoming Courses at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
Recording Vernacular Buildings for Conservation - three linked day-schools
Leader Richard Harris
Day 1: Observing and Sketching, Thursday 4 February 2010 - Improving the accuracy of rapid sketches, the geometry of construction, using string lines, drawing individual timbers, rubbing surface features, recording brickwork.
Day 2: Imposing a Grid, Thursday 25 February 2010 - Setting up a plan grid, setting up levels, recording a timber frame, using a grid to record complex patterns by sketching, tracing and photography.
Day 3: Studio Techniques, Thursday 4 March 2010 - basic equipment and materials, technical conventions, line, shade, stipple, shadows. Three dimensional visualisation. Drawing for publication.
£95 per day, all three days £270
Architectural Photography
Monday 1 March 2010
Leader Adam Wilson
An introduction to the discipline of architectural photography, covering composition, exposure methods including the zone system, digital and film recording media and equipment. Includes practical exercises in composition and recording of architectural details using Museum buildings, followed by basic digital transfer and an explanation of file types. Short practical digital sessions in the classroom and a viewing of the day's results.
£95
Preparing Conservation Plans
Monday 15 March 2010
Leader Eddie Booth
Designed for those responsible for managing repair projects in historic buildings, providing an insight into the preparation of conservation plans. Techniques of building investigation and recording will be explored. Students will be taken through the process from initial survey, specification, work carried out and presentation of the client's final report.
£95
An introduction to dating timber-framed buildings
Wednesday 24 March 2010
Leader Joe Thompson
The number, position and arrangement of timbers provides evidence for the analysis and dating of timber-framed buildings based on stylistic evidence. During the day the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum's exhibits will be used to look at buildings dating from the late 1300s to the 1900s. A wonderful opportunity to observe and be guided around so many varieties of timber-framed buildings, all within easy walking distance.
£95
The Georgian Tradition
Friday 26 March 2010
Leaders Neil Burton, James Ayres, Alan Green
There were many developments in architectural style and technology during the Georgian period from 1700 to 1830. A series of lectures on some of the key features of the period, followed by a guided walking tour of Georgian Chichester.
£95
Victorian and Edwardian Building Types
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Leaders: Susie Barson, Malcolm Tucker, Carol Cragoe & Danae Tankard
Victorian Britain saw a huge inrease in the number and variety of new buildings. This study day will explore the main aspects of these developments, including housing for the masses, churches and some civic and industrial buildings.
£95
For more information/bookings contact:
Diana Rowsell, Head of Learning, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
Telephone 01243 811464, Email courses@wealddown.co.uk.
December 2009
The Tacolneston Project: A Study of Vernacular Buildings in the South Norfolk Claylands
This summer saw the publication of a new 170-page study by the Norfolk Historic Buildings Group (NHBG) which sheds important new light on the surviving vernacular buildings in the county, focusing on a uniquely rich collection of over 40 timber-framed buildings in Tacolneston and its surrounding parishes in the claylands of south Norfolk.
The project was part-funded by a small grant from the Awards for All Heritage Lottery Fund which enabled the Group to call upon the services of the scientific community. Dendrochronology was used to date some of the most interesting buildings with greater precision than would normally be possible.
Whilst the Group found only one good example of a timber chimney in their earlier study of New Buckenham, the latest study has revealed an impressive collection of them. "Of the properties recorded in detail, 14 show evidence of timber-framed chimneys as original or early features" says the Group's chairman, Dr Adam Longcroft. "This is a very exciting discovery since it demonstrates that primitive chimneystacks of this kind were far more commonplace and survive in much greater numbers in some areas, than anyone had previously expected".
To purchase a copy of the publication, please complete the order form and send a cheque for £13 (this includes postage & packaging) made payable to the Norfolk Historic Buildings Group, to Mrs Karen Mackie, 44 Norwich Road, Tacolneston, Norfolk NR16 1BY.August 2009
The Norfolk School Survey
The Norfolk Historic Buildings Group is embarking on a survey of rural schools in the county. Of the 464 that existed in 1944, 405 had been built before 1900 and 200 before 1870. Many of the 464 have already been closed and many more are due for closure, yet they represent an important source of both architectural and social history as well as forming an important part of the village scene. The Group plans to locate them on early OS maps and then visit their sites and photograph, at least externally, all that survive in a recognisable form. More detailed surveys will be undertaken on a selected few. Supporting documentary material survives, both in the record office and in the schools themselves, while Kelly's and White's Directories often note the date of building, the patron, if there was one, and the number of children they catered for. An important source are the plans drawn for applications to the Privy Council for grants towards building, available from 1846 into the 1870s.
We would like to know of any other groups or individuals working in this field with whom we might be able to share thoughts on findings and methodologies. Please contact:
Susanna Wade Martins, email scwmartins@hotmail.com
February 2009
