We often study village profiles, the social and structural development, which regularly presents evidence from early history through to modern times. Churches are great sources of history, with records of families and events, and we attempt to identify early stonework and restorations in these long-standing buildings, some as early as 13th century.

There is much seriously interesting vernacular architecture in North Yorkshire, from barns and cottages to manorial houses and castles. Also, structural features such as icehouses, hennery/piggeries, root stores, holy wells, and many early industrial remnants are located and noted. We gain great pleasure in identifying features, noting datestones on properties with family initials, and mason’s marks.

The early work of the Group involved technical study of buildings, measuring, drawing, dating and recording floor plans and special features. These were submitted to the Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group and officially recorded, but we still retain all our archive files and material. However we eventually had fewer qualified members and fewer properties available to study, so adapted our interests, and are always glad to welcome members in our diverse pursuits.